Today starts the final week of the George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge, and I couldn’t be more excited to share the results of my weigh-in. I am now officially at a normal BMI—by 2.5 pounds! By sticking with my exercise programs, paying attention to my meal plan and curbing the extra snacking, I was able to lose 4 pounds this week.

The trick will be keeping it off, when I head to BlogHer later this week! I know my food will be fine. It’s the sugary drinks I’m a little concerned about. Of course, my philosophy has always been to ease up for special occasions, so I will be totally okay with a little weight gain next week.

I just hope I can keep it to under 2.5 pounds. I don’t ever want to be overweight again!

BlogHer is going to be amazing! Not only do I get to see good friends, party like a rock star with the Clever Girls and enjoy tasty cocktails (hello, 10 drink tickets!) but we’ll be in gorgeous San Diego. I haven’t been to California since I was 4 years old, so this is essentially my first time on the west coast.

Checking the weather reports tells me it will be absolutely perfect. I am so ready to escape this heat. It’s absolutely insane in Indiana right now. Over 100° heat factor every day (oh, the humidity!) and going on something like 20 90+ days in a row. Sunny and 70s looks like absolute bliss!

I have even signed up for the BlogHer 5K and Sweat Pink boot camp—anything for the chance to spend some time outdoors in the beautiful San Diego sun. It’s too hot here to even think about a 5K. Heck, I don’t even want to think about cooking. At least we’re beating the heat with my George Foreman grill.

When I return home to the melt-your-face heat, it will be time for my final George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge weigh-in and updated measurements & pictures. It will also be time to reestablish goals. I’m more concerned with how I look & feel than the numbers on the scale, so my focus will be more on specific things I can check off than how much I weigh.

Like, this week, I will finish the 30 Day Shred. I’m going to need a new program to replace it, since I’m finding that sort of accountability is working well for me. I was considering P90X, but I don’t know if I have the time to dedicate to it just yet. I also want to finish the Couch to 5K program, ending with running a full 5K in October.

I’m also considering adding a larger fitness goal to my 40×40 list. I need something to replace #38. You know, since there won’t actually be any more shuttle launches for me to attend. Emily suggests a half marathon—yikes! What do you think?

{scale pic coming when the hubby gets home—stupid, broken card reader}
Starting Weigh-In: 195 pounds
Today’s Weigh-In: 172 pounds
This Week’s Weight Loss: 4 pounds
Total Mamavation Weight Loss: 23 pounds
Total Knockout The Fat Weight Loss: 15.5 pounds
BMI: 24.65 (that’s normal!)

Sistahood Question: What are the next big goals you want to tackle?
This post is sponsored by Flatout Bread, and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway hosted by Mamavation.

Disclosure: The George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge is a compensated program. As an ambassador for George Foreman, I received a George Foreman grill and will be paid for my time at the end of the 90 day challenge. All opinions are, as always, 100% mine!

The only surprising thing about gaining a pound this week is that it was only one! I have been doing really well with my menu plan and stayed consistent with working out & running. However, I still cave for special occasions—and last week was full of them! With my middle child at Girl Scout camp and the other girls at my parents’ house, we really made the most of our kid free week.

I think I only really ate well a couple days last week. There was a margarita night (complete with nachos!), a girls’ night movie (compete with buttery popcorn), a blogging conference (complete with social hours—and sangria!) and a leisurely trip back home with my roommates (complete with a stop at the candy factory & dairy farm).

So, how did I keep my weight gain to a single pound with all of that?

It was partly due to keeping up with running and 30 Day Shred, and partly due to making good choices in between all the junk! After years and years of not eating breakfast at all, I am giving each day a healthy start with whole grains, fruit & milk. It’s typically waffles or toast with peanut butter & banana, with the occasional homemade smoothie with granola or a bowl of rice cereal.

I also made healthy meal choices, for the most party. You know, when I wasn’t downing a plate of nachos with my margarita! It was all the extras that did me in—drinks with friends, indulgent snacks and, uh, more drinks. Still, a pound isn’t so bad and I totally earned it! So, since I don’t have weight loss to cheer this week, I’m going to focus on the other things I’ve gained through the George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge:

• Energy: Eating right, staying active? Yeah, it actually produces more energy! I am more active, more involved with my kids and enjoying things I never thought I would. While I used to just watch the girls play Just Dance 2, now I pretty much rock it out right along with them.
• Time: This pretty much goes right along with energy because it’s all about sleeping less! Yes, I’m spending more time working out and planning meals, but I still find myself with additional time on my hands that used to be spent on naps.
• New Recipes: All the amazing recipes from Inspired RD and George Foreman have really gotten us out of a long standing rut. Plus, a good, healthy menu plan has given me more food choices as well. I know the hubby is extremely grateful! He’s a much more adventurous eater than I.
• More Shopping Options: Now that I’m down a size (and a half!), there seem to be a lot more choices. I’ve made the shift out of misses, which opens up a world of opportunity. Plus, I no longer have to order my bras online. They sell my size in normal stores!
• Self-Confidence: It’s hard to feel self-conscious when everyone you see is telling you how awesome you look, but I feel it even without that ego boost! Still, there’s nothing quite like running into people you haven’t seen in a year and hearing their reactions.
• Hobbies: Who knew I would actually enjoy working out & running?! Not only do I feel good after, but I kinda like some of the exercises (Psst…planks! Not you.) And, while I can’t yet say I like running, I do like the festival atmosphere of a 5K. I already have another one on the books for fall—planning to run this one and so excited about it!
• Muscles: Oh, yes, I have muscles! Real ones. In places I never realized could have muscles! Abs? Not so much, but I’m rocking the Grunt Style Ab Crusher as often as my body can handle it. One day, I will add Abs to the list of things I’ve gained on this journey.
• Closer Relationships: Running with friends, cheering one another on through our weight loss and forming an organized 30 Day Shred group has brought me closer to some of local blog friends. It’s just plain lovely. I am also feeling closer to the hubby, as we get on this healthy path together.

When this whole process started, I just thought Id lose some weight and move on. I had no idea my whole life would change. I’m truly a completely different person than I was 4 months ago.

And, I’m never going back.

Starting Weigh-In: 195 pounds
Today’s Weigh-In: 176.5 pounds
This Week’s Weight Loss: 1 pound gain
Total Mamavation Weight Loss: 18.5 pounds
Total Knockout The Fat Weight Loss: 11 pounds
BMI: 25.25

Sistahood Question: What has been your favorite Grunt Style workout? If you aren’t doing his workouts what has been your strength training routine?

This post is sponsored by Grunt Style, and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway hosted by Mamavation, sponsored by Grunt Style.

Disclosure: The George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge is a compensated program. As an ambassador for George Foreman, I received a George Foreman grill and will be paid for my time at the end of the 90 day challenge. All opinions are, as always, 100% mine!