I pulled into the garage and my first thought was, this isn't right. Instead of trusting myself and turning around and leaving the garage, I parked my car. I also figured when I couldn't find the floor that led to the hotel, that something was wrong, but again, instead of going back to my car, I walked out to the street and into the Hilton

This just isn't right, I thought. I remember the hotel we were in last year, and this isn't it.

I checked my phone (because you know, it's always better to do that after you have that gut feeling that you're wrong and walk into the wrong hotel), see that the conference was at the Marriott, and think, oh good! I saw one of those just about a block down!

I walked into the Marriott, and once again, I knew this isn't right. I looked at the address again, marched over to the check-in desk (because, you know, it's always better to do that after you've been to the second wrong hotel), stuck my phone in the poor employee's face and said, "Can you please tell me where this is?"

I went to the wrong garage and two wrong hotels for the beginning of my FitBloggin. I am that cool. I admit, Now, let me tell you about the rest my FitBloggin...

I was in it for the shoes. OK, not really. Only sort of really. I was all kinds of stupid excited about those shoes.

Even though I have a touch of social anxiety, I love FitBloggin. On The Biggest Loser, each season we watch a group of people who have struggle a good portion of their lives with being healthy come together to change their lives. (I know some of you don't like The Biggest Loser, but stick with me here.) They also create bonds with the people they go to the ranch with. They laugh, they cry, they work hard, and together they change their lives.

The problem with The Biggest Loser is that it isn't really real. Sure, the contestants create bonds, but for you and me? It isn't our reality. How many of you have watched that show and thought, I want that. All of it.

Guess what? We have it. FitBloggin is like our Biggest Loser ranch only better. The internet is our reality show. Only it's better. I never expected to become close friends with the people I met online. I never expected to create bonds in which we laugh, we cry, we work hard and we change lives. But I did. The friendships I have made online through blogging about my journey and fitness are some of the most amazing friendships I've ever had.

When Roni created FitBloggin, she created so much more than a conference. She created a safe place where we could all come together and celebrate the healthy changes we are making in our lives and either strengthen bonds and hopefully form new ones.

I spent the weekend with my Shrinking Jeans family. I met new people. I witnessed friendships being strengthened and friendships being born. I heard laughter and squeals. I saw and gave many hugs. I did this all while learning new things (like Zumba is fun--holy crap, did I say that out loud?) about health and fitness. I had the time of my life.

Roni, thank you for creating this place for us to come together to celebrate these wonderful life journeys that we are all on. It is an amazing reminder that we CAN DO THIS. We WILL DO IT. And we are all in this together.

That? Was my FitBloggin.

PS. To every single one of my Sisters: I love you and miss you all!

Do you guys remember in the olden days of Twitter (like a few months ago or something) before trending topics were on the sidebar, and you wanted to see what people were talking about in real time, you had to go all the way to the bottom of the page and search a keyword? Or something like that?

A year ago this week, I sat down to watch the season premiere of one of my favorite shows, The Biggest Loser. I, of course, had my laptop in front of me and decided to live search on Twitter "biggest loser". Of course, there were the snarky remarks like, "I'm eating a bowl of ice cream while watching The Biggest Loser. Should I feel guilty?" but then, I just happened to glance at my screen when I saw one that said something like this:

"Watching The Biggest Loser for the first time. Wow! These people are inspirational!"

I was intrigued enough to click on the profile known as @shrinkingjeans and follow whomever it was watching the show for the first time. She immediately followed me back and we "tweeted" a few times back and forth about the show.

I admit, I didn't watch much of the first episode because I was pouring through the mounds on posts at that Twitter page's website: The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans. I was in awe of the amount of work it must take to run a site like this. Plus, these girls were all going through the same thing I was going through.

See, at that time, I had lost just a bit over 50 lbs, and was really dying to get my story out because I had my ducks in a row. I had nailed weight loss and would love to help others figure it out. But here's a little secret about me that you may not know....ready for it? Lean in close. I can be shy and reserved. Yep. It's true. Depending on the situation and until you really get to know me, I may seem like a completely different April than you know and love (haha!) on this blog.

So, the next day, at work, I bet I clicked on the Sisterhood a dozen times. I bet I went to the contact page half as many times, and I know I wrote my email over and over. I just didn't know what to say...or I was afraid it would sound dumb. And all I really wanted to do was to tell these girls (and guy) what a wonderful site they had. Okay, April, I thought. You're being dumb, just send the stupid message. *click* I sent it.

Within minutes I had replies from Christy, Lissa, and Crooked Eyebrow. I was in awe. Christy and I chatted for most of the rest of the day. By the end of the week, Christy had talked me into restarting this blog and joining them in their new challenge.

And if you've been following along for any length of time, you know what happened next!

Now, I'm lucky enough to call these girls (and guy) and many of you my friends. The bonds created by blogging continue to amaze me every single day. And since it was a year ago this week, that Christy made me, I mean showed me the beautiful thing that blogging can be, I'm considering right NOW my blog-a-versary (or however it's spelled).

Tonight, I'LL behind the wheel @shrinkingjeans on Twitter during the season premiere of The Biggest Loser, and I wonder...how many new friends will we make?

All in all, I did well. I missed my vitamin on the days that I was sick with whatever stomach bug I got from my nephew, and I may have missed a Sunday, which I used to do some before I got out of the habit of taking my vitamin. So, I think it's safe to say I'm back in the habit of taking my vitamin.

As far as my weight, I'm holding steady. I knew this time of year was going to be a challenge as far as weight loss. This is when I'm the most social. So, I know my problem here is food. And it really isn't going to get better for a few months because fall means FOOTBALL. Football means tailgates. And as healthy as the girls and I try to make the food, there's still some drinking going on.

So, I'm stuck in the 143lb area, but I have no right to be upset or cry plateau because it isn't a plateau. A plateau is when you're doing everything right and the weight doesn't come off. This is just me maintaining, which if you think about it, isn't a terrible thing.

Am I jumping for joy that I didn't make the best food choices? No, but I'm happy to maintain giving the circumstances. Also, I do promise to try my best to do well during this upcoming football season. Isn't that all any of us can do? Try our best?

So, how'd you do?

My junior varsity year in basketball was a rough one. Even though we were talented, we were a young team. (Note: I was not one of those talented folks. I had to work very hard at basketball, but I was lucky to have the gift to really "see" the game, and through hard worked, worked my way up to being the sixth "man".)

Our coach knew that we wouldn't win many games, and he also knew that he had a very competitive group of girls on his hands, so no matter how much we lost by, he would never talk about the negative right after the game, but rather he would focus on what we did right. Then at practice we would focus on what we needed to work on.

One game in particular, we played like we never had, and in the fourth quarter, I was certain we had a chance of winning that game. We all could feel it, with 2 mins left in the game we were only down one, and we were running our best offense. The girls on the bench were on the edge of their seats, and those of us on the court were playing our asses off. We wanted this win so much.

We lost by two.

But our coach was so excited when we met as a team in the locker room. He was acting as if we won. We were all like he had lost his mind, didn't he notice the score? But he said that he had never been prouder of us, and that we didn't lose that game. The only thing that didn't go our way that game was the score, and so he was declaring that game a moral victory.

Last week was a rough week. I had a stomach bug and was in a serious work out funk. I didn't eat as well as I could have. I did remember my vitamin except for the days that I was sick, though!! Despite all of those bad things, I was able to keep enough control to only gain. 0.4lb, and my mostly over my funk. So, I'm declaring last week a moral victory. And now it's back to work.

So, how did you do? Great I hope! Wanna see how others did? Head on over to the Sisterhood.

I should have stayed away. I should have looked down at those sad, weak brown eyes whose arms were raised for me to pick him up and bent down, kissed his head and left. But I didn't.

How could I? This boy who has stolen my my heart every day of his little life was sick and just wanted some comforting from his Aunt April. I picked my nephew up, and he looked at me and puckered up for a kiss. Oh no. No, April! Don't do it!

I obliged. And now whatever nasty bug he had, I've got.

I haven't decide which kind of stomach bug is worse. The kind that makes you puke, or the other kind. Both are equally nasty, but honestly I'd almost rather just puke than to have my stomach cramp and moan and roll and rumble. Either way though, there is no appetite, really. (I realize that's probably TMI. Sorry. Sort of.)

How does this relate? Well, I lost this week, but I know it's because of how I'm getting rid of everything I take into my body.

So, last week's weight was 144.6 and this week's weight is 143.0.

I should be thrilled because technically this allows me to get my 10# button, but since I'm not sure if this will stay off after I'm back to normal and starving, I'll leave the button off for now.

As far as my 21 Day Challenge to take my vitamin. I just can't choke it down right now, but as soon as this goes away, I'm back on it. I promise!

Also, head on over to the Sisterhood and check out how everyone else did this week!

I took the week that I went to Chicago off completely. Then last week, I got back to exercise and watched my food, but wasn't militant about it. So, I'm not surprised to see that I'm up to 144.6.

Now, it is that time of the month and I'm feeling seriously bloated this morning, so that could explain the gain. I want to think that's what it is because I've been literally working my tail off doing the Chalean Extreme work outs. You can follow along with me on my Chalean Extreme journey here if you want!

Next, we're not in a weight loss challenge right now at the Sisterhood, but we are challenging you to create a new habit in the next 21 days. My new habit? To take my vitamin!! I'm so bad about it!

So, how have you been friends? It's been a while since we've chatted. Are you creating a new habit? Talk to me!

Weight two week's ago: 144.0

This week's weight: 144.6

The last time we chatted, you all read that I was headed to Girls' Cabin Weekend. Last year I lost weight during Cabin Weekend, but I couldn't be sure that the same thing would happen. I planned on swimming laps, but I didn't. So, when I stepped on the scales this morning, I knew that this could go either way.

Last week's weight: 144.0
This week's weight: 143.2

I lost! Even though I know that I probably didn't lose this the most healthy of ways, I can't pretend that I'm not excited about it because by the time we talk again next week, I will have gone to a family reunion, a baby shower, and I will have worked two 12 hour days. My goal is to just survive. I know that working out is not going to happen once Monday comes, but I also think that I can manage. In fact, I know that I can.

So, tell me how did you do this week?

I only lost 0.2 lb this week, but considering that I have that monthly visitor that we all love to hate, I can't really complain. Any loss during this week of the month should be highly celebrated. I could have easily stepped on the scales and had a gain.

A lady at work this week complimented me on my weight loss. This particular person is not my favorite person to talk to, but I thanked her and tried to continue to work. She just stood there which meant she wanted to talk more. Great.

So, I looked back at her, and she asked me how I did it. (I've told her this before. But whatever.) So, I said, I just eat eat healthy and exercise. She asked how much more I want to lose. (She's never going away, is she?) I tell her 14 more pounds. And she tried to finish my sentence and say, "and then you can quit, right?"

Wrong. I politely answered no. Then I sort of when into lecture mode. I will have to eat healthy and work out for the rest of my life. (Seriously. Do I have to scream that IT'S NOT A DIET!!) I told her this is just my life now. And really while ever now and then I will give myself a break, I will never not eat healthy and work out. And I'm just fine with that. I'd rather eat healthy and BE healthy than to eat crap every single day and be back to a size 18!

I also learned that people I don't want to talk to will leave when I get on my exercise and nutrition soapbox. (Because they don't get it yet and don't want to hear that it's a lifestyle change.) Trust me, this was noted. :o)

Last week's weight: 143.4
This week's weight: 143.2

I changed things up this week with exercise. I was beginning to feel like my body had adapted to what I was doing. When your body adapts to exercise, you stop losing weight. So, the solution is to confuse it, which is what I did. Last year, I was lucky enough to acquire the P90X program. The work outs are HARD and pretty much suck ass, but I knew they would confuse my muscles enough to get back on track.

Over the week, every single muscle in my body has been sore. Right now, it's my hamstrings and triceps. I love it. (Yep. You read that right. I love being sore.) When you're sore, it means it's working! So, did I undo the damage from last week? Yep!

Last week's weight: 144.8
This week's weight: 143.4

I'm going to admit, as much as I worked out this week and as sore as I was, I sort of expected more than that. I can still get stuck in the I have a lot of weight to lose mindset. When I had 50 or more lbs to lose, losing weight was easy. It was nothing for me to have a 4 lb weight loss in a week. Now, that I'm in the 15 or less range, 4 lbs just doesn't happen.

It can be very easy to not get discouraged at this. It's easy to groan and want to just say heck with it. When we reach those times, we have to look at how much we've accomplished and how far we've come. (Thanks, Thea!) I'm stronger now, more confident, down several sizes, and I've lost 62.6 lbs. And I'm still trying. How can I not be proud about that? Why would I want to throw all of that out of the window just because I'm losing more slowly now? Answer: I wouldn't and I won't. I may struggle with these last 14.4 lbs for the rest of my life, but I will never give up.

So, I ask you....are YOU WITH ME?

It's Weigh-In day over at the Sisterhood! We are well into the Shrinking Days of Summer challenge! Good luck to everyone!

I knew this week was going to be bad, but I didn't expect it to be THAT bad. Of course we all know where I went wrong. I should feel guilty about eating so much of that awesome carrot cake, but I was my birthday, I only get carrot cake once or twice a year, so I don't really feel guilty.

I tried my best to "counter" this. I exercised extra, and even cut calories more than I should yesterday. (DON'T DO THAT. It's not good for you and it didn't work anyway!) And as the scales show this morning, it didn't help.

I could tell you all to remind me to never have a birthday during a challenge again, but screw that. You all are part of what made my birthday special, and for once, I LOVED my birthday, so I'm keeping my birthday even if it's during a challenge.

I do have a small point to all of this rambling. Life happens. Sometimes, we just have to go with it and and enjoy it. Now, it's over, and it's time to buckle down again. And I will. I promise. Team Black? I'll make it up to you I swear!!

Last week's weight: 143.8
This week's weight: 144.8

So, talk to me. How did YOU do?

This was an off week in more weighs than one (HA HA, get it? Yeah, okay that was lame.) One, we're on an off week over at the Sisterhood! A new challenge starts NEXT WEEK so be sure to stop by and check it out! But this was also an off week because I gained a pound.

I know this is totally water weight. I know I didn't drink water over the weekend like I should have. On work days, I can drink water like it's no body's business, but on weekends, blah. In fact, I don't drink much of anything on weekends...well, sometimes. ;o) So, you give me a three day weekend where I'm not drinking water and the week is pretty much shot.

So, I gained weight. I can either kick myself in the ass over it or I can look at what I DID do this week.

1. I took my nephew to see my grandparents, and we took my dad's mom lunch since it was her birthday. I know that's not weight loss related, but I know you moms know that chasing after an almost 15 month old boy is not easy work! :o)

2. I climbed a mountain! Seriously, I did. It was one of the hardest hikes of my life, but I loved every minute of it.

3. I climbed a harkening hill, which I could swear to you was very much like climbing the mountain.

So, I may have gained a pound, but I'm really fine with it. Because hiking that much in two days was a lot of calories burned, and an accomplishment! Next week, watch out!

Last week's weight: 143.6
This week's weight: 144.6

Lisa over at the Sisterhood has posted her True Confessions on Tuesday instead of Monday. You want to play, too? Just go here!


1. I broke up with the guy I was seeing today.

2. I know I some of the blame is my fault.

3. I own up to it.

4. I’m pretty much feeling like a failure right now.

5. I still don’t want to date him though.

6. I’m thinking about moving to Alaska, though.

7. Okay, maybe not Alaska, but maybe somewhere…hmmm..

8. And it’s not just because of today’s events.

9. I need a Happy Hour. Who’s in?

10. Or maybe pizza…