21 Day Weight Loss Challenge - Day 21!!!!!!

I CANNOT believe it has been 3 weeks since I started this challenge! I am so proud of myself for sticking with it longer than any other weight loss plan I have ever done! What have I learned this past 21 days? Lets see:
I have learned that yes you can live off of 3 meals a day, but 5 is soo much better! With 3 meals a day, your starving by the time you get to the next meal! With 5 your eating every couple hours and don't eat as much because you know your going to eat again soon!
I have learned that working out does not have to take a lot of time! 45 minutes MAX (thats with me taking quite a few breaks) 3 times a week doing strength,cardio and core exercises. And just lighter exercise the other 4 days. And that it can make you feel sooo good! And can be fun! Especially when others join in!
I have learned a lot about diet and balancing meals, what is good for you, what is better, and that even though something is low fat, it may not have what you need in it. And get this one! Carbs are good! And so are Proteins and FAT! Yes FAT! (I had to add that!) But the difference is all in the balance! And I had no idea that bananas and apples were carbs, call me dumb but I never knew that!

I have more energy, I feel better, I feel better about myself! I want to work out, I want to eat healthy and the effect that junk food has on my body is shocking! 

I am so excited to start the next 21 day challenge coming up at the beginning of March! I can't wait to continue achieving new goals in my health and fitness! And for final measurements and weight for this first 21 days:

At the beginning of the challenge:
Weight: 187
Waist: 36in
Abdomen: 41 1/2in
Hips: 42in
Thighs: Like I said before, the 38 was an incorrect measurement so I'm going to use my second weeks measurement for this one - 22 1/2 in
Arms: 13in

Now:
Weight: 185 - 2 lb! But oh so much more of it is muscle!
Waist : 32 in - 4 inches lost!
Abdomen: 40 1/2 - 1 inch there!
Hips: 42in - I doubt this number will move for awhile, I have to gain a butt!
Thighs: 22 in - 1/2 in gone!
Arms - 12! 1 inch lost! Not sure how but it is!

And an update on the goals:
To lose 5 lbs - I lost 2! But again, I didn't realize that I would be gaining it all back in muscle the first few months.
be able to do 5 push ups- shoulder still hurts like crap trying - I can get in 3 good ones MAX, the rest I have to attempt on my knees
Cut down on my pop intake- It was 2-3 cans a day, now I'm down to a can at the most, usually I am just taking sips of hubby's pop occasionally
Learn how to work out regularly - getting there! I did good for the most part despite being away from home for half of the challenge! 

I won't be posting pictures at this time due to not having my camera at the moment and not being home, but I will be posting before pics for the next 21 day challenge which will start in a few days! 

 If you are a blogger and would like to join me in this 21 day challenge send me a link to your blog via e-mail at nilasage (at) gmail.com and I will send you a code to get the entire program FREE!

And if you are not a blogger, you can check out Dustin's page here to learn more about his fitness programs!