Monday, December 27, 2010

The Awkward Stage

I think I am in that awkward stage of my weight loss.  I go in my closet daily and find that things are too big. Although I am very happy about the weight loss it is a little frustrating when your favorite pants don’t fit anymore. Sometimes taking them to the tailor is just as expensive as replacing them. I am this place where I am very proud of my weight loss but I also know that I have a lot of work ahead of me.  Sometimes it seems premature to celebrate as I travel on this journey. But I know that every small reward is a sign of all the hard work and dedication I have put into myself.  I realize that I am a work in progress and it is a good feeling.  I like knowing that I am changing daily and the unpredictability of what the end of this journey will look like.  
The holiday season was not even a challenge this year.  I made some choices that put me in the position to remain successful and that let s me know that I am in control of this journey. I went to a Christmas party and never approached the food table. I was not hungry and I wasn’t tempted to ruin my progress with mindless grazing. I have enjoyed a few desserts but they were added in to my daily plan. I am finally getting the hand of eating to live instead of living to eat. I still have some work to do but I am glad that I can admit that!!!
Where are you in your journey, any revelations?

Saturday, December 18, 2010

The Ultimate Goal!!!!


 I was talking with one of my friends and she asked me what my ultimate goal was. I laughed because in my mind it’s the “Damn Goal” You know when you’re rocking a bikini and you look in the mirror and say “Damn I look good”.  Now don’t get me wrong I look in the mirror now and love my progress.  Who would have though I could lose 52 POUNDS!!!  I mean really 52 POUNDS!!!!

I used to say “if” I lose the weight, now I say “WHEN” I lose the weight.  I know that if I continue to eat right and exercise on a normal basis, I will do it.  I am in control of this journey, nothing about this is luck.  All this hard work is paying off and I am pleased with the results.

I took the plunge and joined a gym and it was bit strange at first.  I am used to running solo or exercising in the house.  After running for 2.5 miles I felt right at home. I love my gym time it is relaxing.  No one is looking for a snack or a meal.  It is uninterrupted me time!!  One of the things that I have found so far on this journey is time to invest in me!!!

So take a page out of my book and invest in you!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Half Way Point!!!!

I weighed in today an realized that I am 1/2 way to my goal.  So much has changed in the four and a half months that I have been dedicated to changing my life style.

1. I eat what I want in moderation but my cravings have changed
2. I am eating 80% clean
3. I have dropped 3 pant sizes
4. I am consuming a gallon of water a day
5. I track everything that I put in my mouth
6. I exercise a minimum of 5X's a week
7. I joined an awesome group on face book that keeps me motivated

I am very excited  to continue on this journey. The 25 day challenge has kept me on my toes. I really thought that I would be able to stick to the elliptical for 25 days.  I was bored by day 5 and started doing Zumba and Turbo Jam.  I realized that it did not matter how I got the cardio  done as long as I did it. I have learned a lesson about my self. I have to stop being so rigid with my plans and  allow my self some room for error. I am taking the next step and purchasing a 1 month gym membership. I want to see how much time I can dedicate to exercising outside my home this winter. I decided I will go with a no bones cheaper fitness center. I am not taking the kids with me, so this will be all about me.

Friday, December 3, 2010

The Challenge!!!

With the Holiday season upon us I need a goal to reach for. There is so much temptation to go overboard with all these yummy holiday foods. I just started  getting the 25 days of cookies e-mail. I know I did not sign up for that mess and it wont let me unsubscribe. It is like e-mail torture on a daily basis, I can hear The Cookie Monster in the back ground yelling "COOKIES". 

That got me thinking the 25 days of cookies is an e-mail that gives you a daily reminder, to bake cookies for the holiday season. Instead of dreading this e-mail I am going to use it as motivation. In stead of 25 days of cookies. I am doing 25 days  of aerobic exercise.  I started December 1st after mulling over that e-mail for 45 minutes, drooling.  I was on my way to the kitchen to bake cookies and my elliptical caught my eye.  Then I happened to look in my mirror and see my progress.

I have to admit I was full of my self that day, so I started talking to the mirror.
"I look kinda good  and cookies might just ruin my progress."  Then I turned to side " I could use a lot of work on my legs, they need more toning."  Then I looked at my rear and shouted " CHALLENGE". 
OK I may be a bit silly but the idea is that for 25 days every time I see that e-mail;  instead of baking I am going to jump on my elliptical and put in 45 minutes of aerobic exercise.  I am committed to use my elliptical for those 25 days  and increase my time if necessary.  I choose my elliptical because it is in my house and I don't have to do anything extra to make this happen. 

This is a realistic goal for me, you need to find one for you .  Maybe it is 25 days of doing an exercise DVD that you have. What ever your exercise goal is you need to think about a few things first:
1. Is this a realistic goal?
2. Can I complete this task daily?
3. Do I have the resources to complete this task?
4. What is my motivation to complete this task?

I am ready for 25 straight days of getting off the couch, this is day three for me. Will this be day 1 for you?
 

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

The Pusher Man

It’s that time of the year when the “pushers” in your life try to convince that just one bite won’t hurt.  You know the folks I am talking about the one who bring dessert in to work and says “You have to taste this!!”   The person in your life who insist that your life is over because you won’t eat their wonderful dish.  It is time to think of a plan to stick to your guns this year. Most people gain anywhere from 7 to 15 pound s this season. So a cookie here and a piece of pie there could sabotage your plan.
I decided this year that I would let the pushers in my life know ahead of time that I was not interested. I was surprised to see that they understood and promised me they would not push this year.   Although this is the holiday season the actual holiday is only ONE day.  So if I decide to indulge it will be during the meal, the day of the holiday.
Let’s be proactive this season and block the "Pushers" before they come!!!