The Plan

I've decided to try this for one week at a time. I'm not going to worry about next month or two months from now. Yes, I do have a long-term goal. But I am not planning food or exercise for two or three weeks at a time. I get too overwhelmed.

Monday: Elliptical (and/or Zumba if soccer gets canceled)
Tuesday: BodyPump
Wednesday: Elliptical
Thursday: Body Pump
Friday: Either Elliptical or Body Pump (depending on how the week is going and what needs to be done to prepare for soccer this weekend)
Saturday: Free Choice - do something or nothing
Sunday: Free Choice - do something or nothing

Hubby and I talked it over, and meals are going to be simple. A grilled meat (love using the indoor grill) and a veggie most days. We need simple during these crazy soccer days. Plus, we're both working full-time, I'm working on my Masters, we have to shuttle kids to to soccer or ballet, he runs the soccer program, we both want to make exercise a priority, and we have church activities a few days a week. It makes for a busy schedule, but it's worth it. And some of it only lasts a few weeks. We can handle it, but we have to plan and be on the same page.

We also talked about a long-term goal. We want to do a four-mile run in August. I haven't run in a couple years. I wasn't the best runner (I usually finished last), but I did it. There's an organization we both support for a friend whose son receives their services. It's called the Lekotek run. We've decided we'd like to run it this year - hubby, "L", and me... maybe "C" as well. We'll have to work on her.

I did it!!!

OMGosh! I did it, I did it, I did it!!!!

OK, so this may not seem big to anyone else, but for me it's huge. My favorite class at the gym is Power. They've made some changes and now the class is called BodyPump. Same format, different program - I think. Anyway, that's irrelevant. I haven't been able to take this class is years. First it started with two carpal tunnel surgeries. I couldn't lift a weight bar if I had tried - believe me, I wanted to. Then, right after the second carpal tunnel surgery I injured my knee, followed by a knee surgery. Then, a year or so later I had surgery on my other knee. I had just about gotten to where I was ready to try and do the class when I fell at work and hurt, you guessed it, my knee. Fortunately it was just a sprain.

So, today I figured I'd give BodyPump a try. I freakin' did it!!!! Woohoo!!! I couldn't do all the squats and lunges - I'm just not there yet. But I did some, and I can definitely feel the workout all over my body. This is huge for me. I feel like if I can get back into this class I can start building up strength again. My next challenge is the elliptical. I need to get some aerobic activity in, and I just don't think I'm ready for Zumba yet. LOL It's fun, but that class is intense!

So, there you have it. My mini victory for the day. Can't wait till my clothes get too big for me. :-) I figure if I have to buy shorts this summer, I should at least have to buy them in a smaller size, right???

Going Slowly

OK, so I know some say that losing slowly is the best way for sustained weight loss. And I'm cool with that. With the exception of one week, I've lost a pound or more each time I've weighed in. It doesn't help that I missed two weigh-ins. I'm down 5 pounds since I started Weight Watchers, which isn't a lot. Of course, if it was gain I know I'd think it was a huge amount.

But seriously, I was all excited to be down a total of five pounds... and then someone else lost 5.8 this week. I decided I need to start putting more effort into losing weight and getting healthy. While a pound a week is good, I know I could possibly be doing more. I need to be more accountable with what I'm eating. I've done a little too much "guestimating" when it comes to tracking. And you can forget exercise. That's been hit-or-miss lately.

So, I'm going to take it one week at a time. This week I'm going to focus on tracking better and getting more activity in. I'd really like to see what I could do if I put forth a real effort.

Shopping

Note to self: When shopping for bras, even if you are buying the same size you are currently wearing, try them on before purchasing.

That is all. You're welcome.

Love, Me

Before I'm 40.....

I was just on Facebook (no surprise there) and noticed a friend is 40 today. She is stunning, both inside and out. She's vibrant, healthy.

Reading her birthday messages and the messages her husband has been posting really made me stop and think. (I've been doing that a lot lately.) When I'm 40, I want someone to look at me and think the same things I think about her. But more importantly, I want to feel that way about myself. I want to feel stunning, both inside and out. I want to feel vibrant and healthy.

So, I have until September 2015. That's when I will be 40. I'm starting now - if I get there before 9/2015, then all the better for me. Losing weight, getting healthy and fit... that's a plus for me and for my family.

Not sure if my friend will ever see this post, but just in case - Happy Birthday! Thank you for being such a great person, a friend... and, even though you probably had no idea you did it, thanks for that extra bit of inspiration to get my act together.

A New Beginning

Oh, where to begin??

I'll just put it out there. I'm fatter than ever, but I am optimistic that this is my time. I'm ready. I went to the gym today - first time I've been to the gym in months. My knee injury just wouldn't allow it. I was released by the doctor to start exercising again - easy stuff like walking or swimming - in November, but today was the first day I went back. I did a water aerobics class. My knee definitely knows it's been worked, but I'm going to keep at it. I've got to get it stronger. I'll be going back tomorrow for another water aerobics class. I'm optimistic that one day I'll be back in the class I used to go to and loved.

I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do to get my eating in check. I know I need to make changes, not just "cut back." I need to adopt a whole new, healthy way of eating. I read "Eat to Live" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman, and I do not think that's the plan for me. I'm now ready "The Eat Clean Diet" by Tosca Reno. I'm not sure that's the way to go, either. I really want to go back to Weight Watchers, but I'm not sure it's in the budget right now. I remember being successful on the WW plan in the past, and I wouldn't have quit the last time (when I was doing so well) had I not lost my job. Maybe I can swing it by February or March, but I can't wait that long to begin something.

What I'm really excited about is that I've got some loved ones (who shall remain nameless because it's not my place to blab about who is doing what) who are one this journey, too. We may all follow different plans, but it's nice to know that I'm not alone. I know we will encourage each other, whine to each other, and maybe even scream and cuss at times about how frustrating this journey can be. But these are my girls, and I'm glad to be doing it with them

What Doesn't Motivate Me

A person I love, who shall remain nameless, has made comments to me regarding my weight. I know this person means nothing but love and encouragement - but it doesn't help. Telling me my butt isn't getting smaller, I was pretty when I thinner, I'd be so pretty if I lost weight... you get the idea... does not motivate me.

I'm trying... really trying... to take the negative comments as encouragement, but it's hard.

I have learned that I do so much better when I'm on Weight Watchers, so I'll be looking to head back there very soon.

**Sigh**