Pedometer Challenge

A small group of us girls at work are starting a challenge.  We’re buying pedometers (all the same) and beginning next week we’re going to wear them and have a challenge as to who can take the most steps.  It should be a cool and fun way to keep us all motivated.  There’s only one girl in the group bigger than I am, the rest are all at a good weight, but want to lose like 5 pounds and be in better shape.  That’s cool though.  The other girl (I don’t know why I say “girl” when we’re all 30-40 years old) used to weigh about 300 pounds.  She lost about 170 over a couple years.  She got married though, and now she’s gaining it back.  I think she’s on hormones and stuff to get pregnant, and I know that will put weight on you also.  Don’t know why I even brought that up.  I’m buying the pedometers tonight and maybe I’ll tell everyone to start Saturday morning so our 4^th of July activities can count.

 

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 (Day 158)

I’ve had a rough time lately.  This seems to be a common theme.  I took last week off my diet.  Same old, same old, ate everything in sight.  I weighed in Sunday at 182 (gained 10 pounds last week).  I felt worse than when I went on vacation and did the same thing because I wasn’t planning on last week being a free week.  But we had Fathers Day Sunday, then BBQ with Lance, Lacie, Lonny and Amy Wednesday, then rodeo Thursday, parade Friday.  I could have done okay with those things – but I didn’t.  It’s Wednesday and I’m back down to 174.  So I’m only up 2 pounds from 10 days ago.  But still, I could have been below 170 by now.  And I’m worried because this coming weekend is the 4^th of July.  Then later this month is the 24^th of July.  I don’t know what’s going to happen.  There is just over 5 weeks until my 31^st birthday.  I’d love to lose as much as I can before then.  Just because.  I’ve way outreached my goal for my birthday, but that was set 5 months ago.  Losing a healthy 2 pounds per week, I should be down to 160 by my birthday.  That would be cool.  That’s gonna be my new goal.  And that will hopefully motivate me to eat right and exercise during these July holidays.  I didn’t exercise all last week because we were playing every night and I just couldn’t wake up in the mornings.  I did exercise Monday and Tuesday, but I didn’t wake up this morning.  I’m feeling bad about it, but there’s always tonight.  I hope I have the motivation when I get home from work.  160, I can do it!  Then I’ll only be 25 pounds away from my ultimate goal!  That’s insane!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010 (Day 150 - 5 MONTHS)

It’s been 5 months since I started this whole thing.  I can’t believe it!  It doesn’t seem like it’s been that long!  And, in a way, it seems like it’s been longer.  I’m having a rough time this week.  It started on Sunday, which was Father’s Day.  I expected to eat well.  But I didn’t.  I wasn’t hard on myself because the only “bad” thing I ate was mac and cheese.  And I only had one serving.  But then we got home.  The kids had donuts.  They looked REALLY good.  So I ate one.  And a left-over half of Cayden’s.  I drank a Pepsi.  Not too bad, but I wasn’t happy about it.  I was filling in for SOMETHING, because I just wasn’t satisfied.  Then I realized what sounded good was tortillas with cheese and salsa.  So I made me a couple (on the huge tortillas).  Went to bed feeling bad about myself.  Woke up Monday, not in time to exercise.  Stuck to the plan during the day, but went crazy at dinner.  Ate another of the donuts.  Ate 4 of the mini cupcakes the kids also had (wish Ray would stop buying the kids all this crap!).  Ate a couple fried chicken tenders the kids didn’t eat, dipped in honey mustard sauce.  Along with my rotisserie chicken, also dipped in honey mustard sauce.  Wanted Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, but Ray was at the store with me and wouldn’t let me.  I hid to eat the fried chicken and the donut and cupcakes.  Today is Tenant Appreciation Day in our building.  They give out free crap.  This time it’s ice cream.  I’m glad I’m not too into ice cream.  I think I’m lacking self control because I know I have a dinner party tomorrow.  If I’m going to have a party Sunday and Wednesday, why bother being good in between?  But I’m trying to be on track today.  Didn’t exercise again this morning.  I’ll be cleaning the house tonight.  Hopefully I’ll be able to get up and exercise Wednesday morning.  But I completely plan to eat unhealthy at my dinner party.  Onion rings.  BBQ beef and pork.  Baked beans with bacon.  Butter on my corn on the cob.  And I’m also going to eat the Éclair dessert that I didn’t eat last time I made it.  I feel like I’ve gained 20 pounds in the last 2 days.  I’m going to try not to weigh again until next Sunday.  Then I’ll see what the true damage is for the week.

 

Thursday, June 17, 2010 (Day 145)

I feel good today.  I feel great as far as the way I look.  But, as I mentioned, I’ve been sick.  It never got really bad, just a nagging yucky feeling.   I have coughing fits.  They seem to strike the hardest when I exercise and when I lay down.  And when I’m on the bus/train.  So, basically at the worst times.  I didn’t sleep well last night because of the coughing, so I wasn’t able to wake up this morning to exercise.  I wanted to do The Biggest Loser.  I might take the kids to the park tonight and walk/jog there.  Or maybe I’ll do The Biggest Loser.  I just don’t feel like doing any exercise, but I can’t bring myself to take a day off.  I’m stuck at 173, but I feel constipated.  I don’t know why because I’ve been taking in plenty of fiber and plenty, plenty of water.  So who knows.  Maybe still the sodium from Saturday, and I also had Costa Vida Tuesday.  Even though I ate healthy at Costa Vida, it still could have been loaded with sodium (black beans and chicken – don’t know how they seasoned the chicken).  So I’m not worried.  I had Subway last night and it really hit the spot.  It’s been a while.  I’ve also been way under my calories this week, so I think it was good to hit 1200 yesterday (with healthy food, not junk).  I’m wearing a new skirt (size 16) and a new blouse today – I think that’s what’s keeping me happy.  I’m really glad I posted the before and semi-after pictures side by side too.  That REALLY boosted me! 

 

Before and (Semi) After

Since trying on clothes Saturday, I've been a little bummed at how not-smaller I am. I went back and looked at my before pictures. I'm proud! Sure, I have more to go. But, who cares! I'm doing it baby! I know my pictures are posted here on the side, but they aren't side to side comparisons. So, here they are side to side - it's more dramatic! :)

Monday, June 14, 2010 (Day 142)

I’m not sure how I feel today.  I’m wearing skinny clothes, so I feel good.  But, I went clothes shopping on Saturday and everything I took into the dressing room was way too small.  So I’m not nearly as small as I think I am.  That was a bummer.  I allowed myself to eat what I wanted on Saturday too.  It was Connor’s birthday party.  I actually didn’t eat anything all day and the party was at 3:00.  They had healthy options that I was happy about.  But, I didn’t only stick to the fruits and veggies (that were both really good)!  I enjoyed a bratwurst and pasta salad.  And seconds of the pasta salad.  It was GOOD!  And potato chips and onion dip (which I brought to the party solely to get it out of my house so I wouldn’t eat it).  Lol.  That wasn’t bad.  I didn’t feel bad at all about eating those things.  But then I went home and ate a whole pack of graham crackers, some with chocolate frosting (it would have all been with frosting if we had vanilla).  Then I had a full bag of non-diet popcorn (extra butter).  And the kids shared their Sour Patch Kids with me (my favorite!).  I did bad because I started bad on Friday night.  Instead of just eating the stew that I planned to eat with the family (I decided not to because it had WAY too much sodium, and I needed to get rid of my grilled chicken), I had a salad with chicken on top.  That didn’t satisfy me at all.  So I ate a pack of graham crackers trying to find satisfaction.  Then a bag of popcorn (diet kind).  Oh, I also had a couple sodas on Saturday.  The scale is showing 175 today.  I assume that some of that is water weight from the sodium (popcorn, bratwurst, potato chips).  I did my Walk at Home video on Sunday.  Actually, I did it twice.  So I did 2 hours of good exercise yesterday.  I ate healthy.  I am sick.  I have a cold.  I couldn’t exercise this morning.  But I do plan to when I get home.  I went to bed at 8:30 last night so I’d get plenty of sleep and wake up and exercise.  But I woke up at 1:45 in the morning and couldn’t fall back asleep for the life of me.  It was after 3:30 before I finally fell back to sleep.  5:00 came and I couldn’t get up.  So I don’t know. 

Thursday, June 10, 2010 (Day 138)

I feel great today!  I got on the scale and I’m at 172.  I did 1.5 hours of Gilad yesterday morning.  I went to bed too late last night and couldn’t get up this morning.  So I’ll be doing the treadmill tonight.  I feel great about this week because, not only did I finally hit (and smash) 175, but we had a baby shower for a girl at work.  All sorts of yummy food – including my éclair dessert – and I stuck to my guns, ate the salad with light dressing, and fruit.  I’m so proud of myself!  172!  I’m in size 16 clothes now, too.  That means, no more X’s!!!   I’m in medium/large shirts, and 16 bottoms.  I’m thrilled!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010 (Day 136)

FINALLY!  I FINALLY got to, and under, 175!  That means I get to take my 50 pounds lost pictures tonight.  I’m really excited!   I’ve been waiting for this number for 4 weeks now!  It feels like a giant hurdle that I finally made it over.  That means I’ve lost 51 pounds.  39 more to go.  40 sounded like a lot, but 39 doesn’t seem bad at all.  While walking outside this morning I was thinking that it’s 20 pounds, twice.  That’s easy!  20 pounds is nothing!  Once I lose 19 pounds, I’ll only have a total of 20 more to go!  That’s insane!  I never thought I’d be this close.  Well, I mean, I thought I would, but I didn’t imagine it.  You know?  I’ve always known (and still do) that I’ll reach my goal of being 135.  It’s just that I never could picture actually being at that point, or being at this point.  I’m thrilled and I can’t wait to hit 170 next.

 

Monday, June 7, 2010 (Day 135)

My body is just refusing to hit 175.  I can’t figure it out!  It was refusing before vacation.  Now, since vacation, I dropped weight quickly and suddenly it stopped at 176 again.  I shouldn’t be too upset since it’s only been stuck 2 days, and not a week, like before vacation.  But this is bothering me!  What the crap!  I did good all weekend, exercised great and ate great.  I’ll do things right this week and see what happens.  I’m bummed because I wanted to eat treats this weekend.  And I didn’t.  Now I feel like I might as well have.  But I should know better.  At least I didn’t gain – which is what would happen if I eat treats.  I should be proud of myself and my body for exercising and feeling good.  But I want numbers dang it!  Maybe tomorrow morning. 

Friday, June 4, 2010 (Day 132)

Well, I’m back down to 178.  That’s the last weight I was at my official weigh-ins before vacation.  I got down to 176, but not on my Sunday weigh-in.  So I’m going to consider myself caught up.  I’m pleased that the weight is just dropping off this week.  I knew taking a week break would be good to get over my plateau.  I think 175 is actually well within reach now that my body is confused.  Did the treadmill Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  This morning I did The Biggest Loser workout.  I’m glad I can still do it.  I thought I would have lost strength for not exercising for 10 days, but I seem to be okay.  I’ve been able to rock the treadmill at 3.8 mph.  I felt like I could have run, but I don’t want to.  I don’t want to injure my joints.  It’s just as good of a workout walking, I’m trying to convince myself I don’t need to run.  So I’m happy with this week’s workouts!  And my willpower this week!  We still have leftover desserts, chips, potato salad, everything from the weekend that I would LOVE to eat.  Oh, including my 2 king size Reese’s peanut butter cup packs (8 large cups).  I’m doing good though and not eating them.  Not even tempted because the scale is being so good to me!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010 (Day 129)

I’m back from vacation!  10 days of not exercising, eating everything in sight, and not giving a crap.  It felt great!  I’m 184 now.  That’s a gain of 8 pounds.  And I’m happy with that!  I know I’ll drop that really quickly!  I was expecting 10 to 15 pounds!  I woke up and did the treadmill this morning for a little over an hour.  It was a nice break, but I’m glad to be back on track.  I feel bloated and yucky.  I can’t wait for my body to be back on track.  And maybe next week I’ll finally hit the 175 mark that’s been evading me!