Couch25K and DietBet!

I've got two big motivators this month to help keep me on the straight and narrow; money and a mentor. Im super determined to succeed at both, scratch that, I KNOW I am going to succeed at both!

 

First I joined Roni's New Year's DietBet , this is my first time participating in any kind of an lose-weight-online-for-money game but I do like the concept. It's easy enough, simply pay whatever the fee is (my investment was $20) and lose 4% of your body weight and you get to split the pot with anyone else who did as well. Right now our game has 650 players and the pot is worth $12,860. Cool, huh? They have rules in place and monitor the weigh-ins VERY carefully to make sure no one is cheating or trying to do this for a living;  and if you lose too much weight they will disqualify you.  

Here's my weigh-in picture:

I don't even recognize this person - she's so little!
 

And for the first time ever, here is my weight:

Based on my current weight I need to lose 10.6 lbs. As of today I'm down 2.4 leaving me 24 days to lose 8.2 lbs. I feel like I'm a bit behind but I'll make it up.

 

So not only am I following my eating plan closely, high protein and very low carb, I'm also increasing my water intake to help shed some of this water weight I'm carrying around. Plus now that I'm feeling better I am getting back to the gym - and this time I have support & help!

 

 

I was so graciously chosen as one of the mentees for The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans inaugural C25K program. I was assigned a mentor who is a pro at this running thing and am able to reach out to her anytime with questions or concerns. I just like knowing there is someone in my corner cheering me on, someone who knows what it was like to start out and really have the passion for running ignited. I never thought I would be able to run (back surgery, obesity). I never thought I would LIKE to run. Every time I get on the treadmill I am more and more amazed at what my body can do - then guilt sets in because I've treated it so horribly - I've got to make up for lost time!

 

I will be doing weekly check-ins for C25K and will also post my final results on the DietBet so keep checking back and lets cheer each other on together!

 

Do you like to run? What is something you always wanted to do but never thought you could?

 

 

Happy exercising!

January Goals

So we're a week into 2013 and I've barely had time to breathe - let alone blog - so please excuse the tardiness of this post. I started a new position at work and while it's been great, its also been exhausting. I know it doesn't help that I was sick with the plague/sinus/allergies almost the entire month of December and my body took a beating trying to recoup while still trying to function. Let's recap December goals to see how I did:

 

-Didn't do well on the workouts due to the plague.

-I got my fluids in but they weren't all clear.

-Budget is done & coming in a later post.

-I averaged 2 blogs a week - so close enough.

 

All in all not too shabby but I need to tighten the reins now that I'm feeling better! So this is what January's goal look like:

 

 

Track food daily - this one is pretty easy for me as long as I'm prepared with my meals and not winging it. Im on MyFitnessPal as ShoeVixen - feel free to add me!

 

More water - I think this will be my biggest struggle (again). I rearranged my fridge so where only liquids are on the top shelf (most easily accessible) and I've prefilled several to-go water bottles that I can just grab and drink. Im thinking for me that will be key - I found myself reaching for water yesterday and drank a whole bottle.

 

Finish C25K - This I'm confident I will do, I'll speak more on this in a later post but I've teamed up with Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans for a C25K program.

 

No coffee after 7 - I need to clarify  - no caffeinated coffee after 7p. The goal here is getting to bed earlier so I can wake up earlier.

 

Vitamins - I'm horrible about taking vitamins; even though they're right by the fridge I always forget so I took several large index cards and wrote TAKE YOUR DAMN VITAMINS in permanent marker and placed all over the house lol

 

 

 

What tips and tricks do you use? What do you feel is your biggest hurdle for staying on track?

 

 

 

Have a great week!

Post Op: 4 Month Check-In

On Thursday I was officially 4 months post-op, I would have posted this then but the world was ending the next day so I had to finish Game of Thrones Season One. Priorities people!

Image courtesy of Google

Seriously though, I couldn't be more thrilled with the changes. I'm 66 pounds down and should be able to hit 70 pounds gone by the New Year with no problem. I was asked to wear the same outfit in my updated pictures, I tried to recreate the entire look, even with my hair. Maybe it's just me but I feel like I'm a bobble head - now my head looks really, really big to me LOL

I see the biggest difference in my stomach and face. I've always had a big butt so that won't be going anywhere anytime soon. I'm still losing inches but the scale itself is starting to slow down because I'm toning and gaining muscle.

A few posts back I talked about having possible issues with my gallbladder. Luckily that didn't seem to be the case, garlic is the culprit! My exercise restriction was lifted and I began the Couch25k program, I'm on Week 1 and so far I'm pleased to see my endurance and ability exceeds that of a "beginner" - I can already run a mile! A whole freaking mile! Non-stop!

My "I just ran a mile for the first time" face!

The program is 3 days a week, so I'll be incorporating some (much needed) toning exercises in the mix. We got our first snow yesterday and I wanted to make sure I wouldn't use the snow as an excuse so I picked this Gaiam DVD up at Marshall's for $3.99 and the weights were on clearance for $4 a set! This way I have no excuses and 3 different workouts if I find myself snowed in or just too warm to leave my casa.

So Im pleased with my progress but will be raising the bar now that I've reminded myself  that I really am as awesome as I think I am. My birthday is in 3 months and I'm looking forward to being the best me yet! Yay for healthy!

The Beginning of the End

Its officially the first day of the last month of this year. Say goodbye to 2012!

 

I cant even begin to recount all the crazy, wondrous, amazing, scary things that has happened to me this year. I know that it has changed me and for the better! I cant wait to see what awesomeness 2013 has in store. Until then I'll enjoy my first Christmas in Chicago. I'm planning a day/night trip to the city to check out all the festivities and see the infamous Macy's tree lighting and window displays.

 

My first Chicago Christmas tree =)

And a little bit of Texas to help celebrate!

 

Lots of fun things coming up this month. Next week is my bariatric surgeons Christmas party (really looking forward to this!), my trip to the city, my first sponsored blog giveaway, starting a 250 book reading challenge with my friend Nicki, and just really focusing on wrapping the year up and continuing to make good choices into the new one. That being said I'm following in my friend Brooke's footsteps and have made myself some December goals, something to help keep me accountable during the crazy holiday season! I joined her Skinny Snowman Challenge and boy I have tanked big time, hopefully you guys are doing much better!

 

3 workouts per week - easy enough! My doctor put me on a core restriction until we get my gallbladder/heartburn issue solved but I can still get up and move...no excuses on this!

 

64 oz of fluid per day/half clear - now this one I struggle with. I easily get my fluids in but most of it is coffee which I know isn't the best choice; so I'm cutting back and making sure at least half of my daily intake is water.

 

2013 budget - I try this every year and I'm never "prepared" enough to keep it going. So this time I'm taking the entire freaking month to get my poop in a group to really stick to it this time. I've been following Anna over at AndThenWeSaved for a while now and have decided to follow her program. She paid off $17k in debt in a year on a salary making not even twice that much, is that awesome or what? I haven't decided if I'll be doing the Spending Diet, the Spending Fast or maybe even a combo of the two. I'll figure it out and post on it later.

 

2 blog posts per week - I need to make a habit of blogging regularly so I'm committing to posting at least twice a week, recipes NOT included. Hear that self? Recipes are NOT included.

 

 

Do you have any goals for December? Anything fun you're looking forward to?

 

 

 

 

Have a great week!

 

 

 



Wordless Wednesday