Living for the Weekends...

Most people live for the weekends. I sort of do, but they're killing me!

During the week, I'm on a pretty good routine of diet and exercise. I eat well. I drink a lot of water. I go to the gym at lunch-time. I don't miss unless there's a vendor lunch or maybe inventory (I will go after work then).

But there's something about the weekend.

I lose all consciousness of what's good to eat and what's not. I get too lazy to run out to the gym. And, throw in the humidity of this weekend, there's no way I'm going outside for a run or even a walk.

So today's Monday. Back to the routine. I ate my breakfast and am ready for the gym at lunch. I didn't add any pounds on the scale, thank God, but I will add some latent weekend fury to my cardio today.

Slow and Steady...

After months and months of seeing the scale jump up and then down and then up and then down and then rest around where I started...I'm FINALLY seeing the numbers head down.

It's slow, but it's very consistent. I saw the number on the home scale this morning at a place it hasn't been since I did an all-vegetable fast back in January (and trust me, I'm not vegetable fasting right now). I've been very careful about what I'm eating (following guidelines set by the "You...On A Diet" book. I'm still hitting the gym consistently and increasing the intensity of my workouts - AND IT'S PAYING OFF!!!

What's my next goal? I stopped setting "date" and "quantity" goals. I'm just going for being consistent and real about my diet and exercise, knowing that this is it. I can't go back to my old self, but I can also find times to enjoy those things that I like (like a Coke or chips). I've found some healthier alternatives to my snacking - air-popped popcorn with Butter spray and garlic salt instead of a 1/4 stick of butter; 1 oz. of dark chocolate instead of a package of M&M's; Lots of water and OJ instead of Coke and Coffee...

I do plan on celebrating milestones, though. I'm happy to hit the 2-teens. Soon, 1-90's - that's when I told Trainer-Sue I'd take her out to lunch! Hopefully, that will happen before Thanksgiving.

Alright - back to work.

Holding Steady...

For those of you who might be daily scale jumpers...you know exactly what I'm talking about.

As part of your daily routine, you jump on the scale to see how things are going...some days, the weight goes down, some days it goes up. I've had fluctuations as much as 5-7 lbs in a day! That's frustrating when you're really working hard.

But here's something I've noticed lately...I'm holding steady. I'm not seeing the fluctuations I've seen in the past. In fact, the biggest increase/decrease I've seen is like .4 lbs. That's less than an 8oz difference (or 1 cup of water).

Maybe, just maybe, the hard-work is paying off.

I've been watching the number slowly decrease. It's been sooooo encouraging. This morning, I saw an all-time low on the home scale. I can't wait to see what I get at the gym (that's the "official" scale that I use. I'm seeing a possible 2 pound difference between the two).

So, if the scales are true...I just may be seeing the 2-teens today....YEAH!!!

But whether I do or don't - it's all Good...

I'm holding steady!

It Counts!

Last night, I went to Youth Group for the first time in a year. I've gone to a few of their "hang" events, but I haven't gone to a regular Sunday night meeting since I stepped down over a year ago.

I played some football. I ran. I kicked. I pushed a few kids around (heehee). I scored 2 touchdowns out of the 3 scored for my team! I kept kidding around about being winded-all while waiting for it to happen. I was actually surprised I wasn't. Although, I was completely drenched in sweat - including my socks. Once the flood gates started, it dripped down my knees into my socks. Ewwwwww. I spent almost 30 minutes pretending I was T.O. (I played like him too).

So, my title...It counts! I didn't get to go to the gym. I didn't go running or anything like that. But, I played football and ran around with teenagers (and I kept up)...it counts!

Please Take Notice...

Hear Ye!

Hear YE!

HEAR YE!

The BIG LOSER has finally met her first milestone goal in losing weight - in case you might have missed it. Yep, soon the teens will be upon me (maybe by next week) and I will be even more excited.
.

FORGET DANCING IN MY UNDERWEAR!!!!

.

The double 2's will soon be a thing of the past.

.

For those of you who have followed my journey so far, you know this has been a long time coming. The BIG LOSER has been more of a muy pequeno loser. I have done everything within my power to do to get this far. It's definitely not for a lack of hard-work and determination. Just ask anyone who goes to the gym with me - Lisa, Barb, Maryann...Trainer Sue! They'll tell you, I'm no lazy gym go-er.

.

I skip lunches with friends to go to the gym. I pass jelly donuts - and eat nuts and fruit instead (though I don't deny myself - come on, this is a lifestyle, not a temporary fix). I even gave up caffeine (coffee, Coke, Diet Coke...) because I thought it might help. I cook (a lot) of healthy veggie-rich meals instead of buying ready-made meals (which would save me sooooo much time).

.

So if you wonder why I get joyous over the loss of a fraction of a pound - it's because I earned every one of those ounces!

Bitter-Sweet...

I go to my last training session in just 35 minutes. I am sad.

Today is bitter-sweet!

Bitter:
I have loved going for my weekly beatings and being challenged in ways that I never thought was possible. I like the conversation and learning new exercises. I definitely feel stronger and more confident in what I am capable of accomplishing. I like meeting with my new friend, trainer Sue.

Sweet:
I don't have to worry about the cost of training - at least for awhile. Now that is sweet!

I know I am completely dedicated and capable of continuing what I have started. I know enough about the equipment and different types of exercises to keep me busy for the next few months.

I will let you know how it goes...but for now, I am sad.

UPDATE:
No easy day - I'm telling you.

I sweat like I haven't sweat yet! (It might have to do with the lack of air conditioning in the gym).

We worked the legs and arms pretty good - lunges, side lunges, stair jumping, side stepping, balancing and stretching on one leg...

I will definitely be sore!

Dance of Joy!

So, if my life were a reality show - there would be this one particular clip that would be played over and over on the Entertainment shows....

THE DANCE OF JOY IN MY UNDERWEAR!

So, you're probably wondering - what would cause this amount of joy? (You should be asking where I was doing this dance of joy!!!)

The clip would show me (in my underwear) dancing around the women's locker room at the gym. Yep - the gym. I had just gotten off the scale and the numbers made me happy - happy enough to dance in the locker room, in my underwear!

I just thought I'd share that with you today. I have been working out pretty hard: running, lifting, squatting, pressing, lunging, stepping, crunching and lifting for months now. I've changed my diet drastically! Now, the numbers are heading in the right direction. I'm hoping within the week to hit my first goal milestone - never to return!

I'll keep you posted!