Re-Think Your Shrink - Week 1

I've never been one to make New Year's resolutions. Not because I won't keep them, but because I think it is crazy to say you are going to make changes in your life, just because it's Jan 1. If you see an area of your life that needs improving-improve it. That's what I've been trying to do for months, I just haven't been very successful yet :)

This is where the sisterhood comes in. I need to be accountable to someone other than myself. I did Weight Watchers years ago and lost 50 lbs. I kept it off for 6 years, but the past 2 years have been rough and I've put 25 back on. Since joining the sisterhood, I've lost 5 of that (a drop in the bucket, really) and I'm hoping to lose at least 10 more. I'm starting this challenge at 161.2, which is up 1.4 from last week. This bouncing around the 160 mark is really pissing me off. I need to get down to at least 157 so my daily water/salt differences won't keep popping me back over 160 and tick me off so much. (I literally fluctuate up to 2 lbs a day based on what I had for dinner the night before-HATE it). Oops, we're not supposed to have any negative talk-my bad!

I love the idea of the "Monday Project". My school does something similar, called "Mission Monday" where students (and staff) are asked to step out of their comfort zones. Things like, sit at a new table at lunch, introduce yourself to a student in another class at recess, stuff like that. I'm very curious to see what our friends at the sisterhood will come up with for the next 7 Mondays.

So, here is my plan:

• I don't think I will follow a specific food plan, but I am going to try to write down what I eat and count points when I can. I'm so burned out on WW that I will start each week really good, but usually give up around day 3 or 4. I'm also going to try to stop the snacking after dinner. (As a side note, I'm getting an iPhone in a couple months-if anyone knows of a good food-logging app, please let me know).
• As for exercise, we just got a Wii for Christmas and I'm 4 days into the EA Sports 30 day challenge. I'm liking it, but I feel like the workouts are too short. I may start doing each day's workout twice when I have time. I also have a gym membership that I really should be using more consistently. I love group exercise classes (spin, step, kickboxing) but haven't been able to go much with my kids' after school schedules. It seems the days that I can go, they don't have a class (or instructor) I like. I need to start making it a priority to have some "me" time each week, even if it is to just get on the treadmill for an hour. I can't exercise outside until about April (too fracking cold and snowy), so I need to use the gym.
• I've joined the 'hood, have a twitter account I never use :), and log my workouts on dailymile. Can't wait to see what we do with dailymile-it's been a great site to track what I do.

I'm really hoping 2010 is the year I get back on track. I'm turning (gasp!) 40 this summer and I want to be 40 and Fabulous, not 40 and Fat. I'm probably never going to see the 130's again, but I'd love to be in the 140's for my 40th. Help me get there, friends!

Shrinkaversary Final Weigh-in

Well, this pretty much sucks. When I started the challenge, I had made it into a new decade: 158.8. Today's weight: 161.0. That is up 2.2 lbs - S**t! But considering how busy I've been the past 2 weeks (no exercise what.so.ever. and eating crap, crap, and more crap) then I'm lucky to have only gained 2 lbs. I did really good on mileage for the first few weeks, but like I said, NOTHING, in the past 2, so by my count on dailymile, I walked 30 miles. I never counted the walking I do all day long at school, so it's probably a little more, but I don't really have a way to track that.

I'm very frustrated and I don't like that feeling.

• I hate that I have to watch every morsel that goes into my mouth.
• I hate that my body seems to retain water like crazy if I've had so much as a couple shakes of salt. Forget about what happens if I go out to eat. Why restaurants have to put so much salt in the food is totally beyond me.
• I hate that one of my coworkers is dropping weight like crazy, but says, "I don't know why I'm losing weight." She was thin to begin with and is beginning to look downright skinny. TOTALLY NOT FAIR.
• I hate that no matter how much weight I lose or how much I exercise, my fat calves will never fit into cute, knee-high boots. (They barely squeezed in when I was down to 140).
• I hate that when I joined the sisterhood this past summer, my weight had ballooned back up over 165, but I've only lost about 5 lbs. I just keep losing and finding the same few pounds. It is beginning to look like I will never see 140, much less my low of 138 a few years ago. My doctor says 150 should be my goal, but even that seems very fat on someone who is only 5'3" on a good hair day.
• Obviously, I'm feeling the need to bitch, moan, and whine. I apologize.

What does this tell me? I need to get my a** in gear-literally. Luckily, I am starting Christmas break in 2 days and I really hope to get to the gym. It is waaaaay too cold now, with snow and ice on the ground and major amts of darkness, for me to even attempt outdoor workouts. I'm a total wimp when it comes to the cold. Why I live in Michigan, I may never know. The only explanation I can think of is that I was born here and this is where my family lives. We are also getting a Wii for Christmas (don't tell my kids) and Santa is bringing me the EA Sports game. I can't wait to start the 30 day challenge. I probably also need to start tracking my food again. Can't wait to see what the girls at the sisterhood have in store for us beginning on the 30th. Bring it on!

True Confessions Monday

We ate at Tony's I-75 in Birch Run, Michigan on Saturday. after my son's Lego Robotics tournament. This place was featured in an episode of Sandwich Paradise on the Travel Channel and has been a Michigan icon for over 30 years. The BLT has a full pound of bacon - 'nuf said.

This is not me eating, but this is what I ordered:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtEzRTBRC_c

I've done absolutely no exercise, except Power Shopping, and most of that has been done with my mouse. My daughter also insisted we make Puppy Chow this weekend (you know, perfectly healthy Crispix cereal, coated in a blend of butter/chocolate/peanut butter, and dredged through powdered sugar). I truly live in fear of the scale - he is going to be quite unkind on Wednesday.

I just learned how to add video to my blog (yah, I'm really techie when you compare me to most of my coworkers, but compared to the rest of y'all, I stink).

Here is some video of my daughter doing her thang:

And here is my son: