Friday, November 5, 2010

Motivation, Endorphins and My Hot 100 - Week 6 Update


I wish I could bottle up this motivation and momentum and pass it on to those of you that are struggling. I struggled for so long and never believed it would be this [dare I say] easy. "Easy" may not be the right word because I'm working extremely hard at the gym, harder than I've ever worked out before, but the urge and desire to constantly be stuffing my face with crappy food is gone. Hallelujah! Knock Wood! Amen!

I barely ate any Halloween candy and it is still EVERYWHERE I turn. I haven't even had the urge to snack after dinner lately. I don't really recognize this person. I like her, I really like her, but I don't know her. Will she stick around or desert me again? Why was it always so hard before? Is it just a matter of having the time to go to the gym? time to take care of myself? time to think? time to go food shopping? time to cook instead of eating out or ordering takeout?

I'm having some anxiety just thinking about going back to work, getting stressed out, depressed and using food to make me numb to it all. I don't ever want to go back to that dark depressing place where I felt hopeless. I feel like I'm finally getting my soul that those bastard lawyers sucked out of me back. I don't ever want to lose it again. It's worth too much to trade it for a healthy paycheck.

I've had 7 straight weeks of losses, not Biggest Loser-type numbers, but losses none the less. This endorphin high is amazing. It takes a while to get there but it is totally worth it. There's even science to back it up. I was reading this article about endorphins that said "exercise is a powerful drug. It seduces many with its zen-like state a feeling that was fondly coined the 'runner's high' in the 1970s. The lure of exercise is often so strong that it can turn enthusiasts into addicts."

It's one addiction I wouldn't mind having. At least I'd be a healthy addict. I'd rather have that kind of vice than drinking, smoking, popping pills, snorting powder, poisoning the body with junk food or any of the other destructive things we can do to ourselves.

Ok, let's get on to the business end of my post - my stats for Week 6 of the Hot 100:

Goal #1 - Lose An Additional 15 Pounds by December 31st

Challenge Starting Weight (9/23/10): 194.2 lbs.
Week 1: -1.3 lbs.
Week 2: -0.9 lbs.
Week 3: -2.4 lbs.
Week 4: -4.0 lbs.
Week 5: -1.1 lbs.
Week 6: -2.6 lbs.

I'm making steady progress and think I can lose even more than the 15 pound goal I set. I was going to set the goal for this challenge at 20 pounds but figured I would be conservative considering all the feasting holidays. *give me strength* Hopefully I can get through the next couple of months without backsliding. *fingers crossed* In 6 weeks I've lost 12.3(!) pounds so it's totally possible to reach and perhaps surpass my goal. We shall see.

Goal #2 - Couch to 5K

I RAN TODAY! Can you believe it? I mean, I really RAN. Well, maybe not what runners consider running but it was running to me. It was more than my usual slow jog, I was pushing it just to stay on the dreadmill. I still don't love it but it's getting a little easier.

Goal #3 - Build More Muscles

The trainer I've been wanting to talk to has been on vacation so that will have to wait another week. I did have two good weight sessions this week though. Today I pushed up my weight and really worked my arms hard. They are sore but it's a good sore. I'm not sure if it's just my imagination but I think I see a little bit of definition in my arms. Wow ... muscles and bones? Not only do I have visible collar bones again if I turn my shoulder at the right angle, I can almost feel my hip bones under the layers of fat. Oh, how I've missed them, I can't wait 'til they really come out of hiding.

I'm hoping to keep this momentum going. I haven't felt this good in ages. Thanks for sticking with me through years of struggle and despair and being here to cheer me on now. Your support means the world to me and I am grateful to each and every one of you for helping me get to where I am today.

I've been spending more and more time unplugged and have 500+ unread posts in my reader to get through so I'm going to see what's been going on with you.

Keep it HOT!

15 comments:

  1. You just keep posting positive results and that momentum and motivation is infectuous!! Seriously, it's so awesome!!

    Nice on the running!! :-)

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  2. Me first!! Me me me me!! When you bottle your mojo and start selling it, you have to give it to ME! FIRST! ;)

    Seriously, you are awesome. You are living proof that it can be done. You go!!

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  3. Woo-hoo! I hope you can keep this fire burning through the cold, cold winter. (Really cold in your neck of the woods.)

    As for work, you're stronger now (inside and out) and you won't LET another employer control that much of you again. That's what I tell myself, anyway. :)

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  4. You are doing great all the way around. Keep on keeping on!

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  5. I'm thrilled things are going so well for you! Keep up the good work!

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  6. Congratulations on staying so steady with your losses! You're really doing it.
    I really appreciate the first part of this post where you describe the difference from when you felt you couldn't do it and how you feel now. I've felt that. Right now i'm on the wrong side of it, but I "got" something from you here. It's like you lit the way and helped some part of me remember..
    Thanks for sharing this.

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  7. Great goals...I just started the C25K today!

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  8. What a week!!! If you figure out a way to bottle up your energy and excitement, let me know! Woot!

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  9. Go girl! I like the part where you said "I don't know who this girl is but I like her!"

    Way to kick ass in the gym - I purposely did not weigh in today because I wanted to wait the two weeks I was on Phase I of South Beach, but before that I've had a loss every week for the last five weeks - that hasn't happened to me since 1999 when I lost 70 pounds in a year!

    Have a great week and keep being HOT! :d

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  10. great job resisting the halloween candy! we had so much of it floating around the office and its been so hard to resist. I am so glad that you are feeling good and keeping up with your goals. you have accomplished so much this year!

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  11. I agree. Bottle some of that motivation and send it around. And throw out the candy. Congrats on the 7 weeks losing streak. Since when did people congratulate other people on losing streaks? Only on weight-loss blogs.

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  12. Stopping by to say hello. It's been over a year since I've really been around, but I'm back... :)

    http://iamabiggerloser.blogspot.com/2010/11/sigh.html

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  13. Wow - you are on fire! So great to read that you're motivated and seeing your efforts result in success on the scale and in your life. Congrats on your RUN and your weight training headway, can't wait to read about your plans when you finally connect with that trainer.

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  14. MB, I am so with you on the endorphin thing - I don't mind getting addicted to that, too. And every workout you nail, you just want to do more, right? Keep going, you are a TOTAL inspiration!

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  15. Congratulations! Your enthusiasm spills off the screen, and with good reason. Btw, I also wish you could bottle it and give it to those struggling. I'm one who is struggling and would love that "quick fix", byt alas...there is no quick fix. Your excitement about and commitment to your progress is an excellent gift you are giving to your readers. Thanks!!

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