Steppin' It Up

Every single journey we take starts with one single step and now it is time for me to step it up and finally get to my goal. I decided to join Prior Fat Girl's Steppin' It Up Challenge which is a two week competition to log the most miles. I'm not sure how my miles are stacking up against the other competitors but I've logged almost 30 miles in the first week and I'm hoping to step it up even more the second week. As much as I would love to win the fabulous prize of a Polar Heart Rate Monitor, I'm not in it for the prizes.

For almost a year now I've been keeping track of my steps with a FitBit. It may not have all the bells and whistles of the Polar HRM but it definitely keeps me motivated to reach my goal of getting at least 10,000 steps a day. Some days are much harder than others but I've noticed that I don't come close to those 10,000 steps unless I get to the gym or go for a LONG walk.

FitBit recently started sending me weekly stats in an e-mail so I plan on recording them here so you can see how active (or inactive) I've been. Feel free to give me a little kick if you notice I've been slacking off.

Here are my stats for the week of 5/02/2011 to 5/08/2011:

TOTAL STEPS: 98,645
DAILY AVERAGE: 14,092
WEEKLY BEST: 25,137 steps

TOTAL DISTANCE: 42.31 miles
DAILY AVERAGE: 6.04 miles
WEEKLY BEST: 10.88 miles

TOTAL CALS BURNED: 15,697
DAILY AVERAGE: 2,242 cals
WEEKLY BEST: 2,717 cals

WEIGHT CHANGE: 0.5 lb
LIGHTEST: 151.2 lb
HEAVIEST: 151.7 lb

I'm still struggling to get under the 150 pound mark but I'm not stressing out about it. Just like the past 90+ pounds I've lost, these last pounds will come off slowly but surely as long as I continue doing the right things to make it possible. I figure the longer it takes me to get to goal the more likely I am to learn what I need to do to stay there and not relapse like I've done in the past.

Summer is just around the corner for those of us in the northern hemisphere. What are you doing to step it up?

May Day! May Day!

Happy May Day!

It's almost time to break out the bathing suits for those of us who have struggled through a long cold snowy winter. Spring has finally sprung here in the Northeast and my itchy, watery eyes and non-stop sneezing fits prove that things are bloomin' and pollen is flying everywhere.

I've been dancing around the 150 pound mark but haven't been able to break through to the 140s yet. "They" say that the last 10 pounds are the hardest to lose but I disagree. Every single pound lost is hard and takes effort but it is worth it. I managed to gain 1.3 pounds this week but I'm used to the roller coaster by now and know that it's just how my body fluctuates. I generally have a few good weeks of losses and then a gain.

I'm planning on joining a couple of challenges to keep me motivated and hopefully help me reach my goal this month or next. I'm a very slow loser but I'm getting there, slowly but surely. As soon as I get all the challenge details I'll let you know all about it.

Have a great May Day!

Wordless Wednesday - Spring Edition

Happy Patriots Day!

Patriots Day, also known as Marathon Monday, is a BIG holiday here in Boston. It was a perfect day for a run. Oh, not for me, I'm still struggling to complete the C25K program but it was a good day for those crazy fit people who are able to run for 26.2 miles! I can't even imagine being able to run that far but I admire every single person who attempts it. I didn't go in town early enough to get a good spot to take pictures of the runners but I had fun seeing everyone walking around with their white and silver capes like superheros. They are my superheros. Congrats to all who ran, walked, or crawled across the finish line!

It's Always Something ....

WOW! What a week!

As Roseanne Roseannadanna* used to say, "it's always something - if it ain't one thing, it's another. I was disappointed I didn't get my usual workouts in last week due to a bunch of different reasons. Sometimes life just gets in the way, ya know? I did go to the gym Monday for an hour long session with the elliptical, got my ass kicked at TaeBox on Tuesday and went on a few walks here and there but that was it. It's funny that a couple of years ago that would have been a great week of workouts.

B had to have some minor surgery on Thursday (he's fine now) so I wasn't able to go to kickboxing and both of our vehicles are at the repair shop so I didn't have any wheels to get around. We've been having quite a run of bad car karma these days. We've spent about $2,000 in repairs in just the past couple of weeks and the vehicles still aren't running right.

I really need to suck it up and get back to work soon. How do you really know what you're getting yourself into when everyone seems so sweet and nice when you interview with them? I know you will think I'm crazy but I actually turned down a job last week. Who does that in this economy? Have I lost my mind? Maybe. I turned it down because it was an extremely HIGH stress position for extremely low dirt pay and I just wasn't willing to sell out knowing I'd be walking right back into a bad situation. I do have two interesting interviews set up for next week though so I'm keeping my fingers crossed I'll end up in a good place.

Anyway, just wanted to check in and let you know what's been going on with me.

*Most of you are probably too young to remember Gilda Radner's SNL News character Roseanne Roseannadanna. Roseanne Roseannadanna would read a letter, usually from the ever-curious Richard Fader of Fort Lee, New Jersey. The letter would ask a series of questions, usually about some current social issue, to which Roseannadanna would usually reply, "Mr. Fader, you sure do ask a lot of stupid questions for a guy from New Jersey," or "You belong in New Jersey!" Then she would sometimes make a derogatory comment about New Jersey. She would then answer the questions. While answering the questions, she would invariably digress, launching into a lengthy anecdote with no relevance to the topic at hand, frequently having to do with an encounter Roseannadanna had had with a celebrity. Invariably, the story would lead into Roseannadanna's going into disgustingly graphic detail about bodily functions or personal hygiene; with these details, she would use a famous celebrity as an example and say that she would ask these celebrities, "What are ya tryin' to do, make me sick?!"

Eventually, Jane Curtin would interrupt, stating, "Roseanne, you're making me sick." Curtin would then ask her what her comments had to do with the question. Roseannadanna's response was, "Well, Jane, it just goes to show you, it's always something--if it ain't one thing, it's another."

All Good Things

I am so thankful and feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to get my life, body, soul and mind back in shape over the past year and a half but as the saying goes, "all good things must come to an end" and I have to admit I'm really scared. I don't want to go back into that deep dark hole ever again. I don't want to feel sick every single day I have to go to work and feel like I've sold my soul for a paycheck.

The clock is ticking and I'm at the point where I really need to get back to the daily grind. I've been interviewing and I can feel my stress level increase just walking in the doors of these law firms. I know they are not all going to be as bad as the place I worked but I'm still nervous and worried about how I'm going to find a way to make sure I don't let stress take me back down that road again. I was reduced to tears almost every single day and would feel physically sick just getting off the elevator in the morning.

When I got laid off in November 2009 I was extremely stressed out, depressed and tipping the scales at my highest weight ever. I joined the gym and spent an average of 5 days a week sweating on the elliptical for hour long sessions. I was able to get a handle on my stress/binge eating and stopped trying to stuff my feelings down with food.

It was a very slow process but I've managed to lose over 80 pounds and I'm so close to reaching my goal weight. Over the past six months I found out that I LOVE kickboxing and experienced how amazing an endorphin high can be. I have more energy and look forward to getting out of bed instead of hitting the snooze button over and over again.

Is it just going to be a matter of time management and finding the time to get to the gym? How will I handle the urge to eat all the crap that is always around the office? How will I respond when I feel overwhelmed with work and having to deal with difficult, hard to please lawyers who expect miracles?

I don't have the answers but I'm hoping some of you have some good advice. It's coming down to the wire and I'm going to have to find a way to make it work. Help! I'm scared! Any suggestions?

Numbers Game

I apologize for being so inconsistent with my posts. Seems like I wrote more when I wasn't losing than I do now. I'm probably one of the most inconsistent bloggers around but just because I haven't posted does not mean I've given up and fallen off "the wagon." I'm still here and going strong. Well, maybe not strong but I'm going and getting stronger every day.

I did manage to gain 2.8 pound this week but I'm not really that upset about it. After weighing myself every single day for over a year I've learned that my weight can fluctuate up to 5 pounds from one day to the next, it doesn't necessarily mean I binged or didn't work out all week. It can be such a head game but we have to learn how to get over the numbers. It is what it is and we can't let it throw us off track.

We've all played the numbers game, right? We start a diet determined to lose "X" amount of weight in "X" amount of days and if we don't see the numbers we want on the scale we tend to throw our hands in the air and give up because what's the use. We workout, we eat right and we don't lose as much as we expected to lose or may even show a gain. It's enough to make you crazy and start thinking negative, self-defeating thoughts and send us running to the kitchen to stuff down our frustrations with all the foods we had been denying ourselves. We tend to say things like "What's the use? I exercised every single day, avoided all those yummy foods I wanted and gained weight. I give up." Don't ever give up!

I'm happy to say that I've stopped playing this numbers game for the most part. Over the past year and a half I have concentrated more on my workouts, fighting the urge to binge and mindlessly eat and being more consistent with my food choices. Some weeks I only lost .1, some weeks I gained and on rare occasions I would lose a few pounds. Whether I lost or gained I've just continued to do what I've been doing and eventually the scale catches up.

I find it a little hard to believe I've lost over 80 pounds and only have about 15 pounds to lose to get to my goal. We all know those last 10-15 pounds are the hardest, right? They're all hard if you ask me but I'm just going to continue to do what I need to do and not worry about how many days/weeks/months it will take me to get there. It's not a race. It took years, decades, a lifetime even, to put it all on so why do we expect it to come off as soon as we sweat for 5 minutes or eat a carrot?

Hang in there, take care of yourself, move your body, fuel it with good stuff and be patient. We'll get there as long as we never give up. It's kind of like the lottery, you can't win if you don't play so get out there and get in the game. Rock on!

Long and Winding Road - One Step at a Time

I spent so many YEARS struggling to get a grip on my weight issues, body image and eating disorders. I started this blog shortly after my 40th birthday and two years later I was even fatter, totally stressed out and absolutely miserable. No matter how badly I wanted to lose weight I was just not doing the things I needed to do consistently enough to make that happen. It wasn't until I got laid off from my job after 11+ stressful years that I had a breakthrough. I got rid of the overwhelming stress of my daily life, I joined the gym and started working out regularly, I stopped bingeing, I started eating healthier foods but didn't give up anything. Nothing was off limits.


Throughout the past 14 months I have indulged in all sorts of so-called "bad" foods. I've had cookies, cake, ice cream, chocolate, bread and everything and anything else I really wanted IN MODERATION. I didn't make myself sick by eating a dozen or more cookies like I had in the past but would have one or two and be satisfied. I started really tasting those treats and realized I didn't want to waste my indulgences on processed, packaged crap that didn't really taste good. I passed up the crap and enjoyed every bite of homemade deliciousness without guilt.

Some weeks I didn't lose any weight, some weeks I only lost .1 or .2 pounds and other weeks I gained weight but I learned it didn't really matter what the scale said as long as I continued to work out and eat right I was on the right road and would eventually get to where I needed to be. I'm not there yet but I'm extremely close. I think I'm right around the weight I was when I first started dieting. How is it that I feel healthy and strong now but it wasn't good enough then? When will we learn to accept our bodies? I know I will never be tall or a size two and I'm ok with that. I don't need to be a certain size to feel good, I just need to keep taking care of myself.

Whether you are just starting out on this road or you're tired from the long journey, don't be discouraged. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and each little baby step will bring you one step closer to where you want to be. Keep the faith and never give up. You are worth it!

Perfect Weight Loss Plan

Jenny C., WW, Atkins, South Beach, Nutri-System, Calorie Counting, Cabbage Soup, Slim-Fast, Starvation, Binge/Purge ... you can lose weight using any weight loss program out there if you stick to it. Some methods are dangerous, some are expensive, some are time consuming, some are tried and true and healthier than others but if you can't see yourself doing it for the rest of your life and think once you get the weight off you can go back to eating like you did before you are setting yourself up to fail.


I can't tell you how many times I thought I had my weight problem licked after losing 60+ pounds only to regain it in record time and end up fatter than I was before I started the life-changing diet.

This time was different. Nothing, I mean, absolutely nothing, was off limits. I've had cake, cookies, pasta, bread, alcohol, you name it, I've eaten it and still lost weight. The difference this time is I've only had what I really wanted. I stayed away from the boxed crap and only indulged if I REALLY wanted it. If I took a few bites and it wasn't as good as I expected it to be, I didn't finish it.

I've also put in more time at the gym than I ever have before. I learned how amazing an endorphin high can be and I've become addicted to cardio kickboxing. I absolutely love how I feel after getting good and sweaty at the gym. Some days it is a struggle to get there but it is always worth it.

I read so many blogs where people moan about not being able to eat chocolate or go out to dinner with friends because of the temptations they will face. Dieting shouldn't take over your life. You need to find one that works with your life and one that you can do for the rest of your life. I never thought I'd be saying this but if I can do it, you can too. Find what works for you and stick with it, be consistent and never give up.

What works for you?

Why Be Normal?

"Normal" is relative. What is normal for you or me may seem totally bat-shit crazy to someone else. Most of my friends are unusual characters, not crazy people, just unique individuals. I've always gravitated towards people who have strong personalities, don't tend to run with the masses or even care what the masses think, and march to the beat of their own drum.

I always thought that being "Normal" was overrated. Who wants to be normal? Normal is boring and in the case of the BMI chart can be total bull. Still, when it comes to the BMI chart, I've been dreaming of being considered "Normal" and can't believe how close I'm getting to that "Normal" line. Check out the snapshot of my Wii screen showing my BMI graph. In November 2009 my BMI was over 40 which is the Morbidly Obese range and now I'm hovering just above "Normal."

I have no intention of getting down to the recommended BMI for my height because I think I would look scary skinny at that weight (129) and it would be almost impossible for me to maintain it without severe food restrictions and hours at the gym daily. I really like my curves and have every intention of keeping them so I'm shooting for the high end of the BMI "Normal" range.

I was so excited the first day my Wii stopped saying "that's OBESE," and instead said "that's OVERWEIGHT." I can't wait to tell me I'm "NORMAL."

What do you think about the BMI chart? Do you think it's an accurate measure? or total bull?

Snow Way!

Not again! Mother Nature keeps throwing a wrench into my workout plans. For the second time in the past two weeks I shoveled out my driveway, and hopped on a bus and a train to make it into Boston only to find out that my kickboxing class had been cancelled. I called the gym twice before I left yesterday morning to confirm that the class was still on and they assured me it was. As soon as I got off the train in Boston I got an e-mail notice saying it was cancelled due to the weather. I was not a very happy camper. I only got a three week trial membership to this gym so I could attend these kickboxing classes and they keep getting cancelled. I think I'm going to ask them to give me another week to make up for the classes that were cancelled. It's only fair, right?

I don't understand why everyone is so afraid of a little snow these days? Two inches of snow is cause for breaking news reports. It seems like they start closing things down as soon as the first flakes start flying. We barely had two inches on the ground but they were ready to close up and go home. When I was a kid we had to have blizzard conditions before they would even close the schools, now they seem to shut down for a flurry.

I was really looking forward to getting my ass kicked but I decided to make the best of it so it wasn't a totally wasted trip. I ended up having lunch with my friend and then decided to treat myself to a manicure. I also stopped in to see my jeweler so I could get some ring guards for my rings. I was getting nervous because they were getting so loose but didn't want to have them resized until I lose another 20 pounds or so and get closer to my goal weight. At least my rings are secure now.

They better not cancel my class again on Thursday. I wish people would just suck it up and deal with it. It's nothing new. This is winter in New England. It's going to be cold and there will be snow. UGGHHH!! Maybe I should invest in a punching bag so I can let out some of these steam. At least I've been getting some good workouts shoveling.

Hope you are staying warm and enjoying the beauty of the season.

Let is snow, let it snow, let is snow (but please don't cancel my class ;).

What Size?

What a mess, huh? I have a confession to make to you. I have TONS of clothes I haven't been able to fit into for years, decades even. I have clothes with tags on them and clothes I've been dreaming about fitting back into someday. I have clothes ranging in sizes from 8 to 18 so you can imagine what a mess it is. Just look at that picture. I'm embarrassed to say that this is what one wall of my closet looked like a couple of weeks ago. Since then I have dropped off over 10 bags to charity, given away 3 bags to friends and have many more bags to go but I'm plugging away at it and making some good progress getting rid of the fat clothes and sorting through what is left.

What I really wanted to tell you about though is the pair of "goal" pants I came across. The last time I lost a substantial amount of weight I did it by doing a modified Atkins/South Beach type diet. I survived a year without having any "white stuff," you know, bread, pasta, pizza, rice, potatoes, sugar, flour, etc. I'm not sure how I lasted so long without eating the foods I loved but I did it and lost over 60 pounds by diet alone. I thought I solved the mystery and had this weight thing all figured out but I was so wrong. Once I gave in and ate a crouton I blew back up in record time and ended up even fatter than before.

I knew I couldn't live the rest of my life without eating bread so I spent years trying to find something that would work for me. I don't want to sound cocky but think I've really got it figured out this time and pray that I will never again have to buy fat clothes.

Anyway, back to the story of the "goal" pants ....

I knew I was wearing these particular pants when I was at my lowest weight back then and I know I'm about 20 pounds heavier right now but thought I would try the pants on just to see how much farther I had to go to fit into them. Imagine my surprise when I not only got them past my thighs but was able to button and zip them with absolutely no struggle. They weren't even tight, I had room to spare and there was absolutely no muffin top. How is that possible? How could I fit into these pants when I still had 20 pounds to lose to get to where I was back then?

Even though the scale says I weigh more now than I did then, I think I'm significantly smaller but heavier. Does that even make sense? I have been working my ass off at the gym and know that I am firmer and stronger than I ever have been.

What's your theory? Do you think it makes sense? Do you think it's all because I've been exercising and toning or do you have another theory? I would love to hear your opinion about how I can fit into these pants and still have 20 pounds to lose.

Time to fill up another bag ...

Feeling the Burn ...

I'm back! I didn't really go anywhere but haven't been spending much time in front of the computer. I'm going to make an effort to update more often and let you know how things are going.

I'm so happy to be able to tell you that I've been feeling absolutely unstoppable lately. I don't know whether it's the endorphin high or I'm just finally feeling good in my own skin but I love it. I struggled for soooo long and when I look back I wonder why. Why did I abuse my body for so many years?


We've been getting hit here in the northeast with one snowstorm after another so I've been getting lots of extra shoveling workouts. We just got ANOTHER 8-10" here in Boston. You know I love the snow but it makes me crazy when we have more snow in Boston than we have in the mountains in Vermont.

The last big storm we had I spent almost two hours shoveling, went to cardio kickboxing, attended my first ever yoga class (WOW!!), hiked around the city in the snow and then came back home and shoveled some more. Another day I jumped through hoops just to get to my kickboxing class. I have so much energy lately and have been finding it hard to sit still long enough to type up an update.

I'm still losing at a snail's pace but I'm still losing. It took me over a year to go from a morbidly obese BMI to merely overweight and now I'm about 20 pounds away from being "Normal." I don't want to jinx anything but I haven't had the slightest gain since September. Some weeks I stayed the same or only lost 0.1 or 0.2 pounds but I'm still going in the right direction and it feels FANTASTIC.

Time to get out there and shovel the latest 8-10" gift from Mother Nature and then get my ass kicked. I can't wait!

If I could give anyone who is struggling once piece of advice it would be "DON'T GIVE UP!" It won't happen overnight but it will happen if you keep working at it and don't give up. You can do it!

Cardio Kickboxing Kicked My Ass

WOW! I had a blast at my first cardio kickboxing class. My friend belongs to Women's Fitness of Boston so she took me as her guest (thanks Kathy!). It was a blast. There is no way I would have ever made it through that class a year ago. I'm not the most graceful gazelle in the herd so it took me a while to get the moves down but I didn't make too much of a fool of myself. Two days later, my ass and hips are still sore, must have been all those squats, lunges and kicks.


If you live in the Boston area, the gym is running a special trial 3 week membership for $21. I already have my Planet Fitness membership but the don't offer any classes. I figured I can go into the city twice a week for kickboxing and it works out to less than $5 a class. Totally worth it, even on my limited unemployment income.


The instructor was amazing. I can't wait 'til next Tuesday to get my ass kicked again.

Happy New Year! and Hot 100 Finale

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here it is - a clean slate, time to look forward to all the possibilities a new year brings. Do you start each new year by making the same ol' resolutions? How many people wait for the first Monday of the new year to start a new weight loss plan, quit smoking or start working on other goals they really should be working towards every single day of the year? The first Monday of the year holds no magic but I have no doubt the gym will be more crowded than usual. I wonder how many of them will still be there come the first Monday in February.

I love getting a new calendar and imagining what the new year has in store for me. Will I find my dream job? Will I reach my weight loss goals? Will I finally learn how to maintain? It's all possible. I feel blessed and so thankful to have had this time off from the daily grind to learn how to let go of the soul sucking stress I was constantly carrying around. I'm learning how to stop eating my feelings and stuffing down my emotions.



Since getting laid off in November 2009 I have lost a total of 70.9 pounds and feel better than I have in years, decades even. Not working really seems to agree with me. Unfortunately, unless I have the winning lottery ticket in my pocket, I will have to go back to work soon and that scares the crap out of me. I'm worried about falling back into bad habits and not making the time to workout. Just like Ms. O'Hara, I'm not going to think about that now, I'll think about that tomorrow....



Right now it's time for the Hot 100 Finale:

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.
Week 7: --------
Week 8: -2.2 lbs.
Week 9: -4.0 lbs.
Week 10: -0.9 lbs.
Week 11: -0.2 lbs.
Week 12: -3.1 lbs.
Week 13: -------
Week 14: -0.4 lbs.
Hot 100 Challenge Weight Loss: 23.1 lbs.
(Total Weight Lost Since 11/2009: 70.9 pounds)
(Total Weight Lost in 2010: 59.1 pounds)



YES! I thought this was going to be the hardest goal to reach but it turned out to be the easiest. I'm amazed that there wasn't a single week of the challenge that I posted a gain. That's not to say my weight didn't tick up here and there during the week but it just so happened that each Friday I weighed less than the previous week. I still feel like pinching myself because I can't believe I lost weight over the holidays. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and miracles do happen.


Goal #2 - Couch to 5K

As you know, the C25K program has been a bit of a thorn in my side but I got a new app on my smartphone so I'm going to test out. Maybe I just need better tunes...such optimism in the new year, huh?

Goal #3 - Build More Muscles


I'm not sure how much muscle I've built up in the past 14 weeks but I don't dread going into the weight room anymore so that is definite progress.


Thanks to Steve for hosting the Hot 100 Challenge. It certainly kept me motivated to stay on track and finish out 2010 on a positive note. I had a blast meeting all my fellow hotties and hope to continue this journey with you.



Wishing you a very healthy and Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve Hot 100 Week 13 Update

Merry Christmas Eve! Are you on Santa's "Nice" or "Naughty" list? I always think I should be on the list somewhere in between naughty and nice.

I hope you didn't get caught up in the commercialism of the season by racking up charges on the credit cards. Presents are great but spending time with the people you love is really what it's all about. Enjoy the beauty of the season, time with family and friends and the joy of giving from the heart.

It's hard to believe we are in the final weeks of the Hot 100.

Status of 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.
Week 7: --------
Week 8: -2.2 lbs.
Week 9: -4.0 lbs.
Week 10: -0.9 lbs.
Week 11: -0.2 lbs.
Week 12: -3.1 lbs.
Week 13: -------
Total Hot 100 Challenge Weight Loss to Date: 22.7 lbs.
(Total Weight Lost Since 11/2009: 70.5 pounds)

I didn't get to weigh-in today but if I use yesterday's weigh-in I could report a 2.8 pound loss. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can keep it off after feasting tomorrow.

Goal #2 - Couch to 5K

Last week I said "I may have to hang my head and admit defeat on this one" but Cammy wisely pointed out that "Admitting defeat is one thing, but no head hanging allowed! It's FUN to try new things, even those that don't work out for us. Or maybe it's *especially* those that don't work." I may never be a runner but I'm going to continue to work on making progress with the C25K. Manuela commented that she struggled with the program on the treadmill but once the nice weather hit she was able to rock it on the pavement. Who knows, maybe by the time spring hits I'll be rocking that C25K program.

Goal #3 - Build More Muscles

As expected, with the bustle of the holiday I've missed a few days at the gym so I haven't done much lifting this week but I'm looking forward to getting back in there and pumping some iron. I feel so tough saying things like that. ;)

Thank you so much for the support you have given me. I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

Rock on Hotties!

Hot 100 - Week 12

I can't believe there are only two weeks left of 2010. Are you going out with a bang or a thud? Are you on a high or a low? Are you giving yourself a free pass 'til the end of the year so you can have a fresh start on January 1st? As nice as that may sound, a free pass isn't really free, you have to pay eventually, so don't even bother trying to use it to coast through. It's not worth it. Enjoy the holidays, indulge a little but don't go lose sight of your goals.

Here's my Hot 100 Update for Week 12:

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.
Week 7: --------
Week 8: -2.2 lbs.
Week 9: -4.0 lbs.
Week 10: -0.9 lbs.
Week 11: -0.2 lbs.
Week 12: -3.1 lbs.
Total Hot 100 Challenge Weight Loss to Date: 22.7 lbs.
(Total Weight Lost Since 11/2009: 70.5 pounds)

I guess it isn't too far fetched to think I could actually lose a total of 25 pounds for this challenge.

Goal #2 - Couch to 5K

Again, nothing new to report here ... I'm still struggling with the C25K. I may have to hang my head and admit defeat on this one. Maybe I'm just not cut out to be a runner. I'm still going to keep trying to complete this program but I'm not going to sweat it if it doesn't happen.

Goal #3 - Build More Muscles

I haven't lifted much this week but I'm feeling strong and actually look forward to hitting the weights. Who would have thought that would happen?

I hope you are all taking time to enjoy the spirit of the holiday season. It's not about the gifts, decorations and food, it's about the people and the time you get to spend with them. There's a certain magic in giving from the heart. Make a difference in someone else's life this holiday season. The kids won't believe it but it truly is much better to give than receive.

Have a Merry Happy Holiday!

Hot 100 - Week 11

Three more weeks to go! Can you believe there are only three weeks left in 2010! I've been in a bit of denial about Christmas approaching. I haven't done any shopping, I haven't hung a single solitary decoration or sent out a single card. I know I need to snap out of it, go shopping and get things mailed out but I'm just not motivated to do it. What do you do to get you into the holiday spirit when you feel like the Grinch?

No matter how you've done on the Hot 100 challenge thus far it's now crunch time, last chance workout, time to finish strong. Don't you dare throw your hands up and declare the holiday season a bust because you're still stuffed like the Thanksgiving Day bird. Don't wait until January 1st to reverse any damage or make more progress, start RIGHT NOW. It will be totally worth it. Trust me, you'll see.

Here's my stats for Week 11:

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.
Week 7: --------
Week 8: -2.2 lbs.
Week 9: -4.0 lbs.
Week 10: -0.9 lbs.
Week 11: -0.2 lbs.
Total Hot 100 Challenge Weight Loss to Date: 19.6 lbs.
(Total Weight Lost Since 11/2009: 67.4 pounds)

I hit my challenge goal to lose 15 pounds in Week 9 and decided it would be a good idea to strive to lose a total of 25 pounds for this challenge. No matter where the number ends up I'm very happy to see the scale moving in the right direction on a consistent basis. A little less than 2 pounds a week for the next three weeks doesn't sound impossible but there will be once-a-year Christmas treats and a few less days of gym time so we'll just see how it all works out.

Goal #2 - Couch to 5K

Look away, the show is over, nothing new to report here ... I'm still struggling with the C25K.

Goal #3 - Build More Muscles

I'm a little shocked to admit that I've actually been looking forward to lifting now that I've started to see a teeny tiny bit of definition in my arms. Who knew you could get results so quickly? Apparently, everyone but me ;)

I finally moved out of the dark ages and got a smart phone so I've been trying to catch up on my blog reading from there which means very little to no commenting (why can't those computer geeks figure out a way to make that easier?) but I'm still out here cheering you on.

I hope you're all enjoying the holiday season. Let's all finish out the year with a little momentum on our sides. Merry Merry!

Week Highlights and Hot 100 Update

My gym membership expired on Monday and they aren't going to offer the discounted membership rate until the day after Christmas so I'm going to check out some other gyms in the area and see if I can get a free weekly pass here and there to get me through the next few weeks.

I went to my first ZUMBA class on Tuesday. The city offers free classes at the local senior center so I had a bunch of seniors dancing circles around me. I don't know what got my heart rate up more, the class or laughing so hard at myself. It was a blast. I can't wait to join them again next week. I'm not very graceful but I was definitely got a good workout in.

I did a KILLER workout yesterday that included cardio and a serious weight circuit session. I almost fell when I got out of bed this morning because my calves are killing me *ouch*. I'm definitely feeling the burn and loving it!

Time for my Week 10 Hot 100 Update:

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.
Week 7: --------
Week 8: -2.2 lbs.
Week 9: -4.0 lbs.
Week 10: -0.9 lbs.
Total Hot 100 Weight Loss to Date: 19.4 lbs.
(Total Weight Lost Since 11/2009: 67.2 pounds)

Goal #2 - Couch to 5K

Nothing new to report here. I'm still struggling with the C25K.

Goal #3 - Build More Muscles

I'm getting stronger every single day and excited to see a little definition popping out in my arms.

Only a few more weeks of the Hot 100 to go. How are you doing on your challenge goals? Are you making progress or struggling? Can I pat you on the back or kick you in the ass?

My reader is so out of control and overflowing. I've been doing my best to catch up but you guys keep writing and I keep falling further and further behind. I hope to catch up and get back to commenting regularly soon.

Here in the northeast it's been pretty cold outside but I hope you're keeping it HOT!

Rock on!

Hot 100 - Week 9 Thanksgiving Edition

Here in the states, Thanksgiving is the official start to the gluttonous holiday season. I was determined not to stuff myself into oblivion this year and I almost succeeded. My focus was on family, friends and football (GO PATS!); the food was somewhat of an afterthought. I actually skipped the big turkey dinner and all the fixin's but I made up for it by indulging in way too many sweet desserts. Over the course of the night I had very small portions of homemade birthday cake, apple pie, pecan pie, ice cream and a lemon square. I wasn't out of control but it was too much for me these days. It was all delicious but I felt pretty ill after eating it. I almost forgot how it feels to be that hyped up on sugar, not to mention the three cups of coffee I had along with it. Obviously, these weren't the best food choices but it was the holiday and I know I burnt off a huge portion of those calories at the gym so it's all good.

So, here's my update for Week 9 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.
Week 7: --------
Week 8: -2.2 lbs.
Week 9: -4.0 lbs.
Total Hot 100 Weight Loss to Date: 18.5 lbs.
(Total Weight Lost Since 11/2009: 66.3 pounds)

Well, well, look at that ... I already smashed this goal by losing FOUR POUNDS this week. I'm not changing my challenge goals but I'm going to try to lose a total of 25 pounds by New Year. Why not, right? I obviously didn't set the bar high enough.

I'll admit I was a little shocked when I got on the scale this morning because I missed the gym two days and was not feeling very good after all the crap I ate the night before. Over the past year there have only been a handful of weeks that I've lost up to four pounds and to be able to have a four pound loss on Thanksgiving week is a true blessing and I am very thankful.

Goal #2 - Couch to 5K

Still struggling with the C25K .... I'm not giving up but at some point I may have to admit my body isn't made for running. I'm still going to push to do this but it hasn't been easy for me.

Goal #3 - Build More Muscles

I'm getting stronger and stronger and trying to motivate myself to spend more time lifting and less time doing cardio. I was worried that cutting down on the intense cardio and increasing my weight lifting time would stall my weight loss but, thankfully *knock wood*, that doesn't seem to be happening. I have a feeling I just may be doing something right. (Lori, I think of you every single time I increase my weights. I know you'd be proud.)

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving holiday and didn't put yourself into a food coma. Treat yourself to some healthy foods this weekend and get your body moving. You'll feel better, I promise.

I'm still far behind in my blog reading with over 800+ unread posts but I'm chipping away and catching up and hope to be back to regular commenting soon.

Hope you're keeping it HOT!