Slimmer this Summer and 101 Days of Summer Challenges

Another week is in the hot and steamy record books almost everywhere in the USA. This summer is flying by so fast it's making me a bit dizzy. I wish there were a way to make time slow down instead of whizzing by at the speed of light.

It's time again for another challenge update for the Slimmer this Summer and 101 Days of Summer Challenges:

WEIGH IN

6/1/11 101 Days of Summer Challenge 2011 Starting Weight: 149.5 lbs.
6/6/11 Slimmer this Summer Starting Weight: 151.2 lbs.

6/10/11 Weigh In: 148.2 lbs.
6/17/11 Weigh In: 147.5 lbs.
6/24/11 Weigh In: 147.5 lbs.
7/1/11 Weigh In: 148.4 lbs.
7/8/11 Weigh In: 146.4 lbs.
7/15/11 Weigh In: 146.4 lbs.
7/22/11 Weigh In: 147.9 lbs.

101 Days of Summer Challenge 2011 Loss to Date: 1.6 lbs.
Slimmer this Summer Challenge Weight Loss to Date: 3.3 lbs.

Starting Weight (11/2009): 242 lbs.
Current Weight (7/22/11): 147.9 lbs.
Total Loss: 94.1 lbs.

Even though I gained 1.5 pounds this week and it may seem like I'm not making much progress, I'm learning very important things about maintenance. I'm bouncing back and forth from "overweight" to "normal" BMI and as much as I look forward to getting to goal, I'm more focused on feeling comfortable in my skin. I'm in the range I want to stay at even though I still have 6.9 pounds to reach my goal of 101 pounds lost. I don't know when it will happen but I know I'll get there.

HYDRATION - Check! With the hot temperatures and high humidity, staying hydrated is actually a matter of life and death.

EXERCISE - Kickboxing, ellipticalling, walking, swimming - I'm doing it!

DO NOT QUIT - I'm all in this time. Quitting is not an option!

KEEP BLOGGING - Check!

ENCOURAGE OTHERS

My computer is in one of the rooms without air conditioning so I haven't been spending much time in there lately. I have been reading and trying to comment from my dumb-phone but it can be time consuming and frustrating to comment from there. The temps are supposed to be more comfortable this week and I actually shut the air conditioners off last night so I'm hoping to get around and shake my pom-poms or do some ass kicking around the blogsphere.

C25K - Still not happening due to my knee issues. Someday....

GET TO GOAL and START MAINTENANCE ~ FINALLY

I'm still not there yet but I'm getting some good maintenance practice.

It's not very exciting on the weight loss front around here but I'm still holding on to a 90+ pound weight loss and working toward my goal. Even though it's like watching grass grow or paint dry, I'm happy to be rocking the slow and steady plan....

Stay strong, be cool and rock on!

Challenges Update

Here we are smack dab in the middle of July, more than halfway through 2011 already. Time keeps ticking by faster and faster and before we know it the summer will be over.

It's been crazy hot and humid here in New England and there is no relief in sight with the forecast calling for a heatwave with temps in the 90s the whole week. I'm not a big fan of the heat and find myself daydreaming about snow and cooler temperatures when I feel sweat dripping down my back just standing still. I know most people think I'm crazy but the heat and humidity just sucks all the energy right out of me. Thank G-D for air conditioning.

It's that time again for another update for the Slimmer this Summer and 101 Days of Summer Challenges:

WEIGH IN

101 Days of Summer Challenge 2011 Starting Weight (6/1/11): 149.5 lbs.
Slimmer this Summer Starting Weight (6/6/11): 151.2 lbs.
6/10/11 Weigh In: 148.2 lbs.
6/17/11 Weigh In: 147.5 lbs.
6/24/11 Weigh In: 147.5 lbs.
7/1/11 Weigh In: 148.4 lbs.
7/8/11 Weigh In: 146.4 lbs.
Current Weight (7/15/11): 146.4 lbs.
101 Days of Summer Challenge 2011 Loss to Date: 3.1 lbs.
Total Slimmer this Summer Challenge Weight Loss to Date: 4.8 lbs.

Starting Weight (11/2009): 242 lbs.
Current Weight (7/15/11): 146.4 lbs.
Total Loss: 95.6 lbs.

No loss/no gain this week but I'm happy to be practicing maintenance. I'm totally rocking the slow and steady plan.

HYDRATION

It's so much easier to remember to drink water when it's so damn HOT. I can't seem to get enough water these days since I'm pouring sweat just walking outside.

EXERCISE

I've been getting my ass kicked at kickboxing twice a week (and loving it!), going for long walks late in the day and doing time on the elliptical at the gym regularly. I even got some swim time in the pool yesterday.

DO NOT QUIT

I'm all in this time. Quitting is not an option!

KEEP BLOGGING

I'm so thankful to be part of this blogging community. I am inspired every single day. Thank you!

ENCOURAGE OTHERS

I wish I had more time to comment and encourage everyone but I've been trying to limit my computer time and actually get out and live life instead of sitting in front of the screen reading and writing about it.

C25K

This goal is still on hold due to the wonky knee. Someday....

GET TO GOAL and START MAINTENANCE ~ FINALLY

I'm not there yet but I'm getting some good maintenance practice.

NSV!

I still can't believe it - I wore a pair of SIZE 4 shorts! SIZE 4! Really? I must be dreaming, right? Somebody pinch me. I don't care if it's just vanity sizing, the tag said SIZE 4. How is that possible? The last time I was at this weight I think I was squeezing into Size 10s. I think it goes to prove that the number on the scale doesn't represent the whole picture. The weight may have been the same but my body composition is totally different. I didn't think it was possible for me to ever squeeze into a Size 4. I think I have sticker (tag) shock. Is today's Size 4 equal to Size 10s from 10 years ago? I don't think I really want to know.

Well, it's time for me to get my ass to the gym and work on getting off these last few stubborn pounds and get to my goal. Slow and steady....

Stay strong, be cool and rock on!

Flying High

Up, Up and Away!

Wow! What an amazing birthday weekend celebration! Thank you all so much for the sweet birthday wishes. I have to say that 44 is feeling pretty damn good even though I don't feel like a 44 year old. When I turned 40 four years ago I felt so old but after losing 90+ pounds over the past 20 months I feel better and younger than I have in decades. I have so much energy and can't seem to sit still anymore.

I had a banner birthday weekend in Vermont with B and one of my best friends. It was like the party that didn't end. We had lots of good food including homemade birthday cupcakes, perfectly toasted marshmallows at the bon fire, hot wings, sweet corn on the cob, fresh blueberry pancakes, Ben & Jerry's Frozen Yogurt, etc. etc. I certainly indulged but didn't binge or feel overstuffed at any time. I fully expected to see a gain after all the extra indulgences but was pleasantly surprised to still be in the "normal" range and even reached a new low (145.7 lbs.) when I got back home.

We took a ride to Stowe on Saturday for Stoweflake's 25th Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival. Although I didn't go up in a balloon I did get wings. My friend bought me the most beautiful real butterfly wing necklace. She said it's a representation of my metamorphosis. I am just learning how to spread my wings and fly again after being grounded for so long.

Do you have wings? Are you flying high or stuck in the muck? What will it take for you to spread your wings and fly? I hope you find them soon and join me up here, the view is spectacular. Come fly with me!

Party on!

Older and Wiser or Just Older?

Happy Birthday to ME! Where does the time go? I've been on this planet, living this life for the past 44 years. How did that happen? I don't feel 44. I feel better now than I did at 34 and even 24. Why did it take me so long to figure it out? I don't even feel like a grown up yet and still have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. Am I missing something or is everyone else just faking it?

This picture was taken four years ago at my surprise 40th birthday party and although I was happy to celebrate the big milestone with my friends and family I did not want to pose for any pictures. I couldn't believe I was turning 40 and was still fat. I wasted the majority of my 20s and 30s riding the weight loss/gain roller coaster (mostly gaining) and I was desperate to get off. My birthday wish that year was the same wish I made every year ~ to get out of the fat suit and get in shape. What was I waiting for? Weight loss is even harder after 40 and time was not on my side.

I started this blog thinking it would keep me accountable and spur me on to weight loss success but it didn't really happen. I thought about losing weight, I talked about losing weight, I wrote about losing weight but I didn't actually put in the effort needed to do it. I continued to struggle for more than 2 years before everything finally fell into place when I lost my high stress job after 11 years. I started going to the gym like it was my job and very SLOWLY started to see progress. I don't know why it took me so long but better late than never, right? I'm still not at my goal but I'm thisclose.

Anyway, here's my Slimmer this Summer and 101 Days of Summer Challenges Update:

WEIGH IN

101 Days of Summer Challenge 2011 Starting Weight (6/1/11): 149.5 lbs.

Slimmer this Summer Starting Weight (6/6/11): 151.2 lbs.
6/10/11 Weigh In: 148.2 lbs.

6/17/11 Weigh In: 147.5 lbs.

6/24/11 Weigh In: 147.5 lbs.

7/1/11 Weigh In: 148.4 lbs.

Current Weight (7/8/11): 146.4 lbs.
101 Days of Summer Challenge 2011 Loss to Date: 3.1 lbs.
Total Slimmer this Summer Challenge Weight Loss to Date: 4.8 lbs.

Starting Weight (11/2009): 242 lbs.
Current Weight (7/1/11): 146.4 lbs.
Total Loss: 95.6 lbs.

Happy Birthday to me! I'm normal again! BMI Normal that is. I saw "normal" for a few seconds about a month ago but my weight jumped back up into the "overweight" category almost immediately and I have been trying to get back down to normal for the past month. Losing 2 pounds this week and getting back to "normal" doesn't feel much different than last week but it's still nice to see. I'm still working the slow and steady plan.

HYDRATION

It's been hot and humid here in New England so I've been doing a good job of staying hydrated most days. I'm not trying to force myself to drink 100 ounces and think as long as I get the recommended 64 ounces I'm doing ok.

EXERCISE

I had to sacrifice a kickboxing class this week so I could get my hair done but it was worth it so I wouldn't have to walk around looking like I just turned 44. What would we ladies do without the magic of hair color?

DO NOT QUIT

This fight is for life. Quitting is not an option!

KEEP BLOGGING

Coming up on my 4 year blogaversary next month and I don't plan on going anywhere.

ENCOURAGE OTHERS

I've been having so much fun checking out my fellow challengers and all the new (to me) bloggers out there. I still haven't made it to everyone but I'm working on getting around to cheer everyone on to their goals.

C25K

Darn knee is still acting up so running is just not an option right now. C25K is still on hold. Someday....

GET TO GOAL and START MAINTENANCE ~ FINALLY

Only 5.4 more pounds to go! Slowly but surely I'm getting there. Stay tuned.

They say you get a little older, you get a little wiser, right? No matter how old you are, don't waste another minute thinking about it because you can turn it all around today, right this minute. Don't wait. Do it now! You won't regret it.

Stay strong, be cool and rock on!

Sizzling Slimmer this Summer and 101 Days of Summer Update

Happy July 4th to my fellow Americans and a belated Happy Canada Day to my neighbors to the north. I hope everyone is celebrating their freedom by enjoying the weekend with friends, family, good food and fireworks.

We spent the weekend in Vermont working on the camp and didn't get much play time in but we got lots accomplished so it's all good. No BBQs or pool parties today either but we're planning on going for a bike ride tonight to get some frozen yogurt once it cools off a bit.

I'm a little late but here's my stats on the Slimmer this Summer and 101 Days of Summer Challenges:

WEIGH IN

101 Days of Summer Challenge 2011 Starting Weight (6/1/11): 149.5 lbs.
Current Weight (7/1/11): 148.4 lbs.
101 Days of Summer Challenge 2011 Loss to Date: 1.1 lbs.

Slimmer this Summer Starting Weight (6/6/11): 151.2 lbs.
Current Weight (7/1/11): 148.4 lbs.
Total Challenge Weight Loss: 2.8 lbs.

Starting Weight (11/2009): 242 lbs.
Current Weight (7/1/11): 148.4 lbs.
Total Loss: 93.6 lbs.

They aren't kidding when they say the last 10 pounds are the hardest to lose. I gained 0.9 pounds this week but I'm not stressing out about it. I've been working out, I've been eating well and I'm pretty comfortable maintaining this 90+ pound weight loss. Of course I'd love to get to my goal of 101 pounds lost and really start focusing on maintaining but I'm looking at this as practice maintenance. As you can see from my weekly weigh-in numbers it has never been a straight downward line of losses week after week. I lose a little, I gain a little, I lose a little, lather, rinse, repeat. It's all part of the cycle and I'll always be a work in progress.

HYDRATION

There were a few days last week I managed to get over 100 ounces of water down but I generally get at least the recommended 64 ounces so I think I'm staying sufficiently hydrated. Days like today with temps in the 90s makes it easier to remember to drink cool water.]

EXERCISE

Have I mentioned how much I love kickboxing? I've been going twice a week for months now and look forward to getting my ass kicked each and every week. Last week during class the instructor picked up a 20 pound medicine ball and handed it to me and told me to hold it for a while. The moves are hard enough without being weighed down with an additional 20 pounds but I pushed through it. I thought I was going to collapse after about 10 minutes with the ball when the instructor finally remembered I was still holding on to it. After class she apologized for picking on me. I told her it was ok, I needed it. The days I don't have kickboxing I've been logging in my usual 60 minutes on the elliptical. Those elliptical sessions seem so much easier now even though I've increased the level to 9 compared to 0 when I first started.

DO NOT QUIT

This fight is for life so I will never quit. It's just not an option.

KEEP BLOGGING

My little blog here is almost 4 years old and I'm still here! It was rough going for the first couple of years with hardly any progress but I think I've made up for it the past 20 months or so.

ENCOURAGE OTHERS

I'm still trying to visit everyone participating in the challenges but it's summertime and I'm trying to limit the time I spend indoors in front of the computer screen. If I haven't been by to visit yet, I'll be there soon. In the meantime, I'm cheering you on in spirit.

C25K

My knee still isn't up for running so the C25K is still on hold. Someday....

GET TO GOAL and START MAINTENANCE ~ FINALLY

Only 7.4 more pounds to lose 'til I get to my goal of 101 pounds lost. I have my eye on the finish line and can't wait to get there and start my journey of maintenance and healthy living for the rest of my life.

I'm getting ready to take a nice cool shower and then head out for some frozen yogurt.

Stay strong, be cool and rock on!

Still the Same

I was out to dinner celebrating Father's Day recently and my step monster kept looking over at me saying "you look so different" over and over and over again. It was like she had never seen me thin before or didn't remember what I looked like when I was thin and didn't recognize this latest version of me.

When I look in the mirror I still see me. Thinner, yes; less bloated, yes; happier, yes - but it's still me. Same blue eyes, same hair, same smile, same pasty white skin, same heart, same mind, same soul, it's all still me. I'm still the same but so different too.

Having lost and gained significant amounts of weight over my lifetime I have been able to see firsthand how differently people treat you when you are obese versus "normal." It's almost as if the bigger I got the less they saw me. I was hiding right there in plain sight but it was like I was invisible to some people. I could point out a number of people who I believe have severe fat phobia and probably think fat is contagious because they barely spoke to me or gave me the time of day when I was at my heaviest but want to be best buddies now. Then there are those who are able to see through the exterior package to the inside because they have treated me the same no matter what size my pants, they see ME. I like to think I see people for who they really are, not what size they are.

If you lost or gained 100+ pounds do you think everyone would treat you the same? Would you treat yourself the same?

Small Change Challenge Finale

It's hard to believe four weeks have gone by since the Small Change Challenge started. Is it just me or does time go by more quickly the older we get?

As I mentioned in my previous updates, I thought drinking 100 ounces of water a day would be an easy peasy goal to reach but I was mistaken. The challenge definitely made me more aware of my water intake but I never made it through a full week of 100 ounces a day. I made progress each week and this past week was the best of the four weeks with 5 days of 100 ounces. I was even able to get up to 120 ounces on two days and only suffered a couple of bruised toes from the nighttime bathroom runs.

I noticed that I tend not to drink much when I have a long drive ahead or a long day outdoors without easily accessible facilities. I hate having to hit the rest stops constantly and admit to being a bit envious of the guys who are able to find instant relief on the nearest tree while my teeth are floating.

Even though this challenge is over I will continue to work on getting 100 ounces of water a day. I know how important it is to stay hydrated and it's true that drinking all that water fills you up, helps to keep things moving, makes your skin look better along with a host of other benefits.

I loved meeting all my fellow challengers and watching everyone make progress on their small change goals. We need to remember that all the small changes can add up to big results. Keep up the good work and keep making those small changes.

Cheers!

101 Days of Summer and Slimmer this Summer Challenge Update

It's officially summer here in New England but it certainly hasn't felt like it the past few days. It's been cool, rainy and dreary but I'm sure the heat and humidity will be back soon. They always say if you don't like the weather in New England, wait a minute, it will change.

Here's the stats on my Slimmer this Summer and 101 Days of Summer Challenges progress:

WEIGH IN

101 Days of Summer Challenge 2011 Starting Weight (6/1/11): 149.5 lbs.
Current Weight (6/24/11): 147.5 lbs.
101 Days of Summer Challenge 2011 Loss to Date: 2.0 lbs.

Slimmer this Summer Starting Weight (6/6/11): 151.2 lbs.
Current Weight (6/24/11): 147.5 lbs.
Total Challenge Weight Loss: 3.7 lbs.

Starting Weight (11/2009): 242 lbs.
Current Weight (6/24/11): 147.5 lbs.
Total Loss: 94.5 lbs.

I weighed exactly the same today as I did last week so no progress on the weight loss front. There were a few days of eating out, including a father's day dinner, so I'm pretty sure those extra calories are the reason why. No worries, staying the same is better than a gain, right. I'm hoping to see a nice drop next week or the week after, or the week after...it will happen. Still just 6.5 lbs. away from goal. Oh, so close.

HYDRATION

Getting 100 ounces of water down every single day has been really hard. Other than a couple of cups of coffee or tea, water is the only other beverage I drink but still find it difficult to get it all down. I've worked up to 4 days this past week so there is still room for progress. I still drank a significant amount of water the other three days (at least 60-70 ounces) but didn't quite make the goal of 100 ounces. The good news is I haven't hit any hazards on my numerous nighttime visits to the bathroom.

EXERCISE

I've been working up a good sweat with hour long elliptical sessions, long walks and kickboxing. I used my sturdy new knee brace at kickboxing Tuesday and it seemed to help. The brace was sweaty and gross when I peeled it off but if it prevents me from injuring myself it is totally worth having to wash it every day.

DO NOT QUIT

I'm in this fight for life. There is no way I'm ever going to give up.

KEEP BLOGGING

Hi, I'm still here!

ENCOURAGE OTHERS

I've been trying to get around to everyone's blogs but there are so many challengers and so few hours in the day. If we haven't met yet, I'll be knocking on your blog door soon.

C25K

I haven't been able to make any progress on this goal since the knee is just not up to running. Someday....

GET TO GOAL ~ FINALLY!

I'm not there YET but I'm close enough to see the finish line although there really is no end to this journey. The battle will continue since I know how hard maintaining a weight loss can be.

START MAINTENANCE

Maintenance is where I always slipped up in the past but I think I've learned enough this time around to get it right and not backslide again.

Have you been making progress towards your goals? Have you tried anything new or had any mental breakthroughs? Tell me. I want to hear all about it.

Stay strong, be cool and rock on!

Fighting for It

I spent so many years fighting with myself. I couldn't understand how I kept getting fatter and fatter when I THOUGHT about losing weight ALL THE TIME. I couldn't understand why I couldn't just do it. I knew how to do it, I did it a number of times but always regained before I even reached my goal.

If losing weight was so damn important to me, if it consumed my thoughts every single day, why wasn't I getting it done? I used to ask myself "how bad do you really want it?" I wanted to lose weight, I needed to lose weight, I couldn't stand being fat for another minute but then I would dive into a bag of chocolate covered pretzels after eating lunch just to get through the afternoon at work. I'd stuff my emotions down with food, I'd eat long after the point of being full, I'd stuff myself 'til I was sick and couldn't eat another bite and then go back for more an hour later. Why do we do that?

When I would get home from work, stressed out and miserable, I would eat dinner and veg out in front of the tv. As much as I told myself I needed to workout, I just didn't have the energy to do anything. I would promise myself that I would get up early to workout the next day. Tomorrow would be the day I would get serious. I would set my alarm to get up but when it went off at an ungodly hour I would hit the snooze button over and over again until I stumbled out of bed feeling miserable and dreading the day ahead. Rinse, lather, repeat. It's true, the rich get richer and the fat get fatter.

I often wonder what came first, the depression or the fat. Was I fat because I was depressed or was I depressed because I was fat? I'm still not sure. I know I am much happier now that I've taken control of my health. I actually look forward to going to the gym and I absolutely love my cardio kickboxing classes. I feel strong and powerful even though I'm just punching and kicking air. I think it's important to find something you like to do. Go for a walk, take a bike ride, grab a hula hoop, dance around the living room, chase the kids around the house, whatever, just move more.

I know how hard it is to get out of the rut, to stop thinking about losing weight and actually do something to make it happen but I promise you it will be worth it. There is a magic bullet to weight loss but it's not an easy pill to swallow. You have to sweat regularly and you have to stop eating excessive amounts of processed crappy food. It really is that easy (easy to understand but so HARD to put into practice).

How bad do you really want it? Are you ready to fight for it? You can do it. All you have to do is, you know, DO IT!

I want to THANK YOU all for encouraging me through my years of struggles and joining me on this journey. It's nice to know no matter where we are on this journey there are others out there just like us. Keep fighting for it.

As Christina says ....

'Cause if it wasn't for all
That you tried to do
I wouldn't know just how capable I am to pull through
So I wanna say thank you

'Cause it
Makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
Makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter

Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
Makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter
....
I am a fighter
(I'm a fighter)
I ain't gonna stop
(I ain't gonna stop)
There is no turning back
I've had enough
....

Have you had enough yet? Are you ready to fight for yourself, for your health, for your quality of life? Time to put up your dukes and fight for it. You are worth it! Ding, Ding! Get in the ring!

Small Change Challenge - Week 3

It's hard to believe we are already 3 weeks into the Small Change Challenge and I still haven't been able to get those 100 ounces of water down every day. This was supposed to be an easy goal to reach but I'm finding it harder than expected.

I have been making progress but have only worked up to 4 days this past week so I'm going to keep drinking. Time to refill my water bottle ~ two down, one more to go.

Cheers!

Slimmer this Summer and 101 Days of Summer Challenges Update

We are still a few days away from the official start to summer but I'm already in summertime mode. I actually bought a bathing suit tankini top last week and didn't even cringe when I tried in on. How's that for progress? Not sure there will be any photographic evidence of said bathing suit but it's a SIZE 8!

I was so excited to find a few fellow mavericks out there who agree with me that not all rules are for everyone. As I was reading a blog post entitled "How do I lose weight and eat whatever I want?" by a new blog friend, KLA, I was thinking "Yes," "I agree," "Amen!," "Exactly," "I know," and then I got to the part where she referred to my post about Breaking the Rules. I love when great minds think alike. I really think once we stop fighting with ourselves because we aren't cruising along with ease, dealing with setbacks, aren't perfect or can't lose weight as quickly as others we are able to find what works for us individually. We are all unique and need to tailor our healthy habits to our lifestyle.

So, here's the stats on my Slimmer this Summer and 101 Days of Summer Challenges goals:

1. Stay hydrated:

As you can see from my Small Change Challenge post I did a little better this week staying hydrated. I actually got a little more than the 100 ounces in yesterday. I do need to try to drink more earlier in the day so I'm not up all night navigating the hazards to get to the bathroom.

2. Weigh in weekly:

Challenge Starting Weight (6/6/11): 151.2
Current Weight: 147.5
Total Challenge Weight Loss: 3.7

3. Stick to your exercise goals:

It's hard to believe that this is the easiest of goals for me. I've been hitting the gym for 60 minutes elliptical sessions, went to TaeBox twice this week and got lots of walking miles in. I'm still having some issues with my knee so I've been very careful not to aggravate it and had to modify some of the moves at kickboxing but I'm working around it and it's feeling a bit better now. I even went and got a better knee brace to wear to class to keep the knee more stable. Let's hope it heals quickly so I can get back to those high kicks.

4. DO NOT QUIT:

Quitting is not allowed. Even when I reach my goal I will still have to be vigilant about my food and exercise habits. I know how easy bad habits can sneak back into my life and drag me back down off the wagon. I don't ever want to see those lost pounds again. I fought hard to melt them off and destroy them and I will not allow them to come back.

5. Keep blogging:

Hi, I'm still here!

6. Encourage others:

It's been so much fun meeting so many new bloggers. Some are new to blogging and some have been around for a while but are new to me. I'm still working on getting around to meet everyone but there are not enough hours in the day. If I haven't stopped by your neck of the net yet, please be patient, I'll be by to visit soon.

1. Get to goal FINALLY!

I'm getting closer and closer every single day. I still need to pinch myself sometimes when I think of how far I've come after struggling for SO long.

101 Days of Summer Challenge 2011 Starting Weight (6/1/11): 149.5 lbs.
Current Weight (6/17/11): 147.5 lbs.
101 Days of Summer Challenge 2011 Loss to Date: 2.0 lbs.

Starting Weight 11/2009: 242 lbs.
Current Weight (6/17/11): 147.5 lbs.
Total Loss: 94.5 lbs.

I only have 6.5 more pounds to melt off 'til I reach my goal of 101 pounds lost. My Wii bitch tells me I'm back in the OVERWEIGHT BMI range after seeing it drop into the NORMAL range for a minute but I'm right there on the line and will get back to *normal* in my typical slow and steady fashion.

2. WATER:

I'm doing better and better getting enough water down but there is still lots of room for improvement.

3. C25K

This goal is still on hold due to the ol' knee injury. One of these days I'm going to make it through this program.

4. Start Maintenance

Not yet but I'll be there soon ....

Hope you are all making good progress on reaching your summer challenge goals. I look forward to hearing all about your tips and tricks to this weight loss game and what's working for you. I'm always interested to find new ways to make this journey easier or more fun.

Have a great weekend! Rock on and stay cool!

Small Change Challenge - Week 2

Right now I'm drinking a delicious Cup of Stanley instead of water because the BOSTON BRUINS won the STANLEY CUP!!! I don't remember the last time they brought the Stanley Cup to Boston since I was barely out of diapers then so it's very exciting. It was such a great series to watch and a good way to get your heart rate up without having to exercise or break a sweat. I'm looking forward to another celebratory parade here in Boston. I've been to all the other parades we've had for the Celtics, Red Sox and Patriots so this will be sweet. It's so much fun to be a sports fan in this town.

Ok, time to update my hydration status. I did a little better this week by getting those 100 ounces in THREE whole days. Again, I got at least 64 ounces in the other days but only finished off that third bottle a few times. Maybe by the time the challenge ends I'll have worked my way up to a whole week of 100 ounces.

I definitely notice how full I feel when I do get those 100 ounces down. There was a study that said people ate significantly less when they drank a glass of water at least 20 minutes before a meal. I believe it because with all that water sloshing around in my belly I feel full much quicker.

There is a downside to filling up on water though and that is the constant need to pee. I ran some errands after going to the gym yesterday and had to do the cross-legged pee-pee dance up the stairs and almost didn't make it without wetting myself. Speaking of wetting myself, another benefit I've noticed after losing 90+ pounds is that I don't leak when I sneeze or cough anymore. (Sorry, TMI?). Anyone else have/had that problem?

I've been trying to get as much water as possible down early in the day so I'm not up all night taking trips to the bathroom especially since I woke up the other night, stumbled to the bathroom and stubbed my toes on the door. Luckily I don't think I broke any of them but DAMN it hurt. It took a long time to get back to sleep with throbbing toes after swearing like a sailor. Ouch!

I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone else did with their Small Changes. Looks like I'm going to need to keep working on this one for the duration of the challenge. Just like my weight loss, it's a slow and steady process but every single small change adds up to something big.

Cheers!

Breaking Rules ...

I got a very thoughtful comment from the lovely Princess Dieter and wanted to answer her question and explain my reasons behind breaking some of the Slimmer this Summer Challenge rules.

Princess Dieter wrote:

As one of the coordinators, I figure as long as you update weekly, keep in touch with our peops, and meet some self-decided goals, sure, why not, stay, its fine. :)

I just never understand why someone who hates rules would even wanna join a challenge with a bunch of rules. How come? I'm just curious.

My perspective, for any who might care: I like the structure challenge rules provide to CHALLENGE my lazy tendencies. My life tends to be UNSTRUCTURED, so challenge rules are actually a beneficial change for my undisciplined self. :D Left to my own devices, entropy takes over.

I think one of y'all Brandoesque rebels should start the next series of challenges: We Ain't Got Not Stinkin' Rules Diet Challenge, Leather Jackets and Tattoos optional (of course, cause ain't no rules). hahaha I'd like to see how to set that one up!

Anyway, happy to have a maverick on board for the check ins. Happy week to us all...

Honestly, I really didn't set out to break any rules. When I first read Debbi's post about the challenge I mistakenly thought the goals she listed were her goals, not the rules for all of us to follow. I know how important counting calories and journaling can be for some weight loss warriors but I've tried it many times over the years and it just doesn't work for me.

If I've learned anything over 30 years of riding the dieting roller coaster it's that all diets will work but the weight will come right back if you don't find a way to make healthy living a part of your lifestyle. Losing weight is really hard but it's even harder to keep it off.

I lost over 60 pounds on a very popular commercial weight loss plan but couldn't deal with eating out of a cardboard box so I gained it all back plus more. I then lost over 60+ pounds on a modified Atkins plan but couldn't imagine spending the rest of my life not eating bread or pasta so as soon as I ate a crouton I blew back up again. Not sure what I was thinking because my better half is Italian and it's just not natural for us to live without bread or pasta. My poor Grandma must have been doing flips in her grave that year. I've tried all sorts of diets and different weight loss plans and would always lose weight but it always came back quicker than it came off.

I know this time is different. I've been making my own rules and not trying to fit in and conform to someone else's weight loss plan. This time I've been focusing on getting healthy and fit and not so much about losing "x" number of pounds in "x" number of days. Sure, I love seeing the numbers on the scale go down but I've been more focused on getting to the gym and getting my heart rate up, lifting weights and seeing my muscles become more defined, getting my ass kicked at TaeBox and feeling like I could take on the world and win.

I've been learning how to feel my emotions instead of trying to stuff them down with food. I haven't had a real binge in over a year although I have, on occasion, eaten more than I should have just because it tasted good and I wanted it. The difference now is I'm not beating myself up about it anymore. I ate it, I enjoyed it, I'll work it off, move on.

I'm learning that food is not love. Food does not change how people treat us. Food does not make life any less stressful. Food is just fuel and some fuel makes our engines run smoother and some fuel clogs everything up and makes us run like crap.

I think we all need to find the rules we can live with and make them work for us. We need to stop trying to fit into the mold society wants to put us in and just focus on feeling good in our own skin and working with what we have. What has worked for me may not work for you or anyone else. The weight hasn't come off quickly but it is coming off slow and steady and I'm ok with that. I believe if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it. So thanks for letting me continue with the challenge and letting me be me, it's all I know how to do.

I've lost over 90+ pounds without counting a single calorie or tracking my food and I'm going to continue to do what works for me. What's working for you?

Maverick out!

Late 101 Days of Summer Challenge Update

I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date.... Ooops, looks like I missed the deadline. I don't know what is it with me these days. Not working and not having a schedule has taken a toll on my organizational skills. I wasn't sure what day I was supposed to update for Biz's 101 Days of Summer Challenge so I missed the deadline. I think I'm going to combine my updates for the Slimmer this Summer Challenge and the 101 Days of Summer Challenge since my goals are similar and it will be easier for me to remember to actually do it. Better late than never, right?

Here's how I did on my 101 Days of Summer Challenge Goals:

1. Get to goal FINALLY!

101 Days of Summer Challenge 2010 Starting Weight: 215 lbs.
101 Days of Summer Challenge 2010 End Weight: 198 lbs.
101 Days of Summer Challenge 2010 Total Loss: 17 lbs.

101 Days of Summer Challenge 2011 Starting Weight (6/1/11): 149.5 lbs.
Current Weight (6/10/11): 148.2 lbs.
101 Days of Summer Challenge 2011 Loss to Date: 1.3 lbs.

Starting Weight 11/2009: 242 lbs.
Current Weight (6/10/11): 148.2
Total Loss: 93.8 lbs.

I only have 7.2 pounds 'til I reach my goal of 101 pounds lost. Don't you think it would be fitting to reach my goal of 101 pounds lost during the 101 Days of Summer Challenge?

I actually dropped into a NORMAL BMI for a few seconds yesterday but jumped back up to OVERWEIGHT today. I didn't feel the difference and don't really care about the stupid BMI chart but it was fun to hear my Wii tell me I was NORMAL after listening to it tell me I was OBESE and OVERWEIGHT for so long. I should have waited 'til I was firmly planted in normal BMI territory before celebrating but I know I'll get back down and stay in the Normal range soon. If I've learned one thing over the past year and a half it's that my weight can fluctuate wildly from one day to the next but it doesn't necessarily mean I gained or lost actual fat, it's just what the stupid scale says at that particular moment.

2. WATER:

Most days I was able to choke down around 60-70 ounces so I didn't succeed in reaching those 100 ounces. I only drank 100 ounces of water on the two days last week that were over 90 degrees and humid. I've been keeping my water bottle filled and by my side but I have to remember to actually drink it.

3. C25K

I got in a few good sessions of the C25K last week and then tweaked my knee (again) at TaeBox on Tuesday so I have been sticking with the elliptical to keep the pressure of these ol' knees. I hope to be able to start Week 4 of the C25K program sometime this week if the knee stops acting up.

4. Start Maintenance

Not yet ....

It's dreary and rainy today so I doubt I'll get out for a walk. Hope the sun is shining where you are and you are enjoying the weekend. I'm off to check out how everyone else is doing as long as my internet connection doesn't crap out again.

Stay Cool....

Check it Out!

I'M NORMAL!!!!

Slimmer this Summer Challenge Update

It's summer in the city with temps in the 90s, crazy humidity and lots and lots of pollen. Not only am I dripping with sweat as soon as I dry off from the shower but my eyes are puffy and my nose is raw from sneezing constantly, it's not pretty. Thankfully this weekend the temps are supposed to drop into the sweet 60s. Ahhhh....

So, not only did I fail to mention that Mir a/k/a the Princess Dieter, was one of the masterminds behind the Slimmer this Summer ("StS") challenge along with Debbi, apparently I didn't pay close attention to all the rules. Ooops. I'm keeping my fingers crossed they won't kick me out for breaking a few of them. What can I say, I'm a bad girl that has issues with authority, likes to buck the system and likes to make my own rules as long as I'm not breaking any laws, well, maybe a few of the stupid laws.

These are the rules that the StS Challenge "require" and my reasons for breaking some of them. Oh, and if breaking the rules wasn't bad enough, I also need to redefine some of my initial goals because I decided not to take the job so some of my goals just don't apply right now.

1. Track food and water:

Over the years and the numerous diets I've been on I've tried my hand at tracking my food in a paper notebook, on SparkPeople, on my FitBit, on Twitter, in a Word document and a few other random places but it always made me feel like I was going to confession or I'm being judged. Of course, I know the only person doing the judging is me but I've always been my harshest critic so it can get pretty bad. Objection! Sustained! What were you thinking eating that? How could you eat so much of that? I know tracking is a great way to, well, track but it just doesn't work for me. I obsess and beat myself up over the things I shouldn't have eaten instead of just enjoying them and moving on. I've come this far without tracking so I'm not going to force myself to do it.

I have been keeping track of my water consumption and I'm definitely not getting enough. Drinking 100 ounces a day was the only goal I set for the Small Change Challenge and I didn't do very well the first week. I've only been getting around 60-70 ounces a day but the heat and humidity the past few days have been a great incentive to stay hydrated so I did chug all 100 ounces the past 2 days.

2. Keep calories around 1200-1400 a day/10K or less per week:

Counting calories, like tracking food, drives me nuts. How am I supposed to calculate everything? How many calories are in 3 french fries? How much milk did the girl at Dunkin Donuts put in my coffee? Am I estimating too high or too low? Should I round up or round down? Was that one serving or two? Who the hell knows? I've never been able to count calories or points but I can count how many scoops of ice cream there are in a large compared to the kiddie size so I just shoot for reasonable portions and make the best choices I can at any given moment.

3. Stay hydrated:

I am definitely working on this one. 60-70 ounces a day isn't bad but I'm going to concentrate on reaching that 100 ounces consistently.

4. Weigh in weekly:

When the challenge started on the 6th I weighed in at 151.2 and today I weighed in at 148.2 which would be a 3 pound loss. WooHoo! Wait, not so fast...my official weigh-in days have always been Friday and my weight on Friday the 3rd was 147.9 which means I gained .3 this week. I'm going to keep using my Friday weigh-ins for this challenge so I had a slight gain the first week. Looks like I'm going to need to kick it up a notch. If I learned anything over the past year and a half it's that my body weight can fluctuate wildly from one day to the next so I'm not worried about a .3 gain. I'm doing what I need to do so I know the results will come eventually.

5. Stick to your exercise goals:

Since I didn't go back to work this will be easier to stick to because I have the time to continue to workout on my regular schedule. I tweaked my knee (again) at TaeBox on Tuesday but was able to workout for an hour on the elliptical Wednesday and Thursday and today I went to Tabata. I also got a few miles of walking in almost everyday so I'm sticking to my exercise goals.

6. DO NOT QUIT:

I WILL NEVER GIVE UP! If I didn't give up after years of struggling and gaining I'm certainly not going to give up now. I'm so close to my goal I can almost taste it. Quitting is just not an option.

7. Keep blogging:

Hi, I'm here!

8. Encourage others:

I've been trying to get around to everyone's blog and comment but between spotty internet connections and blog reading from my phone that sometimes makes it impossible to comment, I haven't been able to get to everyone yet but I will. I'm so happy to have some new visitors here too. It's always fun to meet new friends and make new connections.

So, what do you think? Can I stay in the challenge even though I'm not following ALL the rules? Aren't some rules meant to be broken? Are you a rule breaker?

Hope you all have a great weekend! Stay cool.

Small Change Challenge - Week 1

Week One of the Small Change Challenge was a big ol' bust for me. I thought getting enough water would be one of the easiest of small changes to make but I guess sometimes the small changes are just as hard as the giant ones.

It's just water. What's so hard about staying hydrated? Just drink it, right? It's not like I have to walk a mile and pump it out of a well, I just have to go in the kitchen and turn on the faucet. Well, apparently there's more to it than that. It's not as easy as it looks, at least not for me.

I drink at least a 32 ounce bottle for every hour at the gym but the rest of the day is a struggle. I've been Diet Coke free for almost 3 years so I drink 8-10 ounces with my meals but other than that I'm not getting nearly enough.

Today was the first day all week I actually drank 100 ounces but only because it was so hot and humid ~ I really needed it. I always hated the heat and humidity but it's a little easier to deal with now that my thighs don't try to light on fire from all the friction.

Looks like I have to keep working on this small change until I get it down. It really shouldn't be so hard. I hope you're having more success with your small changes. I'll be checking in and cheering you on. I hope you're showing me how it's done. If you didn't join the challenge you can still make those small changes to add up to big results.

How much water do you drink? Do you get enough? Remember, hydrate or die.

Sizing Up!

Size is a matter of opinion depending on the designer. It seems the more expensive the clothes are the smaller number on the size label. I guess if you pay enough money they will tell you what you want to hear. You may be a size 12 but if you have enough cash you can fit into a size 8. This is why we now have sizes like "00." Soon they'll be coming out with negative sizes. How do you get less than zero?

I've been fitting comfortably in size 12s lately with a few stretchy 10s here and there. I've been dreaming about fitting in to single digit sizes for so long but knew that might be an unrealistic goal for me to be able to sustain. Imagine my surprise when I purchased a pair of size 10 jeans last week that were too big. How is that possible? They do have some stretch to them so that probably had something to do with it. They were not expensive so I don't think they run big but I could be wrong.

I wasn't able to try the jeans on at the store and was worried I wouldn't be able to get into them. I kept holding them up thinking "they look so small," "I'm never going to be able to get my ass into these," "look how tiny they are." I can't believe I'm going to return them for a SIZE 8!!! SIZE EIGHT!!! Me? SIZE EIGHT??? I guess the size doesn't really matter and we should concentrate on feeling good in our skin, not because of what's printed on the label. I remember some bloggers wrote over all the tags on their clothes "SIZE HEALTHY." That's what I've been striving for ~ Size Healthy.

Some days I need to just pinch myself. Am I dreaming? If I lose another 10 pounds will I really be a consistent SIZE EIGHT? Are clothes sized bigger now than years ago? Were the Size 8s I wore in my teens smaller than the Size 8s I'm wearing now?

After years and decades of struggling I think I'm finally figuring it out. It took long enough! Size 8, here I come.

What a Difference a Year Makes ....

Small Change Challenge

Call me crazy but I decided to join another challenge. I love the idea of making small changes because I'm all about slow and steady progress. I've lost weight quickly before but it came back on even more quickly and brought it's fat friends.

Even though I already committed to two other challenges I just couldn't resist joining Tami's Small Change Challenge. Small change adds up. Those weeks where I gained a couple of pounds or only lost .1 or .2 were frustrating but when I look at the bigger picture all those small changes added up to big results. It just takes time and a consistent effort.

I know we don't want to be patient, we don't want to wait, we want the weight off NOW but getting it off quickly doesn't mean it will stay off. If you don't learn how to live healthier you will most likely go back to your old habits once you reach your goal instead of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I don't ever want to go back to 242 pounds.

I know I've changed. I feel it. I'm not the same person I was a year and a half ago. I still have work to do but I feel so much more capable of doing it now.

My one small change for this week is to increase my water intake. I know how important it is to stay hydrated but tend to forget to drink as much water as I should. I drink plenty while I'm working out but need to keep drinking throughout the day to get the recommended daily dose. I'm shooting for 100 ounces a day.

Ok, I'm going to fill up my water bottle now and keep filling it throughout the day until I get those 100 ounces down.

Big sweeping changes can be overwhelming and seem impossible but small changes are easy. What is one small change you can make today?