Summer Challenge Updates

It's only been a couple of weeks since I started some new challenges for summer, but I thought an update post would be good.

Challenge #1: 30-day AB Challenge

Today is day 16, but I am 3 days behind on this challenge. It is getting pretty tough, but I'm trying to stay determined.  I don't have the strength to do them all in one go, so I am trying to do half before my walk and the rest after.  I figure it counts as long as I get the required number of reps in! :-)

Challenge #2: New 12-Week ActiveLink Challenge

I really pushed myself during my new assessment week.  I wanted the new challenge to reflect the changes I've made over the last several weeks. I have to say this is probably my best week of activity yet.  I earned 25 activity points for the week.  Fantastic!  This includes going to the gym for 3 strength training workouts and going for a 3 mile walk on most nights.

In January when I did my first assessment week, I ranked in the "towards activity base line" and my challenge was to try to get to 3 activity points per day by the end of 12 weeks.  I'm excited by my new results!  I'm now earning about 4 activity points per day.  My challenge is to earn 6 activity points per day by the end of 12 weeks.  

I think this challenge will really keep me moving this summer!  I plan to do strength training 4 days per week and walk/run 3 miles 5 days per week.  That should get me to the 6 points + per day range!

Challenge #3: Running (kind of)

I've been running short distances along my walking trail.  I don't have the endurance to run much, but I like to set little visual goals as I walk.  I tell myself I'll run to the next light post or fire hydrant.  I push myself hard during the first mile, then I take it a bit more easy for the next 2.  I'm using the RunKeeper app to keep track of my progress.  I love that it keeps track of my personal bests.  Here they are so far:

I can't believe I actually had a best average pace of 14:09 per mile!  That's 2 minutes faster than my goal of 16:00 per mile! I'm obviously not hitting that rate consistently, but with that as a new target I will continue to push myself.

Challenge #4: Diet Bet

This is the last week of the Diet Bet, and I have 3lbs to lose to reach my 4% goal.  I'm hopeful, but know the scale doesn't always budge that much in a week.  I'm proud of my progress over the 4 week diet bet even if I don't finish as a winner though!  Every pound lost is a victory!  Don't believe me... check this out! 

In Other News:

I'm trying out some different WW meeting times for summer.  I'm hoping to find a Wednesday or Thursday night meeting that I like.  That will give me a bit more flexibility in my weekend meals.  Weighing in on Sunday has been good, but I'm wanting to be able to enjoy some Friday or Saturday splurge meals instead of feeling so limited on those nights.  Since I'm switching meeting times, there will be no photo and scale update for this blog post.  I'm going to keep the blog on Sundays, but will have to wait til next week for my next scale update!  Stay tuned!

Saying No To Social Events

There have been a lot of opportunities in my life lately to eat and drink.  For the last 2 weeks it seems every time I turn around someone is inviting me to a party or happy hour or something.  As much as I love social events, lately I've been saying no to a lot of them.  I think the people in my life understand why, but I still feel bad for saying no so much.

Right now it is just too hard to stay in control in those environments.  Yes, I have some coping strategies.  And yes, it is possible to stay on plan and still attend those events.  However, it is easier to stay on track without all of those temptations staring at me.

Sometimes I feel so angry that I live in a place that is basically trying to make me fat.  Don't get me wrong... I am happy to be an American and I am SO thankful for the freedoms we have.  But the more I read about healthy habits and nutrition, the more I see how our culture/society is set up to basically help us avoid them all together.  The worst food for you is the cheapest and most readily available.  Combine that with our jobs that are more and more sedentary and the amount of time we spend just sitting in our cars driving from place to place, and you've got a recipe for obesity.   It really makes me mad, that the world around me is set up to help me fail instead of succeed.  Is success still possible?  OF COURSE IT IS!  But it would be a heck of a lot easier if the world weren't out to get me!

 -30.8 lbs (hit another 5lb milestone!)

New Challenges

To go along with the Diet Bet I joined, I've decided to amp up my activity for summer and start 3 additional challenges.  I think these challenges will keep me on track as my schedule becomes less structured due to summer break.

Challenge #1: 30-day AB Challenge
I saw this posted on Facebook a couple of weeks ago.  I think abs are the one muscle group you really can't overdo when it comes to toning up, so I've decided to give this challenge a try.  I printed it out and stuck it to my fridge.  Each day of June I intend to add the indicated ab workout to my already consistent strength training.  The first week of the challenge seems so simple... but I know around the middle of week 2 things will get a bit tougher.  I will complete each days challenge even if I have to spread it out on the tougher days!

Challenge #2: New 12-Week ActiveLink Challenge (following a new assessment)

Since completing my last ActiveLink challenge, I have been working hard to maintain my goal of earning at least 3 activity points per day.  I've really amped up my activity over the past few months.  It is such a change from where I started in January!  Rather than just choose a new challenge, I really wanted a chance to redo the assessment so I could compare my results.  My assessment week starts tomorrow.  For the next 7 days ActiveLink will monitor my activity then create a new challenge for me based on the results.  

Challenge #3: Running (kind of)

I am NOT a runner.  I'm not sure I ever will be (or even want to be for that matter).  I don't enjoy it, and I don't have the stamina to do very much of it.  I understand there is some debate over benefits of running vs. walking.   I'm not here to argue one side or the other.  I'm just looking to push my body a little more than I have been.  I typically walk 3 miles in an hour (roughly 20 minutes per mile).  At that pace I can easily walk for 6 miles without tiring out, given I have the time for such.  For this challenge, I am simply going to incorporate short (very short) runs throughout my walk. My goal is to shave about 4 minutes off my average mile time.  I'll be using Run Keeper on my walks to help me keep track of my progress in this area.  I'm sure the summer heat will eventually drive me indoors to the treadmill, but for now I am trying to do an outdoor walk 4 days/week. 

 -28.0 lbs 

(up another .4 this week due to celebrating a friend's bday the night before weigh in)

Make A Bet

I read this week (on the ManMeetScale blog) about using money as an incentive for losing weight.  This is something I've done before with some success, and I decided I'd try it again to keep me motivated through the next month (and possibly the summer).

One of the podcasts I listen to had mentioned http://dietbet.com, where you can place a wager and split the winnings with anyone in the group that loses at least 4% of their weight in 4 weeks.  So, I joined a game with the ItSuxToBeFat blogger & her followers.  Today was the first day, but it's not to late to join in.  Click here and join our game!

Here's a little more about DietBet if you're curious:

I managed to gain 0.4lbs this week.  I blame it on having breakfast out this morning before weigh in!  These little ups are pretty standard for me, so they don't worry me much.  I will hopefully see a loss next week!

 -28.4 lbs

Picture Comparison

This was me in December of 2012. The picture that made me see how much I had gained, and sent me running back to Weight Watchers.

Fast forward to May 2013, here I am now in the same shirt (one of my favorites)...

Ok, this picture is greatly enhanced by the presence of Andrew McCarthy!  I met him at Dallas Comicon this weekend.   He was there promoting his new book. It was a pleasure to meet him!

Famous actors aside, I'm pretty excited to see the improvement in my overall appearance in this pic!  It is hard to look in the mirror every day and notice a difference.  When I see these pictures together, it is a good reminder of my progress! 

-28.8 lbs!!

Teacher Appreciation Week

Happy Teacher Appreciation week everyone!  

http://pinterest.com/amy13may/teacher-appreciation/

This is the best week to work in schools, but the worst week to be on a diet!

My spaces were kind of out of control this week.  Everywhere I looked there was temptation!  I definitely said NO more than YES, but the scale has been on a rollercoaster all week.  Up a little one day and down a little the next.  Like this...

I weigh every day at home, and seeing the ups and downs this week was a little discouraging, but I knew the scale was showing the result of my choices.  Overall I'm happy to report a loss for the week!  I lost 2.4, so almost the 3 I was up last week!  

Weeks like this are to be expected, so I'm not discouraged overall.  I know it's just part of this journey I'm on. Here is a bit of inspiration I found recently to remind me to not give up.

I'm resolved to keep going, and have a plan for being more on plan this week!  In fact today I went to the grocery store and stocked the fridge with healthy foods for the week.  Check it out!

When I'm on plan the things you'd find in my fridge are:

• SmartOnes frozen entrees
• Fruit and veggies for snacks (already pre packaged into individual servings)
• Greek yogurt
• Low fat milk
• Hard boiled eggs
• Turkey bacon
• Isopure Protein Drink (I just started drinking this after workouts, they are 40 grams of protein with no carbs)

I actually even spent a little time pre-tracking my meals for the week. I tracked all my breakfast, lunch, and snack choices for the week.  I'm sure they will change a little, but at least most of my tracking is done and I can just make changes as needed.

 -25.8 lbs!

+3 and WORTH IT!

I expected a gain this week.  I had planned a night out to celebrate my 10% loss, with food and drinks.  Then, on Friday (night before weigh in) I went out with some friends for burgers and drinks.  I tracked everything and even did some extra activity, but figured it would still be a gain on the scale.  I was expecting the scale to show +3 or +4.  I had a great week, other than the 2 overindulgent meals I stayed right on plan.  Even so, I knew the scale would be up a little with one of those meals being the night before weigh in.

The way I look at it, I'm in this for the long haul.  If this way of life is going to be sustainable, then I am going to need to allow for weeks where I let loose a little (not too much).  Life wouldn't be much fun without some social eating and drinking now and then!  So, I take this +3 with a smile on my face, thinking of the fun that was had!

I feel pretty confident that getting back on plan today and having a good week on plan will help take at least 1.5 of it off.  Hopefully I'll be over this gain within 2 weeks.  I do HATE how it takes twice as long to lose it as it does to gain it, but that's just the way of things.

 -23.4lbs!