BLC20 'before' picture and plan for the 12 weeks

Monday, September 17, 2012

This is my official BLC20 before picture. This picture was taken mid week of the 1st week of the challenge. My weight is 156.4. My goal is to lose 12 pounds in the 12 weeks of this challenge. I'm really hoping to have a bit more of a waist by the end of this challenge.

My 12 week plan includes the following steps to keep me on track:
1. Log every single bite in my WW etools. Stay within my daily points allowance and use my weekly points very sparingly.
2. Always get my 8 glasses of water in...every day, no exceptions.
3. Continue to limit the amount of soda I drink. I don't drink much now, maybe a can every two weeks. Hopefully, by the end of this, I can say zero cans.
4. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise!!! Just moving, even if it's just the 20 minutes required to remain a BLC streaker.
5. Make every effort to do all of the challenges put to me during BLC.
6. Cook at home more often.
7. Plan my meals ahead of time so that I have a plan already in place.

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Letter to myself (BLC 20 assignment)

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Dear Me,

So, you took that full body picture last night...not pretty, huh? Well, you've joined a great new team with BLC20 full of support and resources, so use all the resources, support and challenges and make your 12 week full body picture something to be a little more proud of. You know what you need to do, so get your head on straight, focus and DO IT!!

You are getting closer to your goal all the time. Stick with it. You've had a rough couple of weeks since vacation, but don't let a couple of pounds derail all your hard work. Get yourself right back on track and get rid of the 3 pounds from vacation so you can refocus on the pounds you have left.

You've made alot of progress since you first started this journey oh so long ago, many ups and downs, but overall, you've made progress. Almost 50 pounds is something to be proud of...don't discount it, even though it took a couple of years to lose. Remember, it's much easier to gain, then to lose! Nobody said it was going to be easy.

Now is the time to really buckle down and make things happen! YOU CAN DO THIS and YOU DESERVE THIS!! Don't you agree??

Love,
Me

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The Future Me...

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

As part of BLC19, we were asked to write a blog about how we see ourselves in the future, what we want and how we plan to make it happen. I found it very interesting that this was assigned on the same week that the Weight Watchers leader talked about shedding the image in our mind of 'who we used to be'.

The Tammy of the not too distant future is happier and healthier. Healthier because I exercise almost daily, eat healthy and make better decisions, in general, about my health and lifestyle. I no longer take anti-diabetic medication because I have improved my diet enough to quit taking it. I am very proud of being off this medicine for multiple reasons, but mostly because I hated the fact that I was taking a maintenance medication simply because I was overweight. It feels goodto know that I had enough self-control and willpower to change that.

I am healthier because I cook at home most of the time. When I am short on time, I no longer go to a fast food drive thru. I keep food on hand that can be fixed quickly. The thought of greasy fast food doesn't even sound good anymore. Other than my morning coffee, drive thru food is not part of who I am.

I am able to mountain bike with my youngest son. I am still slower than he is, but mostly because I am not the risk taker that he is. I know a wreck on the rocks is going to hurt. :-) I can hike out of the steepest waterfall trail now without my oldest son having to carry my pack part of the way.

I am consistently running a distance of 4 miles at least 3 days each week. I have completed my first half marathon with a very respectable time of 2:25. I don't run sometimes; I am a runner! It takes strong muscles and determination to complete a half marathon, but I did it!!

I don't miss the jiggle on my biceps at all...as much as I used to hate strength training, I finally came to the realization that it had to be done. I now love it! I can't imagine why I disliked it before. I love how toned I am and wear sleeveless shirts to show off my arms. I no longer have a muffin top, not even a mini muffin top. I can wear form fitting shirts without being self-conscience of the rolls. I even wear a 2 piece bathing suit out in public!

I am happier because I realize how hard I have worked to get to this point and I see all the hard work paying off. I am happier because I know I have done, and will continue to do, everything I can to assure that I am around for a long time. I am an asset to my family, not a burden that I may have become if I hadn't improved my lifestyle. I am happier because I know that I deserve all the benefits that I now reap. I didn't do this for anyone else, I did this for me and that's the best reason of all. I am happier because I serve as a good example of how one should take care of themselves, I have even noticed my sons eating healthier and being more active because of me...that is the best reward of all.

I love who I am today. I think having to take the journey has been a blessing in disguise. I have learned through this journey, that there is a HUGE difference between being skinny and being healthy. I have learned that a healthy body is a strong body. I have learned that I love me with curves...curves are sexy. I have much more self confidence today than I did when I was skinny and certainly more than I did when I was overweight and unhealthy.

"What can I do TODAY that will help me to create or enhance the healthy habits the "future me" will need to have?"

Today (and every day), I can make sure I drink plenty of water. Today (and every day), I can plan fresh fruits and vegetables into my daily meals, not just grab them for a snack. Today (and every day), I can plan exercise into my day. Any exercise is better than no exercise. Even on days when I may not have time for a full hour, I can get 2 - 20 minute runs or walks in. I will push myself to do a little more and a little faster so I can reach my fitness goals. I can and will schedule strength training into my workouts so that one day I will be able to say that I really love it. Today (and every day), I can make healthy food choices in general. I can and will keep the fat down in my meals and make sure I have plenty of fresh fruits/vegetables along with my protein choice. Today (and every day), I will remember what I want the 'future me' to be like and I will make my decisions accordingly.

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I can't believe it!!

Monday, April 19, 2010

This Monday morning started like any other Monday morning. You know the routine...alarm goes off, hit snooze, alarm goes off again, drag yourself out of bed and into the shower. I was going through my routine somewhat on auto-pilot. I finish my make-up and hair, get dressed, put on my jewelry and get my shoes and belt out of the closet. I slip on my shoes and pull on my belt and then.....wait a minute, this belt always goes into the 2nd hole and this morning, it's too loose on the 2nd hole. I can't believe it! I am actually one hole smaller!! Needless to say, this put me in a very good mood!

I've been able to tuck my shirts in for the last month or so without having a muffin top. It's been so long since I've tucked my shirts in, I didn't realize how much I missed it. But to be able to tighten the belt one hole is even better than tucking in my shirts.

I did have really great weigh in this week...down 5 pounds. 2 of those pounds were gained a week ago when we were out of town, eating out (and drinking beer) every day. I knew I could get rid of those 2 pretty quick, but was thrilled to see an additional 3 gone.

I've kicked up the exercise a little. I'm walking/jogging almost every day. I ran a mile and a 1/3 on Friday, which is the first time I have ever ran a full mile without a walk break! I couldn't believe it!! Then I ran 2/3 of a mile 2 more times in that run/walk. I was totally psyched about that and actually have hope that someday I will complete a 5k without a walk break. I know I can build up to 3 miles!

All in all, it was a great weekend and Monday has started out oh so much better than I thought it would! I have a feeling it's going to be a great week!!

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Better late than never!

Monday, March 08, 2010

I had every intention of getting a February review done last week, but somehow the days just got away from me. Here I am a week into March and just getting it done.

So, how did I do in February? Here is what I DID do:
**Still logging everything, everyday...the good, the bad and the ugly.
**Still drinking my water.
**Still journalling.
**Still cooking at home and trying some new things.
**Still exercising, although, not back to running yet.
**I did my charity work for February (Polar Bear Plunge).
**I made one on one time for my husband with a date night AND a weekend away.
**I've posted a blog entry at least 1 time per month..this will be my 2nd this month. *gasp*
**I'm taking my lunch to work everyday.
**I'm taking my IR meds twice daily, just like I'm supposed to.

Now, what am I NOT doing, yet?
**I still lack getting my strength training done. I am taking steps, effective today, to remedy that. I am doing a bodypump class at the gym tonight.
**I still haven't made much progress on decluttering my house. Maybe the warmer weather will help motivate me.
**I have not restarted my C25K program. I am however, doing a 5k on Saturday and will run as much of it as I can.
**I haven't been anyplace new or tried anything new yet. I do have plans to do something new in April. There is a cave opening for walking tours this month that I'm going to check out also.

Ok, so I am on track with twice as many as I'm not and have a plan in place for the latter group. I consider that a pretty good start, especially for it only being 2 months into my goals.

I am working on consistency throughout the month of March. I have decided that since strength training is one of the hardest parts for me to stick to, I am going to make every effort to get to a weight lifting class MWF. Maybe at the end of the month I will see some small changes in my body and that will motivate me to keep going back. I sure hope so, I know I need to do it, but making myself do it is proving to be the biggest challenge of all.

I have an appointment with a bariatric specialist on March 11th to do a complete diet and exercise analysis, tell me what I need to change, and put me on a plan. I am very excited and hope I can make some positive changes.

Last week I gained back what little I had lost so far this year, but my pants are looser and I think I am starting to see the first signs of a waist again. Wow, I've missed my waist!!

One night last week my husband told me my butt was looking alot firmer. He said this while I was wearing a pair of yoga pants that are not very flattering, so that made me feel VERY good!

My pants being looser and my butt being firmer are both more important to me than what the scale says. So, one day at a time and sooner or later, I'll get there!

I am still feeling very positive that 2010 is going to be a good year (so far, so good). I'm still motivated to stay on track. I have to thank all my wonderful Spark friends for their support and encouragment. It truly does make a difference!!

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