I don’t know much about the luck of the Irish (being mostly of German and Native American descent), but I’m gonna run with it as the 5% Challenge starts tomorrow! The goal is to lose 5% of my weight by 5/12.

Why?
** To feel strong & substantial & capable. And ready for adventure.
** To be undaunted by having my picture taken.
** To feel strong & substantial & capable. And to run faster.
** To wear cute boots with skinny jeans.
** To feel strong & substantial & capable. And to have the fun energy on the outside that I have on the inside.

And what makes THIS challenge so different from every other 5% challenge I’ve pledged myself to? In the last 5 months, I hit the tremendous HIGH POINT of running my first half marathon, followed by the tremendous LOW of losing ground and regaining pounds in the bleak (although unusually mild-weathered) midwinter. It’s like someone hung kryptonite around my neck, and I’ve only just shaken it off. With both experiences so fresh on my mind, I am more determined than ever.

My inner superhero will hunt, push down, and beat the carp out of my inner villains!

VILLAIN: EMOLOGIC
In past attempts at the 5% challenge, this guy snuck into my daily life with a vile formula that took me a long time to crack:
ALONE + (BORED or FRUSTRATED) = STUPID SNACKING.

By which I mean too much sugar. Even healthy sugars (like dried fruit or whole grains) are stupid if they are in large or untimely quantities.

SUPERHERO WEAPONS: They’ve all been carefully forged in the fire of the Tame the Sugar Challenge:
** Razors: Cutting out the sugars I know I don’ t want or need.
** Rope: Tie up my work schedule with the most interesting tasks at the time of day when I’m most tempted to stray into the snack zone.
** Heat: Cook up my own snacks that are higher in protein and readily available as yummy alternatives to the ones I’ve found counterproductive.

VILLAIN: OHMYGOODNESS BADNESS
She self-righteously snickers while chipping away at my accountability to myself, providing seductive excuses every day.
Oh, I can’t work out in the morning because I’m helping my daughter with something until midnight.
Oh, I can’t make a light healthy dinner because I’m responsible for making someone else’s hearty favorite.
Oh, I can’t get out for a walk, because I’m working 2 jobs this week.
Oh, I'm too tired to run because I was helping a client in another time zone.
Oh, I can’t work out now because BF is using my living room.

OH, GIVE ME A BREAK!

SUPERHERO WEAPON: GRETTA THE SHREDDA.
These are paper tigers. Shred ‘em up.
Running makes me a happy mom, a happier manager, a more capable and potent woman. AND finishing races makes my daughter and BF happy for me. Bam.

Superheroes get on with it. Let's go.