Just to add to my last post, Tim and I's super friends, Micheal and Erica Chatman asked me to come work out with them today. I said I would be there by 9:40am and I was. Ready to go.
We did a bit of stretching and went right into a 2-ish mile walk/run WITH HILLS! Now, I'm not just talking a wimpy Gainesville style hill, I am talking a frickin' 70 degree angle. We were walking the straightaways and jogging the curves. And we were going up that hill. Jogging. Until the last loop when we SPRINTED up the hill. That steep one I mentioned before.
Micheal had 2 rules. No stopping and no complaining. At one point, I did have to give out a hearty "eff dash dash dash" but quickly apologized. My breathing is terrible, I had a cramp and damn it, running up hill is hard. Running period is hard!
I did it, though. Ran through the mailbox, started running at the street sign, and ran through the stop sign. I even gave it a little more through the last leg of the running, cause damn, I wanted it to be over quicker!
This is accountability at it's best. Getting there. Working hard. Not letting anyone down. I wanted to wuss out. Lord knows I wanted to walk up that darn hill. I didn't. Micheal wouldn't have let me anyway. And if there was ever a chance of us doing this again, my best bet was to not quit! Accountability is just that. Not quitting when it matters most. Realizing people are cheering you on. I don't want to let my 5's of fans down!
I appreciate the Chatman's a ton today for turning me into a lightweight fighter. I have more in me. My calendar is about to fill up with fellow worker-outers who have offered to walk or exercise with me. It will also be my chance to pay it forward, and hold THEM accountable.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Accountability is a necessity.
It has been almost 4 weeks since I had my first weigh in and assessment done. I'll tell ya, it feels more like 8 weeks! Time seems to be moving pretty slowly, which to some extent is good. I want this experience to really stick with me. I have learned that accountability is what is making this whole thing happen.
Food-wise, things are going well. Eating mostly clean, a ton of veggies, fruit, eggs, nuts, etc. I have made the change to things like wheat pasta, brown rice, natural peanut butter, and whole wheat anything else! I have been eating fish for dinner, a ton of grilled chicken, and avacado is my new passion. Where has that stuff been all my life?! Baby spinach has made it to my salad bowl... and the cheese, million croutons and dressing out. I look forward to a whole wheat english muffin with natural peanut butter, Polaner All Fruit and some skim milk like no one's business. I have found that it is near impossible to avoid the starches, but I AM avoiding the white ones. A little bit of Kashi cereal or a brown rice pilaf never killed anyone and man, it is helping me keep my sanity in check. I am the most proud of my diet change. I am not cheating... much... and when I do it is such a reasonable cheat, that I don't even count it! I have much, MUCH more will-power then I ever thought I did. How is that for optimism? I am never sure I have it in me!
Exercise-wise, things are going equally well. I appreciate the direction more then you know. I might actually be willing to exercise daily if I had someone ring leading! Walking/running/anything on the days away from the gym are harder. I can get out there, but am much quicker to slow down, take longer to ramp up, stop earlier, make up excuses, and so on! This is where the accountability needs to work the hardest. Getting to the gym cause I am expected to be is easy. Meeting someone to walk/run is easy cause they are expecting me. Making the plan to go at it alone is still a little rough for me. I am considering making a calendar of exercise "dates" with whomever I can convince to commit. I was sure getting into the "spirit" of exercise will take me a little longer!
Thursday is our 4 week goal check. Mine was set at 10 lbs. On Thursday last week, I hit 10 lbs. Hip Hip Horray for me! My plan this week is to eat clean, make good exercise decisions and make it near impossible to gain any weight so I can really hit this goal on the day it counts. This is another example of the accountability I was talking about. If I didn't have this contest, the ladies, Dan, my friends who are keeping up, YOU, I am positive I would still be on the 12 cookie a day diet.
This is going to work for me, friends. Thanks so much for providing me with accountability.
Food-wise, things are going well. Eating mostly clean, a ton of veggies, fruit, eggs, nuts, etc. I have made the change to things like wheat pasta, brown rice, natural peanut butter, and whole wheat anything else! I have been eating fish for dinner, a ton of grilled chicken, and avacado is my new passion. Where has that stuff been all my life?! Baby spinach has made it to my salad bowl... and the cheese, million croutons and dressing out. I look forward to a whole wheat english muffin with natural peanut butter, Polaner All Fruit and some skim milk like no one's business. I have found that it is near impossible to avoid the starches, but I AM avoiding the white ones. A little bit of Kashi cereal or a brown rice pilaf never killed anyone and man, it is helping me keep my sanity in check. I am the most proud of my diet change. I am not cheating... much... and when I do it is such a reasonable cheat, that I don't even count it! I have much, MUCH more will-power then I ever thought I did. How is that for optimism? I am never sure I have it in me!
Exercise-wise, things are going equally well. I appreciate the direction more then you know. I might actually be willing to exercise daily if I had someone ring leading! Walking/running/anything on the days away from the gym are harder. I can get out there, but am much quicker to slow down, take longer to ramp up, stop earlier, make up excuses, and so on! This is where the accountability needs to work the hardest. Getting to the gym cause I am expected to be is easy. Meeting someone to walk/run is easy cause they are expecting me. Making the plan to go at it alone is still a little rough for me. I am considering making a calendar of exercise "dates" with whomever I can convince to commit. I was sure getting into the "spirit" of exercise will take me a little longer!
Thursday is our 4 week goal check. Mine was set at 10 lbs. On Thursday last week, I hit 10 lbs. Hip Hip Horray for me! My plan this week is to eat clean, make good exercise decisions and make it near impossible to gain any weight so I can really hit this goal on the day it counts. This is another example of the accountability I was talking about. If I didn't have this contest, the ladies, Dan, my friends who are keeping up, YOU, I am positive I would still be on the 12 cookie a day diet.
This is going to work for me, friends. Thanks so much for providing me with accountability.
Friday, January 13, 2012
6 is my new 40
... Ok, so make that 6.25, but who is really counting here, right? THIS GIRL IS!
Yesterday at our Sweat Life Fitness workout, we had an impromptu weigh in. I was hoping to get weighed before the 4 week goal reveal because I truly need the affirmation that I am moving in the right direction. Straight veggies, fruits, protein and nuts would say so, but I still needed to see it in front of me.
6.25 lbs. down from my first weigh in!! It's only been 9 days. Whoo Hooo!
Now, I am not one to get uber excited about much, but man, did I have a smile a mile wide on my face!! It was a very satisfying moment. I wasn't the biggest loser of the bunch, but also not the smallest loser, so I will take it!
**Glass Half Empty, comin' at ya here** I am not crazy enough to think that it was all my sweat and hard work that made this happen. A semi-brisk walk, with plenty of stops to deal with kid issues, on a Saturday evening, chitty chatting with a great friend the whole way, doesn't necessarily constitute a major workout. I am also sure that a lot of that weight loss may have likely been the increased water flushing me out. Oh, and of course the fact that I am no longer on the "dozen chocolate chip cookies a day" diet anymore. These all played a roll. I am moving more then normal and I am kicking ass with the whole eating thing.
I tested myself yesterday with lunch at Moe's with one of Nic's school friends. Taco, hold the tortilla, with chicken, black beans, lettuce, salsa, cuke, cilantro and a small bit of guac. OK, a sprinkle of cheese, but it was literally 6 strands of the shredded stuff. And yes, I had 4 chips, with salsa, and threw the rest out. A huge display of willpower, as compared to my normal Joey Jr. LOADED with my AND the kids chips!! Baby steps is typically my style, but this was a giant step, people!
I want to make this change for myself long term. I want to learn to love the good stuff and avoid the terrible stuff. I don't want to avoid chocolate chip cookies for the rest of my life, but I want to have one or two, on occasion, and savor it, rather then eat 5 to feel like I am really getting a good sample! It is starting to make sense to me now. Good in = Feelin' good.
So why is 6 my new 40? My favorite number is 40. I am changing it to 6 (lbs) for now.
Yesterday at our Sweat Life Fitness workout, we had an impromptu weigh in. I was hoping to get weighed before the 4 week goal reveal because I truly need the affirmation that I am moving in the right direction. Straight veggies, fruits, protein and nuts would say so, but I still needed to see it in front of me.
6.25 lbs. down from my first weigh in!! It's only been 9 days. Whoo Hooo!
Now, I am not one to get uber excited about much, but man, did I have a smile a mile wide on my face!! It was a very satisfying moment. I wasn't the biggest loser of the bunch, but also not the smallest loser, so I will take it!
**Glass Half Empty, comin' at ya here** I am not crazy enough to think that it was all my sweat and hard work that made this happen. A semi-brisk walk, with plenty of stops to deal with kid issues, on a Saturday evening, chitty chatting with a great friend the whole way, doesn't necessarily constitute a major workout. I am also sure that a lot of that weight loss may have likely been the increased water flushing me out. Oh, and of course the fact that I am no longer on the "dozen chocolate chip cookies a day" diet anymore. These all played a roll. I am moving more then normal and I am kicking ass with the whole eating thing.
I tested myself yesterday with lunch at Moe's with one of Nic's school friends. Taco, hold the tortilla, with chicken, black beans, lettuce, salsa, cuke, cilantro and a small bit of guac. OK, a sprinkle of cheese, but it was literally 6 strands of the shredded stuff. And yes, I had 4 chips, with salsa, and threw the rest out. A huge display of willpower, as compared to my normal Joey Jr. LOADED with my AND the kids chips!! Baby steps is typically my style, but this was a giant step, people!
I want to make this change for myself long term. I want to learn to love the good stuff and avoid the terrible stuff. I don't want to avoid chocolate chip cookies for the rest of my life, but I want to have one or two, on occasion, and savor it, rather then eat 5 to feel like I am really getting a good sample! It is starting to make sense to me now. Good in = Feelin' good.
So why is 6 my new 40? My favorite number is 40. I am changing it to 6 (lbs) for now.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Bring on the emotional stress...
... and worrying and wondering and guessing and overthinking and, and, and, and!!!
What if I eat too much?
Can I eat too much of the good stuff?
What is my workout isn't strong enough?
What if I am not working out long enough?
Are these 6 crackers going to ruin my good eating day?
Why didn't I walk a few more minutes today?
Why didn't I take the kids on that walk this afternoon?
What will happen if I eat just one chocolate chip?
What if I don't lose the weight at all?
What if I don't reach my goals?
Could I really be doing the worst in this competition?
If I don't hit my goal, will everyone think I am cheating on the food stuff?
When will I find the time to research menus?
When will I have the time to make said menus?
Will I ever not be sore this whole 14 weeks?
Will my knee hold up?
Will my foot issues hold up?
Is this bowl of Special K with skim milk really worth it?
It's just Special K and skim milk, right? How bad could it be?
How can I rope the kids into this?
Should I be counting my calories?
How many calories should I be taking in?
How many calories could I possibly be burning?
Will anyone notice the weight loss?
Are people sick of hearing about this?
Will I ever like yogurt?
How can I make a smoothie smooth without yogurt?
Can't a girl get a bit of dark chocolate up in here?
Is it weird that I already feel lighter?
Should I have been going through a carb withdrawl?
Should I try to just force this gross green tea down?
Does it matter if the water I am drinking is ice cold or room temp?
How quick can I get my iPhone loaded with exercise music?
How much broccoli is too much broccoli?
Is there a difference between loading up on clementines or apples?
Why did I not take the time to eat straight up avacado before?
Is half an avacado at a meal too much?
Will I ever love the exercise? Or even like it?
Should I go to Sams and buy the less expensive chicken breast?
Do they even make a natural jelly to go with this natural peanut butter?
Shouldn't I be controlling my portions?
What is there to control if my plate is full of broccoli and peas?
Isn't it crazy that I am liking the wheat pasta and brown rice?
When does the rest of my life start falling into place?
How will this experience positively impact my procrastination issues?
Will I ever want to just get up and go take a walk?
When will I ever see a bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough again?
What could I possibly eat at LaFiesta?
Is making the change from a white sub roll to a whole grain one at Subway going to be enough?
Will Tim Tebow take the Broncos to the Superbowl?
Am I really capable of making this life change?
Am I really ready to take this whole thing on? Forever?
How will the new Danielle look?
Should I change my hair to go with my new body in the end?
Maybe I could take my bike in to be overhauled?
Will 14 weeks go by quick?
Can I actually keep up with this blogging thing?
Can this be the best opportunity I have ever been offered?
YES IT IS and I will be working extra hard to ignore my glass half empty self and dig deep to find the glass half full side of this whole thing. It is genetically engineered inside my body to be a shade on the worrisome, questioning and negative side, but nothing good ever comes of that stuff. I need to be in the right mind to kick ass here. Questions, worrying, wondering - either way, I am MAKIN' IT HAPPEN!
What if I eat too much?
Can I eat too much of the good stuff?
What is my workout isn't strong enough?
What if I am not working out long enough?
Are these 6 crackers going to ruin my good eating day?
Why didn't I walk a few more minutes today?
Why didn't I take the kids on that walk this afternoon?
What will happen if I eat just one chocolate chip?
What if I don't lose the weight at all?
What if I don't reach my goals?
Could I really be doing the worst in this competition?
If I don't hit my goal, will everyone think I am cheating on the food stuff?
When will I find the time to research menus?
When will I have the time to make said menus?
Will I ever not be sore this whole 14 weeks?
Will my knee hold up?
Will my foot issues hold up?
Is this bowl of Special K with skim milk really worth it?
It's just Special K and skim milk, right? How bad could it be?
How can I rope the kids into this?
Should I be counting my calories?
How many calories should I be taking in?
How many calories could I possibly be burning?
Will anyone notice the weight loss?
Are people sick of hearing about this?
Will I ever like yogurt?
How can I make a smoothie smooth without yogurt?
Can't a girl get a bit of dark chocolate up in here?
Is it weird that I already feel lighter?
Should I have been going through a carb withdrawl?
Should I try to just force this gross green tea down?
Does it matter if the water I am drinking is ice cold or room temp?
How quick can I get my iPhone loaded with exercise music?
How much broccoli is too much broccoli?
Is there a difference between loading up on clementines or apples?
Why did I not take the time to eat straight up avacado before?
Is half an avacado at a meal too much?
Will I ever love the exercise? Or even like it?
Should I go to Sams and buy the less expensive chicken breast?
Do they even make a natural jelly to go with this natural peanut butter?
Shouldn't I be controlling my portions?
What is there to control if my plate is full of broccoli and peas?
Isn't it crazy that I am liking the wheat pasta and brown rice?
When does the rest of my life start falling into place?
How will this experience positively impact my procrastination issues?
Will I ever want to just get up and go take a walk?
When will I ever see a bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough again?
What could I possibly eat at LaFiesta?
Is making the change from a white sub roll to a whole grain one at Subway going to be enough?
Will Tim Tebow take the Broncos to the Superbowl?
Am I really capable of making this life change?
Am I really ready to take this whole thing on? Forever?
How will the new Danielle look?
Should I change my hair to go with my new body in the end?
Maybe I could take my bike in to be overhauled?
Will 14 weeks go by quick?
Can I actually keep up with this blogging thing?
Can this be the best opportunity I have ever been offered?
YES IT IS and I will be working extra hard to ignore my glass half empty self and dig deep to find the glass half full side of this whole thing. It is genetically engineered inside my body to be a shade on the worrisome, questioning and negative side, but nothing good ever comes of that stuff. I need to be in the right mind to kick ass here. Questions, worrying, wondering - either way, I am MAKIN' IT HAPPEN!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Sometimes it's the things you don't do...
It's been a great start with the BWLC. Assessment earlier in the week shows I am overweight. Can you believe that?! In a perfect world, my body would be best suited at about 150 lbs. I can't say for sure I was ever that weight... from what I can remember, I went from a 100 lb. teenager through to a 200 lb. adult. Overnight.
I do know that there was day in my life that I DID NOT have to shop in the "multiple XL" section, I wore a size lower then the high teens/low twenties and I may have even wanted to tuck a shirt in. It is goal setting time in this challenge and I am not as much thinking about specific number goals, but more the physical goals. The shrinking out of the 2XL shirts. Pulling down my size 18 capri pants without unbuttoning them. Considering clothing in the smallest size, in the chubby lady section, seems like a far off scenario right now, but it is my goal. Out there for you all to hold me to. My 4 week goal is to drop 10 lbs. I am not sure that will get me to the smaller stuff, but it will definitely get me closer.
This week, we also learned about better nutrition. All about the things we should be excited about trying, and not focusing on what we are "giving up". I have a tendency to lean toward the glass half empty... (my friends would be shocked to hear this!) so I was naturally more encouraged by the things I HAD NOT done the past few days.
I did not:
Eat a Corn Muffin (or 2) with butter for breakfast.
Blow through the McD's drive thru for a breakfast biscuit and orange drink.
Eat the few Nestle Tollhouses left from "my last supper".
Get a bag of popcorn and a fruit punch while I perused the workout clothes in Target.
Stop for lunch at Moe's like my daughter was begging me to.
Eat the remaining cookie dough from said Nestle Tollhouse binge the night before.
(I actually, while saying a prayer because in my world it is a sin, threw out that cookie dough!)
Turn my husband down when he asked me to take a walk around the block.
Order anything but a fruit cup and a small OJ while having breakfast with a friend this morning.
(Then promptly avoided the fruit cup, as it was canned fruit, not fresh)
Injest anything "white" at all today - No flour, sugar, rice, pasta.
Wimp out of our first real work out today.
I am going to make this happen. With every passing day, I am more determined to make this work for me. I will be a strong competitor in this competition. I will smash my goals. I will fuel up properly. I know the difference between healthy and not, good choices and bad and have every intention of setting it in motion for the long haul. I AM makin' it happen.
I do know that there was day in my life that I DID NOT have to shop in the "multiple XL" section, I wore a size lower then the high teens/low twenties and I may have even wanted to tuck a shirt in. It is goal setting time in this challenge and I am not as much thinking about specific number goals, but more the physical goals. The shrinking out of the 2XL shirts. Pulling down my size 18 capri pants without unbuttoning them. Considering clothing in the smallest size, in the chubby lady section, seems like a far off scenario right now, but it is my goal. Out there for you all to hold me to. My 4 week goal is to drop 10 lbs. I am not sure that will get me to the smaller stuff, but it will definitely get me closer.
This week, we also learned about better nutrition. All about the things we should be excited about trying, and not focusing on what we are "giving up". I have a tendency to lean toward the glass half empty... (my friends would be shocked to hear this!) so I was naturally more encouraged by the things I HAD NOT done the past few days.
I did not:
Eat a Corn Muffin (or 2) with butter for breakfast.
Blow through the McD's drive thru for a breakfast biscuit and orange drink.
Eat the few Nestle Tollhouses left from "my last supper".
Get a bag of popcorn and a fruit punch while I perused the workout clothes in Target.
Stop for lunch at Moe's like my daughter was begging me to.
Eat the remaining cookie dough from said Nestle Tollhouse binge the night before.
(I actually, while saying a prayer because in my world it is a sin, threw out that cookie dough!)
Turn my husband down when he asked me to take a walk around the block.
Order anything but a fruit cup and a small OJ while having breakfast with a friend this morning.
(Then promptly avoided the fruit cup, as it was canned fruit, not fresh)
Injest anything "white" at all today - No flour, sugar, rice, pasta.
Wimp out of our first real work out today.
I am going to make this happen. With every passing day, I am more determined to make this work for me. I will be a strong competitor in this competition. I will smash my goals. I will fuel up properly. I know the difference between healthy and not, good choices and bad and have every intention of setting it in motion for the long haul. I AM makin' it happen.
Monday, January 2, 2012
12:01am on Day 1
My nerves are getting the best of me today. I am looking a wonderful opportunity in the eye and am more anxious then excited about what lies ahead. Understandable? Maybe. Lame? Most definitely.
For a long time, pretty much my whole life, weight has been an issue for me. I was never obese, by my standards at least, but am just not genetically "supermodel" thin. I could have been "supermodel" tall, as most of my female cousins are, but I was "lucky" enough to get the short height and the curly hair genes. Mom and I still wonder how that happened!
I enjoy food. Love me some cookies, any starch, in any form, and chocolate. I don't consider myself an emotional eater as much as just an eater. I had decided long ago that I would eat what I wanted, when I wanted, because I wanted to. Don't tell me what I can and can not have. I also love salad and broccoli, but my undying love for Nestle Tollhouses and dark chocolate typically win out!
I am also not a lover of exercise. In any form. I have convinced myself that it is simply because I haven't found a form of exercise that I enjoy. Walking is boring, running is out of the question and the gym is not an option. What else is there?!
This fall, I came upon the Giggle Magazine/Sweat Life Fitness Big Weight Loss Challenge II advertisement. I was familiar with the first installment but didn't follow it too closely. I applied with the promise that if I was one of the chosen few to participate in this challenge, it would be my "sign" that it was time. Time to change. Time to be more active. Time to make better food choices. Time to be a better example for my kids. Time to change.
I was offered a spot in the challenge this year. One of six women that have also been given an opportunity to improve their quality of life. 16 weeks of assessments, personal training, group workouts, an automatic cheering section, better eating habits, learning all about a healthier way to live, a lot of accountability and a super make-over and reveal reception at the end!
12:45am on the first day and I am still nervous, but can't stop thinking about how wonderful this could turn out. I am bound and determined to take this "sign" and make it happen. I WILL BE MAKIN' IT HAPPEN!
For a long time, pretty much my whole life, weight has been an issue for me. I was never obese, by my standards at least, but am just not genetically "supermodel" thin. I could have been "supermodel" tall, as most of my female cousins are, but I was "lucky" enough to get the short height and the curly hair genes. Mom and I still wonder how that happened!
I enjoy food. Love me some cookies, any starch, in any form, and chocolate. I don't consider myself an emotional eater as much as just an eater. I had decided long ago that I would eat what I wanted, when I wanted, because I wanted to. Don't tell me what I can and can not have. I also love salad and broccoli, but my undying love for Nestle Tollhouses and dark chocolate typically win out!
I am also not a lover of exercise. In any form. I have convinced myself that it is simply because I haven't found a form of exercise that I enjoy. Walking is boring, running is out of the question and the gym is not an option. What else is there?!
This fall, I came upon the Giggle Magazine/Sweat Life Fitness Big Weight Loss Challenge II advertisement. I was familiar with the first installment but didn't follow it too closely. I applied with the promise that if I was one of the chosen few to participate in this challenge, it would be my "sign" that it was time. Time to change. Time to be more active. Time to make better food choices. Time to be a better example for my kids. Time to change.
I was offered a spot in the challenge this year. One of six women that have also been given an opportunity to improve their quality of life. 16 weeks of assessments, personal training, group workouts, an automatic cheering section, better eating habits, learning all about a healthier way to live, a lot of accountability and a super make-over and reveal reception at the end!
12:45am on the first day and I am still nervous, but can't stop thinking about how wonderful this could turn out. I am bound and determined to take this "sign" and make it happen. I WILL BE MAKIN' IT HAPPEN!
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