Biggest Loser

So, at my school, we are having a 9 week Biggest Loser contest.

I have tried these competitions before and for me, they do not usually work.  What happens is I pay the fee, get on the scale each week and actually weigh more at the end than at the beginning.  Why?????  Not sure!  Maybe it is that perfectionist in me coming out and saying, "If I can't win the whole thing, then no point in winning."  Isn't a net loss a win?  Of course it is!  

I have decided that this time will be different.  When the competition is over, I would like to be at least 10 pounds lighter.  And if I don't win any money, no big deal!  I paid for someone holding me accountable.  I paid for motivation.  And...I got a heck of a deal!

As I was searching for some images to add, I found the before/after picture of the above girl.  I have never seen the show, but just from the pictures, she reminds me of myself.  I am into the baggy t-shirts because that is all I feel comfortable in anymore.  I could look like the after version if I work at it.  It might take a while, but I really could do that!

So, today was our second weigh in for the competition.  The first week I lost 4 pounds and this week (when I thought I was wearing heavier clothes) I lost 1 pound.  5 pounds BABY!  Here I come!!!!  :)

Set a date!

Let me just say that I really dislike exercise!  Since the beginning of January, I have been exercising for 25 minutes almost every evening.  As much as I did NOT want to exercise tonight, I made myself do it.

Most of my exercise right now is either riding my stationary bicycle or my couch 2 5k running/walking plan.

I would LOVE to say that I ran an entire 5k, but I have too many issues with feet and shin splints.  What I have discovered is that I do ok on my treadmill, but when I run on an incline or on concrete, then I have pain.  Knowing this, I have decided to run a 5k anyway!  I will be running my 5k on Trudy Treadmill, right in my own basement.  This way, I don't have to worry about the weather, the hills, or the running surface.

I felt it important to set a date for this 5k.  This is my goal, what I am reaching for.  If I don't set a date, then I will procrastinate.  No more excuses!

My 5k is scheduled for the week of March 15th.  This gives me some flexibility, but holds me accountable.  It also gives me enough time to train.  I may not run the entire thing, but I will do my best.  Heck, I might even make a t-shirt for the event!  :)

What do you do to motivate yourself?

Data

This is my 20th year as an educator and my first year as a school counselor.  As a teacher, and now even more as a counselor, we base many of our decisions on the data that we collect.  This got me thinking of how data relates to losing weight.

For as long as I can remember I have measured my success in weight loss solely by a number on the scale.  No matter how I really feel, when I weigh in, that number can determine whether I am happy with myself or beat myself up for not being perfect.  Just as we do not measure the success of a student solely on one assessment, I really should not measure my success on one number and nothing else.

When I decided that I was going to incorporate exercise as a normal part of my life and eat less calories than I expend, I started keeping track of my exercise.

I wanted to work out at least 25 minutes a day.  After a few no exercise days, I think 25 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week is a better place to start.

I belong to the online Weight Watchers community and keep telling myself I am wasting my membership by NOT tracking what I eat.  I am still having trouble with this.  At this point, incorporating exercise and other good habits into my life is more imortant than tracking everything I eat.

Today is January 23rd and here are my stats so far:

13 workouts of at least 25 minutes
419.5 minutes
35.8 miles biked
16.75 miles on the treadmill
Finished week 3, day 1 of Couch Potato 2 5K!
Can hold a plank for 45 seconds

That is quite a bit!  :)