WEIGH IN - 5/30

Minus two point two :)  *insert happy dance here*  This makes for a total loss of 46 pounds so far...almost half way there! (Thirty of this has been just since January.)

I'm well on track to my goals, and working on "mini-goals" from week to week. (Things such as: a bike ride with Chloe, or a new bright colored tank for my next 5K, looking for a size smaller slacks for work, etc.)

By the way, I just signed up today for my next 5K. I'll be participating in the Railroad Days Extreme Fun 5K Run/Walk in Moberly on Friday, June 8th. (I chose those one because it's at 9:00 PM!!! Shouldn't be too terribly hot then, right? *lol*)

Also, since I messed up and deleted the comparison photos from May, I will be taking new photos since tomorrow is June 1st. It will be fun to compare them with the original photo from January when my "I'm gonna do this" journey began. I'll probably need to change outfits -- those blue shorts barely stay on anymore, and that white tank is huge! So be looking for new pics this weekend.

WEIGH IN 5/23

Down again this week! (yeah)  Minus point eight --- just under one pound, but I'll take it!

I've not been as active this last week or so, so I need to get back in the exercise groove. Besides it being a huge plus for weight loss, it's also a good stress reliever and mind-clearer :) I know we've all heard the benefits of exercise before, about how it relieves stress, helps mood, etc. Well, it's true. So if you're not active, get off your bum and do something...I'm not saying go train for a marathon or anything (unless, of course, you're into that), but get out and do it. The fresh air is good for ya! :)

Now, the next thing is my goals. I've been hesitant to publish these. Yes, I do have them written down for myself and I look at them from time to time. However, I hate to "put them out there" and then not meet them...but that's why they are goals, right? I mean, they are there for me to reach for. If I don't reach them, then I can adjust them. As long as I keep striving. Am I right? Or am I disillusioned? Seriously, give me your input. I figure it can't be much worse than putting actual before & after photos on here. *lol* I mean I write this blog and place photos, etc. not just for myself, but for each of you who are so good to encourage, inspire and help keep me accountable. So here goes...

**Disclaimer:  If you don't want to know the gory details or feel it would hinder

your judgment of me in any way, then please read no further!**

I am currently 4.2 pounds away from being at my HALFWAY point. (Yes, I have that much to lose! Remember, I started this whole WW thing at a hefty 240 lbs. My ultimate goal weight is 144 -- which is 40% of my starting weight, meaning a loss of 96 lbs. Yes, you read that correctly...kinda mind-blowing isn't it?)

Weight Watchers starts you out with two immediate goals -- 5% and then 10% of your starting weight. I took that idea and ran with it. I set a chart for myself using the 5% increments taking me to my ultimate goal weight. I then decided to put a "deadline" of sorts with each of those. (These are spaced out and very do-able. The intention is to give me a specific "you gotta go for it" timeline.)

20% = 192 (for a total loss of 48 lbs) --- I'd like to reach this by my birthday (June 18, 2012)

25% = 180 (for a total loss of 60 lbs) --- I'd like to reach this by Labor Day (September 3, 2012)

30% = 168 (for a total loss of 72 lbs) --- I'd like to reach this by Thanksgiving (November 22, 2012)

35% = 156 (for a total loss of 84 lbs) --- I'd like to reach this by our wedding anniversary (February 9, 2013)

40% = 144 (for a total loss of 96 lbs) --- I'd like to reach this by Mother's Day (May 12, 2013) == GOAL

So there you have it. I think a loss of 12 lbs over a three month period is very attainable...based on my success thus far. I understand and accept that there will be "good" and "not so good" weeks. However, I am determined to not have a "bad" week. (A bad week would mean that I gained or stayed the same.)

So please dust off those pompons and continue to cheer me on! I appreciate you so much!

WEIGH IN 5/16

Another week and another loss :) I'm down another 1.2 pounds this week, for a grand total thus far of 43. I am close to "half way" to goal, but I am extremely determined :)

I DID IT!

I completed the Mother's Day 5K in Moberly in just under 45 minutes. (Not fantastic, I know, but I'm quite proud of myself.) I tried to start out having no expectations, but let's just be real about this...those of you who really, really know me know that that's impossible. I always have expectations! *lol* My original goal was to just do it; speed was not important. Goal accomplished. However, just before the start of the race yesterday I told myself two things:  1) aim to walk as little as possible, and knowing that I'd more than likely have to walk more than I'd like, 2) aim to finish in under 45 minutes if at all possible. Well, I was right -- I did have to walk more than I wanted to, but also did finish in under 45 minutes...barely. BUT I DID IT!!! It was quite thrilling and I feel inspired to keep up with this whole running thing, too. (As you know, I'm not actually quite finished with my "Couch to 5K" training, but I am determined to see it through...and then keep on running.)

Thanks to my sister-in-law for getting some great pictures from yesterday, even though we never actually saw one another until after the race. I'm also quite grateful that she didn't get any shots of my during my walking modes! *LOL* 

 

 

That's me in the white shirt and aqua skort puffin' my way down the first hill...at the beginning of the race - yes, puffing already. (I had debated on whether or not to just go for it, or to plug in my "Couch to 5K" app and follow it...should've done the latter. Yet, at the same time, I found that I can push myself when needed and learned when to back off a little bit.)

Regardless, it felt good to have accomplished this goal :) Now on to the next goal...  :)

BELATED

I've been so busy I haven't had a chance to post WEIGH IN 5/9 yet! I was down another 1.6 pounds this week -- yeehaw! Getting further and further away from those 200s.

All my training is about to be put into action. I've been working on this Couch-to-5K thing since February -- with a small set-back when I hurt my back. Tomorrow, Sunday, May 13 is Mother's Day and I will be participating in the 5K in Moberly. I have no expectations as far as time goes -- my goal is to just do it. I'm not doing this for anyone but me and my mom :)

WEIGH IN DAY - Wed 5/2

I did it!!!! I made it to ONE-derland!!! Down two pounds this week and finally below 200. What an amazing feeling. This makes my total loss so far 40.2 pounds.

My "reward" was to get a running skort - something I'd been wanting for quite awhile. Don had bought one for me about a month ago, but I put it away with the tags still on it, determined NOT to wear it until I'd finally reached my mini-goal. (If you remember, my goal was to be under 200 by Memorial Day. Yeah, kinda whipped that *ha*) I was secretly hoping to be there in time to wear this new skort at the Mother's Day 5K in Moberly...looks like I'll be able to :)

My next mini-goal? Well, my 20% goal is 192 - which I'd like to reach by my birthday (right at 6 weeks away from today.) CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!