Motivation gets you started.  HABIT keeps you going.

I was scrolling down my FB feed and came across a young lady who gave herself a 100 day gym challenge. She suffered from low self-esteem and just really needed something to make her feel better about herself. She did a fantastic job and persevered during the times when she really just didn't want to go to the gym.

I say all that for this reason. I have decided to give myself a 160 challenge. No. I do not suffer from low self-esteem, however I am looking a bit fluffier than I would prefer (lol). Additionally, I do enjoy challenging myself and setting goals.

Over the next 159 days ( I started 1/24/17 and should end 7/2/17) I have to abide by the following:

1. Go to the gym every day. Yes...even when it snows and I want to hibernate like a little bear.

2. I must do a minimum of 30 minutes of cardio and weights for one body part (arms, legs. ect..).

3. Because I tend to forget to eat, I have to eat at least twice a day. (this may be harder than going to the gym....ugh the torture...lol)

***I am not going to say that I am going to severely limit my food and intake because as soon as I say I can't have it...I WANT ONLY IT. I am very good at limiting myself, but I suck at getting food in my body regularly***

4. I have to check in once every 10 days to update on progress.

I am sure I will come up with more conditions for myself as I go along, but for now these are MY basics. If anyone would like to join me, I strongly encourage you to do so.

It is believed that it takes 21 days to make/break a habit. Now, this may not be for you, but challenge yourself to either make or break a habit over the next 21 days and follow me through my journey over the next 159 days.

Hello and Happy to be back.  It has been a while.  I have had a lot going on, but it feels good to be sitting here typing right now.  The month of September is been a crazy one for me.  I moved, started a new job, lost a little weight, had some personal things crop up, but all in all, IT HAS BEEN A FABULOUS month for me.  

I know the last time I was here, it was my birthday and I said I was going to set a new goal for myself.  Well here we go.  My next goal is to drop 18 - 20 pounds by Thanksgiving.  Yeah I know I am choosing the most insane time of year to set these goals, but I am determined.  I figure I love me and I am worth it.  I never completely deny myself anything because the more I deny myself.the more I want it, so it is good to indulge oneself from time to time.  

I have been walking quite a bit lately (mostly out of necessity), and I am sure that will contribute to the process.   Now I will say that my eating habits or should I say "lack of eating" habits are still horrible.  For example.  I didn't eat breakfast, lunch and I am reasonably sure most people wouldn't consider what I ate when I got home from work, dinner.  I just had a few diced potatoes that my daughter baked and a small piece of polish sausage.  For those of you who are already thinking...."omg, you can't starve yourself to lose weight.  it is unhealthy, blah, blah, blickety blah."  I know this people.  I don't eat like that to lose weight.  In reality it is counter productive to my weight loss as my body spends most of it's time in starvation mode.  I have always eaten like that (even when I was skinny).  It just doesn't occur to me to eat.  I don't really get hunger pains, so I run, and go, and do, and at some point in time during the day I realize that I have not eaten.  YES!!! This is on my list of things to fix, but I don't have high hopes for this one though.  I have been eating like this for 43 years.  LOL....old dog .....new trick....good luck.  

Anyway, I will periodically check in to let you know how I am progressing, any new recipes I find/try/create, any exercise I am trying (prefer Tai Chi, yoga, ect) .   Oh yeah and I have been trying to get more rest.  I really think that is making a HUGE difference.

I am always open to comments, positive input, and such.

Birthday challenge results

Happy birthday to me. I am happy to say that I not only met but exceeded my goal. When I began the challenge I was 309. Today I am 293.5. WOOHOO GO ME!!!

I am happy to say that I am motivated to continue. My ultimate goal is to get to between 180-200 pounds. I will set a new goal myself on Monday and I hope you all will continue to support and urge me on.

HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE!!!!!!

Challenge update

Happy Monday morning everyone.  I just wanted to give a quick update on my progress. I would have taken a picture, but I have managed to catch a summer cold and kinda look like crap, so I will spare you all (LOL).

Ok back to business. As of today I have lost 4 pounds.  Now I will say that I had originally lost 6 pounds, but allowed stress to let 2 pounds creep back onto me.  That being said, I am sure I will lose the last six by the desired date. 

I have been doing some light exercises.  A little yoga, 10 minute Tae Bo (do you remember that?), and did the fit test for insanity. I am working mostly on my arms and my abs.   Unfortunately, I have a slightly crappy right knee, so I can't fully do a lot of the exercises, but I try to modify where I can. 

Wish me luck and I will check back around my birthday to let you know if I made my goal.