And...we're off!!

Those of us doing the 1000 mile challenge agreed to let the miles walked between December 25 and 31 count as an incentive to get moving this week.  I know for me personally this week is really the one where I relax to the point of becoming inert!  Any type of schedule, even eating is totally eschewed for the week.  While I think there is merit in stepping out of a schedule and having a peaceful, refreshing time, I've taken it to a whole new level during last week of the year.  I happily embraced the idea of getting a mini workout in.


Yesterday, I trooped off to the store in search of a pedometer.  That mission was easily accomplished.  I think I got a good one.  One that doesn't count incidental movements like my old one did.  It was easily programmed and I had it on by about 10:30.  I decided just to see how many steps I got doing my around the house activity, not counting any type of exercise.  I don't really know that yesterday was typical, but at least it was a starting point.


Being the analyst that I am, I did the math and learned that I need to take 3520 steps to walk one mile considering my stride.  In order to reach the goal of 1000 miles in a year, the average per day mileage is just over 2.7 miles per day.  That means I'll need to take nearly 10,000 steps each and every day to reach my goal.  The exact figure is 9,644.  To keep it easy, I'm going to try to get to 10,000 every day.  That way I can stock pile a few steps for those days when it just doesn't happen.


So, yesterday, my baseline day, I walked 3340.  Hmmm...it looks like I've got my work cut out for me.  I've got to triple that by Sunday.  I'm glad I started early and these steps are just bonus steps!!

1,000 Mile Challenge

Some of my friends IRL and Timothy are embarking upon a challenge to walk 1,000 miles in 2012.  Everyone is welcome to participate.  The more the merrier motivator!  I really do think the more people that participate, the more we can keep each other motivated.


IRL we have charts with 1,000 squares on them.  We will color in a square for each mile walked.  By the end of the year, we should have one, very colorful chart.


To make things even more fun, we are starting on Sunday.  We all agree that the last week of the year is one of the worst for exercise, so we're going to give ourselves an opportunity to get a few bonus miles in before the challenge actually begins. 


In blog land, I'll post my mileage every Monday.  I'm excited about it.  I'd love for everyone that reads this blog to join.  If not, at least keep me encouraged during the year.  I'll need that.


My family is beginning to arrive for the holidays.  I probably won't be around much until January.  In the meantime, I'll be logging those miles.

Merry Christmas!!

175.5

According to the BMI charts, I move from the obese category to the overweight category at 175.5.  Over the last few weeks and months, I have gone up and down the 170's on the scales more times than I care to count.  If I'd gone straight down rather than down & up. I'd be at my goal now.  I'm trying to learn a lesson from my trips up and down the 170's.  I want to learn this lesson well, so I can move on to the next one.  I am learning that the obese/overweight category isn't the only thing that changes about half way through the 170's.  I have a major mind shift as well.

 

When my weight is over 175.5, I feel:

• bloated and floppy.
• like I'm not in control.
• like it is a horribly long way to goal.
• my skin is strange.  I have an unusual pallor and I get breakouts.
• my clothes are too tight.  I search for the *fat* clothes when dressing.
• fat.
• sad.
• angry with myself.
• like a failure.
• much like I did at 254.4.

When my weight is below 175.5, I feel:

• in control of my life.
• normal.
• happy.
• that goal weight is in easy reach.
• cute.
• empowered.
• powerful.
• healthy.
• strong.
• thin!

Right now, I am still over 175.5.  I am obese and feeling all of those feelings and a few more that I can't quite articulate.  I've got pimples on my chin and I'm wearing a skirt with elastic in the waist so that I can breath.  Those feelings aren't worth any cookie, candy or cake.  Yet I continue to succumb time and time again.

 

But I am fighting.  I am fighting with everything I have not to chuck it all and start fresh January 1.  I am going to say 'no' to the goodies.  I am determined to end 2011 overweight and NOT obese.  If I slip up and have a treat, I'll pick myself up, dust myself off and move on.  There is no time for berating myself.  It is time to move forward.  There are 11 days left this year.  I'm going to make the most of them!

Saturday Scale Says

179.6...at least it isn't 180!  That's all for now.  :)

Saturday Scale Says

This morning I saw a whopping 178.4!  I've been all over the 170's since Thanksgiving.  Well...not quite, I've only been down to 173.  I've made that trip up & down the scale too many times to count!  I, so wanted to start the year below 170.  I'm not sure if that can happen.  If there were three ordinary weeks ahead, I might set a goal for that.  It isn't quite 3 pounds a week.  It would be a stretch, but I like to challenge myself that way.


Instead tonight starts 10 days of parties.  We have a gathering of some type every.single.day for 10 days starting today!!  I plan to be judicious as to what I select and cut back during the rest of the time.  It should work, but my experience has been otherwise.  I'll still do my best and deal with whatever happens.


I'm not chucking it all until January 1.  I'm just not going to hold myself to an unattainable goal.  I'll get there.  Not as soon as I'd planned, but I'll get there.

No Worries!

I'm here and doing my thing.  It is a busy time in my life, as typical this time of year.  I've blogged before about the non-profit world and how work ratchets up this time of year, so I won't belabor that discussion.  The semester is coming to an end for 65MD so his work world is in a frenzy as well.  He just has one more week after this week, and he'll have a nice long break.  Of course, there are the usual Christmas parties and festivities happening, which also take time.  Then...my sister announced her engagement just before Thanksgiving.  They've set a wedding date for May, so we've already been scouting wedding sites and discussing what sort of cake she wants me to make.  Excitement all the way around!

My sister has an interesting story that I'll share later when I have time to actually give it the time it deserves.  Until then, please don't worry about me, but I'd appreciate a good thought along the way here & there!  I'll drop in and read, and hopefully, at least post my weight on Saturday.