The Make A Change Challenge ~ Week III
“I’d heard it all the time, ‘Live in the moment.’ But if I did that, I’d weigh more than a dump truck. Losing weight wasn’t about the moment at all; it was about having faith in the future. It was about knowing there would be another meal in a few hours.” – Stephanie Klein, Moose, 2008
Week three of Tammy’s freakin’ Make A Change Challenge was just ok. No, I’m not bitter.
I did get some exercise in by walking several times last week. On Friday, I went on a field trip with my son at which I was in charge of walking around the zoo with five 2nd graders all day. I figured that alone would earn me at least a five pound loss.
Although there was no beer or pizza this weekend (yay!), there was a yummy breakfast at my sister’s and a barbecue at my brother’s-in-law on Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day was actually a really nice day. It was much more low-key and much less high-maintenance that in previous years. Hanging out with my hubby, kids and mine and hubby’s siblings is always a good time. I’m not nearly as angry in general as I was at this time last year so didn’t feel any animosity towards my mother. Last year, thankfully, I was in North Carolina, alone, so no one had to deal with my wrath. I’m happy to report that I think I’m over it.
Enough stalling. My results this week? Two pounds. Lost. Whew! 
This is a 1% loss for the week. The grand total is a pathetic 2 & 1/2 pounds. In three weeks.
My original goal was ten pounds by Mother’s Day. Clearly, I failed miserably at even coming close to this goal. I’m going to console myself with the fact that at least I lost something and didn’t gain anything either.
I’m not going to set a new goal today. I’m leaving for my girl’s spa getaway on Friday in Hershey Pennsylvania, of all the impossible-to-lose-weight places on earth, and also quitting smoking the same day. No way am I returning from that any slimmer. I’ll set a new goal next week. In the meantime, I will be exercising and watching what I eat up until we leave and keeping my fingers crossed that I don’t come back 10 pounds heavier.
Thanks for stopping by!
slowly but surely is the best! congratulations on starting to make some changes on your way to a slimmer healthier you!
good luck with quitting smoking and losing weight at the same time — that is no easy feat — i think i would buy sugarless gum by the caseload!!!
i am glad you had a nice Mother’s Day
What do you mean, “just ok?” At least you lost! And yeah, I’m bitter.
Cyndi-
Two pounds is just perfect! Anything more requires your body to go into starvation mode and slows up your metabolism. You are well on your way…… Congrats!
I love how it has turned in to a “Freakin’” challenge. HAHA!
I think I may have inherited your Mothers Day “grumpies”. I decided next year I am leaving town, BY MYSELF!
Congrats on the two pounds…and have FUN FUN FUN on your trip.
You’re weight loss is right on target. Remember this important fact: muscle weighs more that fat. That means if you had equal sized chunks of fat and muscle, the muscle will weigh more. The downside, you are looking at the scale and thinking that you’ve haven’t lost any weight, you get discouraged and give up. Don’t! Please! Muscle burns calories, fat doesn’t do anything. Stay off the scale for the first 2 months of any weight loss program. Dropping a dress size and fitting into pants you haven’t been able to zip up for ages are the results you will see. Then, maybe, get on the scale. The more fat you burn & the more muscle you develop will kick your physical fitness into overdrive, baby. Woo hoo!
**Keep walking (aerobic exercise to burn calories),
**lift small weights (tone and build up a muscle layer without bulking up)
**drink lots of water (to remove the toxin by-poducts of calorie burning)
**stretch to stay limber (and avoid sports related injuries)
**buy new walking shoes if yours are older than 3 months, preferably buy 2 pair and switch each day (to avoid shin-splints, knee and back pain)
**eat small meals (take your current 3 meals/day and just split each in half to make it 6/day)
**finish your last meal with something sweet, like fat-free/sugar-free chocolate pudding (studies show that something sweet at the end of a meal sends a signal to your brain that the meal is over. If you grew up with dessert at the end of dinner, or if you’ve gotten into the habit of eating sweets late in the evening, this is particularly important. You’ll also feel less “denial.)
**Start your day with a walk outside. (Then, you won’t have the “I need to exercise” thought in your head all day long, which can make you feel miserable. An additional benefit is mental health studies that show the 30 minutes/day of sunlight can signifigantly reduce depression. You’ll feel better knowing you started off on the right foot (literally.)
**When you’re watching TV, knock out a few crunches during the commercial breaks. If you do 25 crunches/commercial break, you’ve done 100 (!!!!) by the end of the show. If 25/break is too much or intimidating, do 20 or 10 or 1, anything. It adds up.
**When you’re at the computer, and you need to get up for a cup of coffee (or water!) Do some trunk twists, that’ll whittle your waist in no time, seriously. Scoot back from the desk, hands on your desk, legs folded or lifted if you can’t fold them, slowly twist your chair from one side to the other 25x. It goes by in a flash and you’ll be rocking that waist line!
**If you’re at a party (or Mother’s Day BBQ, etc) eat what everyone else is eating. Start with a salad and a big glass of water or ice tea to fill your tummy a lttle before you get started. Don’t put the “Die” in diet. You’re not dead. A weight loss program should not be an end of your social life. And even skinny people pig out now and then. Be a part of the festivities!
Let your guilt be gone. (poof) Baby steps, baby.
Much love, Heather
LOL – Bitter? ME TOO!!! I checked on Wednesday and I was down FOUR pounds.
That’s true, thank you! I’m just disappointed in not meeting my goal and the slacking off I did the first two weeks.
Uh-oh, I’m sorry about your Mother’s Day grumpies and any role I may have played in inducing them.
Congrats on your weight-loss success though! It’s only a “freakin” challenge for those of us who are failing miserably at meeting our goals!
Thanks, I will have FUN and hopefully at least still be able to fit into my current clothes when I return!
Thanks for all you helpful hints!! I especially like sneaking in crunches and trunk twists throughout the day during normally sedentary tasks.