Tuesday, September 16, 2008

HOLDING MYSELF ACCOUNTABLE

A week or so ago, I walked into the local supermarket and witnessed a little boy hopping onto the scales. He was very excited as he told his father, "Look, Daddy, I'm 40 pounds!" All I could think was "Oh my gawd! I have to lose a four year old!" Well, I'm pleased to say that after a change in diet and exercise, I now only have to lose a three year old.

It was about six weeks ago that I started this blog. I was mortified motivated by the proclamation of my physician that I was indeed no longer a spring chicken. After I recovered from the shock of that statement, I sat myself down and made a list of goals and then posted them on the internet for all the world to see, thinking that maybe this might help to keep me on track. So in the spirit of accountability, it's time to see just how far I've come.

The original goals listed were as follows:

  • Lose weight or grow taller – no luck on the growing taller but as of this morning, I have lost a total of 13lbs. (more than 25% of my weight loss goal)
  • Improve my fitness level – I've taken up spinning classes and I'm still trying to make it back to iron bodies. I find that while I have been working out at the gym independently for over 2 years, a drill sergeant instructor motivates me to work harder and challenge myself.
  • Lower my blood pressure – Turns out that the blood-pressure reading was most likely a false high brought on by the utter excitement (NOT) and anticipation of my lower-body inspection.
  • Eat a healthy diet and practice portion control – I started the South Beach Diet, (loosely) I stay in phase I because I never seem to make it thru the two weeks without cheating. If I wasn't losing weight, I would tighten up my restrictions but I prefer to be strict most of the time and have fun on the weekends. Almost daily, I visit Kalyn's Kitchen for recipe ideas.
  • Lose weight (I thought it might help to list this one twice - Sometimes I need a reminder, it's that mental pause thing.
  • Blog all about it – obviously.
  • Define myself as "at that age when……I am energetic, fit, healthy and lovin' life! – I may not be there yet but definitely working in the right direction! Step by step, I'm gettin' there.

I've learned a few things along this journey too:

  • Readers have told me that I inspire them with my little successes and determination.
  • I don't need chocolate as much as I thought I did. (At least most of the time)
  • Friendship is not about geography.
  • I can still be a foodie and make healthy, delicious dishes for my family.
  • When I go on a diet, MHS loses weight!
  • I really need to invest in a better, more supportive sports bra if I plan to continue to spin. You want your legs to go at the speed of light but not your uh, well, you know. It's not pretty. Recommendations, anyone?
  • The support and encouragement of friends and family is key to your success. So, friends, care to join me on this quest for fitness? It's more fun with buddies!

15 comments:

Bear Naked said...

Kudos to you on your weight loss.
I'm trying also but am not as brave as you as I have my weight loss ticker posted at the very bottom of the page that nobody visits anyway.
I didn't know that I had a choice to increase my height rather than decrease my weight.

Bear((( )))

Smart Mouth Broad said...

LOL. We can try, right? Mother always said you can lose 5 lbs if you stand up straight.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! That's fantastic!

Anonymous said...

I'm so proud of you! I keep waiting on Jan's weight loss site but I guess that's just an excuse. I even took down my accountability page because it's too damned hard to photo everything I eat, not that it's that much but I never remember to do it. Besides, now that think about it....it's kind of a dumb idea. LOL I wish I could spin with you but since I can't I'll promise to start getting on my eliptical, walking, and eating healthier because I actually think I'm growing shorter. *wink*

Lori said...

Way to go! I have been exercising regularly and you are one of the people that inspired me to get off my ass and quit talking about it and get doing it. When I go to Florida in October for my daughters wedding, she is taking my other daughter and I to a spin class with her...then I will know what you have been talking about...any tips that I need to know?
I have also been eating pretty healthy again and I do feel the difference.

Anyways...happy for you and hope you keep it up!

What a great list

Us4 Cats said...

I need to get back into shape. I was doing it for awhile and felt great. Got off track. Ugh. Congrats on losing 13.

Thanks for visiting my site and commenting on BB.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the weight loss! You are doing awesome!!

As for the sports bra. . . it doesn't exist. Believe me, I've searched high and low over the years, but none of them manage to hold my girls in place. Years ago when I played softball, after almost knocking myself out running around the bases, I resorted to wearing TWO sports bras at a time. It helped. A little.

Keep up the great work! You ARE an inspiration!

qtpie said...

I just think you are a great writer. Move over Erma Bombeck. I'm still waiting for that extra time to start my own blog. I figure instead of bitchin' so much I'll blog, but with 4 boys and a hubby, I don't seem to find the time. I think work would frown upon me bloggin' during their time. But I love reading yours. I've even turned mom and dad onto it! Keep spinning, living and bloggin'. It gives me hope that I'll eventually have some my time myself one of these days. Anyway! You're older than me, so I have couple of years to catch up!

Pseudo said...

Congrats! And I love the way you write. It's taken me a year to lose 10 pounds. I'm almost down to my precancer weight. For some reaon I GAINED 15 punds during treatments. And don't ask me about bras - I'm having my own issues there (http://midlifebloggers.com/?p=330)

Anonymous said...

Cheering you on from the Great White North...but not brave enough to share numbers and such...one of my quirks...

but you have inspired me to try and find a class that's going to push me a little harder again..it's time to step it up a little

Smart Mouth Broad said...

Thank you all for your words of encouragement. Today was MHS's birthday so I just hope that I didn't blow it. LOL. I declined dessert but dinner...........uh oh!
Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

Bookworm said...

You only have to lose 40 (well, 30) lbs.??? I HATE YOU!!

Okay not really. LOL Oh, to "only" have 40 lbs. to lose. **sigh**.

It's all in the perspective, eh? I have significantly more than 40 lbs. to lose, but at least I don't have 200 lbs. to lose.

Good for you and congrats!! :-)

Bear Naked said...

Thanks so much for your comment today for these couples who are truly suffering.
My miniscule little problems seem like nothing when you compare them to someone who is battling leukemia or wives who are trying their best to take care of spouses with COPD or Alzeimers.
I don't know how I could ever handle something like that.
All I can do is offer up my prayers to all who are suffering.

Bear((( )))

Smart Mouth Broad said...

mama-It's all relative. Please don't hate me because I'm a mini marshmallow. LOL

Bear-I am happy to do it. Just PUSH!
P-ray U-ntil S-omething H-appens.

Reader Wil said...

Congrats to you on losing so much weight. I've been trying to do so, but all in vain. I'll give up...sigh...
Thanks for your visit.