Week 5 - The Twist

Yesterday was the Smallest Winner Team-building event...and we found out the big Season 5 twist!!  All week, I was filled with dread.  I thought, for sure, that they would do a trainer switch-a-roo on us.  I told McGyveton almost daily that the Smallest Winners were going to be assigned new trainers.  Some other guesses from the group?  The trainers were going to cook us dinner (haha), or that we were going to a ranch.

We were totally wrong!!


The twist?  Every one of the trainers' workouts are now open to all of the Smallest Winners!!  What a great way to help us through the last 6 weeks of the competition!  I'm looking forward to trying out some of the other groups' workouts.  NOT that I'm spying or anything....I would never do that.

I'm down another 1.4 lbs. this week.  It's disappointing to see a number so small.  I'm not going to lie.  But the number is going down.  That's the key.  I am not gaining weight, I am not maintaining weight.  I am losing weight.  It's a fantastic feeling.  When I think about the past 5 weeks, I realize that I have been able to lose weight, change my eating habits, and become a much more active person...all without "dieting" and torturing myself.  What an amazing, wonderful, life-changing experience this has been so far!!

Lessons learned this week:

1. I have been spelling McGyveton's name wrong.  This cracks me up, because he's never mentioned it!  Sorry about that, McMuffin McGyveton!!
2. I can eat a few bites of "bad" food at a party, and then STOP EATING.  I've never really thought about this before.  I usually eat everything that I want at a party, and then some.  Or, I go the completely torturous route and not eat anything.  This method leaves me feeling bad and deprived.  I realize now that I can take a bite of something and walk the heck away!!
3. Running makes me feel good.  Don't get me wrong, I hate every single step.  But when I'm done with my run?  Wow.  I feel unstoppable!!

In other news, I found out that The King of the Y is sensitive!  Yes, you heard me correctly, people.  He is a sensitive guy!  Not only did he profess his love to me this week, but I saw him shed a tear while listening to some "Marry Me" song.  I think he may be turning a corner, folks.  Stay tuned for further developments...

Week 4 -Sports Cars-R-Us

I've been informed that The King of the Y is anxious for a new blog post. I'd like to think that he can't wait to hear about my progress, or read about my self-discovery...but, well, if you know him, you may know that his quest for fame is stronger than his love for me. ;)

So.....I'm down another 3.2 lbs!! I've now lost 15.6 lbs total. Did you hear that, Smallest Winners!?!? 15.6 lbs!! I hope that you are all having as much personal success as I am (but not more. See previous blog posts for further explanation)

I was sure that there must be someone out there reading this blog. I was hoping that there was someone out there reading it. Alas, someone is!! I have comments!!! I have comments posted to my blog!! I'm so happy that there are comments!! Which brings me to the theme of today's post....

Sports cars.

Someone posted that you can either be a clunker, or a sports car. I've never felt like a sports car...a gleaming, gorgeous, red sports car. I think that I'm ready to be that sports car. I feel like it's my time, you know? I think I'm getting the hang of making good choices and using food for fuel. I'm loving my workouts, and my basketball game is improving (just ask all the high school boys that I beat play with each week)! I'm back into running, and I'm seriously feeling fantastic. Don't get me wrong, I'm not where I want to be...not by a long shot...but I feel like my goals are within reach. My goals are possible! I will enter 2012 more than 1/2 way towards being the little Red Corvette. :)

Vroom, vroooooom!!!

Week 3

I'm down another 2 pounds. Hooray!!

This week, I tried to take a good look at my previous eating habits and my relationship with food. We share meals with family, eat food with friends at parties. Think about it...when you're at a party, the majority of people are in the kitchen. Food is a Main Event.

In the past, food has been a comforting presence...something that I partake in to feel good. When I feel unhappy, I eat. When I feel happy, I eat. When I feel stressed, I eat. I'm sure you can see where this is going.

All those emotions, which I go through on a daily basis, equal a whole lot of extra poundage.

*insert long sigh here*

I need to change my relationship with food.

Food is something to be enjoyed, for sure, but its primary purpose is sustenance. I always seem to forget that part. I'm trying to think about it in an entirely different way. I'm looking at the quality of what I'm eating...what's in it, will it fulfill my body's needs for the day. I analyze what my motivations are. Am I hungry? Am I bored?

I am also re-evaluating my "rewards" system. In the past, while dieting, I've set goals for myself. If you've ever struggled with dieting (who hasn't?), I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. "Once I lose 20 lbs, I will do *insert personal reward here*." My personal reward was always ice cream, something with delicious frosting, chips and dip.

Did you get that, people? My rewards for weight loss were always FOOD!!! Why would I do that? If that's not messed up, I don't know what is! Holy self-sabotage, Batman!!

So, I'm changing that. I'm focusing on that this week. Anyone else out there sympathize?

In other news, there is a man who walks around the Stoughton Y calling himself The King of the Y. Anyone else run into him?

Week 2

Week 2 down, and I'm still going strong.  I have lost another 4.4 lbs, which puts me at -10.4 lbs.  My team is doing a fantastic job.  I'm really proud of all of them.  Mcyveton is a fantastic coach, and I'm thankful that we have him!

Lessons learned this week:

1. I can't leave anything up to chance.  This is what gets me into trouble.  I pack my food for the day every morning.  If I don't do this, or I don't pack enough food, I think about bad food choices.  There is a cafeteria in my hospital...and it sometimes has really delicious-smelling, not-healthy lunches.  I must avoid the cafeteria at all costs.
2. A busy schedule leads to missing meals.  Missing meals leads to extreme hunger.  Extreme hunger leads to eating anything (and possibly everything) in sight.  It's hard to think rationally about one's health and goals when you're starving.  Planning each day the night before is a must.
3. It is difficult to find healthy, interesting dinners that my 6-year old will eat.  She's not the most adventurous eater, and she really lets me know when she hates what I've made.  :)  My mantra with her?  "I promise that I will never cook this again, but you must eat it today." 
4. Diet Coke is the devil.  I'm trying so hard to break up with you, DC, but you always suck me back in!!  Baby steps....baby steps.  Too many drastic changes, all at once, are sure to derail my healthy train.  I will defeat you, DC...it just won't be this week!!
5.  My friends and family (hi, guys!) are an amazing support system!

I've also started the Couch to 5K program this week.  I plop my daughter into the jogging stroller and run around my neighborhood.  It's such an easy and convenient program!  According to the information provided, I will be able to complete a 5K, without walking, in 9 weeks.  I'll keep you updated on my progress!