Do You See What I See?

We're in week 4 of the competition.  How's everyone doing?  Staying focused?  Eating right and exercising?  I hope so!  I want some solid numbers this week in the weight loss department!

A lot of people have been commenting this week about me wanting to lose my last 25 lbs.  I've been getting a lot of comments like, "Where are you going to lose it from?" and "You don't have to lose any more weight!"  I assure them that I can lose 25+ and still look fit and healthy, but it makes me ask the question...do they see what I see?  I know that we can have wildly different perceptions of our own selves compared to what others think of us, but can it really be that different?  Granted, they don't get to see me naked...so they have no idea what my ridiculous midsection looks like (thank the Lord)...but it still perplexes me.  Do people say things like that to be nice, or do they really believe that I am as thin as I should be?  Anyone else have a seemingly different view of their selves than what others see? 

I understand, as I'm typing all of this, that it must sound so silly to wonder about these kinds of things.  I would have killed to have these "problems" a year ago.  But this is my current headspace, and this blog is all about honesty.  So there it is.

In other news, we had our team workout last night.  It was a great workout and everyone worked really hard.  One of my favorite motivational songs came on towards the end of the hour, and I wanted to share the lyrics with you.  They are so true, and so pertinent to our mission for a lifestyle change.

Ali in the Jungle - by The Hours

It's, not, how you start, it's how you finish,
And it's, not, where you're from, it's where you're at,

Everybody gets knocked down,
Everybody gets knocked down,
How quick are you gonna' get up?
How quick are you gonna' get up?
Everybody gets knocked down,
Everybody gets knocked down,
How quick are you gonna' get up?
Just how are you gonna' get up?

Like Ali in the jungle,
Like Nelson in jail,
Like Simpson on the mountain,
With odds like that, they were bound to fail
Like Hannah in the darkness,
Like Adam's in the dark,
Like Ludwig Van, how I loved that man, well the guy went deaf and didn't give a f***, no...

No, no, no

It's, not, where you are, It's where you're going,
Where are you going?
And it's, not, about the things you've done, it's what you're doing, now,
What are you doing, now?

Everybody gets knocked down,
Everybody gets knocked down,
How quick are you gonna' get up?
How quick are you gonna' get up, now?
Everybody gets knocked down,
Everybody gets knocked down,
How quick are you gonna' get up?
Just how are you gonna' get up?

Like Ali in the jungle,
Like Nelson in jail,
Like Simpson on the mountain,
Well with odds like that, they were bound to fail
Like Hannah in the darkness,
Like Adam's in the dark,
Like Ludwig Van, how I loved that man, well the guy went deaf and didn't give a f***, no...

Oooh, ooh, ooh
No, no, no
Oooh, ooh, ooh
No, no, no
Oooh, ooh, ooh

It's the greatest comeback since Lazarus,
The greatest comeback since Lazarus,
It's the greatest comeback since Lazarus,
The greatest comeback since Lazarus,
It's the greatest comeback since Lazarus,
The greatest comeback since Lazarus,
The greatest comeback since Lazarus,
The greatest comeback...
It's the greatest comeback...

(Radio Commentator) This, is the most joyous scene, ever seen in the history of boxing, this is an incredible scene, the place is going wild, Muhammed Ali has won, Muhammed Ali has won, by a knockdown! By a knockdown! The thing they said was impossible, he's done!

Personal Bests and Eating Cake

Pink team in the house!!!  This week the pink team is in first place.  It can change at any moment, so let's keep up the great work!!

I ran another 5K this past weekend.  I was hoping to finish in under 30 minutes.  I've been working on my speed lately, since I am a very slow runner.  I usually run a 10+ minute mile.  Well, I totally did it!  I finished in 29 minutes.  My first mile was 10:01, second was 9:10, and my third was 9:07.  I felt an amazing sense of achievement when I finished.  Of course, I thought I was going to puke...but I felt so proud.  :)  I'm signing up for a 5K at D.W. Fields Park on April 7th.  Who's with me????  Walk or run, we'll feel great that we did it!!

My Grandmother's 85th birthday was last week, and we celebrated on Sunday night.  I ate cake.  I ate cake that I don't even like!!  (I'm a strictly White's Bakery chocolate cake/vanilla frosting girl.)  I ate said cake because it was a birthday party, and it was there.  It just goes to show you that this lifestyle change is a constant battle.  Just when you think you've got it figured out, and you get complacent, you have a weak moment.  To keep it all in perspective, though...I think that we all deserve weak moments sometimes.  It's when it becomes the norm that it's a problem.  I played 2 games of basketball last night (that's ~120 minutes of running around), so I'm pretty sure that I worked off that cake.  :)

I'm working on a post about my daily diet.  I'm busy taking pictures of all of my food (since I eat pretty much the same thing every day) to share with you.  If you have any favorite foods that are packed with nutrients and aren't filled with processed junk, share them in the comments!  I'd love to add some new things to my daily routine!!

Week 1

I know...technically "Week 1" was last week, but it always feels like this week is the first week.  We've gotten over the pain and panic of our first weigh-in (maaaaaybe), and we're settling in for the long haul.  We're figuring out how to deal with our diets and work exercise into our schedules.  We're meeting our trainers and our teams, and having our first team and individual workouts.  I'm sure everyone is feeling super-dedicated and into this whole Smallest Winner experience.


Don't let that change.

Some days will be harder than others.  Make the best choices for you.  Drag yourself to the gym on the days that you don't want to.  Eat the right foods, and avoid the ones that you know are bad.  I promise you...you will be amazed at your results if you stick with it.

You can DO this!!  I can do this!!  Together, we can do this!!!!

I'm always at the gym (I've decided to de-throne the King of the Y and become the Queen of the Y), and you can always reach me through this blog.  I will give you a pep talk if needed, I will yell at you if needed, or I will console you if needed.  I'll show you Fatty McFatterson pictures of me before Smallest Winner, if that's what's needed.  Well...that is, if you promise not to share them.  ;)

We may be on separate teams, but we are all in this together!