Happy Anniversary- Surf's up!



        It's been just over a year since I started my blog, which means it's time to reflect on the goals I set for myself when I started. So, let's review.......

1- Putting my journey out there into the blogosphere so I will hold myself more accountable for my actions [Thanks to those who read it]--->CHECK (even though I've been lax about it the last few months which is a whole other story)

2-Change my eating habits and lose weight--->CHECK (Joined WW-down 30 lbs and still going)

3-Surf Camp 2013--->CHECK (done and done!)
         Ok, so I may not be ready to hang ten on the North Shore, but I can officially say I've been surfing. For two days, the Bestie and I donned wetsuits (which I've nicknamed "Satan's Pantyhose") and rash guards, grabbed boards, and hit the waves. Or perhaps the waves hit us may be a more accurate description. Bottom line....It was H.A.R.D and F.U.N!We had a fantastic time and I can't wait to try to enhance my skills on next summer's trip to San Diego(despite the bruises and sore muscles).

         As much as I'm THRILLED to have accomplished my year-long goal, it leaves me with a bit of "What's next?" emptiness. I know I haven't seen the number on the scale I want to see yet and am not in the physical shape I want to be in. But, I can't seem to think of what my next "big carrot" will be. With the new school year beginning soon, my brain will be fried for a few weeks. Hopefully, once I get settled in with my new bunch of kiddos, I will be able to come up with the next leg of my life journey.

Surf Divas 2013- La Jolla, CA

Revelation or just magic?

The weight loss plateau I hit last month seriously impacted my blogging inspiration for the past several weeks.But, a few things have happened to get me back in the game.....

First, I completed a 5k race! It was so fun! Ok, so the actual act of running wasn't a ball of laughs, but I did it. The fun came in the form of colored cornstarch being blasted at me through 5 color stations on the racecourse. Color Me Rad indeed! My clothing and running shoes (old ones) will never be the same, but I can't wait to do this race again.

Second, I had a bit of a revelation. Or, at least I think it's a revelation. I'm still in the testing phase. But, if it's not one, than Hogwarts has nothing on Weight Watchers magic. I've been very frustrated with my lack of weight loss the past month. So when Spring Break rolled around I said, "Screw it! I'm not going to be a crazy point watcher this week. Whatever happens, happens." Sooooo, I proceeded to go out to eat four days that week, one of which was to eat barbecue. [side note for non-southerners: Barbecue is a noun in the south, not a verb. It entails eating pulled-pork, fried chicken, chicken gravy & rice, macaroni & cheese, banana pudding.....you get the idea. Not exactly Lean Cuisine.] When I walked into weigh-in that next Saturday morning, I was ready for a higher number. Instead, what I got was a 2.2 pound drop! Um, WTH? That couldn't possibly be correct. I even asked the scale lady to double check. But, there it was again....a LOSS! Immediately my mind went to finding a publisher for my "Lose Weight By Eating Barbecue" memoir. But, once I got over the initial euphoria of the plateau being shattered, I started to analyze. I must have done something else out of the ordinary this week to help my process. And, then it hit me. Spring Break means no 5:30AM alarm. In fact, it means no alarm at all. 7 straight days of sleeping freedom. I went from 5 to 6 hours of sleep each night to 8 to 10 hours each night. Could it be that the amount of sleep you get correlates to amount of weight you lose? I was intrigued.

Unfortunately, the next week, I was unable to test my theory. Not only was I back to work, but family drama reared it's head again and doubled my stress level.  Sleepless nights ensued and I felt constantly hungry all week. Needless to say, even with watching my points I gained 1/2 a pound. Hmph! Back to my theory I go. Could my brain be confusing being hungry with being tired? Time for research. The next week I made sure I was in bed asleep by 9:30 at the latest each night giving me a full 8-10 hours of sleep nightly. I stayed within my weekly point range (NO barbecue or meals eaten out). And sure enough, I was pleasantly surprised at weigh-in. Another 3.2 pounds lost! Now, I know my "research" is not worthy of publication by the American Medical Association, but I think I am on to something. Otherwise, there's some kind of Weight Watchers Fairies that take pity on plateau-ers and grant them a bit of weight loss magic from time to time to keep them from totally falling off the wagon. Either way, the scale keeps dropping so I'm happy.

Onward and downward. 30 pounds lost and I'm not done yet!

Catch a wave & I'm sittin' on top of the world.

*insert SQUEEEE here*

I’m officially on my way to becoming a Surf Diva! Or, at least a Surf Diva padawan. Yesterday, the Bestie and I began our Cali 2013 planning. First order of business….registering for surfing clinic. Who needs sleeping in and being lazy on vacation when you can get up early, don a wetsuit & rashie, and hit the waves in beautiful La Jolla, CA. Well, at least *attempt* to hit the waves. The actual result remains to be seen this summer.

peace, love, & hangin' ten~

 

PS-17 days until I run my first official 5K! Now, if only I could get past this weight loss plateau I’ve hit......

Who is this person?

In the past, a happy Saturday for me would entail sleeping until noon and laying around watching TV (especially during college football season) or reading all day. But, today's Saturday happiness came in the form of a successful weigh-in and a race registration. It begs the question, who is this person I've become and has the unmotivated slug of the past gone away for good?

I'm pleased to report that my diet commitment continues to pay healthy dividends. I have surpassed the 25 pounds lost mark! There's still a ways to go until I reach my goal, but I've finally settled into a routine that's working for me and I have faith the rest of the pounds will fall. In addition, to help with this process, I've added something new into the mix....running.

Which brings me to the second good news point of today. I registered for my first race! I don't have any aspirations of becoming a marathoner, but a 5k should be doable. Of course, I think I'm a bit too A.D.D for a traditional run. So, I registered for a Color Me Rad race. I mean, running alone doesn't sound like much fun. But, running while someone sets off corn starch color bombs at you? Fun! Not to mention it's good training for the zombie apocalypse as well :)

 

www.colormerad.com



No resolutions, just goals.

I have a lengthy track record of being an epic failure with New Year's resolutions. So, I basically gave up making them. Recently a twitter friend of mine tweeted the 4 words in this title (thanks Eileen!) and it struck a chord with me. Resolutions may be futile, but goals? Goals are attainable. After all, according to the scales this morning, I have successfully undone the damage from the diet deviation season (aka Christmas & New Years) and am beyond halfway to my weight loss goal. Of course, I can't take all the credit for this. The stomach flu does have it's advantages when it comes to scale numbers ;)

So, for 2013?.....Staying the course! Keeping my original plan in place. I have the Bestie as a co-pilot on this journey. If we continue using our Wonder Twin powers for good (as well as actually use our gym memberships), surf camp readiness WILL be achieved.

Christmas cookie apocalypse prevention.

 

It's official! After 9 weeks, my medical hiatus from exercising is over. As soon as our weekly weigh-in was complete this morning, The Bestie and I hit the gym [sidebar: I only gained .4 lbs during Thanksgiving week, which I'm okay with considering how much food I consumed]. Despite my nervousness, I did 20 minutes on the elliptical. I know that's not very much, but the important part is that it was completely pain free and way more than I've been allowed to do in the last two months. What was even more surprising is I realized how much I missed working out. I'm hoping that is a good sign for my future. I've been successful on my weight loss journey so far, but I'm excited to see how things go now that I can get into a workout routine. Afterall, I'll need all the help I can get to avoid tacking on the pounds during the Christmas goodies invasion.

Now, if only my Saturday could end as great as it started. Fingers crossed for a Gamecock win tonight!

Saboteur.

It was bound to happen. Seven straight weeks of using my Wonder Twin powers for good. Unfortunately, that all changed this week.  My kryptonite? Indian food....and chinese food....and tailgating food....and pub food....and a cupcaking. Hey, what can I say? Guess I don't believe in doing anything half-assed and that includes sabotaging my diet. Go big or go home! Annnnnnd that's exactly what my scale number did :(

No worries. I'm back on track, working the program, and ready to undo the damage done this week. Splurge eating myself into hork mode, is sooooo not worth it. At least now I have increased fortitude to face the impending holiday season.