Mid-Year Resolution Challenge

[Effie]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge

Cleo - I will tackle that homework assignment. I'll report back in a few days when I've cracked my subconscious.

Now for the good news: I ran my 5K today in just under 34:00, taking almost 4 minutes off my time from Monday's race! I thought it would take me weeks to shave that much time off, not days. The race was tiny, only about 40 people, and I was dead last from the starting line. I did pass two people by the time the race was over, so that definitely motivated me. I'm already looking forward to the next race

[cleochatra]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge

Effie-- congratulations on your finish in the 5k! I hear running in those races is addicting. Can you explain more what it's like? I'd love to hear more about it! All I did at the last 5k I attended was help sign people in and take finish times! LOL

{{{Effie}}} It's danged tough cracking the tough nut of the psyche. Free flow thoughts on paper or in a journal work REALLY well. Don't edit, rethink or anything. Just go with it. I'm always amazed how complicated things are, but how simple they are too.

Again, congratulations on such a good finish in the 4k!

[Elsie150]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge

I would like to join too please. I will admit that some of the goals some of you have set are very intimidating to me! I would like to be in Onederland by NYE. I will post my weight once a week..on Monday.
I am not sure which way you are counting the start weights. The actual starting weight of my journey 237/222/199/23 pounds to go
or my weight at the time I join this challenge 222/222/199/23 pounds to go.
Thanks so much!

[cleochatra]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge

Elsie-- good on you for shooting high! If you shoot for the moon, you only get Toledo. Shoot for the stars, and you'll get at least to the moon! Welcome to the challenge!

cleochatra 259/238/199/ 39 pounds to go until New Years!
shashee 192/ 192/ 169/ 23 pounds to go until New Years!
wannabthintoo 212/205/160 45 pounds to go until New Years!
rybread 155.5/ 155/ 145/ 10 pounds to go until New Years!
iwillbethin 167/ 165/ 135/ 30 pounds to go until New Years!
lots2lose 209/209/160/40 pounds to goal until New Years!
sharon62 189/189/170/19 pounds to go until New Years!
chixrule 55 pounds to lose/53 pounds/ 53 pounds to go until New Years!
effie 191/189 /169 /20 pounds until New Years!
ztachick 201/200/155/45 pounds to go until New Years!
NewMein2005 51 pounds / 48.5/ 48.5 pounds to go until New Years!
kkat55 266/265/220/ 45 pounds to go until New Years!
msgrand 160/151/130/ 21 pounds to go until New Years!
cruisergal 208 /202.5/165/ 37.5 pounds to go until New Years!
chrisnap 196/196/160/ 36 pounds to go until New Years!
womanpraised 266/274/210/64 pounds to go until New Years!
Zarabelle 40 pounds to lose/40/ 40 pounds to go until New Year's!
ajakol 199/197/167/ 30 pounds to go until New Year's!
LisaM 213/213/195/ 18 pounds to go until New Year's!
Splandrea 233/230.5/ 199/ 31.5 pounds to go until New Year's!
dynaglider 237/ 237/215/ 22 pounds to go until New Year's!
twg 213/212.5/ 183/ 29.5 pounds to go until New Year's!
jsj0305 188.6/171.7/ 120/ 51.7 pounds to go until New Year's!
jaria 240/234/199/ 35 pounds to go until New Year's!
Mishi 231/231/ 199/ 32 pounds to go until New Year's!
Elsie150 237/222/199/23 pounds to go until New Year's!

[Elsie150]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge

Thanks Cleo! LOL! I will admit for some reason I am a little freaked out now that I have set a goal with a date attached. I mean, it's doable...about 1.3 pounds a week. But for some reason...I am feeling a little panicy inside...WEIRD!

[Effie]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge

Effie-- congratulations on your finish in the 5k! I hear running in those races is addicting. Can you explain more what it's like? I'd love to hear more about it!

I've been running road races since I was 12 years old. Not consistently, mind you, otherwise I probably wouldn't be here on ADBB with 50+ pounds to lose. My dad has always been a runner, and I remember going to road races with him, just to watch. The best part of going to the road races was all the free food at the end (and this is the reason I'm here on ADBB with 50+ pounds to lose). The big road races usually had a fun run or a shorter run/walk race, so I'd go with my dad and I'd do 2 miles and he'd do 5, or I'd do a 5K and he'd do a 10K. I even won a trophy once for being the fastest girl in the "under 18" category! (I think I beat one other girl, so big whoop, but at the time, it really did feel like a big deal!)

Cleo, you volunteered at a 5K, so you probably know what the atmosphere is like. Everyone is so supportive, and even though it's technically a competition, I think everyone runs to beat their own best time. It's just such a HEALTHY crowd, and there are all ages and all body types there. Some races even have a special category for heavy runners. Women over 150 pounds are considered "fillies" and men over 180 are "clydesdales". My dad and a group of his friends started a running group called the "Beer Chasers", and they would sign up for road races that offered free beer at the finish. This tradition started in the 80's and is still going on today. They're not out there to win, they're out there for some exercise, the comraderie, and of course, the beer at the end. I didn't get inducted into the Beer Chasers running club until I had signed up for and trained for my first marathon!

I think what's addicting about these races is that you want to improve upon your time, or go farther than you've ever gone before. It's a rush. There's something to be said for organized races too. Sure, I could go out and run 5 miles, but without the crowd cheering me on, and without an official number pinned to my chest, it just doesn't seem like as much of an acheivement. I'm sure others will disagree with me on this and say that they don't need external motivation, but damnit, I do! If you've ever sprinted your heart out with the finish line in sight, and hearing total strangers cheer for you and tell you you're doing great, then you know why a road race is so much more exhilarating than doing 5 miles with no one paying attention. So, I guess that's why it's addicting. It's the attention, I guess. It's the public fanfare. It's the fact that what you've done is documented in the records, and you've got the t-shirt to prove it.

My goal is to get my 5K time under 32:00, then under 30:00. Once it's under 30:00, I'm going to start running 5 milers or 10K's. As I mentioned, I used to run road races more often than I do now. I'm just starting to get back into it. I didn't realize this when I was on the couch stuffing my face with sour patch kids, but I really do miss it. I love getting up on race day and doing my pre-race rituals. I love getting to the race and watching all the different types of runners prepare for the run. I love knowing that a month ago, I couldn't have gone this far this fast. I love the high I have for the rest of day knowing that I ran a great race that morning. I love looking at the race calendar and seeing that I have 3 more weeks until the next 5K, and wondering if this will be the race that I run in under 32:00.

Hopefully that answers your question.

[womanpraised]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge

I am here, I am here. Having a hard time squeezing ni on the computer. My numbers are backways.. I should be 274/266/210. THough I am wondering if I am giong to make that 210.


HOnestly... I am eating like crap today. I had half a sandwich at lunch, and it has been downhill from there. Candy, cafe mocha... it has been a cheat day for me. After SUCH a good week, this is a real bummer. For such a horrible week emotionally, I did great.

It stops now. SIGH.

On an up note, my exercise has been great this week. And it is nice and cool outside so I am going to run around the park while the kids play on the equipment. THen I may go again after the kids are in bed, as punishment for all the crap I ate today.

As of now, I have to lose 3.47 lbs a week to meet goal.

I did have something very cool happen today, which I will log in my journal later.

[jsj0305]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge

I can't believe this!! Today I got on the scale and..DADAAAA.169.4!!! This is so awesome! I can't believe I've been doing this wol for only 4 days and I've lost 9.2 pounds! Please excuse me while I do my happy dance!! 9.2 pounds, that's better than the first time around! But lemme tell you, I'm never gonna know how much I'd gonna lose the 3rd time around!! This is it!! I'm finished with not having control of my life. I'm GOING to do this..and finish this time..and I'm going to do so by midnight of december 31,2005!!!!! Who's with me??

On a more personal note, I just want to tell you all... I just kinda lingered around the forums around after I fell off the wagon in july. Although I havn't spoken directly to you guys, you are all beautiful people. You are all amazing. Your supportive and beautiful words have TRULY inspired me.Thanks for all being so supportive of eachother. It's really refreshing to know that people care about other people's happiness!! Thanks for being my safe place and my rock and my strength and my support!! I love you guys!

[Elsie150]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge

Just to let you know....111 days or 15 weeks and 3 days to New year's eve. Just thought you would all want to know that..

[Lisa M]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge

Effie~great job on the 5k! That's awesome. I can only hope to walk fast in my living room without getting 2 black eyes! Baahhaaa!

WP~((hugs)) hang in there, doll. I know sometimes it's hard, things just get out of hand, but we've got to remember to plan ahead and keep looking at our goals.

Elsie~I dunno whether to thank you or be scared to know that the end of the year is almost here! lol!

Jsj0~ COngrats on the loss! That's awesome!

Looks like a bunch of losers on the prowl!

Hey, Cleo~ Yea on the exercise! Hang tough, Baby!

[cleochatra]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge

Elsie-- Panic works if it gets you on the exercise kick and keeps you motivated! Just NEVER say to yourself "It's October and I'm not even where I want to be so I give up."

Our goal is to see how close to goal we can get. Whether we surpass our goals or whether we hit our goals, we are going to give this our all, because we are going to be the happiest us-es on New Year's Eve! We deserve that for ourselves! You deserve it, too!

So, don't be like me and overanalyze. Don't be like me and act the perfectionist-- just go for it! Go for it!

Effie! WOW!!! You gave me goosebumps! I loved reading about your experiences! You have such skill with the language. You need to write a book. I'm lol-ing about 'beer chaseers', and I totally agree that the support at those events is so wonderful! It doesn't matter what shape, size or age a person is. As far as the support group goes, everyone is Lance Armstrong when they come across that finish line! I can't wait to follow your progress as you get back in full swing! You make me want to get out there and run, too.

{{{womanpraised}}} I am so proud of you for your honesty! Listen, girl. If you FEEL you've set your goals too high, I can change your numbers. What motivates you more?

I am not going to lecture you, but exercise is never punishment. It's a reward we give to our bodies. Our bodies crave the exercise. It's our minds which have come to not want to do it. *lol* What made you break your success yesterday? Why don't you want to succeed? Is it the high goal you've set for New Year's? Are you a perfectionist like me, with an all-or-nothing mindset? Do you say, "eh, what's the point? I won't make goal?" I want to know why you don't think you're worth losing this weight. On New Year's, I want to see your cute little outfit, girl. I mean it.

jsj!!! Woohootie, girl! *doing the celebratory cabbage patch* I am so proud of you!!! Now listen-- you have GOT to stick with this way of eating at all costs! With those kind of results so far, you really stand to lose all the weight, due to your high metabolism. If EVER you feel like you might screw up, come here first. Don't blow your success! I want you to succeed and hit your goal on New Year's!

Elsie-- I don't know if the number of days left motivates me even more or scares the holy crap out of me!

What say you, ladies? Does the number of days left motivate you or scare you?

What can I/we do to help keep you going?

Listen, I want you all to hit your goals probably more than you do. I believe in you so much that I'm willing to do what I can to see you hit those goals.

If you want me to bust your butt, let me know. If you need encouragement and a hug, let me know. If you want introspective homework which helps us delve into our psyches, let mke know, because they do make a difference.

I want this for you: to see that on New Year's Eve, when that ball drops in Times Square, that you have a huge grin on your face and a song in your hearts, less fat on those hips and a smile on those lips.

You can do this.

[cleochatra]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge

{{{lisa}}} You are looking Paris Hilton hottttt girl!

[jsj0305]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge

okay..just checking in. 168.4 today! That's 10.2 pounds lost so far. Does anyone think that is too much? I can't help it. I eat my veggies and everything!! I hope you guys can help...bye for now.

[womanpraised]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge

I decided to answer these questions.

1) What led you to cheat? Cant think of one thing... It was a great week, eating and weight wise for me, exercise, too. It was emotionally stressful, but unless I stored it, I had dealt with it all fine.

2) Did the food solve the problem? NO, it created the problem.

3) What are some strategies I can adopt for the next time something like that happens? THis requires more thought. I dont know exactly why I fell, so I am not sure what not to do. THe first thing was the unconcious taking a bite of E's sandwhich. It was downhill from there.


And then these were mine....
I am not going to lecture you, but exercise is never punishment. It's a reward we give to our bodies. Our bodies crave the exercise. This is true. I havent been able to do any this weekend, and it is the same feeling I get when I've got the fabric and the design mapped out and the everything ready for my newest quilt, and sit down to do it and there is no thread. It is pull out my nails frustrating. It's our minds which have come to not want to do it. *lol* What made you break your success yesterday? HOnestly do not know. That is what is so frustrating. Why don't you want to succeed? I want to, and then, there is a part of me that says that everything else in life is wrong, why should this be right? I want to be healthy, and superficially, be thin and pretty. I want my ex to drool, and to walk confidently through my day. ANd yet, I cant seem to do anything else right, so why this? I dont really believe that, but it is the only thought that comes. Is it the high goal you've set for New Year's? Maybe... but that is a really motivating goal. I WANT to hit that goal. Are you a perfectionist like me, with an all-or-nothing mindset? Absolutely,, I really am sometimes. But usually, I amke absolutely sure I hit that all. Do you say, "eh, what's the point? I won't make goal?" Not conciously. I want to know why you don't think you're worth losing this weight. Me too... failed life plan, failed family, etc... I am starting to think that I DONT think I am worth it. I may not be. But life isnt about me, and tehre are higher reasons and calls to be healthy. I do know, have come to this week, that it is a self worth issue. A self harm issue. IT's what I am working through. On New Year's, I want to see your cute little outfit, girl. I mean it. HMMMM//// It would prolly just be my jamas... but i guess...

[Elsie150]

Re: Mid-Year Resolution Challenge

(((CLEO))) Just gotta hug you for all the support and motivation you are giving to us all here!! You ROCK!