Friday, December 31, 2010

Recap

One more thing to recap, the weight loss challenge between H2B and myself. Beginning back on September 7th (after we got back from our vacation) and ending today, the person with the highest percentage loss wins. Well H2B and I have both been gaining and losing the same 7 pounds, so it was a toss up if anyone would actually win...

Wouldn't you know, I WON! with a loss of 0.4 pounds. Trust me I am thrilled, this is the encouragement boost I needed.

So H2B will be treating to a weekend away. First, it was to Boston, but since H2B's best friend (and Best Man) and his wife live near Providence, RI, I thought it would be great to get a hotel down there, and get to spend some time with them. H2B said that was fine with him, I am so thrilled! Ya-hoo!! Mini-Vacation for this chica! So excited.

And now that challenge is over, another couple has issued a challenge. Only this time it's girls against boys, losing gender treats the winning gender to a day of their choosing. The girls, we want a spa day... the boys, want to go play paintball (I'm sure we'd have to do something else too, since a spa day is a lot of money and I am sure paintball isn't really equal). This challenge will be the same, highest weight loss percentage. And will go for 3 months from 1/1/11 to 4/1/11. I'm energized for this new challenge coming off a fantastic win.

All in all these little challenges are great motivators for me. And in the end, it only benefits everyone who is participating. Because at the very least, it makes us more aware of what we are doing to our bodies.

Day Zero Quarterly Update

Every quarter I update the progress of my current Day Zero project list (101 things in a 1001 days).

For the original post, click here. For the last update, click here. 

Current List: 

Starting Date: Friday January 1st, 2010 Ending Date: Friday September 28th, 2012

1) Spend a rainy day watching films in my PJ's
2) Try two new cookie recipes this Christmas
3) Attend the midnight premiere of a movie
4) Get married (got engaged! This will be completed in October 2011)
5) Go skydiving.
6) Learn to knit
7) Organize my closet
8) lose 15 pounds
9) Go on a cruise
10) Go whitewater rafting
11) buy a house
12) See a Broadway show
13) spend a day at the spa
14) Lose 5 pounds
15) Own an iPhone
16) Try a new (and possibly frightening) food
17) Watch two movies at a cinema in the same day.
18) Influence a person to make a day zero list
19) go fly a kite
20) Pay off at least one credit card
21) Have a housewarming party
22) Floss every night for a month
23) Tie a note to a balloon and let it go
24) Go sledding
25) Lose 10 Pounds
26) start a family
27) help a stranger
28) Have a sleepover party
29) Have a friend choose a complete outfit for me
30) Play a new board game
31) Travel by train (Did the Conway Scenic Railway Trip, but I'd like to do another)
32) Make homemade bread
33) Go to a casino
34) Take at least 5 photos a day for a month
35) Eliminate non-fitting clothing from my wardrobe
36) Save $5000
37) Read 100 books (1/100)
38) Compose a new list of 101 things to do in 1001 days
39) For every task I do not complete, donate $1 to charity
40) Put aside $5 for every completed task
41) Go to a Patriots game
42) Drink nothing but water for 2 weeks
43) Watch the sunrise at the beach
44) Host a giveaway on my blog
45) Organize photos and get and stay caught up with my scrapbooking
46) Climb Mount Washington
47) Attend a hot yoga class
48) Do 100 situps for a month (0/30)
49) Ask for someone else's advice and take it
50) Give a stranger a compliment
51) Write down something positive about myself for 30 days straight
52) Have “date night” one night of the week for 1 month (4/4)
53) Work out faithfully 3x a week for 2 months
54) Take a trip to Las Vegas
55) No swearing for a day x12 (0/12)
56) Play a game of 18-hole golf 
57) Put change in someone’s expired parking meter
58) Take the Cat ferry to Canada
59) Have a weekend getaway for SO and I
60) Start our own Christmas tradition
61) Get my HAM radio license
62) Participate in a 5K (run/walk)
63) Make my own candles
64) Climb Cadillac Mountain
65) Learn at least 50 ASL signs
66) Go one weekend "Unplugged" no phone/Internet
67) Send/Give 100 cards “just because.” (9/100)
68) Leave SO a love note/note of encouragement/surprise email 1x a week for 2 months
69) Complete 3 – 1500 piece or more jigsaw puzzles (0/3)
70) Visit 5 new states not previously in (driving through doesn't count) (1/5) - NJ
71) Participate in a 10K (run/walk)
72) help a friend in need
73) take a class (work related)
74) Have one day off per week for 1 month
75) Make SO breakfast in bed
76) Bring coffee in for the boys at work
77) hang pictures/art on walls
78) Buy flowers/edible arraignments for someone.
79) Be able to buy clothing in the regular women's section
80) Invest my money better
81) borrow books from the library; instead of buying them 
82) get a makeover to include makeup!
83) Try a new recipe once a week for 1 month
84) Call one cousin per week until all Bridle Cousins have been spoken to (Kenny / Bill)
85) Host a girls night at my house 
86) Host a couple's night
87) Prepare my will
88) Take a pole dancing class
89) Travel to Nantucket / Martha's Vineyard
90) Visit my grandmother at least once a month for a year (9/12)
91) plan a couples camping trip
92) Play Bingo with friends
93) Host a transit party.
94) See an old friend once per month for one year (5/12)
95) See Rocky Horror at midnight showing
96) Go and shoot a gun at a firing range
97) To get a physical each year (Done for 2010)
98) To see a UNH/UMaine Hockey Game
99) To kiss the Cat at UNH
100) To go to a Red Sox / Yankees game
101) To complete this list in less than 1001 days


So 19 tasks "completed" with another 9 "In Progress". I have to say starting this list a year ago, I thought I would have had many more tasks completed. But at least I am making progress. Another $20 to be added to my Day Zero savings. 

Goodbye 2010..Hello 2011

So (like everyone else) I thought I'd quickly recap the year. I am no longer doing New Year's Resolutions, rather remaining focused on completing all the tasks on my 101 things in a 1001 days list. Which I started one year ago. I'll also be doing my quarterly update on my progress on the list.

2010, will always be the year that I remember as making a conscious choice in changing my ways, and dive into the world of healthy living. Even though I started Weight Watchers in 2009, I didn't really get serious until 2010.

Even though I've struggled with my weight loss, my desire is still there, I am committed to this life long journey.

In 2010, Ben asked me to marry him, spend forever with him, as his wife. I couldn't be more thrilled. 2011, will be known as the year of dramatic changes, not only will I be getting married in the Fall, but I am hoping that there will be dramatic changes within my own body/health .

In late fall, I won a horse in a raffle, he's a great baby, but with all those dramatic changes, I won't be able to keep him, just too darn expensive. However, I am looking for a great home for him, someone who will be able to put him to work and he can live happy and healthy. This is my first experience owning my own horse, even though I've been horse crazy my whole life, it's been a real experience, and for that I am thankful for.

I've got some wonderful friends IRL but also in bloggy land. I am hopeful that I will be able to meet some of my bloggy friends IRL soon.

Al from One Day at a Time was tweeting and did a blog post about Strong for 23 in 2011. Which basically means for the month of January, working out 23 times in the course of the month. I am all in. I am printing off a calender and scheduling my time in now. Time to make me a priority.

So as the clock winds down and 2010 draws to a close, I am grateful for another year to experience life, and living to the fullest. And I can't wait for the next adventure of 2011 to begin.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

The Extra Step

Today, I got a little surprise in my mailbox today, I got a handwritten note from a PR company that I worked with to do a product review. This really spoke to me. I really appreciated the extra step that this PR company took in writing me a note expressing the product company's pleasure in my review as well as their appreciation of it.

It's the little things that make me smile and make me feel like this little blogger is making her mark in the world.

Keep it up PR companies!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Cabin Fever!

Even as I write this the wind is still blowing hard out there, the snow has stopped, but the wind is still whipping the snow around. I've been snowed in at work, I got to work at 5:30 pm on Sunday night and I'll be leaving tomorrow morning at 7:30 am. Yes, if you count that, it's 38 hours straight at work. In a small 7 foot wide by 15 foot wide office. A girl could get cabin fever very quickly! My only break, my 10 minute shower this morning that was cut short by an incoming emergency call. *sigh*

I don't mind working, in fact, it was nice to know that I didn't have to drive out there in the stuff, I'd rather be able to hunker down and ride out a storm in one place, so for me, its ok that I work more, better off here than on the road!

If you follow me on twitter (which you should if you don't already) I was using twitter to keep myself amused and entertained. I also tweeted that for breakfast, I had eaten cheese curls... not the best choice at all. It's gone down hill since then. Being stuck here, not being able to do anything really hinders me, and then the self-loathing kicks in, and I just eat out of boredom.

In the past, I would have just said, screw it and let the rest of the week get away from me. But you know what, tomorrow is a new day, and a new week (for Weight Watchers) I am going to track my food again. I have the next 3 days off, no matter what, I will exercise each of those 3 days, for at least half an hour.

H2B got me EA Sports Active 2 for the Wii, so I am excited to try that out. As well as my dad got new ear buds for his iPod and specifically looked at me and said, now we can go to the gym together and work out. So I've got some plans and motivation.

In other news, I am slowly going through some things and weeding things out, selling stuff on craigslist or ebay and donating other things, not sure what's gotten into me, but hey, I will take inspiration from anywhere I can get it. Maybe I've been watching too much Hoarders lately.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

What?!?! An update?

I know, I am such a bad blogger... I'm sorry my lovely blog readers, I've been so busy with Toy Bank this year. We've helped about 80 families (just in my town), that's a lot of kids and a lot to coordinate. This is also Hampton's 30th year of doing Toy Bank, crazy to think that my dad started this 30 years ago and now I am the one in charge. Thankfully things are winding down, and with 2 days till Christmas, I can finally finish up my own Christmas shopping and wrapping. And get ready to celebrate with my family.

Oh wait, I am celebrating tomorrow (Christmas Eve) with my family. The reason for that is I am working a 24 hour shift on Christmas Day. So please be thinking about me when you are celebrating with your friends and family. I am excited to get to spend some family time, but my parents are not as enthusiastic about celebrating. I practically had to beg them to put a tree up. I think part of the reason is that we won't be celebrating on Christmas Day (but my dad was in the fire service, and I grew up around planning holidays at different times). I think a larger reason is that my brother is down in North Carolina and won't be coming home this year. He's in school down there, it's an intensive program, and they don't get any time off for the holidays. I can't wait till the day that both he and his wife come back north and closer to us, so that we all can be together and celebrate. Also I think that now we are older, Christmas doesn't hold the same excitement. I am sure things will change in the next couple of years as both my brother and his wife plan on starting a family and so do Ben and I. Grandkids galore! I am sure.

I am thrilled that I will be getting to spend some time with my family over the Christmas holiday. I am looking forward to it. I am also looking forward to using the massage gift card that H2B got me for our 3 year anniversary gift, I think that would be so nice!

H2B has also taken over wedding planning. It's been great! I feel like it's a role reversal, in that I haven't had much in the way of looking for things, he's been taking care of it all. But he's getting things done and deserves a whole lot of credit!

Weight wise, things have been screwy. I am not able to make a weigh in this week, I think last night was the most time I've spent in my place (awake) in about 2 weeks, all 5 hours of it. I've been living in my car, driving there and everywhere else for Toy Bank. My last weigh in I was down to 300.0 (at Weight Watchers) I did manage to step on my home scale at 303 on Sunday, but now today, I stepped on at 299.6, so who knows, it's just gone crazy. As I said on twitter the other day, I don't like making excuses or start dates, but I am really looking forward to the new year and a new start. I didn't lie when I said one of my end of year goals was to survive Toy Bank, it's a crazy hectic time in my life.

In other random news, I may have a buyer for my "baby" he's growing so big and still so handsome. I hate the idea of selling him (trying not to get attached) but really it's not feasible for me to keep him, a) I have very little experience with training babies and b) resources are tight normally, paying for a horse would just not work for me. The lady that is interested in him lives on the other side of the state and is very interested in Morgan showing. So he'd be put to work doing what he was bred to do. Which would make me happy. She's also agreed to include in the agreement that if at any point in the future she wants to sell him, that I have first right of refusal, which means should my situation change in the future, and he comes up for sale, she would have to offer him to me first.

Well Merry Christmas! I hope you are able to spend some time resting and relaxing. And enjoying some time with friends and/or family. I hope that Santa brings you everything you want and more.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Christmas Wish List

During this time of Toy Bank, I get to play one of Santa's elves and help less fortunate families have a Christmas morning. There is nothing more fulfilling in life, than helping my fellow "man". My father started this program 30 years ago, I've basically been helping out since I was born. However, now with my father retired from the fire service, I've now taken over in his place. He still helps me out, it's funny to see how the roles change as time goes on.

Anyway, seeing all the children's request got me thinking about what I'd like for Christmas. And since I've got a rare moment free, I thought I would share with you all.

1) Self-hosted blog. To be free from the .blogspot! However, I have a sneaky suspicion that H2B is working on that one for me!

2) To find a sponsor for FitBloggin' 11. I'd really like to go, but with planning a wedding, funding is tight right now.

3) I'd like to become a better writer and have better content. I started this blog just as my online diary (remember livejournal?) and now it's turned into my little slice of a bigger online community. Where we all communicate and interact with one another. It's simply amazing (Remember #AMerryWorkoutPledge?). Why not get the Guide to Creating a Better Health Blog from Mary of A Merry Life. Click here to view more details about her e-book. She's incredibly talented and spells it out for us to understand.

4) To meet some of my bloggie friends in real life! Another reason to go to FitBloggin' many of you will be there!

5) A heart rate monitor would be fantastic. I've been drooling over a few models on the Polar website, especially the FT60 it's so pretty and functional.

6) Most of all, I'd like to be more patient. I can never seem to be patient enough. I am particularly hardest on myself. I need to learn to be more patient and to cut myself a little slack. Work hard, but you've also only got one life, so don't forget to live it!

Progress...

This journey is just that, a journey. And sometimes I need to remind myself that. Back in September, H2B and I started another friendly weight loss challenge between the two of us. Again, it was the highest percentage loss. Loser treats the winner to a weekend getaway to Boston.

Now, you may or may not remember that the last weight loss challenge we had, I lost. We ended up going golfing and taking a dinner train. Now granted, it was a nice day together, but I didn't like paying for it.

And now I really don't want to pay for a trip to Boston.

Trouble is... the contest ends on January 1. I am currently 3 pounds HEAVIER than my September starting weight.... this poses a big problem for me. I've got 3 weeks to turn it around to a loss.

H2B says that he's down roughly 3 pounds from his September starting weight. He's been up just as much as I've been. But now that it's getting close, things are getting serious.

Now it's not lost on me, that the reason we do these little weight loss challenges is to keep each other motivated to continue to lose weight. Not that's it's been keeping me focused, obviously since I've gained weight. However, this challenge coupled with the new Weight Watchers PointsPlus program has renewed my love for Weight Watchers, it works.

I've tracked my food for the last 3 days (since Wednesday) and I plan on continuing. H2B celebrated our last "Dating Anniversary" yesterday. We've been together for 3 years! Who would have thought where my life would be now if I hadn't met the random person online for coffee. We went out for a late dinner at Olive Garden, and when I went to enter my food into my tracker, wow. That is all I can say. I wondered why their salad wasn't even included in their "health options". But more importantly, I tracked it all. In the past I would have just justified it as a celebration and wouldn't have cared. But not this time, I tracked it all. Progress...

Even if I "loose" this challenge between H2B and myself, I still am going to feel like I won, I feel like I am back on track with the new Weight Watchers and I am hoping I can sustain the high a little longer this time. Perhaps even reach the elusive 10% goal?

I'd like your input on another front. There is this half marathon in Hampton (my hometown and also the town I work in) and they allow walkers. It's in February, so a little chilly, but I think I could do it. Maybe even jog some portions of it... what do you all think? Anyone local want to join me?

I feel renewed and focused. Progress is being made, everyone's journey is different.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Pick me Foodie McBody!

I hoped on over to Foodie McBody's blog and saw that she's giving away a DirectLife Activity Monitor! I've titled my essay. Shift Work Sucks!


Shift Work Sucks!



Someone has to be there to answer the phone when someone is having an emergency. A lot of the time, that person is me. I work all sorts of hours, days, nights, weekends. We don't shut down. There are times it's so busy I can't leave my desk to pee. This job (and my inattentiveness), caused me to gain 50 pounds the first 2 years of my employment. 

I still need help to lose this weight. I am an emotional and binge eater. And then when I am at work, all I do is sit. I used to have an activity monitor but it broke. I've made some changes in my work routine and I've seen a difference, but I need to knock it up a peg or two and really kick it into high gear. 

I am in the midst of planning my dream wedding and marrying my dream guy. It would icing on the cake if I were to achieve my goals of being healthier and fitter.

I like the motivation and that direct life coach Jen checks in with you to check on your progress. I think if I can set some reasonable goals and with the gentle nudging from a direct life coach, I could totally achieve my fitness goals!

Shift work sucks, because it’s the unknown, you don’t know what is on the other end of the phone. Just like my weight loss journey, it’s the fear of the unknown, will I succeed? Will I fail? This journey will last a lifetime. I am bound and determined to make the most out of my one life that I have!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Update!

It's a bit of a drab and miserable day here in New Hampshire, it's raining and very windy out there. Thankfully not snow. Although on Saturday night, we did get some snow squalls.

My 10 year high school reunion was on Saturday night and I opted not to go. I had my reasons. And from the looks of facebook, I am sad that I missed out on seeing some people, but it seemed like a lot of drinking and partying. For me, I am just not into that scene anymore. I would have rather had a smaller setting where we could meet and catch up on old times. Oh well, maybe my 20 year will be more enticing.

With the creation of facebook, I am able to stay in contact with more individuals, I talk to people from high school more now, than I ever did in high school. And I can see those who are married, or have children, or who "came out of the closet". I can see photos of their lives, so really it makes the reunion a little pointless, but I can still understand the wanting to meet up with everyone. I am sure it was a fun time. It looked like it for sure! However, for me, the setting just didn't seem right for me. No biggie, I will still continue to talk to my HS peeps!

Monday night, I went dress shopping. It was my first outing. I thought it was going to be a great opportunity to see what was out there and what issues I was going to have with being a plus sized bride. Honestly I was dreading the appointment, I hate dresses, period. I had seen stuff online at DB and wasn't impressed with the styles. I went to a local place here in NH and was pleasantly surprised when she brought me 9 dresses to try on! Now mind you I am currently a size 26 in jeans, she brought me everything from 20 - 28 and you know what? I fit into everything! Any size 26 or 28 was WAY too big. Talk about a NSV! Well I fell in love with a dress! And the price was right, so I bought it! Now, do I plan on loosing weight between now and then, of course, but it's a corset back, which can be tightened and obviously, alterations can help take things in. But you know, it was the size 20 that I fit into perfectly. Maybe a little vanity sizing, but still I was thrilled to say the least.

I was not planning on buying a dress that night, but when I had it on, I was SO comfortable in it. It felt like I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt. One of my best friends was there as well as my future mother in law. It was really a great bonding experience. I was thrilled. Oh and I totally welled up a little bit. Not full on crying, but darn close. Picking out the dress, made it that much real-er for me...like OMGee I am getting married!

Although Tuesdays are my normal Weight Watchers day, I was at work yesterday, and unfortunately was unable to attend. However my leader teaches at another location on Thursdays, so I am hoping to make it over there. I am really looking forward to hearing about the new Points Plus program that is being offered. I've gotten the e-mails from Weight Watchers, the e-Tools has converted over, and there are many blog posts out there talking about it. I am excited for the change and I plan to embrace it. Basically I see it as a renewal of sorts, I am renewing my commitment to my weight loss journey, although the plan has changed, my desire to achieve my goals hasn't. And if by some reason the new Points Plus program didn't work for me, I would simply need to find another program that does, but from what I've been reading it's very similar (ie still counting points) but a) the points are calculated differently and b) the values of points are different.

Toy Bank has officially taken over my life, getting phone calls all the time, constantly on the go, running around doing Toy Bank errands, seesh. I remember each year why by the time Christmas rolls around, I am burnt out! However the work is very rewarding when you get to see children smile when they see Santa and you know they are going to have a Christmas morning.

Since it's December 1st, I though I'd briefly update the status of my End of Year Goals... basically a huge failure. Aside from maybe surviving another year of toy bank. I haven't even looked at my HAM operator's book, I am still stagnant on the weight loss front, no where near my 10% goal. ah, le sigh. I won't let it get me down!

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