Week 31 Recap : Something is Happening

People are really starting to notice me changing, and not because I blog about it. Yesterday, an 'acquaintance' (some girl I may have seen a few times walking down the hallway) stopped me and said that I looked great like I had lost a lot of weight. She didn't even know my name, and I didn't know hers, but the change must have been that noticeable. I was also told at some point this week that I have a chin! Another comment on positive changes I am making. I feel like I have gotten so many compliments over the last two weeks, thank you blog readers, friends and coworkers so much for that, you keep me motivated to stay on track.

Now here is the important thing and the point of this post. Right here, right now, is the part where I get comfortable. I feel more accepting of my looks, people are saying I look great, I am comfortable in my own skin. This point - right here, right now - is where, in the past, I have seen myself start to try less, stay at one size for a little while and let the weight slowly creep back on. This is the turning point. A moment in time where I can say 'try harder' or 'you look pretty good you don't need to try so hard anymore'. I have chosen. I refuse to turn back. The only way to go is forward. In fact, I think it's time to set an aggressive goal and be completely honest with with the actual number on the scale, which is something I haven't disclosed on the blog before. Even though I am right in the middle of where I was and where I want to be, my weight (209 now) is something I am no longer embarrassed of. I am proud. I worked so hard to get here. You can do the math if you want, but I started much heavier and I am so close to seeing a '1' at the start of my weight for the first time since high school - 10 years.

Now that we're in the third quarter of the year, I feel it's fitting to set a goal for the end of the year. Something acheivable, yet challenging. We'll set that goal to be to lose another 22 lbs by January 1st, 2013. If I meet it, I will have lost 70lbs total and weigh in around 187. That puts me on target to hit my ultimate goal by the summer of 2013. In fact, let's set another. I'm going to run a 5k race by the end of the year too.

Workout this Week :

Monday : Spin & Sculpt = 500 calories

Tuesday : Bodypump = 340 calories

Wednesday : Spin & Sculpt = 475 calories

Thursday : Cardio Kickboxing = 440 calories

Friday : Trail Hike 3 miles = 330 calories

I'm happy with my consistency this week - 5 really good workouts. Cardio kickboxing was fun and this week I'm signed up for it again along with another new class [new for me] on Friday : CrossFit. Now I have seen and heard a lot about CrossFit and for now I'll peg it as sort of a bootcamp-type class, but I have a pretty good feeling it's going to be much more than that. I'm at the point where I'm not afraid to try anything and everything to get stronger and leaner. I believe in myself. I know I'm strong. I may not be the best in the class, but I will finish it the best I can.

This week I didn't lose anything. Honestly, I expected that after taking a week off (which can cause muscle weight loss) and then a week back on (back in to strength training, added a different workout). My focus this week is to really hone in on what I'm eating and drinking. I haven't been as strict with this the past few months as I should have been, so it's time to review my diet again. I'm going to try to eat as clean as I can with very few grains or refined foods. I started the week off right by making my breakfasts ahead of time for the week (fruit & hard boiled eggs, my favorite!). Instead of getting sandwiches every once in awhile from the Cafe at work, I'll stick to protein and veggies. I really need to limit my drinking and stick to wine if I do drink. The pomegranate martinis Friday night probably did not help my cause much. Time to refocus, re-engergize and get back at it!

I HAVE CHOSEN TO TRY HARDER & KEEP GOING