Pimpin' for the Pink!

So, I'm officially all signed up for the Dallas-Fort Worth Breast Cancer 3 Day! I am really excited about doing this, and totally thrilled to be partnered up with Miss Laurie-pooh as Co-Captain of our team; "60 Miles or Bust!". We've been busy getting in shape with our personal trainer, Shannon, and we've been ramping up our fundraising efforts as well. Laurie's rockin' with more than 900 dollars in donations so far! I am just getting started, so I still have a long way to go. I've got big plans including a bake sale, wine tasting event, and maybe even some bowling for boobs! I've launched my e-mail campaign for funds, and I've been busy pimping my MySpace to help raise awareness of my activities. Laurie and I have also started our own blog that's focused totally on our journey, so please take a moment to visit our site to learn more. We've set it up so that you can follow along with us every step of the way. This is going to be an incredible journey! Will you join us?

T.G.I.F.

Hooray! It’s FRIDAY! I am looking forward to a weekend with NO SET PLANS. That’s right, you heard me, NO SET PLANS! As much as I love the holidays and the various family, social, and church gatherings, I really just need a couple of days with no obligations. I am really looking forward to waking up tomorrow and not having to be anywhere by any particular time! Grandma has even agreed to have the children over for a sleepover tomorrow evening, so I can get some quiet time! I have promised myself that I will not work this weekend either. I’m going to leave my laptop at work, so I won’t even be tempted. One of my new year’s resolutions is to stop working from home so much. I’m going to try managing my time in the office more effectively, so that I won’t have to log on after hours. I was also thinking that I might try a spin class this weekend, even though I loathe stationary bikes. Craig says it’s a really good workout, and I hear that it’s also good for weight loss.

You might think it’s weird for me to be so candid about my weight battle in this public blog, but there’s a method to my madness here. My thinking is that if I journal my ups and downs, I’ll have something to keep me publicly accountable, as well as a good point of reference. It might help me to be able to look back later on at the good days and the bad ones too. I just need to figure out a way to be successful and stay successful. It’s extra challenging for me because of my thyroid disease. I tend to blame myself, even when my lifestyle is at its healthiest. There are challenges all around me every day, and I need something to keep myself focused. If you’re a mom like me, you know that there are always opportunities to eat unhealthy foods. Through their school, the kids have Chick-fil-a night, Ci Ci’s pizza night, and Papa John’s night at least once a month, and sometimes these events happen during the same week! I know these are supposed to help raise funds for the PTA, but can we please try something different? At work, there are multiple lunch invitations a week, not to mention the fact that my co-workers eat out EVERY day (today they got burgers from my favorite burger joint; MooYah). Then there are the business trips… How do I survive all these different reasons to cheat on my diet? How do I eat my 60 calorie, sugar-free Jell-o pudding snack while they’re next door to my office chowing down on quite possibly the best french-fries in the universe? I know it sounds childish, but sometimes it seems downright unfair. Sorry to vent, I guess the lack of sugar is making me a little cranky. Oh well, I’ll get over it. At least I’ll have the girls to distract me this evening.

Deuces! More tomorrow…(at no particular set time!)

Later That Day...

I busted my butt at the gym tonight, and I am sure I am going to be sorry tomorrow! That’s okay though, I think I need to be sore a little to know I got a good workout. I kept my heart rate up good and high, and I kept it steady. I even got some crunches in at the end. If that doesn’t hurt tomorrow, NOTHING will! We’ve got a wedding to go to in 3 weeks, so I am super anxious. Watching “The Biggest Loser” on Monday night really helped to motivate me. Even though it’s hard to get TV time to myself consistently, I am going to see if I can keep up with it this season. I guess it just helps to know that this is a fight for other people too. More tomorrow!

Week 1, Day 4

Today is my first day back at the gym! I am really excited and a little nervous too. I hope I don’t make a total ass of myself! I have to make the leap though; the “Biggest Loser” competition at work starts up next Monday, and I want to be ready! I would like to have a really good, successful week under my belt before it begins so that I have started to re-establish some of my good health habits. I’ve been tracking all my food and beverages throughout the day in the Points Tracker for WW, and I am making notes about what things seem to be working well. I’ve discovered that Triscuit Crackers are my friend, because they keep me full longer. A serving (6 crackers) is only two points, and they come in some interesting flavors now, like “Garden Herb” and “Cracked Pepper and Olive Oil” (my favorite). I’ve been pairing them with a salad or soup for a little extra substance. I’ve also been making a real effort to get all my water (at least six 8oz. glasses) in each day. I know that’s a big part of success. Being back at work is a challenge! Everyone and their brother invited me to lunch today. It seems like everything is about food! The first thing my team said to me this morning was “Since we are all back today, we are going to lunch together! You have to come with!” It was so hard to say no! I know I should avoid eating out for the first couple of weeks back on plan, because it will only start the cycle of temptation/making bad choices/guilt/wanting to quit. It was tough to say strong, but I did it! I’m kind of proud of myself! I’ll blog more after the gym trip. Wish me luck!