kickin it up a notch

In keeping with the confession trend, I have to admit that I am struggling with Weight Watchers lately. I'm not as zealous about tracking my points or my daily point allowance. The way WW works is that I get so many points a day plus a weekly point allowance. When I first started on the plan, I rarely exceeded my daily points and only occasionally tapped into my weekly ones. However, now it seems as though that commitment has gone out the window. Something has got to give and I'm fairly certain it isn't going to be my weight... so it's got to be me.

I have challenged myself to not exceed my daily points at all leading up to the weekend (what a novel concept!) and am also decreasing my weekly extra point allowance from 49 to 15 points. I also was thinking I might kick it up another notch with some additional exercise. And by additional I mean adding it to my routine period. I've been averaging working out once a week which, shocker, hasn't really done much. My plan is to walk Tank at least 3x this week and get two runs in over the weekend. I can't wait for daylight savings so I can get back to running after work, something I surprisingly look forward to.

I feel a little embarrassed that I've been yo-yoing around the 18-19 total pounds lost point and really want to hit 20 gone by next Sunday. WW has all of these articles on hitting your plateau and I've heard the last 10 pounds are the hardest, but at this rate of around half a pound a week (sometimes not even that) it's going to make me f.o.r.e.v.e.r. to knock off another 15-20. I'm only half way to my goal (which as changed a few times to be a bit more aggressive) so I've got to up the ante to keep moving the scale. Wish me luck, and I'll give you an update next Sunday!

coming out from under my rock

I apologize that I am just now blogging about the past two weeks of my life.

Let’s catch you up by hitting the highlights:

1. I visited my friend, Katie, in Atlanta… and it was awesome!  I flew out on Thursday and came home on Sunday.  We did all sorts of fun things like paint, shop, paint some more, eat at Zaxby’s (the South’s competition for Chick-fil-a), and hang out with her boyfriend, Nathan (if you know Katie, then you know I don’t use that term lightly).  I honestly wish I could have stayed longer, but it just gives me an excuse to visit again.

2. I lost at Bunco.  I haven’t talked about it in awhile, but the Bunco game I attend with my mom and sister is still happening every month.  As a matter of fact, I think this fall marked our second year of playing together.  I love the group and really look forward to playing each month… except when I go home empty handed!  December’s game is being hosted at my Mom’s house, so I’ll have to help her set up and cook- maybe even take some pictures.  Of course, now the pressure is on to have all the Christmas decorations up and in order in time!

3. Tank is learning to stay and to shake.  Jake is pretty awesome when it comes to training Tank, but my claim to fame is definitely teaching him to shake.  I’d like to think I’m primarily responsible for housebreaking him as well, but I hate to take all of the credit.

4. Some friends of ours recently bought a house (my dream house) which has made me uber focused on when we will be in a position to buy a home.  I am not trying to compete with them or take away at all from this milestone in their lives; it’s just made me more aware of that Jake and I haven’t really given this much thought.  It’s really not a big deal, except for the hours I spend online obsessively searching homes for sale.  I’m so over the top in fact, that I’ve searched for them in every city we’ve ever considered living in, just for comparison’s sake.  I’m a-ridiculous.

5. Our friend, Scott (aka Homo 3) got Lasik eye surgery.  Everything went well, he can see… better now than before and without glasses or contacts.   However, it is sort of weird to see him without his glasses; it’s definitely going to take some time to adjust.  Also in regards to Scott, you may have read about him on E, Myself, and I’s Bachelor of the Week post awhile back but I am proud to say he is no longer a bachelor.  I should have reported on this sooner, but time has escaped me.  He is dating Hannah, the sweetest girl ever and I love their relationship.  Period.

6. I’ve started running again and it’s painful, literally.  I am so out of shape, but I told myself that before I spend $100 to register for the Shamrock half marathon I need to be able to follow the training program.  Well, I’ve started it… and I’m dying.  I suppose each run gets easier but I am terrified to train in the cold and I absolutely hate running on the treadmill.  Sure, a couple miles on the treadmill isn't awful, but in a few weeks the program will require 5 to 6 miles and I can’t imagine it.  Eck.  For now, I’ve been running outside after work, but I’ve got to admit that sometimes I get a little scurred.  I stick to well lit areas and keep telling myself that its just too many Criminal Minds episodes getting in my head.  Another option would be  to wake up early and run in the morning, but who wants to lose sleep if they don’t have to?

So, as you can see so much and so little has been going on in my life.  I am hoping with the holiday and time off of work that I won't keep you waiting so long before my next post.  Thanks for being a faithful "follower" and Happy Thanksgiving!

Step Masters

Well, well, well... our company has created a step contest with the winning team getting a paid half day off. Now, those are some serious stakes and my team is seriously set on winning. Currently we are in 5th place company wide, but it's only been one week and we've already heard some grumbling from teams that are ahead; odds are good that we will improve after week two (I'll definitely give you an update).

Just to show you how serious we are, I want to share the following facts:

1. We kicked off the week with an encouraging email from Jessie, commenting on our average steps and what our increased goal should be individually... and as a team.
2. We have a strategy for incorporating steps into the work day; which includes but is not limited to taking the long way to the restroom, stepping in place while at people's desks, pacing while waiting for the elevators, walking the entire garage (twice a day), avoiding options for a sedentary lunch, and always taking the stairs... from the 16th floor.
3. Our team captain, Meredith, emailed her "concerns" regarding accurate readings by our brand pedometers to the Dominion contact for the competition.
4. At one point someone suggested we have a mobile bible study... as in we walk around the mall, bibles in hand, with one note taker of prayer requests (I'll keep you posted if this happens).
5. There is some stalking of our competition; I can't go into details here because we don't want our ways to be discovered, but it isn't anything too creepy.
6. A reward system for most percentage improved from week to week has been established.
7. Personally, I've been baited with treats to exceed my daily goal.
8. Our team has started building their work attire around the potential to break a sweat. We're moving away from pants all together and are shifting toward skirts.
9. We've coined the term, "pedos" and we use it often.
10. One person on our team has a personal goal to have the most steps as an individual across the company; she is averaging 25,000+ steps a day, with the average person getting between 6,000-10,000.

spin class

Alright, so I've not blogged much about it (yet), but I've been on a downward spiral since my wedding when it comes to exercising. And by downward spiral, I mean non-existent. I did the Wicked 10K down at the oceanfront on Halloween and that marked my final "hoorah" if you will. Since then, I'd be lying if I said I've been exercising at all. There have been bursts of activity i.e. no more than two runs in a given week (and that is a stretch), but nothing lasting...until this week.

A friend of mine coaxed me into trying a spin class at the YMCA and I L-O-V-E-D, loved it! I liked it so much in fact that I'm already signed up to go again on Thursday and possibly Saturday... which if you know me and my allergy to exercise you'd realize this is BIG! I am shocked myself, especially since I'm so sore that going up and down stairs, lowering and lifting myself from the toilet (don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about), and walking in general is incredibly painful. I'm feeling the burn...still, but for whatever weirdo reason I like it! I actually feel like I worked myself out hard and it feels good!

I'll keep you posted on Thursday's class and if I can push through the soreness to pedal my heart out. I have a feeling that if I really get hooked then the following may ensue:

1. I may just finally join AND use a gym.
2. I might have a hobby.
3. Jake could take this to another level and buy me a road bike (he is already talking about cycling together in Charleston this September).
4. I may shed a few and fit nicely (key here is not to fit, but to fit nicely) back into my favorite coral skirt purchased spring 2008, a pre-Dani's wedding purchase. I was actually in better shape for her wedding and that summer than I was for my own!