Sunday, September 11, 2011

Christmas Dress Challenge



Okay, I'm committed again.  Another challenge. It's going to happen. It just has to happen.  No, I have to make it happen.  It is Day 1 for me in the Christmas Dress Challenge. Interesting challenge for me as I don't celebrate Christmas nor do I favor dresses. On me that is.  I've always been a hard fit for dresses, big on the bottom but smaller on top.  So no dress for me. However, I do have this jacket. 



Funny story with this jacket.  It's like nothing I've every worn. I got it from a friend who was going to donate it. It was in sorry shape, filthy. I washed it up and it came clean and is super soft and pretty and just different.  It might seem strange that I want to fit into this used, previously uncared for jacket but it's so UNLIKE me, that I just want to wear it.  Well, I want to FIT into it.  Who knows, maybe I won't even like it as much or use it but I've just had in my mind for the last couple of years that THIS would be the year that I would fit into this jacket.

 

And there it sits.  In the closet. Well, this is my end of the year goal. To fit well in this jacket. As you can see, it's a bit tight around the shoulders and for sure would never close.  I look like I am pregnant!



Last spring I was slightly closer to fitting into it.  One bad summer and I'm now 15 lbs. FURTHER away from fitting into the jacket.  I THINK that if I can get under 200 lbs., I'll have a shot at it. I don't know.  We'll see.

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So here are my DO IT's from the challenge rules.  Here are my goals for each.

1. Weight - Challenge runs September 11 - December 18.  14 weeks. My goal is to lose 1 1/2 lbs. a week for a total of 21 lbs.  This will bring me RIGHT to 200 as today I weigh 221.  Then by the end of the year, my goal is to be under 200 forever. 

2.  Calories - I've been hit or miss on tracking. I tend to start at the beginning of the day and then just sorta, kinda but not really estimate at the end.  Or just say screw it and not do it at all.  Well, I'm planning to see more hits, than misses.  My goal is not to exceed 11,000 calories per week.  This works out to 1571 per day.  I KNOW I can do this. I know I can go under this.  But I found that if my goal is 1200 and I hit 1600 instead, I feel like an utter failure and start downspiraling into a jar of peanut butter or something.  So if I up the goal a bit, my thoughts are that I'll be extra happy when I hit 1200 - 1300 and not be so depressed if I hit 1600 or 1700 occasionally. Yea, it's a mind trick.  Let's just hope it will work!

3. Exercise - I just joined Brad's 100 Days to Run a 5K challenge.  We're only in week 2 and it's going well so far.  So I'll be running/walking 3 days a week. I'll give a short update weekly with how this is going.  I also have a strength training class on Monday's, I'm signing up for the fall session this Monday.  Plus I usually do weights during the week.  I've also been using my Fitbit to track my steps and I'm aiming for 70,000 steps a week.

4.  Water - Water has been going well. It's like second nature to me now.  I drink all the time and pee all the time.  I usually have at least 6 to 7 - 16 oz. glasses of water.   It's usually when I lose focus or when the routine is interrupted for the week that this fails.  Focus, focus, focus. 

5.  Book - At the suggestion of Mir, I bought the book Wheat Belly.  I've been toying with the whole gluten free idea but basically thought that with the exception of Celiac diagnosed people, that it was a fad.  I'm realizing the facts behind it and I'm only about 1/4 way through the book but it MAKES SENSE.  In a nutshell the wheat we eat now is NOT the same wheat that grandma baked bread with and it's causing a lot of problems.  We're slowly phasing out wheat.  It's not going to be an overnight process but the family is on board and it's going to be interesting.  I'll keep you updated on the book.  I also have another book on a completely different topic waiting at the library that I might want to share and review. 


Blogger is still being weird about me commenting.  Some blogs I can comment on and others I can't.  I used to be able to comment on Mir's blog and now it won't let me sign in.  I might take Mir's advice and just switch this to Wordpress.  Maybe that will help. 

13 comments:

  1. That is a cool coat, looks really warm and snuggly. :) The cooler it gets out, the more you will be motivated, hehe. Best of luck on the Challenge!

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  2. Debbie, you can do this. You know you can and I know you can. It's time we get out of the mindset that one missed meal means we give up for the rest of the day or week. If you "mess up" on one meal, make the next one extra healthy so you can still be at your goal calories for the day. You have lots of recipes for salads and wraps so you know how to make something great tasting and healthy. WE CAN DO THIS!! Just think how awesome it will be to ring in the new year under 200 pounds!! That's a good reason to wear that coat! :)

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  3. So glad you got WHEAT BELLY and are engaging the family. And so happy to see you made it to post/link, as I was worried Blogger wouldn't let you.

    You totally can do it. I toyed with the idea of upping my max to 1500, but I do want to try to be more disciplined. As we get smaller, it's harder to lose on higher numbers, as I discovered in the past week...really hard.

    Let's do it. I want to see you close/button and rock the jacket. It has a nice retro-vibe. I like the furry collar/cuffs.

    Later...

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  4. Great post! I think you and I started 5k in 100 days at the same time (well--this is my second attempt...) because I just finished up week two as well. Good luck!

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  5. I have never heard of that exercise or the book I may check them out lol i look for different stuff all the time. That coat does look very comfy and warm and You can def. do this I am here if you need anything. Good luck!!

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  6. Good afternoon Debbi. Finally I made it. I love that jacket. It is perfect for you and will look awesome on those -30* days. You'll stay warm especially since you'll be able to button it and feel good.
    Your book does some full of information. Keep us posted on how it goes. Good luck with this challenge. I know you'll rock it!!
    Today week 3 of running/walking. It's going good and I bet you're feeling better at it too.
    Take care and have a blessed afternoon. Joss is asleep and I have some jewelry I have to make.

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  7. I love that coat. I used to have an ankle length one almost like it! Good luck in the challenge!

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  8. Sounds like you have great and attainable goals. You CAN do this! The coat is beautiful and I know you will be able to get it on and buttoned in December. :) It will look great on you! Good luck ;)

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  9. I love these recipes and your other blog, too! You've made great progress already and I'm looking forward to going on the challenge with you. I want to read that book, too.:)

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  10. Debbi! The jacket is beautiful, and you are going to wear it straight into Onderland!

    (Oh, if you want to switch to Wordpress, it will migrate all of your past blog posts over. I finally got to the end of my patience with Blogger after being locked out of my dashboard for 100 days. On Day 100 I leaped to WordPress and I LOVE IT!) Holler at me if you need help switching over, I'll share what I know.

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  11. I'm also planning to read wheat belly....not so much because I don't want to eat gluten but due to the feeling that I like processed wheat products too much. I'm hoping this will help me reduce my craving for these products. Good luck with the challenge and don't let your mind play those nasty tricks.

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  12. Really excited to see you rock that jacket! It will be hard to come and support you during the challenge with all the yummy food pics on the sides hehe! Good luck!!

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  13. I love that jacket.... Its very glamorous. I can't wait 2 c u i n it. We are getting under 200 before 2012.

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