SDtS Mission 101: The Final Week

**I inadvertently picked the wrong date for posting, so this is late. Sorry about that!

Mission 101 has come to a close. This was the last week. I cannot express the appropriate level of gratitude to those of you that went through this with me! I am so appreciative! You are all fantastic! Whether we ultimately reached our final goals, or not - I think we were all more conscious of the decisions we make for ourselves. Hopefully the healthy choices have increased? I know they have for me... I still totally have lapses, but they have become shorter. =) 

Below are the totals for January. Thank you, again - to all of you! Please let me know if you are interested in "Mission: Move Your Ass" that starts next week. So far, I'll be moving it by myself....

Jennifer

• SHARE: Holding steady...it was a crazy week. Hardly time to breathe. I am going to look for a class to do or finally give in and buy a wii so I can exercise at home...what does everyone think about wii fit???

Dawn

• Maintained her weight for a total loss of 2 pounds
• Worked out 6 times

Kate

• Lost one pound for a total loss of 2.8 pounds
• SHARE: Total -12.6…I think I lost. On a roll now! 

Kari

• Lost .5 pounds for a total loss of 1.5 pounds
• SHARE: Happy that overall I'm down 15 pounds since October!

Mackenzie

• SHARE: I have been doing some toning exercises at home- no cardio.  Eating pretty healthy on a regular basis. yippee!  

Linda

• Lost a total of one pound
• SHARE: last week I was up a pound but slept all 7 nights. This week I’m back down the pound but slept only 5 of the 7 nights.  

Marill

• SHARE: Still doing well. Making a lot of the right choices with food this week and still haven't broken my promises I made :-) ... Still need a scale but Im down 4 total since we started.

Gela

• Lost a total of 1.2 pounds
• SHARE: Umm, not working out = no losing weight. Duh! Gained .6 lbs (not bad) and ran zero miles. :( BUT, I am cancer free and we get our travel dates on Monday, so LIFE IS GOOD!

Melissa

• SHARE: I got all 4 workouts in this week...up .3  =(

Hillary

• SHARE: I lost 3 pounds (I had a really bad stomach bug this week) for a total of 4.6.

Lia

• Maintained weight for a total loss of 10.3
• Exercise 4x/week - 5x
  
• Track all food eaten - until Thursday, when I fell ill and didn't care about food after then too much.
• SHARE: It was an OK week I guess. The only highlight was YL saying today while I was sweating on the spinning bike "I thought your pulse would go higher than that...", and when I looked at him puzzled, he continued smilingly "...and that's a praise."

Natalie

• Lost a total of 5 pounds
• SHARE: my slacking attitude last week, and trip back to MN, were not kind to me on the scale. Back to business, now. 

 Thank you to everyone that went through this mission with me! I hope some of you will join meon my next one!   

Randomness

Tuesday was a day of struggle. Not real, legitimate, struggle. But rather "I'm feeling kind of lazy, and kind of have a stomach ache and my head hurts" struggle. Basically, a self-inflicted struggle - brought on by my own dramatics. 

That being said, I had no idea what to write for this blog update. I usually have a couple of extras written for when I hit the wall like this - but when you're coming off a 2-week motivational drought, your stored up entries are non-existent. So I decided I was going to just have a random post. A post containing some observations and opinions and a couple of confessions - then I will ask for some participation from you at the end. Random may be a bit of an understatement, so please bear with me. I am a bit all over the place on this one.

This is going to be fun...or a colossal failure...so let's see how it turns out!

Let's start with the observation/opinion/confession portion of our post.

• I have discovered, during my stint as house-sitter, that I love having a laundry shoot. This is the first time in my life that I've had one, and it is magnificent. I realize that having laundry in the basement no longer makes sense for new homes, but I love it. I am going to miss it when I go back to MN.
• I have also discovered during this period of house-sititude that I do not like having a window in the shower. Yes, it is frosted, so no one can see me (thank goodness for them), but it is COLD in the winter. Not great.
• At the strong suggestion of a friend, I finally signed up for Twitter. I had been scared of it for years, but in September I finally took the plunge. I absolutely love it. It has provided a whole new level of support (beyond you guys that read this - - thank you to all of you!) during this life overhaul. It also allows me to satisfy my desire for stalking with a minimum of effort on my part. It is truly a win-win in that capacity. If you are on Twitter, my name is @SlimDownToSexy
• There are days where I literally talk to myself...like out loud...while driving down the road. It tends to be when my brain is telling me it would like french fries. Internal dialogue is just not enough to get my point across sometimes- and I have to tell my brain to "fu....I mean...screw off" with volume. 
• I am trying not to spaz out about the book. I sent the rewrite to EB a week ago, and haven't heard back. Does that mean she hates it? I wish I had some idea how this whole system works, so I could stop freaking out about it.
• I slacked on the gym today. I was being a baby because I didn't feel great. Better luck on Wednesday. (this would be one of the confessions)
• Of all of the weight-related shows on TV, I think "Heavy" on A&E may be the best one to illustrate what it is like to be morbidly obese (I really hate that term). I just wish they wouldn't try to jam 6 months for 2 people into 40 minutes. I think they could do an even better job if they spread it out a little bit. 
• No matter how hard I try - there are some days where I just need to have pizza. There is no way around it. The good news is, those days seem to be coming further and further apart.

Now here's where you come in. I have some ideas for future posts, but would like some input from you guys.

• I am going to do an interview with YC. What question(s) would you guys like me to ask? He is a personal trainer, so it doesn't have to be specific to me  - you can ask anything and I will pass it on.
• Would any of you be interested in, or willing to, do a guest blog for me? Kind of just lay out what your relationship is with your weight, food, exercise, etc. You can do it as anonymously as you'd like. I just think we are doing a great job of creating a community here - and I think hearing from more people might help solidify that. 

Please comment to this post, or email me at natalie@slimmingdowntosexy.com


I can't wait to hear from you!!

SDtS Mission 101: January Week 2

Week two has come to a close for those of us still trying to drop some LBs with Mission 101. Overall, I'd say it was a success. We've got one week left to show this thing who's boss! I'm certain we call all do it! There are a thousand things to distract you from your goals. Hopefully this is one thing that will help erase a few of them. Now let's kick some ass, and take some names in this last week!

Hillary

• Lost .6 pounds for a total loss of 1.6 pounds (Goal: 4)

Lia

• Lost 2.9 pounds for a total loss of 6.4 pounds (Goal: 10)
• Exercised 4 times this week (Goal: 4)
• Tracked all food eaten, even though it is a painful, painful task =)
• SHARE: Young Leslie is still a godsend, he gives me a boost every time we meet. He motivates me by showing how much I developed already, he made me run 20 minutes on the treadmill yesterday - and I was able to! (I could not run for even 1 minute, when we started the trainings 1 month ago.) And he gave me a fantastic chocolate whey-shake, which I can drink after each workout and it did wonders in these past two weeks - it's a treat, feeds my chocolate craving and is good for me :-) I'm very happy, that I reached my goal of losing 10 lbs and ready to continue on (need to lose still 40 to my ideal weight).

Kari

• Gained .5 pounds for a total loss of 1 pound (Goal: 3)
• SHARE: Bad week. Have been sick and just did not care how I ate! Must do better this last week!    

Melissa

• Maintained her weight (Goal: lose 7)
• Exercised five times (Goal: 4)

Gela

• Gained .4 pounds for a total loss of 1.8 pounds (Goal: 6.2)
• Ran 8.5 miles (Goal: As much as possible)
• SHARE: Naughty eating & beers last night! Not a good idea night before weigh in! 

Dawn

• Lost 1 pound for a total loss of 2 pounds (Goal: 6.6)
• Exercised six times (Goal: 4)

Stephanie 

• Maintained her weight for a total loss of 1 pound (Goal: 6)
• SHARE: Give ya one good guess.......YEP, stayed the same I swear I need to get that scale checked!!!  But haven't been able to excercise cause of surgery either.....but I had the flu one day and was hoping that would've at least been good for a lb or 2!!! 

Marill

• SHARE: Oh man I have no idea if I am up or down but I have been doing great with keeping up with my goals! I need to get another scale so then I will know if I am actually staying on track but as of right now I think I am doing well and feel great! 

Molly

• SHARE: This week it was role reversal.  Good on food, bad on running.  No running.  However, I was super busy and feel good about all the other exercise I was able to get in!    

Kate

• Lost 1.8 pounds for a total of 1.8 pounds (Goal: 4.5)
• note: with this loss, Kate broke the 10 pound barrier!!

Natalie

• Lost 8 pounds for a total loss of 10 pounds (Goal: 15)
• Exercised six times (Goal: 6)    

Mission: Move Your Ass

Back in September, a beautiful thing happened. I told you guys I was starting a mission for myself, and had a bunch of you offer to join me. Although I didn't reach my ultimate goal of the mission (to lose enough weight to reach a total of 101 pounds lost by January 1st), it was so helpful to have you guys doing it with me. For those of you that stuck with it, I thank you. I am so inspired and motivated (when it is possible for me to be, that is =)) by all of you! I will have the Mission 101 results posting tomorrow. I am giving the last stragglers a couple more minutes to get their results in (you know who you are... LOL).

Alas, the time has come to announce a new mission! I decided to make this one exercise-based instead of focusing on weight-loss. The reason, you ask? Because even if you don't have weight to lose, you should probably be exercising. It isn't just skinny people who have dangerous health conditions: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc. A lot of this stuff is hereditary, and exercise can help. I have a few family members who are in or near their ideal weight range who still have health issues. 

So with that in mind, my latest brain-child has been born. I am proud to announce "Mission: Move Your Ass"! (PC-ly referred to as "Mission: MYA" in emails, so no one gets in trouble!) I would love to have anyone interested join me! Here is what I am thinking for the guidelines.

What: Mission: Move Your Ass
When: February 6th-April 30th
Who: Anyone willing to join me
Why: Because moving your ass is good for your heart...and your ass
Where: Wherever you are! You can do it anywhere!!


So here is what I was thinking. You can choose any combination of the parameters below for your goal:

• Miles moved (most equipment will track your distance for you)
• Steps taken (you can get a pretty cheap pedometer at any Wal-Mart, Target or sporting goods store)
• total minutes of medium-high intensity cardio (for those of you that participate in group fitness classes)

You can also change your goal at any time. I will be increasing mine each month. I am counting a week as Sunday-Saturday.


For example - my goal is pretty straight forward. I am not counting my weight-lifting. I am only counting my cardio/machine work. I am also increasing as the mission marches on.

My Goals

• My goal is to put on 20 miles/week. (60 miles for the 3 weeks in February)
• I will increase to 90 miles for the 4 weeks of March
• I will go for 120 miles for the 5 weeks of April 

You also have an option for how often you want to report. You can do it weekly, bi-weekly (every 2 weeks, not twice a week) or monthly. This is basically like a "Choose-your-own-mission" like those choose your own adventure books from when we were kids! Who didn't love those? No one. The same number of people who won't like this mission! =)

So are you ready to move your ass? Are you ready to dust off your treadmill/elliptical/nordic track/gazelle? Are you ready to buy an actual drying rack, and stop using your exercise equipment as one? Then email me your info! It is going to be AWESOME!! 

Please email me by Thursday, February 3rd, if you are interested in participating! Please include the information below.

• email me at: natalie@slimmingdowntosexy.com
• What name would you like to go by for the mission? (Sadly, Sensatalie is already taken!)
• Which parameter, or combination of parameters, would you like to use as your goal?
• What quantity, or quantities, would you like to use as your goal?
• A short bio. Anything you're comfortable reporting...so we can get to know you a little bit. We're like a team! =)
• How frequently would you like to report?

Thank you in advance for joining me on this quest! We are going to kick some ass, with move your ass!!


And as always - if you know of anyone else that might like to participate, they should be reading my blog! =) Kidding...sort of. Please pass this on to them, so they start! And they can get signed up for Mission: MYA!


  

But I'll Look So Silly.....

So I have this new issue. Since starting to lift weights regularly, I have developed calluses on my hands. I guess I'm just too delicate. Seriously...I'm like a peach wrapped in a flower. That delicate. You can tell just by looking at me! I'm fragile.

Anyway - - so I am developing calluses on my hands. Regardless of how much lotion I put on them - they are still there. And then they get kind of peel-y. I was going to take a picture, but they didn't turn out well enough for you to see my issue. I mean, I've never been a really girly-girl. I've always been a bit of a tomboy. But that does NOT mean I want callused hands. I figure, the rest of me is soft, so my hands should match. Right?

So I talked to my sister about this when I was back over Christmas. Her response was the one that I had been fearing. She suggested that I get some gloves. Not just any gloves. Weight-lifting gloves. Now - I don't really have anything against these gloves, per se. I just think they typically look kind of silly. They look silly on fit women, who you can tell obviously put a lot of time in at the gym. Just imagine how they would look on a lady such as myself. A lady who is....over-sized...to say the least. A girl who doesn't look like she goes to the gym...ever...much less enough to necessitate gloves. I just fear I'd feel ridiculous.

I don't know where this fear stems from. I'm sure that no one is paying attention to me while I'm at the gym. They wouldn't notice, or care, if I was wearing weight-lifting gloves. I played softball for years and never wore a batting glove. I don't wear gloves when I play golf. I am just not a "glove gal".

There has to be another way. I am determined to find it. Do any of you weight-lifting ladies have any suggestions?

has the funk finally lifted?

It will likely come as no surprise to you all that I have been in a bit of a funk lately. It went beyond just not wanting to work out. It went beyond just wanting to eat pizza all day. I would have been content to sit on my couch - all day, every day - for the foreseeable future. I didn't want to write this blog, because I had nothing positive to share. Thank you all for sticking with me while I was such a downer.

I think the days of drear and sadness have finally lifted. The fog/funk I've been in are finally letting up a bit. I am feeling like I'm getting back to my old self, and my old motivation...slowly. It is still less than a given that I'll get my rear to the gym every day, but it is also a little bit less of a fight than it was a couple of weeks ago. I am back on track with my eating, and I'm sure that is a contributing factor. So much easier to want to do things when you aren't weighed down by pizza grease. =)

I'm just going to go ahead and blame it on a slight case of SAD (seasonal affective disorder) because of this gray, gloomy, winter weather. Something that can only be beaten into submission by the sun-like effects of the fluorescent lighting at the gym. Now - I do realize this is a complete crock of crap - but I don't really know what caused it. I like to have somewhere to place the blame, in addition to my own laziness - so I don't have to take complete responsibility. 


There have been a few bright spots over the last few days. I believe it is the universe's way of welcoming me back to life. I'd like to share a couple of them with you now:

• As of Wednesday evening, I haven't had to shovel snow for like 36 hours. A total gift. 
• On Wednesday I saw the sun shining for like 2 hours. It was amazing. 
• The people on the machines next to me on Wednesday were not coughing (every 10-15 seconds) all over their machine, like the guy on Tuesday. I wanted to kick him off his machine. Not "tell him to leave" kick him off - - but literally kick his legs out from under him so he fell off. I am still working on my resolution to be kinder in 2011. It is a process. 
• I survived my extra reps/sets of step ups on Tuesday, and can still walk. It is a miracle. 
• I made "Eye of the Tiger" my alarm in the morning. It is ass-kicking inspiration.
• I saw half of my eye candy at the gym on Wednesday. Granted - it was just his back as he went into the locker room - but I saw him. He is back. It is a treat for the eyes.

Have you had any unexpected bright spots? I'd love to hear about them.

Tears for Fears?

You guys know how I love shows about weight loss, right? Well there is a new one on A&E called "Heavy". It will follow two people each week. They go through a 6 month program - where it appears they have a personal trainer and nutritionist working with them the whole time. The first episode was on Monday night. I watched it today, and I am hooked. Something about it just rings true - like it might give people a more accurate idea of what it is like to be severely overweight - better than say, Biggest Loser does? Or maybe it just wasn't so much yelling. And it seems more realistic. I don't think these people are working out for 8 hours a day, and doing crazy workouts, like on BL. I like it.

But while I was watching the show, I couldn't help but notice something. On every weight loss show that I have ever watched, crying is basically it's own character. Whether it is from the pain of the workout, or the memories of what has happened in their past, or names they were called. It seems like it is a prerequisite that tears get a lot of screen time. And that is what hit me. I don't think I have had an all-out emotional breakdown. I have yet to be overtaken by tears, and am still waiting to go into crying hysterics. Wait! I guess I kind of wanted to cry today when I was on my last set of step ups....(kidding. sort of) Maybe they workout way harder than I do? Maybe they push themselves closer to the brink than I have at this point?

Maybe that is what's holding me back? Maybe I need some grand display of emotion to get me, and keep me, on track? Why have so many people, in a state similar to mine, shed so many tears? And why haven't I? Trying to lose as much weight as I am, and the people on these shows are, is a very emotional experience - but I guess mine is maybe manifesting itself in another way? Maybe I just try to internalize too much? Maybe I really am dead inside? Or maybe I haven't been traumatized as severely as some other obese people? Maybe I'm just lucky?

Well - let's face it. I am lucky. I have a wonderfully supportive family and great friends. I somehow maintained overall fair health (no diabetes, high blood pressure, etc) in spite of my enormous size and completely nonexistent exercise habits. I guess I have just been fortunate that this whole area of my life hasn't caused the all-encompassing distress that these contestants appear to be going through. Just one more thing to be grateful for. I'll add that to my list....and boy is that list getting long!

How about you guys? How do you deal with your tough life situations?

Goal = Rebel

Before I get started, we have another Mission 101'er that reported in. Here are the results for week 1:

Stephanie

• Gained 1 pound (Goal: 6)
• SHARE: Yikes!!!!!! :)

*****************

I know a lot of people who are completely "goal-based". They need to continually set new goals for themselves. They always need to have that carrot dangling in front of them in order to stay motivated. They set themselves a goal, and they achieve it. It helps give them the focus they need to get to their desired end result. Nothing will get them to their destination quicker than setting goals.

Then there are people like me. I had to confess my condition to YC during our recent conversation about my new goals. Goals make me do the opposite. I think it is a side-effect of my "self-destructive personality disorder" (my made up diagnosis for my tendency to stop doing things that are good for me). I make weight loss goals, and I will gain. There is something within me that finds enjoyment from shooting myself in the foot.

I had a comment on my post yesterday from someone (it was anonymous - so I have no idea who they are. Thank you, for your suggestions!) that asked if there were ways to help me with my seeming addiction to "junk". Food, not clutter. I wish it were that simple. They made some great suggestions - most of which I have attempted to follow at some point in my life.

I have set myself rules and guidelines for eating and exercising for as long as I can remember. Tomorrow I'll get up and go to the gym before I go to work. I'll pack my lunches instead of going out to buy something. I won't stop and go through the drive-thru. I'll make a list each week, and shop for only those items. I'll cook for my week on Sunday, so I have leftovers on hand. And on, and on and on. I am great at setting up rules. I am amazing at making guidelines for myself. Need a plan put together? I'm your gal! Now executing...that's where things fall apart. I am a total cheater cheater pumpkin eater! I am a rebel without a cause. I cannot follow the rules.


So I'll just add this to my ever-growing list of things to work on. To be a rule-follower. To comply with the parameters I've set for myself. I go on stretches where it is no issue what-so-ever to eat well and exercise - as I have laid out in my plans. But then I hit stretches where I just can't. I just need to keep expanding the amount of time where I comply, and minimize the amount of time where I rebel. I can be better, and I will be better.

SDtS Mission 101: January Week 1

Everyone had a great week! Everyone lost weight, which is awesome! Seeing all of you guy sticking to your goals is helping motivate me. There were a few days at the gym this week that I wanted to stop my cardio before I had reached my distance goal. I mean - it's not like you guys would know if I lied. Right? But I would know. And you guys deserve better. So thank you, all of you, for helping motivate me to keep moving! Now lets kick some ass in week 2!

 

Hillary 

• Lost 1 pound (Goal: 4)
• Hasn't had soda in 10 days!

Lia

• Lost 3.5 pounds (Goal: 6.1)
• Worked out 5 times (Goal: four)
• Tracked all food eaten
• SHARE: this week was like a roller-coaster ride, my mood went up and down and my motivation went for holiday. Your vent post was the perfect description of my thoughts and feelings. Still, with the help of your encouragement and my wonderful trainer YL the results are good, so now I feel a bit better about myself :-)

Kari

• Lost 1.5 pounds (Goal: 3)

Linda

• Lost 1 pound (Goal: 4)
• Slept 7+ hours every night
• SHARE: I need to focus on a better diet - junk food is to accessible and/or tempting

CCS

• Lost 1.6 pounds
• SHARE: I feel good, positive about the new year

Michelle

• Lost 1 pound (Goal: 5)

Melissa

• Worked out 3 times (Goal: four) 
• NEW GOAL: Lose 7 pounds
• SHARE: So, not so much of a butt kicking for me this week--I worked out just 3 days--room for improvement.  After my workout this morning I feel motivated to kick next weeks butt!    

Gela

• Lost 2.2 pounds (Goal: 6.2)
• Ran 5.6 Miles

Camille

• SHARE: Good week.......got my walking in, only got one swim in but my week was crazy so next week will be better and I have been getting my water in so overall it went well.  A bonus, I lost 4 lbs. since Christmas break.  Being back in a routine sure helps

Dawn

• Lost 1 pound (Goal: 6.6)
• Exercised 5 times (Goal: 4)

Marill

• Lost .07 pounds (Goal: 10)
• SHARE: better then nothing. So I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing! 

Molly

• Ran 2 times (Goal: Twice)
• SHARE: Not so good on avoiding mindless eating, ran two times.  That is my main goal, running, so feel good about it.  Eating, wasn't terrible but could be improved!

Natalie

• Lost 2 pounds (Goal: 15)
• Exercise: Yes - all 6 days, met distance & weight-training goals
• SHARE: I need to stop eating junk. I worked entirely too hard this week to only lose 2 pounds. Flozilla was in town, but that was not enough to cause this low number. I will do better next week. The scale went down - I guess that's a win, right? 

the vent session

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, I was a woman on a mission. I was working out, and eating well. There was no question as to how my days were going to be spent. I got up, had myself a nutritious and delicious breakfast and headed to the gym. I powered myself through a weight workout, and then did 30 minutes of cardio. I'd have a couple of good-for-me meals to round out my day - and that was about it. Predictable. Healthy. Good.

Then on Christmas Eve I took a day off. Then on Christmas Day I took another day off. But those were holidays. No problem, right? I got back home, and wasn't as focused as I was before my holiday break. I had a session with YC, and figured that would get me back on track. It didn't. The following week I had another session, but it still wasn't enough. Here I was, 2 weeks later - and I'd gone to the gym twice. TWICE!!

At that second session with YC I attempted to explain the unexplainable. I tried to explain how/why I had completely lost my motivation. How I had lost my gym mojo. On top of trying to explain something that I myself don't understand - I was trying to explain it to YC. A guy who is constantly working out. A guy who has probably never had two days in a row without working out, much less two weeks. Trying to explain it o him is when I realized just how much I don't understand it myself.

I know I feel better when I go to the gym. I know it is good for me. I know it is necessary to get to the goals I have set for myself. I understand all of these things. But for some reason that still doesn't appear to be enough to motivate me to go. What the hell is that about!?!? What causes this? I swear I have a short in my brain? Is there ever going to come a time where I don't have these lapses? Will there be a day where the switch is turned on, and it isn't a daily struggle/fight to get myself to gym? What is wrong with me? Seriously.

Until I figure out, or am diagnosed by a professional, I will continue to fight. I will continue to argue with myself during these spurts where I completely lack motivation. I will self-talk myself into getting to the gym, I will pray for that glorious day when it all comes together. When I don't have complete collapses in my desire to fight.

Because every day is a fight for me. A fight against laziness. A fight against pizza and burgers and french fries, and all of the other crap I love to eat. A fight to go to the gym. A fight to eat well. A fight against that person who only sat on her couch. A fight for the person I know I can be. A fight against the fear of failure that I have every day. A fight to believe in myself. A fight for the person who can inspire others to fight as well.

What are you fighting for?

Finally!!

It would appear that I may have finally gotten myself, at least somewhat, back on track. YC laid the smack down last Thursday. He gave me a list of goals that I needed to write. I have decided that putting them here will be another way for me to be held accountable. So here we go!

YC: Weight loss by the time I leave (March 5th)
Goal: 36 Pounds

YC: Weight Loss per week
Goal: 5 pounds/week - 6 one week

YC: Time in the gym each week   
Goal: Weight lifting - 45 minutes, 5x/week

YC: Time on cardio machines
Goal: Treadmill: 60 minutes or 3 miles - 3x/week
           Elliptical: 45 minutes or 3 miles - 2x/week
           Treadmill: 90 minutes or 5 miles - 1x/week

YC: Distance on Cardio Machine
Goal: See above

So far, so good. Monday and Wednesday I did arm weight workouts and 3 miles on the treadmill. Tuesday I did my leg workout and 3 miles on the elliptical. My right knee has been rebelling since my leg workout. I am choosing to believe it will be fine in a day or two.

Another finally? I finally finished the rewrite on my book, and sent it off to EB. Keep your fingers crossed that she doesn't hate it. =) 

Are you working on any goals?    
  

Vampires Trump Overweight?

I am borderline ashamed to admit this - but I usually tend to get sucked into the reality show "The Bachelor". I have avoided a few seasons - having the sense not to watch even one episode. It only takes one, you know. One episode of 10-20 crazed women consenting to all date, make out with, and probably do much more than that with - the same guy. It is insanity. And I just can't look away. So it was with my usual sense of morbid curiosity that I tuned in to the first episode last week. They have upped the absurdity this season by welcoming back Brad (the guy who dared to not pick either of the women the first time he was the bachelor). Like they don't have any other guys who are willing to let 20 crazies fight over them.

I couldn't quite watch the entire episode...it was too much for even me. I forwarded to the end, where I knew I would find the real gem: previews of the season. It was during these previews that I noticed something I couldn't quite believe. The lady with fangs made it through the first round! For those of you that don't get sucked into this crap - let me elaborate. There is a girl - who auditioned, and was chosen to be on the show - that wears fangs. Like a vampire. Like she believes she is a vampire!!!!! 

That is when I started to think...about all of the seasons of this crap (Bachelor/Bachelorette) that they have put on TV. In all...like 20 seasons?...I don't recall there ever being an "plus-sized", or overweight woman on there. Not just that there was one, and they got axed the first night. Like I honestly don't think there has ever been an overweight woman chosen to be on the show. Period. 

What in the hell has this world come to? When they allow someone so unhinged that she believes she is a vampire on the show, but don't allow anyone that is larger than a size 4. Seriously!! Crazy is better than fat? Insane is better than overweight? A woman that wears fangs is OK, but a woman with a FUPA is not?

I am not typically one to try and push the plus-sized agenda, but I just cannot wrap my head around this. I think maybe the screeners for this show have become a little too obsessed with the Twilight series!

Maybe I am in the minority? Maybe the world is more prepared to accept vampires than they are the overweight? Maybe guys really would rather be with someone with fangs than someone with some padding? Maybe fangs are like the new braces, and guys want to see what it's like to kiss someone with them? Or maybe this is the end of civilization as we know it, and we are all doomed? 

What do you guys think?

SDtS Mission 101: January Participants

Something within blogger is trying to test me. This was supposed to post at 6am. Sorry for the delay...again. =(

And so it continues... I've got 15 people who are kind enough to continue on, with Mission 101, through January. To each of you - thank you! Seeing your goals coming in over the weekend, and having to write goals of my own, was finally enough to inspire me to get it back together. To get my butt back to the gym. I did that Monday for the first time in a little over two weeks. 

I asked everyone to send me new goals, for the 3 weeks we will have in January. Below are the new goals, or the adjusted old goals, based on the time we have left. I think we are all really motivated to take some positive strides. You're going down, January. 

Hillary

• Lose 4-5 pounds
• Eliminate unhealthy things from diet. Today I cut out coke zero! Next week, microwave popcorn (in favor of air-popped). Trying to eliminate some chemicals from my diet!

Lia

• Lose 6.1 pounds
• Exercise 4x/week
• Track all food eaten

Kari

• Lose 3 pounds

Linda 

• Lose 4 pounds
• Sleep! 

CCS

• Be patient
• No "pounds lost" tracking, just a goal weight range
• No deadline. However long it takes, it will get done
• Do physical activity that makes me happy, not miserable
• Eat healthy =)
• I'm in for the long haul!

Michelle

• Lose 5 pounds

Melissa

• Exercise 4x/week

Gela

• Lose 6.2 pounds (total will be 10)
• Exercise as often as possible, for as long as possible

Camille

• Exercise 4x/week
• Walk to school 4x/week
• water, water, water

Dawn

• Lose 6.6 pounds (total will be 10)
• Exercise 4x/week

Stephanie D

• Lose 6 pounds

Marill

• Lose 10 pounds
• No fast food
• Minimal snacking, pay attention to carbs
• No pop or snacking after 9pm

Molly

• Run 2x/week
• Eat intuitively, not mindlessly

Katie

• Lose 1.5 pounds/wekk
• Joining a Biggest Loser Challenge at work
• No pizza
• Play Wii with the kids

Sarah

• Sarah was going to join us - but then broke her wrist while she was snowboarding this last weekend. Boo. =( I will continue to include her on the emails, in the event she can rejoin us!

Natalie

• Lose 15 pounds
• Exercise 6x/week

Good luck this first week, everyone!! We can totally do this!
 

Ch-ch-changes.....

 Hello All! Thank you for stopping by! I have made a couple of changes I wanted to make you aware of!

1.  You can now find my blog using the address: www.slimmingdowntosexy.com . The "blogspot" address will also continue to work.
2. I  have added a 2nd page with my bio. The link is under the "Slimming Down to Sexy" box at the top, and is called "About Sensatalie"
3. I have also added a "Shout outs" page. The link can be found next to the "About Sensatalie" link. This page links to other blogs that have mentioned me, or allowed me to contribute. 

If you have any feedback, or other things you'd like to see - please let me know!

I will be getting back on track, starting Tuesday, with 6am posts. 


Have a fantastic week, everyone!

Dear 2010...

...I know this letter is a few days overdue, and for that I apologize. You were really great to me, and I should have been more punctual. Unfortunately, I have been in a bit of a funk since the beginning of the year, and had to deal with that before I could tell you just how much I appreciated everything you did for me. I think I am ready now.

Thank you, 2010. I will always look back at you as the year I finally started changing my life for the better. I will remember you fondly as the year I improved my diet, exercise, over-all health...the year I regained hope.

I made a decision in February, right before starting fat camp, to start this blog. OK - maybe I didn't decide to. I was forced to. But I will be eternally grateful to my sister Wendy for pushing me to do it. It has honestly been the most rewarding experience of my life. I made a decision to be honest. Not kind of honest - but honest, honest - about what the experience of trying to get healthy is like for me. It hasn't always been pretty, and I am sure I have many rough days ahead of me - but it has always been worth it. I have been so shocked by and overwhelmed by and grateful for the completely unexpected outpouring of kindness I have received from people. From the very beginning I have received nothing but kind words and encouragement from friends, family and even people I have never met - but I now consider friends. It has truly been an amazing experience so far - and I will always remember you as the year it all started.

You surrounded me with a fantastic support system. Friends who went hiking with me, or to the gym with me, or cook me healthier meals. A family that humors me by eating my "light" meals, when they don't have to - and a supportive grandma (who makes all of us bags of snacks - cookies, snack mix, fudge, etc - for Christmas gifts each year) who gave me less of the sugary snacks, and added in apples and oranges. And YC - who is a young kid who is used to dealing with football players, but who doesn't coddle me or belittle me - but pushes me to do more than I would have ever done on my own.

Oh - 2010...you gave me some challenges. I was canned from my job - but can now honestly look back on that as a positive. It allowed me to do some other things, and afforded me other opportunities, that I never would have had the chance to look at while still at that position. I get to write a book! Who would have thought?!? I was a girl who never did well in English class, and who initially thought of writing a blog as a waste of time. Now look at me. Writing is now something I really enjoy, and would love to do for the rest of my life!

We had our ups, and we had our downs - but I will always look back on you with fondness. You were the year I got my life back. You were the launching pad for this whole new exciting life full of possibilities I never would have thought of for me before. You showed me that people still have an amazing capacity for kindness - you just have to put yourself out there. You showed me that I may have some untapped talents. You gave me back my optimism. You reminded me that I am worth the effort. I will appreciate you forever.

Thank you again for all you've done for me.

Sincerely,
Natalie

P.S. I hope your brother, 2011, is ready for me! I am about to kick his ass!

Nothing Good

For the last 2 weeks, I could conduct a clinic on laziness. For the month or so before that - I was doing great. The gym was an automatic thing. I was feeling great. I was starting to see results. I was feeling mighty. I would even...dare I say it...look forward to my time at the gym. 

I went into Christmas with a plan. I lined up people to break me into the gym. I borrowed a card from another friend. I even got up after three hours of sleep one night to go to the gym. I knew it was a slippery slope. If I skipped one session, it is easier to skip another session. Before I know it...it is 2 weeks later!! (Like right now!)

Even with all of this planning, and even with all of the positives that my brain can absolutely remember - I have been sitting on my ass for two weeks. Two weeks. 14 days. Entirely too damn long.

I wish I could tell you why. Every night I make a plan for the next day. I have a list of things I am going to accomplish in my next 24 hours. There is no question that I will be eating well and going to the gym. It is on my schedule! I have my meals planned out. I have my shopping lists made. I have the gym worked in in the most efficient spot. There is no way I won't have success. I have a plan! But, sadly, planning is only half the battle.....

The morning comes. I struggle to talk myself into getting out of bed. On many of the days, I have even gone so far as to shower and dress for the gym. And that's where it all goes haywire. I think of something else I want to do. Somewhere else I want to go. Something else I want to eat. And my whole schedule gets flushed down the toilet. Quickly. 

I started out trying to fight the guilt. Trying to talk myself out of feeling bad for missing another day. Trying not to beat myself up for eating crap I shouldn't eat. But every day I would make the decision to be disappointed with myself, rather than just get my rear to the gym. Why? Not sure. But something had to be done. 

When I return to MN in March, I have numerous friends who belong to my gym. I am certain I can put them in charge of babysitting me when I hit these tough patches. Since I am currently by myself, I contacted YC and let him know I would be in need of some babysitting. I have an appointment with him Thursday morning, and will be setting 2-3 appointments with him for the next week or so...until I am once again capable of getting myself there.

The bright spot is, I have gotten a lot of knitting done. But there is no reason why I can't get to the gym, and still get some knitting done when I am finished. Time management. Yet another opportunity for improvement in 2011.

I hope you are all having a fantastic start to your year. I am going to work on catching up...starting right now!

Corrections, Resolutions and My Shortcomings

It was brought to my attention today that my bookkeeping skills are sub-par at best. I mis-reported the total weight lost for 2 mission 101 participants (a thousand apologies!). I thought I had my excel document set up correctly - but it certainly appears that is not the case! I am assuming it is a set-up issue, or entry issue. Either that, or my inability to do basic math strikes again. Below are some corrections. I also realized I forgot to report my results. Geesh. We can officially chalk this up as one of my shortcomings.

Gela has lost a total of 4 pounds, not 2 as I reported.
Melissa has lost a total of 4.7 pounds, not 2.7 as I reported.
(My issue appears to occur in 2 pound increments. =))
Natalie as of Monday morning (when I finally remembered to weigh myself) I had gained 3 pounds. I how need to lose a total of 40 pounds to get to my goal of 101 pounds lost. It would appear that my 10 day hiatus is not a recipe for success. Enough of my holiday vacation. Back to the gym and veggies!

I also just want to add something. At no time should anyone feel embarrassed or judged for sending in results that they believe are less than stellar. I think everyone who is taking part in this Mission has had an off week (or in the case of some - ME - they have had many off weeks). I have yet to hear, or see, any negative comments from anyone about another person's results. I think we put too much pressure on ourselves! Slimming Down to Sexy is an environment of kindness. =)

That brings me to my New Year's resolution. I don't typically make them...well - with the exception of "losing weight" every year....which usually results in the opposite. I usually feel like they are a bunch of crap. I did have a friend who resolved to "do more afternoon drinking", which I was totally on board with - but for the most part I am anti-resolutions. I did decide to make one this year, and I put it on Facebook and Twitter - but wanted to share it here for those of you that don't network socially =). 

My NY resolution is to be more kind - to myself, my body and others. I received so much kindness from all of you in 2010, it's time to give back! Happy New Year everyone! Let's kick some ass in 2011!

I might need you guys to help hold me to it! 

Recently, I have been slapped in the face by some of my shortcomings. While I know I certainly have more than I am listing here - these are the items I am going to focus my immediate energies on.

• I have learned that I apparently struggle with data entry and basic math. I am going to work on creating a new template for the last month of Mission 101, and devise a new system to insure better accuracy.
• I have been reminded of my anti-green thumb. I have a total of like four plants that I am in charge of, and I make it entirely too much work. I have even had to recruit my mother to help save one of them. 
• All of the knowledge I have about how great I feel when I exercise still isn't enough to get me to the gym some days. I am working on putting an end to that. Now. 

 So what do you guys think? Do you make resolutions?

SDtS Mission 101: Week 11

We have come to the end...well, the original end...of the Slimming Down to Sexy: Mission 101! Because of the tremendous opportunity for improvement I have with this mission (aka: the extreme number of pounds I still have to lose to get to 101 lost), it is continuing on through January. Some of the participants have consented to continue on with me. Thank you to all of you! I will be sending an email out to everyone next week, and those that would like to continue on can respond to it. Together, we are going to kick some major ass in 2011....I can feel it!

my nemesis

Here are the results, for the few that responded. Congratulations to all of you!!

Gela

• Maintained her weight for a total loss of 2.2 pounds
• Ran 11.3 miles in the last 2 weeks

cjfh

• Gained 2 pounds for a total loss of 7 pounds
• Ran a total of 141 miles during Mission 101: Phase I

Dawn

• Lost .4 pounds for a total loss of 4.6 pounds
• Exercised 4 times

Hillary

• Gained 1 pound 
• Exercised 3 times
• SHARE: Just got home from an 8 day vacation without a scale! Two of those days were spent in the car on the 13 hour drive each way, and the rest of the time was spent with the family around a lot of good food! Despite that, I exercised 3 times, but still gained a pound.

Jennifer D

• Maintained her weight for a total loss of 3 pounds
• SHARE: I feel a bit more motivated and human now that my babe is sleeping through the night :) hopefully I wont continue to be the weakest link the next few months. Holding steady this week again. I guess I'm ok with that considering all the food I ate this week!

Kari

• Has a total loss of 7 pounds
• SHARE: The last month has been up and down, but I'm happy that overall I did not gain over the holidays.

Kate

• Lost 1.2 pounds for a total loss of 9.8 pounds
• SHARE: Still can't get to 10...cripes! Should happen this week since the sweets are GONE!! 

Kim

• Lost 2 pounds for a total loss of 10.95 pounds

Lia

• Gained 3.5 pounds for a total loss of 3.9 pounds
• SHARE: Gained back 3.5 pounds, but I am not worried, it's way less then my usual Christmas gain... also, my waistline is 3 inches smaller, so go figure. I guess Young Leslie has a lot to do with this, that guy is killing me ;-) I love him, nice to look at, nice to talk to, keeps me motivated, although that manic glint in his eyes is a bit worrying sometimes :-D Exercise is doing me good, I need less sleep, less food, have much more energy than usual, and my clothes are starting to get loose on me.  

B-Linda

• Gained 5 pounds for a total loss of 1 pound
• SHARE: Much room for improvement but I'm back to routine tomorrow. +5 for the last two weeks. And I've been off so sleeps been good.   

Melissa

• Lost .4 pounds for a total loss of 2.7 pounds
• Exercised 4 times

Nina

• Lost 1 pound for a total loss of 9 pounds

Stephanie D

• Maintained weight for a total loss of 7 pounds
• SHARE: Well I'm beginning to think my scale is broke!! NOTHING still hangin at the same!!

Kateo

• SHARE: What can I say?...I am up 3 lbs. I deserve every one of them. However, being the eternal optomist that I am, I am sure that 2011 is gonna be my year. Happy New Year!