One Year Anniversary: Fat Camp

It is unbelievable to me that it has already been a year since the day I arrived at FC! It was 365 days ago that I got to drive into Durham with my sunroof open in February. Since I walked through the doors of Duke Diet & Fitness Center. Since I met some truly amazing people that I am still in contact with. Since I felt hopeful for the first time in a long time that I could change my life for the better.

In this year, a lot has happened. I lost my job, discovered some potential new skills, lived in Milwaukee for nine months, shot out of the gates and lost 60 pounds in 3.5 months, used my good-luck-charmness to help WI win the super bowl (shout out to my Packer-loving friends), met YC who is one of my favorite people, walked a couple 5K's (slowly), had entire weeks where I couldn't move major portions of my body due to weight lifting, stalled out and bounced around in the same 20 pounds for about 8 months, spent those same 8 months in constant battle with myself to get to the gym and eat right....the list could go on and on and on.

Some, including myself at times, feels like I should have done more. I should have exercised more. I should have lost more weight. I should be able to do more than I currently am able to. Should, should, should. Who the hell decides what "should" happen, anyway? Here is the truth: I have days where I am pissed at myself for not having lost more weight than I have. For having not accomplished more at the gym. For my butt still being the size that it is. I have, after all, nothing but time. What the hell else do I have to do?

Then I need to check myself a bit. Because you know what I didn't do? I didn't gain it all back, and then some. I didn't completely stop going to the gym for months at a time. I didn't give up. And all of those things are what I usually do. When it gets hard, or uncomfortable, I stop. I usually stick to my attempt at health for much less than a year.

So even though I haven't accomplished all I had envisioned for myself a year ago, I have done something pretty amazing for me. I have maintained a loss of 60 pounds. I go to the gym regularly, and I work hard while I'm there. And most importantly - I'm not ready to quit. I am just getting started.

I'm feeling re-energized. Winter is (hopefully) coming to an end. I'll be back home in a couple of weeks, surrounded by my friends and family, and I'll be using them to help keep me moving. It is almost baseball season. By the end of June, my ass will fit in one of those seats! I know it won't be easy. I know it is going to require a lot of work on my part. It is also going to require a more healthy diet than I have been using during most of this past year. But I know I can do it. And I appreciate all of you helping to keep me motivated. For helping me remember that this isn't easy, and I am not alone. I appreciate all of you for sticking with me for this past year. Let's make the next one even better!

It's about time I show Remus what a bitch I can be when I don't like someone. =)

Reward Yourself

For the bulk of my life, I have been using food as a reward.  I am certain I am not the only person who has done this - but I am also very certain that it is a major contributing factor to my current predicament (that I am huge).  I aced that test - I probably need a donut.  I got a raise - let's go out to dinner (with the inferred: and completely over indulge).  I am another year older!!  Let's go out to dinner, and follow it up by consuming 4,000 calories in alcohol!!  (Added bonus for the birthday celebration?  You will be too hung over the next day to go work out - so it is even more destructive)  I just went to the gym and did an hour on the elliptical - I should probably go get a huge soda, and maybe some Cheetos.  None of my clothes fit any longer - I should probably go drink...  And regardless of what is going on - the diet is always starting tomorrow.

With FC (my ultimate "tomorrow") on the horizon - I have been challenged to come up with new and innovative rewards.  I am in complete agreement that getting healthier should be my biggest reward - and it will be - but I also like to have the carrot dangling in front of me (see how good I am getting already?  working veggies into my blog entries).  I don't have a ton of extra cash to go on elaborate shopping sprees - so I am looking for new ideas.  Do any of you use a reward system?  If so - I would love to hear your ideas for non-food rewards.  (if I was on Biggest Loser - you could insert the gratuitous Extra Sugar Free Gum speech here.  You want Chocolate cake?  Have a 5 calorie piece of gum instead.  Riiiiiiiiigggghhht.)   

I am going to stay on track, regardless of  the reward system (or lack thereof) that I come up with.  I will be recruiting friends and family to help keep me busy, and moving. (a couple of friends may even hire me to mow their lawns!  yippee!!  I can be 13 again!  Well, hello calorie burn while in the sun - nice to meet you)  Sadly - they won't fire me from the gym for not getting my workouts in (trust me -  I have been testing this for years!!  As long as you pay your monthly membership fee they don't care if you come in or not).  You would think they would miss seeing me - as delightful as I am - but they don't appear to.  Gym dates will be a regular thing - so everyone get ready!   

I am looking for your ideas - - Do you have any cheap (or free) reward ideas that I might be able to incorporate?