At least I beat Larry!

I'm a little ashamed it has been so long since I've written. I was taking a little time off from thinking about my weight every flipping second of the day since the weight loss contest I was participating in had ended. When it was discovered by my husband that I had been weighing myself 5-6 times a day, and he called me on it, I knew I needed to back off a bit.
So how did the contest end? Well pretty damn well. I didn't place first but I placed third for the month and overall. Honestly I couldn't have lost any more pounds than I did that final month without purging daily so I am very proud with my final numbers. No pills, no crash diets, just hard work.
I lost 30 pounds!! And it shows! Best of all, I beat Larry, the biggest bs-ing, trash talking guy in the contest. He would tell me all he was eating three days before final weigh-in was tuna and prune juice! Since the contest we have become friends. I believe he felt being the nemesis for the rest of us was the best way he could motivate us all to work harder. He was right. When contest results came out how we placed wasn't nearly as important as whether or not we beat Larry!

Now the next goals for May sounded simple but really were harder than you might imagine.
1) Maintain the weight loss. I didn't have to lose more in May. Just maintain.
2) Do not go crazy on fatty fast foods or large portions just because I no longer had to worry about the shame of a bad weigh-in.
3) Continue a steady workout schedule. Maybe not 7 days a week but at least 4-5. Preferably 5.

My Asics Lady GT 2170

Well I have to say I didn't do as well as I wanted but the result was still the same.
I did maintain my weight loss. Yes!! I am certain the only way that happened was due to continuing to work out at least 5 days a week. Certainly wasn't because I stayed away from fast food. Others may give me a temporary pass on this, and I appreciate that, but if I feel guilty than it is highly likely I did eat out too often and/or often went too big on the portions. I'm sure people would allow a certain amount of celebrating after accomplishing a weight loss goal but I was hoping that my new body with a new attitude would not seek food as a reward. I already had another reward that I hoped would satisfy. New running shoes!! I love my new shoes. They are so clean and bouncy. Look cool too.
I think the tough part of reminding myself to control my food this month has been the lack of properly fitting clothes. I am swimming in everything I own! Not a bad problem to have I know. But if you are trying to keep your appetite in control having tons of room in your clothes does NOT help. You don't feel full or uncomfortable. And you certainly don't get to see your new figure because your current wardrobe doesn't show it off.
I have a long way to go before I have lost all the weight I want to lose. So staying focused on short and long range goals and finding motivation every damn day has become more important now than ever.
So I'm off for a mind clearing walk/jog around the neighborhood to plan out the next move.
As always,
Be excellent to each other.
Barbara

Plus Size Sports Bras

Good Link for a simple article on what to look for in a plus size sports bra.
http://hourglasslingerie.net/blog/plus-size-sports-bras-101
Friends have suggested trying the Champion brand. I have also found a few choices on OneStopPlus.com.
Remember to purchase a sports bra for comfort and function, not fashion.
Poor support can truly cause damage that won't every fully repair.

Inner Allies

Say what you want about the TV show GLEE but the haters have to admit the cast can really belt out a good tune. Their mash-ups are particularly genious. This season the ladies combined two Adele songs; Rumor Has It and Someone Like You, into one soulful, vengeful, I'll show you! mover of a song perfect for the your cardio. This song speaks to so many on so many levels. Everyone at one time or another has been set aside for a new shiny toy, made to feel unappreciated, put down or underestimated. Either by someone else or maybe by yourself. Crank this tune during your work out with your new mantra of, "Watch this 'cause you ain't seen nothin' yet!"

Here is the link for the video:  http://youtu.be/-_uchIyNIvc

My personal favorite motivational phrase- as I approach my preferred treadmill among the line of 10 at the fitness center - "I'm going to own you bitch."  Yes, over the past 3 months of working out 6 days a week I have developed a love/hate relationship with one particular treadmill. And I'm not the only one. Recently over heard another woman in the locker room saying she hoped no one would be on her elliptical. Damn straight! You know what, some days to get through it you have got to make it personal. Even if your vendetta is against a machine. Whatever it takes I say. Whatever it takes to make you stand up and fight for yourself. Getting in shape, losing weight is just that serious and just that personal for many people. So much of the fight is mental. A total head game.
In the beginning it is you against yourself. Your mind versus your body. And hell are they pissed off at each other! You mind wants a higher functioning body and is so angry at your body for failing to perform. Your body wants to function better but is ticked off your mind keeps convincing you that Little Debbie snack cakes are what you really need to help you feel better. Or that you are being selfish and have a long list of other priorities besides your health that are more important. Isn't it selfish to want just an hour to yourself each day to work out, destress, gain knowledge?
Um, NO. It's not.
Choose your battle field and let the fight begin. Your battle field can be a fitness center, your bicycle at home, the space in front of your TV were you participate in Pilates video, the park you walk in . . . any place that works for you. 
Bring.
It.
On!
In the beginning, trying to make exercise a habit instead of a once a year guilt trip is very much a battle between you and yourself. Do not give up. Keep fighting the battle. Again and again. Some days your mind will lose because your body is convinced it is too tired. Some days your body will lose because your mind is convinced it is hungry and chooses a fattening comfort food and lots of it. But if you keep fighting a change begins to occur. Subtle at first but it will happen if you do not give up on yourself. Your body and mind will soon discover that when one wins by making a healthy choice they both win. Healthier food choices will give the body more energy to move. Exercising the body will keep the mind sharper and more aware of making the right choices about nutrition. And this is only one small example of the mind/body connection but there are many, many more as you will discover. A tipping point is reached where the body and mind discover if they team up they could win the war! When they become allies they are unstoppable. You are unstoppable.

But of course, it is still motivating to have a common foe for your body and mind to defeat on your chosen battle field. And that, my friends, was the moment I was able to confidently walk up to my treadmill and say, "I'm going to own you bitch."

As always,
Be excellent to each other,
Barbara