The Life and Times of Jo: I Think I Can, I Know I Can, I Will, and I Won't

Yesterday, I told you about the Shrinkvivor challenge that I'm doing. I told you all about the challenge, but never really explained what I hope to gain from the challenge....or my plans for the challenge.

Of course, it's obvious I want to lose weight. Losing weight is the top priority... but there are other important factors that come in to play. Setting goals always scares me. If feels like once I type out the words, some evil force takes over that does something to me. It's almost like a self sabotage demon. I say I'll do one thing, evil demon proves that I'll do the complete opposite. Don't worry, no priests or exorcisms will be needed... I don't think, anyway.

Instead of writing out all of my goals. I'm going to try a different format. I'm going to lay my goals out by categorizing them into things I think I can accomplish, things I know I can if I put my mind to it, and then the things I will definitely do to push myself into the right direction. I'm also going to lay out things I won't do...to hopefully help keep the sabotage demon at bay.

I think I can....lose 20lbs during this challenge. I know, that's a steep number to pull off in 7 weeks. It's almost 3lbs a week. I have been able to gain 3lbs in a week - pretty darned easily, I might add - but taking it off will be much harder. It's going to take a lot of work...but I think I can do it. Losing 20lbs will put me back to just over 210lbs. That's where I want to be...because that's where I was when I was the weight loss warrior.

I think I can.... find a way to get in at least 15 minutes of exercise each day. That's a very low number to shoot for - but it's for those days when I feel like I have so much on my plate, the last thing I want to do is exercise. If I can just find something to do for 15 minutes - like some Yoga, or a quick EA Active Trainer session... I should be able to get on track.

I know I can... get my butt to the track at least twice a week. On Saturdays and Sundays there's not a single reason why I can't get myself to the track and get some serious minutes logged for the fitness challenge. Again, I'm keeping the number low. There's not really any reason I can't go out to run or walk more than that... but by setting my goals low, it only leaves room to beat my goals. I have a lot of stuff going on at work. I'm going to be coaching Quiz Bowl on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school, and I'm involved in a book study that happens on Wednesdays after school. So, that's three days out of the week that I won't be finishing work until after 4pm. Doesn't mean I can't run on those days - but the chances that I'm going to have the motivation (in the beginning anyway) to run after such a long day is slim. I'm not going to set myself up for failure.

I know I can... make healthy eating choices without counting and logging everything I eat. Even though this is breaking the number one rule of weight loss... I've proven to myself that I can do it. The majority of my weight loss came while I was conscious about what I was eating, sticking to eating three meals a day with one or two snacks, and not logging or counting a single calorie while I did it. When I was logging everything, I often got frustrated. It was a hassle trying to remember everything I ate if I logged once a day, and it was an even bigger hassle to try and log everything right after I ate. Wait. When I say I don't count or log calories - I mean I don't put it all down on paper (or into a fancy online spreadsheet). Before I eat anything, I check the nutritional information. I set a calorie goal for each meal, and prepare foods that fall in that calorie range. I just don't write it all down. That make sense? Not really? Oh, well - I know what I'm talking about.

I will....drink lots of water. No brainer, right? While the first rule of losing weight is logging everything you eat - which I'm breaking - the second rule is to drink lots of water. This rule I'm going to obey. In fact, I've been doing that for a while, now. I'm still not drinking as much as I should - but I've been getting in about 40ozs of water each day....thanks to the awesome water machine at work. Yep, in the break room at work there is a crushed ice dispenser that also gives out cold, filtered water. How awesome is that? It's free to drink water - and free is always good in my book. My goal is to drink a cup of coffee during my first class - and then drink a glass of water for each class after. I have six classes a day, two breaks, and lunch. I should be able to get in 64ozs of water pretty easily...if not a lot more.

I will....pack my breakfast and lunch each and every day to take to work. Again, this is something I've been doing - so there's no real work involved with making this happen. Being on a tight budget has had it's benefits. I am buying and preparing my lunch at home to bring to work - so no fast food or cafeteria food for me! Some days I bring leftovers, some days I bring frozen Healthy Choice meals. I have been buying the frozen meals that are low on sodium, and low on additives. There are so many "clean" options now, that it's pretty easy to find something healthy to take for lunch. I'm also making sure that I take some form of fruit to eat either at lunch or for a snack. My work breakfast has been the same since I was interning - a Greek yogurt and some form of fiber filled granola bar.

I won't....be too hard on myself. This is probably one of my biggest set backs. Anytime I fall into a moment, or hour, or day, or week, or month of weakness - I dwell on it forever. Then, once the dwelling begins, it's a constant downward spiral - as I've made apparent these past few months. The key will be locking set backs down to moments - maybe days - but that's it. If I do have a bad moment (or day), I will just have to remind myself that I just start over the minute the moment has passed - and let it go. Even though I have full intentions of taking this challenge very seriously, I just have to remember that not every day will be perfect. I also know from experience that there may be weeks that I've put in a great effort, but the scale refuses to show that effort. I just have to keep in mind that it will - as long as I stay positive and keep pushing myself.

I won't....make excuses. A little over a year ago, I was the Queen of No Excuses. This year? I've been the Queen of Making Excuses. Every single time I did something I wasn't proud of, I came up with a great excuse. I can't find a job. I'm stressed out. I don't have time. Wah, Wah, Wah. Excuse after excuse. It is now one of my goals to go back to No Excuses. If I mess up - I must take responsibility, and learn from it.

I think I can do well in this challenge.
I know I can give it my best shot - and regardless of the outcome, keep fighting.
I will support others involved in this challenge.
I won't give up - quitting is not an option.

Till next time. ;)