Day 1 Of Getting Back On Track

My dear girls from my positivity group were both sick this morning. Which made me sad because I was really looking forward to our weekly meeting. I feel so recharged after. I hope that they both have a very speedy recovery. :) So instead of the meeting I decided that since I was already up why not just get the gym out of the way. So I did. It felt really good to be back so good in fact that I felt good enough to hop on the scale to see were I was. Guess what? 315lbs! That's right, uh huh!! I have lost .9 lbs since my last weigh in. I am just so freakin' ecstatic that I haven't gained anything over the past week.

So in a healthy celebration, my gurl Adrienne and I are going out for sushi. Good for you sushi....okay, maybe 1 shrimp tempura roll but everything else will be divine.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

I have been reading a lot of weight loss blogs recently. I guess I have been searching for examples in other bloggers for what I have been feeling lately. I mean, I completed my 21 Day Challenge. I am rewarding myself with non food prizes. I have even started to really appreciate and focus on the things I really like about myself. However this past week I haven't been to the gym once and I really haven't been very diligent with my healthy eating. In fact I have been eating what I want when I want it. To be perfectly honest, I am eating Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia out of the carton while I write this. Isn't that freakin ridiculous?! Never the less I am still eating it while writing a post about loosing focus on my weight loss blog and staring at the wing of fat waving under my arm while I turn the volume down on the tv.

What's the point of this post you may be asking yourself? The point is that I am starting fresh and new this minute. The one common fact about most weight loss success stories is that they would often lose focus in the beginning but that the point was to never give up. Just start again that very minute. Which is what I have decided to do....right now. I have put the ice cream away, am drinking a large glass of water and getting my game plan straight in my head.

Tomorrow I am starting my day by having a positivity meeting with two of the most amazing women I know while eating healthy and delicious food that is good for my body. Then I will head off to work to be a care provider for my clients. After that I will tra-la-la off to the gym to provide some much needed care for me. I may even get up the courage to get on the scale to see where I stand. Once I hit the grocery store I will start my next 21 day challenge of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables.

I just need to remember to stay focused and never give up. Because I am worth it. :)

Reaching My Final Goal

I have been thinking about this a lot over the past several months. I have a reward system in place for when I lose the first 50 pounds, have kinda started thinking about what my rewards would be for the next 50 but beyond that I haven't really come up with anything. It seems that in typical "me" fashion I have been concentrating most on the prize at the end. What in the world would I give, get or have done to myself when I finally reach the great and powerful Oz? The possibilities are limitless because, let's face it, I really can't picture myself there yet. In my mind it is still a little unattainable and maybe that is a good thing. Maybe it helps to force me to focus on just the "next 5 pounds" because 5 pounds is not nearly as daunting as say..... the next 150 pounds. Which right now is my end goal. I want to see how I look and more importantly how I feel at 170 pounds.

If, no, WHEN I reach my final goal I want the reward to be something so spectacular, so amazing, so unbelievably outrageous that I become addicted to the idea of actually achieving it. It has to be something that I already obsess about, dream about, ache for. So here is what I came up with:

When I reach my goal of 170 pounds I am going on a two week hiking trip through the Scottish Highlands! Now the question is: WHO'S COMIN' WITH ME?! :) Check out this site and this site to get an idea of what I am talking about.

HELL YEAH!

Guess What UPS Just Dropped Off?!

!!!!!!!!!

I had decided about a week ago that I would make this my reward for the 21 Day Challenge.

I am so in love with this bathing suit that I am wearing it right now while I type this post.

" All right, Mr DeMille, I'm ready for my close up. "

This Book Is A Must Read......

for anyone and everyone who has ever been completely and utterly confused about what to eat. Science keeps changing it's mind about what we can have and what we can't, how much of it and how we can have it. I personally can't keep up with an ever changing list of rules. Which is why I was so drawn to this book. I wont go into great detail but if you have issues with weight, food and health, like I do, then please do yourself a favor and read this.

Third And Final Effing Week Of The Challenge:

7/12/08gym: 30 min elliptical, 20 min lower body weights, 10 min cool down and stretch

7/13/08gym: 30 min elliptical, 2o min upper body weights, 10 min cool down and stretch

7/14/08gym: 30 min elliptical, 20 min core ball exercises, 10 min cool down and stretch

7/15/08gym: 30 min elliptical, 10 min cool down and stretch

7/16/08gym: 30 min elliptical, 10 min cool down and stretch ( I know it seems repetitive but that is all I have had time for the past week)

7/17/08gym: 30 min elliptical, 10 min cool down and stretch

7/18/08gym: 30 min elliptical, 10 min cool down and stretch DONE!!!!

I did it! I actually freakin did it! In fact I am a wee bit surprised that I didn't make an excuse to not go. I mean there were times when I desperately wanted to, when I had no time for anything else and all I wanted to do was take a nap I still went. I am really proud of myself. And yes I am actually a little teary eyed typing this.

I foresee my next challenge being a bit more "challenging" because it involves food. I have decided to do the 5 servings of fruits and veggies daily 21 day challenge. It is the perfect time of year to do it since the farmer's market is in full swing. I haven't decided on a day to start the challenge yet but I will definitely let you all know. I will also be doing a weigh in sometime next week on the day I feel the lightest. ;)

Thank you all so much for your incredible support and love. I think I would have given up on myself a few times if it hadn't been for you. I love you all!

XOXOXOXOXO!

I Got My Hair Did.......

and it is super cute! Sorry I don't have a picture to go with it but I will try to get one. The closest picture I could find of what my hair kinda looks like is this (the color is not the same though):

You like?

The End Is Nigh!

Three more days. I think I can hold on for three....gasp....more days. (slumps to the floor)

Reasons Why I Want To Lose Weight

Just To Fat put up a lovely post reminding herself why she was trying to lose weight in the first place. It's a very inspiring post and at the end she encourages other bloggers to make a similar list. I have been thinking about mine for a few days and here is what I have come up with so far:

• To feel the kind of sexy that healthy and fit people seem to just radiate
• To be able to walk into any clothing store and make cute and sassy apparel purchases
• So that my lower back doesn't constantly hurt
• To do any adventure sport without being completely out of breath
• To feel confident in dating again
• So I can enjoy sex without being self conscious
• To attract an amazing man
• To fit comfortably in an airplane seat
• To look beautiful and graceful dancing
• To feel small and feminine (as much as I can at 5'10)
• So I can comfortably do Yoga

These are just a few I came up with and the closer I get to my goal, the more I hope to come up with so that I can continue to give myself that little extra push.

How about you?

Okay Kiddies, Here Is Week Two Of The Challenge:

7/05/08gym: 30 min. elliptical, 10 min. cool down and stretch

7/06/08gym: 30 min. elliptical, 20 min lower body strength training, 10 min cool down and stretch

7/07/08gym: 45 min elliptical, 20 min upper body strength training, 10 min core/ball training, 10 min cool down and stretch

7/08/08gym: 1 hour hip hop dance class

7/09/08gym: 30 min elliptical, 10 minute cool down and stretch

7/10/08gym: hour long hip hop dance class

7/11/08gym: 30 min elliptical, 30 min core ball exercises, 10 min cool down and stretch

This was an incredibly hard week to get through. I have heard that the second week of breaking or forming a habit is hardest but I had no idea how hard. Jeesh! So today officially starts my third and final week of the work out challenge and I am approaching it with mixed emotions. Equal parts excitement and dread.

My dear friend Elisa brought up a very interesting point the other day and suggested that I pick a special reward ( not one I already have listed for lbs lost) for the completion of this challenge. I told her I thought it was a great idea and then proceeded to go completely blank with what that prize should be.

So my questions for you dear readers are:

1.) What should my reward be for the completion of this challenge?

2.) What should my next challenge be?

I am trying to keep momentum and would like to continue challenging myself until my goal is reached. Maybe this one could be a food challenge. Like..... making sure I get 5 fruits and veggies every single day. Especially since this is the season of plenty.

Toodle-loo my little chick-a-dees!

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008)

I love this!

Still Pluggin' Along

Hello everyone! Yes, I am still here and yes I am still working out every freakin' day but I can tell you that the high I was feeling during the first seven days has most certainly worn off. It has really become a "challenge" this second week. My actual last day for the challenge is Friday July 18th and it feels like it will never get here! I have made a decision to not weigh myself until after the challenge is over because I was sneaking some quick peeks here and there and was becoming extremely frustrated since my weight was going up and down all over the place. In my mind I know that my body is just trying to adjust to the new workout load but the instant gratification girl inside of me wants the results to show now.

I have really started feeling the aches and pains in my body as well. My left knee constantly twinges so I think I need a brace for workouts until I can get the majority of my weight off. Even though I am stretching like a crazy person my calves are on fire. In fact two nights ago I got a charlie horse in the right one. I haven't had one of those in years. Maybe my electrolytes are off or I need more potassium.....I don't know. If you all have any suggestions I would love to hear them.

Now, it's not all been bad. I have started to notice a difference in my clothes. My body seems toner, my skin looks much better... in fact sometimes it looks down right glowy! Plus my exercise high seems to last longer after each workout. Maybe I am starting to develop a habit. Hmmmmm.

How are the rest of you doing out there with your own challenges?

First 7 Days Of The 21 Day Challenge

Alrighty, here is the first lot of workouts. I have to say that I feel really good. I have definitely noticed an improved difference in energy and focus in my daily activities. I have more energy to do more massages and I don't seem to get as sore after a long day. Excellent!

I would like to point out that even though I had the hangoverest of hangovers today, I still managed to drag my sorry butt to the gym at 9pm tonight to do 30 min. of elliptical and 10 min. cool down and stretch. I AM WOMAN. HEAR ME ROAR!


6/28/08 gym: 30 minutes Elliptical, and 20 min lower body weights, 10 min cool down and stretch

6/29/08 gym: 30 min. Elliptical, 30 min. water weights

6/30/08 gym: 30 min. Elliptical, 40 min weights, crunches, push ups and cool down stretch

7/01/08 gym: hour long Hip Hop dance class

7/02/08 Gym: 30 min Elliptical, 10 min stretch and cool down

7/03/08 gym: hour long Hip Hop dance class

7/04/08 gym: 30 min elliptical, 15 min core workout, 10 min cool down and stretch

EEK!! It's Swimsuit Season

Yes, it's every big girls favorite time of year......swimsuit season. I know, hold back your excitement. I already knew in my mind that I would have to find a new suit for the cruise in December which wasn't so bad since I have a little time until then but I have been invited to go to Duck, NC with my extended step family for a few days in August. Now before you say, "What's the big deal?", I will tell you what the big deal is. My entire step family is petite with super cute figures and let's face it, when I am around them I feel like a heifer. Most of them do not reach above 5'4 and they have no body fat, never sweat and can wear the cutest of clothes and the sassiest of heels while I clump along beside them in flats sweating my makeup off and ruining my freshly styled hair.



So in my desperation to try my darnedest to at least look stylish next to them I began BIG GIRL SWIMSUIT HUNT 2008. And this is what I found:





Isn't it just stunning?! It reminds me of a time when sirens of the silver screen came equipped with curves for days and those curves were celebrated if not coveted. So I am saving up my pennies so that I can, at least for one day, feel like Marilyn Monroe.

Happy 4th Everyone!!

The 21 Day Challenge

I am actually participating in my very first blog health challenge. Lorrie of The Token Fat Girl threw down an interesting gauntlet. She asked those of use interested to challenge ourselves to something healthy for 21 days straight. In my over zealousness I pledged that I would work out for at least 30 minutes every day for 21 days. At the time it seemed a great idea but now that I am on day 6, and tomorrow being a holiday, I am starting to ask myself, "What have you done, Olivia?!" And that's okay because I am still plugging along.

Tonight I have my hour long hip hop class. Tomorrow the gym is open until 2pm so I can get my workout done in the morning and still have time to party. Saturday there is a new dance class I want to take called Zumba and Sunday can be whatever I want. So that will put me at day 9 and then I'll only have 12 days left!

*weeps quietly to herself*

Pray for me.

Any takers out there to doing their own 21 day challenge?

Reward For Reaching Goal # 1

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I was going into Ulta to purchase my reward for losing the first five pounds. I felt like breaking out into song and spinning in the isles but I didn't cause that would be weird. Anywho, here is what I chose:

OPI's I'm Not Really A Waitress.

You can see the color better in this picture.

and I couldn't resist picking up OPI's newest editions the Nic's Sticks paint-n-go nail lacquer in I'm Outta Here!

So, you like?