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At least to begin with, I am basing my calorie target on what I’ve read in The Biggest Loser book. This is my present weight x 7 and I am actually making this a moving target based on my day-to-day weight. I may modify this as time goes on, but for now I need some good "rules" for the challenge. Having a daily calorie goal and being consistent with keeping a food journal are two things that I believe will really help me to learn to have the discipline that I need to achieve my long-term weight loss goals.

Today, for example my calorie target is:

272 (current weight) x 7 = 1904 calories

I write this number at the top of my notebook page and subtract calories as I record my food throughout the day.

In another post, I will record some examples of exactly what that food diary looks like for me….the good, the bad, the ugly! 😉  So far, so good…not too much ugly goin on around here!

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Today I celebrate my 37th birthday! WooHoo!

OK, not that I am so excited about adding another year 😉 but I know this year is going to be a turning point for me. I have a vision of making BIG changes in my life beginning now!

I tend to become very reflective during this time of year. Actually I always say that MY New Year begins on my bday – it is only 1 week after the official New Year and it gives me some time to get those goals/resolutions together.

Before I turn 40 (gulp), I would like to:

• be the most healthy and fit that I’ve ever been
• be completely debt free and well I on my way to financial freedom
• be in relationship (married or headed that way) with my future husband

It all starts with the 2007 Weight Loss Challenge!  I am NOT going to beat myself up anymore about how many years have gone by without the positive change…this year is all about moving forward.

Tomorrow is my first official weigh-in and I’m feeling great! Despite my back injury this week, I do think I’ve lost weight. We’ll find out tomorrow…

For now, I will enjoy my birthday (celebrating with J & AJ) and there will NOT be cake this year for me! (not that I think this is a bad thing for special occasions – I’m just not ready for it this early in the challenge)

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This week has been off to a rough start in terms of exercise. I’ve done something crazy to my back…could be the tons of groceries I carried in my backpack over the weekend. Doh! When will I learn not to do that?!

So, I’ve been faced with the decision of really pushing myself through a lot of pain to be able to do my walking goals for the week or allow my back to heal, knowing that I’ll be that much ready for next week.

Actually there really isn’t a choice as it’s severely wacked…ugh!

What can I learn from this? There WILL definitely be set-backs and unpredictable times throughout this journey to lose weight. The important thing will be how I choose to handle it. In other words, true that I cannot exercise as intended, but this does not mean that I am not starting my weight loss as planned. I will carry on with a new plan for healthy eating. Really I should lose weight due to the decrease in calories, even without the exercise. This is what I am focusing on. When I’m able to walk a bit, I will do a bit. 😉

I’ll be checking in later with my progress and weight loss (YES, I believe there will be weight loss) for the week.

Onward!

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It’s here! Day 1 of the Weight Loss Challenge.

I have to say that I’m excited. I feel prepared and ready to rock-n-roll. I know it’s not going to be easy…that there will be bumps along the way, but this is truly the beginning of a major change in my life. I can feel it! It’s going to be different this time.  I WILL lose this weight once and for all and so will YOU my friend.

Let’s do it – virtual High-5! 😉

Ok…so the scale – back to the scale. I bought a little digital number from Walmart a few days ago. I figure it will be good to see the fractions of a pound. Hey, there are days where 1/2 lb lost is cause for celebration, right?

Drum roll….(I’m hearing the annoying woman from The Biggest Loser’s voice in my head) 😉

My starting weight as of January 1, 2007 is exactly 278 lbs.

Errrrr…gulp. Yeah, that’s a pretty big number, isn’t it? I’m not going to dwell on this today – today is a GREAT day – a NEW day…there will be time later to ponder the fact that I have let myself get this heavy…this out of control with my weight. There will be time later to reflect from an emotional place of strength. Today I am moving into a new healthy way of living. This is my goal….to be healthy and fit!

No pressure, but please do feel free to post your starting weight here as well. I really do want us to help support one another in this process and tho we will be starting our journey from different places (weights), our process will be similar and we can not have too many cheerleaders to give us the encouragement that we will need.

So, are you with me?

🙂

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This list includes items that I feel are essential for beginning my Weight Loss Challenge. I’m including those items that I already have in the hopes that it may be useful for someone. These are items that I would plan to need within the first quarter of my plan. I will post updated lists and food ideas as I go along and encourage you to add your own favorites please. 😉

Exercise Related:

• comfortable walking shoes
• floor mat
• set of dumbbells (5 lbs to start, working up to 10 lbs)
• ipod (not essential, but I love listening to something while walking)
• 8 Minute Ab workout Dvd (will write more about this later)
• Pilates Dvd (will write more about this later)
• comfortable walking clothes (sweats, shorts)

Food Related:

• scale for weighing food
• measuring cups, spoons
• notebook for food diary (to count calories)
• low calorie cookbook(s)
• calorie counting book

Grocery List:

• lots of vegetables: lettuce, carrots, cucumber, broccoli, green beans, potatoes
• lots of fruit: apples (Fugi), bananas, strawberries, blueberries, oranges, kiwi, pears
• skim milk
• margarine
• low calorie (wheat) bread
• cereal (Shredded Wheat)
• eggs
• lunch meat (turkey or ham)
• cheese (slices, shredded Mexican, parmesan)
• pasta and pasta sauce
• rice (I like Basmati)
• tortillas
• taco seasoning pack
• beef (ground sirloin for lowest fat/calories)
• chicken
• other meat/protein options
• low sodium canned soup

That should be good for a start!

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Spiritual:
I commit this challenge and these goals to God. I know that the relationship that I have with Jesus is THE most important piece of my life – with Him I can do all things. I’m frustrated that my physical body does not display a testimony of faith and the power of who Christ is in me. I vow to spend time with God daily and when it gets hard to remember that my body is truly His temple and for me to really be and do everything that He has intended for me, I must get my physical body in alignment with His word.

Emotional:
I am SO ready to do this! I know why I want to do lose the weight and I know that it will be challenging at times. I am committed. I am looking at this as a process and I know that losing over 100 lbs is not going to be fast and it’s not going to be easy. I WILL do it and 1 year from now, there will be so many accomplishments to look back on. I feel that losing the weight is just the beginning of many good things ahead…for me, and for you.

Time Management:
To achieve this weight loss goal. I know that I need to be very committed to a schedule of exercise. At the beginning, it may also be necessary to plan out my meals/calories ahead of time. My goal is not to be fanatical long-term – I don’t want to always HAVE to plan/write everything, but I know that in this beginning stage it is a necessary piece of the discipline that I’ve been lacking. I know that there will be days when I don’t feel like exercising and it is those days where I MUST do it, just because I have committed to it in my calendar/schedule. For this stage, the weight loss challenge MUST be a #1 priority and focus in my life so I need to commit the time it takes daily to make this happen. Since I have the advantage of a flexible schedule and working from home, there is NO excuse for not finding the time to exercise during the day.

Physical:
Where am I at today physically? I’m feeling a bit better than I did a few months ago when the most I could seem to walk at a time was 15 minutes. I just need to remember that I can allow myself to start out slow, with the recognition that I should be diligent about pushing myself each day. I will begin with walking and it’s important to have a comfortable pair of walking shoes. (which I have!)

My Initial Goals:
I will begin my regular process of writing out my goals. I will start with the longer 1 year goal, breaking this down into quarterly, monthly, weekly and then day by day. I will also record this here and encourage you to share your goals as well.

Grocery List:
Tomorrow I am going to make out my grocery list and do a big shop to be sure that my kitchen is filled with healthy food and at least one sweet, (but low calorie) option. I know that if I don’t buy "bad" foods and have them at my home, I won’t be tempted. Not having a car definitely does cut down on the temptation to head to the nearest fast food joint! I also don’t want to completely deprive myself so finding a good sweet option and some other options for things that I like (such as pizza) will be essential to my long-term success.

Ready, Set, GO!!!!!

🙂