Jun 2, 2011

So, what's the plan?

In short: I plan to burn more than I take in.  That seems simple enough.  Right?  Well, if it was so simple, there wouldn't be a multi-billion dollar weight loss industry in this country.  My goal is to lose 75 pounds in the course of one year and I want to create lasting habits for a healthy lifestyle.  I am going to achieve this by adding one new healthy habit each month.  I'll also be weighing in at the end of every week to chart my weight loss.  If, at the weigh-ins, it becomes obvious that my "plan" isn't working, I'll add to my regimen!

JUNE:
For the month of June, I am going to take a 30-45 minute power walk every day.  I'm not trying to tweak my workout or tone my butt or fit into a special dress or lose 5 pounds for my high school reunion.  Until two days ago, I had not worked out in almost two years. But if you want to get moving... then get moving! This morning, for the second day in a row, I laced up my shoes, grabbed my pedometer and walked out the door.  I will do this everyday.  When the month is over, I'll reassess and add a new habit.  July will most likely entail a big shift in my diet.

While I was out on my walk today, I saw all kinds of joggers and runners doing their daily distance training.  I was beginning to feel bad about hauling my big, waddling body out in public when this very old man in a pair of bib overalls came walking towards me.  He had on a pair of white running shoes and a pedometer.  I smiled at him and as we passed he shouted to me in a creaky voice, "Good for us!"  Yep - me and the old dude - we're making some changes!  I felt so uplifted that I decided to run the rest of the way home.  The first five strides were great.  Wind in my hair.  Smile on my face.  Then, when I picked up speed, I about knocked myself out from the back swing of my boobs.  I can just see tomorrow's headline: "Dallas area woman suffers concussion from blow to the head by her own breast."  Note to self:  buy a sports bra. 


P.S.  I reached 6,000 steps before 11am!

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sarah - so excited for you! I have made the same exact plan - lose 75 pounds by November. I started jogging at the beginning of April and have decresed my calories to about 1650/day. I have lost 12 pounds so far. At just about 230 lounds and 5'7" jogging was horendous at first - I could only make it about 1.5 miles, but now I am doing 3 non-stop every day. Good luck to you!

Anonymous said...

Good for you for adding in the run! And don't forget how good that man made you feel! Sometimes I high five neighbors when I see them out jogging. It really DOES give an adrenaline rush...you never know if they were just about to slow down or start walking!

Holly said...

Running definitely has a cameraderie aspect...and the bond is very strong in the summer. There is a different look when we make eye contact as we are slogging it out in 85 degrees. My current favorite sports bra is the Fiona by Moving Comfort. And I have had quite a few. Hollygirl from DAM.

white collar | green soul said...

the part about the old man made me smile. and then the part about you knocking yourself out with your own boobs made me laugh.

Nicki said...

I found your blog through Kelly's blog! I always hated running, and could barely run half a mile about two years ago. Little by little I started running, and I ran my first marathon in January. I still can't believe it happened, but AMAZING things WILL happen when you push yourself. I have a blog to help keep me accountable for running (runningnicki.blogspot.com), and it has made a big difference! Good luck with your exercise -- you are out there and DOING it!

Sarah said...

LOL! "Me and the old man" :)

I need to start this. Very inspiring and I have a lot of weight to lose.

Can't wait to keep reading. Keep it up girl! :)

Connie said...

I am laughing so hard. This could be a good outlet for your fabulous sense of humor. I got my butt out the door last night after my yoga class and walked abour three miles fast. Trying to get back before dark. As I was on my last 1/2 mile, I realized I'd dropped my phone on the walk. Probably when I stopped to pet a dog, or perhaps when I leaned over the fence to pet the mare and her new foal, or when I leaned over to pick up some trash. Had to back track in the car. Happily, I found it.

Kelly | Fabulous K said...

Love the poster! And moving is moving!! Go girl!

Splenderosa said...

I'm going to post about this. You could have 5000-10000 new followers in about 5 minutes, you know? Love love love

anita said...

The best part about the exercise is the feel-goods afterward.
Keep going! But don't be too hard on yourself if you take a day off.
I do 6 days a week of my walkrun.

Sarah Greenman said...

You're right, Anita - I think I might do Sundays off. My husband just said the very same thing to me. But YES, it feels so good to check it off and say, "I did it".

SkinnyMeg said...

Good for you girl! If you are a Dallas girl you need to go to The Maddox Shop on Garland and Buckner Rd and get yourself an awesome sports bra! They are the best for us big boobied girls :) I lost 80 over the last 2 years and running really helped me get there, I started out walking and then running a little bit {more of a jiggle job, you know where you jog just fast enough to make stuff jiggle} and worked my way up to a half marathon! It sucked at first and now I love it!

Helen said...

haha! I love your ending. :)
Good for you! The thing I've learned about runners is that most of them started out, as adults, from nothing. So next time picture yourself as them one day. (Well, if that's what you aspire to be that is.)

Appletree said...

awesome. a partner helps too. I walk/run with my neighbor and it is one of my favorite parts of my day. most days we have to do it at 6:20 so nothing else can get in the way like sick kids or husbands with other agendas. ps: you have to get the Maia bra by moving comfort. I'm a DD and it is the only one that works for me

Daydreamer said...

Fisrt, congrats and I'm so happy you're doing this. I love your other blog, but enjoy hearing your 'personal' voice, which is so engaging.
I've tried different fitness plans over the years and have never done a 'before' photo. This time I decided it would be a helpful motivator, so I had my hubby take photos of me in bra and underwear in the backyard, in the brightest sunlight to show every lump and dimple. I decided I had to be brutal with myself. It's completely humiliating and the photos are only for me and my inner coach.
I'll be following you and cheering for you. I think your approach is healthy and you can do it!!