Discipline

I'm not what I would call a naturally disciplined person.  Nor was I raised to be a particularly disciplined person.   That's not meant to disparage my upbringing - I was surrounded by very loving and wonderful, but often indulgent parents and grandparents.

Oh, I was raised by A LOT of adults so I should probably back this up a bit.

My mom was a single mom who worked two-three jobs at a time for the first nine years of my life.  We lived next door to my grandparents, great-aunt, and great-grandmother who all lived in the same house.  We had that big loud and boy-do-we-love-our-carbs Polish immigrant family thing going on. Being next door to each other also meant that I had two houses for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Lucky me!

So, I pretty much had 5 grown-ups parenting me at all times.  There's a lot of good, and a lot of not-so-good in that.  You know that saying about too many cooks in the kitchen spoiling the broth?  Yeah, it can also spoil the kid.

I was the youngest grandchild and quite precocious.  I was expected to be a good student and a "good girl" and I was both of those things, but beyond that?  I was spoiled with a lot of things and a lot of food and not a lot of responsibility because those 5 loving adults loved to do things FOR me.  If there was something I didn't want to do anymore - girl scouts, choir, whatever - then I didn't need to do them anymore.  If I just HAD to have a certain designer something or other, I pretty much got it. No one ever said, "Jen, you've probably had enough candy today kid - might want to slow that down."   If one adult did tell me no, I had four more to pick from to get a yes.


My grandfather really spoiled me with food -Grandpa and I loved to eat together.  Bedtime snacks of grilled cheese sandwiches made with at least three different types of cheeses were typically followed by a big mug of hot cocoa - made with whole milk, of course.  Or the wonderful popcorn made on the stove top in oil and topped with an entire stick of butter!  Paula Deen had nothin' on Grandpa Charlie!  And then there were all the pizza, donuts, cookies, butter pecan ice cream, fried bologna sandwiches, peanut butter cups, etc.  I went grocery shopping with grandpa every week - the trip would start with a slice of pizza  they sold at the front of the store, and end with a brownie in the bakery at the back.

I really hope this doesn't sound like I am blaming my family for my lack of discipline.  I'm just trying to explain my reality and what shaped me as a person.  I had a good childhood loaded with love and good memories. All of these loving adults taught me many wonderful things - to be kind and fair, to value education, to be open-minded, to be a loyal friend, to have a good sense of humor and enjoy life - but self-discipline and delayed gratification wasn't something expected of me and I was indulged far too much. That's just a fact.

And like I said, my nature doesn't help.  As I can clearly see with my own kids, nature does have a lot to do with self-discipline.

My lack of self-discipline and not even thinking about what I wanted MOST, being only concerned with what I wanted NOW and usually getting it  has caused me some trouble.  My struggle with my weight being the most obvious, and the focus of this blog.

I am going to say something that might piss off some people and many probably don't agree with,  but I know it's true for me.   If you are struggling with a significant weight problem, maybe it's true for you too.  Maybe not.

I was morbidly overweight because I was pretty darn immature.  I got there because I wanted what I wanted NOW.  It tastes so good; I should be able to have it, and have as much of it as I want!  It makes me feel good when I eat it! It's not fair...waaaah!

I KNOW there are other issues that lead to overeating, binging and having a significant weight problem.  Lord knows.....I know!  But for ME- when all the layers are stripped away - and I am just a grown-up responsible for myself  and my actions - being morbidly overweight mostly came down to an undisciplined, almost infantile way I viewed satiety and physical activity.

What do you want most?  What are you willing to give up to get it? 

Maybe what you really want most it is to eat what you went when you want any time you want, and not have to think about it.  That's fine.  Embrace it.  But then you need to be prepared with all that may come with it. 

But maybe what you want most is to be healthy.  To look good and be comfortable.  I'm not not talking about comfortable in your own skin - that can be at any size - I'm talking physically comfortable in heat, humidity, while doing certain activities, etc.  I'm talking being comfortable and able to engage in activities that you might not be able to do right now. Maybe you want to ride a roller coaster with your kids and not be afraid that you won't fit.  Maybe you want to sit on an airplane without crowding the person next to you or needing a seat belt extender.  Maybe you want to be able to shop for clothing in ANY store and not just relegate yourself to shopping for accessories.  Maybe what you want most is to be around as long as possible - for as much as you can control - for your kids and grand kids.  To not be a burden to those kids and grand kids in your old age due to an unhealthy lifestyle that might catch up with you sooner or later.

Can you say no to some of the  things you want now - a nap rather than a workout?  a bag of Doritos rather than some carrot sticks and hummus? vegging out in front of the TV? - to work towards what you want most?

I am NOT perfect with this.  If I was I wouldn't still be struggling to reach my goal almost two years after I started this journey.  I wouldn't still be 40lbs away.

But I finally understand the importance of self-discipline and long-term thinking for me on this journey, and in life, really.  I'm a work in progress. I will mess up.  I will fall and give in to my inner child - the one who stomps her foot and demands the cookie.  The one who indulges and has someone in her head who will always tell her "that's OK, honey - have what you want.  You deserve it!"

But I've matured, and the idea of what I want most has matured with me. I'm making daily choices that prove I'm disciplined enough to get there.  I will never give up working toward that goal. The shiny, tempting, temporary things have been put in their proper perspective. 

No matter your history.  No matter your nature.  It really all does come down to choice.  Figure out what you want most, and make the choices that will make that happen.  If you fail in the short-term, so what.  Brush it off.  Move forward.

Achieving what you want most is worth the sacrifice.

Staying Motivated

I've been a bit quiet lately on my blog.  Not enough time in the day it seems. This entry might not be particularly exciting and have more typos than usual since I'm whipping this together during my lunch break!

I've entered another weight loss contest - I guess this is called "double dipping" on contests since it runs concurrently with the one at the jazzercise studio.

This contest is called "Dump Your Plump."

Yes, seriously,

Isn't that the grossest name ever?  My brain goes like this: dump, plump, plop....ick.

The program itself seems pretty cool though - and a bit mysterious.  It's a 10 week workplace wellness program that puts you on a team - you set individual weight loss goals, but all team members must engage in 30 minutes of exercise five days per week.  By meeting your own goals, your team earns points.  Then your team earns prizes based on those points.  Nobody knows what the prizes will be. I'm going to be pissed if  it's a leaky cheap water bottle.

I really like the peer pressure aspect of this program.  I do best when others are depending on me because I hate to let anyone down.   My fellow dumpers of the plump can rest assured for the next ten weeks I will forge ahead in meeting my weight loss goals.

Right now, I'm in *that* place.  I have flow.  I'm in the zone.  I 'm locked in and focused - with my motivation so high this whole journey feels easy.

And that scares the heck out of me!

I don't know if anyone else worries like that.  When things get too easy or feel too right the fear of messing up can become a bit paralyzing for me.  I've been around the block a few times with weight loss and know my patterns.  This time (meaning the last two years) HAS been different because of the introduction of serious exercise in my life, but still.....I worry about failing.  I worry too much. 

********************************************************
Oh, and there is yet another "challenge" in my life.  Can you tell I like to do that sort of thing yet? LOL.

Every February since my sons were small, we've made February a "No Eating Out Month".  This means all food we eat is prepared or consumed at home - no take-out, fast food, dine-in, coffee stops, vending machines, trips out for ice cream, etc.

We started this for financial reasons.  February is a notoriously horrible month for us.  We're coming off our two most expensive months of the year, and entering a time period where work is slow for my husband.   Unfortunately my husband has a job that has its peaks and valleys with work, and if he doesn't work then he doesn't get paid.  I can write a whole post about the nerve-wracking nature of THAT!

So we started this way back when to hide the fact from the kids that money was hellava tight in February.  If they made it through the month without complaint, they would be rewarded with a new toy or video game at the end of the month (Mama's pay day! LOL!)

Andy's work situation is better now, but February still isn't the best of months and we continue with the challenge.  It is AMAZING the money you save when you cut out dining out, etc.  It's actually quite eye-opening.   You also eat SO much better.  Fat, sodium, and portion size are so effed up when you eat out.  Eat at home, and you are in control.

There are also other benefits to the family - we seem to spend more time together in February. We cook together more; we bake special things.  We find other ways to have fun that aren't centered around a meal out - we tend to have a lot of family game/movie nights with popcorn and hot cocoa :-)

We are a fairly busy family so it does require some planning and work to make ALL of your food at home, but honestly, it is not that hard OR time consuming.

For instance, tonight's dinner is a favorite:  quesadillas.

I use this recipe for absolutely delicious refried beans (which I tweak a bit for our spicier tastes :-)

I timed myself this morning as I prepped the refried beans for the crockpot.  Took all of 6 minutes.


Tonight after work I will make up some quesadillas on the electric skillet - just beans and cheese for the boys on flour tortillas.  Andy and I will add avocado and tomato to ours and use whole wheat tortillas.  I will also roast some lime/cilantro/chili powder cauliflower (prepped last night).  I've got some blueberries with whipped cream for the boys for dessert.

A good, healthy non-processed meal that costs under $10 will be on the table in 25 minutes.    Not too shabby!   There are many more meals out there  that are real, simple, quick and inexpensive.

Weigh-in tonight at jazzercise. Gulp.  Hoping for any kind of loss after the big loss I had in Week 1.   Will update soon!

*****ETA:  Booyah!   Another 3lbs gone - 9.2lbs in 2 weeks!   I really am not doing anything drastic.  Increased exercise to 5x weekly (I was at 3-4x on most weeks) and stopped snacking on carbs/dairy.  Veggies/Fruit/Protein only for snacks.  That's it.  I'm finally getting this "real food" thing! Not feeling deprived or hungry.

Unstuck!

Here's to getting un-stuck on this weight loss journey!

Today, I had the first weigh-in for the contest at the Jazzercise studio and I'm very happy to say that I am down 6.4 lbs!  Yay! 

I'm in a good place right now, and feel like I'm in the process of forming those last few good habits to carry me through for a lifetime.


Diet Jan 28-Feb 3

We continue  with our minimally processed diet, and it's going so well.  I really do not miss sugar, fast food, soda, white flour or white rice.  No one could possibly be more shocked by that statement than I am.

Andy is doing great and is down 18 lbs since January 1.  My honey is lookin' good! 

Last night, we attended a Super Bowl party.  Normally, that is one of the worst caloric/"non-real food" days for me.  Our friends have a party every year with amazing food, and our friend Michael is the World's Best Bartender/Accountant.   Super Bowl Sunday is usually a tasty diet disaster.

But I went to that party with a plan. A few hours before, I had a great 3 mile run in a ridiculously hot 77 degree gym.   It was awful. And wonderful as many runs are.   Afterwards I had some plain greek yogurt, a handful of almonds, and a small bowl of shredded wheat before leaving the house.   Despite all the normally tempting foods at the party, I really did not compelled to have any of it.  In the end, I had a small bowl of chili, 3 of the bacon wrapped jalapenos Andy made for the party (actually "real food" due to the ingredients he used), 3 small triangles of pita bread and 1/4 cup red pepper hummus, two small bites of dessert.  No alcohol consumed.  So, I cheated a little on the type of food I ate, but the quantity was fine and I had no desire for more.  That alone made me feel like I've turned a corner.

I had also promised myself that I would NOT snack on carbs/dairy/nuts this week, and would measure my portions.   I was successful with this, and it really showed on the scale.

Exercise Jan 28-Feb 3

Monday:  1 hr jazzercise class
Tuesday:  3 mile outdoor run
Wednesday: 1 hr jazzercise
Thursday: helped a friend walk/run Week 4 Day 1 of Couch to 5K program
Friday:  Nothin'
Saturday: 1 hour jazzercise
Sunday: 3 mile run on treadmill

A-hem...who's killing it in the gym?!  That's right - this woman! 

I really feel like jazzercising is making a big difference in my body.  The light weights and ab work done in class is much, much needed.  Andy claims that my butt is higher .  Well, he's sweet and likes to say things about butts so I'm not sure I put too much stock in it.  But secretly, I kind of think my butt *may be* a teensy weensy bit higher.  I'm 41 - an increase in elevation in any body part is pretty much a miracle. 

I just feel really good right now.  I am not doing anything drastically different.  I'm not hungry; I'm just making much better food choices. 

Every pound lost is one less pound I'm going to haul 26.2 miles at the Columbus Marathon.    That's a big motivation for me.  As is the $180 prize at the jazzercise studio.;-)

My birthday haul

41st birthday is in the books, and it was a good one - surrounded with a lot of love, good people and good presents ;-)

I was spoiled rotten this year.  Sam woke up on my birthday, gave me a big hug and said, "Happy Birthday to my Princess Mom"  Damn straight!

You know that book "The 5 Love Languages" that says people have different ways/languages in which  they desire to express/receive love?  I think my love language is gifts. 

There is nothing I love more than giving my loved ones special and meaningful gifts.  I just can't do standard/generic gifts for people; it doesn't feel right.  You know how some folks shop sales at the end of the season, get good deals, and put away those deals away for "someone" for a holiday/birthday present?  No one in particular in mind at the time of purchase, just a nice item for some nice person?

I can't do that.  I agonize over the perfect gift - or at least a really good one! Christmas planning and shopping takes me FOREVER.

To that end, I get ridiculously happy to get thoughtful presents from others.  Doesn't have to be anything expensive, but thoughtful gifts make me giddy.  My mom always said I was the best kid on Christmas morning because I would get all happy, jump around, and teary over almost every present.  I'm still kind of like that - just with less jumping.

So here's my birthday loot and why I love it!

My parents and sister/brother-in-law:   Got a wonderful bag for my knitting! Isn't it great?

 Bright and colorful with lots of pockets.  No more carting my knitting projects around in plastic grocery bags (true story - like a knitting hobo).  I also got a knitting magazine and an amazon gift card to buy knitting stuff.  And I did:  I got this and this.  Love!

My in-laws:  I got an electric meat slicer!  Don't laugh.  I am thrilled!!!  I had mentioned to  my mother-in-law that one of the things we were missing the most on our non-processed food diet was lunch meat, and just getting to eat a sub sandwich once in awhile.  My husband was missing this the most.  My kids love sandwiches, and I've been wanting to ween them off processed, high sodium deli meat.   My mother-in-law often makes her own - cooking, slicing, freezing a turkey breast, making a roast and slicing roast beef slices, etc - so I asked her advice on how to do that.  I just planned to use an electric knife to get the best slices I could.  But now?  I have this super cool deli-grade meat slicer - I could shave that freakin' healthy, non-processed cooked-at-home turkey breast! I can't wait to try this out, and will definitely report how that goes.   BTW,  I am quite accident prone.  Seriously accident prone.  I've gotten a black eye and dislocated my thumb while bowling.  Let that soak in for a second.   Andy took one look at this thing, and said, "Honey, you just cook the meat...I'll slice it.  You need all your digits."  He's the best ;-)

My friends:  My awesome friends got me a wonderful eyeshadow palette (Urban Decay Naked Basics) AND all the stuff I need for Jazzercise.  A yoga mat, a new gym bag to accommodate my yoga mat, and a new snazzy water bottle.   This means I don't have to use the disgusting community gym mats at the studio any more!  They love me!!

My husband and kids:  So excited!  A Garmin Forerunner 10 GPS watch for running!  .   I now will be able to accurately track my time/distance/pace/calories burned.  Hallelujah!  Up until December, I had been using an app on my iphone.  It was fairly accurate, but I totally ruined my phone.  Though I used an Arm Pocket while running - basically a fanny pack for your arm to hold your phone - the sweat eventually did my poor phone in.  For Christmas, I got an ipod nano so that I can stop using my phone for music and now I have the GPS watch.  I'm set for marathon training!  I hope to do a full review of this product in the future.

Oh, and my husband also bought me a case of wine!  Ha!  The first time I've ever gotten a case. I felt like I won the wine lottery.  The man does know me.

Speaking of the husband....last weekend, we had a fabulous time celebrating our birthdays with a night on the town.  With our birthdays only ten days apart, we choose the weekend in between them to celebrate together.  We had a great meal at Iron Chef Michael Symon's restaurant Lola, and then a fun time at the Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland.   My parents had the kids for the entire night, so it was like SUPER date night.

Andy and I really do have a great time together.  We were having fun and being silly while registering for our "loyalty cards" at the Casino desk.  The lady at the desk was super nice, and commented on how much she enjoyed us, and told us that just seeing us  made her happy.  She was surprised we were married (ha!) and even more surprised when we told her we've been married for almost 19 years. :)
 ************************************************
The weight loss challenge is going really well, I think, with my official weigh-in at the Jazzercise studio on Monday.  I have kept my word and am 1) measuring my dinner portions and NOT picking at dinner while cooking and 2) limiting my snacks to fruits and veggies (and occasionally dipping my veggies in 1/4 cup of hummus).   On my actual birthday - a pre-determined "cheat day" - I got a mini size oreo chocolate Blizzard from DQ and washed it down with a glass of red wine.  A little strange perhaps, but very satisfying!

One last thing:  New Food Of The Week

 

Roasted Cabbage Wedges

I can not believe how much the whole family enjoyed this!  I love cabbage, but the rest of my family does not.  Andy and the boys gobbled this up.  G exclaimed, "This just melts in your mouth!"  Really good, and how cool to find a delicious veggie side dish that will serve the whole family for under $1? I probably used half of the olive oil called for in the recipe, and it worked out just fine.

Being bold - and maybe crazy - on my 41st birthday!

Today is my 41st birthday!  Yay!

And a little bit of Boo! because - well (sigh) 41. 

Last year before my 40th birthday, I made a list of 40 things I wished to accomplish in the coming year.  I've been mildly successful with that list, and you can read about it here.  It really was a fun approach to goal-setting, and I recommend it to anyone looking to stay motivated and accountable.

This year, I am trying something a little bit different.  You might remember that my one little word for 2013 is BOLD.  So I am taking the approach of having one big BOLD goal, and just going for it.

I am scared out of my mind and I might be a little crazy, but this morning,  I registered for the 2013 Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon.

On October 20, 2013,  this former couch potato will run her first marathon. That's right - the whole freakin' 26.2 mile enchilada!

Registering online went something like this:  ohgodohgodohgod, whatamidoing, ohgodohgod, shitshitshit, ohgod..........hold breathe for way too long...........ohgodwhatdidijustdo.

And then I texted my husband:

Exhaleeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Only .5% of the population has ever run a marathon.   It's pretty cool to think of doing something so rare, but there's a reason it's rare.  It's a big commitment and it's going to be scary and hard.

For the next few months, I'm in serious, dedicated weight loss mode.  I need to get some extra pounds off before training really picks up. My exercise plan for the next 6 weeks is to run 2/3 times per week (want to hit 10 miles per week) plus jazzercise 2/3 times per week.   My food plan is:  keep it "real", measure my portions, and stop with the darn carbs/dairy/nuts as snacks!  That just can't happen any more. 

Starting March 19, I will begin training for the Cleveland Rite Aid Half-Marathon which is on May 19.

After the half, I plan to take it easy for several weeks and just run for fun, probably back down to the 10 mile per week mark.  We're going on a beach vacation from June 8-15.  I know I'm really a runner now because one of the things I'm most looking forward to on vacation is early morning runs on the beach :-)

Last summer @ Myrtle Beach. Running on the beach at sunrise is right up there with the most wonderful things in life.

On June 16,  I begin marathon training.  Gulp.


I will follow Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Plan.  It's an 18 week plan and can be found here:
My Marathon Training Plan

I am scared.

I've said that already, right?
Maybe three times?

The biggest fears/concerns that I need to push through:

1.  This is a big time committment, and will take a lot of time away from my family.  This is really hard for me and is likely to be the biggest obstacle. G starts high school this fall, and S starts middle school.    Am I being selfish to take on this big thing at the same time when they are also going through big transitions? At the heaviest point of training, I will be running 40 miles per week.   That's 8 hours.  Where do I find an extra 8 hours?

2.  I'm likely to be training alone.  A 20 mile training run by myself?   How on earth do you push through that kind of wall on your own?  I guess I'm going to find out!

3. What if I get hurt?   What if I push too hard/too far and  injure myself? I can't even think about what it would be like not being able to run.  HUGE fear.  Running means so much to me.

4.  What if I fail?  It happens all the time during a marathon, even to experienced runners.  I've just written publicly that I plan to do this. What if I train for months, have my family and friends in Columbus cheering for me, and I fail spectacularly before their eyes? Will my first marathon end with a "DNF" (did not finish) next to my name? 

This is going to be an epic challenge.  I'm probably nuts for considering this at 41 years old, and 40 pounds overweight.

But it also feels like high time for me to leap and build my wings on the way down.

I can build my wings on the way down, right?  I guess I'm going to find out. 

Exhaleeeeeeeeeeee.

 I'm doing this.
So it shall be written -  so it shall be done!
(Whenever I plan to do something big I talk like Yul Brenner in "The Ten Commandments" and say that line)

Here's to 41!  Here's to living boldy! Happy Birthday to me! :-)

Race Planning 2013

Since huffing and puffing my way through my first 60 second run in August 2011, I 've completed five 5Ks, and two half-marathons.
 
WWRC Cleveland Fall Classic 5K - November 2011
Cleveland Rite Aid Half Marathon - May 2012
Nick Rauser Memorial 5K - June 2012
Cleveland Oktoberfest 5K Bier Run -   September 2012
Inland Trail Half Marathon - November 2012
WWRC Cleveland Fall Classic 5K - November 2012
Turkey Dash 5K - November 2012

My 14 year old son has run every one of the 5Ks with me.  I can't tell you how happy it makes me to run with him.  I use the phrase "with him" loosely - we start together and meet up together at the finish line, but he finishes his 3.1 miles in about 22 minutes while it takes me about 34 minutes on a good day.   Still we are together...motivating each other in the beginning, high fiving at the end,  recalling tales of bad turns, poor terrain, heat and exhaustion on the car ride home.

I love that we do this together.

When my kids were little, I was nearly 70lbs heavier -  fat and unfit.  I wasn't immobile and I know I was still a good mom but I wasn't the active and healthy mom they deserved.   Good health and fitness was a gift I could have had, but one I rejected.   I am so proud that now my kids will always be able to think of me as Mom The Runner, Mom Who Got Healthy and Fit,  Mom Who Can Run Further Than Me.  Ha! They constantly tell me how proud of me they are.  That means everything to me, and motivates me to keep going!

My youngest son's message to me (on my arm) for my first race.

One of the wonderful things about winter is that you get to sit back and plan out all of your races for the coming year!

There are so many great races to run - fun runs, trail runs, charity 5ks, silly 5ks,  mud runs, relays, 5 milers, 10Ks, 10 milers, half-marathons, marathons, ULTRA marathons, and God knows what else.   Races of different sizes with different themes and terrains. There is a race out there for everyone!

Just go to active.com and put in your zip code, and you will get a list of more cool races than you could ever imagine running!  You want to run in your underwear?   Run the Cupid Undie Run in Tremont.  Want to get dirty and then clean again?  Run the 5K Foam Fest in Columbus. Want to run a race around the city on open streets where you need to pick-up clues and find the fastest route?  Run the Ragin Cajun in Cleveland.

I love having a specific event to train for and find it highly motivating.  I think this is one of the reasons running has worked for me.    Hey you can do an hour on the elliptical at the gym, but nobody is going to give you a cool tshirt or a medal for it!

After much daydreaming and deliberation, this is what my 2013 race schedule looks like so far:


St. Malachi Run (5 miles) - March 2013
Cleveland 10 Miler Road Race - April 2013
Rite Aid Cleveland Half Marathon  - May 2013

TBD 5ks - going to limit myself to one or two charity 5Ks between June-August

Cleveland Rock and Roll Half Marathon - October 2013.  I really want to do this one with a couple of friends, but it it might interfere too much with..........

MYSTERY RACE - October 2013  (I'm trying to not talk myself out of this one, and might have something to announce next week :-)


If money were no object, I would sign up for a 5K every weekend! LOL.  But race fees do add up, especially some of the specialty races and half-marathons.

It really is FUN to run in an organized race.  The camaraderie is fantastic.  Nobody cares if you are fast or slow - the other runners will encourage you along the way.  The spectators will cheer for you! You will get tasty eats after the race, and more strange coupons and "free gifts" than you can imagine.  When you step it up to a half-marathon or more, you really start bringing in the loot.  Why when I picked up my race bib at the Cleveland Rite Aid Marathon Expo, I came home with a bag full of tampons...even the men got them!

So get out there and race!  Do it for yourself.   Do it for your kids.  Do it for the free tampons.

Bring it? Oh, it's already been brought-en

Word on the street is that I am somewhat competitive.

This is an aspect of my personality that took some time for me to accept.

I never really thought of myself as a competitive person until I asked some dear loved ones if they thought I was. They looked me in the eye, did a spit-take/laughed/choked/ and said, "Is the Pope Catholic?!". 

Their rudeness in the face of a simple question caused me to reflect.

I liked to get good grades as a kid, but I was never out to beat anyone's grades.  I have only one sibling, and she's older and not the least bit competitive with me. I didn't play competitive sports, so no competitive spirit there. I  take pleasure in friends' accomplishments and successes so I'm not that sort of competitive person, ie, the jealous bitch type.

But...still.  If I'm playing a board game, I want to win.  I might recall taunting my children to "bring it" when playing Candyland back in their preschool days. Those guys vs girls party games?  Oh, I want the girls to win, and probably take it a little more seriously than the other ladies.   So much depends on proving our female superiority! Couples games?  I still haven't forgiven Andy for our July 2009 "Newlywed Game" loss.  Totally his fault.  Trivia games?  You are looking at the queen.  I've seen the respect in people's eyes when I plunk down at the video trivia game at Dave & Buster's, and I like it.

And if I know I'm right about something- KNOW IT - I will bet to win.   I won a puppy from my Dad when I was 6th grade and we were both *certain* of an answer on my Social Studies study guide.  I won a Coach purse from Andy when we were both *certain* of some movie trivia. If Andy and I disagree about some piece of trivia or information and I get a gleam in my eye and offer to bet him, the man has wisely learned to back away from his crazy wife.

Jazzercise North Olmsted - the new jazzercize studio in town - is having a two month weight loss contest with a cash prize.

Head cocking to the right.  Ears pricking up like a German Shepherd.

Contest,  you say?! 
 Cash prize,  you say?!  

As my girl Pink would say/sing.....
 It's so on right now.

Details: Contest runs from January 28 through March 25.  There's a $20 buy-in.  Half of the money collected will go to the winner.  Half  to Relay for Life.

I don't know yet if it's based on pounds lost or percentage of weight loss.   No matter.  I want it.  I'm going to do my best to crush them be successful.  I will report my weekly weight loss here on the blog.

I am highly motivated by this kind of stuff.  I wish I could say all of my motivation is internal, but Mama is going on a beach vacation this summer.  What great timing to move my booty off this god-awful plateau, and win some $$ for some cute summer clothes.


I won't guarantee a win. There could be someone else as crazy as me in the contest. BUT, this is exactly the motivation I need to move forward.  I'm really excited!

Speaking of jazzercise - still loving it, and not to get too cocky, but I think I'm getting less awkward while doing it.   I'm settling in to a 2-3x per week routine, and then running 2-3x per week.  I've only been jazzercising for 3 weeks, but am definitely seeing some changes in my body.

Real food challenge has been...challenging.   I've had two slips in the past week.   Those two slips - one eating white pasta and the other drinking a flavored-with-artificial-sweetener water  - made me feel absolutely awful.  This weekend is going to be rough as I will be celebrating birthdays three days in a row.  These were pre-planned "cheat days" at the beginning of the challenge.  I'm going to make the best choices possible, and get ready to hit the ground running for the contest on Monday!  Woot!