20 in 20 Challenge

It's obviously no secret I've been trying to lose weight for a while now. About 3 years to be exact. I lost about 25lbs right before I met Keith, and then the "love chub" found me...and then some. I lost about 10lbs before the wedding, but that's come back too...and then some.

I've been focusing on developing better eating habits, and while I've faltered here and there, overall it's been decent. I've been experimenting more in the kitchen, which has been fun. The results haven't always been the great, but it's been an interesting learning process! With spring nipping at my heels, I'm 100% re-committed and I'm hoping that by "going public", it will help to keep me motivated and hold myself accountable.

With that said, I've decided to join the 20 in 20 challenge. The steps are pretty basic and it's nothing that I haven't already heard of before. I'm just hoping that by having a "community" to share the journey with, it will help keep me motivated.

Step 1: Make a Plan

Well, that should be easy enough, right? I'm going to be more strict with the "plan" I'm already doing. I'll bring my lunch every day, make a dinner menu for the week and go shopping for those ingredients. If I plan ahead, I should be ok. Right now I have a list on our fridge at home with meal selections for the week. It makes it much easier to decide what's for dinner after a long day at the office.

I've GOT to start working out again. I've been on my treadmill maybe 4 times in the past 3 weeks. That's not even close to cutting it! I really want to do the Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred again, but I'm scared....I'm scared I'll do Level 1-Day-1 and quit because I'm sore for 4 days after. The last time I did it, I would yell out in pain just trying to sit on the toilet, that's how sore I was. I can tolerate a little muscle ache here and there, but this was BAD. I'm just going to have to suck it up and work through the pain. Losing weight doesn't come easy.

Now that the weather is getting nicer, I want to take Harley for walks/runs a few times a week too. We'll let the dogs run around the yard for exercise, but Harley wouldn't hurt to have a long walk a few times a week.

Either way, whatever I decide to do, I'm GOING to stick with it. I don't have any other choice!

Step 2: Set Rewards

My first reward will be at the -10lb mark. I'm going to get a new spring haircut and color. My stylist gave me a coupon for a free service as a wedding gift, and I've been saving it to get a fun new color for spring. However, I want to do something new and fun to my hair too. I'm not sure yet, but that will be my -10lb reward.

I'm hoping I can hit the -20lb mark before we go on our cruise on June 12th, but that's definitely pushing it. I know I'll be needing a few new outfits for the cruise regardless, but if I'm 20lbs lighter I'm going to reward myself with an outfit that makes me feel fabulous, regardless of the price tag.

Step 3: Plan

I kind of already covered this in Step 1, but I just need to make sure I take the time every Friday night to plan meals for the entire week and make our grocery list.

I also need to plan to get up earlier in the AM, so I can get in a 20 minute 30-Day Shred workout in before work. That way I have NO excuses.

Step 4: Measuring and Nutritional Information

In all of my yo-yo dieting experience, I've gotten pretty good at reading labels and measuring food....it's just a matter of sticking to it. I'll have to make it a point to measure EVERYTHING I put into recipes, instead of just eye-balling it.

I'm also going to try to wean myself away from artificial sweeteners and eventually work towards eating all-natural products.

Step 5: Before Pictures:

I'll do these soon, even though I HATE seeing myself in pictures. I think I'll find a "before" picture from when I was thin back in my HS days too...for inspiration.

Step 6: Pound for Pound Challenge

Sign up to donate to the Pound for Pound Challenge that The Biggest Loser is sponsoring. (DONE!!)