the BIGGEST LOSER competition at work

The Biggest Loser!!  Imagine signing on to become this!  It is amazing what you will do for a prize hey!
On Monday of this week, I signed up for the Biggest Loser contest at work.  I actually came in ESPECIALLY to be there at the kick-off.  We celebrated with a glass of Veggie Juice!  We each took turns stepping on the scale.  It had not changed much since I had weighed into WW again on the Saturday before.  I went to WW to get the new stuff for 2012, the new improved plan!  There was no registration fee, and I had to rejoin since I had been away for a few months.  So, it just cost the weekly fee this time.  I think I will go in whenever my shift allows ... or maybe I won't since I am weighing in at work. Time will tell.  For me, I love the accountability of someone else weighing me. Ya, I know.... why do I have to PAY to lose weight!!

So I regressed.  I weighed in on Saturday at WW.  Then I weighed in on Monday at CBS.  And yesterday I really started in earnest - writing my meals down - PLANNING them instead of eating whatever and whenever.  Eating more fruit and veggies.  Watching the fat intake.  Drinking more water. (and therefore going to the can more often!)  You know, I guess I am a slow learner.  I know for a fact that my fibromyalgia responds to the decreased sugar and white flour in my system.  There is less pain.  So why don't I make this a permanent change?  Go figure!

Today was the second day that I was totally on track.  I am happy about that.  My mind already feels clearer.  And I know this happens for me when I eat properly.  I am also happier when I am eating properly.  Alvin can always tell when things are going well in that department!

I have been planning/preparing so that I don't get stuck and have to go through a drive-thru.  I have decided to put some treats in my food plan for the day.  INTENTIONALLY!  I have found an amazing and tasty little treat called PREVENTIA ... um, so good.  4 Points (Weight Watchers) well used!  And it seems to take care of the sugar craving!  OH, and today I had one coffee with cream from Starbucks.  I knew if I got it there, I would also get cream.  It is just the way I do Starbucks.

SO, for the Biggest Loser challenge - we weigh weekly and submit out weights.  There is a monthly prize for the BL.  We are doing this till the end of March.  I am hoping that I can lose at least 20 lbs during this challenge.  (20 would be the first goal for me) (and then followed by lets see ... another 50 lbs or so).  Yep, there is a lot.

I am going to try to not focus on the scale - but instead will use a big belt and mark the changes in it.  And take some pictures as visuals!

Oh, and one more thing.  I want to do at least 150 minutes of intentional exercise per week.  So far I have done 50 minutes.  Tomorrow I am hoping to get back to Curves.  Since my accidental fall down the steps, I have not been able to get in.  Gotta get going again!.

For now- I am heading to bed.  Tomorrow is a new day!
Night.

"Genetics loads the gun ... Lifestyle pulls the trigger"

"Genetics loads the gun.

Lifestyle pulls the trigger."

So I heard this quote today, I think it was on Dr. Oz.  And I have been thinking alot about my life - my genetics - my lifestyle and how they all play into my stronghold/struggle with weight with a capital W!

It seems that I have dragged around the extra weight most of my life.  It didn't seem to be an issue when I was younger. I had "shape" which meant I could easily borrow my sister's funky clothes!  She had nice clothes, and since we shared a bedroom, I often borrowed some of them.  My weight was always a little higher than most of the girls my age.  But I still moved, and did things that I wanted to.  I was a cheerleader from grade 6 until the end of grade 10.  I loved that!  For a few of those years, I was the "captain" of the squad.  I remember though, my waist size was always bigger than most of the girls.    But then again so was my bust size, which meant that overall, I think I was fairly proportionate.

During 1978, I went on a diet from January until September (engagement to wedding day) and when I got married, I had lost between 24-26 lbs depending on the day.  I was pumped, and I looked and felt really good.  I remember some of the new clothes I purchased, and I actually bought a bikini for my honeymoon.  (Alvin still talks about that one, although the bikini was short lived!)

My mom, she was always carrying a little extra.  Her and I share the same height I think.  And, she was a great cook, and well - she was always entertaining some family!  So we ate well.  I never ever was made to feel like I was too big, or fat, or anything like that.  My mom was the one that helped me lose the weight before I got married, basically by helping me with portion sizes.  It seemed so easy then!  WHY IS EVERYTHING SUPER SIZED NOW!!!

Growing up I loved playing outside.  I loved playing soccer.  I loved playing baseball.  I practiced with the track team at lunch.  I was however pathetic at those things we had in schools - earning the red participation badges while others got the coveted gold, silver and bronze!!  I took skating lessons.  It has been a long time since I have skated!  (I never quite learned to be successful at "shoot the duck" during skating lessons!)

My life today and for the past few years has been fairly sedentary.  I think about doing outside stuff but the reality is, I don't have proper outside clothing. I am not sure if my sedentary life makes my fibromyalgia pain and stiffness greater, or if it is the other way around.  It is just such a Catch 22 with the pain!

Anyhow - yesterday I signed up for "the Biggest Loser" at work.  Today I got word from one of the women on the wellness committee.  Monday is the kick-off and first weigh in.
I am excited about doing this challenge with others.  Of course I would love to win the challenge - mostly for my own satisfaction!  And for my own health.  But doing something, no matter how small is better than doing nothing.

Is weight a bigger issue because of genetics?  I guess it does have something to do with it but the reality is, genetics is not an excuse for being overweight!  I am really really tired of the sadness and the struggle with the stronghold.  SO it is time to get going.  I have to change my lifestyle.  I have to get moving.  To get eating properly.  To get watching my portions.  To get eating the things that bring wholeness to my being instead of stuff that just contributes to the smoking gun!!
I like the quote:

"Genetics loads the gun.

Lifestyle pulls the trigger."

But now it is time to DO something about it!!

Here I go! (forgive me for saying that before ~~~ oh Lord, help this to be the time that I make it!)

Another crack at the same old thing!! 2012

2012

What will this year hold?  Last year did NOT hold much weight loss, perhaps 5 lbs that have actually stayed off!!  Oh, what a thorn in the flesh this extra weight is.  It prickles and festers ... it constantly reminds me of where things are at in my physical body.  Thing is - I can't figure it out.  I can not figure out WHY I "keep giving it over to God" and yet I keep struggling with it!  I guess I just have never left Egypt's slavery!!

Two days ago, it was very timely for me to be on my treadmill and listening to Beth Moore's DVD that I downloaded, for Stepping Up - Session 3.
She said some very powerful things.  She was teaching on how God surrounds His people.  And read from Deuteronomy 16: 9-12 where it talks about the FEAST OF WEEKS which was a time for the people to "remember their former bondage and to be able to testify about it"

Then she said "we feel like we lose something when we give it to God.  Lose something that's comforted us for years and has been watered with tears!  If we do not grow weary - it will come!"

I could not help but think of the endless tears I have shed over my struggle with my weight.  I could not help but think of when I sometimes think that "I will quit eating this for a while, and when I am thin ..." only to realize I have not ever tasted the sweet taste of success here!  (apart from losing weight before I got married).  I could not help but think of the times it just seemed to take forever, and I "threw in the towel" or "fell off the wagon" so to speak, only to pick myself up and try again.  Somehow though, I am glad that I still WANT to keep trying.  I have not totally given up!  I know what feeling lighter feels like!

And then Beth said this:  "Whatever it happens that you are tired of - tell God you're sorry that your promises have been broken.  There IS a great deliverance.  There IS the power of God to pull down every single vain imagination that leads us back into the depths of the pit!  YOU DO NOT HAVE THE ONE STRONGHOLD, THE ONE ADDICTION, THE ONE CONTINUALLY DESTRUCTIVE CYCLE THAT IS TOO STRONG FOR GOD TO BREAK!  YOU DO NOT HAVE IT!!  IT DOES NOT EXIST!  IF YOU TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD, THEN YOU HAVE GOT TO BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE FREE!!"

Okay, the BIG BOLD STATEMENTS really spoke out to me!  Bottom line?  God can take down any and all strongholds!  There is nothing He can not break!  Do I believe it?

It is now the 5th of January!  I did not write resolutions down, but in my head ~ you have to know already that losing weight is front and foremost in my thoughts.  At work we are having a "biggest loser" contest and I am going to sign on.  Talk about accountability.

I want to do it!  

2012

 ~ fresh year ~ fresh start~ 

Here I go.