SSSDC Week 6 Update and Week 7 Details

Ready for this week's challenge???

Happy Sunday Everyone!
I don't know about you but I'm beginning to feel like these Sunday challenge updates are coming at us faster and faster, and before we know it summer will be all but a distant memory. I always said that once the 4th of July hits, summer picks up its pace 10-fold and in what seems like a flash, we're raking leaves, carving pumpkins, and drinking mulled cider and experiencing all that other good autumny stuff. But this year, I'd like to put the brakes on the arrival of fall. I really want to milk summer for all it's worth - I am not ready to surrender to the falling of leaves and chill in the air just yet. There is plenty more fun in the sun to be had.

However, I cannot deny that today is Sunday and that means it is time to check in and give my challenge update. If you popped by my blog this week, you know that Vegetarian Week found me in a meaty predicament that I couldn't escape, so yes, I did have one indiscretion during my time at attempted meatlessness. It stinks because I thought this week would be so simple - and it was, except for the family funeral curveball that was thrown. I've decided to continue the meatless challenge for a few more days, partially because I am really enjoying it, but mostly because we have a boatload of veggies in the house that need to be eaten!

In terms of actual eating this week, I kept it pretty simple. The shrimp stuffed poblanos and caramelized onion lasagana were by far the most labor intensive dishes I made, but mostly Josh and I stuck to grilled veggies, veggie burgers, salad, corn on the cob and fruit. There wasn't a lot of over thinking regarding our meals which was kind of liberating. I felt like my eating was probably the cleanest it's been in a long time. A plus!

It was a decent week for weight loss too! I'm finally in the 2teens, just barely! My Friday weigh-in revealed 219.75. I'm more motivated than ever to get to 212 and hit that 20 lb goal. I feel like it is very realistically in reach within the next few weeks.

So, the stats for this week are:
Starting Challenge Weight - 232
Last week's weigh-in - 222.4
This week's weigh-in - 219.75
Weight loss for this week - 2.65
Total loss for challenge so far - 12.25 lbs

I'm not setting any world records for weight loss of course, but my losses have been relatively steady and averaging roughly 2 lbs a week, which is healthy, so I am happy. At this pace, I feel good about my ability to progress and don't feel like I am being deprived or living a life that is not sustainable in the long run. I feel like I am finally getting, at the very least, a loose grip on the whole idea behind eating to live, not living to eat.


THIS week, we have a lofty challenge ahead of us (well, it might be a piece of cake for those runners in the challenge, but it's lofty for me):

Week 7 - (begin July 15) - COMMIT TO AND SIGN UP FOR A 5K
Make it official - let's commit ourselves to a 5K and go in not caring if we have to walk it, jog it or crawl it - just so long as we complete it. For those that are truly inspired to run, this week can begin the C25K running program or another 5K training system of your choice. I already know I can walk a 5K, so jogging will be my goal for this. The 5K can be anytime up through to the fall, but preferably we can complete one by the end of the summer. Just let us know you have committed and registered for it. Hopefully we can all come back after we have completed them and give a recap!

Josh and I spent a little time this morning looking up upcoming 5K's in NJ. I believe there is a Fall Foilage run in our town at the end of September and a few others that are near us in either late August (which sounds like a horrible time to run) or mid-fall. Truth be told, the mere thought of running a 5K scares the ever-living crap out of me. Running in general is not my friend and I am petrified of what it means when I finally sign up this week to participate in an event.

That is why this week, as an addition to the challenge of simply signing up for the 5K, I am beginning the C25K program. And ladies, I just have to warn you, I have a strong suspicion I am going to suck royally at it. Granted, I have no problem walking a 5K (it's what we do in the morning with the dogs), but running is a whole other nasty ball of wax, my friends, and I have to tell you, major dread creeps in every fiber of my being when I think about it. BUT I have been reading so many stories about people overcoming their running fears and describing how kick ass it feels to cross that finish line, that I yearn to experience the same thing for myself. If I don't die trying first.

I'll keep you posted this week and let you know how it goes. I gotta tell you, I know next week the challenge is to embrace a fitness fear, but I kind of feel like I am tackling that a week early with this running thing. I'm bad with pushing myself if a trainer isn't making me do it. We'll see how it goes....Josh said he'd train with me, even though he is already up to running over 2 miles on his own every morning. He might get sick of my bitching and moaning when I actually attempt it and change his mind. Ha!

I hope everyone has a great week! I'll be checking in throughout the week with you all and rooting you on! Just remember we are on the back slide of this challenge already - let's finish up the last half good and strong!!!