When I was thinking about creating a challenge for the summer I had no idea this many people would hop on board! I am amazed by how many people told their friends about the challenge and how the list has grown!
Below I have an updated list of everyone that has requested to join the challenge through today.
The last person to join was Debbi who e-mailed me this afternoon (she is listed at the bottom of the participant list). She is going to walk me through setting up the link so that when people place their notification that they posted their challenge update on Sundays, it will be more streamlined.
At least that's the plan, anyway!
If you sent me a request to join through the comment sections of one of the earlier posts, you should be added to this list.
If I didn't answer you personally through the comments section yet, please look at the list below and make sure I have you listed. I just haven't had time to get to check in with everyone yet because there are so many people - but I promise I will pop by and say hello and officially welcome you to the challenge.
I know it's going to be a great summer with so many people committed to this! Let's kick some fat cells to the curb and make this a skinnier summer, ladies!
Participant List for the 2012 Summer Sizzle Slim Down Challenge
JoNita at http://aboutjonitaandherweightloss.blogspot.com/
Kody at http://www.skinnysized.com/
Michele at http://ruminationsasiuncoverthewomanwithin.blogspot.com/
Julie at http://healthywealthandwisenotbutlearning.blogspot.com/
Nicole at http://www.colieskitchen.com/
Christina at http://last-weight-loss-journey.blogspot.com
Shannon at http://mamashan.blogspot.com/
Pam at http://www.emptynest1.com/
Alison at http://www.underthebigoaktree.com/
Shala (or Miss S.) at http://followmethirty.blogspot.com/
Plum Petals at http://plumpetals-workinitout.blogspot.com/
Dina at http://fromwaddletorun.blogspot.com/
Jo at http://awellkeptlife.blogspot.com
Deb at http://debsdailylife.blogspot.com/
Betty at http://bltnever.blogspot.com
http://searchingforthefireflies.blogspot.com/
http://blogwobble.blogspot.com/
Tammy1409 (who does not have a blog but will give her updates through my comments section each week).
Tomadou at http://tomadou.blogspot.com/
Chica at http://studyabroadslimdown.blogspot.com/
Kenna at http://kennalarae.blogspot.com
Lora at http://lollyblabbin.blogspot.com
http://morethanihopedfor.wordpress.com/
Casey at http://caseys279.blogspot.com
Nanette at http://nanettesthejuicytruth.blogspot.com
Debbi at http://debbidoesdieting.blogspot.com/
P.S. - I still don't have first names for:
http://searchingforthefireflies.blogspot.com/
http://blogwobble.blogspot.com/
http://morethanihopedfor.wordpress.com/
Monday, June 4, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Summer Sizzle Slim Down Pics/Measurements/Weight
Ok, here goes....
On the first day of the Summer Sizzle Slim Down Challenge, my measurements are:
Bust - 48
Waist - 43 1/2
Hips - 52 1/2
Thigh 27 1/2
(I still need help doing the upper arm - will get the hubs to do that for me in a bit)
Starting Weight: 232
So, what does all of those numbers look like on a 5' 0" woman?
Well, it looks a lot like this:
Not pretty....but I vow to work on this all summer long (and beyond)....
I am hoping that this challenge brings me (and all of you) more than just weight loss success. Although that is the ULTIMATE goal, I want to completely readjust my mind set about food, and eliminate cravings and basically begin to live the life style of a person who is 40 years old and feels their life is worth living in the best body it can. That body is not the one that is in these pictures - that is for certain.
This challenge will be hard work and I know that I may not enjoy some aspects of it, but that is why I am doing it. It's all about breaking out of bad habits and escaping the comforts of food that are bad for me and the inactive lifestyle I had been leading that became so familiar to me over the years. Time to breakaway from all of that.
So, I will embrace each weekly challenge and hopefully come Sept 2, I will be looking at a 20 pound loss. It's a modest goal - one I think is completely achievable.
I wish each and every one of you the best of luck over the next few months. This is bound to be our best summer yet!
On the first day of the Summer Sizzle Slim Down Challenge, my measurements are:
Bust - 48
Waist - 43 1/2
Hips - 52 1/2
Thigh 27 1/2
(I still need help doing the upper arm - will get the hubs to do that for me in a bit)
Starting Weight: 232
So, what does all of those numbers look like on a 5' 0" woman?
Well, it looks a lot like this:
Not pretty....but I vow to work on this all summer long (and beyond)....
I am hoping that this challenge brings me (and all of you) more than just weight loss success. Although that is the ULTIMATE goal, I want to completely readjust my mind set about food, and eliminate cravings and basically begin to live the life style of a person who is 40 years old and feels their life is worth living in the best body it can. That body is not the one that is in these pictures - that is for certain.
This challenge will be hard work and I know that I may not enjoy some aspects of it, but that is why I am doing it. It's all about breaking out of bad habits and escaping the comforts of food that are bad for me and the inactive lifestyle I had been leading that became so familiar to me over the years. Time to breakaway from all of that.
So, I will embrace each weekly challenge and hopefully come Sept 2, I will be looking at a 20 pound loss. It's a modest goal - one I think is completely achievable.
I wish each and every one of you the best of luck over the next few months. This is bound to be our best summer yet!
Who is ready to get their SIZZLE ON???
Good morning to my Summer Sizzle Sisters!
Since today starts the official kick off of the Summer Sizzle Slimdown Challenge, I thought I would do a quickie post this morning to clear up the questions I have received and post links to everyone's blog (or those that I have, anyway). IF you see that I do not have your blog url in my list and you want to be a part of the challenge, please just leave the link in my comment section and I will add it to our list!
Here is the way this challenge should roll week to week:
As we embrace day #1, those that are going to take pics/measurements, this is the day to do it. If you have a blog, you will post your info there as a regular post. You can leave a short comment (including your url) in my comments section that will let everyone know you have posted. As new people come to my post, they should check out the comments section to see who has posted for the day, and pop on by their blog to say hi and give some encouragement! I will try to have a cumulative list of ALL challenge members complete by today. I was amazed how many new people popped up suddenly but I think it's great that so many people are on board and excited to get the summer kick-started this way! I say the more, the merrier!
THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE (beginning 6/3/12):
If it passes your lips, you gotta write it down!
This week is all about BEING ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT GOES IN OUR GULLETS!!!!
No more samples of this or bites or licks of that without accountability!
The goal is to keep a food log this week. I know some of your do this religiously, others do it half-assedly, and yet others don't do it at all. One of the things I continually read in regard to weight loss success is the recording of what you eat and drink. I think they may be onto something!
IF you have a food scale, this would be a good time to dust it off and use it! The goal is to be as accurate as you can about what you are eating, and keep a week-long tally of calories consumed each day. Calorie Count has an excellent database of foods and is a wonderful (free!) tool to use for this very purpose. As an added challenge to yourself, you can set a calorie limit you'd like to stick with each day. Since this will vary for everyone, please let us know what your goal is. If you don't want to count calories, that is OK too, but just let us know how you are being accountable. Are you measuring portions? Are you staying away from all fast food? Are you doing something different this week in regard to how you document what you eat that you have not done before? Inquiring minds want to know! Next Sunday we want to hear the good, the bad and the ugly about how you did (I'm optimistic - I think all reports will be STELLAR!!). We'll check in and give our two cents and some positive encouragement!
Following this initial kick off of the challenge, I will post the upcoming week's challenge info every Sunday. (I'll probably blog more than that throughout the week but Sunday will be the official Challenge Dedication Day). On Sundays, once you have created your post on your blog that gives us the low-down on how you did with the weekly challenges (and any weight loss deets if you are sharing that info), please remember to come back to my blog and post a quick comment that lets us know you have posted (and please include a link to your post!!!). That way people know with whom they can come and check in.
I wish I knew how to do the thing that Thursday's Child did last year with the Christmas Dress Challenge where people inserted their names right onto her page that allowed you to go directly to their post, but I am SO NOT that blog saavy - so I apologize. If anyone has an easier suggestion for how we can check each other's posts, I'm all ears, but until I get a better method, this will have to suffice.
Remember this is a support system here and we are all in this together - through good and bad, so don't be afraid to ask for help, suggestions, or extra encouragement if you need it. I know some of the challenges seem hard or unpleasant but hey - that's why it's a CHALLENGE, right?
Anyway - I still need my husband to take my picture this morning (but first I have to shower so I don't scare the living bejeezus out of all of you (I have enough butt-ugly pics on this blog already). So I will be doing an additional post today once the measurements and pics are done.
As of right now, I have the following people taking the Summer Sizzle Slim Down Challenge (Please note: if I do not have a name listed, I apologize - it's because I either know you only as your blog name or when you commented your name was not included on the comment. Please provide us with the name you would like to be called during this challenge):
JoNita at http://aboutjonitaandherweightloss.blogspot.com/
Kody at http://www.skinnysized.com/
Michele at http://ruminationsasiuncoverthewomanwithin.blogspot.com/
Julie at http://healthywealthandwisenotbutlearning.blogspot.com/
Nicole at http://www.colieskitchen.com/
Christina at http://last-weight-loss-journey.blogspot.com
Shannon at http://mamashan.blogspot.com/
Pam at http://www.emptynest1.com/
Alison at http://www.underthebigoaktree.com/
Shala (or Miss S.) at http://followmethirty.blogspot.com/
Plum Petals at http://plumpetals-workinitout.blogspot.com/
Dina at http://fromwaddletorun.blogspot.com/
Jo at http://awellkeptlife.blogspot.com
Deb at http://debsdailylife.blogspot.com/
Betty at http://bltnever.blogspot.com
http://searchingforthefireflies.blogspot.com/
http://blogwobble.blogspot.com/
Tammy1409 (who does not have a blog but will give her updates through my comments section each week).
Tomadou at http://tomadou.blogspot.com/
Chica at http://studyabroadslimdown.blogspot.com/
Kenna at http://kennalarae.blogspot.com
Lora at http://lollyblabbin.blogspot.com
http://morethanihopedfor.wordpress.com/
Casey at http://caseys279.blogspot.com
Nanette at http://nanettesthejuicytruth.blogspot.com
Debbi at http://debbidoesdieting.blogspot.com/
Did I forget anybody???
I am not sure of Taryn at Fat Girl in a Skinny World is joining (but Taryn, we'd love to have you!).
Ok - gotta take a shower! Let me know if anyone has questions! Hope I have covered everything.
Please let me just say that I am excited to be doing this challenge will all of you and am proud that each and every one of us is willing to try their best to make a big difference in their health this summer! We can do this!!!!!!!
And if you ever need further motivation, repeat the words that were once posed to me by the wise (and weight loss success-story) Michele at http://ruminationsasiuncoverthewomanwithin.blogspot.com/
...IF NOT NOW, WHEN?????
GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!
SIZZLE ON!!!!!
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Getting Ready to Sizzle
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Happy Saturday to everyone!
Tomorrow begins the Summer Sizzle Slim Down Challenge and I have to say, it's coming not a moment too soon. This week has been sort of rough with staying on track. Although I have been logging my calories on CalorieCount.com, some of the food I had wasn't in the data base (which, duh, can't be a good sign, right?), so I just had to guesstimate the calorie value. Ugh. I think it's a sign from the fat gods that I need to stop going to restaurants and stay at home and cook myself things that I know are healthy. The problem is now that school is over, I have been playing catch up with my social life. This week I scheduled three dinners out (gulp!) with people that I haven't seen in ages. This type of jam-packed social schedule is highly abnormal for me - but I know it can easily spell disaster if I don't watch it. I was down to 230.75 yesterday but when I weighed myself this morning, .75 pounds crept back on - so I know that the past few days of indulgences here and there (I've already had 2 of those 3 dinners out) are not helping my situation. Did I mention a cocktail or two was involved? I'm glad to be getting it out of the way this week because after tomorrow, I'm flipping the switch.
One difference I have made this time around (and it's probably why the scale didn't bounce right back to 234) is that I have PLANNED for these dinners out. I kept my calories low for the bulk of the day and banked a bunch to feed my social need, so to speak. It seems to help a small bit, at least.
So tomorrow starts the challenge and I feel good about the progress I intend to make and the changes I intend to see this time around. I have absolutely no obstacles standing in my way for the first time in a long time - there isn't an excuse to be had ANYWHERE so I am feeling more confident than I have in my previous attempts to tame the Fat Beast.
For those of you that asked questions or posted to the Details for the Summer Sizzle Slim Down Challenge, I did leave a reply on the comments section of that post. A few had questions about weighing in, or posting pictures. I am going to leave that part up to you. As long as you can monitor your progress one way or another and share with us, that is fine. Michele, I know you have dietary requirements the week of your bike event, so again, whatever you need to do is fine! I think I mentioned I am not the Diet Gestapo so I don't want anyone to feel like tweaks can't be made, but the goal is to stick with as many of the weekly challenges as possible without radical modifications (unless necessary). Some of the challenges even scare me, but I am willing to step outside my comfort zone and work at making slow, steady changes that will hopefully lead to big changes down the line.
So, get ready for tomorrow. It will be time to log EVERYTHING.
I'm ready! Are you????
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Pleasure & Pain
It is another glorious morning...not so hot or humid or hazy. Just a great start to the day. I'm always inspired on days like this. Even though I opted out of the dog walk this AM with my hubs (my knee is still a little iffy), I know I will get a workout in at the gym at some point, plus I have a bunch of cleaning I need to do that will hopefully burn a few calories, in addition to making my house sparkle. :-)
My training session was a little brutal yesterday - it was an upper arm/chest work out which left my arms feeling a wee bit like lead. You know it's never a good thing when your trainer casually throws in the conversation something like, "Oh, you probably won't be able to lift your arms above your head tomorrow. I hope you don't have to put away dishes or anything..." I was like - What??? And then I remembered how much pain I was in after my last workout with my male trainer, Scott, right before the weekend. My legs felt like Muhammad Ali had made them his own personal punching bag. Going up stairs was difficult at best. Coming down them was pure torture. So imagine my horror when I realized that this new trainer, Linda, intended to make mush meat out of my arms, too. I wanted to run, but my bum knee wouldn't let me. So I stayed, and endured.
Despite the intensity level of these training sessions, my inner sadist is rather enjoying the challenge. I would NEVER push my body to the limits these trainers have. The second I would feel a little discomfort at the gym, that was my signal to stop. I never pushed myself to see how far I could go - until now. I'm giving it my all, and it is interesting to see what I am actually capable of doing. Of course, I have miles to go, but this feels like a really great beginning to me. I'm willing to work hard - and am happy that some results are already forthcoming. Today I weighed in at 230.75...so the scale is at least cooperating! All of this pain is not for naught!
Until next time, happy sweating and healthy eating!
My training session was a little brutal yesterday - it was an upper arm/chest work out which left my arms feeling a wee bit like lead. You know it's never a good thing when your trainer casually throws in the conversation something like, "Oh, you probably won't be able to lift your arms above your head tomorrow. I hope you don't have to put away dishes or anything..." I was like - What??? And then I remembered how much pain I was in after my last workout with my male trainer, Scott, right before the weekend. My legs felt like Muhammad Ali had made them his own personal punching bag. Going up stairs was difficult at best. Coming down them was pure torture. So imagine my horror when I realized that this new trainer, Linda, intended to make mush meat out of my arms, too. I wanted to run, but my bum knee wouldn't let me. So I stayed, and endured.
Despite the intensity level of these training sessions, my inner sadist is rather enjoying the challenge. I would NEVER push my body to the limits these trainers have. The second I would feel a little discomfort at the gym, that was my signal to stop. I never pushed myself to see how far I could go - until now. I'm giving it my all, and it is interesting to see what I am actually capable of doing. Of course, I have miles to go, but this feels like a really great beginning to me. I'm willing to work hard - and am happy that some results are already forthcoming. Today I weighed in at 230.75...so the scale is at least cooperating! All of this pain is not for naught!
Until next time, happy sweating and healthy eating!
 | |
| A chuckle a day keeps the fat cells away... |
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Jazzed
Good Morning!
It's going to be another blazing one today - my least favorite weather, HHH - Hazy, Hot & Humid. Blech. Give me 70 derees and sunny with a breeze and I am good to go but this kind of weather so early in the season makes me wanna submerge myself in a pool and not come out until September.
I'd probably lose a lot of weight that way, so maybe it's not such a bad idea. Hmmm....Note to self: Will have to look into when the pool opens in town....
Anyhoo - yesterday I posted some of the details about the Summer Sizzle Slim Down Challenge. I apologize for the looooooooong post.You have until June 3 to read it all so no worries, take your time. Print it out if you need some good bathroom reading material...whatever it takes.
I'm actually pretty jazzed about the challenge because this is really the first summer I have been able to dedicate to ME in 3 years. We're talking full on jazz hands, in effect, y'all! No school to worry about - just time to focus on getting myself in shape (other than ROUND) and living a healthier life style. I'm already doing the gym thing which will be a huge help, provided my knee cooperates. As I type this, I am sitting with an ice pack on it because it is not a happy joint at the moment. Last night towards the end of my elliptical workout (30 mins, 361 cals burned - WOOT), I got a panging pain. I finished the last of the workout because I only had about 2 1/2 mins to go, but it's been a nagging bitch since then. My knees suck to begin with, ever since I danced at my wedding like a freak. I swear, it's sad, but I was never the same after that night. I've been diagnosed with the onset of arthritis in my knee (an MRI has confirmed this), but not sure if there's something else going on there or what. I should probably visit a doctor, huh?
And, as if I need further incentive to lose weight, I have recently been watching my TiVo'd episodes of the Weight of the Nation that aired on HBO last week. It's very eye opening - but it truly makes me embarrassed knowing I am lumped in the group of morbidly obese people. I am a statistic of sorts, and I hate it. At 5' 0" and 232 (I lost 2 lbs, probably in pee alone, since yesterday), I know I have some very serious health concerns that I could face (and probably am facing but don't know it) if I don't take action now. So, now it is. I am on it!
Part of my training that I signed up for includes nutrition counseling so I am curious to see what type of "diet" they will prescribe. I already have their list of foods, and it is a small one. I have to track what I eat as part of the plan, so week one of the Summer Sizzle Slim Down Challenge is an absolute MUST for me anyway. This is the most invested I have ever been in my weight loss (and a bonus is that my husband is on board and looking to lose weight too, so he is OK with the big eating changes that are about to take place) - so I am really excited to experience a transformation this summer!
By this time next year, you'll be looking at a new woman!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
DETAILS - Summer Sizzle Slim Down Challenge
Happy Tuesday!
I KNOW, I KNOW - I am late on the Summer Sizzle Slim Down - but I have decided that since there are a few people doing another challenge that ends June 3, I'll start the new challenge then. Hope that works for everyone...
I just returned from vacation anyway and it was difficult for me to blog the details from the beach, so I figured this mini-delay would be for the best. However, with that said, I thought I would set up the guidelines of the challenge for your to peruse this week so you can decide if you want to hop on board.
So, the official guidelines for the 2012 Summer Sizzle Slim Down are listed below. Keep in mind, I'm not a Diet & Exercise Dictator so if you are uncomfortable with any of the components of the challenge, I'm obviously not going to DRIVE to your house and MAKE you participate. These guidelines are to challenge you, maybe make you step out of your comfort zone a bit and focus on getting fit and healthy by incorporating or trying different things each week. I know personally, I need a good swift kick in the fat pants and am excited to be setting some goals and challenging myself as I have never done before. The reasoning for many of the weekly challenges that I have chosen are both personally driven (things I really struggle with) but also address common themes and issues/hurdles I have been reading about throughout the weight loss blog community as of late.
One of the reasons I am so gung-ho about the challenge is that my training sessions at the gym the past few weeks have made me realize that my body is capable of doing far more than I thought it could. Yes, some of the exercise really hurts (it's called being severely out of shape) and the last session I had with my trainer left me feeling like the most unfit person on the face of the Earth and my legs were in pain for days. But, I made it through the work out - and I signed up for a weekly personal training session for the next three months (it was all I can afford, but I am committed). I NEED someone to kick my ass....I realize I have never worked harder than when someone is standing over me expecting me to give it my all. Call it not wanting to look like a whiny idiot or whatever - I just know I work harder when a trainer is asking me to do the work.
This challenge will hopefully act as a "trainer" for you - pushing you to do things that may be uncomfortable at first, but in the end, leave you feeling like a superstar!
Anyhoo - back to the Summer Sizzle Slim-Down Challenge. Here's the deets:
Posts regarding the challenge should be published each Sunday. I will also provide details about the upcoming week's challenge that day as well as report on the challenge from last week. If you are in the challenge be sure to leave a comment on my blog with your url link so that we can all go visit yor blog to see your challenge update. These are the other guidelines:
1. PICTURES ARE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS - Before the challenge begins, take a current full body-length picture (front, back and side view) and a close up picture of your face. You may post them if you'd like ( I will be - and I have plenty of other full body shots on this blog). I find that once you get it out there, the motivation MAY increase (ignore the fact that it obviously didn't do it for me the last time I took those awful pictures - but I still have hope for this summer). Even if you are not comfortable posting your pics on the blog, please take the pictures anyway, and keep them for your own benefit, even if it's only your eyes that see them. Hopefully in September we can all look back and see just how far we've come. :-)
2. MEASUREMENTS - Taking measurements may keep you focused when the scale doesn't seem to budge. I encourage you to take your measurements at the start of the challenge - even if it's just the basics - upper arms, calf, thigh, waist, hips and bust. I may throw "neck" in there just because I know some of my necklaces are tight and I am curious how much I can lose in that area.
I will do measurement updates once a month on the following days: (June 3, July 1, August 5, Sept 2).
If you choose to post measurements, those would be the posting dates for all of us.
3. WEIGHT - I will be weighing in weekly. I'll weigh in on Fridays but will post my progress and weight each Sunday. If you are posting weekly, you can pick whatever day you wish to weigh in, but all updates should be posted on Sunday. Just let us know what day is your actual weigh-in day.
WEEKLY CHALLENGES - I have set up a list of weekly challenges that are meant to encourage forming good habits. The goal is to firmly stick with the weekly challenge posted - it is up to you whether or not you feel you can commit to keeping up with that challenge going forward (hopefully we all will!). Not EVERY weekly challenge will require "continuation" - but the goal is to get into the mindset of doing these things and proving to yourself that you CAN do them. And if you can do them for one week - why not two weeks? Why not three? And so on...you get the picture.
I'm listing the goals up front so that you can mentally prepare and also see what I mean when I say not all weekly challenges need continuation. You can also see the ones that can be continued, if you should so desire.
WEEKLY CHALLENGES
Week 1 - (begin June 3) - "WRITE IT ALL DOWN" (and post pics/measurements if doing so)
Week one is all about honesty and being accountable to yourself about what goes in the old gullet. The goal is to keep a daily record for 7 days straight of EVERY morsel (bevvies included) you put in your mouth so that you may look at the calories consumed for one week. I know I am QUEEN of denial - I have a bad case of the Handful Here, Bite of That There Syndrome where I apparently think my mini-indulgences are calorie-free. My ample ass tells me otherwise.
Trust me - I know that tracking is a real pain in the rear-end to many people, myself included - but I also know that when people DO track, they are more inclined to not eat crap because who wants to write 5 Snickers on their log? At least this is what the literature tells me!
If you do blog, try keeping accountable through there (that's what I'll be doing) - and if you are not a blogger but doing this at home for fun, keep a food journal. Loseit.com has a good FREE phone app and helps track calories, and caloriecount.com is another good online site to help with tracking - so perhaps those tools will make it easier to keep track.
Week 2 - (begin June 10) - "SIX HOURS OF EXERCISE"
I don't care if you are dancing around your house or lifting weights or walking or ice skating. The goal for this week is to simply get moving for at least 6 hours throughout the week. You can break it into smaller increments throughout the day if needed, but try to track your exercise so you can reach that weekly goal. Those of you that have long hours at work, this may be tough but the operative word for this challenge is TRY! Making time when you think there is NO time in the day will be an added challenge, but I have faith we can all do this one!
If you are so inclined, share your stat goals - like that you intend to walk 24 miles or whatever goal you have that will coincide with your 6 hours of exercise. I'll be here to cheer you on!
Week 3 - (begin June 17) - TRY A NEW FITNESS ACTIVITY OR PIECE OF EQUIPMENT
I don't know about you but there are plenty of pieces of equipment at the gym that I eye up plenty enough but never give them a try (hello Jacob's Ladder, I'm looking specifically at you). For example, I have always wanted to try aqua aerobics but never have....I have also wanted to try working out with kettlebells but never have. (WHY???) This challenge is meant to get us out of any fitness ruts we may be experiencing, and to embrace the beauty of change starting on a small scale. Change is hard, and scary sometimes, but I do think that in order to succeed in losing weight, we can't get bored - so let's try new things and find a few new faves. This is one of those challenges you could easily do week to week. You never know - you just may become addicted to something you least expected - like lifting barbells or using the tricep machine! Go for it this week and give us your review on how you did!!!
Week 4 - (begin June 24) - 100 oz OF WATER AND SHARE A FAVORITE HEALTHY RECIPE
This week presents a big challenge for me - I don't know why, but I really struggle with drinking enough water. I aim to correct that since weight loss and water consumption go hand in hand. If you already drink copious amounts of water - kudos to you - this will be an easy week for you. For people like me, it will be interesting. Increased trips to the bathroom will at least burn extra calories!
Since I'm also always at a loss for flavorful low-cal recipes (and really am at a loss when it comes to good breakfast food that is filling), I thought we could all swap a few recipes of our go-to dishes we love while losing weight. I'm always curious to see what types of food people turn to while adjusting their lifestyle. I love stretching my culinary muscle and think it will be fun to share what our healthy eats are now that we understand that donuts are, in fact, not diet food.
Week 5 - (begin July 1) - LOSE 2 lbs THIS WEEK (and post pics/measurements if doing so)
Yep, holiday and all - this is the goal.
Don't question it - just do it. The reason this is the goal this week is to help us remember that the 4th of July doesn't give us free license to abandon all our diet and fitness goals. Yes, it's a holiday - but it's not a holiday meant to celebrate how many hot dogs and hamburgers our bodies can consume. This week will hopefully redirect us a bit - knowing the goal is a 2 pound loss, maybe we can steer clear of old habits of overindulgence during the holiday and make good on our promise to ourselves for better health ALL 365 days of the year!
Week 6 - (begin July 8) - VEGETARIAN WEEK
I've added this challenge simply because I'd like to see if I can do it. Maybe you too have always wondered what a vegetarian diet might be like? I know I love meat way too much to give it up for good, but I am willing to try for a week and see how I do and if I feel any different.
No meat of any kind. Seafood optional.
Who's with 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!
Week 8 - (begin July 22) - EMBRACE A FITNESS FEAR
Is there something you have always wanted to do that you are too afraid to try? Some irrational fear holds you back? For me, it's trying Zumba and Spinning....I long to do them but I am scared. Scared of only being able to do the activity for 2 minutes. Afraid to look like a jackass in front of people who do these activities all of the time and know the drill - and have STAMINA.
My thought is that by this time, hopefully we have been working on the stamina thing. We are ready to take on something new and maybe a little scary. Maybe it's running, or maybe it's kickboxing. Whatever your fear, this week the goal is to stare it in the eye, and then make it your bitch.
Week 9 - (begin July 29) - NO SUGAR (unless it's all natural) AND NO SNACKING AFTER DINNER
I figured I may as well put these two challenges together since sometimes snacks can be less than healthy. I am so guilty of feeling like I need to have "dessert" all of the time. Guess what? I DON'T! If I was the type of person that reached for fruit as a snack, maybe I wouldn't be so inclined to add this challenge, but since cake, pies and ice cream are my go-to desserts, I need to get a grip on this.
If we can eliminate those nasty calories we consume after dinner, my money is on weight loss for the next week.
Week 10 - (begin August 5) - SET A FITNESS/WEIGHT LOSS GOAL FOR YOURSELF (and post pics/measurements if doing so)
Let's surprise ourselves....we can do more than we think. This week is about telling each other what fitness goals we have for ourselves, because in a week or two I'll be asking everyone (myself included) to aim to surpass those goals. Same goes for weight loss. What do you want to lose this week (think outside the box - maybe it's not just weight)? And tell us why!
Week 11 - (begin August 12) - TELL US HOW ARE YOU FEELING AND SHOW YOUR WEIGHT LOSS IN FOOD
This week focuses on how each of us are doing and what we have learned about ourselves so far during this challenge. Hopefully we will all have new insight on what our bodies are capable of and how we have held ourselves accountable these past months. Also - as a fun side bar, let's show our weight loss in food. The idea is to take a picture of how much weight you've lost on the challenge so far - but in food pounds. So if you've lost 10 lbs, show us a picture of 2 (5lb) bags of sugar or a 10lb sack of potatoes. Get the picture?
Week 12 - (begin August 19) - SURPASS YOUR FITNESS/WEIGHT GOALS FROM WEEK 10
Simple enough. Remind us what your goals were for week 10. Now go and beat them into submission!!!!
Week 13 - (begin August 26) - LOW CARB WEEK & NO EATING OUT
Skip the bread, pasta, cereal and rice this week. Stick to fruits and veggies and lean protein. While we're at it, let's ditch the restaurants, too. Make it a double challenge and hope that it pays off big next week!
Sept 2 - Final Weigh-in, Measurements, Pictures and Thoughts....
Ok - so that's about it for the weekly goals. I still would like to maybe incorporate some monthly goals. Maybe a total monthly weight loss goal or fitness goal. I will leave that up to each person on what they want to do.
I'm planning on a little incentive package too for the person who has really committed to the challenge and did us all proud. Details on that to follow.
But I think that's enough for one day. My ass needs to get to the gym!
I KNOW, I KNOW - I am late on the Summer Sizzle Slim Down - but I have decided that since there are a few people doing another challenge that ends June 3, I'll start the new challenge then. Hope that works for everyone...
I just returned from vacation anyway and it was difficult for me to blog the details from the beach, so I figured this mini-delay would be for the best. However, with that said, I thought I would set up the guidelines of the challenge for your to peruse this week so you can decide if you want to hop on board.
So, the official guidelines for the 2012 Summer Sizzle Slim Down are listed below. Keep in mind, I'm not a Diet & Exercise Dictator so if you are uncomfortable with any of the components of the challenge, I'm obviously not going to DRIVE to your house and MAKE you participate. These guidelines are to challenge you, maybe make you step out of your comfort zone a bit and focus on getting fit and healthy by incorporating or trying different things each week. I know personally, I need a good swift kick in the fat pants and am excited to be setting some goals and challenging myself as I have never done before. The reasoning for many of the weekly challenges that I have chosen are both personally driven (things I really struggle with) but also address common themes and issues/hurdles I have been reading about throughout the weight loss blog community as of late.
One of the reasons I am so gung-ho about the challenge is that my training sessions at the gym the past few weeks have made me realize that my body is capable of doing far more than I thought it could. Yes, some of the exercise really hurts (it's called being severely out of shape) and the last session I had with my trainer left me feeling like the most unfit person on the face of the Earth and my legs were in pain for days. But, I made it through the work out - and I signed up for a weekly personal training session for the next three months (it was all I can afford, but I am committed). I NEED someone to kick my ass....I realize I have never worked harder than when someone is standing over me expecting me to give it my all. Call it not wanting to look like a whiny idiot or whatever - I just know I work harder when a trainer is asking me to do the work.
This challenge will hopefully act as a "trainer" for you - pushing you to do things that may be uncomfortable at first, but in the end, leave you feeling like a superstar!
Anyhoo - back to the Summer Sizzle Slim-Down Challenge. Here's the deets:
Posts regarding the challenge should be published each Sunday. I will also provide details about the upcoming week's challenge that day as well as report on the challenge from last week. If you are in the challenge be sure to leave a comment on my blog with your url link so that we can all go visit yor blog to see your challenge update. These are the other guidelines:
1. PICTURES ARE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS - Before the challenge begins, take a current full body-length picture (front, back and side view) and a close up picture of your face. You may post them if you'd like ( I will be - and I have plenty of other full body shots on this blog). I find that once you get it out there, the motivation MAY increase (ignore the fact that it obviously didn't do it for me the last time I took those awful pictures - but I still have hope for this summer). Even if you are not comfortable posting your pics on the blog, please take the pictures anyway, and keep them for your own benefit, even if it's only your eyes that see them. Hopefully in September we can all look back and see just how far we've come. :-)
2. MEASUREMENTS - Taking measurements may keep you focused when the scale doesn't seem to budge. I encourage you to take your measurements at the start of the challenge - even if it's just the basics - upper arms, calf, thigh, waist, hips and bust. I may throw "neck" in there just because I know some of my necklaces are tight and I am curious how much I can lose in that area.
I will do measurement updates once a month on the following days: (June 3, July 1, August 5, Sept 2).
If you choose to post measurements, those would be the posting dates for all of us.
3. WEIGHT - I will be weighing in weekly. I'll weigh in on Fridays but will post my progress and weight each Sunday. If you are posting weekly, you can pick whatever day you wish to weigh in, but all updates should be posted on Sunday. Just let us know what day is your actual weigh-in day.
WEEKLY CHALLENGES - I have set up a list of weekly challenges that are meant to encourage forming good habits. The goal is to firmly stick with the weekly challenge posted - it is up to you whether or not you feel you can commit to keeping up with that challenge going forward (hopefully we all will!). Not EVERY weekly challenge will require "continuation" - but the goal is to get into the mindset of doing these things and proving to yourself that you CAN do them. And if you can do them for one week - why not two weeks? Why not three? And so on...you get the picture.
I'm listing the goals up front so that you can mentally prepare and also see what I mean when I say not all weekly challenges need continuation. You can also see the ones that can be continued, if you should so desire.
WEEKLY CHALLENGES
Week 1 - (begin June 3) - "WRITE IT ALL DOWN" (and post pics/measurements if doing so)
Week one is all about honesty and being accountable to yourself about what goes in the old gullet. The goal is to keep a daily record for 7 days straight of EVERY morsel (bevvies included) you put in your mouth so that you may look at the calories consumed for one week. I know I am QUEEN of denial - I have a bad case of the Handful Here, Bite of That There Syndrome where I apparently think my mini-indulgences are calorie-free. My ample ass tells me otherwise.
Trust me - I know that tracking is a real pain in the rear-end to many people, myself included - but I also know that when people DO track, they are more inclined to not eat crap because who wants to write 5 Snickers on their log? At least this is what the literature tells me!
If you do blog, try keeping accountable through there (that's what I'll be doing) - and if you are not a blogger but doing this at home for fun, keep a food journal. Loseit.com has a good FREE phone app and helps track calories, and caloriecount.com is another good online site to help with tracking - so perhaps those tools will make it easier to keep track.
Week 2 - (begin June 10) - "SIX HOURS OF EXERCISE"
I don't care if you are dancing around your house or lifting weights or walking or ice skating. The goal for this week is to simply get moving for at least 6 hours throughout the week. You can break it into smaller increments throughout the day if needed, but try to track your exercise so you can reach that weekly goal. Those of you that have long hours at work, this may be tough but the operative word for this challenge is TRY! Making time when you think there is NO time in the day will be an added challenge, but I have faith we can all do this one!
If you are so inclined, share your stat goals - like that you intend to walk 24 miles or whatever goal you have that will coincide with your 6 hours of exercise. I'll be here to cheer you on!
Week 3 - (begin June 17) - TRY A NEW FITNESS ACTIVITY OR PIECE OF EQUIPMENT
I don't know about you but there are plenty of pieces of equipment at the gym that I eye up plenty enough but never give them a try (hello Jacob's Ladder, I'm looking specifically at you). For example, I have always wanted to try aqua aerobics but never have....I have also wanted to try working out with kettlebells but never have. (WHY???) This challenge is meant to get us out of any fitness ruts we may be experiencing, and to embrace the beauty of change starting on a small scale. Change is hard, and scary sometimes, but I do think that in order to succeed in losing weight, we can't get bored - so let's try new things and find a few new faves. This is one of those challenges you could easily do week to week. You never know - you just may become addicted to something you least expected - like lifting barbells or using the tricep machine! Go for it this week and give us your review on how you did!!!
Week 4 - (begin June 24) - 100 oz OF WATER AND SHARE A FAVORITE HEALTHY RECIPE
This week presents a big challenge for me - I don't know why, but I really struggle with drinking enough water. I aim to correct that since weight loss and water consumption go hand in hand. If you already drink copious amounts of water - kudos to you - this will be an easy week for you. For people like me, it will be interesting. Increased trips to the bathroom will at least burn extra calories!
Since I'm also always at a loss for flavorful low-cal recipes (and really am at a loss when it comes to good breakfast food that is filling), I thought we could all swap a few recipes of our go-to dishes we love while losing weight. I'm always curious to see what types of food people turn to while adjusting their lifestyle. I love stretching my culinary muscle and think it will be fun to share what our healthy eats are now that we understand that donuts are, in fact, not diet food.
Week 5 - (begin July 1) - LOSE 2 lbs THIS WEEK (and post pics/measurements if doing so)
Yep, holiday and all - this is the goal.
Don't question it - just do it. The reason this is the goal this week is to help us remember that the 4th of July doesn't give us free license to abandon all our diet and fitness goals. Yes, it's a holiday - but it's not a holiday meant to celebrate how many hot dogs and hamburgers our bodies can consume. This week will hopefully redirect us a bit - knowing the goal is a 2 pound loss, maybe we can steer clear of old habits of overindulgence during the holiday and make good on our promise to ourselves for better health ALL 365 days of the year!
Week 6 - (begin July 8) - VEGETARIAN WEEK
I've added this challenge simply because I'd like to see if I can do it. Maybe you too have always wondered what a vegetarian diet might be like? I know I love meat way too much to give it up for good, but I am willing to try for a week and see how I do and if I feel any different.
No meat of any kind. Seafood optional.
Who's with 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!
Week 8 - (begin July 22) - EMBRACE A FITNESS FEAR
Is there something you have always wanted to do that you are too afraid to try? Some irrational fear holds you back? For me, it's trying Zumba and Spinning....I long to do them but I am scared. Scared of only being able to do the activity for 2 minutes. Afraid to look like a jackass in front of people who do these activities all of the time and know the drill - and have STAMINA.
My thought is that by this time, hopefully we have been working on the stamina thing. We are ready to take on something new and maybe a little scary. Maybe it's running, or maybe it's kickboxing. Whatever your fear, this week the goal is to stare it in the eye, and then make it your bitch.
Week 9 - (begin July 29) - NO SUGAR (unless it's all natural) AND NO SNACKING AFTER DINNER
I figured I may as well put these two challenges together since sometimes snacks can be less than healthy. I am so guilty of feeling like I need to have "dessert" all of the time. Guess what? I DON'T! If I was the type of person that reached for fruit as a snack, maybe I wouldn't be so inclined to add this challenge, but since cake, pies and ice cream are my go-to desserts, I need to get a grip on this.
If we can eliminate those nasty calories we consume after dinner, my money is on weight loss for the next week.
Week 10 - (begin August 5) - SET A FITNESS/WEIGHT LOSS GOAL FOR YOURSELF (and post pics/measurements if doing so)
Let's surprise ourselves....we can do more than we think. This week is about telling each other what fitness goals we have for ourselves, because in a week or two I'll be asking everyone (myself included) to aim to surpass those goals. Same goes for weight loss. What do you want to lose this week (think outside the box - maybe it's not just weight)? And tell us why!
Week 11 - (begin August 12) - TELL US HOW ARE YOU FEELING AND SHOW YOUR WEIGHT LOSS IN FOOD
This week focuses on how each of us are doing and what we have learned about ourselves so far during this challenge. Hopefully we will all have new insight on what our bodies are capable of and how we have held ourselves accountable these past months. Also - as a fun side bar, let's show our weight loss in food. The idea is to take a picture of how much weight you've lost on the challenge so far - but in food pounds. So if you've lost 10 lbs, show us a picture of 2 (5lb) bags of sugar or a 10lb sack of potatoes. Get the picture?
Week 12 - (begin August 19) - SURPASS YOUR FITNESS/WEIGHT GOALS FROM WEEK 10
Simple enough. Remind us what your goals were for week 10. Now go and beat them into submission!!!!
Week 13 - (begin August 26) - LOW CARB WEEK & NO EATING OUT
Skip the bread, pasta, cereal and rice this week. Stick to fruits and veggies and lean protein. While we're at it, let's ditch the restaurants, too. Make it a double challenge and hope that it pays off big next week!
Sept 2 - Final Weigh-in, Measurements, Pictures and Thoughts....
Ok - so that's about it for the weekly goals. I still would like to maybe incorporate some monthly goals. Maybe a total monthly weight loss goal or fitness goal. I will leave that up to each person on what they want to do.
I'm planning on a little incentive package too for the person who has really committed to the challenge and did us all proud. Details on that to follow.
But I think that's enough for one day. My ass needs to get to the gym!
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