1st week

Well this week has not gone all that well.  I have worked out fairly consistently; however, my eating has been horrible.  Needless to say I did not lose any weight this week. : ( Because Jonathan left this week I've been pretty bummed out.  And guess what my favorite thing to do when I'm bummed out is.  EAT!  Also I am realizing how hard it is to go to the gym at the end of the day.  It's not my motivation...i always look forward to going to the Y at the end of the day.  I've never liked a gym so much in my life.  What makes it hard is that my poor puppy is home alone all day long and when I get home it is so hard to turn right around and leave him again.  I would love to just walk him for an hour and a half for exercise, but by the time I get home it's dark.  The days are starting to last longer, thankfully.  I wish they had a doggy day care at the Y.  So that's where I'm at right now.  I would say I'm on the verge of being discouraged. :-/

On a side note, tomorrow I am going to down to Mexico tomorrow to volunteer at an orphanage! 

Sweet Tooth

Yesterday I was really good.  There were cookies at church and normally I would have eaten at least three, but I didn't eat any.  At lunch I had a turkey avocado sandwich with a side salad instead of fries (that was so hard because I looooove fries).  Jonathan and I went on a hike with some friends (to clarify, the friends were a navy seal and his girlfriend...that's right I went hiking with a navy seal).  We hiked for about an hour and a half.  I got to used my new hiking shoes.  I am so stoked about these shoes by the way, they are Northface and had originally been about $120, but I got them for $30!  It's amazing the difference that hiking in real hiking shoes can make though.  The grip is fantastic so I was way more confident and comfortable with each step than I had ever been in my old gym shoes. 
    I am not counting calories.  I have tried counting calories in the past.  I've even tried the weight watchers point system, but I've never been diligent enough with counting anything for it to make a difference.  I am hoping that I can just learn what to eat and how much is enough and let that be that.  I also do not believe in using fat free products.  I have my own callow theories on fat free foods and I will spare you from any elaboration on that subject.
     I believe that my biggest obstacle in this weight loss is going to be sweets.  I have the world's largest sweet tooth. Today at work at ate entirely too many sweets.  I really wish I could be hypnotized into hating all things sweet.  When I am sad the first thing I turn to is a piece of candy. This is embarrassing for me to admit, but it's true.  My husband is going to be gone for the next month and it's going to be very hard for me not to chow down on chocolate like it's my job. :)  I am hoping by some miracle that I will have the will power to not turn to sweets for comfort. 
     Here's hoping tomorrow will be a candy free day.

I'm putting it out there...

Well it is 2011.  Jonathan and I were home in December and while we were visiting with my parents.  My father proposed that he and I should see who can lose 20 lbs the fastest.  That is to say the fastest and in the healthiest way.  I am starting this blog to hopefully hold me accountable.  I will post my progress here.  My husband is a huge support to me in this, but he is a "big ol' softy" and spoils me to no end.  He doesn't force me to do anything I don't "feel like" doing.  He encourages me, but he does not force me.  I appreciate this very much about him as I do much better under encouragement rather than force. However, putting this journey "out there" for others to read may provide just a tad more motivation as I would hate to disappoint the masses.  I don't know that anyone will read this, but I can pretend that people will.  So, here is what I am starting with: I am 5'10'' and I currently weigh 183 lbs.  I would love to lose 20 lbs in 2-3 months. I do not, however, wish to stop there.  My goal weight is 149 lbs.  I was at this weight at the end of the summer of 2005.  I felt very good and my doctor was very happy.   So there you have it folks.  I am not going to do this quickly. I am going to take my time, pace myself, do it the "healthy way."  By the time we move home in June I would love to have reached my goal.  If I have not, I will not give up and I will not be discouraged.  I give in to discouragement very easily.  I believe that this stems from my lack of self confidence.  I believe that if I can prove to myself that I can do this, in turn I will improve in many aspects of my life. 

I am open to suggestions, bits of encouragement, etc.