TCTBTF: Day 449

Read about my first foray into the wild here.

My neck! My back! My neck and my back! And by neck I mean, knee. By back I mean, knee.

My left knee has been bothering me for awhile now. Like, well over a year. Not all the time, but when it does, it’s a bitch. It really started up again a few weeks ago when I started playing Dance Central like it’s my job. I always figured that it’s due to carrying around the most weight I’ve ever held in my life. I’m pulling more weight than Beyonce when she was in Destiny’s Child.

So there’s this vicious cycle: how can I exercise and lose weight if my knee hurts, but my knee hurts due to weight gain? I’ve decided to work through the pain. I’ve birthed two babies. I watched Nip/Tuck through that final death rattle of a season. I know pain, people. I know pain. I’m gonna walk and run when I can and after losing a good 10-15lbs, we’ll see if there’s still a knee problem.

On my first day, I walked/ran the trail for 15 minutes and then turned around and did the same thing in reverse. I decided to add five minutes going in on my second evening. I got to the park, parked, and this time I didn’t have time to do my stupid stretch thing cause just as I was tying my hair in a ponytail, a little dog ran up to me.

“Where did you come from?”

*blank stare*

I ask some of the boys on the skate ramps, “Is this your dog?” No. I ask a man in a parked car next to mine. No. Right before I noticed him, a woman in a minivan dropped off some boys headed for the basketball courts. I wondered if the little dog had escaped from the van and she hadn’t noticed.

I start walking to the trail and the dog follows. For real, doggie?

“You need to go away. But stay out of the parking lot. I don’t like dogs, I don’t want you to get hit.”

*blank stare*

 

He still follows me. I run for a bit, then I guess he realized I’m an amateur runner cause he kind of trots ahead of me and hooks a right when I’m headed left. I throw up deuces and make this video:

 

 

Running Day 2

I made my way along the trail, walking more than running, annoyed that this Asian lady hair is so damn silky no scrunchie can contain it. Every time a man passed me going in the opposite direction, I smiled politely, but turned around to watch him go and make sure he didn’t double back and push me into the woods to have his way with me. This huge black guy jogs by me and when I turn my head to make sure his ass is going about his business, there’s a white guy running up on me going in my direction. It scared me so badly my heart dropped and I raised up my water bottle like I was going to brain him with it. He gave me a, “What the fuck is wrong with you” look and jogged around me.

After 20 minutes, I turned around and retraced my steps. I once again pass a gaggle of kids practicing softball. A Dad checks me out and damn near breaks his neck to watch me pass. I wish I could say I felt sexy and gave him something to really look at, but it was right around that time that I started feeling queasy and hot. I was pretty sure I’d just swallowed some bugs and I wanted to sit down on the path and cry. Or faint. Or die.

But I kept going cause, well, I had no fucking choice. I had to make it back to my car and while there are trash cans and emergency phones along the trail, there’s no “Pussy Can’t Hang” pick up service to drive your lazy ass back to your car.

About ten minutes from the end of the trail I realize it’s getting dark. I start to panic a little cause black folks in the woods in the dark don’t usually fair so well. If I’m gonna add more time to my workout, I should at least start earlier to make sure I’m not 15-20 minutes away when it gets dark. That would really suck. I post this on my Facebook wall as I walk super fast.

Then I realize that it’s not getting as dark as I thought. I was still wearing my sunglasses.

 

 

This time, I was a tad more coordinated when I exited the woods. I wasn’t as dizzy or sore as the first time, but I was just as sweaty. (That’s what she said.) I’ll add another five minutes going in -bringing my total workout to 50 minutes total – next time.

Oh, and my knee didn’t hurt.

Track of the Day: A lot of people suggested running music and I did take some of them, but I find that I don’t necessarily want something that’s high energy or fast. I just want something I enjoy listening to – something I would love to dance to because I’m so sexy when I dance, but weight gain has made me dance a lot less. Here’s the track that moved me the most today:

Jenny Wilson \”Like a Fading Rainbow\”

TCTBTF: Day 450

On May 25th, 2012, my ten-year wedding anniversary, Donny and I will renew our wedding vows. Why? Because we do what we want! (Seriously, more details on that in another blog.)

Nothing motivates a woman to get her ass (and everything else) in shape like the threat of looking like a whale in a strapless dress. For that reason alone, I suggest every wife struggling with her weight renew her vows.

For a long time now, I’ve wanted to be a different kind of person – more active, more outdoorsy, someone who actually looks forward to the burn and breaking a sweat. I decided to walk/run. At least three days a week, more if I want to. I’ll walk. I’ll run. I’ll do whatever my body can handle. I’ll take my iPod and a bottle of water and I won’t worry about what I look like. I’ll do just do it.

Wednesday was my first day out.

 

I had a moment of panic when I thought I might have to buy a fanny pack to carry my keys, rape whistle, mace, iPod, cell phone and water. Finally, I decided to just hold my water and stuff everything else in the front pockets of my hoodie.

I drove to the park, parked my car, and thought about stretching. I didn’t know what I was doing and considered putting my leg up on the hood of my SUV like a ballerina at her dance bar, but that just seemed stupid. So I kinda kicked my feet up and down, back to front, cause that seemed less stupid.

Following the Couch to 5K model, I walked briskly for five minutes and then did the whole walk for a few seconds and then run for a few seconds and alternate that for 20 minutes. I wasn’t able to do it for too long because my left knee is shot to shit. I’m pretty sure it’s due to either the weight gain or fucking around with that damn Dance Central. Or maybe both.

I went 15 minutes in and then turned around. I think my neck got more of a workout than anything else. I kept whipping my head around looking for rapists and wild animals. So what it’s a public park; you never know!

I exited the trail the same place I came in – between the skate ramps and basketball court. Except leaving I was a little less coordinated than I was going in. My legs were sore, I was hot and sweaty, there was a sway to my walk. I was exhausted.

It kind of looked like the opening to a Law and Order episode. You know, the park is full of families having a good time when suddenly, from the bushes, a woman stumbles out beaten, bruised, disheveled. A little girl screams. We have just met the rape victim.

I didn’t scare anyone, thankfully. I just quickly staggered to my car and gulped some water.

 

TCTBTF: Week 13

Thanks to Emily, I’ve taken the SocialWorkout.com April Workout Challenge. I don’t know if that’s the official title, but it pretty much works like this:

Get off your lazy booty and work out for 26 days in April. I’ve been keeping a workout journal at the site which I’ll also share here. It’s been fun reading everyone else’s entries for the past three days. If you sign up, let me know your name over there.

Here’s my entry from last night, April 2nd:

Sore. In That Good Way.

I prefer to work out in the morning, but when you’re up throughout the night with a newborn, you sleep in if he lets you. Today I had so much running around to do, and I was bummed to realized that I wouldn’t have time to workout until after class (9pm.)

Working out in the morning means that I’ll make better food choices during the day. Where some may think that working out early allows them to “cheat” or “treat themselves” to temptation foods, I look at it as wasting hard work already put in.

On the flip side, if I know I’m gonna work out later in the evening, I may be tempted to eat poorly during the day, pledging to “work it off” later. Rarely happens!

Thankfully, I was good today. My only splurge was a caramel macchiatto – needed to keep me up in class this evening. When I got home, I did 30 minutes of aerobics, 25 minutes on the elliptical, and 100 crunches.

I’m now sore. In that good way.

G’nite

This morning I weighed myself and I’m down 3lbs! That brings my 13 week total to -7. I’m kicking myself for slacking off for four weeks. Can you imagine how much weight I’d have lost by now if I hadn’t fallen off the wagon? Also, down three pounds this week and I only worked out 3 days, had Starbucks three times, AND McDonald’s. Yeah, I will be on fire when I TOTALLY behave.

Last night my Mom packed a bag for me to take to class. A large Rubbermaid container with a salad; lettuce, cucumbers, and shredded carrots which adds a sweetness, I think, bottled water, and a plum.

When I got home, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to work out when Donny and my Mom told me that Jack pretty much cried the whole time I was gone. He’d had immunization shots earlier in the day so he was super cranky and I think his legs were stiff and sore from where he’d received the shots. Poor baby.

Surprisingly, he fell alseep easily (with his face pressed against mine, oddly enough) and after Donny took him up to bed, I was able to get the workout in mentioned above.

This morning I did about 20 minutes of step aerobics and some light boxing. I had to stop because Jack decided he didn’t want to watch anymore, and would rather participate. And by participate I mean, “sit on my feet.”

I’ll get on the elliptical this afternoon and do some yoga for about an hour. Then it’s 100 crunches before bed.

Next week, my TCTBTF blog will be dedicated to my favorite meal; breakfast!

How was your week?

3 down, 23 to go, Emily!

This is the pic at SocialWorkout.com that motivates the hell outta me!

TCTBTF Week 10: Saboteurs!

After four weeks of very bad behavior (McDonalds, banana pudding, and cookies, oh my!) I am getting back on the wagon. Being overwhelmed with school and Jack are no excuse.

Despite my mother’s and Donny’s (who knew he was a chubby chaser?) actions to sabotage my efforts, not to mention my own weakness, I will be weighing in tomorrow to survey the four-week damage.

No matter what the numbers are, I’m prepared to take action.

1. I’ve planned my menu for next week and will be going out for the ingredients tomorrow morning.

2. My Mom works out before I wake up. She will hold on to Jack from 9am-10am every morning so I can work out.

I tease my mother because as I watched her unpack the other day, I noticed every weight loss apparatus sold on television. There were belts, balls, straps, and ropes.

“The next time you want to piss away some money, just give it to me.”

Yesterday, she said..

“I think I’m gonna hook up my VCR tomorrow.”

“Who still uses a VCR?”

“I do.”

“Why?”

“For my Tae-Bo tapes.”

Jesus.

Because so many have asked, and since I won’t be using it anytime soon… the banana pudding recipe my mom has made twice since she’s been here.

Warning: It’s so good it will make you want to smack yo’ mama, and then my mama for all the calories, then Paula Dean ’cause that’s who she got it from. I include this for all my non-dieting peeps a.k.a. the skinny bitches.

• 2 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies
• 6 to 8 bananas, sliced
• 2 cups milk
• 1 (5-ounce) box instant French vanilla pudding
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping thawed, or equal amount sweetened whipped cream

Directions

Line the bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch dish with 1 bag of cookies and layer bananas on top.

In a bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix and blend well using a handheld electric mixer. Using another bowl, combine the cream cheese and condensed milk together and mix until smooth. Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture. Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture and stir until well blended. Pour the mixture over the cookies and bananas and cover with the remaining cookies. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Diet challenge: Major props to the first person that can low-fat that baby down.

So, here I go again, and wish me luck!

How have your efforts gone?

TCTBTF: Week 6 and some other stuff!

I have found the best.diet.ever.

The flu!

Jack and I have spent the whole week fighting a cold and as a result, I’m down another 3lbs! This is awesome. Well, not really.

It’s been slow going, but I haven’t given up hope. And as usual, imagine how much weight I’d lose if I actually put my ass in motion.

The cauliflower mashed “taters” were a no-go because it gives the baby gas. So, boo on that. Also, I think I’ve given up on peanut butter.

So, let’s move on to other stuff since I’m sick and it’s my blog and I can talk about what I want.

I’m addicted to Twitter. Really, I am. I tweet all day with people I just met. Twit this, twat that… Wait. If you’re on there, follow me and I’ll follow you. I’ll occasionally post things there that you won’t find here. I’m Neenerspb.

Also, starting today, my Friday entertainment blog will be a Survivor recap and on Mondays there will be two entertainment blogs; The L Word recap and The Amazing Race recap. The L Word will end before TAR so eventually it will even out again. I’ll update the BIOB Posting Schedule.

So, what do you want to talk about?

P.S. I’m so excited about tonight’s BSG I can barely frakking stand it!

TCTBTF: Week 5

Sunday 2/1

Calories consumed on Super Bowl Sunday do not count. The end.

Ok, not the end. This morning Kali and I went for our first weekly “Girl’s Day Out.” We first went to IHOP for hot chocolate, but since neither of us had breakfast, hot chocolate turned into all-you-can-eat pancakes. Ask me how many I ate? Go ahead. Ask me.

Two. Two measly pancakes.

My cousin and my Dad came over to watch the game. About an hour before the game I was so hungry my hands were shaking. All I could think about was the waitress asking, “Ma’am, can I get you more pancakes?” and me saying, “No, I’m full.”

That’s just wrong. What was I thinking? Why get all-you-can-eat pancakes if your punk-ass can’t handle it?

Does that ever happen to you? Do you ever get so hungry that all you can think about all the good food you wasted? I’d have kicked a kitten to get my hands on those pancakes.

Tuesday 2/3

I have the best husband ever. Every Tuesday and Thursday he comes home, takes Jack so I can get ready for class, and makes dinner. When I come downstairs, ready to go, he’s packed a Rubbermaid container with my dinner, and a snack. Tonight it was roast, coconut rice, and corn. My snack was apple slices and carrots with lite ranch dressing. Oh, and a bottled water.

I’m grateful because it stops me from getting fast food. I never met a drive-thru I didn’t like.

Thursday 2/5

I had a big, flaky, carb-filled, NY bagel. Straight from NY. My Dad brought some back when he went last weekend. They’ve been in the freezer mocking me since then. I gave in.

It was worth it.

Donny has handed over the title of saboteur to my father.
Friday 2/6

Between the soda and burger-fest on Sunday and the bagel yesterday, I don’t have high hopes. Oh yeah, and I haven’t worked out all week.

Well, I’ll be damned. I’ve maintained for two weeks straight.

I REALLY need to work out people. Imagine how much weight-loss ass I’d be kicking then?

Week 5 weight loss: 0lbs

5 week total: -7lbs

Bleh.

I need some simple, healthy, chicken recipes – boneless & skinless only.

How did you do?

TCTBTF: Week 3

Monday 1/19

If you’re trying to eat better, I highly recommend writing about it. I swear these three weeks have flown by. Normally, when I get back on the wagon the first two weeks are the worst; it’s hard for me to get used to the smaller portions and I’m usually super-cranky because I’m having a hard time adjusting.

Not so now. These three weeks have been a breeze.

Breakfast is usually one of the same few items – multigrain Cheerios, oatmeal, scrambled egg whites, whole wheat toast, yogurt, fruit, juice, water. Lunch is some sort of sandwich with veggies or something from the breakfast menu. Dinner is my biggest meal and it’s always a lean meat, veggies, with either wild rice or whole wheat pasta. Snacks are fruit, granola bars, yogurt, or whole wheat crackers.

Tuesday 1/20

I’ve been soda free for three weeks! But I have a new addiction. Peanut butter. Good lord. I eat a spoonful with breakfast… another with a snack. I spread it on celery and bananas.

Wednesday 1/21

Kali wants my peanut butter. She never thinks about peanut butter, but now, all of sudden, she wants peanut butter.

“Mommy, can I have some?”

I want to say, “Get your own!”

But she has no job.

She now spreads it on bananas. So that means she’s dogging my bananas too.

I asked Donny to pick up more peanut butter tonight.

Thursday 1/22

Good God, I love peanut butter. This peanut butter tastes funny though.

Who told Donny to get reduced fat?

I’m sure he’s trying to be helpful, but yeah… don’t.

I weighed myself before going to class. Down 7lbs. That’s crazy talk. I haven’t worked out all week because I just don’t have the time. There’s no way I lost 7lbs in one week. That can’t be right.

Friday 1/23/09

It wasn’t. This week’s damage?

-2lbs

Three week total? 7lbs.

Now, imagine what I can do if I just work out?

Next week I pledge to:

1. Do the Wii Fit x2
2. Elliptical at least once
3. Take a walk around neighborhood with Jack if weather permits.

How bout you? How was your week? What could you be doing better, and what are you willing to pledge for next week to get there?

Note: I am not on a peanut butter diet. I just thought the picture was funny. Also, spare me the lectures about peanut butter. Remember, my caloric intake is still higher than most because I’m breast feeding.

TCTBTF: Week 2

Too Cute To Be This Fat: Week 2

“Walking Nearly Killed Me. Fo’ Real”

Monday 1/12

I started school today. I logged in to my online classes, read a few syllabi, made notes in my day planner as to when things were due, and logged out. I’m waiting for the books for those classes to arrive in the mail so there wasn’t much else I could do. (Biology, Biology online lab, and Spanish, btw.)

This is really a good mode for me to be in when trying to lose weight. I succeed when I make lists, write down dates, and track my actions. When I get into this mode, the pounds seem to fly off.

I’m down another three pounds since Friday. At first I was like, “Woohoo!” Then I wondered have I finally gotten so big that I’m at the “the bigger you are the faster you lose weight” stage. Ugh.

Tonight I baked Applesauce Oatmeal muffins. A sparkpeople.com recipe. They had me eating two for breakfast tomorrow and since I knew I’d never be able to actually bake with Jack awake in the morning, I decided to bake them tonight while everyone was asleep.

Jack woke up just as the muffins were done. Good boy.

Tuesday 1/13/09

I just had my spark-approved breakfast of:

Two applesauce oatmeal muffins

1 banana

1 strawberry/banana yogurt

1.5 tbs peanut butter

water

I looove peanut butter. I measured out the 1.5 tbs and put it in a ramekin, then I grabbed my banana, yogurt, two muffins, and headed back upstairs. Jack is sleeping so I’m all tippy-toey.

The muffins are good. I wish they were sweeter, but they may be just sweet enough. (Note: Donny later said he grabbed one of his way out to work and that they tasted like paper and ass. He gets on my nerves.) I think they’re perfect for a low-cal carb/sweet fix when you’re craving them. What I found particularly enjoyable was putting some peanut butter in my mouth before biting into a muffin. Yum.

Tonight I go to my two journalism classes; Intro. To Mass Communication and Basic Newswriting. This is the first time I’ll be going to an actual class (and not online) since 2007. At the same time that I’m excited to go and get out of the house, I’m also worried that Jack will not drink breastmilk from the bottle. We’ve tried giving him some after cereal feedings and he just kinda plays with it.

I pumped about five ounces and it’s in the fridge. Donny can take a bit of it and mix it with cereal for Jack’s dinner and then try to bottle feed him the rest. God, please let my baby eat while I’m gone.

Wed. 1/14/09

Last night, walking to my classroom, I damn near had a heart attack. It was like I was carrying ME on my back. I gotta lose weight. For real.

I am proud of myself for taking healthy snacks with me to school so that I wouldn’t be tempted to stop at Wendy’s on the way to school… and on the way home.

I brought with me carrots w/ lite ranch dressing, granola bars, and two bottles of water.

Today I had multi-grain cheerios, a banana, and 1.5 tbs of peanut butter for breakfast. My morning snack was strawberry yogurt.

For dinner I’m gonna have homemade pizzas, with homemade whole wheat dough, and low fat cheese. I’m thinking I may sauté some onions and MAYBE put some grilled chicken on there as well. I’m definitely going to experiment though because there are some good ways to have a healthy pizza and it’s relatively cheap to make. You surely save money having a big bag of whole wheat flour and a few packets of yeast (28 cents a packet) on hand versus ordering out.

Thurs 1/15/09

Class again today. The same thing: I had to walk from the parking deck to the English building and damn near had a heart attack. Just the effort of lifting my legs to take steps after awhile was almost too much to bear. I’m definitely walking uphill and the big bag with books and laptop doesn’t help either. I think we’ll know I’m making progress when I don’t write about what torture it is to walk to class.

The most unhealthy thing I had was a hot dog on a whole wheat bun before running out the door. Other than that it was my usual healthy breakfast, lunch, and snacks.

When I left class I walked to the building that houses the computer lab. I walked out of the English building into the biting cold and looked from the other building to the parking deck, from the parking deck back to the building. I could walk to the parking deck, get my car, and drive to the computer lab. I decided to walk. I need the exercise obviously.

Big mistake. It was cold and I’m out of shape. What was I thinking? By the time I walked into the warmth of the building I was panting with my mouth open, my face was red, my ears felt like they were gonna fall off, I was teary-eyed, and my nose was running. I had to get myself together before asking directions to the lab. After I got my log-in password to use the school’s wireless connection (my purpose for hitting up the lab), I walked to the parking deck.

That was probably the most vigorous exercise I’d had all week.

I’ve found that having good protein in the morning makes me less hungry in that break between breakfast and lunch. I’ve become a fan of smearing a tablespoon of peanut butter over a banana or even putting a little on my granola bars.

I pretty much devoured a big box of Multi-Grain Cheerios this week.

For lunch I had some tuna with whole wheat crackers and grape juice.

My driving home from class snack has been carrots with lite ranch dressing. I also drink lots of water during class.

Fri. 1/16/09

Ok, two weeks down. What’s the damage?

-2lbs

Two week total: 5lbs

I think today is an oatmeal kinda day. It’s cold outside. A cup of oatmeal w/ maybe a sprinkle of brown sugar instead of regular… some yogurt and granola for a mid-morning snack. Lunch: ham on wheat, carrots and cucumber w/ lite ranch, and a banana. Apple slices and granola bar for afternoon snack.

Not sure about dinner yet. I haven’t been downstairs so I don’t know what Donny may have taken out. I don’t smell anything cooking so I know he didn’t set a roast to cook in the slow-cooker (my new favorite meal.)

I think, from reflecting on this week, that next week it’s time to seriously add some exercise. I could have lost more, I’m sure, with it. I went to freecylce.org and someone is giving away a treadmill that is permanently on an incline. But, hey, free is free and free is me.

How bout you? How’d you do this week? Any tips/recipes you want to share?

Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins

1 cup old fashion rolled oats (not instant)
1 cup non-fat milk
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 egg whites
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. sugar
raisins or nuts (optional)

Nutritional Info

	Fat: 0.5g Carbohydrates: 20.5g Calories:93.5 Protein: 2.9g

Soak the oats in milk for about one hour.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Spray muffin pan with cooking spray.
Combine the oat mixture with the applesauce and egg whites, and mix until combined.
In a separate bowl measure and whisk the dry ingredients together.
Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until just combined. Add nuts or raisins if desired.
Do not over mix the batter or the muffins will be tough. Spoon muffin mixture into muffin pan.
Combine the cinnamon and sugar and top each muffin with some of the mixture.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until done.
Remove from pan, cool and enjoy.
These can be frozen and reheated in the microwave for a quick breakfast.

Number of Servings: 12

17 Pounds

It’s a funny thing to be losing weight, but rarely leave the house. You don’t really get how much weight you’re losing until you put on a pair of jeans and a red baby t-shirt. A red baby tee from a television show given away in a swanky gift bag along with cosmetics and costume jewelry by the network at a launch party. A red baby tee sent to you by your friend who attends such events with a sense of boredom and “been there, done that” so he sends you all the cool stuff like designer purses and Emmy swag because he’s so “over it.”

And you sit home in your southern suburban home, soaking it all up because that is the very epitome of living vicariously and… you like free stuff.

Then one day, you realize that you don’t want to go to your nephew’s first birthday party looking like a schlub. You decide to do some serious hair removal on your face – getting old sucks- and pull out the free cosmetics and sexy t-shirt.

What is it about expensive stuff that you would never by for yourself, but given to you for free, that is so damn… sexy? The eyeshadow was as smooth as butter. It was like rubbing lotion on my eyelids… sexy, coral, lotion. And the t-shirt… oh. my . God. The t-shirt.

It was soft like a cloud… a sexy, red, cloud. And kinda stretchy. Like a girdle. A.. sexy…red…girdle. It just held everything in and hugged my boobs. Ladies, you know what I mean. And I don’t know what made me have the cajones to put on such a t-shirt. I mean, holding it up when I opened the package from Richard I thought, “Who’s this for? Kali?” Then I realized he wouldn’t send her a sexy red tee with the words, “The revolution will be accessorized” on it. Seriously, what gave me the idea I could even think of….

Oh wait. I know what. Losing 17 pounds might have something to do with it. Yeah, nothing motivates you to keep eating right and working out like realizing that losing 17lbs means fitting into sexy jeans and t-shirts again. Top that off with new makeup (Donny said as I applied it, I actually moaned, but I don’t remember that) and a pair of heels and well… it’s all worth it.

So, that’s how I spent my Saturday. At my parents house celebrating my nephew’s first year in this world… with his cute self… and feeling prettier and thinner than I have in a long time. And I’m not even done yet!

Cherry Coke Schmerry Coke

I’ve lost 15lbs in 60 days. That’s almost 2lbs per week. That is healthy. After a few weeks I stopped referring to it as a diet. Especially around Kali. It hasn’t been nearly as hard as I thought.

In the past 60 days I’ve had three baked potatoes, five cupcakes, six slices of pizza, and as of last night… one Cherry Coke.

And I’ve still lost 15lbs because in the 60 days prior to that, those numbers were a helluva lot higher with little to no exercise on top of it all.

Last night, no one felt like cooking. I was still nursing my migraine hangover, Donny had a rough day, and Kali wasn’t feeling well. We all kind of wanted to just “hang out.” Donny has learned in the past 60 days to stop asking me, “Can you have… (insert food name here.)” My answer is always the same, “I can have whatever I want. I just have to be smart.”

I knew that I wasn’t cutting out cola from my life for good. It was just a personal decision when I decided to change the way I eat to include no soda. Drinking water was always a struggle for me, but I wanted to be healthier. I wanted to see if it would really help my skin and hair look healthier. It has. I wanted to be a normal person who didn’t drink 6 cans of Cherry Coke a day. Who ate pizza once in a while instead of three times per week… and who knew how to stop after 2 or 3 slices.

I thought I’d feel differently after drinking cola again for the first time. I’m not sure how I thought I’d feel exactly, but I didn’t expect to feel so damn… guilt-free. So many people said to me that drinking a can of soda would help that migraine hangover and I figured I’d give it a shot. As I cracked open that can and took my first sip I thought, “This feels weird.” For the past 60 days I’ve had nothing but bottled water, the ocassional 4 oz. of orange juice with breakfast, milk, and one fruit smoothie. That’s it. Nothing carbonated. Just holding the can felt funny.

After the first few sips I started smiling like a fool.

“What the hell is wrong with you?”

“I am just happy.”

“Because you’re drinking soda?”

I told him…because I’m drinking soda and it’s no big deal. Because I’ve lost 15lbs and these jeans are hanging off my ass. Because I’m drinking soda, but tomorrow I’m still going to have my multi-grain Cherrios, wheat toast, and orange juice for breakfast. I’m still going to have tuna on wheat for lunch with baby carrots. I’m still going to have 2 oz. of grilled pork, a cup of wild rice, and half a cup of sweet corn for dinner. I’m still going to have three healthy snacks throughout the day and workout in the morning. I’m still going to drink about 12 glasses of water tomorrow.

For the first time in years I was in control of the soda and it wasn’t in control of me. Who knows? It may be another 60 days before I drink another soda. It may be 90 days. Whatever. It’s just not that big of a deal anymore. I may eat some candy on Halloween. Big deal. I’ve already decided that I’m not even going to sweat Thanksgiving. I’m going to eat what I want. It’s just one day. One meal.

One day, one meal, didn’t make my ass overweight so why should it going in reverse? I feel really, really, good, guys. Really good. And I look even better.

Sparkpeople.com

What are you waiting for?

When I joined Spark People, or as it Richard and OMC call it, “The Cult of the Sparkles,” I chose to track my weight loss by the pound and not by the date, meaning that I entered in the weight I wanted and it spit out the reasonable date the weight loss could be achieved. I didn’t care. I’m not in a race, contest, or a rush. I also broke it up into two goals. I’m really paying attention to what I look like at certain weights to determine when to stop. According to the experts, I should be about 159 for my height. Everyone hears that, takes one look at me, and go, “Ehh… I don’t know. You may look like a crackhead.”

So, the other day when I logged in my new dropped pound hitting that 15lb mark the computer basically said, “Um, yeah. Listen, you are 8lbs away from your first goal weight and the date of achievement is October 24th. That would mean over 3lbs per week and that’s not really healthy so you may want to consider pushing the date back.” I didn’t get mad or upset. Like I said, I’m in no hurry. So the new date is November 8th.

Donny found my old spousal military ID and it read that I was 5’11 and 140lbs. I was stunned. Surely, that couldn’t be right. That’s like super skinny. Was I ever really that skinny? The picture was taken about 10-11 years ago. If I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t have believed it.

I never want to be that thin again. I just want to fit into, and feel good in, all the sexy ass clothes in my closet.