And So It Begins

I did not wake up yesterday intending to start anything new in my life.  And I'm not sure what triggered my realization that thinking about/wishing for/planning for weight loss doesn't actually make you lose the weight.  It also doesn't get you fit.  I've done a lot of dreaming and visualization when it comes getting a healthier and trimmer body.  The problem is that I'm always looking toward doing something about it but not actually doing something about it.  I've made attempts in the past, but usually they go hand-in-hand with disclaimers and conditional statements about how it is ok if I don't follow an exercise plan to the letter or if I take a cheat day on a diet multiple times a week. 
It suddenly became so clear, so obvious.  If I want to lose weight and get fit, I need to actually do the exercise along with my following a nutrition plan closely.  I said before that "someday" I want to be able to run 3 miles a few times a week and I'm "thinking" of starting a program to get me there.  Seriously?  What is that?  I've had this running goal for years.  Many, many years.  I usually get ahead of myself when I start a program to work my way up to running that much but I alter it and end up getting burned out.  No more. 
Yesterday was Day 1 of Week 1 of Couch 2 5K.  It was late, I was tired, and I starting getting scared that I wouldn't be able to do it.  But, I got on the treadmill and started going.  A few minutes in and I was smiling.  I was still smiling when I was done even while my feet were aching because they hadn't been put through a work out like that in a very long time.  It felt amazing.  I wanted to write you about it last night so I could fully capture my bliss but it was late.  Really late. 
I hadn't been able to figure out why this time is different until right now.  I am confident that in approximately 9 weeks, I will be running 3 miles 3 times a week and that makes all the difference in the world.

Losing It

Today, let’s talk about endeavor number 3, how to lose weight and get fit.  At my work, a 12 week weight loss program is offered for $100.  You get your money back if you meet your weight loss goal and they cap your weight loss at 12 pounds.  Wednesday started week 3 and I’ve lost 2 pounds.  I’m on track for the 12 pound weight loss but I’d like to lose 20 pounds instead and I’m not on track for that. 

So far, the program is pretty neat and consists of 1 hour long classes each week.  After reviewing a survey I filled out before the first week, they provided me with a nutrition plan.  I get a set number of starches, proteins, fruits, vegetables (although they encourage us to eat as many as we want), fats, and milk.  They also list a minimum amount of water I need to drink every day.  This all was delivered to me in the form of a booklet that I fill out each day and boxes to check off for each type of food I’ve consumed.  For example, there are 6 starch blocks and once I’ve checked them all off, I’m supposed to be done with starches for the day.  And, surprisingly, half a cup of pasta is one full starch.  Needless to say, I’m struggling a bit with limiting myself in that catergory.  The booklet also has room to fill in exercise each day.  At the end of the week, I turn my book in and I get it back the following week with comments from the instructors.

This past week, they did a fitness assessment during the class.  I was classified as “good” in sit-and-reach and grip strength, but my waist is too large.  Shocker.  This assessment will be used to build an exercise plan for each of us in the program that we'll get next week.  I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with. 

At the moment, my exercise plan consists of walking every other day and both weekend days for a minimum of 15 minutes.  I’m aiming to turn this walking into running eventually.  I really want to get where I can run a few miles (3?) several times a week.  Once I get regular exercise times built into my week, I'm thinking of using the Couch to 5K schedule to get myself from walking to running.

My intention is to share my progress with you throughout this weight loss/fitness journey.  More to come on how hard/easy it has been to follow this nutrition plan.  For now, I just wish that peanut butter m&ms were low calorie and fat free!