Friday, January 08, 2010

The Monday Project..

You know that "Rethink Your Shrink" I was telling you about that's going on over at The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans? Every Monday they're assigning HOMEWORK. lol. Due on Friday. Hence, the Friday post called the Monday Project. This challenge is all about digging deep and rethinking how you think about your body and weight loss and helping understand what does and doesn't work FOR YOU.


What about 2009 (and beyond) did not work?
Not being conscious of what I was eating. Not making ME a priority and making sure that I carved out my time to run, workout, whatever. I did really well from January to August when we were in Boyceville and I had my friends to walk with and I was training for the two 5K's I ran, but once we moved, I had no motivation. And it's harder to do it when we live in the country vs. living in town.


What were my goals?
Last year I wanted to run 2 5K's prior to my 30th birthday. And I did. But, I was unable to run them without stopping.


Did I fall short of achieving them? If so, why?
Yes and no here. I DID run the 5K's...both of them and yes, I did improve my time in the second one. But, I was lax on the training and should have trained harder. When we moved, I didn't run as often as I should have and I didn't work out real hard after my Monday night workouts were over in spring.

What were my biggest obstacles?
Having four kids and a hubby that isn't always available for childcare. And moving. We moved from a city house to a country house. I don't walk the kids to school anymore (we're too far). I haven't made me a priority in a looooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggg time.

What was my “rock bottom” moment?
That's me in the white. Seeing this picture literally HURT. I think I'd already started my journey when this was taken. Hitting 208 on my 5'9" frame. I KNOW that I weighed more than that at one time or another, but seeing that number for some reason gave me the push I needed to think about changing my habits and losing the weight. Looking in the mirror and hating what I saw. Having such intense back pain that I had trouble just making it through the day, let alone play with the kids or workout.

What are my bad habits?
lol, you got that kind of time? Honestly, chocolate is the biggest problem for me. I have taken pretty big steps toward making smaller portion sizes and better choices, but still have a long way to go. I also have trouble making meal plans that are healthy, taste good and are kid friendly. I seek sweet snacks and look to fruit first, but when that's not easily available, I go for junk.


What has worked?
Counting calories. Online support. Real life support. I love a good challenge like this one from The Sisterhood. SparkPeople was a good help, but I hated having to enter everything in all the time, but it kept me conscious. Eating smaller meals more often so I'm not over eating at one meal.


So that's it. That's what's in my head and what's going on. I have strong feelings of not being enough for everyone and that plays into this all, too. I give too much of me to everything else that there's nothing left and I feel tired and drained and it takes a few days/weeks to drag myself out of that again. Especially in the winter when I don't even want to leave the house.

Here is the "I can't believe I'm posting this" before picture...please remember, I've had FOUR kids...



Here's my list of goals for 2010:
*Weight in the 150-160 range (I'm at 182 now)
*Run a 10K by Thanksgiving. I think I'll do the PickleFest 10K in August.
*Make healthier meals
*Read one non-fiction book each month. Most of my reading is fiction and I think I'll find some value in adding non-fiction.
*Make time for each of my four kids separately. There's a whole range of things we can do, but I'm sure that each of my boys will benefit from even just a walk around the neighborhood with just me and no brothers tagging along.



10 comments:

  1. are you planning for another 5K this year? i think you should sign up and then totally kick its rear end!!

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  2. I'm planning on a 10K (I updated the post). I WILL kick it's ass. I know I can!!

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  3. Carving "me" time out of the day has been a huge issue for me as well. You are totally worth it -- make the time. Good for you planning on a 10K -- way to push your goals!

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  4. You're exactly right about trying to be everything to everyone. I struggle with that with just two kids! But believe it or not, EVERYONE benefits from you being everything to you. It may feel like you're taking time away from other people to go better yourself, but in the end, you're happier and because of that they're happier. And you're healthier and then they're healthier. What ever you are directly impacts them. The you time is worth it for everyone! When mama aint happy aint no one happy!!
    Thanks for sharing your journey with us, I can't wait to hear about that race that you're gonna kill!! I definitely think you should make another running goal for the summer along the way too!

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  5. You can do it Jess. I finally figured out I had to make time for me too and that it was okay and actually good for everyone. You can do it. I know how hard it is living out in the sticks but you can do it. Thanks for telling me about the sisterhood. I totally love it.

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  6. It's hard to be the mom and take care of yourself (I know it's tough for me). Congrats on the 10K. You can totally do it! :)

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  7. Such a brave girl!! Love you DIL!

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  8. The me time is really hard. Especially with kids and household responsibilities. I have found, for me, that scheduling me-time in makes my day go better. Gives me something to look forward to. There will always be dishes and laundry and stuff to do, but making exercise time important enough - making YOU important enough - is well worth the time and effort. Heck, pawn some of those household duties off on the kids. My 9yo and 7yo are in charge of the dishes - washing, filling and emptying the dishwasher. Pass the buck!!

    And your goal of a 10K for the fall is great, but are there a couple 5K's before that? Start small. Baby steps.

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  9. Wow... So much of what you said resonated and I think as Moms it can be especially difficult to make time for ourselves. You are worth it and this is your year! Do not feel guilty taking time for yourself. You will be better for it and because of that your family will be better for it! You can do it!

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  10. Weight loss is a puzzle. You have to find all of the pieces and put them into place. You have all of the pieces, you're putting them into place, and I know you'll do great!

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