PRIORITY #1 "Do-It" : Get a smaller sized dress.
You could buy the dress or just find a pic of a dress you want--in a smaller size (the size you're aiming for) and use that as your daily motivation. Post a pic of the dress (if possible) in a before and after. At least a pic of the dress alone. Just for kicks. Fit into it by December 18, in time for Christmas festivities.
I only have one dress - yes that is how much I wear them. But here it is. Size 14. I am a heavy 16 right now. I will probally not wear this one but pick out another when it gets closer but I can still use this one to try on and see where I am at!
DO-IT: Select a caloric daily limit on which you (and I) can lose weight weekly.
You choose your caloric level. Just choose one that gives adequate room for nutrients while burning off fat. It doesn't have to be a LOT of loss a week, but it will add up. It just has to be enough loss to get you to your dress size goal.
I am 3 weeks into my new diet plan. I am following a Medifast shake fast track plan but using Herbalife products instead. For one, I think they taste better and two I am a distributor. I eat 5 instant shakes and 2 protein bars. This is 800 calories. I have been approved to do this by my diabetes doctor for no longer than 12 weeks. I am off all my diabetes meds after 3 weeks!
DO-IT: Exercise a minimum of 3x a week.
Do whatever exercise you like best and will help you reach your body goals. Lift weights, walk, do Pilates, Yoga, Zumba, anything. You pick it, but do it faithfully.
I joined the gym a week ago and have all my classes that I can attend highlighted - EVERYDAY!
DO-IT: Strive to be consistent with healthy challenge habits.
Let's place a high value on consistency--no wild scale yo-yoing in 3 monts. Do day in and day out those positive things that lead to weight loss, improved fitness, and a smaller dress size. This in contrast to eating like mad for three days, then trying to make up for it before weigh-in. That is not a healthy habit. Not for 3 months & not for life.
I am meeting with a behavior specialist the end of this month to start adding food to my diet and learning how to cope with binge eating. My binges have quit since I have removed the food. Also, I have no cravings. But I can not do this long term so they will help me transition.
DO-IT: Hydrate sufficiently.
If you're big and not drinking A LOT of fluids daily, you're probably not adequately hydrated. Trust me. Thirst can seem like hunger.
I have always been a BIG drinker. Not an issue.
DO-IT: Choose 1 (or more) books and work on your main obstacle-to-losing issue(s)
Whether what keeps you from losing weight/being consistent/getting to that dress size won is emotional, stress-related, financial, psychological, and/or spiritual, find a helpful book(s) and address it. Blog at the level you are comfortable about it, even if it's minimal. But you might help someone else, as we often share issues.. Your choice of read. Three months to work on it. Let's do the work.
The Beck Diet for Life.
DO-It: One initial post on September 11, 2011 with pertinent challenge goals/info INCLUDING STARTING WEIGHT (the number, yes.)
Starting weight: 211
Goal weight by December 18th: 180
DO-IT: One update post a week--ideally on Sunday, but Saturday's fine-- with weigh-in plus one other post any other day you wish.
Challengers should blog at least twice a week on weight progress or issues or setbacks or epiphanies on the journey to fit into that dress. One of those posts on your blog is to be the official challenge update which will include the actual weigh-in result (as in the actual WEIGHT NUMBER, no fudging, no excuses). Feel free to take pics of the scale number, do progress pics. That's up to you. But ONE number ONCE a week: required. I think posting more often than just 1 challenge update can help you focus on your goals. Maybe one mid-week to keep your mojo going would be helpful. Let's try 2x a week minimum.
I will post all week long. Weight update on Thursdays because that is when I weigh in.
DO -IT: Link up to your weekly updates. I'll figure out how to do a linky here ON THIS BLOG, or I'll ask you to add the link to the comments section TO THE WEEKLY CHALLENGE CHECK IN post. Either way. Link up. HERE. Once a week. With the link of your weekly update's url (Not your blog "home" url. Your update url.)
DO-IT: Be supportive.
Support other challengers as your schedule makes possible, but every week, maybe visit at least 3 challenger blogs and leave comments, especially if someone is struggling. Make email chums with those really simpatico with you, even. It's up to you how much you do, but do some back-patting and support and cheering.
I know I will see a lot of new dresses this December. There are some strong and motivated women in this challenge! Very exciting to see. KICK SOME BUTT!
LAST BUT NOT LEAST DO-IT: Do not quit.
Quit? What is that???
That dress you are holding up is very nice! Good luck with the challenge!
ReplyDeleteThink I've commented on it before, but the behavior specialist is a really brave, great step to take. It can be hard to ask for a little help sometimes, but knowing when we need it and trying to get it may be key to succeeding! Think you're doing to do fantastic at this, best of luck. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat plan, and I love the pictures!
ReplyDeleteI noticed you didn't post your link on the plan site. It's closed now, but maybe you can contact Mir to let her know you made this post.
Wow, you were really good with this post--and I love the pics. You added that one holding the book--cool! That's a very good book. For people who can handle systems--not everyone can--that is so helpful.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about the link. The first week of a challenge, people and links can have "glitches"..miscommunications, etc. It's all good.
The linky will be added sometime on Sunday (or late Saturday), so folks can add their links by midnight Sunday. Your update post can be done sooner than Sunday, but the linky will close by Sunday midnight.
Take care as this first week unfolds!!!! (And I love wearing elegant black dresses. Yours is nice!)
You keep strong. You will make it. Text or call me when those thoughts come I will try to help you threw them. We all get them. Thanks for your honesty.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the Challenge. I'm looking forward to us going the distance together!
ReplyDeleteHey Tina!! So nice to meet you. Your goal dress is fabulous. I'm diabetic, too, and totally understand the special challenges that go along with trying to lose weight and maintain those BG levels.
ReplyDelete