3...2...1...GO!

Two posts in one day... I know, I know... you don't love (or even like) me that much!

Here's the deal. We've got a vacation planned for April. I don't know what week of April yet, but Jeremy, Henry and I plus Jeremy's mother and father are renting a condo on the beach in Florida for a week. We're taking 2 extra days to drive down and back so it will actually be more of a 9 day vacation than a 7 day vacation.

I. Cannot. Wait.

But I'm a whale. Seriously. I set a huge weight-loss goal somewhere in the middle of January and I know it's going to be nearly impossible to reach, but I want to work REALLY hard towards losing at least SOMETHING in the next month plus however many weeks, depending on when we decide to go.

I've lost 6 pounds so far. It's averaged out to a little over a pound a week. Which is good. It's progress and I mean...if you lose 1 pound a week for a year, that's 52 pounds! Right!?! I need to keep it up, but I'd really like to vamp it up to 2 pounds a week for the next month. My original goal was 2 pounds a week up until Jeremy and I's five year anniversary on December 23rd this year. And yes, that does equal out to almost 100 pounds, 96 if you want to be exact, but I realized that although I was dieting and exercising on a daily basis, it was just disappointing me when I didn't see that 2 pound weight loss every week.

Disappointment = Discouragement
Discouragement = A Drop in Self-Confidence
A Drop in Self-Confidence = Binge Eating
Binge Eating = Weight Gain
Weight Gain = More Disappointment

It's a vicious cycle. So I set my goal to 1 pound a week, which is more realistic and what most dietitians and trainers will tell you is what you should be focusing on losing anyway. I'm also not 'dieting' per say, but watching what I eat and how much I eat of it and then focusing on how certain foods make me feel and also how moving and pushing my body makes me feel.

I like to work out. I do. What I don't like is being out of breath and feeling like I'm going to pass out or constantly worrying if people think I'm gross and silly looking. But I know if I keep pushing, it will get better. I'd really like to take up running. I used to run and I loved it, but I am SO out of shape that it's going to be a push for me.

I found this and thought it might work for me. So this week I am starting with week one. I even added an extra 10 minutes of 'slow' walking so that it made it a full 30 minutes.

I've also been doing this workout every morning for the last couple of days although I've only done one rep. My goal this week is to move it up to twice a day and then hopefully increase it to even three times a day. I did increase the push-ups and sit-ups to 30 instead of 10 and 20 each. I've found that I'm actually quit strong when it comes to strength training, I'm just horribly out of shape when it comes to cardio. The jumping jacks about kill me.

I need motivation and I need rewards so I've started a little 'wish-list' rewards program. I have a couple short-term goals and rewards for vacation. But I also have some BIG rewards for the end of this year and journey.

If I can keep up the good work and continue losing 1 pounds a week until our vacation, I'll splurge on a really cute summer dress right before we leave. I love this one.

I'm also going to need a new bathing suit, so I'd like to find one that has a bit of a vintage flare and is also a two piece (even if it is a tankini). I'll be using this a lot this year considering we've already decided to get a new pool this summer. If I can work-out at LEAST 4 times a week until our vacation, I'll allow myself this. If not, it's the old, drab black one that I have tucked far away that I was hoping never to see again. 

Here are my incentives otherwise:

For every month that I continue to lose 1 pound a week, I'll treat myself to something from my wishlist. A movie, book...etc.

For every 10 pounds I lose, I'm going to treat myself to one 'essentials' outfit. A new pair of jeans and a cute shirt or something along those lines that I can find on sale/clearance that won't break the bank. Jeremy and I are also going to have a date night. I don't know HOW I'm going to accomplish that one, but I'm going to make it happen.

When I lose 25 pounds, I'm going to buy myself a new pair of shoes. I love shoes...and purses, so I'm itching for something new and super cute for the summer. This is going to be regardless of price (although I don't have super expensive taste). If I work really, really hard...I may be able to accomplish this before our vacation. That would be 19 pounds in 5-8 weeks, depending on when we go. I can do this.

When I lose 50 pounds, I'm going to treat myself to an additional outfit, regardless of price with the addition of accessories.. I'm also going to buy myself a 'hobby' accessory, whether that be photo, crochet or otherwise related. I'm also going to cut and dye my hair however I so choose.

When I lose 75 pounds, I'm going to buy another additional outfit and a right-hand ring. I want a vintage ring so badly so I'm going to find one that I love and keep my eye on it until then.

Isn't this just stunning?

When I lose the 96 pounds total, which is my goal...well, I'm going to go crazy. I'm going to get a new tattoo, maintain that weight (or even push to lose a little more) and feel wonderful about myself. I'll buy clothes and hang them in my closet knowing that they'll never be too small again. I'll look in the mirror and feel completely liberated knowing that I did it and that I did it for all the right reasons. I'll force Jeremy to buy me a new camera. I'll participate in a color run and wear dresses that come above my knees and shorts and tank-tops and will be able to shop anywhere for clothing. I'll renew my wedding vows with my husband and have an actual wedding ceremony and I'll buy a beautiful new dress that will stun all who see it. I'll cut and dye my hair, have my nails done, pamper myself a bit an bask in the idea that I did it all ON MY OWN!

I can't wait. Because I WILL do it. Even if it takes me two or three or even four years, I won't give up!