Celebrating Small Victories

I really should be more positive with this journey and so I a dedicating this post to doing just that...I have a a lot of things in my life to be happy about and I need to focus on those things instead of the negative. Ralph Waldo Emerson said "The first wealth is health" and I am lucky enough to have my health....now I need to work on the wealth. :)

Small Victory #1: I am getting the hang of Weight Watchers; I lost 2.4 pounds this week...making my two week grand total 4.6 pounds. I wanted to hit the five pound make but 4.6 is pretty darn good.  I hope to keep losing around two pounds a week, but I know that isn't completely realistic.

Small Victory #2: Trying new things. I went to two strength and cardio classes, two ab labs, and a cycling class. I have never been to any type of class at a gym before and I was pretty nervous about going and making a fool of myself. I enjoyed all of the classes and plan attending more of then. The only bummer is that the strength and cardio class is no longer being offered at a time that I can attend.

Small Victory #3: I went for a long run in the nice weather today. I was hoping to last for 4-5 miles and I made it for 7!!! The 7 miles were very hilly and my legs were pretty tired by the end. I ran very slowly, but it has been a month and a half since my last long run.

I am happy that I am making this life change for myself. The WW point system is working out great for me. I was able to drink red wine, eat Ben and Jerry's ice cream, and half of a slice of greasy Costco pepperoni pizza this weekend and still lose weight. I know that I would probably have lost more weight if I would have skipped those items, but I am so happy that I ate them. :) I now have a scale to weigh my food and this is great because I am terrible at estimating portion sizes.

On a different note my dad was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and on Wednesday we are going to the doctor to find out about different treatment options. Please keep him in your thoughts. To end this post on a more positive note he is very optimistic.

Weight Watchers

After a lot of deliberation on how I wanted to change my diet I decided to join Weight Watchers (WW). The main reason that I decided to give WW a try is because through my insurance I am eligible to get 6 months for free and free is a great price. I signed up on MLK JR day (January 17, 2011). I joined the online version of WW and so I don't go to meetings or public weigh-ins. My first official weigh-in wasn't the happiest moment for me but it was a start.

WW really seems to have a learning curve. I had to get used to checking all of the fat, carbs, protein, and fiber in everything that I eat and then entering the information in the online calculator to determine the items point value. I am "allowed" to eat 30 points worth of food a day. Luckily fruits and most vegetables carry a 0 point value and so I can enjoy as many of those a day as I would like. This is where I see an advantage to counting calories (which I have tried in the past). Fruits can be very high in calories and I love eating fruit.

I am a very routined person. This whole week has been dedicated to figuring out my WW routine and what foods I will eat every day for breakfast and lunch. Dinner is where I mix it up. I found a bread that I love that is only worth two points ( for two slices) and a non fat Greek yogurt worth only one point (six ounces). The more recipes that I discover the more that I feel like this whole WW thing is doable.

My exercise effort this week was acceptable but not fantastic. On Monday I did 30 minutes on the elliptical cross trainer, Tuesday I did a 30ish minute run/walk with Robyn and Veronica, Wednesday I attended a cardio/strength class and an ab lad, Thursday I did another 30 minutes on the elliptical cross trainer, I took Friday and Saturday off, and on Sunday (today) I did 60 minutes of cardio. 

My week one weigh-in was today and I lost 2.2lbs. I happy for any loss but I think that I can do better. My plan for this week is to put more time in at the gym/running.   

The Wristbrand

My self discipline wristband arrived today. It was in a black envelope that was sealed with a sticker. The sticker read what you eat in private shows in public. Harsh but so very true.

My first post

Welcome to my blog "Self Discipline and Me". This is the first blog that I have ever written and so this is my first of many (hopefully) posts. I am attempting to start holding myself accountable in many aspects of my life, particularly when it comes to diet and exercise. Please forgive any and all typos.

The other night I couldn't sleep. I was in bed and very frustrated that I was wide awake when I should have been getting my beauty sleep. I decided to be productive with my time and brainstorm ideas to help me be successful in my goals and to just be all around happier. I am disappointed in my weight gain and my lack of motivation.

Finally an idea worth mentioning hit me. I would write a blog. I would send the link to my closest friends in hope that they would read it and kick my butt if I was slacking off. My idea was set but I needed a title and direction. I had been reading my backlog of Shape magazines (four months) and a short article in one of them had caught my eye...it was by a trainer who had started a line of rubber bracelets (similar to livestrong) that were black with the words self discipline on them in white. The point behind them is that he couldn't be with his clients at all times but they could wear a bracelet that would remind them to make smart choices.

This is exactly what I needed...self discipline...and accountability. The next day I ordered the bracelet and it should be here soon. I figure writing in a blog and tracking my progress or lack there of will hold me accountable and so will the races that I have registered to run in the months of January* (1/2 marathon), February (15.5 mile mud run), March (9k), April (1/2 marathon), and May (1/2 marathon). * As out now January is out because I hurt my back over winter break and my training hasn't been realistic....excuses, excuses...I know...

I commute over an hour to work each way and I coach for a minimum of two hours after work each day. I have rarely taken the time to workout/run during my coaching seasons this year (September 2010-January 2011). To be honest some days I was too lazy and on others I was/am just too exhausted and I need(ed) sleep. This has led me to be unhappy and when I am unhappy I eat...

My basketball (coaching) season ends on January 13th (Thursday) and starting that weekend I am going to be starting my "Self Discipline and Me" journey. I hope that you will join me in my attempt of training, healthy eating, weight loss and possibly running a full marathon.