Lose 20 pounds

Depending on the scale I’m using, I’m either 10 or 14 pounds from my goal. I’ve definitely noted a change in my energy and the fit of my clothing, which seem most important (especially because I am building muscles).

I think I should throw a personal party for myself when I am no longer “overweight” since I haven’t been not overweight since I was, like, 5. I’m only a few pounds away from ‘healthy weight’ territory.

I still need to lose a little less than a pound per week to make it to my goal by January 1st. I think it’s do-able, but watching the scale move that slowly is frustrating (especially when I have bloated days that skew my weight and make me want to give up).

I decided that when I reach my goal I will buy myself some “hot” jeans and then I want to lose 10 more for Summer 2007 (but one step at a time!).

My goal is to lose 20 pounds by January 1, 2007. Although that’s realistic in theory, I think it doesn’t sound that way. I’m going to try anyway and I’m not going to get mad at myself if I have to extend the timeframe. It’s not about time, but I like to hold myself to a timeline.

In order to break it down, to maintain this goal I need to lose a little less than a pound per week (.96) on average.

I need to consume between 1260 and 1600 calories (I’ve been good at tracking my calorie intake again and so this is completely feasible). I generally eat healthy food, so the one food “rule” I am setting for myself is: not keeping bread at home. I eat bread like I drink water. In my mind, they are identical and so I will eat a slice (or many slices) of bread without even realizing. I’ll still buy sandwiches for lunch or eat veggie burgers on rolls, but this is the one self-imposed restriction that I need to worry about.

I’m also setting fitness goals for myself:

1. Go to the gym 2 to 3 work nights/week
2. Go to the gym both weekend mornings/afternoons (allow a Sunday hangover excuse card every once in awhile, but make up for it by going to the park or something).
3. In general, be more active: take Hattie on longer walks, take Hattie to the park at least once per week, go on walks during my lunch break, take the stairs at work
4. Big goal: find a fitness buddy

I also need to pre-emptively strategize winter time laziness.