Dietbets: motivation or hell?

Starting Monday, February 2nd, I am a player of the Blogilates DietBet.  For those of you who have never heard of DietBet, it is a website where a group of people bet a designated amount of money (usually $10-30) to lose 4% of their body weight in 4 weeks.  The players send in photo proof of their weight and check in through out the game.  Those who lose the weight in time split the pot of money.  Seems simple right?  Wrong!!!

First of all, you have to face your scale....YIKES!!!  I don't remember gaining those 2 pounds....*sigh*.....and you want me to take a picture of my feet on the scale showing my weight, a full body picture of me standing on the scale in workout clothes and send them to someone......*large sigh*.  Fine, I'll go ahead and ruin my day and possibly die of embarrassment.  Luckily, no one else in the game can see my weight unless I choose to let them.

Second, the next couple weeks are interesting.  4% of your body weight doesn't sound a lot to lose, and it really isn't.  If you are 120 lbs., that is only 4.8 lbs. 150 lbs. is 6 lbs.  HOWEVER, when you are smaller in size, like the 120 or 150, losing weight gets harder.  It doesn't fall off as easily as when someone is larger.  But, whatever, it is doable.

Lastly, you are at week 3, you've lost 3.9 lbs.  That's 81% of your goal.  And you hit a plateau.  You have 1 week left, 7 days, 168 hours.  If you are like me, you hate to lose.  ESPECIALLY, when it comes to money.  You start freaking out.  And we all know how bad stress is to weight loss.  Every calorie consumed and every calorie expended is all you can think about.  You become obsessed and worried. 

Now you tell me....is this a great motivational tool?  Or one of the seven rings of hell?  I guess it depends on how easily you lose weight and what percentage you have lost by week 3.  All I know is I'm addicted.  I've lost a few bets and won a few bets, but in the end it is all about the journey.  I am on a journey to health and fitness.  Wish me luck!!!

If you are interested in joining me, you still have time.... http://diet.bt/ZyHo0T

My little brother

Many of you know, this is a hard time of year for me and my family.  Seven years ago today, we lost my brother Matthew.  And on top of that, we celebrate his birthday on the 23rd.  Three days before he passed.  He would have been 30 this year.

 

So let me tell you a little bit about him. Matthew, Matt, Matchu, Matchu Man, Big Guy, Mattie.  A young man with so many names.  Kinda gives you a hint about his personality.....everyone liked him!  He was easy-going, confident, outgoing, friendly, funny, good-looking, smart, artistic, kind, musical, athletic.  Basically, the opposite of me, haha!  He was good at everything he tried to do.

I thought a lot about Matt this weekend.  I felt sorry for myself and sometimes felt sorry for him.  But, then I feel glad for him.  His journey has just begun, even if he isn't "here" anymore.  His earthly form is no longer here, but he's still out there living an amazing "life".  He's lost the limitations of a human body.  He no longer has fear, pain, hearthache.  Hell, he's living it up in true Matthew spirit. 

So, here's to you Matt!  Thank you for being a wonderful little brother and amazing guardian angel.  Tell all the family up there I love them and give Pryncess a belly rub for me!  I love you and miss you!!!

 

 

 

Who am I?

Like so many others, my entire like I have searched to find the "real me".  I've been through so many different stages....daddy's girl, bratty pre-teen, horrible teenager, wannabe thug, party girl young adult, to overly-responsible-no-fun adult.  I've been a daughter, friend, girlfriend, wife, and step-mom.  But, never have I truly felt like me.....just ME!  I've always had a role to play; a mold to fit into.

After my separation and divorce, I didn't know what to do.  I no longer had to take care of other people or put them first.  It was just me and my furbabies (I'll introduce them in another post).  I had so much free time.  It was just work, then me time.  I didn't even know what I liked to do anymore.  For so many years, I planned family outings.  Or couples outings.  Or I had to catch up on things around the house.  I now live in a small apartment (vs a 4 bed, 2 bath house with yard), so it takes less time to clean.  I no longer have the family or circle of friends that came with married life.

WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH MYSELF???

At first, I unpacked and organized.  And then reorganized.  And reorganized again.  I scoured Pinterest for ideas on the best way to organize to streamline my life.  I felt so out of control in my life, that I needed my little space to be completely under control.  While looking for ways to organize, I started finding ideas of decorating and re-purposing.  Let me tell you, I enjoy the heck out of re-purposing.  Breathing new life into something old, broken, or no longer useful (metaphor for my life maybe?).  Follow me on Pinterest to see what's caught my interest at this moment.

 

Then, fitness and health happened.  For those of you who have known me for a while, you can attest to the fact that I did not like exercise or movement (unless I was dancing).  I was an unfit, unhealthy, junk-food-atarian.  I didn't (and still don't) like to eat a lot of meat.  I didn't like fruit or vegetables.  Unless it was carbs, dairy, or fat, I wouldn't eat it.  But, the move to the apartment didn't just affect me.  I have two small dogs and a cat.  They were used to having a larger house, backyard, and almost daily dog park trips.  While trying to adjust, we had a hard time with separation anxiety.  They would bark constantly when I left for work or errands.  Part of it wasn't their fault....there were some younger kids with a serious lack of parenting banging on my window trying to make the dogs bark at them (not maliciously, but still harmful to my babies).

We started going on evening walks: to wear them out, give me a way out of the house, help us re-bond, and to help Jack's chubbiness.  It started as 30 min, 1.5 miles.  Then grew to 60 min, 3 miles.  To adding short bursts of running, making better times, burning more calories.  Jack and Jill were so happy, and I was getting that endorphin high.  Plus, I started losing weight.  YES!!!!

And then I found Blogilates......Pop Pilates, what a wonderfully, powerful burn.  This site changed my life!  It introduced me to quick, fun workouts that work!!  I also started learning how to eat cleanly in a cheap and easy way.  I'm telling you, this site is a game changer.  If you haven't heard of it, check it out here: http://www.blogilates.com/

 (Cassey Ho, Blogilates)

Following Cassey's calenders, walking the dogs, and eating so much better increased the weight loss, but helped me find another passion.  HEALTH!  I'm obsessed with finding new ways of moving my body, better ways of eating, and emotional/spiritual balance.  Over the last few years, I've tried pilates, yoga, archery, hiking, walking, weight-lifting, wii fit and other games, clean eating, essential oils; all of which I love!

With all of these new activities, I'm getting closer to the true me.  I'll continue to share my past experiences, as well as keep you up to date on my current and future journeys.  If I can inspire even one person to not give up or to try something new, then the craziness I call life will be worth it!

Namaste!