Those last 15 pounds…

Happy Weigh-in Wednesday!  Ok, I know today is Thursday but that is so much catchier 🙂  Weigh-in Wednesday is my quest that I will share every Wednesday (after this week) to finally get rid of the last 10-15 pounds.

I know I don’t need to lose weight.  I wear a size 6 pants and small shirt so that alone tells me I don’t have a weight problem.  But, I’m also only 5’3” and I’m at the very top of the healthy weight range for my age and height (ok, maybe a few pounds over some days).  I’d feel more comfortable if I dropped the extra fluff and, more importantly, kept it off!  Besides, I do invest a lot of time into running so it’s a little frustrating that I still have the fluff hanging around.

I have tried, and failed, many (MANY!!!) times over the years to get rid of this weight.  This is why I think I’ve failed:

• Food.  I would rather work out than have to worry about eating healthy, but I need to finally accept that 70% of it is diet (which is SO depressing! but also SO necessary to accept!).
• Running.  This is all I do.  I probably ran over 1,000 miles last year and only lost two pounds.  This is what my friend Tony, who is a personal trainer and former Marine, had to say about that, “I am sure you already knew this but running is probably the least effective way to try to lose weight, especially when you are good at it. Your body is just like a car, when you keep running your body becomes more efficent to the repetitive nature of the exercise. That is why switching it up is so important…”  Apparently I didn’t already know that!
• I don’t build it into my lifestyle.  When I train for a race, it consumes my life.  When I am done, I completely fall off the wagon because I am so burned out from training.  I do the same with food.  I am either very healthy or eating a whole sleeve of Do Si Dos.  I need more moderation.

Based on my self-analysis, I have put together this plan to help me reach 130 pounds within 16 weeks:

FOOD

• I am going to follow Weight Watchers.  I chose Weight Watchers because it is realistic with my work travel schedule and it will help me learn about portion control, while still allowing for small indulgences.
• I will eat 2 “clean” meals per day at least 5 times per week.  I think it’s important to eat natural foods whenever possible.  This should be relatively easy since Matt and I have been eating mostly “clean” dinners since the beginning of January.

WATER

I drink a lot of water as it is, but I’d like to make it a rule to have 3 Camelbak’s per day.  I own six of these water bottles and usually have one with me.  Best. waterbottle. ever.   It must be the chewy straw.

ACTIVITY

• Diversify.  This should be easy to do since we are training for Tough Mudder and a sprint triathlon.   This will include strength training 2-3x per week, biking, swimming and running.
• Focus on intensity.  I tend to get too comfortable in my workouts.  Working out with Matt helps a lot since he motivates me to work harder.
• Incorporate morning workouts.  This will allow me to enjoy more evenings cooking dinner or taking care of errands so I won’t feel burned out at the end of this.

I welcome feedback, tips or suggestions!

Baseline measurements

• Weight: 145 pounds
• Waist: 32”
• Hips: 38 ¾”
• Bust: 34”
• Arms: R – 11 3/8”, L – 11 ¼”
• Thighs: R – 24 ½”, L – 23 ¾”

…and here I am!  (in case you’re wondering — yes, Matt thinks I’m a weirdo for wanting to broadcast this on the internet.  However, he has learned by now that I’m a “sharer” so he just goes with it.)

 Macy wanted to take a body shot too:

Have you achieved a weight loss or healthiness goal that was very important to you?  What approach did you take and what advice do you have for me?