Smelling the Roses

Yesterday I won my second Biggest Loser title in 15 days.  

The first was in a month long contest run by my health coach in our facebook group.  I was shocked to be the winner in that one, not because I wasn't dedicated to the program, getting in my exercise, drinking plenty - and then some - of water.  I was thrilled to win and to have won in the face of many others who are committed to their journey to optimal health.

Yesterday I was awarded the title in the contest at work.  The school nurse presented me with a notice of the contest results and then the secretary handed over some much-loved cash.  In this contest, I was pretty much certain from day 1 that I would walk away with my colleague's money.  It wasn't just that I am doing this fabulous program and am dedicated to reaching my goals.  I spent the past 8 weeks being tempted (and, I openly admit – succumbing to the temptations MANY times) by the tasty foods and snacks that were passing down the school hallway or being cooked up by my colleagues.  Even with this temptations and often-weakened resolve (tell me you could pass up on the offer of a corned beef sandwich), I kept on track with most of 95% of my plan and continued to guzzle my water and get my walk, bike, run game on.  These choices made the difference. 

Each victory is something that I am proud of - another feather in my cap on my journey towards my goal and optimal health.

Last night I was out with friends from high school at an event to recruit our peers for the reunion in August.  A year ago, I would have told you that I have no intent on going to a reunion.  Since November, I have been working with my friends to plan the upcoming reunion and have enjoyed many evenings out with this group and others that have been pulled into the fold.  Again, there were compliments on how "great" I am looking.  And the friend who said I look like I’m 28 (bless his exaggerating heart!) wins compliment of the night.  

As I was driving home last night, I was thinking about how I didn't feel like the fat girl and I didn't spend my night worrying about what people thought when I ordered a drink or food and I wasn't tugging on my clothes trying to cover up  rolls of fat.  On so many levels, I was experiencing my new normal - and it felt AMAZING!   To think that there’s more of this ahead of me as I move closer to my goal…make my head spin!

Even better, when I got in early this morning, my fitbit sent me a badge for flights climbed and I'd topped my daily step goal...without going for a run or a walk yesterday.

Friends, go out there and claim your life, move yourselves towards optimal health, and ENJOY your life!  There are great things out there for us!

Go get 'em, tigers!

Super Saturday - A Tale of Academic and Weight Loss Victories

Happy Saturday, Friends!

My day has been amazing on so many levels.  I am still wrapping my head around it.

This morning I had my final presentation for my spring semester course , Integrated Literacy Development I – which should really be titled Everything You Need and Would Like to Know About Primary Literacy Instruction & Assessment in One Quick Semester.

I will admit that I spent the greater part of this past semester with my head spinning with all of the information from this course.  Yes, there was a LOT of new information to digest.  There was plenty of reading and piles of assessments to get acquainted with.  But, more than any of that was wrapping my head around the inner workings of a first grade classroom.  I teach high school juniors and seniors, people!  Beowulf and Shakespeare are my stomping grounds. 

So, with that in mind, imagine how I felt when handed a thick pile of first grade literacy assessments (the sample data) and was told to create a Primary Comprehensive Literacy Plan and present it as if I’m presenting to a school board for approval.  Uhm…

Well, this morning I gave that presentation.  I woke up bright and early, had my coffee, showered and dressed and walked the lovely six blocks to Alverno and delivered one heck of a kick ass presentation.  Yes, I did!

And, when I was done, my instructor beamed with pride and dished out the compliments.  The best was about how far I’ve come with my comfort level with the content and that based on my presentation, she’d never know that my niche is NOT primary literacy.  Ha!  Yes!  Success!!!

After getting home from my presentation, I realized I left the video recording in the classroom.  I quickly changed and walked back to campus to collect my recording.

Of course, this morning’s victory comes on the coat tails of another awesome victory.

Last night I was declared the Biggest Loser in my health coach’s May Challenge in our facebook group!!!  I was runner up for points for the month.  And, my team had the most points, so we all won a 3 month subscription to Gaiam TV online.  Yippee!!! 

Not a bad start to the weekend.

Now, off for a walk – because my two trips to Alverno and back were just the beginning of today’s walks!

Go get ‘em, Tigers!

Let Them Eat Cake!

Oh, I love cake.  I love ice cream.  I love frozen custard.  I love donuts.  Yep, love it all!  It's tasty and delicious and yummy and just some of the best tasting stuff I can think of.


But, it is not going to help me to reach my goal of a healthy weight and the active lifestyle that I enjoy - so it will have to wait.

Someday, not to far from now, I will be able to incorporate these things back into my life as once-in-a-while special treats.  That day is not today.  And it was not yesterday.


Speaking of yesterday...  While sitting at lunch yesterday, my colleague Ben came up to me and said, "You have to go to the office.  There's pistachio cake."  I looked at him - probably as if he's lost his ever-loving mind - and said, "No, I'm not going to have cake."  His response: "It's Temptation Tuesday!"


Apparently, some of my colleagues are playing the game in this Biggest Loser contest.


I did not go to the office and I did not eat cake.


Today, while chatting with some colleagues, I looked away for a second, turned my head back and saw a box of bakery-fresh ho-ho-like delights in front of me.  Directly in front of me.  


I didn't eat the ho-ho-like delights, either.


Tonight when I got home, I was greeted with the newest issue of Milwaukee Magazine in my mailbox.  Haven't seen it, yet?  There is a triple scoop cake cone on the cover...of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry frozen custard...from Kopp's - on the cover!


Oh my!


Well, world...you can throw all the temptations at me you'd like.  I walked past the peanut squares my dad had sitting on the counter last weekend.  I didn't eat the cake yesterday.  I didn't eat the ho-ho-like delights today.  And, I didn't drive to Kopps...or Leon's (it's much closer - and I think, better!) tonight to indulge in some of Milwaukee's best commodity - frozen custard.  That's right.  I'm on a path and I'm not stopping.  Not until I reach my end point.


You kids can all enjoy these tasty and delightful treats.  I'll see you there later.  Save me some ice water and fresh veggies.  


Thanks!
Jenny

Jenny's Getting Her Groove Back

First, my loss for week # 3 was 5 lbs.


Then, my loss for The Biggest Loser contest at work was 6 lbs.


When I got home from a trek to mom & dad's, Fitbit emailed me that I'd earned my first 50 miles badge.  And I wasn't even done with my walking - I had to go out for my "real" walk.


And when I got home from the "real" walk, Fitbit emailed me again because I'd earned my first 10,000 steps badge.

This was at 8:09 pm - I've still got a few hours left in me for the day!

Bring On the Challenge

And...we're all caught up with the blogs from my mymedifast blog.  
Here is today's installment...


It's here!  Tomorrow begins the May challenge on my health coach's facebook group.  Everyday there is a themed check-in.  There are prizes at the end.  We track points for participation and weight-loss.  There's even a "rest day" on Sundays.  Oh, I can't wait!

I've had a great weekend of preparation.  My other facebook group of fabulous MFing friends has been on a Clean & Simple challenge since Friday.  For that, I've cut out snacks, condiments and any little blt sneaks that may occasionally pop into my mouth for consumption.

I have been preparing for this.  I have tidied up my food cabinet - The Battle Station - and updated my BeSlim Club order for tomorrow.  The grocery list is on the fridge and I've been walking on a regular basis.  Yesterday, I ran.  In the rain. 

 

Tomorrow also is the official start of my training for the Wisconsin Bike MS event that I will participate in for my 6th year in August.  My last ride was way back in 2008.  I've been out of the loop due to injuries and surgery.  This year, I'm back!  

And, let's not forget that Biggest Loser competition at work.  Tomorrow is weigh-in #2.  Hmm...I wonder what my colleagues have been eating this weekend.

Well, whatever the challenge, I'm up to it.  I'm prepared, I have a plan and I will achieve what I set out to do.

Wishing you another great day of Medifasting success.

Go get 'em, tigers!

Let the Games Begin!

Originally Published April 24, 2012

We knew it was coming and yesterday it arrived.  The start of the annual staff Biggest Loser competition. 

The game is on!

Yesterday, one-by-one, we each visited the nurse's office to bare our deepest, darkest secret to the school nurse.  Well, their deepest darkest secrets, as my weight is public information for anyone who can find me on this site!

So, today we have only the juniors in school for the statewide ACT testing.  After testing, the students were provided a "lunch" of nachos (tortilla chips, seasoned ground beef, cheese sauce and the obligatory jalapenos), Capri Sun and a selection of other treats.  The students were happily recovering from their ACT-induced comas while socializing with the friends.  And the teachers...they were all in the hallway, in the nachos line, piling their chips with yumminess.  Every single one of them.  Except me. 

While my friends were talking up their intentions of winning The Biggest Loser, I sat with my little bowl of Medifast Homestyle Chili and refilled my Camelbak bottle for the third time today.  I didn't say a word.  I just looked around, took it all in, and happily nibbled on the chili - which was a real treat because I almost always have shakes for meals, but had this in the fridge in my classroom in case of an emergency.  And, this was an emergency.  Everyone around me was eating what probably amounts to more than 2 days worth of calories and who knows how many days of carbs in my world!  A chai latte was not going to cut it.  I'm sorry.  That's the trutch - as much as I've grown to love the stuff. 

So, I had chili for lunch and they had nachos.  My afternoon snack was a hot cocoa mix, mixed with diet root beer (oh my...you MUST try that).  My dinner is going to be a fabulous Chipotle salad - which I will be enjoying at the Brewers' game tonight.  And I'm going to have some peanut butter soft serve to end my night.  All this, along with a few more Camelbak's worth of water.  Ah...

Oh, and while they sat around talking after they were done devouring their nachos, I did five trips up and down the stairs or our three floor building.  I topped that off with a four laps of the third floor.

The cost: $10.  The prize: $10 x the number of people who chose to take on the challenge.  Winning because you lost the highest percentage of weight between now and the end of the school year: PRICELESS!

Who's your money on?