10 Pound Challenge Update

I've been trying to decide if I should bother posting am update because I haven't lost any weight. I've been hovering around the same two or three pounds, right now I'm a pound or so heavier than when I started.

I've gained a bit of weight since I started my new job in October, but if I'm honest with myself it's mostly because of the delicious food the cafeteria serves here. I do more walking now at this job then I did at my last. I've also been able to take some free fitness classes and use the gym.

Last month I bought myself a fitbit. It's like a calorie counter on steroids. I keep it in my pocket all day at work and I can go home and see a graph of how active I've been during the day. It's a great visual of how much time is spent not moving! It also motivates me to increase my activity. I'm no where near my 10 000 steps everyday, but I'm getting closer! It's been worth every penny to me!

I've made big steps towards not eating out! We have been eating at home more regularly. I think this alone will help me lose a few pounds. I haven't managed to kick the soda habit, but I'm drinking a lot less!

I think the biggest thing I've realized is being skinny isn't really a high priority. Being healthy is. I want to eat healthy and have an active lifestyle but the numbers on the scale don't matter to me anymore. I need to make sure I'm healthy and in a healthy weight range. I'm pretty close to the high end of my healthy weight range, so I need to make sure I don't gain weight.

I need to make sure that my lifestyle is based on healthy choices and happiness, no obsessive scale watching (which I tend to do very well!)

10 Pound Challenge

I joined the 10-pound Challenge hosted by Newlyweds on a Budget. Lose 10 pounds in 12 weeks, win $$$. Are you in?


I started a new job in October and since then have managed to gain weight even while trying to keep it off!  I've made some changes to my diet and have been coming up with more fun ways to get my physical activity in.  Now, I have joined this challenge and I think it is exactly what I need to give myself a big push!  10 pounds will put me back in my healthy weight range.

I know I can do this, I got married in August 2010.  When my wedding dress arrived in February 2010, it came too small! They had taken my measurements and I hadn't gained any weight but still, the back was not able to close by about 3 inches.  I was told that the dress could be taken out that much but if I gained any weight I'd be out of luck.  I took that as my personal challenge to lose some weight and fit into my dress without alterations!  In the 6 months before my wedding, I ate healthy and did a lot of walking and some hiking.  My soon-to-be husband went to the gym with  me and showed me how to use the weight machines. I lost nearly 20 pounds and ended up having my dress taken in!  Not to mention, I firmed up my arms and back and looked pretty good in my strapless dress!

Now, I have a big secret goal that I want to run a 5k.  Currently, I am not a runner, but I have been thinking about trying the couch to 5k program.  Maybe 2012 will be the big year for me to run a 5k?

The biggest challenges for me will be finding free/inexpensive activities and balancing a healthy grocery list with a healthy budget.  Another challenge will be cutting back on eating out, which is ongoing challenge.  Not eating out means saving money and being more healthy, it's a win win!

Good luck to everyone and thanks to Newlyweds on a Budget for hosting this challenge!