HALF WAY

WOOHOOO.  Yes, it took longer than I'd hoped and expected.  Yes, I still have a long way to go.  But who...effing...cares.  I lost 30 pounds!  I'm officially down to skirts-only for work because all the pants I own are too big.  Even the skirts sit way down on my hips and look matronly, but at least they fit.   One thing I've noticed at the 30-lbs lost mark, is that I can now imagine what I will look like skinny.  Before I had no concept of what shape my body would look like after significant weight loss.  Now that I've lost some of the larger bulges around my belly, hips and face, I can sort of picture what the future may hold.  This is a very good feeling.

I'm low on time, though.   Ideally I'd like to meet my goal by Sept 1st (to allow time for proper wedding dress fitting).  That means that I have four months to lose 30 pounds.  It took me four months to lose the first 30, but something tells me this next half is going to be even more challenging. 

Workouts: I've been working more hours, which has made the workout schedule tougher to meet.  That said, I've been doing a decent amount of running.  My friend and I ran a 10-k last weekend and finished on pace!  The half marathon is still going to be a pretty epic disaster, as the 10-k hurt pretty bad and it's only half the distance.  We'll just have to do what we can.  Also, I signed up for a 5-week bootcamp, so hopefully that will help to stave off the plateau.

Diet: Thank god for microwave diet meals.  Yes, they are a poor substitute for cooking a healthy, well-balanced meal.  They are a phenomenal substitute, however, for pizza delivery and burritos to-go (which would otherwise be my fallback when I got home at 8 or 9pm from work).  We're in the process of moving and all of our dishes are packed up, so these have really been my saving grace.  Hopefully I'll get back into the cooking routine soon.

Wish me luck universe, I'm going to need it!

Playlist time!

So, yes, as expected, I gained some weight last week. Two pounds to be exact. That was all the motivation I needed to get back on the ball. I'm back to making smoothies in the morning, measuring out all food, and exercising my tail off. I only have 165 days to lose over thirty pounds -- there just isn't time for too many more weeks like last week. Forward progress is needed.

So - in the spirit of the other blogs that I have read and used over the years, I thought I would do something helpful and share my playlist. These are some of the gems that got me up to 5 miles tonight!

Adam Lambert - Whataya Want From Me

Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass

All American Rejects - Move Along

B.o.B - Magic
B.o.B - So Good

Britney Spears - Till the World Ends

Cake - I Will Survive

Cee Lo Green - Fuck You

Christina Aguilera - Fighter

Coldplay - Clocks (Rhythms Del Mundo Remix)
David Guetta - Turn Me On

Dragonette - I Get Around
Flo Rida - Good Feeling

Florence + The Machine - Dog Days Are Over

Florence + The Machine - Shake It Off

The Fratellis - Flathead

Gnarls Barkley - Going On

Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc.

Gwen Stefani - What You Waiting For

Ice Cube - You Can Do It

Jamiroquai - Canned Heat

Jamiroquai - Love Foolosophy

Jay-Z/Linkin Park - Numb/Encore

Jimmy Eat World - Pain

John Williams - Aint No Mountain High Enough

Journey - Dont Stop Believin

Junior Senior - Move Your Feet

Kanye West - Stronger

Kanye West - Power

Kanye West - Love Lockdown
Kelly Clarkson - Stronger

Kid Cudi - Day N Night

La Roux - Bulletproof

Lady Gaga - Born This Way

Lady Gaga - Just Dance

Lily Allen - Smile (Remix)

Lily Allen - The Fear

Mark Ronson & The Business - Bang Bang Bang

Mark Ronson & Amy Winehouse - Valerie

MGMT - Electric Feel (Justice Remix)

Muse - Uprising
Nicki Minaj - Starships

OutKast - ATLiens

Rhianna - SOS

Rhianna - Dont Stop the Music

Rhianna - S&M

Scissor Sisters - Take Your Mama

Scissor Sisters - I Dont Feel Like Dancin

Taio Cruz - Dynamite

The Roots - Seed 2.0
The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army

Whitney Houston - Queen of the Night (CJs Single Edit)

ok so lots of things are naughty (cake, wine, italian food, etc..)

Another terrible cheat week behind me. Yes, I was out celebrating important things with people I love. No, I did not make any real effort to try and make smart choices during these celebrations. All I needed to do was lose 3 pounds this week to hit the half way point! The weigh in is tomorrow, but I will be shocked if there is any forward progress (and not-so-shocked if I took a step back or two).

Anyway - all I can do is look to the future. I will try to re-gather the strength and motivation that I had back in January. 5 months to lose 33 pounds -- I CAN DO IT. Hrmph.