The Challenge.

Hubs and I were talking the other night and the topic of weight came up. Well, more accurately, our mutual desire to lose it. He has lost quite a bit in the last few months and has done great. I've hovered within the same ten pounds since mid-December and, really, it's time to get out of them and down to a lighter number.

So, we have a challenge going. The goal is to each lose 20 pounds and while we have the same time frame to lose it, I am slightly concerned that I tend to plateau very quickly. Of course, I also tend to eat chocolate, so that might explain it. HOWEVER, this is a challenge I simply MUST NOT lose!

Know why?

Because if I lose (not happening!), I have to do laundry - wash and fold - for EVERYONE, ALONE for SIX MONTHS! You all know how much I love laundry. Laundry, to me, is like a splinter embedded in my EYE. And there is no WAY I want a splinter embedded in my eye for SIX MONTHS!

So, I have from now until New Years' to lose 20 lbs. That's 12 weeks away....about 2 pounds a week.

Someone please hide the sweets. Quickly!

My Secret Life.

(This picture has nothing to do with me really, but how could I resist adding those OMG arms and shoulders to the blog?! It's like eye candy....with no calories! I can't stop looking. Issues, I know.) Image via WikipediaIt seems ironic that I have a blog called Confessions of a Gym Mama when I haven't been to the gym in who knows how long. It's been over a year for sure. Actually, it may even be two. Huh. Time flies.

Anyway, in order to be true to my blog and, more importantly, to get myself moving and in shape, I have been secretly exercising. I say secretly, because I haven't told all of you. Well, one or two of you know, but for the masses, this new information is startling I'm sure.

Since exercising can mean many different things, let me clarify. I have been running on the treadmill twice a day, almost every day (I didn't when I was sick, but I also couldn't really breathe that day either).

Twice a day? Yep. Twice a day. Usually morning and night.

Why twice a day? I'm not entirely sure actually, someone just told me it would be a good idea. So, I run twice a day. Of my own free will. And with no one chasing me. While listening to club/dance music on Pandora.

And you know what?

It's exhilarating.

Really.

I'm excited every single time I finish.

Why? Because it feels good to feel strong.

I've also been counting calories. Every single bite gets logged on my MyFitnessPal app. It's a free app that helps you set a calorie goal and then makes logging calories as easy as.....well, pie.

Honestly, at first the idea of tracking my calories was daunting and none too appealing.

Now....it's a game. Every food choice influences whether I win or lose the daily game....so I have been making better choices. And becoming more aware of what I eat and how many calories everything has. Trust me, once you realize what you should be eating and how much you actually are eating....it can be a little shocking.

So, for a week now I've been exercising. And I've lost over two pounds. But more importantly, I feel.....better. I still have this cold/allergy/sinus things that's been lingering, but I feel better. And that's definitely worth working out for.


(A special thank you to those who have been pushing me to lace up the sneakers and hit the treadmill. You know who you are. Your "no excuses, get exercising" attitudes are better than any personal trainer. You rock....and are very appreciated.)

Dead Weight

The thing that I love about working with the elderly is that they are, for the most part, blatantly honest. Why lie when you're 97 and just don't give a hoot anymore about what people think?

Last night I was transporting residents up and down in the elevator to and from dinner. One of the ladies who is still aware and sassy to say the least looked at me and said, "You've got muscles!" Her surprise was evident and quite funny.

I laughed and flexed my arms to the delight of the other commuters. "I do!" I said.

"That must be because you have to lift all this dead weight. Dead weight. Get it?" she chuckled.

God bless her.

3 Bites are NOT enough

My mom has a new blog, Closing In On Sixty, that made me chuckle today. She said she read in a magazine that you can take three bites of something not on your diet and that will satisfy your sweet tooth. I have a couple of questions about that theory...

1. How big can those bites be? Seriously, I think unless those three bites can equal 12 normal size bites, my sweet tooth is not going to be satisfied.

2. Why 3?? (See concern addressed in question #1)

3. Can you take 3 bites of one piece and 3 bites of another piece (and so on and so forth)? (Again, same concern)

The Puffy Pink Jacket Test

In 2004 I got a puffy pink winter jacket. Soft and cozy. Since 2006 I have been unable to wear it. Mainly, because I'd gotten too big. Not a good feeling when you can't zipper your coat. Not a good feeling at all.

SO, yesterday, when the windchill was a big fat ZERO, I decided to try it on and gues what?! It's ROOMY! Not only does it fit, but it's comfy and cozy and ROOMY! I could wear a sweatshirt under that thing and still be comfy!

That, my friends, is weight loss progress.

My Pants Are Too Big

Really. They're too big. I know that one of the results of losing weight is that you actually get smaller, but I'm just not financially prepared to invest in a new wardrobe. What's a girl to do?

I've brainstormed some ideas...tell me what you think...

1) Pin the falling-down-to-my-feet pants at the sides and hope the pin doesn't come apart. (Have you ever had that happen? You sit down and OMG! the pin comes apart and you feel like you've been shot?! Yeah, it hurts. A LOT.)

2) Start wearing only stretch pants. Sadly, they don't look any better now than they did 4 sizes ago, but at least they stay put.

3) Make EVERY day pajama day.

4) Eat more and forget the whole "fit" thing.

Seriously, I need some input here. Anyone? Anyone? Bueler? *sigh*

Attack at the Nursing Home

I've been attacked.

Three crescent moon shaped gauges now reside in my left wrist. Thank goodness I'm right-handed.

Yes, apparently, being a CNA is not only hard, underpaid, weight-loss inducing, but highly rewarding work, it's also DANGEROUS and potentially SCAR-PRODUCING!

The kids are fascinated by my bandages. Notice the plural. BandageS. Multiple bandages.

So, it happened with the last resident on my assignment. Jane Doe (obviously, not her real name) decided to lunge out of bed and dig her amazingly sharp nails into my wrist while commenting that I was a woman of the night...all because, well, because Alzheimers is the worst disease ever.

On a side note, I lost another pound. Wahoo. Go me!

(I'll try to post pictures of my war wounds later. I know you're dying to see them.)

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!

Well, my baby girl is a year old today. It hardly seems possible. What a year!

I got to thinking about my physical health this time last year. Obviously, I was very pregnant and very post-pregnancy all within a few hours time. Funny how that happens.

I may not be going to the gym or working out religiously, but I'm in much better shape now than I was even before I got pregnant. That, to me, is amazing. I wanted to lose weight, but I didn't actually think I would. I had, in some part of my brain, resigned myself to the fact that I was going to be a size 14 forever. That was just going to be it.

How exciting that a year after having my youngest I'm in a size 10 and on the way down. That's a good thing. It's encouraging. And I never believed it would happen.

So, if you're reading this and thinking that you'll never get to where you want to be....just start. Do something. Anything. You can do it.

Gym Mama Biggest Loser Challenge Update

Only 2 weeks left for the Gym Mama Biggest Loser Charity Challenge. So far I've lost about 7 pounds in 10 weeks. Not bad, but not that super either. Hey, at least I've lost.

I'm aiming for 10 pounds lost. Not my original goal weight, but one that's achievable.

Good luck to ALL of the contestants. Here's wishing you smaller waist lines, skinnier thighs and happy, healthy hearts!

Workout While You work

Did you vote yesterday? I hope so! The 3 amigos and I dropped by our polling place mid-morning and got right in. Apparently, people in our little district aren't mid-morning voters. Of course, the district that also votes at the same polling place had a line out the door and into the parking lot. There were a lot of annoyed looking people as we breezed right by. I figured they should be happy we weren't standing in line....3 kids, 1 frazzled mom, no waiting in line...priceless.

So, I've started a workout at work mentality...fit in whatever exercise I can as often as I can. While riding the elevator stuffed full of wheelchairs I now do calf raises (or whatever those things are called when you stand on your toes). While waiting for the elevator I do those things where you kick your leg back to your butt...one at a time, of course. And deep walking lunges down the hall make everyone chuckle while I firm my quads. I also walk really fast, but that's out of necessity and not to workout.

It must be working, because I'm down a pound and a half this week. Better than nothing, eh?

Exercise at the Smorgasbord

Does walking around the buffet count as exercise?

It's a BIG smorgasbord. BIG.

And there's A LOT of food.

It's not looking good for weight loss today.

Why a Charity Challenge?

Okay, so I've been getting asked why a charity challenge...especially in these tough economic times. I have to be honest and say that originally, I was thinking of maybe just getting some girlfriends together and putting money in a pot that we'd win at the end. No charity, just money. My husband, as he's reading this, is probably bemoaning the fact that I didn't stick with that idea. =)

Let me explain...

Sure, money to pay bills, especially around Christmas, is always great. But I don't want my motivation to lose weight to be something fleeting. I want my motivation to be for my health and to help others. You may agree and you may not. And that's okay. But for me...this is a great chance to motivate myself and help others at the same time.

The charity I'm competing for? I'm not sure yet. I haven't quite decided. There are so many and so many stories to go with each one. It's hard to pick just one knowing that so many could put the money to good use. I'll let you know when I decided.

In the meantime...register. We still have spots left and you'll feel better knowing you're making a difference....for yourself and others.

GymMama.net's 1st Biggest Loser Challenge

Join the GymMama.net's 1st Biggest Loser Challenge! Find out more by going to the website!

Registrations are due by Saturday, September 20th and it's limited to the first 20 registrants.

Email Me at GymMama at GymMama.net for a registration form!

3 Pound Week

Apparently, working at night is conducive to weight loss, because I lost 3 pounds this week and only went to the gym once! Who knew? I could have saved money on a gym membership and just started working months ago!

And on a quick side note, thanks to my buddy Jeremy (of about 20 years) for the comments of support and encouragement. He's either the only one who has figured out how to leave comments or the only one who reads my blog. Either way...thanks! =)