123 by 23

I have a new goal. I'm calling it 123 by 23.

I am very self conscious about my weight and the way my body looks. I studied health, exercise and fitness for 4 years plus I have parents that are very into all of that, so it's not something I am unfamiliar with or lack any knowledge of, I'm just bad at the motivation part. and it's definitely caught up with me. My freshman year I did the freshman thing to do and was terrible to my body and gained about 10 pounds. Gross. Through small efforts here and there I tried to lose the extra flub and while I had small successes occasionally, there hasn't been much to be excited about. But this week I found some motivation so I came up with my 123 by 23 goal. My 23rd birthday is coming up in two months on January 25. That means I have to lose 3.5 pounds by Christmas and another 3.5 by my birthday. Not only is that a totally healthy rate of weight loss but I think I can do it. I'll be working out at least 4-5 days a week and if I do well, maybe I can up it to 5-6. I will also start to limit my intake of sweets. I know that will be difficult during the holiday season, but I think I can do it. The month before my half marathon this year, I cut out all sweets, treats and desserts. If I can do that for one month, I think I can limit my intake for two months. I'm pretty sure I lost some weight that month too, so that should help my efforts. I also want to find healthier snacks to eat at work so I stay full and avoid mindless munching on all the junk that somehow finds it's way to our office ALL the time! I also don't drink soda very often, but I think it would be good to continue avoiding it so that I can avoid drinking empty calories and all that sugar. My roommate suggested I cut out carbs. I don't believe in completely cutting anything from my diet. I don't think that's a way to be successful, plus you do need  some carbs in your diet to be nutritionally healthy. But it is a good idea to limit my carb intake to healthy levels. This will be tough because I lovvveeee carbs! Yum! Moderation is key!

The idea behind posting about this topic that I think is very personal and am kind of sensitive about is in the hopes that any of my friends and family who read this will help hold me accountable. I really, really want to do this. I don't have a scale at my house but my parents have one so I will not be checking my weight until Christmas.  I want to post on here every week with my workouts and how I think I'm doing nutritionally. If I don't post, call me out on it. If you've found something that works for you, let me know. I am well aware that exercise and healthy eating are the way to go, so I'm not asking for weird "diets" or cleanses or anything. But maybe tell me about a workout you enjoy or that really challenges you. Healthy meals and snacks you like to prepare. Stuff like that.

I really hope that by feeling accountable to anyone who may read this that I'll be able to get this done. It's time I felt good about my body again and it's time I stop being lazy and making excuses for not being in shape.

Here's this week's workout log:

Monday: 100 push up, 100 sit ups, 100 squats. Ouch! Sore for days.
Tuesday: 15 minute ab workout
Wednesday: 35 minute elliptical "weight loss" course
Saturday: 15 minute run 25 minutes on the elliptical

Here's to 123 by 23!!!

Truth Tuesday

I had already thought of stealing Kelsey's Truth Tuesday idea when I saw that Katie had already done so. But that did not hinder me so here I am. Here are my truths for today:

• I love cheese. Sooo much! I even add more cheesy to already cheesy things (ie. Mac n Cheese). Not healthy, I know but it's not like I do it a lot. But when I do ohhhh boy! I just LOVE cheese!
• I'm a little overwhelmed with my new job. There's just so much to learn and so much that I am suddenly in charge of. However, I am very grateful for it. I also love everyone I work with and am very happy where I am. It's a learning curve you know? Just like any other new job. 
• Ok...I'm one of those people who refuses to allow Christmas music before Thanksgiving has taken place. I just feel like it gets jipped and it's a pretty good holiday! But I've caved a little. Not just for any Christmas music...I have fallen in LOVE with Michael Bublé's new "Christmas" album. My roommate bought it the day it came out and I liked it so much I bought it yesterday. I may have gotten ready today to Christmas music. Judge me if you want.
• I got called to be a Sunday School teacher and it totally freaks me out. I know so little when it comes to scriptures and church trivia and remembering all these facts and stories and everything. I'm afraid I'll look like an idiot up there trying to teach people who know a ton more than I do.

That's enough for now. Thursday and Friday I have a trip to Boise for work and then Friday is our basketball game against BYU. It's always a big deal but this year is super scary. We're looking really young and inexperienced (because we are...rebuilding year and all) and it would break my little heart  if we lost to BYU in the Spectrum! Please bless that does not happen!!! Hopefully our crowd will be able to pump up our team and scare theirs a little. We're good at that.