Week 1: The Weight is Over

I weigh 168 pounds.

If you’ve been in touch with me over the last few weeks, you probably know how eager I am to start this Choose 2 Lose competition. And if you’re familiar with my other blog, you probably have an idea on my relationship with fitness and exercise. It ain’t pretty.

I never used to be like this. When I was 17, I was five feet of twisted steel and sex appeal. My friends and I lifted weights in the back yard and played basketball in the grass. Real city kid stuff. My muscles had muscles and I wore a tight red tank top to show off my sculpted physique. I was at my physical prime and didn’t even realize it. If you’re my age or older, I’m sure you can relate. Life was very different at 17. But this is no Zac Efron movie.

Fast forward to today. I work full time, five days a week. I’m married and have a little girl (and another on the way). Summertime? Those three months seem to go by in a few weeks. I’m busy. I have commitments, responsibilities and bills. I’m 30. I have an adult life. And I now look like this…

You won’t see my black and white photo in front of Abercrombie & Fitch.

I know.  I’m not totally out of shape. And I’m well aware there are people in far worse condition than me. But I don’t want to get to that point either. I think I’m at a point where my weight and physique are manageable. But I have to start now.

I’ve been told by two different fitness professionals that I’ll have to run in order to slim down. Running was no problem at 17, but my 30^th year leaves me susceptible to foot pain (thanks to flat feet) and lack of stamina. The pros tell me that I’ll have to work my way up to the point of running… probably start by walking, follow up by briskly walking, continue by Mt. Lebanon-mom-walking and persist with jogging before I can start running. I’m told that I’ll have to challenge my body every so often in order to lose my tubby tummy.

I’m going to use the Fitness Suite at work daily beginning tomorrow. I was hoping to start today, but I just had too many meetings and couldn’t devote a solid 30 minutes. On the way home, I noticed a lot of people running up and down Bower Hill Road, taking advantage of the nice weather. Will I ever be like them? Only time will tell.

I’m told the first few weeks are the hardest. We shall see.

The Road to Wellness Kickoff

Today was the big Road toWellness Kickoff at work, and I was signing people up for the Choose 2 Lose challenge!

 A few of us played Just Dance 4 on Wii.

 And there was a pretty impressive salad bar.

And I met up with my team:  Lean Squirrels (think Mean Girls). Our motto is “We’re Mean Cause We’re Hungry!”

 And speaking of being hungry, my new salad diet is leaving me a little hungry in the afternoons. I think I may have to “beef” it up a little.

The first weigh-in is next week… and so is the next post! See you then!

Week 0: End Fat, Start Fit

Everyone is signing up for Choose 2 Lose this week. And just in case I’ve already lost you…

Choose 2 Lose is Asbury Heights’ answer to The Biggest Loser. Employees form teams of three or five and, over a period of about 12 weeks, try to lose as much weight as they can by exercising and eating healthy. The team with the highest percentage lost is the winner. The emphasis is on choice: you can choose to eat a breakfast sandwich with eggs and cheese and sausage or you can have yogurt, fruit and granola. In essence, you have to choose in order to lose. Your fate (and your weight) is in your hands.

Since the contest debuted in 2011, employees have lost over 500 lbs! And although I hope to lose some weight, my ultimate goal is to tone up my doughy midsection.

Goals

See my abs again

Tone up

Fit into that the outfit I bought for the summer

The Plan

Eat much of the same things I’m eating now but only less of it

Try to eat healthier

Exercise during lunch in the Fitness Suite at work

This Wednesday, we can wear our exercise outfits workout gear in celebration of the Road to Wellness Kickoff; a time for Asbury’s Wellness Committee to showcase this year’s wellness program and all the fun stuff (and requirements) associated with it. Since I’m a member of the Committee, I’ll be working the Choose 2 Lose booth and signing up teams for what I feel is going to be the biggest contest yet.

And in order to get my biggest, I’ve been eating as much as I can. For the last few weeks or so, I’ve been gorging myself with huge burritos, double Whoppers and slices of pizza like never before! (And I’m probably going to regret this around Week 5 when I’m wondering “Why can’t I lose this friggin’ weight?!”)

For the next post, I’m going to share a photo of myself so you can see just what I have to work with. And I won’t be wearing a shirt. I know… it’s a little risqué, especially since everyone at work may see it, but we can pretend that it’s a photo of me at the beach. Maybe I’ll even hold a pale and a shovel. It shouldn’t be too awkward then, right?

Tons of Fun on the Way!

Tons of fun coming soon! 

(Emphasis on the tons)