The 40 day Challenge

Starting tomorrow, MARCH 1, 2010... I will go where no one has gone before. OK, others have gone there, I just haven't. To start it off with "where I have never gone before" just didn't have the same ring. For the last few months I have been pretty faithful with paying attention to what I eat. I worked the low-carbohydrates and really enjoyed it. I am still down 17 pounds. Considering the weather, I am very proud of that.

Since I am the kind of person to constantly challenge myself (stop it!!! I can hear you laughing), I have decided to embark on a 40 day challenge. This challenge is not for weight loss. I am not asking for advise on this one either. This is purely for your information and my documentation. This challenge has all the elements that I have been working on. All area are going to be cover, MIND, BODY and SPIRIT. This is a pure lesson in mind over matter. This will be one worth following on my blog. I believe that this is going to test me to my core. I have to get back to the idea that food is fuel. Food was created to give us the energy we need to live the life we choose. I am choosing to detox my body. I am also choosing to starve my flesh of my inner urges. So, here it is:

FOR THE NEXT 40 DAYS I WILL:

Only eat fresh fruit and veggies. Canned and frozen are only allowed if they are 100% organic. No preservatives are allowed.

I will give up coffee...WHAT? you say...It's true. Tea is for me.

No refined flour, sugar or really anything white.

No dairy.

No meat, fish will be allowed if it is fresh.

40 minutes of exercises a day AT LEAST.

and the most important I think, reading 40 DAYS OF PURPOSE again.

I think that doing this simultaneously with Lent will help it to be more then just a challenge but a spiritual adventure as well. Please be thinking of me and pray for me as you see fit. I will write everyday to document this.

Now I am going to take down a bag of Doritos as a GOOD BYE to my flesh...YUMMY...SALTY.

Back by popular demand...

Hello my adoring fans! Have you missed me??? Here is where I sit for today. I have been doing the low-carb method. After reading about how carbs are turned into sugar, studying all the hidden sugar in our food, and my families diabetes history, this is the choice I have made for myself. It works great for me.

I have been losing at a pretty steady pace. I dropped a pant size. I am weighing in at 204 right now. That is very close to my first goal of riding below the 200 mark. After you do low-carbs for too long, your body kind of stops losing. To counteract that affect, I took at few days off. I went on an amazing trip to Vegas with my sister and niece. I chose to "drink" my carbs. I still ate moderate, watching the sugar. Good news...after not weighing in (and not really monitoring my food) I didn't gain. Success!

Today is Monday and I am back on my 14 days "carb cleanse" period. I am for sure feeling better about myself. I have starter really taking time in getting ready for the day. I am dressing better, feeling better, looking better.

This blog can get a little cumbersome at times. I am not sure if anyone is reading it. I feel as though I am 8 years old writing in my diary. I guess that is why I stopped writing. What I have come to figure out is that this blog is not for you. It is for me. This is a way for me to remember what it feels like. To go on this crazy journey and look back. To see the moments when I am high on life...and those moments when I am so low I can't stand.

As for today, I am high. There have been some eye openers. I realize that there are friends who don't invite me places because of my weight. That there have been times when I wasn't asked to be in things because the dress wouldn't have looked right in the pictures. There have been those who thought that I was weak or lazy because of my size. Those whose don't even think to ask me to go for a walk because I obviously couldn't make it. It has been an eye opener to see what people think of you because of size. It is time to show you, them and me that we are all wrong. Enough rant...that is not what this is about.

I am on track and really happy about my progress. Thanks for the support.

HI everyone...I am back! It is the new year and I am feeling great. I am watching the news and it is telling all about the ways to lose weight this year. They are also talking about how much people gain during the holidays. I love knowing that I haven't. I am still down 8 lbs. Even though I have not been blogging, I have been doing a really good job.

Exciting news...I went shopping last week and bought a pair of pants that are a size smaller. I was an 18, I am down to a 16. My short term goal is to be down to a 14 by the end of this month. The workouts have been slow in coming. It has been very cold around here but I am still trying to make it work. The kids are back to school tomorrow, so I will be back to blogging. Happy New Year... see you a few pounds less!

Where are you people?

OK, so you all failed miserably. I have not written in 10 days. I could have robbed a bakery at gun point and none of you would have known. The whole reason I have this blog is because I am a big loser with the determination of an ant. I need you guys to yell at me!!! Get drill Sergent on my ass. For real! I am giving you the green light to go for it but NO...not one single shout out.

Here is what I have suffered through in the last 10 days:
1) I started my period...enough said!
2) There was a snow storm that dropped 10 inches of snow on my walking loop.
3) There were 4 days of below zero temp, -10 actually.
4) I have not lost 1 oz. in a week. I haven't gained, but I haven't lost.
5) We are in full Christmas baking mode (no good for no carbohydrates)
6) ...I am not sure, but I know there must be a six somewhere. I'll have to think about it.

Besides for all that, I guess it has been a good week. I am feeling like if I only lose weight, my whole world would be a better place. Now, you and I both know that is not true. I think that if I was only 50 pounds lighter, all our problems would be fixed. So why is it that I am not doing anything this week about it? This is something I really want, yet I am not doing anything. I am trying to figure out how you enjoy walking outside when it is subzero. Would I do better with a gym membership or would that be just another thing I feel guilty about not doing? Not sure. Just a few ramblings off the top of my head.

Now the positive. When I am hungry, I am going for a protein choice instead. I am reading a book educating me on the reasons why carbohydrates are not a good choice for me. I am learning the long term effects on the choices I make now. Education is the best method...right?

HEAR ME WORDS...IF YOU DON'T HEAR FROM ME...I NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU! THIS IS MY CRY OUTFOR HELP. HHHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPP!

Day 19, 1 man, 2 dogs

What a beautiful day in Western Colorado. The sun came out just long enough for William and I to take the doggies for a walk downtown. It is so much fun to see him get on board for all of this. The dogs are much happier, so I am.

I am having a hard time getting over the munchies. I feel like my jaw needs more exercise. It needs to be chewing. Maybe gum would help. I am doing great with exercising everyday, but the munchies are getting to me. Any suggestions?

Walking the mall

I just found the most wonderful spot to walk in the morning. Here in Fruita, it is getting quite cold. Finding a way to walk when it is 20 degrees outside it tough to come by. This morning I dicided to go to the mall. The stores are closed but the doors are open. I also learned that there is a following of people who do this. Very smart and very warm. After about 10 minutes, I had to take off a layer of clothes. I popped on my headset and off I went. 45 minutes at a pretty good clip should have made that about a 2.5 mile morning.

So, if you are looking for a spot...there is my TIP OF THE DAY!

Day 16, 1 slice of pie, 0.5 lbs down

Well, I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised. I did not loose much, but I did loose. I am down another .5 lb. That puts me at 44 more pounds to go. It could have been better for sure...but trust me it could have been MU CH WORSE! They say that the average person gains 10 pounds during the holidays. I have never settled for average before. I will definitely not be average this year. Back to the real workouts that were giving the good results. Holiday is over...back on my head!