FIRST CHALLENGE, CRAZY EXCITED!

[Litt1eH]

Background Information: After several years of unhealthy living, I've decided to change my life. I started this journey as a 27 year old female. I’m married and I have one child (THE ONLY ONE I WILL EVER HAVE, thank you very much). I have a fun, yet stressful, job and a great family that loves and supports me.

Four months ago I was miserable. In fact, I had been miserable for a long time. I was 253 pounds with a BMI of 39.6 (I’m 5’7â€). That’s obesity CLASS 2, people! That’s not even the most I’ve weighed, though. My highest weight was 265lbs, not including my pregnancy when I got up into the high 280’s.

Although I wasn’t keeping track, I’m guessing I was eating about 3,000 calories a day, or more.

I started as a size 22 pants and 2XL top. My beginning measurements were: 40% body fat, 45.5†chest, 38.5†waist, 55†hips, 29†thighs, and 15†arms.

My transformation began on April 17th, 2012. Now I do keep track of my food, and I currently eat 1200 calories a day. I have never felt better in my life. My ultimate goal is to lose 100 pounds, and maintain a healthy weight of 153 lbs., in one year.

Stats at the Beginning of the Challenge: I currently weigh 213lbs. I wear a size 16 pants and a size Medium top. As of one month ago, my measurements were: Waist = 34.5†Arms = 13†Thighs = 26†Hips = 50†Chest = 41â€

Goals:

1. Run a 5k in under 40 minutes! This is a pretty big goal for me. Even though I've completed the C25k running program, I'm HORRIBLY slow. My husband can walk faster than the pace that I jog at. I have the endurance, but now I really need to focus on the speed.

2. Compete in my first 5k race! I actually have three 5k races lined up for September (2 within the Challenge timeline) so this should be an easy goal to accomplish. But what makes it really special for me is that it's my FIRST.

3. Lose 14lbs! ("ONEderland!") So far I've lost 40lbs in 4 months, so I've been averaging 10lbs a month. In reality, It was more like 25lbs lost in the first 6 weeks and I've been fighting for the pounds ever since. I really think I can accomplish this goal, though. I know I can amp up my training even more. Losing these 14lbs would mean the WORLD to me. I haven't been in the 100's in 10 years!

4. Call or see my mom, every day. Five years ago, my dad left us. My mom has sacrificed everything she wanted for herself to provide and care for our family, alone. I know this goal would make her day, every day. All she's ever asked of us is our love and companionship. I know that by giving her a happier life, I'll be improving my own. This goal reminds me of one of the recent nerd fitness articles about time vs. priorities. I live 30 miles away from my mom, work a busy job, and have a demanding toddler. I always used the excuse that I "didn't have time" to check in with her every day, but the truth was, it wasn't a priority. My mom deserves to be a priority in my life.

When I accomplish these goals, I'd like to add these attribute points:

1. +2 STA, +3 DEX

2. +2 STA

3. +2 CON, +3 CHA

4. +3 WIS

On a final note, I'll be celebrating my 28th birthday during this challenge! WOO!

[kimblitz]

Congratulations on your amazing changes so far! wow you really have willpower! I´m glad to hear you feel better know good luck for this challenge

I like your "mom" goal. I think she does too

I love your quote by the way! That´s the right way to think of it

[Bats]

Storming goals! Thanks also for the support on my thread. Here goes...

[Late Shift]

3. Lose 14lbs! ("ONEderland!") So far I've lost 40lbs in 4 months, so I've been averaging 10lbs a month. In reality, It was more like 25lbs lost in the first 6 weeks and I've been fighting for the pounds ever since. I really think I can accomplish this goal, though. I know I can amp up my training even more. Losing these 14lbs would mean the WORLD to me. I haven't been in the 100's in 10 years!

I wish you the best of luck. Getting over a plateau is, what I think, one the hardest things to do in a weight loss journey.

[faerywethyr]

Your Mom goal almost made me cry! I am rooting for you I am emerging from a 10 year obesity phase as well. Good Luck :->

[jmbrunson]

Nice goals. I too will have a birthday during this challenge (august 20th)

Good Luck!

[Blaidd]

Well done on what you've achieved so far. Based on this, you should rock this challenge.

If i can give one word of advice: Don't beat yourself up if you miss a goal by a little bit. Good enough isn't always good enough, but sometimes it is

Rooting for you darl.

[BAGrokWarriorPrincess]

I'm trying to work on my speed in the C25K program too! I've always been the slowest runner and I really want to change that!

-Emponia

[nenia]

Wonderful goals! I loved that time vs priorities article.. no excuses left for bad behaviour after that one! haha congratulations on your success so far and here's to kicking those fourteen pounds to the curb!

[tasty`]

Those are some great goals!

+2 awesome for changing your life around

enjoy your first challenge!

[Metal Tes]

This sounds great! I love your frame of mind, it's my first challenge too and I am super excited!! I also loved that time vs priorities article, really an eye-opener isn't it?! Good luck!!

[Litt1eH]

I love your goals...except for the weight loss one. It's going to mean the world to you if you succeed, but what if you fail? Or to be more specific, what if you don't reach the full amount of weight loss?

Heh, don't worry, I don't find myself getting discouraged when it comes to my progress. I know that the destination is not optional. I will reach my goals, although it may take longer than I'd like. It WILL mean the world to me when I reach 199, but I realize that it may not happen in this 6 week challenge. In terms of a weight loss average for the past 4 weeks, I've lost 1.5lbs a week. This is a challenge and I want to be challenged. I know there are areas of my diet and exercise that can be tightened up and I want to be motivated to do that and dream big for results.

Thank you everyone for the support!

[Litt1eH]

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