Yesterday was the official launch of my Tash 2.0 campaign. So far so good... I've been monitoring meals, choosing healthy snacks, and my calves are sore from running yesterday (that's a good sign, right?) I'm hoping my motivation stays strong and that these calories will burn off before my stamina does!
At 5'1'', any extra weight I carry is easily shown on my small frame. And although I've always struggled with maintaining what I thought was an ideal weight, recently (i.e.: the last two years), I have grown increasingly disappointed with the way my clothes fit and how I feel in general. In high school, my body weight fluctuated easily but typically rested around 115 pounds. Now, at the age of 25, I'm at my heaviest ever - a whopping 140 pounds. Just typing that number makes me grimace. UGH! How did I let that happen?
I'll tell ya how, poor meal planning, a busy schedule that encourages fast food, a lack of exercise, and a job that mandates a lot of travel (aka = a job that encourages bad habits and excuses). But folks, that's all changing!
Although I haven't quite gotten the nerve to take and post pictures, I will soon - I promise. I'm still reeling from posting my true weight online for all the world to see! But I know that pictures will be a great method of tracking my progress and I'm sure I'll appreciate them later, when the 2.0 version is complete! I also plan on taking measurements of various parts of my body because let's be honest, sometimes inches matter more than pounds! I am currently wearing a pant size of 8 (in dress slacks) and 9 (in jeans). I think I carry most of my extra weight around my mid section (abs and breasts) so those are the areas where I'm hoping to lose the most. I also dream of having the slender, defined legs and arms of an athlete, so although I'm not the sporty type (I'm MUCH too uncoordinated) - I'm willing to try! If I had to choose an “ideal” weight I’d say 125. Well actually, if we’re dreaming, I’d say 120 but honestly, I don’t know if that number is feasible anymore.
Over the last several months the only real exercise I've gotten is occasionally walking my dog, taking a half hour walk on my lunch break (1.3 miles), and completing 20 pushups every night. The real kind. Not the girly kind. The pushups have helped form a wee bit of muscle in my back which helps off-set the load I carry up front. I see a chiropractor once a week and he has also noticed a difference in my back and says that I'm much easier to adjust. But that's about it. Sad, I know.
My new work-out routine (in addition to what I've been doing) is as follows:
M, T, TH - attempt to run 1.3 miles after work. I tried this for the first time yesterday and made it 0.6 miles before stopping - not too shabby.
T: Bike 2 miles on stationary bike
M & TH - do at least 1/2 hour of Zumba with my roommate at home
Every night: 20 pushups and at least 30 crunches using an exercise ball.
F and S: supplement "fun" activities such as hiking, swimming, biking with Sam (my dog), etc. My roommates are great at finding fun activities that gets the blood flowing!
Wed and Sun: mostly resting. (Let's be honest, if I stick to my routine I'll NEED a couple nights to rest and I'm a busy gal so having a two "off" nights a week will be a nice reprieve)
Obviously, as life happens, this routine may need to be tweaked or readjusted - but this a blue print of my plans. I hope this blog can track my progress, keep me motivated, and who knows, maybe even encourage others to implement (or continue) their own 2.0 versions! So strap on that pedometer, grab a bottle of water, and let's make 2012 the best year ever!
