Blog Site Has Changed

The Battle Within in 2010 has been changed and moved!

The new blog is titled Tales From the Diet Side, and the web address is www.talesfromthedietside.blogspot.com.

Thank you everyone for your support!!!

Going good so far

Great news...I haven't gained any weight in 8 hours. Woo Hoo!!!! Seriously, one must find little things in life to enjoy. I mean we can't all have our own reality show that motivates us to try our hardest to win cash, prizes, and fame. Oh, but wouldn't it be fun if we did. Sponsors to help with the cost for exercise equipment, the best trainers, nutritionists, in some cases psychologists, working out and sweating like crazy, weighing in for everyone to see, your hair not done, no make-up, wearing tight clothes so people can see the change, knowing that once the weight is off we will be judged if we gain it back...where was I going with this?

Oh yeah, isn't it great to be doing this in the privacy of my own home with family and friends cheering me on to lose the dreaded weight. Being able to use my blog as my own personal confession camera, weigh in tracker, and motivational tool. Who needs a reality show to succeed? Not me! All I need is will power, motivation (to all good-looking, single men, I will be exercising in the morning if you care to be my scenery), and a positive outlook. But let's not go overboard...to all sponsor's out there...I'm always willing to be someone's Jared. Subway...Eat Fresh!

Goals

As I'm sure many of you have noticed, I have not been posting recently. I can sum up why in two words...mild depression. As you know, I was really gung ho to get this diet off to a good start. Which I'm pleased to say that I did. However, recently, I've been trying to deal with pain due to spinal stenosis as well as pain in both my hips. It makes exercise painful, so I don't do it. I know I've gained weight back but I'm afraid to get on the scale and see that all my hard work is for not. Hopefully, my doctor's appointment tomorrow will provide me with much needed answers (or painkillers...whatever works). :)

That being said, I've come to realize that I can't let my goals fall apart. If I do not get this weight off, my back will only get worse. If surgery is required, I will have a more difficult recovery due to my weight. So, it is time to push the pain aside and re-set some goals.

Goal #1 - Don't gain weight (Start easy I always say)
Goal #2 - Try to lose at least 1 pound a week (whether through diet alone or exercise)
Goal #3 - Lose at least 10 pounds by Christmas
Goal #4 - Don't get discouraged! Times have been hard recently, but I want to get back to the fun-loving girl that I was at the beginning of the year.

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

-Winston Churchill

Crazy week

Great news! I've lost 2 more pounds. Granted I wish the overall number was higher since I started in January, but I'm not discouraged. Had a great holiday weekend! Started with a Colgan football win on Friday, breakfast with Paul, Meagan, Quincy, Megan, Tim, Mom & Dad on Saturday, a Pitt State win on Saturday afternoon, and Quincy's 1st birthday party Saturday night. Then I had Sunday and Monday to recoup. I must admit I ate awful this weekend as we celebrated both Paul's birthday (breakfast with cinnamon rolls) and Quincy's 1st birthday (and yes there was leftover cake). We celebrated their birthday's early since they were in town.

Now, I need to stay focused on this week. I've got Megan's kids on Wednesday and I'll go to KC to watch Quincy on Friday...quality time with my favorite niece and nephews. Hopefully, I can eat better this week and get some walks in between my time with the kids. Need to stay focused on the weight loss goals as I'm looking for a new job. I want to look good in those interview outfits. :)

So far, no feedback on the resumes. I'm not going to stress about it. I'm saying my novena and putting my future into God's hands. Whatever is meant to happen will happen!

The job hunt is on!

Have you ever noticed that finding a job is like gym class. There is always a captain (hiring manager) that is great at the game (job), and you just pray that they pick you. So far I've sent out five resumes (pick me, pick me, pick me) and I'm still in the group of kids waiting to be chosen. I'll admit I don't expect to find something right away, but some feedback would be nice.

So far, my job searches have revolved around administrative jobs in Kansas, Missouri, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Massachusetts. Hopefully, I'll find something before October so I can decide whether or not to put my house on the market. If anyone knows of any jobs, let me know. I need to put myself in as many gym classes as I can!!!!

No complaints so far

Things are going well here! I can feel my legs! :) Seriously, I've been really good. If I'm not having my Power Pump class, I'm riding the bike for at least 30 minutes or walking for an hour. I've also been staying true to my high protein, low carb diet. In a week, I've lost 2 pounds. Yay me!!!!

I just hope that things don't start to get boring. That is when I cheat on my diet and quit my workouts. I can't let that happen. If only there was an Amazing Race exercise class, where you run from obstacle to obstacle and the first person to the scale wins a great prize. Talk about motivation! CBS call me! I've got a million ideas. They may not be original but they would totally rock. I can just picture it...you would be eliminated if you were to step on the scale and not lose any weight. If Phil were to host, I'd run anywhere! ;) It's a thought!

Legs are so overrated

Who am I kidding? Legs are a much needed appendage!!!! Exercise instructors should take that into consideration when calculating the number of squats and lunges a person must do in the name of exercise. The front of my thighs hurt so bad!!!! Now, I know what all of you crazy "I love to exercise" people are thinking...it's a good hurt. Yeah, it might be a good hurt if I didn't have to do it again tomorrow morning. Seriously, they should consider starting classes on Thursday so you have the weekend to recover.

Hopefully, overnight, coffee will be synonymous with water and a great hydrating drink. Hopefully, my 5:45am class changes to 5:45pm. Hopefully, my legs will be better tomorrow and I won't collapse during my push ups. I'm noticing a trend...oh well, all I can do is hope!