January 08, 2010

Rethinking 2010

Rethink Your Shrink, The Monday Project

So why am I posting the Monday project on Friday?  Cause that's the way I roll yo.

Or else that's just the way it works.  The project is assigned on Monday and we have all week to work on it.  Its some pretty deep stuff this week, but internal inspection usually is.

What about 2009 (and beyond) did not work?
Eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted didn’t work. Cheat days didn’t work. Weekend breaks didn’t work. 1200 calories a day didn’t work.



What were my goals?
I wanted to lose 13 pounds and get back down to 125 pounds. I wanted to run an entire 5K, then later in the year a half marathon. Mostly, though, I wanted to lose weight in my bottom half to even out my out of proportion body .


Did I fall short of achieving them? If so, why?
I met all of my running goals and got down to 125. I’m still not content with my top half being two sizes smaller than my bottom half, but I’m starting to learn that no matter how much weight I’m going to lose I’m always going to be a little out of proportion.  Still a work in progress though.


What were my biggest obstacles?
Getting the appropriate number of calories down was a huge obstacle. For the longest time I bounced around in the 138-134# range. Four pounds wasn’t a big enough difference in my book to warrant all the calorie counting and exercising. Once I found my calorie goal should be much higher than what I was actually eating, the weight came off easily.  (Thanks April!)


What was my “rock bottom” moment?
I didn’t really have a rock bottom moment to begin with; I just got sick of people telling me that I was going to gain weight because I was married. I can’t stand when people make those kinds of assumptions, so I set out to prove them wrong!  I guess rock bottom for me was getting almost to the point of quitting.  Without some of my Sisters helping me up, I probably would have quit


What are my bad habits?
My Dr. Pepper and fast food addiction. The only way I can resist is to stay far away and keep myself too busy at lunch to run out for a quick bite of heart attack in a sack.  Apathy is also a big obstacle for me.


What has worked?
Being strict with myself. I’m a by the books kind of person, so I actually enjoy when I’m able to have a strong discipline/will power. Having a training plan in my calendar keeps me on focus working out. I writing my calories in red in my calendar also keeps me honest. During the best times of weight loss I’d average my calories for the first 5 days of the week to see what I had left for days 6 and 7.

I hunted around for some good before and after pictures, and I really couldn't find any.  I settled on race pictures.  The first is a picture of my first ever race.  Can you see it in my eyes?  The nervous anticipation - would I be able to run all 3.1 miles without stopping?  Would I be the very last to finish? 




Then there is the picture that was taken of me a couple weeks before my half marathon.  I was down 10 pounds - and had just completed a 10 mile hilly run when this picture was taken.  Maybe I have my chubby glasses still on, but I can't really tell much of a difference between the two pictures, physically at least.  Emotionally I've changed drastically since then.  Who would have ever guess I would be that happy after the most difficult run of my life?




Just to add as a PS - I wanna brag on myself for how dramatically my tastes have changed.  Yesterday I was discouraged at my weight and decided to just have what I wanted for breakfast - two eggo (okay so they were Kroger brand) waffles and kyro syrup.  I had purchased the waffles for another purpose but I just dove in yesterday.

And they weren't that good.

This morning I had one waffle, added a tablespoon of honey and a tablespoon of peanut butter and enjoyed every bite. 

I love it when good for me (or at least kinda good for me) stuff tastes better than complete crap!!

26 comments:

  1. WOW, great breakdown of your year! I always love to prove people wrong. My husband always jokes that he should tell me the opposite of what he wants so I will do it!

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  2. Okay, I think I would like the PB and honey on my waffles better than syrup -- I need to try that!!!

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  3. What a great way to reflect on your year. Praying for a wonderful 2010 for you.

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  4. Yummmy pb& honey! I like pb, honey, and bananas on wheat toast.

    And I'm all about proving people wrong too...jerks. ;)

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  5. Thanks for stopping by my blog! :) I am addicted to Dr. Pepper too, it's been 8 or 9 days since I've had any so I'm pretty proud lol. Great reflections on 2009, good luck w/ 2010!

    PS - The secret to my positive thinking is that I do daily positive affirmations. Even if I feel like I'm drowning in debt, I think I'm wealthy in other things. If my car breaks down, I take it as an excuse to look at the pretty scenery while I wait for a tow truck. When I lost my internet and phone service the other day and couldn't work (so I lost a bunch of money), I smiled and took it as an excuse to get some housework and relax-time in.
    There is always beauty and happiness in EVERYTHING, you just have to find it :).

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  6. It's always interesting to read about someone's challenges. Thanks for posting!

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  7. It's funny when you read these posts, how much we all have in common. The good news is we have each other on this journey. Great post!

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  8. Structure and planning are what work for me as well. Great post, Brooke, you've really thought through your obstacles and issues. You're on your way!

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  9. This is a great post! I can see a difference between the 2 pictures. You're definitely happier in the 2nd one. Or at least you look that way to me. I love your strength and determination. I'm working on becoming more focused, more goal-oriented, more disciplined. Gals like you help me see that it CAN be done.

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  10. I love the breakdown and kudos to you for finding what works for you!

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  11. *sigh*...girlfriend! First Christie O., and now you! I saw your response to her "Project Me" post, and I have to say, I had the same reaction to your post here as you did to hers! You see out of proportion; I see freakin' adorable! (I'll try to not spontaneously combust with envy over here... ;-)

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  12. I definitely see the difference between the two pictures. 2009 was such a great year for you, you have grown so much! I do also love how "healthy" actually tastes better!!

    I'll make a deal with you. I'll try to take off my goggles if you try to take off yours!
    xo
    *hugs*

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  13. I think the Pb and honey sounds good too. I'll have to try it. Thanks for sharing your story. I think you look much happier in the second picture too. Good job on the marathons.

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  14. I can definitely see a difference in the two pictures. That second picture radiates happiness, from the smile on your face to the tilt of your head. Your hands on your hips makes me think that YOU are thinking: Take That, 10 Miles doesn't scare me anymore. I am so effing proud of you hooker!!!!!!!!!

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  15. Take those googles off girl!! You are AWESOME!! You look beautiful to me!!You are a great inspiration to me!! Thanks for being YOU!!

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  16. Yum, your waffle toppings sound delish!

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  17. Great analysis and congrats on making so many strides in a year's time. Don't sweat the smaller upper half--it's always healthier to be a 'pear' anyway.

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  18. My kids love pb on their waffles but they add whip cream. I can definitely see a difference...more confidence and stronger in pic #2. You look great.

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  19. Great job!!! My son LOVES PB & honey. I should try it! Great recap of your journey so far!

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  20. You had a great 2009! And you really know what your goals are and that's great girl! I'm really excited to see what 2010 has in store for you!

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  21. Great post! You set goals and achieved them. And don't let your goggles fool you-you look beautiful.

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  22. You have come so far and it's fantastic. I agree. The sweet stuff that you USED to inhale for it's yummy sugary goodness, just doesn't taste that great...and if it does taste pretty good, your stomach doesn't like it. I'm proud of you Brooke. You look fantastic and you've come so far!

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  23. Mmmm the waffle sounds delicious! lol Not that I should be thinking about food. It definitely sounds like you had some growth. I know what you mean about the top half being smaller than the bottom half. That has always been my problem too.

    PS I'm glad you didn't quit! It's great to have a support system.

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  24. You have come such a long way-in your tastes and the way your body looks. Great job!

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  25. You're very welcome! I couldn't have asked for a better "student"! I'm so stinkin' proud of you!!!

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  26. I am just now reading this blog. I didn't want to read it before writing my own. It was a good way to reflect on your year and I sincerely hope 2010 will be even better! Thanks for sharing.

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what up yo?