30 to 30 Challenge

Left is me in Rome this May, Right is me in Jan. 2009 at start of Weight Loss Challenge @ Work

I've always struggled with my weight. ALWAYS. I don't remember a time where my size didn't affect something I wanted to do- whether it be buy a new pair of jeans, ride a roller coaster at Cedar Point, or just play a sport. About 1 1/2 years ago, we had a "Weight Loss Challenge" at work. While I didn't win the challenge, I dropped about 35lbs during the 12 week program. Thanks to some pushing by a few friends, I kept going- I have gone from my heaviest to my lightest weight, losing 64lbs along the way. I thought I was doing well on my own, but then life got in the way... and I put back on 10 of those pesky pounds.

So now I'm back to focusing on my diet and on exercise, and I needed to come up with a challenge for myself. I'm freaked out about hitting 30 and not accomplishing some of the things I've wanted to by this time in my life. I'm also excited by the prospect of being lighter and more fit. If I lose another 30 lbs, I will be lighter than I was in high school. So, I created the "30 by 30" challenge for myself. I have 104 days (15 weeks) to drop 30 lbs before I turn the big 3-0. That's 2lbs a week, which is a "healthy" weight loss weekly. My plan of attack: I re-signed up for Weight Watchers, recruited my cut-throat grocery shopping roommate to help me "behave" in the grocery aisles, and have signed up for classes at the local Y. My original goal was to run a 10K this fall and, while I would still like to, I think my running partner would prefer the 5K option that day. If I 5K it, my goal is to beat my time from last year, 38 minutes.

Maybe I'm a little bit of a narcissist, but I find that putting my challenges in a public forum, asking for help from everyone, etc. is the most beneficial way for me to succeed. Then I'm held accountable, not only by myself, but by others as well. Plus, I know some of my other friends *want* to support me, and are looking for some support for their weight loss, too.

I would like to "put out there" what I'm doing successfully, what I'm failing/struggling with, and to solicit ideas- and recipes!- to help me meet this goal. I can do it, I just need the cupcakes to stay out of my way.

I'm declaring open season on my waist line.