Getting back on track after a six week Heavenly Holiday Hiatus was no more difficult than I thought it would be. It was no less difficult, either.
Dieting is an interesting process for a food-lovin' gal like myself. It involves taking the thing that I want to do most in any given minute (like, say, eat a pound of m&m's at my parents' house every Sunday afternoon) and forcing myself to walk away from it. I am not tempted to overeat at mealtimes only. I am tempted to eat every time I walk through the comforts of my kitchen, each time I'm in the grocery store check out, while I'm making dinner, while I'm watching tv, driving in the car, reading your latest blog entry, when I'm stressed, when I'm bored, when I'm happy, sad, or angry. You get the idea. If I could find a way to get paid for constantly eating, I could make some serious cash.
For this reason, dieting has taught me a whole lot about self-control, and a whole lot about what I am capable of. Dieting involves eating just under what your body needs, to the point of making it burn itself, essentially. And doing that - denying myself most everything that I consider "good stuff" and controlling myself minute by minute for such a long period has really changed me as a person.
(Where I leap from my computer chair swinging my fists in the air, pretending to beat the hell out of an imaginary punching bag, Rocky music playing in my brain.)
(While my sister dials me professional help.)
All that to say, I lost 3.5 pounds this week. I shared a bowl of oatmeal with Jack every morning, and enjoyed the hell out of a one point bag of microwave popcorn and a Hershey's chocolate stick around 11pm every night. It is totally working for me.
So how about some stats?
THIS WEEK'S LOSS: 3.5 pounds
TO GOAL: 21.5 pounds
TOTAL LOSS SINCE JANUARY 2006: 82 pounds
I can't wait to hit the one-hundo mark. Then I should buy myself something nice. Any suggestions? (Aussie Fries! Wheee!)
What has also been immensely encouraging in this weight loss journey is that people around me have done it, and are doing it. My sister, to date, has lost 58 pounds. Kevin lost 40. My dear friend Cindy has lost 50. I'm not sure of Frema's count, but she has been in the circle o' wagons for a while now too. And I have met friends on the internet who are kicking ass and taking names, as well. And most recently, my mom and my Aunt Kath have joined the fun. All of these people are keeping the makers of Lean Cuisine in business are so very supportive, and incredibly inspiring. And I could never have made it this far without them.
So now I would like to challenge you a bit. If you are dieting, or if you would like to, now is the time. From today until January 31st I will donate $1 for every pound I lose, as well as for every pound you lose, to feed hungry people. That gives us three weeks to make a difference in ourselves, and to make a difference for others. Obviously I will be taking you at your word, so be honest, and email me or sign up in my comments section. Let's buy some livestock!
Are you in?
Ohhhhh yes!!! I LOVE IT! I think it's a fantastic idea and, if I can maintain self control for three weeks, I'm so there with you!
Flocks of things for everyone!
Posted by: Sant | January 10, 2007 at 11:57 AM
I am going to weigh tonight so I can join in the challenge! Great idea Mol! Eat less so others, who need it, can eat more! I love stark dichotomies. Also great job on the 82 pounds. I need to get back in the swing since I plateaued before the job change.
Posted by: Kev | January 10, 2007 at 12:02 PM
The reason you're not sure of my count is I really haven't lost any weight since I started WLW on my blog in November. But what a great reason to get back on the bandwagon!
Count me in. And you are kicking some serious ass yourself.
Posted by: Frema | January 10, 2007 at 12:30 PM
Great plan... Another added bonus for me to lose weight. I LOVE the idea of sheding pounds and helping the hungry. Too bad we can't donate some lbs to them also :) Congrats on 82 sweetheart and to everyone else who has shed those unwanted lbs.
Posted by: Mar | January 10, 2007 at 12:40 PM
Oh my gosh. You are a freakin' fabulous genius! This is such a great idea.
I'm affraid I'm going to really start adding some muscle now (I've got a lot of classes lines up to teach this month) but it doesn't mean I'm giving up on losing weight. I'll go home and weight myself first thing in the morning (I won't weight at night) and e-mail you my weight as soon as I get to work and we'll see what I can't do with myself in the next three weeks.
82 lbs? Girl! That's amazing. I'm approaching teh 60 mark so I know how good that feels. (Now, can someone tell me how much lipo costs b/c this extra skin is really starting to gross me out. Thanks.)
One more thing (I know, just shut up already Hil), would you mind if I linked this on my blog?
Posted by: Silly Hily | January 10, 2007 at 01:40 PM
Wow! 82 pounds, you are inspirational!
I'm in. I just started my diet last week. Today I weighed in at 262.
Do you want weekly updates or just a total on the 31st?
82 pounds! I have got to read your archives because you are definitely doing something right.
Posted by: Bethany | January 10, 2007 at 02:16 PM
Way to go on the 82 pounds. That's a whole Nicole Ritchie.
I'm in. I wanna get down to 135 by June 1st. That's 30 pounds. Your challenge will give me (yet ANOTHER) kick-start to get my ass in shape! I DID go to McDonald's for lunch today and I ORDERED A SALAD. Crazy....I KNOW. (I didn't even know they HAD salads.)So it's a start!
Posted by: Margarita | January 10, 2007 at 03:26 PM
I am totally in!!! I am hoping for another 10 lbs loss for a total of 60 before Jan 31st!
Great Idea Moll!
Posted by: Cindy | January 10, 2007 at 04:37 PM
What a great idea! And count me in!!!
And yay! for you for losing 82 pounds! That's awesome. Keep it up, I'm very proud of you!
Just know that you are an inspiration to me as well, which leaves me with the question, could we be any more similar??
Posted by: SJ | January 10, 2007 at 11:09 PM
Do we have to tell you our original weight? Beacuse mine's a little too high for me to admit to anyone, and probably higher than I think myself due to the fact that I haven't weighed myself since November. But I do think this is a great idea and would like to try it out.
Posted by: Emma | January 11, 2007 at 02:23 AM
Love the one point popcorn, seriously I have it every single night.
I am in! I have 15 to meet my WW goal...
Posted by: Amy W | January 11, 2007 at 08:20 AM
"That's a whole Nicole Ritchie." HA! That's why I love my girl Margarita.
Okay. Weighed myself this morning and was rather shocked to see that I have officially hit the 60 lb. mark. My starting weight for this thing is: 153.
That is 4 lbs. from the 140's and I haven't been there since like, my first year of college. Holy cow!
Posted by: Silly Hily | January 11, 2007 at 08:31 AM
Congratulations on losing 82 pounds in a year! That is awesome. And, it's great of you to come up with a way for other's to lose weight and help other people in need at the same time. Good luck!
Posted by: Rachel | January 11, 2007 at 09:39 AM
82 lbs? Wowsa!
I'm here from Silly Hily's site.
I'm doing Weight Loss Wednesday's along with Frema, Margarita Madness and Ice Cream Mama. I love the Heifer project, have for years. Count me in! My email is on my webpage. Tell me what to do.
Posted by: CPA Mom | January 12, 2007 at 10:36 AM
Is it too late to join in the weight loss gang?? Any excuse to get a friend to shell out some money!! ;)
But seriously, I have fallen so off the wagon in this. You were my inspiration before for me losing and I should count on you again.
Sorry I haven't commented on your blogs lately. But I definitely have been reading them faithfully.
Posted by: jenabeeb | January 13, 2007 at 08:09 PM