What I hope 2014 Brings

Not unlike every other person out there, the pending New Year is a time for reflection and goal setting.

I knew I needed to set some goals for this upcoming year.  I honestly have never really done that and so it's no wonder that I haven't really succeeded much up to this point.

Last year was a complete waste of time really.  I didn't work hard at all and my lack of focus showed for sure.  As I mentioned earlier, I only lost 5 lbs.

So, I gave myself some grace and decided to just let it all go until January 1st.  For then I would set myself some goals and put a plan into place.

I think my plan to hold off until 2014 was a good one.  I am anxious to start and have been working on my plan.

First off, I set myself a weight loss goal.  I have never really done that before.  I always knew where  wanted to be at the end, but didn't figure out my path to get there.

I said after our TOPS rally this year that I would be KOPS 2015.  For me to get there, my weight loss goal needs to be:

5 lbs a month.

This is totally do-able.  I had thought of saying I needed to lose so much per week, but numbers can fluctuate so much and I didn't want one bad week to through my momentum off.

This is how I will get there:


PLAN

EVERY LITTLE DETAIL

I am NOT a planner or list maker and truthfully, it's my downfall.  Things feel so much more seamless when I plan it out. 

So what does planning mean?  It means planning meals, what exercise I am doing and logging every food I eat.  I have drafted up a book to help me along.  Do I think it will peeter out after a bit?  Perhaps...but I hope not.  I hope that for once in my life I can stick to it.

Here is what I came up with:

I am also going to plan in my blogging.  I need to do better with it.  While it is a personal record of my own journey, sharing keeps me accountable.

What are your goals for this upcoming year?  What is your plan to make it happen?

My Secrect Addiction

It's confession time for me.  I'm about to admit to something that I secretly have hid almost my entire life.

There is one thing in my house that I find myself drawn to eat everyday.  Now, before your mind really starts to wander, it's nothing gross, like that TLC show where people admit to eating toilet paper or cleaning products and a million other gross things.

Mine is at least a food!

Here we go:

...
...
...
...
...

I am addicted to butter!

There, I said it.  There is not a day that goes by that I don't use butter.  But it's not that I just use it on toast or potatoes, I like it hard off of the pound.  When I slice some off to warm up for my toast, I have to slice off a sliver to sample.  Butter on graham wafer crackers?  Yum-o!  Slabs of butter on warm bread? Yes please!

I remember in high school someone commenting that they hate butter on a sandwich because it gets all hard and thick, in my head I said "but that is the best part!"

One time when I was about 12, I was having butterscotch ice cream and I wanted it more butterscotchy, so I added a couple chunks of butter.  Looking back, that was a huge mistake and not the least bit enjoyable.  I'm a better cook now and realize that caramel was actually the secret ingredient.

It's not that I think butter is a bad thing and I do think it's better for us than margarine...in moderation.  2 tsp = 70 calories and if I was honest with myself, I easily use 2 tsp per slice of toast, perhaps more even.  So basically, if I have toast for breakfast, the breakdown is like this:

2 slices of bread - 180 cal
4 tsp of butter - 140 cal
2 tbsp of jam - 100 cal.

Total calories: 420 cal.

I could make such a huge difference if I just slashed the butter.

My calorie goal for each day is 1500 and ideally, I would break it down like this:

Breakfast: 400 cal
Lunch: 400 cal
Dinner: 700 cal

Part of my goal for 2014 is to figure out a way to plan better meals...ones that will give me the most bang for my buck.  I've been experimenting with smoothies and I will get back to you on that one.

How can something this beautiful be so bad?

You can find the original picture and more here

The Truth of 2013

I must say, 2013 was not really my weight loss year.  It wasn't a complete bust, but it wasn't what I had hoped or imagined it to be.

I lacked discipline and motivation to work my hardest.  The scale fluctuated between the same few pounds.

My first weigh in for 2013 had me at 247.50 lbs.

My last weigh in for 2013 had me at 242.75 lbs

That was a grand total loss of 4.75 lbs.  That's less then 1/2 lb each month.  Embarrassing when I write it out like that. 

By the last half of the year, I was even putting in some good exercise, but clearly you can't outrun your fork!

I know what I need to do, but I also need to find a way to motivate myself to put that plan into action and stick with it, because clearly the promise of a healthier me is not motivation enough!

I have set myself a start goal for January 1st.  I know that  everyday is a fresh start, but truthfully, I am off until the new year and I find a steady work schedule helps me keep everything else in balance.  Over the next week, I will do my best to come up with a plan to stick to my goals this year.  I've not decided what my weight loss goal is for sure, so I'll get back to you on that one.

I do have a blogging goal though:

1. Blog more, at least twice a week, and make sure my Tuesday night one is up on time.

What about you?  Do you have a fitness/weight loss goal for the up-coming year?  What are your plans for making it come to light? 

Road Trip Review - Week # 20

3 of 3

Let's review!

• The total distance to Morrow Mountain State Park in Albemarle, NC is 997 km
• We have 170 days until December 31, 2013 (the end date) and that means we need to walk   5.8  km a day.
• Our daily, everyday walking counts, but only up to half of our required distance (so 2.9 km)
• Each 30 minute of non walking/running exercise counts as 0.5 km, up to 3.2 km of our total

The road so far:

Week 1 ( July 14 - 20):

 - total walked: 34.99 km
  - total eligible: 27.44 km
      (-13.16 km behind)

Week 2 ( July 21 - 27)

 - total walked: 48.82 km
  - total eligible: 36.95 km
      (-3.65 km behind)

Week 3 ( July 28 - Aug. 3)

 - total walked: 36.39 km
  - total eligible: 25.30 km
      (-15.30 km behind)

Week 4 (Aug 4 - 10):

  - total walked: 58.44 km
  - total eligible: 42.91 km
      (+2.31 km over)

Week 5 (Aug 11 - 17):

  - total walked: 45.95km
  - total eligible: 35.49km
      (-5.11km behind)

Week 6 (Aug 18 - 24):

  - total walked: 56.91km
  - total eligible: 41.11km
      (+0.51 km over)

Week 7 (Aug 25 - 31):

  - total walked: 49.32km
  - total eligible: 42.45 km
      (+1.85 km over)

Week 8 (Sept 1 - 7):

  - total walked: 52.58 km
  - total eligible: 39.86 km
     (-0.74 km behind)

Week 9 (Sept 8 - 14):

  - total walked: 74.52 km
  - total eligible: 60.04km
     (+19.44 km over)

Week 10 (Sept 15 - 21):

  - total walked: ? km
  - total eligible: 28.92 km
     (-11.95 km behind)

Week 11 (Sept 29 - Oct 5)

- total walked: 38.81 km
- total eligible: 30.90 km
 (-9.70 km behind)

Week 12 ( Oct. 6 - 12)

  - total walked: 33.93 km
  - total eligible: 30.86km
      (-9.47 km behind)

Week 13 (Oct. 13 - Oct. 19)

  - total walked: 56.41 km
  - total eligible: 50.82 km
      (+10.22 km over)

Week 14 (Oct. 20 - Oct. 26)

  - total walked: 32.21 km
  - total eligible: 32.21  km
      (-8.39 km behind)

Week 15 (Oct. 27 - Nov. 2)

  - total walked: 32.21 km
  - total eligible: 32.21  km
      (-8.39 km behind)

Week 16 (Nov 3 - 9)

  - total walked: 68.68 km
  - total eligible: 56.94  km
      (+16.34 km over)

Week 17 (Nov 10 - 16)

  - total walked: 37.05 km
  - total eligible: 30.29  km
      (-10.31 km behind)

Last week (Nov 17 - 23):

  - total walked: 38.54 km
  - total eligible: 36.14 km
      (-4.46 km behind)

This week: (Nov 24 - 30)

Sunday: 5.20 km (Total) 3.90 km (Eligible)

Monday: 8.95 km (Total) 6.25 km (Eligible)

Tuesday: 3.63 km (Total) 2.90 km (Eligible)

Wednesday: 2.90 km (Total) 2.90 km (Eligible)

Thursday: 2.90 km (Total) 2.90 km (Eligible)

Friday: 4.45 km (Total) 4.45 km (Eligible)

Saturday: 8.88 km (Total) 8.88 km (Eligible)

TOTAL ELIGIBLE KM FOR THE WEEK: 29.30 km
Goal: 40.6 km
- 11.30 (behind)

TOTALS:

Eligible: 699.91 km
-71.22 km (behind)

297.09 km to go!

Road Trip Review - Week # 19

2 of 3

Let's review!

• The total distance to Morrow Mountain State Park in Albemarle, NC is 997 km
• We have 170 days until December 31, 2013 (the end date) and that means we need to walk   5.8  km a day.
• Our daily, everyday walking counts, but only up to half of our required distance (so 2.9 km)
• Each 30 minute of non walking/running exercise counts as 0.5 km, up to 3.2 km of our total

The road so far:

Week 1 ( July 14 - 20):

 - total walked: 34.99 km
  - total eligible: 27.44 km
      (-13.16 km behind)

Week 2 ( July 21 - 27)

 - total walked: 48.82 km
  - total eligible: 36.95 km
      (-3.65 km behind)

Week 3 ( July 28 - Aug. 3)

 - total walked: 36.39 km
  - total eligible: 25.30 km
      (-15.30 km behind)

Week 4 (Aug 4 - 10):

  - total walked: 58.44 km
  - total eligible: 42.91 km
      (+2.31 km over)

Week 5 (Aug 11 - 17):

  - total walked: 45.95km
  - total eligible: 35.49km
      (-5.11km behind)

Week 6 (Aug 18 - 24):

  - total walked: 56.91km
  - total eligible: 41.11km
      (+0.51 km over)

Week 7 (Aug 25 - 31):

  - total walked: 49.32km
  - total eligible: 42.45 km
      (+1.85 km over)

Week 8 (Sept 1 - 7):

  - total walked: 52.58 km
  - total eligible: 39.86 km
     (-0.74 km behind)

Week 9 (Sept 8 - 14):

  - total walked: 74.52 km
  - total eligible: 60.04km
     (+19.44 km over)

Week 10 (Sept 15 - 21):

  - total walked: ? km
  - total eligible: 28.92 km
     (-11.95 km behind)

Week 11 (Sept 29 - Oct 5)

- total walked: 38.81 km
- total eligible: 30.90 km
 (-9.70 km behind)

Week 12 ( Oct. 6 - 12)

  - total walked: 33.93 km
  - total eligible: 30.86km
      (-9.47 km behind)

Week 13 (Oct. 13 - Oct. 19)

  - total walked: 56.41 km
  - total eligible: 50.82 km
      (+10.22 km over)

Week 14 (Oct. 20 - Oct. 26)

  - total walked: 32.21 km
  - total eligible: 32.21  km
      (-8.39 km behind)

Week 15 (Oct. 27 - Nov. 2)

  - total walked: 32.21 km
  - total eligible: 32.21  km
      (-8.39 km behind)

Week 16 (Nov 3 - 9)

  - total walked: 68.68 km
  - total eligible: 56.94  km
      (+16.34 km over)

Last week (Nov 10 - 16):

  - total walked: 37.05 km
  - total eligible: 30.29 km
      (-10.31 km behind)

This week: (Nov 17 - 23)

Sunday: 2.90 km (Total) 2.90 km (Eligible)

Monday: 5.56 km (Total) 4.91 km(Eligible)

Tuesday: 6.63 km (Total) 6.37 km (Eligible)

Wednesday: 4.83 km (Total) 4.53 km (Eligible)

Thursday: 7.62 km (Total) 7.55 km (Eligible)

Friday: 6.26 km (Total) 6.07 km (Eligible)

Saturday: 4.74 km (Total) 3.81 km (Eligible)

TOTAL ELIGIBLE KM FOR THE WEEK: 36.14 km
Goal: 40.6 km
- 4.46 (behind)

TOTALS:

Eligible: 670.61 km
-59.92 km (behind)

326.39 km to go!

Road Trip Review - Week # 18

I haven't forgotten, life has just gotten in the way.  I've got 3 weeks of posts for you, so let's make this quick to get back on track

1 of 3

Let's review!

• The total distance to Morrow Mountain State Park in Albemarle, NC is 997 km
• We have 170 days until December 31, 2013 (the end date) and that means we need to walk   5.8  km a day.
• Our daily, everyday walking counts, but only up to half of our required distance (so 2.9 km)
• Each 30 minute of non walking/running exercise counts as 0.5 km, up to 3.2 km of our total

The road so far:

Week 1 ( July 14 - 20):

 - total walked: 34.99 km
  - total eligible: 27.44 km
      (-13.16 km behind)

Week 2 ( July 21 - 27)

 - total walked: 48.82 km
  - total eligible: 36.95 km
      (-3.65 km behind)

Week 3 ( July 28 - Aug. 3)

 - total walked: 36.39 km
  - total eligible: 25.30 km
      (-15.30 km behind)

Week 4 (Aug 4 - 10):

  - total walked: 58.44 km
  - total eligible: 42.91 km
      (+2.31 km over)

Week 5 (Aug 11 - 17):

  - total walked: 45.95km
  - total eligible: 35.49km
      (-5.11km behind)

Week 6 (Aug 18 - 24):

  - total walked: 56.91km
  - total eligible: 41.11km
      (+0.51 km over)

Week 7 (Aug 25 - 31):

  - total walked: 49.32km
  - total eligible: 42.45 km
      (+1.85 km over)

Week 8 (Sept 1 - 7):

  - total walked: 52.58 km
  - total eligible: 39.86 km
     (-0.74 km behind)

Week 9 (Sept 8 - 14):

  - total walked: 74.52 km
  - total eligible: 60.04km
     (+19.44 km over)

Week 10 (Sept 15 - 21):

  - total walked: ? km
  - total eligible: 28.92 km
     (-11.95 km behind)

Week 11 (Sept 29 - Oct 5)

- total walked: 38.81 km
- total eligible: 30.90 km
 (-9.70 km behind)

Week 12 ( Oct. 6 - 12)

  - total walked: 33.93 km
  - total eligible: 30.86km
      (-9.47 km behind)

Week 13 (Oct. 13 - Oct. 19)

  - total walked: 56.41 km
  - total eligible: 50.82 km
      (+10.22 km over)

Week 14 (Oct. 20 - Oct. 26)

  - total walked: 32.21 km
  - total eligible: 32.21  km
      (-8.39 km behind)

Week 15 (Oct. 27 - Nov. 2)

  - total walked: 32.21 km
  - total eligible: 32.21  km
      (-8.39 km behind)

Last week (Nov 3- 9):

  - total walked: 68.68 km
  - total eligible: 56.94 km
      (+16.34 km behind)

This week: (Nov 10 - 16)

Sunday: 3.40 km (Total) 3.40 km (Eligible)

Monday: 3.70 km (Total) 3.70 km(Eligible)

Tuesday: 9.72 km (Total) 6.42 km (Eligible)

Wednesday: 7.41 km (Total) 5.44 km (Eligible)

Thursday: 4.76  km (Total) 3.96 km (Eligible)

Friday: 5.16 km (Total) 4.47 km (Eligible)

Saturday: 2.90 km (Total) 2.90 km (Eligible)

TOTAL ELIGIBLE KM FOR THE WEEK: 30.29 km
Goal: 40.6 km
- 10.31 (behind)

TOTALS:

Eligible: 634.47 km
-55.46 km (behind)

362.39 km to go!