Monday, February 16, 2009

The Challenge of the Final 15: Week 1, Day 1

This has been a long time coming. I've talked about it for a couple of years now. I hint at it all the time. I dream about it. I bitch about it. I'm sick of it. It is time to shut the eff up and do something about it, or just shut up about it, period.

I'm talking about 15 lbs.

It's the 15 lbs that I know have no place on my body. The 15 lbs that I feel when I run. The 15 lbs that keep that size 4 neatly on it's place in the closet. The 15 lbs that keep me from reaching my potential, and the 15 lbs that, because they are there anyway, make it easier to grab for the chocolate. The 15 lbs that make me...med...-ugh,I can't say it...med...ok, MEDIOCRE! And I HATE MEDIOCRITY!

I've lost portions of that final 15 from time to time when I needed to. In the thick of IMFL training, I lost about 8 of it, and then put it back on during the taper. I usually keep about 5 lbs of it off throughout the spring and summer for swimsuit purposes, sometimes maybe even 8 or 9 of it. But I have yet to keep any of it off with any consistency.

I know that everybody has an ideal weight, and I know that old saying that 'muscle weighs more than fat,' but I am here to tell you that I have, give or take a few, about 15 lbs that need to go away for good. I've carried this nasty 15 lbs along with me for every distance from a 5k run to an Ironman triathlon, and I refuse to go another step. That being said, I'm going public with it.

It's no longer going to be a "side item" on my menu of goals. It's the entree - the main course. So, starting today, February 16th, and lasting 10 weeks, this blog will be devoted to the goal that is losing 15 lbs and drastically improving my body composition. I haven't weighed in that light since I was in, like, the 8th grade, so it could be that I lose 10 or 12 of it and deem the goal satisfied, or it might be I lose 15 and decide a couple more are in order. I plan on re-evaluating after reaching the 10 lb mark.

Every morning, I will post everything I ate the previous day, complete with calorie/fat/carb/protein counts. Every Monday, I will weigh before my Monday lunch-time workout (clothes and shoes included) and report the figure promptly. If you want to keep up with me in real time, follow me on Twitter here.

I know how to lose weight. I know what a balanced diet is. I know that I cannot eat ice cream outside of a very small, controlled portion, or I might as well inject it directly into my rear end. I know that I have to invest time into planning my meals so that I don't make bad decisions. I also know that I'll be training at the same time, so I'll have to make some allowances during days that I work out really hard. Some of it will be trial and error, but most if it will be a no-brainer. It will come down to whether or not I really want to lose the weight.

February 16th, 2009 is the start date. April 27th, 2009 will mark the end of 10 weeks. I weighed today before my 5 mile run at lunch and the result was 132, so that is the starting weight. The goal weight will be 117. Follow along, and feel free to jump in and give me your thoughts and advice, and if I need it, a kick in the ass. Check back often...

10 comments:

Benson said...

Wow, that's some tuff words coming from a real tuff woman. Good on ya for making it a priority and you're gonna nail it.
Rock on IronLana.

Carrie said...

Do it. I'll join you for the 10 I've carried for well over a year.

Jill Ann said...

Oh Lana...I am with you on this. I am getting bigger and bigger and bigger. So, my goal is 21 lbs. Now, 10 weeks...I am not sure I'll make 21, but I want to get close. (Trust me I weigh A LOT more than you...). So, yes, do post daily. I am writing mine down and challenge on. I am with you.

Let's kick that beer and ice cream belly to the curb.

Missy said...

Gurrrl, you can do it, once you decide to do it and it sounds like you're there. I am so carb/sugar sensitive it's ridiculous. Ryan didn't believe it until he saw it. Thankfully, not a 'sugar'/sweet freak but I could eat a potato and bread at every meal, I swear.

You know this but here it goes - food is fuel, just look at food as fuel. If you eat shit, shitty fuel = shitty workout = shitier results. I had to do that for IM b/c I was in the mindset of - I'm working out, I can eat whatever I want...that doesn't work either...I already checked it out!

Chloe said...

Oh Man - Missy so hit it on the head! Shitty dinner = shitty morning workout. I don't know about anyone else, but I like to feel good when I run/swim/bike whatever! That is what helps me stay on track. But sometimes that bottle of wine just..well..does not stay around long. :)

If you can do a freaking ironman - you can drop those 15lbs!!

Ron said...

Yep, you're crazy!!! Make sure you get your supplements or you'll hit the wall. Good luck. This will be fun to follow.

Lisa said...

I would have never guessed you at that weight, seriously. You look great!

Bethany said...

So can I do it with you??? I have got to get back in the mind set of eating better and running smarter. I want to be a smart and healthy person!

You can do this Lana! In my book you are A freaking gold star, but I totally understand where you are coming from...Best of Luck! I know you will succeed :)

Lora Abernathy said...

I hate those last few pounds. Good luck with your goals. From the way you sound, I know you'll make 'em!

Eric said...

You can do it!!!