Day 1

weight: 221lbs

days left: 30

today: 0mi

total: 124.3mi

i got back to school friday night and i tried to do my best on the food front since. i've been eating a lot less, having slim fast shakes for breakfast, fiber one bars for lunch, a good dinner, and moderate snacks in between. i've definitely noticed the benefits of fiber one, it really does show a difference in my metabolism, ever since the first day i tried them. the knock-offs don't work though. i used to buy walmart's version because it's cheaper, but i've never noticed any results comparable to the original fiber one. that's my opinion on the bars, i have yet to try the cereal. don't really want to try it since i'm sure i won't be able to resist more than one bowl (cereal is one of my greatest weaknesses), but right now i'm doing good at only having one bar a day. that's all that's needed. i also haven't been drinking any coffee. i'm not a coffee person to begin with, but when i needed it daily back in may, i noticed a significant weight gain. and i'm pretty sure it was the coffee because i was not eating much. if i need a boost occasionally, i'll try to stay with diet coke. hopefully i won't need it often, i'll try to get to bed at reasonable times this semester.

i haven't been able to do any exercise, apart from walking a lot, but today i went for a swim. did as many real laps as possible, which unfortunately isn't many. but it felt good to feel my heart pound and it made me feel better that at least i tried.

for me, i think the best way to keep my workouts going is to develop a set schedule and follow it. if i post it here, i will feel like i am obligated to follow. it for some reason i am unable to workout at the set time, i promise to make up for it. however, i don't want to make a schedule right now since my days are still a bit unorganized, but as soon as i get things together, i'll let you know!

i'm not sure how tomorrow will turn out, but i really hope to go to bhangra class. and hopefully i'll be able to ride there. i just have to remember to tune up my bike, it's been neglected so long. sorry RJ!

Phase 2

so, Phase 1 did not work out so well. i not only gained back the few pound i lost, but also gained some more. and i'm ashamed of it. but now that school has started, i will be picking up riding again and working on my next goal.

i reviewed my goals, motivations, and plan of attack from Phase 1. the general goals 1 through 3 are still very important. However, motivations 1 through 3 don't apply anymore. so here is the updated list of motivations:

1. train for the Bucket 100 ride that i do every year with purdue habitat. this october, hopefully i can pass the orange helmet status onto someone else!
2. i am graduating in december. can't look like a walking refrigerator in mourning clothes when going across the stage!
3. gotta look good for the recruiters. i'll be spending a lot of time looking for full-time jobs and must feel good about myself during interviews.
4. starting a new career. i hope to have a job by the beginning of next year and must be able to fit well in and look good in formal, business, casual, and business-casual attire for every occasion. if i do end up getting a job with the company i interned with (cross my fingers!) i would really love to see the look on everyone's faces when they see how much i've changed.
5. do it for myself! i don't want to feel ashamed of myself being the big person in the back of the photograph surrounded by petite girlfriends. gotta fit in!
6. rack up the miles. weight loss is a big deal, but might as well see how many miles i can cross during the journey!

plan of attack. my schedule has not quite settled down yet. i got all my classes in order, but i'm waiting for both my animal shelter volunteer and my diner cooking job schedules to settle into something consistent. it'll probably be ready to go after labor day. i still do plan to ride every day, at least 5miles during the week and 15miles during the weekend. if the weather is not good enough to ride outside (fall is coming quickly), i will hit the gym and jump on a stationary bike. i hope to finally be able to join wrcc in rides, their schedule fits into mine. of course i will continue playing volleyball, swimming and taking fitness classes (even though they are not free anymore).

so, let's pick a goal date. bucket 100 is in october, but i'm thinking that i should set a nearer date with a reasonable weight loss goal and go from there. so how about 4 weeks from now, September 24. and how about 10 pounds in the first month? i think that's very do-able. wish me luck!