Sunday, January 3, 2010

Sweat The Small Stuff

I am drinking skim milk in my coffeehouse-deliciously-flavored-coffee.

Note I said coffee - not latte or cappuccino or mocha or chai. Coffee. Vanilla flavored coffee with two packets of Splenda and a healthy splash of skim milk.

Sans half and half.

This is a significant sacrifice for me.

I like frothy. I like over-the-top. Whether we are talking cocktails or coffee or sandwiches or dessert. You name it - I like my insert consumable item here elaborate. And flavorful. And extreme.

And the wheels come to a screeching halt when one signs up (Renews? Re-ups?) to roll with the Losers.

My life on the lam has lasted more than I care to admit. I've run wild with abandon, gorging on decadent cheeses, drinks and drinks and drinks a plenty. The recent holiday season was the Super Bowl of my decadence, dishing up almost a party (or two or three) for each night of December.

I can just imagine the apron of fat draping over my abdomen growing and multiplying with every bite and sip.

So, despite my affinity for all that tastes good on the tastebuds, it is time for me to regain self control.

My goal? Not a number or dress size. I just want to look good naked.

I want to look good enough to wear a swimsuit at a hot travel destination with zero shame. I want to be confident about my body when I strip down to my skivvies with a man I care about.

I want to be able to admire the body I see when I step out of the shower. Right now, I sigh and throw the towel around my body, trying to cover up what everyone can see.

The plan is not overly ambitious - in the beginning.

Calories in versus calories out. That's the way this game is played, right? I am going to rely on shortcuts that help me indulge in the things I love while making wise choices for my diet.

I am going to drink my water if it kills me - and I'll tote it around in a bottle in my purse if I have to.

I'm going to score some new tennis shoes - kicks that will let me walk and run and jump and otherwise exert some energy, which is definitely in order after a late night New Year's Eve celebration that involved everyone at the party committing to do the. Flying. Pig. Half. Marathon.

What the hell did I just get myself into?

Thankfully I have you all. I have my lovely Losers. I have my wonderful friends.

And I have a vision of how great my naked body used to look oh so many moons ago.

Right now is about sweating the small stuff. Skim milk instead of half-and-half. Five minutes of moving versus five minutes of lummoxing.

I can do this.

4 comments:

Paul said...

Great start!

I just started keeping a paper log again of food/exercise after I realized I wasn't keeping up with it using web sites/apps for the same purpose.

There's a sense of condescension sometimes around new year's resolutions. And while many people lose sight of goals, NYR are more effective than goals set at other times of the year. It's just that attrition in goals set by millions, all at once, is easier to see. And you've shown dedication, and your being public and accountable.

Keep up the good work! I look forward to reading updates from you and the other bloggers here.

LMJ said...

KtG - Are you telling me that I've lost my Flying Pig Cheering Buddy to the race itself?!?

I am so proud of you, if that's what your post means - and I'm so inspired by your desires to "look good naked". Don't we all want that, but are sometimes too afraid to say it.

Count me in for this journey too - I just ordered a new workout DVD, supposed to be really great, wanna join me in checking it out sometime soon?!?!

shannanb aka mommy bits said...

I am with you Kate, I think it is all about the small stuff.... (oh, and looking. good naked's not a bad thing either!)

♥The Diva♥ said...

I too resolve to drink water if it kills me and I also use my job to my advantage. I work in a residential program where I can come and go freely, so I take my clients on walks around the town. That way, I get a little exercise in while I continue to build a relationship with my clients! I also stop and try to make conscious decisions to choose water or 100% juice over Pepsi.