Onward and Forward

Ok, now that I’ve explained where I’ve been, it’s time to discuss where I’m going and how I intend to get there.

WEIGHT GOALS:
09/28/2009: 256 lbs (Starting Weight)
09/28/2010: 196.7 (59.3 Lbs lost)
03/24/2011: 224 lbs (Current Weight – Gained 27.3 lbs for a net loss of 32 Lbs)

My next goal weight is 206 which will be a net loss of 50 lbs. (I hit that mark once before back on April 12th of last year.) I’m excited to hit it again and just think – I only have 18 pounds to go!

I can do this.

EXERCISE GOALS
From the time I walked my very first 5K in 2009, I was instantly hooked. And then I started running and training with Caleb’s Crusade. I truly believed that I had found my passion in running and started making plans for half and full marathons. My foot had other plans, however, and here I am on my 6th month without running. I kept telling myself that I would start biking or swimming or [ fill in the blank] to make up for the lack of running, but I never did. So I made a decision a few days ago that THIS HAS GOT TO CHANGE ONCE AND FOR ALL.

So, I signed up for my first ever biking event!

It’s the 2011 Ride for the RED, a bike ride through Cape Haze to benefit the American Red Cross.

Registering for this event was PRECISELY what I needed! I feel motivated for the first time in months! The race is only 3 weeks away (April 16), and has three different routes to choose from. I’ll be doing the shortest one which is 15.5 miles long and the best part is I’ll be doing it with friends! I have no expectations regarding my time or pace; my only goals for this race are to finish and to have FUN!

So, here’s my plan leading up to the event:

03/30 – Thu. – Have helmet bought by this date
03/31 – Fri. – Bring bike out of garage and ensure proper tire inflation
04/02 – Sat. – Meet w/Caleb’s Crusade and ride while the runners run. (Try to ride at least 30 minutes)
04/03 – Sun. – Rest
04/04 – Mon. – Ride for at least 30 minutes.
04/05 – Tue. – Rest
04/06 – Wed. – Ride for at least 45 minutes.
04/07 – Thu. – Rest
04/08 – Fri. – Rest
04/09 – Sat. – Meet w/ Caleb’s Crusade and ride while the runners run. (Try to ride at least 45 minutes)
04/10 – Sun. – Rest
04/11 – Mon. – Ride for at least 1 hour.
04/12 – Tue. – Rest
04/13 – Wed. – Ride for at least 45 minutes.
04/14 – Rest
04/15 – Rest
04/16 – RACE DAY!

This plan is just what made sense to me. I’m not even sure what speed I ride at, so I have no idea if these times are really feasible or not. I’ll know more after my first ride on Saturday, so this plan may change depending on my actual ability/speed. Honestly? It feels good to just have a plan in black and white.

FOOD GOALS
Ahhh, food. I’m back to logging everything on My Fitness Pal. (If you’re on there, add me )

#1 – Less tea, more water – I’m still soda-free (and rarely even crave it anymore), but I could definitely use less tea in my diet. As in, sweet tea. Very sweet tea. So that’s goal #1. Less tea, more water.

#2 – No more fast food – Pretty self explanatory. I’ve been eating way too much of this junk and it needs to stop.

#3 – Eat breakfast every day – It’s no secret how important breakfast is and I LOVE how much better I feel on days when I eat breakfast.

#4 – No snacks after dinner – Another bad habit I let creep back in…it’s got to stop.

So that’s my plan to get my exercise, food, and and as a result, my weight, back on track. Thank you all for your supportive comments on my last post and for welcoming me back with open arms. It feels so good to be back. As I wrote on my facebook, I forgot how cathartic blogging can be. I need to remember that and do it more often.