I’m on my second round of antibiotics and I just can’t seem to kick this cough.  I’ve really been trying to eat very well, but not exercising a whole bunch.  This is all very disappointing at this point in the contest.  I had very high hopes for this month.

I have been really struggling in the last week or so.  I got bronchitis and it held up my work outs for almost a week.  I’m feeling somewhat better, but still a little slow.  I’m going to try to make it back into the gym today, but we’ll see how that goes.  Talk about bad timing to get sick!  I’m going to have to really push myself this week to try to make sure I show a loss. 

I must say that I feel pretty amazing.  I cut out meat and dairy from my diet just to see if the pounds would come off a little quicker.  Not only have I lost a few, but I also feel really great.  It may just be in my head, but I guess that is where it counts…right?  I feel more alert and focused.  Could all the articles have been true?  I’ll have to do this a bit longer to come  up with a definitive answer to that, but so far, so good.  I thought I would be hungrier, but I don’t seem to be. 

It looks like quite a few of my fellow contestants are going to run in the Johnnycake Jog.  I’m going to be out of town, so I won’t be able to be there in person, but I’ll be there in spirit.  I will walk my 5K that day too, just not in the same place.  I want to wish all of them lots of luck and have fun!  I wish I could be there. 

Only a little over two weeks until this contest is over.  I have to admit, I’m going to be a little bummed.  I’ve enjoyed this journey more than I thought I would.  I’m still going to try to lose enough for first place, but it’s going to be tough.  Lisa Sheer is a tough competitor and has worked her behind off…literally.  Her achievements have motivated me to work harder and harder.  I think if she hadn’t done so well, I may not have pushed myself as much.  Being a part of this team of people has been a unique and incredible opportunity.  Everyone’s blogs have been amazing.  Sometimes you just need to see that other people have the same struggles that you do.  Laura Kessler, who runs the contest, has also been incredibly motivating.  She came to my house and worked out with me and I know she’s done the same for others.  I’ve also gotten the chance to work out with Desirea Thompson and Michael Kadlub.  I had fun doing the P90X with them, but it was tough.  I couldn’t have done half of what I can do now and the beginning of this contest.  I feel like I’ve already won!

 

 

I’m attempting a new way to approach my weight loss.  I struggled a bit last month, but am feeling pretty good this month.  I’m not counting my calories as closely, but am really watching what I am eating.  I’ve stopped eating animal products for the time being and am feeling pretty great.  It’s a little bit of work to ensure that I get enough protein, but I think I’m doing a pretty good job.  I’m not saying I will never eat these things again, but I’m reading more and more about the health benefits of a plant based diet.  It’s nice not to have to weigh every little thing that I put in my mouth.  I’ll give it a week to see if I am seeing the results I want.  I hope it does, because so far this has been pretty effortless and I’m enjoying the food.  I’m really going to try to focus on how I feel rather than how I look.  If I feel good from good fuel, I imagine the weight will come off too.  I miss dairy a bit, but it hasn’t been too bad.  I’ll let you know if this plant based business lives up to the hype.  Stay tuned….

I have no intention of coming in second in this contest.  I had a rough weigh in this past weekend, but still showed a loss.  I’m going to have to kick it into high gear this last month if I am going to come close to winning.  I have also been thinking about what my game plan will be after the contest is over.  The blogging and weighing in has really helped keep me accountable, but what is going to keep me accountable once that ends?  I’m going to have to figure something out.  For now, I will focus on what I can do by the end of this month.  It’s going to be tough, but I’m going to give it all I got.