the 15-day challenge...

A good friend of mine is getting married in Chicago in a little over two weeks. I just spent a lovely weekend with the bride-to-be and a few other ladies at what could have been called a bachelorette weekend. Calling it that, however, might conjure up images of penis straws and "suck for a buck" t-shirts. When the bride and her friends are a little more mature, they don't need corsages in the shape of male genitalia to have a good time. Am I right, ladies?

However, I digress.

As everyone was talking about what they planned to wear to the wedding, I spent a little time trying to figure out what I was going to throw on. I lost a bunch of weight this spring--almost 30 pounds! I cleared a lot of stuff from my closet and was able to wear some things that haven't fit for a long time. One dress has been elusive. I haven't worn it for years, but I was so very close.

That is, until I got a little lazy this summer, gained a couple pounds back, and lost some of my muscle mass. I've been having a difficult time getting myself motivated to dig back in and thought maybe this wedding was just the incentive I need to get things back on track.

Thus, the "happy mommy 15-day challenge"...

There are 17 days between now and the wedding. For 15 out of the 17, my goals are to...

• Get to the gym for a strength training session or a yoga class, or complete 45 minutes of fat-burning cardio (in the gym or outside).
• Log everything I eat (I like myfitnesspal.com).
• Stay within my nutritional guidelines.
• No coffee, no alcohol (gulp!).
• Lights out by 10:30.

I don't have to achieve all of them in the same day. My goals is to achieve each of these goals separately 15 times over the next 17 days and see where it gets me. Weigh-in is tomorrow.

the 5K challenge...

One of the biggest things that makes me unhappy is my weight. About five years ago, I lost over 40 pounds...you can read the full story here. In the time since then, I have slowly put the weight back on and am now at my heaviest. Yuck.

A week ago, my husband was going to take our daughters skiing. I told them I couldn't go along with them because I had too much to do. The truth was that I cant fit into my ski pants. Double yuck.

Being healthy will be a big part of being happy. I am looking forward to a summer of biking and running around with my kids and being able to hang out at they neighbors' pool without embarrassment.

So, some like-minded friends and I have begun a 5K challenge for 2014. The goal is to complete three 5K runs or walks a week. For each one completed, we put a dollar in a jar. The plan will be to spend the money on a group activity later...something like a pedicure or a happy hour. (To be honest, I would always choose a happy hour...maybe that's why I'm in the position I'm in.)

Here's the flip side: if you don't make the goal that week you need to put $5 in the jar, plus $1 for every mile you are short. Yikes.

Two of the ladies and I cranked out the first 5K on New Year's Day. Today, I brought my daughters to the gym and completed #2.

I am nowhere near as fast as I used to be and it hurt like hell getting started, but I did it. And, by the last 20 minutes, it actually felt pretty good.

The best part was that my girls came with me. They went to the child center while I was on the treadmill then we all went to the pool afterwards. It was a great afternoon. The girls had a great time and are now hooked on going. Let's hope their enthusiasm continues and that they start begging me to take them to the club. What fantastic motivation that would be!

another start...really?

Well, at least this time it's been less than a year since I last checked in. However, it's been the kind of year that feels like five. Wow.

I've had major changes at work that have moved my career forward in major ways, but that also added to my stress, responsibilities, and workload. My sweet and smart little girls have entered second grade and become much less little. Plus, we bought a beautiful new home and sold a beloved old one. Every one of these changes has been so wonderful and so overwhelming at the same time.

To be honest, I know I am very lucky and very blessed. So, the question is this, "Why can't I sit back and enjoy all this happiness?"

I started this blog almost four years ago and while so many things have changed, so many things have stayed the same.

I was inspired by Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project," and made it my goal to follow her pathway to ultimate happiness. Unfortunately, her amazing book was too much at one time...the equivalent of a crash diet...and I couldn't stick to it.

So, it's a fresh(ish) start with simple goals and no expectation of perfection. And, isn't letting go of perfection the first step toward happiness?

what's the skinny...

Oops...I was supposed to post this on Friday, right? I am really not very good at this.

4/19/2013: 213.2
4/12/2013: 213.6
Difference: down 0.4 pounds

Hey...it could be worse. And, this week might be. With work stress and a never-ending winter come evening cocktails and comfort food.

"Evening cocktails and comfort food"...that should totally be the title of my memoir...

what's the skinny...

Okay, first Friday weigh-in. My goal is to post this weekly, even if it is my only post of the week.

4/12/2013: 213.6

Alright, now let's make some weight loss magic happen, people...

still here, huh?

I am amazed to find that this blog is still sitting here almost two years later. I am less amazed to realize that time keeps flying by and I keep making little to no progress toward my goals...and how sincere and optimistic I am each time I begin again.

I was at a Daisy Scout meeting tonight. One of the leader-moms and her family are moving to Texas and I am disappointed. It's not as though we had become close friends...we are little more than acquaintances. But, she is one of those women who makes you feel good by just being around her. She is the kind of woman you want to be...or at least drink a few glasses of wine with. I kept hoping that one day she might rub off on me just a little.

She's always upbeat, she always seems put together, she always seems to have the time to volunteer and be involved and to do the right things. She runs and golfs and plays tennis. I'll bet her Pinterest boards would be amazing.

As for me, I'm feeling like a scattered mess. No matter how hard I work to try to catch up, I just keep falling farther behind. I have amazing bursts of energy that help propel me ahead, but I'm feel like I'm starting to run out of fuel a little. I have so many things I want to do and change for me, my family, my friends, my company...to be better, stronger, happier. Right now, however, I am exhausted and overwhelmed to the point of paralysis.

It feels like now is a good time to start again. I'm not sure what I'm even starting, but I feel like now is the time.

what's the skinny?

As I've said before, a big part of becoming a happier person is becoming a healthier person. My goal is to weigh in here each Friday, just to keep track of my progress. I tried to be more aware of my diet this week and actually got a trip to the gym in the mix, too. Next week will be better.

I started the week at 212.8, which I am counting as my official starting weight.

Today's weigh-in: 210.6
Loss of 2.2 pounds
(Not bad for a start, huh?)