Over the past month or so, my weight has stayed right around the same. I have lose about 55 pounds but I want to lose more. I kept cheating on meals and wasn't being even close to as strict as I was when I started my diet. I went in to weigh in yesterday and decided to tell the girl at Medifast that I really wanted to move back to the beginning phases of my diet. That means almost no carbs, and lots of salads, chicken & green vegetables. She told me that it was normal for people to settle after they have lost as much weight as I have and that now is the perfect time to kinda restart and essentially start my diet over. She told me that night to eat something that I love to eat and then to start fresh in the morning. If you really know me, you already know what I ended up eating last night as my "last meal" if you can call it that! (Bacon Cheeseburger if you couldn't handle the suspense) The last question that she asked me before I left had me pondering my whole ride home though.
What motivates you?
Hmmmm. What does motivate me? I thought about it long and hard and a million thoughts raced through my mind. So I got home and up on my wall is the bucket list that I blogged about a few months ago. Currently, there is nothing crossed off on it. Part of this is because a lot of them are long-term goals but also, many of them are reachable if I put my mind to them. I looked at my list and saw that many of my goals can be reached if I put my mind to it. Currently I have 3 main goals in my life.
1) Graduate College
2) Get a teaching job
3) Continue to lose weight
I started thinking about this summer. The summer motivates me. Last summer I hated going swimming because that meant other people seeing me be uncomfortable. I looked at my calendar and saw July 4th. That week we usually go to our cabin and spend quality family time together. I made it my goal that I want to lose 30 more pounds by July 4th. I am putting this goal out there so that I can come back to it later and see if I have achieved my goal. Losing 30 more pounds would also put me at my goal weight a month earlier than expected.
Readers of my blog also motivate me. You would have no idea how many people that I barely know come up to me and tell me they have read my blog or that they have been following along and supporting me. I post this on Facebook and Twitter because by putting it online, you all keep me accountable for my actions. Compliments from friends, family, co-workers, and strangers are also a huge motivator for me because I know that people can actually see a difference. My weight loss program was the reason I started the blog back up in the first place because I know that other people are going through the same struggles that I am when it comes to losing weight. I love hearing about people that I know who have made a commitment to better themselves because I know how amazing it feels to know you are making yourself healthier.
Progress pictures is another motivator for me. Every 2-4 weeks I take another picture and compare them to the weeks before and the beginning of my journey. They make me feel good about myself but also push me to strive for a better goal. I hope to continue to take them until I have reached my goal weight in the summer.
Many people have commented on how to motivate themselves when it comes to working out. Working out is still a daily struggle with me but I believe that as summer comes around I will find myself being much more active and that will help me a lot. Being able to play baseball, football, basketball, golf, frisbee, and go swimming are much better for me than working out because they are fun and also provide a way to get active.
Finally, buying new clothes for myself is going to be my motivation once I have lost enough weight. This summer, it is going to be fun to go get shirts in sizes that I haven't worn in a while. I used to motivate myself with food but motivating myself with the items I listed above has really pushed me towards a better goal. My big award to myself once I get done is to buy myself a new Minnesota Twins Jersey. I can't wait until that day comes.
Speaking of the Twins, The first game is 12 days away! I know there isn't much optimism for this team, but I believe that you should start watching this year because the tables are going to start to turn towards a better future. You have to power through the bad seasons with your team if you are going to fully enjoy the good ones.
Student Teaching Update:
I am nearing the end of 3rd quarter and next week will be Spring Break. I am using that time to do my big assignment for student teaching and also to relax. There is no doubt I will miss the kids though. This group of 9th graders has been great to me so far and have seemed to really enjoying having me. I graduate from SJU in two months... That is scary. It will be something to cross off the bucket list though :)
Tomorrow also marks the beginning of the best tournament that sports has to offer with the March Madness tournament. If you haven't joined one yet and would like to, click the link below and enter your bracket. Games start tomorrow (Thursday) morning so make sure your bracket is in before then or it will be invalid. The entry fee is $5. Right now we have about 30-35 people so if you get in the top 3 you will win a prize. If not, it is just $5 right?
Thanks today and every day for reading my blog and finding it interesting enough to come back every week. You have heard what motivates me but what now might be the perfect time to think about the question:
What motivates you?
-J-
Here is the link to join my March Madness 2014 Bracket
http://poolofchampions2014.mayhem.cbssports.com/e?ttag=BPM14_paste_cbsinv
Password: gophers
