Rosie the Riveter says, "You can do it!"

Maybe I should change my blog name to Stubborn Fried Succubus...

I was trying to get the totals for the men's challenge today, to see how much work I had cut out for me, but I was denied. D-effing-nied, I tell you. :)~ I think he was just trying to be a twat, but where there is talent, there is always a place to shine and sometimes, tragically, your own spotlight. I did get the figures out of him, eventually, and I promptly informed him that I would be taking the number one competitor, it was just a matter of time. He told me, "There was no way you can beat him." Thanks bro, there's no better way to motivate me than telling me that I can't or shouldn't do something. Yay, I found my motivation, while it may be fraught with spite, it's still the motivation I need. I felt like Lock on Lost, "Don't tell me what I can't do!"

So... diet and exercise news, I can't say there's much to tell. I didn't want to go to the gym today and I didn't. I walked the neighborhood around my dad's place for as long as I'd do cardio, and came back and did my abs. And because I'm SO efficient, I made a grand while I was walking the streets, he he, not, but I did do my laundry while I was practicing for my Biggest Loser victory lap. I carried the torch and waved and the moms and kids like I was Miss America.

This is so dead to me. I'm SO sleepy.

This is what I accomplished today:

• My laundry
• 40 minutes of cardio
• 20 reps/3 sets of the bench ab work
• Took all of my vitamins but my last Hepasil
• Work stuff
• I got Zack and Steve to help me move my couch and washer/dryer this weekend
• The recycling at home (new place and old) is gone but I left the work stuff at work, DOH!
• I've almost drank all of my 100 oz of water (I only made 80 last night)
• Made my bed and I will lie in it, later

I had some iced tea and sweet n low today. I think I was pretty diligent other than that. I just wanted something and that was the best choice for where the cravings were heading.

The Opening Reception: Who was promised punch and pie?

Thirty was supposed to be the year that I got my shit together but it was more like the year the wall fell, and possibly a few other vital areas, and made room for rebuilding. I did manage to successfully quit smoking cigarettes but the weight was still there and still creeping if I didn't watch it and exercise 4 times a week.

Well, by the end of my thirtieth year of life I finally realized something. I realized that my doctors were making me crazy and making my problem worse. It's no biggie, just PCOS, which is a hormone disorder. Every time they would try to fix me, I'd gain at least 20 pounds and turn into Cybil until I fired them like the last time. It was like 14 years in an abusive relationship and I got the trailer, lol! Through all of this I realized they don't have the tools to fix me, I think this is on me to fix. I think it's also possible that I was never broken to begin with, that they made any issue I may have had far worse than it ever was. Anyhoo, so I devised a little plan from the knowledge I gained when I was a doctor on TV. It just so happened to coincide with work's Biggest Loser Contest. Fate smiles on me, don't be jealous.

This was the plan:

• Cut out processed and fast foods
• Cut out alcohol
• Start lifting weights again
• Only eat whole wheat breads, pastas, and grains

Past this my only goal was to eat better and ditch a few bad habits I'd picked up along the years.

I did really well for the first three or four months and the bottom fell out. I had lost 25 pounds just by adhering to my little plan and I got really stressed out and I let it all go to crap. That situation has been resolved to my liking. :)~ But, sadly, all that luscious enthusiasm I had in the beginning is tapped out. I've gained a little of the weight back, plummeted in from 1st to 3rd for the ladies in our competition, and I'm trying to fake the enthusiasm until I get there again. Now, I just need to get serious and most likely more strict than I had been. And, drum roll please, my plan:

Goal: Lose 34 pounds by 7/14/08 and win the Biggest Loser for the ladies figures.

• Cut out all soda
• No more than 4 alcoholic beverages a week (I was generous)
• The drinks may only be hard liquor on the rocks or water back
• Phase out all dairy products
• Drink 100 oz of water per day (Monday - Friday)
• I'm allowed the minimum of 64 oz of water on Saturdays and Sundays
• Give up salad dressing except on rare occasions
• Do abs at least 4 times weekly (goal 6 times weekly)
• Do a total body workout (from trainer) a minimum of 2 times weekly (goal 3 times weekly)
• Cardio is a minimum of 4 times weekly (goal 6 times weekly)
• Get 7 hours of sleep (people who got more sleep are clinically proven to lose more weight than those that are under sleeping)
• Cut out all artificial sweeteners (these hang on to the weight and affect your insulin levels)
• No eating 3 hours before bedtime

Today was the start day, I plan to eliminate a lot of these out of my diet slowly. More on that later, I need to get to bed early.

Today I accomplished:

• Created a blog
• Talked myself into working out
• 40 minutes of cardio
• 20 reps/3 sets of the bridge and cobra (to strengthen my core muscles)
• My grocery shopping
• Got to bed on time
• Took all of my vitamins but my 3rd hepasil
• Talked about my feelings
• Group hugs and unicorns with rays of rainbow lights shooting from their eyes (what were we talking about?)