My Weight Loss Journey- The Beginning

Today is the day I will actively try to lose weight.  Why today?  Better question: Why not today?  I have a lot of weight I want to lose and there is no time like the present to get working on losing it.  So today I will start off by openly admitting how much I want to lose and what my goals are.

What I weigh: 185 pounds (rounded up to the nearest pound)
Goal Weight: 125 pounds
Total to Lose: 60 pounds

Pants Size: 16
Goal Size: 7



In case you're wondering why I want to be 125 pounds, I am only 5'3", meaning I need to be  smaller weight to be in a healthy BMI category.  Right now, I am way to high, so I need to drop that down to be considered in a "Healthy" BMI category.  I plan to take everything slow and steady, and motivating myself each step of the way.  My goal is to lose pounds in 5 pound intervals and then reward myself for those pounds lost.  I am the type of person that if there is a reward for what I'm doing, I will do better.  So why not reward myself for the hard work I will be doing to complete my journey?  I think I deserve something for making myself healthier!

I'm going to break my weight loss journey down into Mini Goals, all leading up to the Main Goal of 125 pounds.  Each goal will have a reward attached to it that I can cash in when I reach that level.

My List of Mini Goals:

1. Lose 5 pounds, down to 180
2. Lose 5 pounds, down to 175
3. Lose 5 pounds, down to 170
4. Lose 5 pounds, down to 165
5. Lose 5 pounds, down to 160
6. Lose 5 pounds, down to 155
7. Lose 5 pounds, down to 150
8. Lose 5 pounds, down to 145
9. Lose 5 pounds, down to 140
10. Lose 5 pounds, down to 135
11. Lose 5 pounds, down to 130
12. Lose 5 pounds, down to 125 **GOAL REACHED!!**

But it's not just about the weight, I want to be a smaller pants size, have a smaller waist and hips, and have arms that look good in a tank top!  So I'm also adding on these Mini goals:

1. Lose 1 pants size, down to size 15
2. Lose 1 pants size, down to size 14
3. Lose 1 pants size, down to size 13
4. Lose 1 pants size, down to size 12
5. Lose 1 pants size, down to size 11
6. Lose 1 pants size, down to size 10
7. Lose 1 pants size, down to size 9
8. Lose 1 pants size, down to size 8
9. Lose 1 pants size, down to size 7 **GOAL SIZE REACHED!!**

I'm not sure how I'm going to document my arm size and what goals to have for them.  I could keep track of the inches of my forearm and how small they get.  I could keep track of how well they fit in shirts and if that yucky arm flab is getting smaller.  I'll have to think about that one more!

I also want to make healthier changes in my diet as well.  I am a horrible fruit and vegetable eater.  Well, not so much fruit as there are a few fruits I like to eat.  But I just don't have a lot of veggies I like.  So I'm hoping to work on finding good, healthy foods and meals to eat instead of junk.

Mini Food/Drink Goals:

1. No Pop for 60 days.  I need to break my caffeine/pop addiction, so going cold turkey for 60 days will hopefully help that.  
2. Eat out less often.  This will be hard since I hate cooking and would rather just get food from somewhere.  But fast food and restaurant food just isn't as healthy and have huge portions.  I need to get my weight in check and eating out less will probably help.
3. Drink 64 ounces of water a day.  This will be hard since I don't really like drinking water.  The flavor just doesn't thrill me.  So the goal will be to find a way to drink more water and reach the recommended daily intake.
4. Eat 3 servings of fruit each day.  This one shouldn't be too hard if I just remember to include one in each meal or for a snack.
5. Eat 4 servings of veggies each day.  This will be harder since my list of veggies I like to eat is short.  I will have to find ways to get extras veggies in my meals, hopefully while finding new ones I enjoy.

And of course, exercising goals.  I need to start exercising more or no pounds will come off.

Exercising Mini Goals:

1. Get a good workout routine established.  I need to find a good time to work out, the best way to get be active, and how often I will work out.  
2. Walk at least 10,000 steps everyday.  With summer coming, I will make myself get out and take walk and play more with the kids.  
3. Use TV time as working out time.  I need to find some ways to squeeze working out in while I watch tv.  At least for some of the tv viewing time.  I do not want to just sit in front of the tv and watch, I want to be using that time to get in shape or other tasks I have to accomplish.  So I need to vow to never just sit and watch tv.  

This is what I have so far.  I will be working on a list of rewards for myself in the near future and adding any other Mini Goals I can think of.  But for now, this is the start!  If you want to join me by blogging about our own weight loss stories, sharing your stories with me, or giving me advice, I would love to hear it!  We can all use encouragement from others :)