Weigh-In ... Water & Hot 100 v.2011

Today's Weight: 186 . 5

Loss/Gain: - 1 . 5 lbs

This was a good week food wise. I've tracked my food at least five days this week and even stayed pretty well within my calorie budget ( a slight miracle for me).

However, I am going to say that I saw this weight coming and it's something I'm determined to figure out. I've been hovering around 185/184 . 5 the past couple of days, then I take my step class - a.k.a. heavy exercise - yesterday and my scale is up.

This happens to me a lot and it vexes me. My only answer is...water.

Which is funny because both Stephanie and MizFit have written about hydration in the past week. It must be a sign, especially because I need that scale to reflect the good eating I've been doing. Not that losing a pound and a half isn't good, but it needs to be can be better.

Why?

Because it's that time of year again...time for the Hot 100 Challenge and this year I'm going to challenge myself more than I ever did in the last two years.

For those that are new to my blog this year, in 2009 and 2010 Steve over at Log My Loss has sponsored a challenge to finish out the last 100 days of the year with a bang. He has inspired us to set goals that will help us stick with our healthiness journeys through the holidays and finish the year strong. I've taken part in these challenges every year so far.

This year it's taken on a do-it-yourself theme (which really isn't it always something we have to do ourselves?? but I digress...) which simply means that he is not going to coordinate it all, set rules, etc. and give out prizes like in the past. For me, it only means I STILL GET TO DO IT!!! :) Yay!!!

The only rule of this challenge is to do it. Whatever you challenge yourself to do to finish out this year strong do it and don't give up.

So I am. And I'm going to finish stronger than I have been all year.

My goal for this Hot 100 Challenge is...

Lose 20 pounds.

Today's weight 186 . 5

Goal for Hot 100 166 . 5

Did you just look at my weight for the past year on the side bar? I knew you would, and I would too if I was you. I would even doubt me if I was you. It's okay, because I know my track record isn't the best. However, I also know what I've been going through this past couple of weeks and if you remember what I wrote yesterday I know that I am capable of more.

So, I am challenging myself in a way I have always had the greatest fear of challenging myself...by setting a weight goal.

I'm not even going to belabor you with little bullets of how I'm going to reach that 20 pounds lost, because I know that right now I don't need to pat myself on the back each week for little achievements if I'm not attaining the main goal. The little achievements are necessary to the bigger picture, but they are not the focus here...even if they always makes me feel better give me excuses to not improve.

So, while my stomach has just become a bundle of nerves for putting this goal out in public (even though I've been thinking on it, planning and praying before this challenge came up) and my fingers are getting shaky as I type.... I wobbly stand before you and make it public.

I will focus and lose as close to 20 pounds by January 30 - exactly three months from today.

Pray for me.

Wish me luck.

Cross fingers and toes.

Send overcoming, fearless thoughts my way

but above all...

Thanks for sticking with me this far.

I. will. not. give. up.

Note: The Hot 100 Challenge is open to anyone. So, if you care to join me feel free to copy the badge and post your own Hot 100 Goal(s) on your blog. Comment here and I'll follow along with you. You can let Steve know you're joining in as well if you'd like. Here are samples of my past goals: 2009 & 2010