OTF Weight Loss Challenge week 2, tough to chew!

We are well into week 2, nearing week 3 of the weight loss challenge.  Our weekly e mail from OTF reminded us that weigh in's take place next weekend.  Suddenly that reality caused me anxiety.  I don't feel like I have lost. When I was weighed at the doctors office last week I hadn't lost much.  I was expecting a larger weight loss, I was hoping for it.  It seems like I have been "about 20 pounds away"  (from my goal weight) since the beginning of the year. No, I stand corrected, I have been "about 20 pounds away", since December 2015.  

Last week when I cried to my doctor about not losing weight she directed me to eat 400 calories less a day.  She says, "it's simple really, it's what goes in and what we burn out". Well one would think its that simple but it really isn't.  Or is it?

At first I refused to even entertain the idea of a 1200 calorie diet, based on the amount of physical activity I do. But now I'm considering it. I'm frustrated and I'm discouraged and this isn't typically like me. When I began with a personal trainer 2 years ago I told him I don't lose weight. He was on a regular basis surprised that I was not losing the amount of weight he thought I should be, based on my exercise and diet plan. People say it must be hard, the diet and exercising. I usually dismiss it, fortunalty despite being a (recovering,) compulsive overeater I'm not a foodie.  I'm really not into food. My tastes are simple. And as for the exercising some of the best times in my life were those times when I was being  physical , playing sports etc. before motherhood sidelined me. As I sit here almost the same weight as I was one year ago, I realize it is hard. It is very, very hard.  

This past week I drank a little but I also went on an amazing hike, Camelback Mountain. According to my ap I burned over 2000 calories!--- enough to cover the  alcohol and steak dinner!  I exercise almost daily sometimes more than once a day and I eat mindfully every day. When I'm not working out at OTF which is 3-5 times a week I'm hiking or running outside. It's like my body is in maintenance mode. My head is not nor is my heart.  I guess this is the time to take a long, hard look at what isn't working for me.  

I am grateful for the size and weight that I am now. I'm even more appreciative of all the things I can do, and the endurance I now have.  Not to mention the food-- my diet has drastically changed and for that I'm grateful! When I began this lifestyle change 2 years ago I set a weight goal, and that is still my target!  Somehow I have to reconnect my emotional back to my physical so we can work hand in hand to reach a (healthy weight)--my goal weight!!

OTF Weight Loss Challenge, a 6 week chunk!

My blog has focused on life in increments of '12 weeks at a time'.  This week marks the beginning of a 6 week chunk! I joined the OrangeTheory Fitness weight loss challenge. I'm excited to finally be able to participate in an OTF get fitness challenge!  The only requirements are attend a minimum of 3 classes per week and complete 2 weigh in's.  There is a monetary prize for 1st place.


My weight has been pretty constant give or take 3 pounds since June. I guess you can say I hit a plateau.  The formula is simple right?  Eat less, exercise more?  But I was, or was I? This get healthy journey of mine has been outside the normal curve since I began (September 2014). The strategy I have been using is classic; diet & exercise.  Fortunately, even though I have not reached my goal weight, the combination of diet & exercise is my way of life. I am hoping this WLC will drop me to my goal weight!

I have done a lot of reading in this area and research has shown that those who weigh themselves daily tend to lose more weight and keep it off longer. I decided for this 6 week challenge to add  an

extra bonus of not weighing myself. It's very weird to not weigh in everyday when it was so routine for me.   As I'm getting used to not weighing in daily I have discovered I am being  more vigilant with my eating.

I don't know if it's the OTF WLC or the not knowing where the scale lies. -- Either way, when what you have been doing isn't working, try something different! I am crossing my fingers!  Oh wait!! haha  (as with all things in life other than maybe love),  it's not about luck, it's about work!


Almost 1 week down, 5 to go! #TeamOrange