No more beached whale

Yesterday's scorching 90 degree weather prompted a spontaneous trip to the beach with my friend. this was only the 2nd time I've been to the beach this summer (I was in a bathing suit a couple of times, but mostly covered up my bottom half).

But I had my adorable retro looking red polka dot that kind of looks like this*:

*But waaaaaaaaaay cuter.

So with retro sunglasses, I rocked that bathing suit. Even with thighs jiggling, I felt sexier and more comfortable in that bathing suit than I sometimes do in full clothing.

No longer do I have that feeling of being the beached whale, the chunky girl who hides behind the towel or the cover-up shorts. I had no problem running to the snack stand in just the suit. Running over the hot sand wasn't to get into the water as fast as I could to cover my bigger bottom half, it was literally just to run so not to scorch my feet. And coming out of the water I felt more like a Bronzed Water Goddess emerging from the Mediterranean in a Fellini film rather than a dripping blubbery orca worried about the sand and saltwater chafing my skin.

So it was a lovely afternoon and I got some (completely uneven but much needed) color. And I hope we have more beach-worthy weekends before the summer is over so I can rock it again. I decided against wearing my bikini because I'm still not quite there yet, and with my lack of exercise and recent gains I wasn't really feeling up to it. Though I did feel sort of encouraged by my friend who doesn't have that perfect bikini body but still rocked it. Who knows, maybe next time.

I'll update you on my goals from last week tomorrow when I report my weigh in. For better or for worse.

Until next time

Boot Camp Days Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen

Miserable Monday. Why did I even bother getting out of bed.

Here's the run-down

Friday eve: McDonalds hamburger & fries, running with kiddies

Saturday: Egg beaters & healthy stuff omelet w/cheese on light bread, homemade pasta salad w/chicken (light mustard vinaigrette dressing), cookies, cherries; walk/jog 3 miles--best jog yet, but really tired at end

Sunday: Picnic lunch with turkey & cheese wraps & leftover pasta salad, cantaloupe, various appetizers for dinner, no conscious exercise.

Today: PB&J on light bread, salmon & salad, sorbet, planned run/dvd tonight after weigh in.

I'm really struggling through today. Not food-related, just motivation--due to a variety of factors. The only motivation I've had was looking at my summer to-do list and seeing "bikini" as one of them. A little over two weeks til July 4th beach weekend...this is why I even enlisted in boot camp. I think I needed that little reminder, but I also seriously need a drill sergeant on my butt to keep me going no matter what.

Who wants the job?

Until next time

Boot Camp Days Six, Seven, Eight

Another Whirlwind weekend. Drill sergeant let me out to see how I'd do on my own. And I think I did pretty well. If I hadn't had an insane week of eating, I would have had plenty to work with this weekend. But I did have one accomplishment on Sunday...see below.

Friday eve: still points crazy--managed to keep within my points for dinner and avoided dessert like the plague. Also avoided alcoholic drinks cuz there was no reason to tack on extra points. Score one for Julia. Didn't exercise...deduct scorepoint.

Saturday: Spent the morning monitoring HS students as they took their SATs. Breakfast was banana, coffee & nutrigrain bar (3 pts! so not worth it). Lunch was leftover chicken & rice. Dinner was beer (light), and mexican. I went for a jog/walk during the day though--good stuff, but my endurance wasn't as good as it had been. Still, I went.

Sunday: Egg beater, spinach, turkey & cheese omelet (SO easy in the microwave!), and then a picnic in Central Park. Tried to eat mostly fruits, but there was lots of cheese & bread too. Oh, and champagne and wine...I didn't overdo it though and got in as much water as possible. Got some sunshine. Fit in a brisk 40 minute walk when I got home since I heard the drill sergeant taking roll call.

Not ridiculous, but could have been better.

My big accomplishment for the weekend...I WORE A BIKINI!!!!! Or at least half of it. At the park yesterday I wanted to get some sunshine & so I wore my new bikini top with shorts. There were no photos as far as I know, which probably is better, but I wish I could have documented it. It didn't look fantastic, but it looked pretty good (at least when I stood up). Hopefully it will serve as motivation to keep going to wear the bottoms too!

This week I'm working to get past last weeks insanity and start fresh with a plan

Today: Quick breakfast-mozzarella. Lunch: healthy tuna, rye, cheese, carrots, snow peas, roasted zucchini/squash. Yum. I'm full. I weigh in tonight and then I'm going food shopping for the week. I will try to take a walk before it rains this afternoon and then do some strength training tonight.

Bikini Season Challenge

Ha! You thought that Bikini on my "winning outcomes" list was just a joke right? Well, on the WW website someone posted a challenge for bikini season beginning Memorial Day weekend - conveniently the weekend of my birthday!

Here's the challenge:
Welcome to the Bikini Season Challenge! We are counting down the days to the official kick off of summer – Memorial day weekend (May 23-25)! We all want to fit into that cute new bikini or even just feel comfortable in a suit by the pool, on the boat, or at the beach! Wow your friends with your hot new body!! Guys are welcome too!! If you are looking for a nice body to show off this summer, join in! However, there is a catch! You need to make yourself accountable! To be an active member of the challenge, you need to track consistently and aim for 3-4 days of moderate intensity activity (at the least). We post every day! Stop in, check us out, and love what you see!! Days to Summer: 137

I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I can so do it! I'm about 35 lbs away from goal, but if I'm kicking up the exercise, then I can be bikini ready even before that goal!

All I need is a little motivation, perseverance, and discipline :) Now's the perfect time to do it anyway--the long cold winter months tend to be less hectic than when it's warmer so I should be taking advantage of my free time to WORK OUT!

Then I'll get to go shopping :)