the last 3 pounds: avoiding boredom

I've decided I need more options. Here are my latest weekly workout choices in my endeavor to slim down & keep it off.

• 30 min run + hills + stairs
• 45 min run + walk
• 25 min run- intervals
• 60 min walk
• 45 min run- stamina

the last 3 pounds: what I was doing wrong

1. Complacent workouts. I somehow tricked myself into thinking I could have a kick-butt bod without a kick-butt workout.
[fix] I've stopped avoiding stairs & hills when I run. And I have added some intervals and a few extra minutes to my cardio routine.

2. Bread overload. I started thinking I needed to fill myself with bread every meal.
[fix] I've limited myself to one serving of whole grains per meal and one weekly indulgent meal of those fluffy white breads I crave. This way, I'm definitely not deprived but I'm also setting smart boundaries.

3. Late night eating. It just got later and later.
[fix] I'm done eating after 9.

It's been almost 2 weeks & I've noticed a big difference. My face is thinner, jeans a little looser, and more than anything, I feel really good about the choices I'm making. I'm enjoying all the yummy, without going overboard. And It's so maintainable!

the last 3 pounds: my little hitch

Being a newlywed and all, I'm still doing some adjusting. I'm not at all used to following someone else's schedule. Now, I eat when the hubs eats even if I've already eaten. And I like to stay in bed with him as long as possible in the morning rather getting up early to go running. Plus I've noticed that I like to make every meal a production, whereas when I was single, I'd grab something simple and be satisfied.

[fix] I need to get used to it and adjust instead of fighting it. That's life. And someday when we have little one's, [gasp] they will rule my life even more. Fine, stay in bed. But get used to running in the middle of the day & remember that rule about being flexible? oh yeah. I can do that.

What are your little hitches? I want to know. email me.

3 things I'm doing now

to lose those pesky last 3 pounds.

• more effective workouts
• smarter snacking
• no late night eating

who do I think I am? regina george?

I have this inner-conflict. I'm naturally petite; not naturally skinny, but would have to work pretty hard to get "fat". So being active and eating well, while still having my fun, I'm fit and petite. Still, I'm always wishing I was about 3 pounds lighter.

I get to my ideal about once a year for a few months and then what happens? A prolonged holiday, sickness, or vacation. And then it is soooo hard for me to get back.

And so I live with this conflict. Either way I'm fit. Either way I'm on the lower end of healthy weights for my height and body type. And either way I'm still the same clothing size. But having my jeans fit looser, being a slight bit less bootylicious [sorry Beyonce] & having an actual a waist [I have the shortest waist known to man] is still so enticing.

So here's my newest goal for the year. End the conflict. a] Do all that I can to lose those last three silly pounds without going crazy & find a way to stay there with small sustainable changes. And b] If I can't find a way to have my cake and eat it too, then I'm going to get over it and love my shape just the way it is.

Lucky for you, I'll be sharing all of it here.