For those of you who were around then, you may recall that I hosted the 10:4 Challenge from June 1st through September 1st of this year. 10:4 was a challenge to lose 10 pounds in 4 months by making lifestyle changes that would promote healthier, happier futures. Not crash dieting, just real change.
The results were less than stellar for me with a total of 9 pounds lost. The reason they were less than stellar was that I made few lifestyle changes and quickly went pack to 194 pounds, just 4 short of my all time greatest weight at the start of the challenge of 198! I then challenged myself and whoever would join to the R.I.P.ing 5 Challenge, with the goals being similar: lose 5 pounds during the 2 months of the R.I.P. II Challenge. Per usual I started out slow…but then something magical happened.
Yes, that’s right: Charlie! I had pretty much determined getting another dog was out of the question after Razz passed in May, but seeing Charlie’s adorable face and that first meeting with him changed all that. Despite my daughter’s protestations to the contrary, I picked out Charlie and so I consider him to be my dog and mostly my responsibility. Sure, he is really all of our dog and all of our responsibility, but my commitment was to take this dog who was sure to have alot of energy, and walk him and play with him every day regardless of the way I felt.
And that is what I have done. From the time we got him in early October I began taking walks with him. On average I took him out twice a day, three times a day if I could. I started taking very long and very brisk walks. It was fun because I was helping out Charlie and letting him explore his neighborhood. As the weather has gotten colder I have persisted with my walks with him. And you know what I’ve discovered? I like being outdoors, even in less than ideal temperatures, if I have a purpose! In October I got to see all the neighborhood Halloween decorations–not just once or twice but every night. It was great. Now I’m seeing Christmas decorations every night. I have discovered all kinds of interesting homes and streets that I wasn’t aware of before. I am finding out how cool it is to be at the park late at night and early in the morning when it is just me, Charlie, and those damn squirrels! I am getting out and savoring cool autumn nights and loving it. I get to talk to the constellation Orion, my favorite, every night! And I’ve seen so many cool moons!
Thanks to Charlie, the pounds started to melt off. Which is just the jump start I needed. Suddenly taking water to work instead of pop was very appealing. Now I don’t drink pop at work and my co-workers make fun of me because I prefer the little tiny bottles of water rather than the larger ones (I get through them while they are still cold!). I began to eat smaller portions. Instead of wolfing down my food and getting up for that second helping I am savoring each bite and thus eating less. I am also a little more discriminating in what I eat.
Sure, I still eat alot of ‘less than ideal’ food. It is cold now and I love stew and soup and hearty meals. I’m just eating smaller portions of these, and choosing salad instead of chips…things like that. I am not eating out at work unless it is an absolute necessity and even then I am more often ordering salads than burgers. I’m not gorging myself on candy. I am buying those delicious dark chocolate oranges that find their way to stores around Christmas time and I’m taking one slice out of the refrigerator per night and loving it. It is my daily treat to myself.
The results: I am down to 179 pounds from 194 at the start of October. That is significant for me as I had lost hope of ever really being motivated enough to see 180 again. A good portion of my gut has disappeared. There is still work to be done, but I am motivated by the results to do more. I am now fitting in to size Large shirts and my Extra Larges are getting to be too big and bulky. I have to tighten the belt a bit tighter to keep my pants up. I am less tired and feel more energetic.
Other things that I’ve changed: I make sure to eat breakfast every morning. Just doing this one simple thing keeps me on course. I used to be famished by 10:30 and would send my secretary on early food runs for us. Now I am not hungry until much later and even then I am not starving and so I make wiser food choices.
I feel so good. That feeling, along with a few other things, has prompted me to dress better. I’m starting to look better in clothes and that makes me want to buy better clothes and look nicer at work. Dressing up more makes me fit my role at work better…it gives me more confidence in being the boss that I need to be.
As I suspected all along, a little success begets more success and that is what helps with the motivation to keep at something. I am so thankful to Charlie for giving me this gift.
We have some cold winter day and night walks ahead of us, with hot ones coming in the summer, but I am looking forward to getting in even better shape and discovering more wonders of my immediate world through our journeys into the neighborhood.
Happiness really is a warm puppy!
that is so cool, carl! so cool. how that little guy has changed your life like that.
and to think, while you’re out there walking charlie, taking in the outdoors and orion, charlie is having the time of his life! so it makes you both happy! isn’t that just the best situation 🙂
and its also so called how this has been a catalyst (as you thought it would) for other good habits to emerge.
well done and hooray for charlie! not just a pretty face, hey 😉
….and for christmas you are taking Charlie to Petco and let him pick out his own pressie’s right?!
Wow, Carl…congratulations! Not just for the pounds shed, which is fabulous all on its own, but for the lifestyle changes! That really is truly impressive!
Hmmm…I think I need to take over the dog-walking duties in our house…
Congrats Carl!! That is awesome!! And to think, little ol’ Charlie is the reason! Good for him. Well, I figured I ended up 7 pounds lighter than I started, so all is good! (Could be better mind you).
And yes, I agree with Deslily. A present would be in order!!
Never fear, he gets plenty of presents and spoiling and I’m sure Santa will have gifts under the tree for Charlie. 😉
That’s awesome Carl! You’ve been a huge inspiration and now I suddenly have a craving to go walking :p 179! Great number there…Doesn’t it always feel good when you bring that second number down one more?
That is fantastic Carl. I’m on this quest myself – to change those bad lifestyle habits and lose some of this extra baby weight. It’s a hard process to undergo. I’m very proud of you!
That’s awesome! Glad you found the motivation to get going again!
CARL, I AM SO PROUD OF YOU !! YOU LOOKED SO GOOD LAST TIME WE WERE IN K.C.-I COULD TELL THE DIFFERENCE! NOW, I AM SURE THERE IS MORE CHANGE. THANK YOU CHARLIE!!! OF, COURSE AS YOUR MOM ,I AM GLAD FOR THE WEIGHT LOSE AND EXERCISE BECAUSE IT IS HEALTHY FOR YOU! LOVE YOU,SON!!! I GOT TEARS WHEN I SAW HOW MUCH YOU HAVE LOST-WAY TO GO!!!!
what fantastic news, Carl! Congrats 🙂
Congratulations Carl! That’s great news for you.
Congrats! You’re looking great! I’m happy for both you and Charlie!
Wow, congrats. That’s wonderful!
Congrats Carl! This is great!!
That is awesome!! I haven’t seen you for a couple weeks so I’m sure I will notice a
difference when I see you next. Maybe the next time I see you, I will have also shed
a few pounds – no thanks to Charlie though (ha ha)!!! I am very glad you are loosing
weight but I am even more glad to see you are becoming healthier. You don’t have to be
a total health nut, but I do believe that life will be much more fulfilling if you have the energy
to enjoy it.
Yay Carl! Good for you! Thank you for the kick in the butt that I need to start taking care of myself again.
What Abby, you don’t think Charlie can induce labor?
Thanks for all the kinds words everyone, I am really enjoying hearing what others are doing as well as I know I wasn’t alone in this challenge.
Tears, Mom? Did you think I was dying? 😉 Just kidding, thanks.
Way to go, honey! You are looking very sexy.
What motivation! Isn’t it great that our favorite place always has great salads. Congratulations, that is truely an accomplishment. I can’t believe you were 194, that must have been scarey- it’s so close to 200!
Actually I was 198 before I was 194…for someone as short as me, that was really scary! Ha! I’m glad to be doing better. Even went out for a walk in the cold today…it was actually kind of fun!
Congrats, Carl! I think it’s quite an achievement to lose weight anytime during the holiday season. 🙂 My husband and I enjoyed far too much food this summer (having a food blog doesn’t help!), so we’ve changed our eating habits – started back at the end of September and have both lost 13 lbs. I dipped below 130 for the first time in over 10 years and was absolutely thrilled. Nothing like reaching a goal like that to continue to motivate one’s efforts. We bought a treadmill to help with those bitterly cold (and icy) days here, but look forward to walking our new dog once she gets used to the leash. Yes, dogs are great in many, many ways. Here’s to a slim 2008. It sure feels great, doesn’t it? Stay warm!
Way to go Les! I am going to have to start using the stationary bike…probably tonight, as freezing rain is upon us and I don’t really want to break my leg..or head…going for a walk!