Accountability, A-count-a-BIL-ity...

(sung to the tune of the "Electricity" song from Schoolhouse Rock. No, it's not the same number of syllables. No, I don't care. It's still cantabilous.)

So, I've been slacking with the weight loss regimen lately, with my motivation meter stuck on "who gives a crap". To keep this setting from becoming permanent, I've decided to participate in the Bahama Mama challenge.

(click for Donut forum thread)

Joelle's goals/challenges are pretty much the same as mine, only I'm not going on a cruise in January. However, I do have a company Christmas party in December at which I'd like to be a size 12 or smaller, and a 31st birthday (and 2nd anniversary of this blog) in January for which it would be so nice to be down at least a couple dozen pounds. And I know if I stick to the plan consistently, that's precisely what will happen. So, starting Monday, I am shooting for the following 5 things every week:

1. In the name of all that is sweet and holy, follow WW flexpoints. Not just acknowledge it, not use it as a guideline, not nod at it from the McDonald's drive thru, not even almost follow it. Follow the plan. I have 24 points per day that I get to have for free (In 1 1/2 more pounds, that goes to 22), and 35 flexpoints. My goal is to eat only those points, and completely deny the existence of activity points. There's no longer any such thing as activity points in Joy world.

2. Cardio 5 days per week. This one is lifted directly from the original challenge. It's going to be a combination of running, walking, precor-ing, biking, and possibly swimming (but I doubt it), at least 30 minutes each time.

3. Strength training 3 times per week. Again, same as the original. Except that two of those instances are going to be the sculpting classes at work. They don't really increase strength a lot, but since my objective is to be toned v. to be strong, I think they fit. The other strength day I'll probably do a modified version of the Fat-Burning workout (remember that? Did it last year for a while). I've got the bench and the weights, might as well have at it.

4. Water. Through trial and error, I've discovered that my body likes 6 bottles/day (3L). If I don't drink enough, my lips crack and my skin breaks out...it's not pretty. And yet, I haven't been drinking that much consistently. During this challenge, I'm going to try to give it what it wants.

5. Vitamins and other medications. I will take these every day. With the new prescriptions, that means 4-5 pills per day, depending on what time of the month it is--multivitamin, vitamin C (I bruise easily, and have been told this will help), 2 glucophage (one morning, one night), Provera (for 2 more days), and Clomid (for 5 days, starting in about a week).

And that's it--just five things. How hard can it be to do 5 things consistently? Well, if you judge from my history, pretty damned hard. :)

But whatever--challenge starts Monday. Woo!

Funny how in theory doing cardio 5 days a week and eating on plan seems like it should be the hardest, but holy crap #5 is the hardest for me! Good luck on your challenge :)

yeah, #5 is a major struggle for me, too. Part of the reason why the Pill was always hard for me. Wanting to take a pill every day or needing to, I have to remind myself 30 times/day. And do it again tomorrow. :)