Back in the Groove

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I’ve been incredibly busy … and I just didn’t feel like I had anything neat to write about. Until now.

As of tonight’s weigh-in, I’ve lost 10% of my weight THREE times since I began my healthy lifestyle. What I’m saying is, I lost 10% of my initial number, then 10% of the new number, and 10% of the new new number. Just losing 10% of your weight provides many benefits, so I guess I get the benefits threefold? Here’s what happens:

• Your heart will be healthier because you can lower your cholesterol and decrease your blood pressure. High cholesterol and blood pressure are two major risk factors for heart disease.
• You can lower your risk for type 2 diabetes by improving your body’s ability to use the insulin it makes. If you already have type 2 diabetes, losing 10% can reduce your symptoms and possibly reduce complications.
• You will have more energy, and you’ll just plain feel better!
• You will have the motivation to keep going. Losing 10% is a great goal, and this milestone shows you that you have adopted some healthy habits and can stick with it.

There are more reasons out there, but I think these highlight some of the goodies.

Although I’m finally in the 150s (yay!), I still didn’t meet my goal for Jen and Annabel’s Challenge. My goal was to lose 10 pounds in 60 days, but I wound up losing 5 pounds. I was a bit discouraged, BUT with all the events based around food and drinking during the summer, I think a 5-pound loss is fab. My faux plateau might be gone for good!

True to my word, since I didn’t achieve my goal, I donated $50 to the charity of my choice — The VH1 Save the Music Foundation.

This nonprofit organization is dedicated to restoring instrumental music education in American public schools, ensuring that every child has access to a complete education that includes the benefits of music instruction.

Music plays a huuuuuge role in my life. I grew up singing in the car with my mom, and one of my first sentences was actually sung to a Madonna song. I loved singing and dancing in choir and showchoir throughout the years. I love belting out my favorite tunes on karaoke nights now. I’ve sung in two weddings this summer. Music helps me through times when my friends’ and family’s words just don’t seem to cut it. Music is my religion. It can capture my mood like no other. My workouts would be nothing without my tunes!

If I didn’t have such a wonderful music program growing up, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I got to go on trips that I STILL talk about like they happened yesterday. I cemented invaluable friendships. We sang and danced through the happy times and the unspeakably sad times.

Some of my best friends are music teachers, and I find myself envious that they get to experience this kind of music every day. Many school districts nationwide have poor music programs or no music program at all. I can’t even imagine this. I’m more than happy to donate to this amazing organization.

Of course, I’m still going to reward myself with this Tiffany necklace when I lose 5 more pounds. I've been eyeing it up for almost a year now!

Since I’m training to run my first 5K in September, I don’t think the necklace is too far off. So here's the plan: I’m gonna blast my tunes tomorrow, go for my morning run, and envision that pretty piece of jewelry around my neck. Woo!

(On a sad note, I lost my beloved Sigg bottle. I'm hoping to buy a new one sometime soon, but still. Sadface.)