Is That a Wreath Around Your Waist?

The temperatures have dropped, which makes me want to stay bundled up on the couch. As I sit and watch CSI, I realize that I have more than just extra layers of clothing. Though I have been able to keep off the 70 lbs that I lost for over a year, I have noticed that my pants are a little tighter. At school I had two people comment on the plumpness of my butt. Yes, I work in an elementary school, and yes, inappropriate things like this happen often, but this time it was from women.

Though I am excited for the smell of cinnamon, the sight of snow flurries, hearing Christmas tunes, and spending time with my family time, I'd prefer to avoid the annual weight gain. I'd rather not be one of the millions in the gym in January  preparing for spring time. The two times that I have lost significant amounts of weight, I did it during the winter months. I think the winter time is the easiest time to exercise. I know what you are thinking "But it's so cold!!!" Of course outdoor running isn't as enjoyable, but I have valid reasons to why I find it easier to shed my weight in the winter months. 

 Partying

Summer provides many opportunities for partying, drinking, and eating. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, my weekends are jammed packed with pool parties, late night gatherings, and BBQ's. Although we have the Holidays in the winter, I tend to only go home for Christmas and I watch what I eat. I can't eat  most of the pork infused food that my family prepares, so it leaves me with few opportunities to overdose. 

Schedule

Since I am a teacher I enjoy my summer doing pretty much nothing. During the school year I have a strict eating schedule. I eat small meals every 3-4 hours and it is difficult for me to cheat throughout the day since I am in a classroom filled with children. During the summer I have many more opportunities to enjoy margaritas on my favorite Mexican restaurant's patio with a few servings of chips and guac. 

Sports

I love winter time because I love basketball season. Last year I coached, which gave me the opportunity to scrimmage and run with my girls. This year I plan to join a local league. Honestly, I hate working out just like the next person, but I love sports. I burn more calories in a 32 minute basketball game than I do with my trainer in 60 minutes. Plus, I have more fun!

Motivation

During the summer you have nothing to look forward to. "Hey, I should get in shape for legging and sweater weather!" Yeah, I think not. But the winter provides the perfect opportunity to set goals based on future spring/summer events. For example, I will be going to Punta Cana in April. I already know that I have 21 weeks to lose 20 lbs so I can be bikini ready.  Not to mention I need to fit into a bridesmaid's dress in May. Now a pound a week is very reasonable and these events help keep me motivated during the winter. 

It may be easy for me to shed the winter pounds, but for some of you it may not be so simple. Here are a few tips to keep you on track this season: 

1. Be Prepared 

Eat before you go to the holiday party and bring a bottle of water to curb your appetite. Stay away from the carbs and go for a small piece of dark chocolate instead. If you must drink, set a limit ahead of time. Liquid calories add up quick so go for a straight shot instead of the mixed cocktail. Light liquors have less calories, so have a few tequila shots, and make sure you have a driver. On Thanksgiving and Christmas, get a spoon full of each item instead of a whole serving and limit yourself to one plate. You will thank me later. 

2. Set Goals 

As it gets colder outside, I don't want to get out of the bed for any early morning workouts. I told myself to just make it to the gym 3 days a week. Once you get in the habit, you will enjoy going. Make sure you work out the morning before a big party or event, that way you will look great in your dress, and you will be less tempted to cheat. 

3. Try Something New 

Sign up for a new class, team, or sport. You can use meetup.com to find teams, or go to your local gym to find a Cross-fit or kickboxing class. Make friends with someone in the class to keep as an accountability partner. If someone knows that you are missing from the class, you are more likely to show up. 

4. Competition

Get a group of friends together and start a weight loss competition now. Why weight until January? The girls and I that are traveling this spring have already started. Our wager is a spa day. Have fun with it and be creative! 

I wish you fellow fatties the best of luck this holiday season! 

I've Gone Insane

So it's that time a year again where I enter a weight loss competition. Last year around this time I joined a group of ladies that wanted to jump start some weight loss and it was the perfect time for me to do so as well. I had just started training with my trainer Rylen, and I was ready for some big changes. Jump start was an understatement. I lost almost 30 lbs in 6 weeks ( still lost the competition ) and continued on to lose 50 lbs last year. This year a group of my girlfriends decided to do the same thing. We are all over weight and not quite bikini ready so we wanted to hold each other accountable to meet our goals. It is even more fun because we are all within 15 lbs of each other in weight. For the first time in my life I am not the heaviest! Unlike most competitions that I enter, this one is really about supporting my girlfriends in meeting their goals. We are at the age where our metabolisms aren't getting any faster. I am here to push them, motivate them, and give them some advice in getting to their goal weights.

Now to the insane part. Today I started the Insanity workouts. I had done a couple of days of the workouts over Christmas break with my brother, but that was it. I thought now would be the perfect time to really get into it since it is a 60 day program, and our competition is 8 weeks long. I took some before pics ( which I will show you at a later date) and I am looking forward to seeing some major differences in 8 weeks. In addition to Insanity, I will  be working out with my high school basketball team. Now this is the real challenge. Any former athlete knows that basketball is one of the most difficult sports to play due to its constant sprints, cutting, and jumping. You literally use every muscle in your body, and if you don't believe me go and play with some 18 year-olds and come and talk to me the next day. I had been doing some running with them before break, but I hadn't been scrimmaging. Last week we were short some players so I had to jump in the game. I loved it. The next morning I regretted it. I couldn't even get out of bed. I am blessed to have the opportunity to play a sport that is so rigorous, but that I love at the same time. When I am playing ball, I don't feel like I am working out. The best part is that I am burning nearly 1200 cals a practice! Oh yeah, and I still kick their asses!

I hope my competitors don't read this post because they might get some extra motivation. I am really trying to win!

I will keep you guys updated with my progress through these next few weeks. Look forward to some before and after pictures!

Your fellow fatty,

Tiffany