Shrinking Days Of Summer

Well there's a new challenge afoot at the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans and I'm excited again. I love the premise of eight weeks to make a change in how we look and feel. It starts today and ends on July 21st - the day after my birthday which will make it easy to remember the target date.
The idea of doing something for a set period of time appeals to me. It makes goals seem more achievable and less abstract. The 21 Day Challenge where we worked to develop new healthier habits will stay with me well beyond the 21 days originally designated. I'm still exercising every day. After missing two days the week before last, I've re-doubled my determination to get in those 21 days in a row and I haven't missed a day since. In fact, as long as I get my three miles in today, I'll be increasing to 3 1/2 tomorrow. I still count my points religiously no matter how discouraging it is sometimes and I still go to bed at least a little earlier than I used to. Obviously I have to work on that but the important thing is that now I'm aware and eventually I hope to change that bad habit of staying up too late into a good one of getting enough sleep every night.

But this post isn't about the old 21 Day Challenge. It's about the new eight week challenge of getting ready for summer. I won't ever be ready for summer the way most people would (bathing suit presentable and all that) but I'll be ready for summer for me (or at least closer to it) . I'll be outdoors and active and feel good about how I look in the smaller clothes that I'll be able to wear.

The eight week Shrinking Days of Summer Challenge has several facets but the most important one for me involves mini challenges every week from Sunday through Saturday. Basically we'll get a task, (fitness, health, or mental well-being related) to focus on for that week. This will definitely provide the motivation and variety to keep us interested and on task for the eight week goal. I'm looking forward to that first mini challenge and each one after that. Since joining the Sisterhood I feel, for the first time in many years, like I'll see this weight loss effort through to the end. And that's a great feeling.


Now I can't forget that it's Wednesday Weigh-In and I need to post how I've done for the past week. I lost one pound. I'm good with that. It's a step in the right direction and after posting a three pound loss last week, I expected a evening out this week. I'm very aware that I'm going to have ups and downs (as in bigger losses and smaller losses). So thanks Sisterhood. I'm in it for the long haul and I'm grateful for the help and motivation you provide!