According to that rocking little Wii Fit exercise board dude, I've lost 5 pounds since Christmas day. And honestly, I'm a bit happy with myself, especially since I haven't been dieting at all. I simply started working out on an infinitesimal level - 30 minutes a day playing Wii with the kids and occasionally reminding myself to do Yoga and strength training. I also quit drinking cocktails except for two days a week (on the weekends or sometimes during the week if we plan to go out). I still have something like 12 pounds left to get to my goal (of weighing as much as the average man), but I'm giving myself the rest of the year to do it.
Did I ever mention that my only weight loss/fitness goal after my gastric bypass surgery was to someday run an 8-minute-mile? Yeah. I know. What was I thinking? But my ten year surgery anniversary is coming up on August 8, 2012, and I think I should try to make that my goal. Of course, that means I need to get myself slowly into shape over the next two years if I want to make that happen. I like the idea in theory - a numerical physical goal that has nothing to do with my weight or my pants size - but the reality is that every minute I spend running is a minute I also spend contemplating the sweet merciful release of death.
And what am I going to do with my boobs? No. Seriously. WHAT? I need a harness of some kind. Preferably something steel belted, maybe the kind of structural engineering they use to keep skyscrapers from collapsing in Japanese earthquakes. I'll happily take your sports bra recommendations.
My other new year's resolutions seem to be going fairly well too. I'm trying to make money. (Still offering a discount on any financial planning services through the end of January!) I'm reading more non-romance novels (and rather loving it. You can click on my Goodreads links to see what I'm reading.) I'm trying to be a better blogger (Facebook to the rescue!). I'm reading more the kids, going to the library at least every week and doing my husband (although not yet on a cruise liner). My sister and I have been trying to go out and listen to live music, but twice our plans have been foiled by weird scheduling snafus. We keep trying.
The only thing I've rather sucked at is working on my book. It feels like I've lost my writing momentum. My mojo. I'm a little terrified to open my manuscript and work on it. (It's always a work-in-progress. Even if it ever gets published, I'm sure I'll be taking a red pen to the printed copy.) But I'm anxious to write new stuff and finish my NANO book and since I won't let myself start anything new until I've completely finished submitting GRAVY, I'm ready to get back to work on it. I need to focus less on some unobtainable idea of perfection (which is really just an excuse to terrorize myself into a state of inaction) and just get-er-done. So this is me using my blog as an accountability intervention.
Is anyone else keeping up with their resolutions? This is the time of the year by which I've usually forgotten about mine.
Excessive revisions can be crippling--just get the changes made and send that baby out! Getting a book published is such a long process, so might as well jump in!
Posted by: Maureen | January 26, 2010 at 11:33 AM
My NY resolution was to bang my husband every day in January. Boy, was that stupid. But I'm sticking to my word (minus 3 days he was out of town and one night we both just forgot). It's actually been really good for all other aspects of home/family life.
Re the 8 minute mile - you can do it! When I started running last summer I was at a 12 minute mile and in 2 months got to just below a 9 minute pace. I've not been running as much since it's been brutally cold but when I do run I'm still between 8.5-9 mins. I'm hoping to get to 8 or just below this spring.
As for the boobs, since my breast reduction I can wear any brand/type, I just go for something that's REALLY snug. And I prefer the over-the-head kind rather than something that opens and hooks.
Posted by: Melissa | January 26, 2010 at 11:40 AM
My only resolution was to shift the lbs for my wedding in July, and I seem to be doing well so far... I've lost 12 lbs since New Year on Weight Watchers. Not sure how I'm doing it but I must be doing something right x
Posted by: Steph | January 26, 2010 at 11:47 AM
I really like Victoria's Secret brand Sports Bra. They have been really comfortable. I have a friend with more "treasure in her chest" and she usually wears two sports bras when she runs. Good luck!
Posted by: Michelle | January 26, 2010 at 12:07 PM
Enell!! You must buy an Enell bra. They cost $68, are fairly hideous looking, but they are AMAZING and wear like iron. I have a, um, significant (we're talking multiple Ds, here) rack and this bra truly helped me shave 3 minutes off of my 5K time. Seriously. It honestly helped me run better.
Posted by: Patty | January 26, 2010 at 12:28 PM
If you're serious about finding a good bra for exercise, try Enell
www.enell.com/index.php
They are amazing. I am very large-busted, and considerably more "floppy" after 2 kids, and turning 30. I put this sucker on, and those babies don't move. At all. It's really the only sports bra I can wear.
Posted by: Laura | January 26, 2010 at 12:41 PM
http://www.titlenine.com/ Has the best sport bra write ups I have seen. Even though the rest of their clothing run kind of small, if you ask me. Here is my litte secret. Title nine doesn't make their own bras they usually tell you who the maker is then you can search the web to find a better price or can figure out what features you should be looking for. Personally, I found a Nike bra with a underwire that does a great job of smashing everything in so it doesn't bounce.
Posted by: EmJay | January 26, 2010 at 01:41 PM
"And what am I going to do with my boobs?"
No sports bra needed. I could hold them for you while you ride the exercise bike.
Posted by: David | January 26, 2010 at 02:26 PM
I usually wear 2 sports bras when I run. That seems to keep the girls in place! :) Dave's idea sounds....interesting too!!
An 8 minute mile is FAST...wow!
Posted by: JMH | January 26, 2010 at 03:40 PM
I'm not even CLOSE to an 8-minute mile yet but I like the Title Nine Frog Bra. It totally gives you Prow Chest but nothing moves and holds up over a long time.
Posted by: Ellen | January 26, 2010 at 05:06 PM
Creating my resolutions in specific list-form and then putting that list on its own page on my site is totally helping me keep them in mind, and going back to the page to cross something off feels uh-mazing.
Here's to writing momentum, coming at you!
Posted by: Kerri Anne | January 26, 2010 at 07:15 PM
I just read the "doing my husband" bit twice and I have to say that really cracked me up! Good for you.
Posted by: Jenny H. | January 26, 2010 at 09:06 PM
I, um, haven't made any resolutions yet...though a few have been playing around in my head. So I guess that means that I'm free and clear!
I'd also like to give you bra suggestions but I'm so flat I'm almost concave.
Posted by: Erin (Snarke) | January 26, 2010 at 09:29 PM
Amanda, you left a comment on The Daily Bail reading:
"I'm a Mommyblogger and think some of these comments are rude and un-patriotic.
Why can't all of you just support our government instead of criticize it?"
I help out with the site (it's not mine), but I responded there with this:
"Amanda, if you want to know why so many of us are angry and critical of the government, maybe you should read some of the articles on this site. You may or may not know, but the bank bailouts that began in 2008 and continue right up to the present time will cost your children and my children many hundreds of billions, if not trillions, of dollars. Hardly any of this expense was necessary to "save the financial system." What our govt has done is save bank executives and bank bondholders at taxpayer expense. Every step of the way, people like Ben Bernanke and Tim Geithner have served the interests of the large commercial banks and the investment banks ("Wall St.") at our expense. Much of it they have obscured with very complex programs run by the Federal Reserve. Other parts they have simply tried to hide.
You have a very interesting blog and a snappy prose style. The story about your surgery was fascinating -- I never knew anything about that before.
But I hope you will take the time to read about why the bailouts happened, whom they benefited (not us!), and why we have to stop them before they do it all over again -- because they just might. The financial system is still very fragile and they are still trying to find ways to funnel money to the banks." As just one example, the reason people like us earn next to nothing on our savings and CD's right now is because the govt is providing the banks with "free" money at almost 0% interest so that the banks can make more profits when they loan that money back to us for cars, on credit cards, and so forth.
My new year's resolution is to do even more to stop the ongoing bank bailouts, which are happening at our children's expense (I'm about your age and I have three children). I hope some of your fellow Mommybloggers can check out The Daily Bail and learn more about what's happening on this front.
Cheers,
James H
Posted by: James H | January 26, 2010 at 10:13 PM
James,
I don't know who exactly left that comment, but I can assure you it wasn't me. Anyone who reads this blog or knows me in real life would LAUGH OUT LOUD to see me write those words. I'm a hardcore libertarian and I don't support this administration any more than I supported any of the previous ones.
And as far as I'm concerned, there's nothing more patriotic than sharing your political opinion on the Internet. ;)
-Amanda
Posted by: Amanda Mandajuice | January 26, 2010 at 10:32 PM
Bizarre. I'm sure Steve ("DB", "Daily Bail" himself) can help you out. It's weird, but the comments were kind of like bait to get people to your site. Maybe it's someone who knows you and reads The Bail.
Anyhow, spread the word on the bailouts if you aren't already.
Posted by: James H | January 26, 2010 at 10:52 PM
I hate editing things I've written, (granted I'm talking mostly about term papers here) it just drives me into a frenzy. I'm pretty sure that's because I have the worst grammar.
Right now my only resolution is to go to the store as I've been out of milk for two days and haven't bothered to do any errands. Bah.
Posted by: Sarah | January 27, 2010 at 01:03 AM
Holy cow-I'm actually commenting. I NEVER DO-but this rings close to my heart-I had (HOORAY-I got'em reduced) huge boobies, and ran a half marathon and full marathon. After aching breasts just while training, I made it my goal to find a way to keep the girls from bouncing
http://www.championusa.com/Champion/Products/CH1694.aspx
I wear that, with a compression (the cheaper normal sports bras that just smoosh your boobies) over the top.
For me, it required wearing two bras to keep them exactly where I want them!
Hope that helps!
Posted by: Crystal | January 27, 2010 at 07:50 AM
I second the Title Nine recommendation. I bought a sports bra from them when I decided to start the Couch-To-5K, and it was the Best Decision I Ever Made Ever Ever Ever.
Posted by: Sue | January 27, 2010 at 11:13 AM
I want to lose about 16 lbs which have crept upon me this past year, post gastric-bypass. yipes.
if you keep editing gravy, you'll never stop. so, send it to me so I can start ;)
Posted by: Michelle | January 30, 2010 at 02:54 PM
i really want to try that WII fit
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