My Official Goals Post for SLIMMER THIS SUMMER Challenge

The challenge begins tomorrow, June 6th. Today, I have my measurements and goals post from which I will track my progress. I have a swollen eye (nearly shut, allergies and irritation from a combo of things, so hope the post doesn't look lopsided, heh).

My goals:

Lose 18 pounds minimum. I'll take any lagniappe.

Exercise 5 days a week, two with strength training. Try at least two new ways to exercise this summer other than Pilates and walking (my mainstays).

I want to be able to do 4 regular push-ups by challenge-end. I've never, ever, ever, even when young and slim and active, been able to do regular push-ups. It's one of the banes of my exercise life. :O It's partly a combo of very weak and fragile wrists (sheesh), week upper body strength,  and holding a lot of my weight in the upper body (just look at my swimsuit pics for proof). So, I'm gonna work on that all summer. One day, I'd like to be a push-ups GODDESS like Yum Yucky

Drink 14 glasses of fluid minimum. More on high exercise days.

Stay within 1200 to 1400 calorie. Know I'm calorically correct by tracking my food on Sparkpeople or a notebook or an email or whatever. But track everything ingested and tally calories.

Get my waist at or under 35 inches. I have no idea if this is doable with just 18 pounds, as I'm an appley girl and my waist/belly fat is the most stubborn; but I have my eye on it. Might as well set it down as a goal.

Pray daily for the success of the Slimmer this Summer Challengers.

Encourage some challengers daily. ( I can't encourage you all daily, sorry, too many of you!)

Here are the things the StS Challenge requires of all of us involved. That means me:

**Track food and water. 
**Keep calories around 1200-1400 a day/10K or less per week. 
**Stay hydrated.
**Weigh in weekly.
**Stick to your exercise goals. 
**DO NOT QUIT.
**Keep blogging.
**Encourage others.

If you can't do these things, this challenge isn't for you.

If you can, go here to read about it and, if you wish, join up. This begins tomorrow, so you have time. You'll need to make your official goals post TODAY.

If you're in the challenge and haven't done your goal post. TODAY IS THE DAY, People! Do it! Make your list of goals, then yabber on about anything else you want, get going. Post it!

Okay, so my starting measurements:

Waist: 37 in

Weight: 195.0 lbs

Yeah, that's higher than yesterday pre-restaurant. I always bloat from rest food and its saltiness. Small bloat, though. :)

Since we were supposed to take a pic anyway for end of Phase 5, here it is as my START photo for StS:

I got on twice and got the same number, so there it is. Starting weight.

I wonder how much a Canon digital camera weighs? ; )

A new challenge begins. And though I'm bug-bite and heat-rash itchy, swollen-eyed, and restaurant wee-bloated, I'm ready to tackle the last 35 pounds to goal weight.

Die, fat, die!!!

And for those who feel daunted by the prospect of having to lose a whole lotta poundage, you aren't alone. We're all struggling and fighting the fight. We can make it. And we can make it with joy!

Well, I certainly want to do it with joy. And I have help-- you supporters/fellow challengers, my kind bloggy readers/commenters, hubby, family...and Him. Definitely not alone in the journey.

Here is one of my fave Twila Paris tunes, bluegrassy and fun and, yes, joyful. I'm gonna go sing it now to get myself going. EnJOY: Joy of the Lord by Twila Paris~~

The joy of the Lord

will be my strength.

I will not falter;

I will not faint...

Be well...and full of joy..