Sometimes Vanity is a Good Thing

Okay, so I’m not afraid to say it – I’m vain. And that simple fact is the inspiration for my taking on the challenge. Sure, winning a $1,000 and the title won’t hurt my ego any, but at the end of the day, I’m tired of always feeling like less in the looks department.

It’s funny – I’ve never really been one to worry about aging or getting older, and I guess in the naivety of my youth, I always just thought staying young and trim would be easy cause most things are for me. But what I’ve realized is, I’m just like everyone else. I’m not special in that I can eat whatever I want as often as I want, not exercise, and still look like Giselle Bundchen (which is kind of funny cause I never looked that good to begin with). However, over the past 5 years or so, I’ve really lost myself physically. I’ve been so focused on so many other things – work, kids, school, house, spouse – I don’t even recognize myself anymore. So, this is the year I stop blaming it on baby weight (my youngest is 8 years old so it really doesn’t work anymore!) and start living more of an Inclusive Health lifestyle as advocated by Dr. Murad.

I know myself well enough to know my downfalls. I have an incredibly busy, stressful and demanding schedule so at the end of the day, I just want to get home, get the night closed down (homework, baths, dinner, catch up on e-mails, bed) and veg for an hour to clear my head and prepare for the next day. Because I’m so busy and always running, I skip meals, eat at weird times, or don't eat at all (sometimes an entire 2 days will go by and I'll realize I haven't eaten anything!) which has killed my metabolism, and when I do remember to eat - it's whatever is quickest, and working out? Forget it! That would mean more time away from that hour of vegging out, or sacrificing my sleep on the weekends – and I CHERISH my sleep for fear that one day I might not be able to - it's like I'm banking it! I could literally sleep 11 hours a night (hey, maybe there's a connection?)

So, it’s clear - habits need to change so I can get back to a place that’s more balanced. I know it will be hard (change always is) but I’m a pretty willful individual and when I set my mind to something, there’s pretty much no stopping me – and when you add to that the support of the four strong, independent, driven women I am teamed with, I feel more prepared then ever to make a permanent change for the better.

So yes, sometimes vanity is a good thing and I intend to make it so in this case.

Passion for Fashion

My excess weight has never stopped me from pursuing my goals or trying new things. And although I have my insecurities, my parents instilled in me a confidence that has carried me through life, with both challenges and celebrations, with my head held high.

But my excess weight has been a huge road block for one thing I am passionate about…

Fashion.

I HATE that I can’t walk into every single store in a mall or shopping center and find things that I love AND I will look good in. And I’m not talking Parisian couture. In fact, I am a very casual person, preferring jeans and tops over fancy dresses. But unfortunately, the fashion world sees women in very segmented pieces and create garments that women with bellies, larger thighs or hips have to hide behind. And I don’t want to hide who I am!

So, when presented with the opportunity to join the Muraculous 5 to lose inches and get in better shape, I jumped at the chance. My weight has been a yo-yo since college and being that I’m turning 28 in May and getting married in 2012, it’s time to nip the back and forth with the scale in the bud for good. I’m too young and too able to make excuses anymore and appreciated that I will have a team behind me to push me to meet my goals.

Finishing week one with a four pound weight loss is inspiring and makes me motivated to see what I will look like (and feel like!) in week six. Although I have been transofrming my diet for months, the new nutrition plan has had give up a few things I love (Skinny Cow ice cream, Trader Joe's bananna chips) but I've discovered a new love for butternut squash and brussel sprouts. Who knew you could change so quickly!

PS- This isn’t just for vanity for me either. My fiancé and I both want to make lifestyle changes so that when we have kids, our son or daughter will get the healthiest, most energetic parents possible. But in cute clothes of course.

2011 is the year I will take care of me at least as much as my children and husband (making realistic goals - I will never be able to consistently put myself ahead of them).

The past year has been a major roller coaster and the one thing that was completely derailed was my determination to take care of me. I had lost a lot of weight and got in great shape before the wedding and for the first time in a long time, felt really good about myself. Then with getting pregnant and all of the complications and scares we went through, I completely stopped everything exercise related. When Nicolas was born so early I justified my poor eating habits because a drive-thru and eating in the car on the way to and from the NICU meant that much more time spent with the baby. After he came home, it was just easier and well, I gave up.

But I won't this time. I KNOW I can do it. I have done it before and having a team to support me is going to make all the difference in the world. My weakness is the excercise, I'll admit it, I don't like to do it. What does make it easier is going with someone and I am so greateful to have others in the same boat who will kick my a** to make sure I work out.

I did well last week, but am goign to seriously step it up this week on the exercise, starting today with lunch hour in the gym!

My motivator is our honeymoon, which we are finally getting to take in June. I just want to be able to fit in the clothes I boought for it in 2009, especially the adorable 50's style dress that I wore to our rehearsal dinner.

Week 1 for Mrs. Newton: I'm f*#&%ing hungry!

Well, I think my Week 1 could pretty much be described in three words - I'm f*#%ing hungry! - as this was said to pretty much anyone I came in contact with. :) I guess going from an unlimited amount of calories and eating whatever I want whenever I want, to a lot of restriction can make me a bit cranky! But, it will all be worth it!


I got a bit of a late start this week as I weighed in on Monday and officially started on Tuesday. At weigh in, I was already regretting the last hoorah I had with food over the weekend. (Damn you Rocky Road ice creamed sundae with marshmallow topping!) As in true Global Marketing Team fashion, we entered this contest with the mind set of winning it. So, this week I started a food journal (LOVE myfitnesspal.com), worked out every day but one, started this blog, started eating every 2-3 hours, incorporated protein in to all my meals and did a grocery store tour with the group that really opened my eyes to healthy eating.


I weighed in today and had lost 1.5 pounds and 2 inches on my waist. This is great, but if you read I'mWothIt's post, you will see this is just not up to par. I've got to step up my game - for my teammates and for ME! Nik told us that "Strategy always trumps willpower." I love this quote and it really resonated with me. So, this week, I'm getting my strategy in place. Because if there is one thing I know about myself, I can not function without organization and a plan.


Also, since I'm trying to make this a total makeover - mind, body and soul - I'm also merging it with Dr. Murad's Inclusive Health plan which focuses on topical, internal and emotional strategies. With that in mind, here are my Week 2 Goals:

• Create a food and exercise strategy - calendar it out
• Create my "Motivation/Inspiration List" and put it EVERYWHERE!
• Try out getting a spray tan - it will make me feel thinner
• Get on a consistent sleep schedule - In bed by 10 PM, sleeping before 11 PM, wake at 6:30 AM
• Give up sweets 6 days a week (even God rested on Sunday!)
• Book my 10-year wedding anniversary trip to St. Lucia - the uniform of bathing suits will help me get more motivated!

My goal this week is to beat my weight loss last week. Wish me luck!

Week 1 of the Challenge for I'm Worth It

Week 1 of the Challenge for I'm Worth It:

This is my first week of the Ambition Fitness Challenge. So far it is going well. It is really helping to have friends who are my co-workers on the team. We are pushing and motivating each other every day. I joined this challenge with Lori, Jennifer, Katherine-Marie and Sarah and they have been wonderful. We are all In It To Win It!!!!

I have kept a food and exercise journal all week. And that is helping me stay focused and honest. The workouts have been hard but I’m doing them. I have been doing different things each day. I realized that I need variety or I get bored. I just want to get to the point where I like to exercise. I hope I get there.

I went to weigh in today and I’ve lost 6 pounds and 3 inches. All in week one!!! I am excited about what week 2 will bring.

I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

I want to be fit and fabulous in my 40’s well starting with 43!!!

Introduction to I’m Worth It:

My screen name says it all. I’m Worth It!!!!! This year I want it to be about me. I am married to a wonderful husband and we have a terrific 8 year old son. I usually put my needs last. I need to remember that the most important person is me. If I’m not happy than those around me are not happy.

This time my mind is made up. I am going to do this for the long haul and change my habits. While I want to win the money more importantly I want to win my life back. I have been overweight most of my adult life. Well that least that is what I would say to myself. I’ve had a self esteem issue. Even when I wasn’t overweight I felt like I was. I know I will never be a size 2 but I want to look and feel good. Its hard living in a society of size 2’s and feeling like my 6 or 8 was fat. How crazy is that. I would love to be a size 6 or 8!

I have basically tried all the diets out there. I realized I have to think of it as a way of living not a diet. Diets are short term and I need to change my habits for the long term. The breaking point for me was when I stepped on the scale and I weighted more now than when I was 9 months pregnant. That’s when I said enough is enough.

My family has been wanting to go to Hawaii and I’ve not wanted to go because I don’t look good in a bathing suit. I want to go to the pool in a bathing suit and feel good. Not show up in a tee shirt and shorts. My goal is to get into a bikini and feel good about the way I look. Look out Hawaii here I come in 2012.

In the past I’ve focused on the big picture of how any pounds I want to lose but this time I’m doing baby steps. Ten pounds at a time.

I want to be fit and fabulous in my 40’s well starting with 43!!!

This is My Movin' & Grovin' Year!

I was told that this year I will "start to become what I have always been destined to be." And I have always felt like I was supposed to be a skinny girl. However, my body/metabolism/sweet tooth did not get the message. So, I thought, if this is my year, I better start with my weight! That's why I'm doing this challenge.


I guess there are a few other reasons as well...I now have a daughter that will look to me for how she should feel about her body. It is an uphill battle in this society. But, I want to be able to be comfortable in my body - even love it - so that she will see that she should love hers too! Also, I have my 10-Year Wedding Anniversary this year. I'd really like to have a second honeymoon to somewhere where the uniform is a bathing suit! Oh, and a thousand bucks isn't too bad of a motivator!


So, in a nutshell, this is the year I want to start being the best that I can be, I want to put my plan in to action, I want to take risks that will get me further. And for all these things, I need confidence, to feel good about myself. So, it starts here! WE'RE IN IT TO WIN IT!