Transforming Jess

I've been wanting to get back into exercising and eating properly. Then I received an e-mail from my gym that they're having a weight loss contest. The contest starts Feb 1 and lasts 12 weeks. The person who loses the most wins $ 10,000! I think this is just the motivation I need. Yes, losing for myself should be, and is, my top priority. But with a contest hanging over my head maybe I'll stick with it. I mean ten grand is a lot of money! I have a plan. It's based on what I've done before. I know it works because it's worked in the past. Exercise routine: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: weights (8 exercises, 3 sets each), abs (3-5 exercises, 3 sets), and running (C25K program) Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: Cycling class at the gym. If I have an appointment and miss class then I'll take another class that day. Sunday: Yoga It sounds like a lot. But I've done this before and after the first week it's easy to keep up with. That first week is always a make or break week. For diet: Breakfast: Eggs and spinach on a toasted bagel, oatmeal with fruit, etc. Snack: Protein drink (after working out) Lunch: collard wrap or other veggie dish Snack: fruit (about 2 servings or more) Dinner: salad, protein (meat, fish, beans, etc), 2 sides (either whole grain pasta or rice and a veggie...or 2 veggie sides). Snack: frozen fruit or fruit salad Daily calories will be between 1800 and 2100. With exercise I'll burn about 500 cal a day and my BMR is around 1950. On Saturdays I'm allowing myself to have a no diet day. Basically, I can eat what I want, within reason. This is to help me from falling off the wagon. I can do this! I've done it before. My problem is that every time I start to seriously lose weight I stop trying. Then I gain the weight back. My goal is to lose 40 lbs (not all of that in 12 weeks but still) and then keep it off! Based on my past, I would have to say that I can easily lose 30 lbs in 3 months with my plan. Another month and I'll be either at goal or really close to it (those last 5-10 lbs are HARD). Which means a nice body in time for summer. :)