42 Day Summer Challenge- **WOMEN READ!!

When I quit eating sweets for 10 days I lost 6 pounds.

After eating sweets for THREE days, and making up for lost time, I gained 5 back.

That is what brings me to this post. I never really believed that what I ate determined my results from working out. I mean I knew it mattered, but now I see how much it matters.

I have worked out hard for a while now, probably consistently for 8 years. When I say hard, I mean hard. 4-6 days a week, sweating to where I hate driving home because I am get my car seat dirty hard. I have to or everything I eat will end up on my butt. Or thighs. Those are the only places my food likes to go.

Last night I told Brandon that I was so tired of having to work so hard to keep my clothes fitting. And he said...

"Don't all thin people have to work hard to get that way?"

I about jumped out of my chair. Heck no they don't. I know SO many girls who sit on their butt, eat whatever they want, whenever they want, NEVER go to the gym, and they don't gain a pound. You know who those people are. Sorry if you are one of those people. But I am a "hater" when I see those girls. Be honest, some of you are too. We can't help it.

You know why? Because I have the kind of body where if I even look at ice cream...you might as well slap the ice cream on my butt. Because it heads that direction before I even swollow. I am not kidding. So you might see why I have a little bit of jealous feelings towards those people. But I still love them, trust me...my sister is one of those people. Lucky girl.

About 5 years ago when I was teaching I was accused of being "one of those girls" and I will never forget what I said back. It went something like this:

What? Me? I wish. You don't have a clue. I feel like I live in a gym, day after day, working my butt off, harder than anyone, just so I can eat a normal meal. And it sucks.

And I meant it. They never gave me a hard time again. So, why I am going on about this? I'll tell ya. I am TIRED of working so hard. I am tired of having to do more just because I have a slow metabolism. I assume that's what I have.

And this week it hit me. I love sweets. And I eat them alot. But, because of that, I am making my workouts MUCH more difficult than they have to be. If I would just slow my roll with the empty calories, then maybe I wouldn't have to work so hard just to stay the SAME size. Because nothing sucks more than working out to stay the same. Ya know. And that's what I do.

I receive numerous comments or emails from other new moms, or have conversations with them often about diet/exercise. And today, I just realized that we need to meet our goals TOGETHER. We need some accountability. Because when I am accountable to someone, it changes everything.

So---to anyone who is interested....(and if you are one of "those girls" who could eat the planet without gaining a pound then you can just stop reading:) I still love you, but no need to read on...or if you are preggers...you gotta eat for the baby!

****I WANT TO PROPOSE A 42 DAY SUMMER CHALLENGE!!

There are 42 days until June 1st. Starting Monday, April 20th. And I think that we should set our goals, set our guidelines, and see if we can somehow meet at least one goal in the next 42 days. I have been thinking about this for 3 days, and I REALLY think that if we are accountable to each other, then we can be much stronger than we could alone.

If at least ONE of you will do this with me, then I can do it. So if any of you are not satisfied with something, anything, and you need some motivation then I dare you to take the challenge with me!

Before you say yes, here are the guidelines to help you meet your goal. And remember, the goal MUST be attainable. You can't say "I wanna lose 50 pounds in 42 days." That can't physically happen and then you will be disappointed. This is just the jump start, so we need attainable goals in order to succeed.

GUIDELINES

1. No sweets.
2. Fried foods are out. (they are killers to your workouts)
3. No more than 20 ounces of coke/soda a day. That means NO larges. Even from Sonic. That means you gotta get the medium people.
4. 3-6 workouts a week. The more you do, the more results.
5. Drink at least 4 bottles of water a day.

That's it. If you follow this for 42 days, I KNOW you will see results. Here is the good news:

*You get 6 "cheat eats" in that 42 days. (Yes, I made that word up. It works though.) That is ONE per week. Because you can't give yourself nothing to look forward to. So if one day you NEED, and I mean need that snickers...then go for it. But that takes away one of your cheat eats. Or if everyone goes out for burgers and fries...then dig in. You need to give yourself rewards. But only 6. After that you will NOT see the results you would like to see.

So what do you think? Anyone interested in doing this with me? What you put into your mouth matters way more than you think. I am starting Monday, April 20th. I am going to make a chart at home. I will put anyones name on it who wants to take the challenge, and I will keep up with everyone for the next 42 days. Remember, I just need ONE person to join me for it to be worth it!

So if you are, please leave a comment or email me (tctummy@yahoo.com) with the following info:

*Name
*Where are you are from (just curious, but you don't have to tell)
*Desired pounds to be LOST (just in 42 days--keep it realistic)
*A pair of shorts/pants you hope to fit comfortably in by June 1st (describe them)We all have that one pair that we are still hanging onto with hope that we will one day fit into them!
*Your weakness food
*What you will be doing for exercise
*Any other goal you may have for yourself.

I will wait until Saturday. Then I will post an entry on Sunday letting you know how many people will be joining me in this challenge that will start Monday. I will also let you know how we will be keeping up with eachother over the next 42 days.

I look forward to hearing from you. From anybody!! This will be good for you.

Hard, but good. And so worth it when you put that bikini on June 1st.

Brylee is ready for her bikini....she is going to rock the chubby thighs!! She can get away with it!
I was trying to take her picture and she decided to lay down....I think she was giving me a hint!

Good luck to all you ladies that are going to take the challenge!! You can do it! --Brylee