Marching In

First day of March and I am ready for a new month of challenges and new things.  So far, I am down two pounds this week for which I can likely thank the removal of alcohol and bread from my diet.  It's officially been one week since I started the PLO challenge.  I haven't missed alcohol that much... yet.  But I also haven't been in a social setting where others are enjoying the libations.

The first time I stopped drink
9 months pregnant with my son (November 2005)

The last time I stopped drinking
(6 months pregnant with my baby girl - September 2009)

I do miss the bread and boy, do I miss candy.  I have dreams of Skittles dancing in my brain.  And I'm pretty sure that I should stopping reading Janae's blog until Lent is over.  I read her posts and I can almost taste the candy.  (NOTE: I will continue to read her awesome blog and torture myself.  If you don't read HungryRunnerGirl, start now!)

So sour, so yummy and so colorful... Easter come soon!

Some of my friends have also joined in the challenge with me as well.  The lesson here is that deprivation is fun when you do it as a group.  One of my very best friends who has a significant amount of weight to loss is joining me.  It's not that I have forced her to finally make a chance, but let's just say that Toni made her an offer that she couldn't refuse.

Bestie in spin class.  She is 5lbs. down in the first week  GO NICOLE!

Also, my sister's husband is doing the challenge since he is still trying to get rid of "baby weight" since my amazing nephew was born last August.  And my friends, Pam and Kelley (who is also my neighbor) who are new moms and ready to shed the weight before thinking about baby #2.  So far everyone is hanging in and making changes.  It's also a great support system for ideas, recipes and even babysitting so everyone gets their gym time.  A prime example is Nicole's cracker  breadcrumbs that we brainstormed on how she could "bread" chicken without bread.

Smashed crackers "Bread crumbs"

Accountability really is the key.  Whether it is being accountable to yourself or to others, you have to make the commitment to follow through.  I have been eating tolerating oatmeal for breakfast and I am even going to try salmon even though I do not eat any seafood.  (Nope, not even shrimp.)  It is all about your goals and making the right choices to achieve them.  Happiness comes with success not a bag of sour patch kids.  This is my mantra of the day. :)

My goals this month are simple.  To make healthy food choices and workout consistently.  I plan to workout at least once a day, six days a week.  And to continue to try one new thing every week.  Additionally I think I need more sleep since I am up at 5 a.m. most morning.  Therefore I am going to try to get at least 6 hours of sleep every night.

March On!

What are your March goals?  Do you have "fitness buddies" that help to keep you accountable?