The PLAN

The Goal: Lose 50 pounds in 50 weeks.

But how?

Enter The 50 Pounds in 50 Weeks Plan
1. Lessen caloric intake,
2. Increase muscular definition,
3. Increase cardiac activity,
4. Maintain motivation.

Let's attack each section of this (in English).

1. Lessen caloric intake:
For the past few days I have been tracking my food - there were only two times when I altered what I would have done last week with what I should do based on this project: Once at Taco Bell and once at Applebees. Basically, I don't suck at the food choices.

However, I need to learn constant vigilance - hence the calorie counting. I hope, however, that this will only last a month or so. The plan is to learn to make the right choices - habitually. In order to do so, I must practice. And in order to measure my performance, I am stuck counting calories.

2. Increase muscular definition:
The idea here is to build muscle mass in preparation for step three while also creating a healthy (sexy!) body shape by the end of the project. Also, once created, maintaining the hot bod should be easier.

How do I plan on doing this? Push ups, sit ups, weight training, the usual things (throw in yoga too because I love it!). The most important thing for me right now is to integrate this into my normal routine.

3. Increase cardiac activity:
This is key for the "get healthy" aspect of the plan. I want to learn to love running. I've tried in the past. Two years ago I went into training for a 5k, but when a German shepherd attacked me, my training was derailed. I loved the feeling of accomplishment I felt after running each time I went farther than I thought possible. However, the actual act of running was never enjoyable. I want to change this.

Initially, I will get back into training for a 5k. From there, I haven't quite decided, but I'm sure I will come up with something. After all, my world is surrounded by runners - they are full of ideas. And if they aren't, there is always Runner's World magazine!

4. Maintain motivation:
Ah yes, motivation: the Achilles heel of any weight-loss plan. This is the most important part of the plan. Motivation will be maintained by setting small, achievable goals throughout the 50 weeks. First goal: Drink more water!

Running that 5k will be a goal, as will being able to stop counting calories every day, being able to do 20 normal push-ups, and being able to fit in calf-high boots that don't come from a plus-size store.