2 1/2 more weeks - I think I can...
 

So today is day 43 of the contest.

I've gotta admit, I'm SO ready for this to be over. I will continue with my new healthy lifestyle long after the contest ends, but I'm ready for the actual contest itself to be finished. I spend so much time each day working on the tasks, going to Genghis, working out at the gym... there just isn't much time for anything else.

On top of that, I'm really really really ready to incorporate other foods into my diet. I haven't cheated even once in 6 weeks, and I'm eating the same things every single day. I'm so bored with food that I can't even stand it. It's becoming a bit of an obsession thinking about OTHER things to eat. So, I'm anxious to get to a point where we have more variety with our meals and I can add in a little cheat now and then.

All in all, I'm proud of my progress so far. I've worked out every single day of the contest, and I'm really starting to feel a difference in the definition in my body. I'm down ALMOST 20 lbs since we started (my official weigh-in was 16 lbs at the half way point, but I've hit a bit of a stand still here thanks to that lovely time of the month). That's not enough for me to win this contest, but I'm still proud. I'm HOPING I can hit the 30 lb mark by the final weigh in, but with just 2 1/2 more weeks, that doesn't seem likely.

So, there's your update! I miss hanging around with you guys and being involved here. I can't wait til the contest ends so I can get my life back and get back to designing regularly!

So proud of you! Yes, You can do it!!!!!

You've done a great job, Libby! Hang in there and finish strong!

*hugs* I have to imagine after this long that you'd be anxious to try new foods. I love GG but I'd get so tired of eating there daily too, and keeping everything else as close as possible.

Congrats! I totally get what you are saying. I would totally be sick of it after that many of days of every day, but I bet it will be so weird for you to not go there at the same time.

Keep up the fight Libby!

Way to go Libby!

so so so proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You're doing amazing, Libby!

You have done an amazing job during this whole competition! I've really enjoyed following your progress. I totally understand wanting to eat something else and being bored.

That is tremendous, Libby!!! So happy and proud of you! Just a little longer, and you can have your cheat day! :D

you can do it!! you've been doing an amazing job and i've loved following your journey :) and soooooooon you'll get to have some different foods - yay!! what will your first meal be after the contest is over? :)

Way to go Libby! Keep it up.

LOL I'm not even sure! I've been craving both Chipotle and Papa Murphy's gourmet vegetarian pizza. So, I'm thinking of those things and maybe a little frozen yogurt for dessert! LOL

What food program have you been following, Libby? I have lost 20 lbs since January eating paleo/primal(paleo+dairy)/doing a Whole 30... which means that Chipolte is definitely on my OK to eat list, easy to find something there. :)

Sounds like you've had a lot of success with what you're doing, that's great! :) I have a lot of weight to lose (more than you, I'm pretty sure) so I need something I can do long-term without feeling deprived, which I can do with this way of eating.

Thats awesome Libby! Congrats on the 20lbs! I am only down 13 lbs since Sept. IT's so hard losing weight!

I'm not on a specific food plan. I've just been eating a balanced diet, staying low on calories, avoiding as much sugar as possible and working out for an hour or more each day. I'm trying to make sure (for the most part) that anything I put into my body has some nutritional value, whole grains, lean meats, lots of veggies, etc.

It's not that I really couldn't have the other things while I'm on this diet, but because I HAVE to eat at GG every day, that really cuts into what else I can eat throughout the day from a calorie standpoint. I decided from the beginning, it would just be better to stick to a few basics than to try to change it up a lot.

But I've been pretty extreme since this started. Once the contest ends, I'll go to a more normal and realistic approach that I can maintain for life. I never went into this thinking that what I did for these 2 months would be something I could keep up for very long. I'm just doing what I have to in order to try to win that $10k. LOL

You're awesome Libby!!! You can finish strong!

You are amazing Libby, 20lbs is awesome. Hope you get to where you want to be at the end of it. Hang in there, not long left!!