1 month (-1 day) to Mexico

Staci, Julie and I leave for Cancun one month from yesterday.

Four weeks from Friday.

30 days.

So of course, I'm on a frantic, last-minute attempt to lose 20 pounds so I'll look good in a bikini.

I realize I'm not going to lose 20 pounds in the next 30 days and that it wouldn't be healthy to try. That's why I started last week, when I had 35 days.

Kidding.

Not about the starting last week - which I did - but about the 20 pounds. At least in that time frame. My ultimate goal is 20 pounds, but not before Cancun. Maybe by New Year's. Or my next birthday.

So I started THIS TIME (last Thursday 10/25) at 177.5

Not exactly a number I was thrilled with, considering I also started last May 9 at 177.5

And last February 7 at 177.5

But not completely disheartening either, since I was at 186.5 on July 25.

The February effort was a 12-week "Biggest Loser" style program at work. At the end of 12 weeks, I was 3 pounds heavier. We started a family "Biggest Loser" program that same day (May 2) and a week later (May 9) I was back to my "starting" weight. But at the end of THAT contest (which we all just conveniently let lapse into nothingness) I was 186.5. Nine pounds heavier.

In my defense, the day after my 3-pound loss in the family situation, my house was flooded and I spent the summer living with my parents, dealing with mean insurance adjusters, and generally not doing much of anything healthy in terms of exercise or nutrition.

OK, that last part may not be much of a defense.

Even the threat anticipation of my upcoming 20-year reunion didn't get me moving, except fork to mouth. I tanned instead, using the Sweet Potato Queens' theory that brown fat is more appealing than white.

But I'm trying to be serious again this time.

Last Thursday, October 25, I started the 5-Factor plan. Workout 5 days a week, 5 minute segments including cardio, strength and core; eat 5 meals a day that include 5 nutritional factors.

I've done pretty well, I must say. I've completed all five workouts for the week and my eating has been, well, let's say close. I enthusiastically embraced the "cheat" day for food, eating at Eatza Pizza. Pizza, cinnamon rolls, Jo-Jo potatoes, mashed potatoes and gravy. It was gross but so delicious!

I really haven't fully followed the meal plans, but I have had breakfast every morning and I've cut WAY down on the snacking and my personal nemesis, soda consumption.

The past three days running, I've registered a 2.5 pound loss from last Thursday's baseline. (177.5 down to 175)

One interesting thing I've been trying is a few short bursts of HIIT (high-intensity interval training) during my second 5 minutes of cardio in the morning. (5-Factor is 5 minutes cardio/warmup; 5+5 minutes two strength exercises; 5 minutes core; 5 more minutes cardio. I've also been doing another 5 after THAT, for a total of 10 (or 15 counting the warmup.))

My HIIT consists of getting back on the elliptical after strength and core and doing a minute of medium effort, then three minutes of HIIT that is 15 seconds of full-out-go-as-fast-as-I-can and 45 seconds of recovery. This is harder than it sounds. I'm really gasping and sweating by the time I'm done. Then another minute of medium effort, and 5 more minutes of medium / cool down.

The theory is that HIIT not only burns major calories during the exercise, but really revs the metabolism so you burn even more throughout the day than normal.

Goal for the coming week is to add in more cardio minutes and HIIT, maybe in the evening to get a second metabolism boost. Also toying with adding a few days of Pilates for tightening and toning.

Been pretty sore many of the days - I started right in on the plan's strength exercises using 10-pound dumbbells. Sit-ups on a blow-up stability ball also remind you exactly where your stomach muscles are, even if you can't see them.

Goal for tomorrow (Nov 1) is that 175 number again. I'd love to lose 10 pounds by Cancun - that's an average of 2.5 per week, which is only a little more than the "industry" recommendations. If the weight loss is accompanied by significant toning, I think I could frolic on the beach fairly confidently at 165. Although I still want to get down to 155 eventually.