Good morning, friends! 
Does Murphy look like he put on a few pounds? I swear thing dog gains weight overnight. I had to adjust his Puppia again before we went out this morning. When is this little guy going to stop growing!?! He’s at least 23 pounds now!
Speaking of gaining weight overnight, I sort of feel like I did after eating almost 10 cookies yesterday. 
Check out Elina’s photo of me in action at the Cookie Swap. At least, I really enjoyed myself! 
So, are you ready for my news? Let’s do breakfast first!
Breakfast
This morning’s breakfast was a wonderful egg white sandwich with soy cheddar cheese and buffalo sauce on a toasted Sandwich Thin. Obviously, I love this combo!
On the side, I had some apple slices.
And a Red Eye (coffee + shot of espresso)! 
And here’s my news!
Lose the Dough
So, my 30th birthday is right around the corner. Some people bug-out about turning 30, but I’m really looking forward to it. Entering a new decade is sort of like turning over a new leaf.
I want to enter my 30′s as my healthiest self and looking my best, so I’ve decided to embark on a 5-month journey to get myself in tip-top shape. I’ve named this challenge: Lose the Dough for the Big 3-0.
Ok, so the name is little corny, but I think it describes my current situation pretty well. It’s not like I need to lose weight, but since our wedding well over a year ago, I’ve put on a few pounds– nothing major, but I still feel a little “doughy.” Remember how ripped I looked back in July 2008!?! I worked hard for that body, but slowly and surely, the post-wedding pounds have caught up with me. It’s no big deal, but now I want to lose the “dough” for one of the most important birthdays of my life.
With the help of my good friends at Healthworks, I plan to lose the dough and document everyday of my journey from January 19 to June 19, 2010 (my 30th birthday). I’ll keep you updated with my progress and share my daily eats, workouts, and insights into a 5-month shape-up challenge. Through this journey, I hope to tone-up and look great for my 30th, but I also want to show my readers that these changes don’t happen overnight. If you’ve read my weight loss story, you know that it look me an entire year to lose 25 pounds. Permanent changes to my lifestyle helped me lose the weight and keep it off for 5+ years now.
Lose the Dough for the Big 3-0 may seem like a “diet” since it’s timeframe spans just 5 months, but I don’t view it this way at all. Of course, I hope to lose a few pounds and shape-up, but I want the changes that I make to stick with me longer than just those 5 months. Basically, my 30th birthday was the perfect excuse for me to step-it-up with living a healthy lifestyle!
If you want to embark on a similar journey to “lose the dough” (for a special occasion or even bikini season), I’d love to have you join me! I know there are quite a few 1980 babies out there, too! I officially begin the challenge next Tuesday, January 19th, exactly 5 months from my 30th birthday. I’m having my measurements and “before” photo taken at Healthworks later this morning and I’ll reveal my “game plan” for the 5-month challenge next Monday– the day before the official start. If you’d like to join in, you have one week to get yourself organized (i.e. take measurements, set up a game plan, etc.). If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me!
Wish me luck! I need all the support and encouragement I can get!
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Murphy looks adorable to me
Body Pump twice a week will give you that “jacked” look in NO TIME 
I’ve been trying (but not that hard) to lose five pounds of “dough” for the past year. My 22nd birthday is in March–1.5 pounds a month sounds reasonable. Here’s to 129 by the end of January…
…but right now a packet of ramen and a sandwich baggie of tofu, broccoli and mushrooms is calling my name. It was the best I could do this morning after I botched my bread last night ;-;
Good luck! I just started a plan to get back in amazing shape again too. Can’t wait to see what your plan is like
I love that you gave Murphy the eggland’s best toy. I have mine on a bench from the recipe contest
I want to Lose the Dough for the Big 3-0! My 30th birthday is May 1. Granted, I have a lot more “dough” to lose, but it would be a great start! Thanks for sharing, Tina!
Good luck! I think I’ll be joining you- I really want to get back to eating better and working out.
I have been gaining and losing the 5 lb wedding weight since summer 2008, so I am excited to hopefully do it for the last time this winter/spring. Well that is until there is post-baby weight but that’s another story! i’m excited to watch you on your journey!
We have the SAME birthday! I will be turning the BIG 2-1 when you turn the BIG 3-0! I am trying to lose 5 lbs. and keep them off, so I think I’ll join you. I’m anxious to hear about your game plan. Yay, b.day twins : )
I too want to “Lose the dough before the big 3-0″. I’m definitely going to participate though I probably won’t make very big of a dent before my birthday. I have one month left of my twenties (as of today). Kinda sad, but I know the 30s are going to rock! Yay for 1980 babies!
Good luck with your challenge! You do look great already, but I understand feeling “soft”- especially during the winter.
My wedding is coming up (next Spring) so I would love to do a challenge starting this month too!
And I totally hear you about pugs gaining weight overnight (and losing weight overnight!) My black pug was always thin until the past couple of weeks- he’s a little fatty now! And my fawn pug has lost weight, but he’s always a bit bigger than the black one. So crazy. Murphy is a cutie though
I’ll be joining you, what a great plan/idea! i’m glad you’ll be posting everyday, so that I KNOW i have a reliable friend joining too!!!!
Good for you Tina! That is a great goal and I really LOVE the fact that you are allowing 5 months to accomplish your goal! Showing there is no quick fix is so smart!
Hey Tina! you don’t need luck because you will be able to do it! I think I will join you to lose my own dough lol!
I would DEFINITELY be interested in joining in. I’m not turning the big 3-0, but I would be so excited to follow along!
I’m definitely in! I’m going to Mexico in February (definately shorter timeline!!), but I more just want to feel my best..so by eating cleaner and sticking to exercise consistantly, I should feel great! Good luck Tina, you’ll do great!
I definitely need to lose some dough! I’ll join!
Can’t wait to follow you through this journey! You have the right mindset and such an inspiration already!
Good luck and congrats on the electrolux partnership. Your bars yesterday were so yummy.
You’ll do great! I would love to join this with you. I don’t really need to lose weight but I really want to tone up and integrate more strength training into my workouts. I’m thinking I’ll get some good motivation from you and your journey!
I’m in! I turn 30 just a few weeks after you do and while I don’t really have much dough to lose, I have some toning up to do and I want to enter my 30s in really great physical and mental shape. So far, I plan to run 30K on my 30th birthday (lucky for me it is on a Sunday) and I hope to have fun doing it.
I look forward to your posts and to following along!
Good luck!
I’m in! I need to lose the couple holiday pounds I gained over my school break!
I love your plan!! I would also love to join in. I really only need to maintain weight and tone up because I’ll be underweight if I lose anymore. Good luck with your plan and I look forward to reading about it.
Oh, Tina, You are GORGEOUS just the way you are!! I’m not saying it’s a bad thing to do your best to be healthy, just remember that you don’t need to lose ANY weight to have a healthy body. I’m sure that many women would kill to look like you!
Take care of yourself.
GO TINA! You can do it! And I agree, you look pretty gorgeous right now, but I understand wanting to tone up a little.
Tina I think you like great now but I think it’s great that you want to be in the best shape of your life when you turn 30!
I am in! I just signed up for a 1/2 marathon and am starting my training today. Great way to feel perfect on race day- May 16th! I will be 31 in June but want to look better than I did on my 30th bday!
I’ve been meaning to add strength work into my routine (instead of just training for a half marathon), my legs are great but my top is soft! I definitely need to cut the fast food back. Again. I’m in! Good luck!
Now I can finally say it! Congrats Tina! I can’t wait to see you in February!!!
I’m in, I am getting married in August your time line works perfect for my dress fitting!
hahah my cat is 18 months! not too far off from your dog
months=pounds lol
Great goal girl!
Tina,
I’m turning 30 in 2 weeks! And like you, I want to start a new decade a healthier person. While I can’t turn around what I’ve done in 2 weeks, I’m embarking on this journey with you! I know I can be a bit stronger and leaner than I’ve been. My workouts have been sporadic for the past 2 years and enough is enough! I’ll be right here with ya girl! Love the 1980 bday! =)
Tina I LOVE your perspective on turning 3-0. Thank you for sharing that because I have not been able to completely wrap my head around turning 30, until reading your insite. That is exactly how I want to look at it. Starting a new decade, turning over a new leaf. I am very excited for you, and think the name is awesome!
I’m definitely in – can’t wait to hear about this! I have two weddings in the next year (I’m a bridesmaid at BOTH) and want to feel great. I love the idea of toning and building gradually. Really, this comes at such a great time. Thanks Tina! (btw, as many ppl have said, you look GREAT already)
Lose the Dough sounds like a good plan, and a lotta fun too! I’m glad you’re not looking at it as a “diet” but just a little shapin’ up
I’m sure it’ll be a success!
Wow, you just read my mind! I too will be turning 30 but on 4/20 but this is something I’ve been recently thinking about doing. I would love to join you!
It’s refreshing to hear that you are not viewing this as a “diet” but as a chance to make some more lasting lifestyle changes before the big birthday. Short term diets don’t work, but healthy lifestyles do! And it’s great to have goals.
I’d love to join in on the journey. This late spring and summer I am… getting a paper published/ finishing graduate school/ hopefully finding a job/ moving… basically making bi life decisions. Plus after the holidays and with all the time I sit at the computer for my thesis, I am a bit doughy myself
. The next 6 months be a huge transition point in my life and I’d love to go into it feeling my best and super confident!
@Katie: oops… “big life decision” and “the next 6 months will be”
This sounds awesome, I’d love to join you. As of the new year I have to commited to changing my lifestyle to lose the weight and get healthy once and for all. One goal is to look “hot” in my swimsuit this year. I can’t wait to hear what your plan is. I love the name!
I am really excited about your challenge! A lot of my friends are turning 30 this year and I wish they had your motivation, ha ha.
I love the title of your challenge and I’m definitely game to become a little less doughier. However, I’m a couple years older than you so I’ll call my quest “Lose the Dough Before I Turn Thirty-fo. Ahem, 34. Good luck, and I can’t wait to read your plan.
I love your attitude about turning the BIG 3-0! I too am a 1980′s baby, my birthday isn’t until November though and my challenge is to lose 30lb by my 30th. If i can look anywhere near how you look now i will be more than happy!! I look forward to following you on your challenge x
Tina, I love your blog, I’ve been reading it since I found your business card at the Quincy Y right around the time you blogged about the Demetri Martin show, I was there that night and I remember him talking about you!! Small world for sure. I’m turning 30 on May 28th and have been thinking of doing the same thing so I’m excited, thanks for the motivation!! I look forward to being the best me ever when I turn 30 this year!!
Very impressive, Tina. You’re going to be ripped again for your bday. Especially for someone who is pretty much healthy almost all of the time.
Go you!
Turning 30 was an instigator for me to get my life and my weight on track. I ended up losing 50lbs, getting a new job and moving to a better area (and finding a wonderful boyfriend along the way). Now, as I approach my mid-thirties, I find myself re-assessing my career, my health, my life and making even more changes.
Once you stop growing, learning and challenging yourself, what more is there, right?
Enjoy every moment of this challenge. I’m sure it won’t be easy, but the results will be amazing!
Ok, I’m a 1980 baby, but my 30th is one month and two days away. So… needless to say, not going to lose the dough factory by then. I had already committed to making this the year I made my health a priority (fitness, diet, all the things that go into living a healthy lifestyle!)
So, yes I’m in, where do I sign up?!
Way to go! I just turned 29, and I have gained a few pounds since I got married a year and a half ago. I decided that this was my year to also get in great shape and started training to run a 5K!
It’s so great to read your blog– you’re in shape and healthy, but you still cut lose once and awhile to have a cookie. As someone who has struggled with her weight for years, it’s comforting to know you can have cake and eat it too! Just in moderation.
I’ve been in serious slacker mode recently (honestly, for the last couple months). I’ve been just coasting along. I haven’t gained weight, but I’m also still 20 – 25 pounds from my healthy/ goal weight.
I’m trying to reach my goal weight by my birthday on June 5th so I am totally on bored with you!
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