Saturday was......

Oh, what was Saturday????

Saturday was downright amazing!!!

My day started early... I had my Weight Watchers meeting at 6:45. Yup. That's AM. I dreaded getting on the scales, but it showed me down another 1.8 pounds. My total loss since July 23rd is 20.4 pounds! I've always given up before I've ever lost this much... and I've always gained it back, plus some. I really feel like I can do this!

My daughter had a soccer game after that.. it was chilly, but it was fun!

A friend kept our kids so that we could go to the Third Day concert. Now, I say Third Day.. but there were others there... Trevor Morgan, Tenth Avenue North, and Steven Curtis Chapman. They were all phenomenal!

Before the concert I went back to the Meet & Greet. I chatted briefly with Kevin from 104.7 The Fish, and then had a picture taken with Kevin and Taylor (the morning show hosts).

I also got a chance to say hi to Mac Powell of Third Day. I used to go to church with him and his wife many, many, many years ago. I don't think he remembered me, but that's cool. It's been a long time.

The concert was wonderful! Every. Single. Act. Awesome!

After the concert, I got to meet Trevor Morgan.

We got home at about 12:30AM Sunday morning.. up early for church today... such a great Saturday, followed by an awesome Sunday.

Just not feeling it...

I had an off week. I got totally sidetracked by my birthday last Saturday... and it's messed with me all week. I've done OK some days, and not-so-OK on others, so I'm really dreading stepping on the scales tomorrow. I am, however, going to go. I will face the music - in this case, the numbers. Who knows? Maybe it won't be as bad as I fear. Then again, maybe it will be. Whatever it is, I'll be OK and I'll keep going. But yeah, right now... I'm not feeling it.

Just an awesome day!!!

Today I think I will I do a little bragging on myself.

1, Today is my birthday. Woohoo!!!

2. I lost 4.6 pounds this week. Woohoo!!! I've lost 18.6 pounds since I started on July 23rd! I'm so excited. I had planned on giving myself today to eat whatever I wanted (it's my b-day) but now that I've gotten on the scale and it showed such a huge loss that I don't want to screw it up. LOL

3. A "non-scale victory" for me was my inlaws sent me a gift card for Lane Bryant. When I joined WW, I was wearing a 24, but they were tight. I think I might have been a 26 trying to fit a 24. Anyway.. this morning I ran to LB to get something to wear before lunch with my family... I bought jeans in a 22 and a blouse (well, two blouses and a cami) in an 18/20!!!! I'm at 265 now, and I'm so stinkin' excited about reaching that next little milestone for me.. being out of the 260s. I'm making little goals rather than looking at a big picture. It may take me a few weeks to get into the 250s, and that's OK.. as long as I keep heading in that direction.

Planning Ahead, aka I Need Recipes or Ideas

My cousin's wife (who I usually just call my cousin or friend) posted on Facebook today that she was going into a cooking frenzy.. Their third child is due in a couple weeks, and she wants to have a stocked freezer of food that all she or my cousin has to do is thaw and reheat. She's making things like meatloaf, taco pockets (I don't even know what those are), breakfast burritos, and a few casseroles.

Now all of those things sound delicious, but not necessarily low-fat or "point-friendly." I need some recipes for healthier versions of the types of foods she's making. I also thought, since the weather is turning cooler, that I could make some soups or chili. Those would make great lunches, and it'd get me away from eating a sandwich everyday. I also don't know how to wrap or store these foods in the freezer. And when you're ready to thaw them out, how would you prepare the meal? Pop in the oven? OK. How long? What temp? These are the kinds of things I need to know.

As you can see, I need some help. Please send me any recipes you may have and/or hints or tips on how to freeze and then reheat these foods. If I get any, or if I find any online, I'll come back and post them here.

Thanks!

The Happiest Place On Earth

The family and I are in Florida this week. We came down Sunday night to spend time with my in-laws. We've had an amazing time. We hung out Monday morning here in Satellite Beach - my in-laws live a couple blocks from the ocean. Sweet! Then, Monday afternoon we made our way over to Orlando.. checked into our hotel, and headed out to dinner. Fuddruckers. Needless to say, I didn't exactly eat great that night. I enjoyed it a whole heck of a lot, though.

Tuesday we went to Disney's Magic Kingdom. I love Disney. We walked (and walked... .and walked... and walked a little more) until I thought my feet were going to fall off. It doesn't help that I'm still having issues with my foot and knee from when I fell in June, but I did it. And even more impressive is I didn't complain too much. I can't say I ate very well at the hotel (breakfast) or at Disney (lunch) or at IHOP (dinner). But again, I sure did enjoy it.

On a funny side-note... my daughter is the only kid I know who thinks The People Mover is a thrill ride. We rode it twice, and the second time she was yelling, "Woohoo!!!" everytime it sped up a little. It was absolutely hysterical. The other "must-do" for Colleen.. the Carousel of Progress. Seriously... you sit in a chair, and the building turns so you end up seeing different scenes to show how we've progressed from the turn-of-the-century times to a little more recent times. Logan loved It's a Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Wednesday, we slept in a little, had breakfast at the hotel again, and then headed over to Downtown Disney. Had a blast! We walked through the stores and did a little shopping. We ate at the T-Rex Cafe. (I think that's the name.) Oh boy, did I not eat right, there. I had mushroom ravioli in some kind of cream sauce. It was divine. We left at around 3:30 and headed back to Satellite Beach, where we drove over to Pat's Place (I'm not sure if it's in Satellite Beach or another city) for dinner. I had spanikopita and a Greek salad.

So, here it is Thursday morning. After all the yummy food I've eaten this week... I'll be shocked if I have a loss this week. But you know, I'm not going to be upset about it. It is what it is. I had a blast. I enjoyed what I ate. And now it's time to start making those wise food choices I told myself I'd make while on vacation. We head home tomorrow, and Saturday is my Weight Watchers meeting. It could be a bit (a lot) scary, but it is what it is. The important thing for me is that I don't let a (possible) gain derail me. I have to pick up right where I left off before vacation and keep moving forward. I know I can do it, I just need to not lose that momentum that I had before we left Georgia.

Meeting Goals

This past weekend was huge for me. I'd set some goals for myself, and I reached them this past Saturday.

Goals
1. My first 5%. This was actually a goal set by Weight Watchers. I wasn't trying to reach it by a certain date, I was just trying to reach it. That 5% goal was 14 pounds.
2. Get under 270 pounds by Labor Day. I did set a date, but it wasn't something I was going to beat myself up over if I didn't achieve. I don't ever want to set a date/weight goal that if I don't meet that goal I'll be upset. I set an "aiming for" goal, but if I don't make it, that's OK. This is a long journey I'm on.
3. Hit 15 pounds lost. Again, I had no timeframe for this, it was just a mini goal I wanted to hit.

So yeah... totally met my goals.

I have been avoiding posting my weight because it's just too darn embarrassing. But here goes my progress so far.

7/23/11 283.6
7/30/11 278.8
8/06/11 275.4
8/13/11 274.6
8/20/11 274.4
8/27/11 270.2
9/03/11 268.6

I've got a long way to go, but it's OK. I'm setting small goals for myself and celebrating when I achieve those goals. If I look at where I want the end result to be, or try to give myself a deadline, when I miss those goals or deadlines I'll get frustrated and give up. I can't afford to give up. I want to be healthy and fit too much to give up this time.

September Goals
1. Lose 6 pounds. This isn't really a "by this date" goal. It's just an "aiming for" goal. If I'm down just 3 or 4 pounds in September, then I'll gladly take that. There's no way to know what my body will do. I could have a "perfect" week and only lost half a pound. The body is a strange and complicated creation.
2. Exercise two days a week. I've not been doing any exercise since I fell in June. I'm still having problems with my knee and foot, but I need to get some kind of movement or activity in. Even if it's playing the Wii Fit or Wii Zumba for 30 minutes, it's better than sitting in front of the computer or television. I'm hoping that I'll eventually be able to afford to get back into the gym. I miss it, and there are things I can do there that will be easy on my knee and foot.

There are things I can't control, and there are things I can. My goal is to do the best with the things I can control, and hope it has a positive impact on the things I can't control. It's a long journey. I've already said that. And as embarrassed as I am to admit where I let myself get to, I'm proud of myself for doing this again. A slow progress toward being healthy is certainly much better than no progress at all or moving even farther way.

I covet your encouragement. Just as there are cheerleaders to help keep the energy and excitement up during a game, I could use all the cheerleaders I can get to help me keep up my energy, momentum, and excitement as I journey toward better health.

I'm posting a picture a friend took of me this summer. It's the most recent one I have that I actually let someone take. I'll post an updated photo sometime later... maybe that'll be what I do when I reach 250 pounds. As for now.. this is the last time I ever want to look like this!

I confess....

I haven't posted in a couple weeks (I guess that's how long it's been). Last week's weigh-in had me a tad bit bummed. I lost, but barely. Last week I was down .2 - really???? That's it???? Yup. That was all.

So, I thought about what I was doing and what I wasn't doing... and I think I pinpointed my two big problems.

What I Was Doing
When we'd serve lunch at the pre-k where I work, I'd help myself to a little. The kids had all been served, and there was some leftover. And it looked so yummy. What would a spoonful hurt, right? (By spoonful, I don't mean a teaspoon. I'm talking about the big ol' serving spoon.)

What I Wasn't Doing
I wasn't tracking everything that went into my mouth. So, that spoonful of yumminess I sampled at lunch never made it to my online tracking. When dinner was done, I'd show that I had "X" number of points left (I'm doing Weight Watchers), and so I didn't measure anything - I snacked without worrying about the portion sizes.

I did (and didn't do)these for a week. It's no wonder .2 was all I lost. It's a wonder I didn't gain. I have no idea what I actually ate that week. Nothing was bad for me, it was just too much. In the past on Weight Watchers, I'd do this.. and start gaining.. and quit.

I refuse to give up.

How I Changed This Week
I decided after my very small weight loss that I was going to change my mentality where tracking is concerned. I had to make tracking as necessary as brushing my teeth or taking my medications. I didn't eat anything that didn't get written down. Even when I was "bad" I was still "good" and tracked it. I still tasted the yumminess that was prepared for the meals this week. But I tracked it. I also gave myself a much smaller portion - a taste, not a serving - and put it in a small drinking cup (like the small bathroom cups you use to rinse).

So, maybe you've made it this far and are wondering how I did with the changes.... I lost 4.2 pounds this week, giving me a 5-week total of 13.4 pounds gone! Yay, me!!!

It's the little things in life....

Well, I had a small weight loss this week.. only 0.8 this week. At first I was bummed. Seriously? The week before I had no idea exactly what I ate, was pretty sure I'd gone over points some days, and I lost over 3 pounds. This past week, while I wasn't perfect, I knew what I was eating. I expected more.

But...

1. Many days I went to bed without having reached my points target. I would have 10 more points to eat on many days.

2. I lost. Period. I. Lost. Weight. Gotta remember that if I had gained 0.8 of a pound I'd have been ticked that I had gained almost a pound back. Yes. I lost almost a pound.

3. I ate Mexican the night before WI, and that may have caused me to retain water the following morning.

4. My three-week total weight loss is 9 pounds. And I'm pretty darn proud of that weight loss, too. It's the little things... they add up to make something big. I'm not going to lose 3-4 pounds each week, or be 150+ pounds lighter at the end of a year. I didn't gain this weight overnight, and it's certainly not going to drop off my body overnight, either.

5. I promised myself that I wouldn't go into a weigh-in each week with a number expectation in mind. I would do the absolute best that I could do, and whatever that number is I'd embrace it and keep on the journey.

So, while it may have "only" been 0.8 of a pound gone this week, every little bit adds up. I'm ecstatic to be only 1 pound away from a 10-pound weight "gone." (Doesn't saying "lost" imply that you need to find it? I don't want to find it. It's gone!)


Oh, can't forget... my pants were a little looser this morning. No, not loose as in "I need to go shopping" or "I can pull the next size down out of storage... I could just tell that they didn't hug my legs today like they did the last time I wore them. I'll take it!

Look Before You Leap

There are so many instances where the phrase "look before you leap" applies. But I couldn't help think about it today as I was checking out at Wal-Mart.

The temperature outside was 95 with a heat index of 103. (Yes, I know it's hotter in Texas.) I was so thirsty, and what do they so graciously put at every other cash register? Yep, a soda fridge. But this soda fridge didn't have Coke, Pepsi, or Dr. Pepper. Nope. It had root beer and cream soda.

I. Love. Cream. Soda.

I didn't even think twice before I opened that baby up and got myself one.

I didn't think twice as I started drinking it as soon as I got back in the van.

I was halfway done before I thought twice.

It was then that I realized... I should have looked before I leaped.

This bottle of cream soda had 310 calories and 77g carbs. No protein, no fiber, no fat. All that equaled 8 PPV (Weight Watcher's points). That's more points than I consumed at dinner tonight or breakfast this morning.

Oh boy.

Well, guess it's a good thing I had planned a light dinner tonight, huh?

Week 2... Success???

Yes, it's a question.

I did lose weight this past week, but can I really call the week a success? I think it was more luck than real success.

School started back this past Monday. I wish I could say that we just slipped into a wonderful routine, and I ate wonderfully and tracked it all. I didn't, though. I did great during the day, but at night I blew it. We gave in to being tired or stressed and ate out too much. I could have made good choices eating out, but I didn't.

I thought for sure I'd gain, so imagine my surprise when I lost 3.4 pounds. My two week total is 8.2 pounds gone.

I'm aiming this week to eat at home more (we can't afford to eat out anyway), take my lunch to work everyday, and try to get some exercise. Even a short walk is more than I have been doing. I'm aching to get back to the gym, but it's not in the budget. I'm making Weight Watchers be in the budget because I need the accountability, and I need to lose weight too badly to just keep ignoring it.

Morbid obesity isn't fun, and it isn't healthy. I'm at the point where I've finally come to terms with just how badly I need to get a grip on this. I know I'll be happier as my weight decreases. My family will be happier, too.

And I think we'll all be healthier. I'm hoping the changes I make in my life will positively influence my family to make better choices. I beamed today when the kids got excited that I was cutting up a watermelon.

I have to get a handle on this and keep moving forward. I can't give up. I need to be healthy, and I need to be a good role model for my children. So, week 3... here I come.

Week 1 Of Weight Watchers Done... What I've Learned

I've had a great 1st week (back) on Weight Watchers. My weigh-in showed I was down 4.8 pounds. Woohoo! I'm doing it with a friend who is committed to the WW plan, and we've committed to hold each other accountable and to not be each other's downfall. I look forward to my Saturday morning meetings.

So, one week in, what have I learned?

1. Fruit is delicious. Yeah, I knew fruit was good, but it was never what I wanted to eat. I mean, why eat fruit when potato chips were so much easier? I kept different fruits available this week besides apples and bananas, and honestly I could not get enough watermelon, cherries, or grapes.

2. The kids love other fruits besides apples and bananas. I only bought 4 peaches thinking that I'd be the only one to eat them and I didn't want them to go bad. I got to eat two. The kids loved them. I'll be picking up more at the store this week.

3. Moderation isn't that bad. Last night, we went to the Mexican restaurant. I splurged a little on some chips with salsa and queso (more salsa than queso). But I ordered the chicken, steak, and shrimp fajitas. My plan was to just eat the meat and veggies and leave the flour tortillas alone. I caved and had one flour tortilla with a little sour cream and guacamole with the meat and veggies, but that's it. I had a few bites of the refried beans, but not all of it. I brought home over half the plate of meat and veggies. And you know, I was completely satisfied. Last night I ate to live as opposed to living to eat.

4. Little changes and substitutions can make a world of difference. Really, nothing else needs to be said here. Just do some different... better... it works.

5. I actually like Greek yogurt. I've turned my nose up at it for ages now, but darn.. that's some good stuff. I had it with honey. Mmmmmmmm.

6. I love going to the Weight Watchers meetings, and I need them. I am not a "do it online" kind of person. I know that would shock some people. But I need accountability. I need to "face the scales" each week. I need to answer for what I did or didn't do. If all I have to do is log it into the computer, no one has to know how I'm doing if I don't want them to. But when I stand at the counter at Weight Watchers and I know I'll have to look that WW receptionist in the eye, it makes me want to do better.

So, nothing mind-blowing here. Just things I learned about myself this week.. and yes, it's pretty much all food-related. But shoot, food and lack of activity is what got me here, shouldn't it be what I'm learning new things about? The only way I'm going to make positive changes is to learn more about food and how I really see it.

So, on to Week 2. I'm ready!

Learned Something New

I went to the grocery store last night and picked up some fruit (among other things). This morning I took the time to rinse the grapes and cherries, and I sliced the 1/2 watermelon I bought. My picky kids who I thought really only liked to snack on yogurt, crackers, string cheese, and chips couldn't get enough of the fruit. C was eating the grapes and cherries as quickly as I was rinsing them. When I started slicing the watermelon, I had all the kids (my two, plus my friend's son who is over here for the day) waiting for me to give them some.

Lesson learned... if I keep fresh fruit in the house and ready to eat, the kids are going to eat it.

At one point, I told C to go get a cheese or yogurt.. she wouldn't. She wanted to fruit. Yay! I still want her to eat the other foods (maybe not the chips, though they don't really eat a lot of that), but C was eating 4-5 cheese sticks a day if I didn't watch her closely.

It's my hope and prayer that the healthy changes I'm making in my own eating habits will have a positive effect on my husband and children, as well. I married a picky eater, and I've given birth to two picky eaters. It's time to start expanding the list of food they'll eat.

Anxiety

This morning the pastor preached on anxiety. It felt like he was talking directly to me. I honestly believe that anxiety holds me back from actually being successful. I hold onto this fear of "what if I do it all right, and it still doesn't work?" Then, when I start a diet or exercise plan, I do it half-heartedly, at best. Why can't I just let go and give 100% to eating right and staying committed to an exercise plan? Anxiety. I fear failure. If I don't try, I can't fail at it.

I'm pretty sure when Rev. Jody preached this message this morning, he wasn't thinking about losing weight. But it's funny how this message triggered the realization that the anxiety he was preaching on is the same anxiety that holds me back in my weight loss efforts. I think it's time I give my weight (and weight loss) to God and let Him have the anxiety that holds me back.

I'm joining Weight Watchers (again) this weekend. I have a good friend who will be doing it, as well. We're going to be there to support each other every step along our weight loss journeys. And we're going to be there to help each other let go of our anxieties.

Killer At Large

A Facebook friend just posted this video. It made my heart hurt to see it. The 12-year-old who thought her only way to fight her weight was through liposuction had me nearly in tears. Watch.



We, as a society, have just gotten bigger and bigger. Many of us can't even get around from point A to point B without the use of some kind of mobility aid. I'm not referring to people who have health issues unrelated to weight, but rather those who have conditions directly related to weight. I'm sure my healing from my fall over a month ago is going so much slower due to my weight.

So, what are we going to do about it? I can't make an impact on the world, but I can in my family. I don't want my children to grow up obese like me. I don't want them to be picked last for athletic games at school because people assume the "fat kid" can't do anything. All I can do for my family is make a commitment to limit the unhealthy foods and beverages that make their way into our home and lead them in an active lifestyle.

I have some new goals, goals that I know I'll have to constantly be reminded of since change is hard, and diet/activity change is even harder for me. My new goals are to make mealtimes healthier, to create more times for fun activity, and to not only change how I view eating and exercise, but to help my children grow with a healthy appreciation for food and what it does for the body rather.

Another day, another pound

Yeah, I've still been gaining. I've had great intentions of getting my act together, but unfortunately intentions don't exactly equal action. Intent and action aren't even distant relatives. Ugh.

I'd like to think that my step up on the scale yesterday is the reality check to finally get me moving in the right direction. But I'm so tired of saying to myself that this time I'm going to do it. That this time I finally have real motivation. But to be honest, I'm scared that yesterday's "reality check" is no different than any of the other "reality checks" I've had. All I can do is take it one day at at time... one pound at a time. I'm just hoping that one pound is one pound off, not on.

What's been going on....

So it's obvious that I've not been around in a few months. I always have the best intentions, and then seem to fall away.

Right after I made the last post about the challenge at the gym, I started having issues. I was waking up in the middle of the night with my hands throbbing and in severe pain. They'd fallen asleep for some time, but they never were painful. Not only were they hurting, but most of the time they were numb. I couldn't hold a weight bar or use the machines if I tried. I ended up quitting the gym.

I went to an orthopedic surgeon who referred me to a neurologist. I ended up having moderately severe nerve damage and had to have Carpal Tunnel Release surgery on my hands. I've done the right hand, and am now in the process of trying to heal. I'm hoping to do the left hand in early June.

So, where does that leave me? Well, I'm ashamed to admit it leaves me 14 pound heavier. I don't know why I do this to myself. If I knew, I'd be able to stop it. I'd not go crazy with sodas, Easter candy, chips, cakes, cookies, high-fat/calories-laden foods, etc. I guess that leaves me still trying to get the weight off. One day at a time, I guess.

First Steps

As I sit here drinking my morning cup of coffee (ok, I’m on my second cup) I was thinking about what my first steps in this Gold’s Gym challenge should be. Obviously, I need to eat less and move more, but I think I need to be more specific. I’m sure I’ll be adding more to my list of steps, but here’s what I’ve come up with so far.

1. Cut the soda. I read last night that a 16 oz. soda has the equivalent of 14 teaspoons of sugar. I don’t think I’ve ever just had a 16 oz. soda. OK, I have, but not often. I usually buy at least a 20 oz. bottle at the store. And I know I drink more than 16 oz. when I pour my own from a 2-liter bottle. And you better believe if we’re at a restaurant I drink more than 16 oz. Really. That’s just unacceptable. It’s a wonder I’m not diabetic. That’s a lot of sugar I’m making my body process, not to mention the calories I’m consuming.

2. Add the water. I really can’t say much more about that. It’s a no-brainer. I have to drink something. And replacing my sugared sodas with artificially-sweetened sodas isn’t exactly healthy, either. In moderation, I’m sure it’s fine. But I can’t consume 60-100 ounces a day of aspartame. I mean, I probably could, but I’m going for healthier, not only thinner.

3. Skip the fried. Go for grilled or broiled when out. Opt for lower-fat choices at home (and when out). Remember that even though the calorie-laden meals do taste delicious, but so do the healthier options. Eat to live, don’t live to eat.

4. MOVE! Period. I have to move. My goal is to move every day. My “off” days will be at least a 30 minute walk. They offer classes at the gym that I’d be insane not to take advantage of. I love Kick and Power, and I’m sure I’d find other classes I enjoy if I gave them a chance. The first step is getting there. I talk myself out of it quite a bit, but once I’m done I feel so proud of myself. My goal is five days a week at the gym. Even if I don’t do a class, I need to get on the elliptical.

Inspiration

I’ve been a part of a weight loss group for few years now. I’ve been going to the gym for a few years now. You’d never know it by looking at me, but I really have been. At one point, I had lost about 30 pounds. I was looking and feeling better. I was down a size. I’d even given away the clothes that had become too big for me. You’d think I was on a roll and doing great. And I was.

What happened? I have no idea. Maybe I got overconfident that the weight was coming off and would just continue to fall off. Maybe I got lazy. Maybe it was a little of both. I stopped going to the gym. I quit running. I quit watching what I ate. This didn’t all happen at the same time. But gradually, it happened. So that 30 pounds I had lost turned into a 45 pound gain. Yes, you read that right. I gained it all back, plus about 15 more pounds.

Maybe it’s about here you are wondering why in the world I titled this “Inspiration.” Well, this really is about inspiration. Read on.

I started back going to the gym in December. It was in December that I received an email about the Gold’s Gym Challenge. I’m not super competitive, but I thought maybe a challenge is exactly what I needed to get myself back on track. Not really knowing what I was getting myself into, I decided I’d do it. I knew they’d have me come in for pictures, to get my weight, and take my measurements. Getting to the point where I’d let someone take those (picture, weight, measurements) was a huge step for me. I think I had kidded myself into thinking that others didn’t see me as fat as I saw myself. But by getting on those scales and letting them get those measurements, I couldn’t kid myself anymore. I’m doing this 12-week challenge – not because I want to win their big prize, but because this summer I want to look back at January and know I did something good for me. January 2012 I want to look back at January 2011 and know that I’m a healthier mom/wife/daughter/person. It’s not about looking fabulous, though that is a nice bonus. It’s about my own quality of life.

So, let’s get to the inspiration part. I promised this was about inspiration.

I’m not so sure I’d have had the courage to join this challenge if it weren’t for a friend of mine. I haven’t seen Lucy since Labor Day weekend. Before that, I honestly couldn’t tell you when I last saw her. What I can tell you, is Lucy looks amazing. Lucy started her weight loss journey in January 2010. She joined a gym. She joined a challenge at her gym. She started going to group fitness classes. She found she loves Zumba. She started running. She became a Zumba instructor. In one year, Lucy lost over 200 pounds. That’s not a typo. She’s so much healthier now. And while Lucy has always been beautiful, you can just see this new glow about her in her “after” photo.

You can see Lucy’s progress here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzwmhsq8GMA. She also has a blog http://runchunkyrun.blogspot.com/.

I also have to tell you about my friend Jennifer. I remember a conversation she and I had sitting in the sanctuary at church about how hard it was to lose weight. Neither of us was active at the time. Life was just kind of in the way. I see Jen at least twice a week, and at first I didn’t realize there was anything different. Then one day, I looked at her and realized she was losing weight. I remembered when she weighed more than me, and here she was right at the same weight as me. Then I started gaining again, but she kept losing. What I learned from Jen was that you have to make exercise a priority. I have no idea what Jen eats, but I know what Jen does! She goes to the gym almost every day, if not every day. And I do not mean she goes for 30 minutes. She’s there for 1-3 hours a day. She’s taking classes. She’s working on weights. She’s doing the machines. Not only is she at the gym, but she’s out being active. She goes to the park and runs/walks. She plays soccer.

My goal is to one day love being active like my friends Lucy and Jen. I don’t think they started out loving the gym (or maybe they did), but they recognized that in order to reach their goals they were going to need the gym. Somewhere along the way, they learned to love it and what going there does for them. Somewhere along the way, they learned that being active is fun. Somewhere along the way, they learned that being active is rewarding.

Lucy and Jen are my inspiration.

Day 4 of 100

I really don't have anything to say that doesn't sound like a whine. LOL

But seriously, I hurt. I'm not used to being on my feet all day, so I was already sore. My back aches, my feet ache, my legs ache. We got home and used a gift card to go to Applebees. Then we did a 38 minute walk around the neighborhood. I didn't want to go the "usual" way because I didn't want to do the hills. So what did I do? I told the family to turn left at the next road, and we ended up doing a completely different set of hills. LOL

Oh well, I got a great walk in. My heart rate got up there, I moved, and I worked of some calories.

I'm not sure what tomorrow has in store for me. I know I'll be on my feet tomorrow, and that's cool. I can handle that. Eventually, I'll be used to it and I won't ache just from standing. Of course, I'll be smaller and carrying around less weight, too. That'll help. Tomorrow is choir practice, so I'll have to figure out a way to get my workout in between work and and choir, and somehow get dinner in there, too.

But, I'm going to do it.

Oh, and I can't remember if I've said it, but I have an amazing husband. He knows I'm working to get at least 30 minutes of movement in a day. Tonight, he didn't ask, "Do you want to go?" He said, "Go upstairs and get changes so we can do a walk." Love him! He's giving me the exact support I need!

Day 3 of 100

I really didn't want to do this tonight. I started a new job today, and I was tired. Honestly, it if weren't for this challenge, I'd have stayed home. I'd have been so ticked at myself if I had quit after only doing two days of the challenge.

So, I dragged myself off the couch. (I was snuggled up under my quilt.) I put on my workout clothes. And off to the gym I went. Did I mention I didn't want to go? I even felt sick on the way there.

BUT....... I stuck with my commitment.

As soon as I got there, someone asked me if I had done this class (Power) before. That was all it took to jolt me out of my funk. I started helping them get what they needed for the class. Class started, and there was no turning back. Priscilla kicked my tail. I still have this mentality that I can do more than I actually can. I was able to do so much more when I, for some unknown reason, quit going to the gym. I regressed so much, and I'm trying to get that back. I gained about 40 pounds (that's roughly the 30 I had lost plus 10 more) since quitting.

Not only am I doing the 100 Days of Movement Challenge, but I'm also going to do the 12-week challenge at the gym. I need all the challenges and motivation I can get. LOL

Day 2 of 100

I used to run. Well, my version of it, anyway. Remember my posts about my run/walk this summer? Yeah.

So, we walked 1.5 miles of my 3.1 mile loop (cut some of the side streets that we took out). I thought I was gonna die. My lower back hurt, but that could be because those muscles were worked pretty good yesterday at Power. My legs hurt. Just walking I was gasping for air at times. The air is colder than I've ever run in before, so that could account for some of it.

I told Patrick we needed to do this loop two to three times a week, weather permitting. I'm nowhere near ready to start trying to run again.

I'm so glad I joined this challenge. I need something to work toward, and committing to at least 30 minutes a day of some kind of activity is just what I needed to get me back on track.

2011 Is My Year!

I'm starting 2011 with a new outlook. I got up this morning and hit the gym for two hours. I did Group Kick and Group Power. We weren't halfway through Kick and I thought my left arm was going to fall off. I could hardly lift it, that's how bad it hurt. But, I stuck it out and stayed for Power afterwards. It was a big discouraging to see how much muscle and endurance I have lost. I gave up sometime in 2010 and gained all the weight back that I had lost, plus some. Most of my clothes don't fit. I'm tired all the time. I've become lazy again.


But, that's going to change. Yeah, I know. Everyone makes New Year's Resolutions. I do it, too. And of course, just like most of those folks, I give up before February. My last post I said how I was starting early on my New Year's Resolution, and then I did nothing. That's sorta been the story of my life. I'm not making a resolution this year, but rather I'm going to claim 2011 as my year. This year it's about me. I know how that sounds, but I truly don't mean it that way. I'm not putting myself above my faith or my family. But, for the first time ever I'm truly making myself and my health a priority. If I don't, by January 1, 2012 I'll be 300 or 350 pounds. That's really not acceptable, and it's not what God or my family would want for my life. It's certainly not what I want for me.


I'm not going to make a huge goal. Why set myself up for failure? I'm working on mini goals this year instead of setting a big goal and getting discouraged when it takes too long to get there. Why say, I'm going to lose 100 or 150 pounds, and then give up when the weight doesn't just fall off? This isn't The Biggest Loser. I am not on a ranch, working out 8 hours a day, with only healthy food in the kitchen. This is life. If I lost 1 pound a week until I reach a healthy weight where I feel good and am happy, I'll accept that.


My first goal is to just fit back into the clothes that are too small for me - the ones that I wore in early 2010. Once I reach that goal, I'll set a new goal. How am I going to get there? I am participating in the 100 Days of Movement Challenge. For 100 days I'm committed to at least 30 minutes of exercise. I'll probably get more than that most days, but I'm committing to a minimum of 30 minutes. I'm also going to be very cautious about what I put in my mouth. I'm not set on any one program right now. All I'm focusing on is eliminating as much of the junk as I can and replacing it with better options.


That's it. That's all I've got right now. This is where I am. And this is my year!!!