Well, I did it

Did what, you ask??

I finally got my lazy ass back to the gym.  And you know what???  It felt good.

I did 3 sets of 10 reps on 11 different machines.  I did legs, arms, and back.  And every single time I work in the office, I need to use my lunch hour to go to the gym.  NO MORE EXCUSES!!!  I'm good at making excuses, that's for sure.  My 10-year surgiversary is fast approaching, and I'm not where I had hoped I would be.  My eating could be better,  but it's not horrible.  What I'm lacking is exercise!!!!  I need to exercise!!!  Come hell or high water, I need to get active.

I've been reading posts from my friends, Kathy and Patty, who get out and walk or run on a regular basis.  I need to use that inspiration and get my butt moving again.

So if you don't see posts at least once a week about me exercising, feel free to call, email, texts, or slap me upside the head.  Enough of this crap!!  I need to DO this!!  I've come too far to stop now!!!

Ok, that is all for today.  Thanks for "listening".  :-)

Lots to talk about

I haven't done a post in about 2 months now.  Part of that is because I was really discouraged with not seeing a difference on the scale, and just not in the mood to write.  In fact, over the last 2 months I was gaining instead of losing.  Even though a lot of positive things have happened, I was still letting the scale get to me.  And I need to stop letting it get to me.

Here are the positives:

• I had a follow-up with my primary and he has officially taken "diabetic" off my chart and changed it to "pre-diabetic".  If my numbers stay good, he'll take that off my chart too.  So the big burden of being a diabetic is now off my shoulder.  And this is a very good thing.
• Even though the scale hasn't moved, I have been still getting smaller.  Depending on the cut of clothes, I can fit into either a 20 or a 22.  I can walk into stores such as Sam's club and Old Navy and find clothes that will fit me.
• I discovered I have space between my toes.  I know this sounds funny, but when you're fat, you're fat all over, and my toes touched each other.  Now when I look at my feet, I actually see space between my toes.
• My wedding band is HUGE!  So is my wedding diamond ring.  I have yarn around it right now so they don't fall off my finger.  I need to find a ring guard that I like.
• I can dance all night long!  We attended a wedding over the weekend and I danced like crazy!!  A year ago I would not have been able to do that.  I would have had to sit and watch.  It's great to dance!!  In fact, I need to be invited to more weddings (hint, hint) so that I can dance more.  I should go on Ellen's show so I can dance! 
• I can wear a dress and it actually flows instead of showing all the bulges (of course some of that is thanks to shape-wear!). 

The scale finally changed over the last few days and now I'm at the lowest point yet, 271.  Which means I've lost 70 pounds since surgery and 127 pounds overall.

When I look at this picture, it all becomes really real.  To see the difference side by side is amazing.  I don't always notice when I look in the mirror or when I look at my body.  I see sagging skin and fat rolls.  I notice how much things wiggle and jiggle.  And I see other things too.  I notice that people still walk much faster than I do.  I notice that I still have problems battling the cravings for foods I shouldn't be eating.  I see how far I still have to go.

Many times the physical part is the easy part.  It's battling the thoughts and emotions that is the hard part.  When I'm "hungry" most of the time I'm not truly hungry, it's just my brain not being nice to me.  I need to ignore that "mental hunger" and only listen to the physical hunger.  I'm not going to starve, that's for sure.  And I need to stay on track (or to quote one of my favorite movies, "stay on target...  Stay on target")

However, I need to focus on the positive.  I need to look at this picture.  I need to see how far I have come.  I need to remember all the good stuff and cast away the bad stuff.  I need to remember the times when people say that I look amazing, and I need to tell myself that too.

And... I need to dance more often.

Started weight training.

Today I started weight training.  I went down to the gym during lunch and learned how to do 5 different machines.  Three are for my arms/upperbody, one for my legs, and one for my lower back.  I did three sets of 12 on each machine.  I kept the weight low, but will increase it as I get used to it.  I'll probably add more machines as I get more proficient and as time allows.  By doing this 2 or 3 times per week (on the days I'm in the office), I hope to build some tone to combat the sagging skin.  On the days I'm home, I'm going to do my darndest to walk either during lunch or when I get off work.

I'm already looking for my next week.  I found a 3k in July and a 5k in October.  I might do both, and get the hubby and kids walking too (just need the funds).

It feels so good to be active...especially when I'm not seeing much movement on the scale.  And the support I'm getting....it's awesome!!!

I did it!!!

The 2015 Bubble Run is now history and I DID IT!!!  I walked the 5 kilometers in 1 hour and 26 minutes.  It was a great time.

Here I am with my daughter, Michaela, before the race:

Here are more pictures from before we started:

2 Tracys and me

Me, Tracy, Michaela, Layla

The group

My biggest cheerleader was my husband, John:

Now we are approaching the starting line:

As you can see, it was a very cloudy and rainy day.  At least at that point of the day, it was still warm, so the rain really didn't bother me.

There were 4 "bog" of bubbles of different colors to walk through:

Before pink

After pink

Before Green

After Green

Before Blue

Before Yellow

My niece, Tracy, was my walking partner and stayed with me the whole time:

Finally we see the finish line!!  And we see my hubby, my sister, my son and daughter, and my great-nephew.  They were all waving and cheering me on.

Approaching the final turn

We see the finish line!!!

And after the race:

Michalea and I after the race

 A Bubbled Michaela

My great-niece, Samatha

I am amazed that I was able to do it.  My thighs started screaming about 1/2 way through, but I was determined not to give up.  It was fun talking to Tracy.  Sometimes we were chatting up a storm, and other times we were silent and just walking along.  It was great to have her with me.  I could also feel the presence of my friend, Christy, pushing me along from heaven.  There were several people in wheelchairs walking with their friends, and when I saw them I thought about how much fun Christy would have had doing this with me.  

This was such a wonderful experience.  I had no idea what to expect, and I had a blast!!  I know some things to do for next time, that's for sure.  Like bring a ziplock bag for the cell phone and bring a change of clothes and shoes for after.

After the race, we went to Crackle Barrel to eat.  The temperature dropped and I was freezing!!!  The hot coffee at the restaurant sure felt good.  As we were heading back to the van after eating, I started to really feel the ache.  Boy do my muscles hurt!!!  But after going home and changing clothes, hubby, Michaela, and I went out and did some shopping.  We had thought about going out for dinner, but decided to go home and order Chinese instead.  And of course as soon as we got home, I took some tylenol.

Next year we are going to have a bigger group walking.  Hubby is going to walk too, and he is already planning his outfit to wear.  This has been a great experience, and now that I've done one, I want to do more.  If anyone wants to walk with me, just let me know!

Thanks again for all the words and encouragement and support.  I couldn't have done it without you.

Thank you God for giving me the strength to do this. Amen!