As I look back over the past 11 months, I am absolutely amazed at the changes in my life - changes for good. Some of those changes, though seemingly small to others, mean the world of difference in my life.
1. On many occasions, I am now shopping in regular sizes and petite sizes. WOW! My shoe size has even changed, folks!
2. I now can slide into the pews at church, as opposed to squeezing in.
3. I am no longer embarrassed to enter a room or walk across a crowded restaurant.
4. I can now do a somewhat modified version of a pull-up. Absolutely unthinkable.
5. I have been parasailing and loved it.
6. I can find something in ANY restaurant or kitchen that I can feel good about eating. NOTHING is off limits.
7. I have lost 70+ pounds.
8. I now take the stairs whenever possible as MY choice.
9. I really like working out - sometimes the "getting there" is difficult, but I'm so happy once I am there and feel so fulfilled when my workout is complete.
10. I love it when my daughter goes to the gym with me.
11. My blood pressure is now at the bottom of the normal range.
12. I like going to the doctor now - no fears of condemnation.
13. Change is easiest when completed in baby steps...and long lasting too!
14. I now easily fit in the school desks when at the high school for meetings, conferences, etc.
15. Serotonin needs MUST be fed and I now know how to do that - sometimes with food and sometimes not, and both are okay.
16. My family is so proud of me! I love that!!
17. I have found that a nonfat cappucino with one pump of sugar-free hazelnut is a real treat and comes without the guilt of a mocha latte!
18. Movie popcorn is better without added butter and salt!
19. I have found that more and more restaurants now provide nutritional information.
20. The Ultimate U's Challenge is the best time and money I (and Tim) have EVER spent. And I LOVE my challenge friends, coach and supporters! They are simply the best!
21. Attending U University (the challenge graduate school) every week will keep me on track for life.
22. I am halfway to my lifetime goal - in less than a year - and THAT is something to celebrate. Each day just gets better and better.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Knock me over with a feather...
Who would have imagined that I, the girl with 70 more pounds to lose, could inspire someone to eat healthier and drop a few pounds. Certainly not me. And yet, it is so!
I was talking to my sister, Barb, this week and she filled me in on what her hubby Steve is doing. He has taken to heart my healthier ways and my weight loss and has become inspired to do the same. Shoot - I didn't even know he knew (they live in Wisconsin and I haven't seen them for quite awhile). But apparently Barb told him and it has effected a change in his life. And with the great cook that my sister Barb is, that is a huge decision. Way to go Steve - and way to go Barb for being so supportive!
Makes me want to stand up a bit straighter and reach for the light balsamic vinaigrette, folks!
I was talking to my sister, Barb, this week and she filled me in on what her hubby Steve is doing. He has taken to heart my healthier ways and my weight loss and has become inspired to do the same. Shoot - I didn't even know he knew (they live in Wisconsin and I haven't seen them for quite awhile). But apparently Barb told him and it has effected a change in his life. And with the great cook that my sister Barb is, that is a huge decision. Way to go Steve - and way to go Barb for being so supportive!
Makes me want to stand up a bit straighter and reach for the light balsamic vinaigrette, folks!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Don't rain on my parade
Some days I skip along through my life - and progress comes and progress wanes - and it doesn't slow me down a bit. But there are some days it is as if I am wearing concrete galoshes and trying to lift one foot seems impossible. And thankfully, the concrete galoshes days don't last.
The last month has been one of concrete galoshes. My ankle and foot ache, and my hip is keeping me in constant pain. My workouts have been less than I wish due to those issues and it is quite frustrating to me - I want to push ahead and get past this - yet my body just won't let me. Throw in the holidays and family pressures and I just really feel defeated...and in search of my next hit of so desperately needed serotonin. Too often I have searched the cupboards to fill that need. On the other hand, completely denying the need only snowballs into failure (and back into the cupboards). I'm learning - fill the need and move on. Eat a healthy snack if I'm hungry to derail the need to graze later.
But today, the galoshes are off and I am again moving forward. I have made so much progress and to deny myself the feeling of that victory would be just wrong. I'm on a right path to my future.
The last month has been one of concrete galoshes. My ankle and foot ache, and my hip is keeping me in constant pain. My workouts have been less than I wish due to those issues and it is quite frustrating to me - I want to push ahead and get past this - yet my body just won't let me. Throw in the holidays and family pressures and I just really feel defeated...and in search of my next hit of so desperately needed serotonin. Too often I have searched the cupboards to fill that need. On the other hand, completely denying the need only snowballs into failure (and back into the cupboards). I'm learning - fill the need and move on. Eat a healthy snack if I'm hungry to derail the need to graze later.
But today, the galoshes are off and I am again moving forward. I have made so much progress and to deny myself the feeling of that victory would be just wrong. I'm on a right path to my future.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Back in the hunt
I really have had a nagging worry that perhaps my forward stead would collapse once I completed the Ultimate U Challenge. That worry, my friends, has been put to rest. Last night, for the first time, I attended U University and I have been spurred on to further success. I am ever so thankful that my wellness coaching will continue with Zoe and others who have completed the challenge.
I am energized and thankful for finding the wonderful folks at the Ultimate U. I am even more thankful to my God for getting me to a place where I can tackle all of these weight and lifestyle issues and I'm even more thankful that he has promised to keep hold of my hand until I do.
I still am working on taking off the holiday excesses (with slow but steady progress), but I just KNOW that I will be successful. It really is amazing to me to see where I've come in such a short period of time - I lost 76.4 pounds from Feb. 25 to Dec. 17. That is nothing short of a miracle!
I am energized and thankful for finding the wonderful folks at the Ultimate U. I am even more thankful to my God for getting me to a place where I can tackle all of these weight and lifestyle issues and I'm even more thankful that he has promised to keep hold of my hand until I do.
I still am working on taking off the holiday excesses (with slow but steady progress), but I just KNOW that I will be successful. It really is amazing to me to see where I've come in such a short period of time - I lost 76.4 pounds from Feb. 25 to Dec. 17. That is nothing short of a miracle!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Exhale...
Take a deep breath - we are now into the New Year. Exhale. I need to remember that if I can just keep breathing I can accomplish anything and everything.
The holidays were a whirlwind - fun and surprising. My stamina amazes me these days. I've shoveled snow without being winded, shopped at Easton until the cash ran out, baked until the whole house had that heady, holiday sugary smell, worked out regularly even when I didn't have the time and made wise food choices along with some not-so-wise, but oh, so, pleasurable. But, it's a new year and I'm not facing it in a panic as I have in the past. 2011 is about staying the course for me - the new course adopted last year.
I just finished my almost year-long wellness challenge at the Ultimate U with three other very capable contenders this week. Wow. Graduated into wellness. Are we done "contending?" Certainly, not. But have we crossed the threshold from unhealthy to healthy? You betcha we have. 2011 will be about fine-tuning for me. I hope to get a better handle on nutrition, stepping up my work-outs, and losing 40 more pounds this year, all the while trying to eat at home a bit more (it's just soooo much better for us all).
I look forward to this year - new challenges yet unseen, more weight loss, a leaner body and of course, more wellness coaching from Zoe at U University at the Ultimate U to further encourage and enlighten me in my quest for health and happiness.
And, if you notice the earth shift on the morning of January 15 - it will just be me taking my first Zumba dance class!
Happy New Year to you all!
The holidays were a whirlwind - fun and surprising. My stamina amazes me these days. I've shoveled snow without being winded, shopped at Easton until the cash ran out, baked until the whole house had that heady, holiday sugary smell, worked out regularly even when I didn't have the time and made wise food choices along with some not-so-wise, but oh, so, pleasurable. But, it's a new year and I'm not facing it in a panic as I have in the past. 2011 is about staying the course for me - the new course adopted last year.
I just finished my almost year-long wellness challenge at the Ultimate U with three other very capable contenders this week. Wow. Graduated into wellness. Are we done "contending?" Certainly, not. But have we crossed the threshold from unhealthy to healthy? You betcha we have. 2011 will be about fine-tuning for me. I hope to get a better handle on nutrition, stepping up my work-outs, and losing 40 more pounds this year, all the while trying to eat at home a bit more (it's just soooo much better for us all).
I look forward to this year - new challenges yet unseen, more weight loss, a leaner body and of course, more wellness coaching from Zoe at U University at the Ultimate U to further encourage and enlighten me in my quest for health and happiness.
And, if you notice the earth shift on the morning of January 15 - it will just be me taking my first Zumba dance class!
Happy New Year to you all!
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