So, in December of 2010 I was getting all dolled up to go to a party. It was a black and white event and I figured I had tons of cute outfits to choose from. I opened my closet and yes, there were lots of cute outfits. I began trying them on, and nothing fit! I decided that in January I would be one of those "Resolution" type people up at the gym. When I weighed in I was so disappointed!
I decided to do something about it. I took a good hard look at my eating habits. I wasn't really eating too much junk...OK, I was eating a lot of chocolate chip cookies! Other than that, I was simply eating too many calories. I downloaded and began to use MyFitnessPal which is a website and app that helps you figure out a calorie goal based on what is right for you and your weight loss goals. You record all of your dietary intake as well as any cardiovascular or strength training workouts. I also used a running app, C25K and then Bridge to 10k. The weight just melted off, about five pounds per month until I started running longer distances and lost more!
I'm so proud of my progress. It's not just about the fact that I lost 31 pounds and can get into my skinny jeans. I feel so much better! I actually want to be in the gym. When I walk into the gym, I go to Lifetime Fitness, I feel like I'm in my happy place. It's hard, and I sweat big time, but as a good friend of mine said, "You will never regret going to the gym. You will regret not going."
I am now training for a half marathon which will be on December 4, 2011. I've started training with longer runs, my longest, 9.3 miles. Looking back I never really thought I could do this, but I kept up the mantra, "If you don't try, you can't succeed." I started out barely being able to run for 2 minutes and now I run for an hour. Wow!
The marathon supports the Scottish Rites Hospital for Children. I am taking part in a fundraising effort to help support this worthy cause. If you would like to make a donation, please scroll to the bottom of my page. There is a form provided there. Thank you in advance to anyone who participates.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Home Sweet Home
This past fall I really got tired of the noise at Austin Ranch, so I began in earnest to look for a house to buy. I wanted to be in my new home by Thanksgiving, and with only a few months to look, I thought I was being a little too industrious. However, after countless hours both online and in the car, I found a wonderful home to call mine. I moved in right after my birthday, the weekend before Thanksgiving. It was a great moment for me! Skylar has his own little yard. I have gotten my new home almost ready to have guests over, and I can't wait to have a house-warming party.
Right after Christmas, Skylar was diagnosed with skin cancer. His thyroid and liver were bad as well. I opted for cancer to remove the tumor, which was a huge financial drain, especially considering I just bought the house and pay more for it than my apartment. I love my little Skylar, and even things will be tough financially for awhile, it was worth it. He now has three daily medications and has been having some urination concerns, which seem to have cleared up a bit lately as long as I leave work as early as possible.
The other big news is that since January I have started a pretty strenuous workout and diet. I have lost about 12 pounds, and I am so excited! I have been using the same run program that my sister has used and recommended, C25K. I enjoy the competitiveness I have with the program! I am also meeting with a workout partner and that has helped me get to the gym more often. Now, the gym is my place of refuge and solace. It's one of the few places I can go to forget my worries.
School is hectic these days with TAKS right around the corner and layoffs looming overhead. There is apparently no money for education, and although it's more complex than that, it boils down to teachers losing their jobs. The uncertainty of the time make life more stressful than normal.
Of course, I myself have my own personal questions of uncertainty. Today I described my situation as something like a question long in the making, or something to that effect. It was more eloquent when I first uttered it. Anyway, life is about momentous times like buying houses, heart-breaking times balanced by difficult solutions like pulling together the money for your dog's surgery, small triumphant moments of meeting personal goals, and times of uncertainty both personal and global.
I am trying to keep an open mind most of all, open to the possibilities of what may happen and the paths my life my take me on. I am trying to figure things out of course, but find that choosing my own path is difficult. Right now I am taking things one day at a time, although the "planner" in me is having difficulty with that.
I pray for guidance, and for the wisdom to recognize the guidance as it comes, and the courage to follow through.
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