A little of this and that....

My blog has had over 10,000 views since its inception August 12, 2011! I've had blog views from far-away places such as Russia, India, Columbia and even Nigeria! I can only hope that my story has helped each viewer in some way.

At last week's weigh-in, I was down 2.8 pounds! Still have 2.2 more to lose to negate that 5 pound gain, but I'll get there. Hopefully this week. My goal is still to lose 50 pounds total by the end of June. While last week's gain threw me off, I won't let it deter me from reaching my goal. Regardless of whether I meet my goal or not, I will be that much closer to it by trying! That gives me one month to lose 7.4 pounds. That means I need to lose 1.85 pounds per week. It's a tall order - but I really feel I can do it. I won't let my trip to Cleveland for The Color Run on June 16th and my trip to Florida at the end of June throw me off course.

Sarah (my wonderful friend, hair dresser and "personal trainer") changed up my workout last night. I've followed the first plan for 4 weeks, and now we mixed it all up. I know that each time we mix it up, it will get harder, but holy shit. I seriously think she is trying to kill me! I will do chest/biceps/shoulders on Mondays, legs on Wednesdays and back/triceps on Fridays. I'm also signed up for a yoga class on Wednesday evenings (starting this Wednesday), and the running class on Monday evenings (running starts July 9th - my 8th wedding anniversary!). I also will still do cardio Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. I'm looking forward to an active summer but tired thinking about it.

My new gym still has not opened. They were aiming for a May 15th opening, and it is June 3rd with no opening in site. I'm a little frustrated/disappointed.

School is almost out! 3 more BUSY weeks! This Friday is our class trip to Darien Lake! I hope by then then weather clears up. All this rain is great for the garden, but not for my psyche.

I went shopping this week as I desperately needed some new clothes. I picked up two new pair of casual, but nice capris. (I'm down 4 sizes!!) I also purchased a new pair of workout capris, 3 new super cute workout shirts, 6 nice summer t-shirts, 2 pairs of convertible capris/shorts, a maxi dress, two new strapless bras, two knit dresses, and my mother bought me a new bathing suit! It is bright colors and has hibiscus flowers on it (my late Grampie's favorite flower!).

I made a terrific recipe the other day - Buffalo Chicken Chili. It was so tasty, and for once, I had everything in the house to make it (I always seem to be missing one or two ingredients for a recipe)! One serving is 1 and 3/4 cups. Let me tell you - that is a huge bowl! A huge, delicious bowl.

“Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” ~George Bernard Shaw

I refuse to be a victim.

Sometimes, our journey (regardless of what goal we are working towards) doesn't go as smoothly as we anticipate.

Today, I finally was able to see the Podiatrist for the intermittent, yet pretty significant, heel pain I've had for a while now. I have officially been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. Surprisingly, I also have a rather large heel spur caused by the plantar fasciitis. (I guess I should've investigated this heel pain sooner, like 2+ years ago when it got really bad.) And the cherry on the sundae - I have bunions. I always thought I had decent looking feet and toes, and now after today, not so much. It was like having someone point out all your flaws and sucking the wind right out of your sails.

So, the course of treatment for plantar fasciitis includes several steps. First, the doctor injected my heel with Cortisone today to decrease the swelling. Next, he prescribed a strong oral anti-inflammatory medication I will take once daily. I have to ice my heel several times a day, and do some stretches five times daily. I have also been instructed to limit my activity to low/non-impact exercises.

He also gave me inserts for my sneakers, and recommended I get fitted for a good pair of running shoes with lots of cushion. So, I stopped at a local running store after leaving the office for a professional fitting. I ended up purchasing a pair of Saucony Progrid Ride 4 sneakers. They are very comfy, even with the inserts (which I expected to feel uncomfortable). They also have LOTS of cushion, and mesh along the side of my big toe so as not to push on my bunions. Sadly, the only color they had of these sneakers was white with blue accents. Blue is my least favorite color. The sales clerk felt so bad about the fact that they didn't have any other colors that she gave me her employee discount. 20% off, and a free pair of nice running socks. Score!!! Thanks, Heather! (I've been shopping around online and may just order a second pair of the White/Citron or White/Black/Pink since I will be living in sneakers for a while. The podiatrist also said NO FLIP FLOPS. He did say he would be OK with me wearing Birkenstocks if I must have sandals. I'm kind of liking these Black Patent Leather Birkenstocks.

After adhering to everything above, I should feel some relief. The average healing time for plantar fasciitis is 7+ months. DAMN! I hope it doesn't take that long. Sometimes, heel spurs can cause sharp, shooting pain also. So, until we get the plantar fasciitis under control, we won't know if the heel spur is contributing to my pain. Only time will tell...

After reading a fellow blogger's post today over on a Neurotic Glamour Girl's Weight Watchers Experience and Fitness Adventures titled Forever, I realize I CANNOT, and simply WILL NOT, fall victim to my current circumstances. The only thing I can control is how I react to situations/circumstances. There is no reason I cannot continue to work towards my goal, via nutrition and exercise. Perhaps, I just have to alter how I get there. Changing things up sometimes is the best thing you can do. Believe me, I've learned THAT lesson time and time. (If you've never read, Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson, I highly recommend doing so. This book was has helped me immensely in accepting recent changes in my life.)

Sheryl states on the above mentioned blog, "Know -- and accept!-- that there will be dead-ends and detours and dimly lit paths but the journey doesn’t end. You find another way. You keep going. Because even though there may be a few twists and turns and rough patches, those are few compared to all the great, exciting, awesome, life changing and wonderful parts of the journey. Never lose sight of how great your healthy new life is. Just pick yourself up and keep going. Vow to never give up. Because this is forever. I'm in it for the rest of my life and I hope you are too."

Thank you, Sheryl, for the inspirational post today. I cannot believe how much inspiration I gather from fellow bloggers. Please, if you are looking for inspiration, check out some of the blogs I follow. They are full of tips, recipes and inspiration. It amazes me how I can always find exactly what I need at exactly the moment I need it on a fellow blogger's blog.

I am in CONTROL, and I CHOOSE how I react to my circumstances. I REFUSE to be a victim.

 

Licking my wounds and moving forward...

Sometimes, we need to lick our wounds and move forward.

This past week has been crazy. First, I hurt my back last Wednesday. Urgent Care diagnosed it as a thoracic myofascial strain. My chiropractor said it was an impact injury from running. I will take it a bit easier in the weeks to come, but I do intend to continue running. I have The Color Run on June 16th, and then I also registered for that weekly running "class" this summer to be sure I continue training.

As I was nursing my back, my husband's step-mother passed away. My husband's brother and his wife came in and stayed with us for a few nights. It was nice to have company (albeit under shitty circumstances), and I think it helped take my mind off my back a bit.

Because of my back, and then the wake and funeral, I haven't exercised in about a week. Tomorrow, I plan on heading back to the gym for an easy elliptical workout since my back is feeling better (thanks Susan for the Biofreeze!)

Today is my last day of bereavement leave and I will be heading over to spend some time with my father-in-law. I have some banana chocolate chip oatmeal muffins in the oven to take with me. I made some veggie soup last night to take, and my husband assured me that his father would not eat that. Oh well, it is the thought that counts, right?!

The end of the school year is nearing, and I cannot wait to finish! With the weather being so nice the past few days, and my pool being open - I'm anxious for summer vacation!

And now, the news I've been dreading and debating if I wanted to share...

Last night was my weigh-in. I've lost every week since starting Weight Watchers. And while I really hoped to get all the way to goal without ever having a gain, I knew deep down it wasn't realistic. I knew I had gained this week, and I wasn't sure I was going to weigh in ('cause if you don't weigh-in, you didn't really gain, right?!). Then, Trixie's Success Story posted yesterday. Trixie is who I weigh in with each week at my WW meeting. We've become friends, and e-mail back and forth. Her Success Story went live yesterday, and I sobbed while reading it. It was EXACTLY what I needed to "hear". Trixie says, "Honestly, the difference between every other time and joining this time was simple: I just didn’t quit. When I got on that scale and it went up on occasion—which it’s going to, that’s life—I didn’t let it stop me. I got back on that scale every week. That was the key for me." Those words spoke to me. At that moment, I knew I had to face the music and weigh in.

So, I weighed in last night. I asked the receptionist (Trixie was not there this week) not to tell me. I wanted to be able to look at it when I was ready. I gained. 5 pounds. In one week. Ouch. That reinforces to me how this truly is a lifestyle that I will need to commit to for life. I can't stop tracking my food, exercising and following the WW plan. (I also told Trixie she is not allowed to miss work again!)

Today, I'm licking my wounds and moving forward. I recommitted yesterday and stayed on plan all day. It is so much harder to fall off the wagon and get back on than just getting on the first time. But, I will. I have too many people rooting for me, including myself. And, I know where I've come from and I don't want to go back there. I want to continue down the path to where I'm going...

Drum Roll Please...

As of today, I've lost 44.8 pounds (I'm down 5.8 this week alone)!! I'm very proud of this accomplishment. I get a little teary-eyed thinking about it. I've never been successful at losing/maintaining my weight. But, as I shared the other day, I made a conscious decision that this time would be different, and it WILL!

The Color Run is one month away. I'm excited, and nervous. I'm sure it will be hot, and heat, running and I don't get along all that well. In 2010, when I started running for the first time in my life, I was doing very well. I completed a 5K and a 3.5 mile run in May and early June. Then, the weather got hot. I hated sweating running in the heat, so I quit. I don't want that to happen this time. So, to combat this, I registered for a running "class" at a local running store. The class, called No Boundaries, begins in July and runs through September. On September 30th, there is a culminating 5K run. I'm excited to participate in this program. I'm thrilled I was able to identify what caused me to fail in the past, and that I made a plan and took action to prevent that from happening this time. Everyday, I'm amazed at how far I've come. Don't get me wrong - I have a long way to go. But I'm on my way, and it feels good!

I'm so thankful to my support system. I know some people travel this path alone, but I knew I couldn't. I do best when I'm accountable to not only myself, but those close to me. My close friends have been instrumental in my journey, and I'm so thankful for them.

Next stop - 50 pounds! I'd like to achieve this goal by the end of the school year on June 22nd!

Who is this girl?

I rolled out of bed at 6:15am this morning (no alarm necessary) and went for a walk/run. My shins were really hurting today, so I took it easy. I walked more than I ran, but regardless, I finished 3.5 miles in about 55 minutes. Not too shabby. I maintained a fast, steady pace and kept my heart rate in the fat burning zone.

I can't believe that I actually exercised before 7am on a weekend. A year ago, I would have laughed in your face if you told me I would EVER do that. But, times are changing. This girl is reinventing herself. On the outside, I still look like me. But on the inside, I'm morphing into a whole new person. And it sure feels good...

Motivation...or determination?

Tuesday is the day I weigh in at Weight Watchers. I go to the gym after school for my cardio workout, and then I head to WW. I lost 1.4 pounds this week for a grand total of 39 pounds lost! I can't even begin to tell you how good this makes me feel...

Tuesday's meeting topic was *motivation*. I spent the whole car ride home thinking about motivation, and wondering if it really is motivation that is keeping me going.

I realized it isn't motivation moving me forward, but determination. Determination is defined as, "the act of coming to a decision". I made a decision. I decided come hell or high water, I would lose weight and get healthy. No more starting and quitting. I decided I couldn't count on motivation to keep me going. Motivation is short-lived and comes and goes; determination is lifelong. Motivation might provide encouragement, but determination leads to action. Determination keeps us going no matter what.

So, no matter what your motivation is, it is determination that will get you there! Set goals, be motivated, but more importantly, be determined!

"A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work." ~Colin Powell

NSV...

As of last week Tuesday, I'm down a grand total of 37.5 pounds! (Not to mention I lost 5.5" this past month alone. I started doing measurements last month - chest, arms, legs, hips and waist.) I had to buy some new clothes yesterday to help me get to the end of the school year! I don't want to spend a lot of money right now, but I can't deny the fact that my pants literally are falling off. I bought a new pair of black capris for work, as well as two shirts and a dress. And the best part - I was excited to not have to shop in the plus size section! This is what we weight-watchers call a "non-scale victory", or NSV!

On Thursday, I ran outside with Kym. It. was. HARD. We ran and walked because I literally felt like I was going to die. Of course, I must mention it was like 85, windy and hilly. It was much harder than I remember my first outdoor run in 2010 being. But, the beauty of not doing as well at something as you thought you would first day out of the gate - you only have room for improvement! I have about five weeks until my 5K. I CAN and WILL do this.

Sadly, I did not do any cardio yesterday or today. (I always rest one of these two days, but not both.) I felt exhausted this week...like "asleep on the couch before Jeopardy, in bed by 8" exhausted. I needed a break. I'm pushing my body and mind harder than I ever have, and I'm not ashamed that I took a break. I just need to be sure I get back on track tomorrow with my leg and shoulder workout. Ugh...I DREAD the leg workout. It kicks my ass. I swear my friend/trainer Sarah who designed this program for me is trying to kill me. Squats. Lunges. Reverse lunges. Four sets of 20. Add in some leg extensions and leg presses. My legs scream just thinking about it! I am sore for days after. In fact, I usually am sore until the weekend after that workout.

On Tuesday, I had dinner with some of the girls from my infertility support group. In a nutshell, I felt like I don't belong there anymore. I'm still trying to process my feelings about that evening, so for now, I'll leave it at that.

Ok, it is time for me to have my treat I've been looking forward to all day. My strawberry shortcake!