Well, I am horrible at blogging... we've established that.
I felt things were getting a tad boring, so I just haven't updated in a while. :)
However, I have folks asking me why I haven't updated my blog, so here goes... I think?
One of the most frequently asked questions (besides "how much have you lost?") is "Are you glad you did it?" It's a great question. It's a little more difficult to answer. 95% of the time, I'm glad I did it. The other 5%? Well, that's the hard part. The other 5% is when I'm dehydrated, frustrated, nauseous, questioning myself, battling with myself each and every day. Some days, I don't think about it and just go with the flow. But other days, it's a constant mental battle. Each day I am faced with choices and I can choose to be happy and healthy or I can choose to be miserable. I know there are certain things that I used to enjoy eating that I still enjoy eating, but I certainly don't enjoy the way it makes me feel after. Before surgery, there were no immediate consequences. Now, there are.
I have been eating more "normal" foods now. I start out with protein most days and then eat fruits and veggies if I'm still not full. Some days are better than others and I don't get as many fruits/veggies as I should. Portion sizes are tiny compared to what they used to be.
I have been exercising more. I started a training group called "Fit-tastic" back in March. I went every Monday and Wednesday and did run/walk training with a group of folks to train for a 5k. And then... work happened.
We are in the process of upgrading our Business Online Banking system at work and I have been working until 6 or 7 every night. I then come home and work more from home. It has been sucking up all of my personal time. Don't misunderstand, I still do things with friends and still exercise, just not as often as I did. Now I come home from work, walk/run Paris and try to figure out what's for dinner and whether I feel like eating anything.
I have developed a very strange aversion to certain foods. If I cook it, I can't eat it... especially proteins. More specifically, chicken. Chicken is not my friend these days. I get nauseous when I smell it cooking, I get nauseous when I have to eat it and I get nauseous when it's reheated. Sometimes I can cook it and eat it a day later, but not always. I feel the same way about hamburger sometimes too... I have to cook spaghetti or chili one day and eat it the next.
I'm good as long as I don't have to prepare it... if I eat out or eat at the cafeteria at work, it doesn't bother me.
I recently went for my 3 month follow up with my surgeon's office (the PA) and talked to her about nausea. I mentioned that I was nauseous more than 4 times a week and she was concerned. She had the nurse perform a swallow test on me to determine if I had any leaks or anything going on with my pouch. They said it appeared I have what's called "out-patching" where part of the pouch extends beyond the normal shape. It's also called the "candy cane effect". They wanted me to have an endoscopy done and then I would likely have surgery again.
Let me just tell you.... when I heard those words, I was full of all sorts of emotions. I was angry, frustrated, sad, annoyed, and most of all, confused. She said it was common, but I just didn't want to believe that. So I got a second opinion. I went to another surgeon in another bariatrics practice and told him what they found. He was not at all concerned and said that nausea is very common post surgery for 6-9 months and sometimes up to a year. He also said that several of his patients are nauseous with every meal and have feeding tubes to help them get the nutrients they are missing out on.
I sat back, relieved and thankful... I can't imagine going through everything I went through and having to have a feeding tube. No thank you. I shall not complain about nausea. It is fine.
Other than that, I have had a lot of problems with my sciatic nerve and my back. Some days are worse than others. I have to sit on the heating pad a lot to get any relief. I hope it's just my body adjusting to the redistribution of weight... but I will probably have to get that checked out soon. I can't sleep, can't sit, can't stand... it hurts most days and makes exercising more difficult.
So recently, someone posted some OLD pictures of me on Facebook (you know who you are... :)). These pictures were quite the eye-opener for me. I thought that I knew my highest weight (I thought it was from this past October) but I believe I am mistaken. There was a period of time six or seven years ago when I was in complete denial over my weight and I'm pretty sure I was in the 350 lb. range. Shocking, I know. When I look at these pictures and compare them to the pictures I have from last fall, they are just disturbing. So knowing that and knowing where I am today... I am quite pleased with what has transpired.
I know you're all dying to know the numbers, so here they are.
Since October, 2012, I have lost 72 lbs. I have gone from a size 26 to 18/20 (some pants are 20/22). My shoe size has gone down a whole size. My face is much smaller. My rings, watches and bracelets fall off now. My coats/jackets don't fit anymore. I have noticed little things, like how pronounced my collarbone is now and my knees are much more defined. My arms need some work - there's some excess fat/skin I need to tighten up and tone.
I recently went to a Canes game at PNC Arena (still sounds strange calling it that) and I was so pleased with how I fit in the seats... I went to a concert there in December and had to wedge myself into the seat and wiggle myself out. I practically stood up the entire concert because I was so uncomfortable. I was so much more relaxed and had such a great time at the Canes game... jumping up and down from the seat without having to hoist myself up. It was great! I have been walking a lot and go on much longer walks now without getting winded. I can walk 2 miles easily and keep going if I want. I can climb the stairs at work faster and easier - there are stairs that lead to the cafeteria and I used to have to take the elevator in order to breathe properly once I got to the top. Now, I get to the top and I don't even notice a difference in my breathing. I can talk and carry on a conversation the whole way up.
I find myself going out more and enjoying the spring weather these days. I used to take Paris out and let her do her business and come back inside. Now, we take longer walks and play quite a bit when we get home. She needs that exercise and so do I!
I am excited about what the future holds and excited to see how this new body is going to work for me. I am planning to travel more and enjoy my friends and this fabulous city more. I will be getting a bike soon and hope to start riding some trails and greenways around the area.
Thanks everyone for your support and encouragement. The compliments are always welcome! It's fuel for the tank and motivates me to keep going!
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Reasons I Love Losing Weight
This will be an ever evolving list, but here are a few...
1. Not having to pull my bra straps up 400 times a day
2. Crossing my legs for more than 2 minutes without severe cramping
3. Not getting winded walking... Up stairs, walking the dog, cleaning the house, from the back of the parking lot
4. Getting out of bed without pain
5. Getting dressed in the mornings
6. Getting out of the car or up from a chair without having to heave-ho or hold onto anything
7. Playing with my niece & nephew without getting tired quickly
8. Not having a need for the ever growing pile of change I used to spend in the vending machines at work.
9. Going to a concert or hockey game without worrying about whether I will fit in the seats
10. Traveling without having to worry about asking for a seat belt extender
11. Catching myself in the mirror and being pleasantly surprised at what I see
12. Seeing people that I haven't seen in a while and watching them struggle with recognition and try to figure out what's different
13. Sharing my successes with friends and having them share their successes with me
14. Meeting small goals and celebrating those victories
15. Parking at the back of the parking lot at work and enjoying the walk to and from the building
1. Not having to pull my bra straps up 400 times a day
2. Crossing my legs for more than 2 minutes without severe cramping
3. Not getting winded walking... Up stairs, walking the dog, cleaning the house, from the back of the parking lot
4. Getting out of bed without pain
5. Getting dressed in the mornings
6. Getting out of the car or up from a chair without having to heave-ho or hold onto anything
7. Playing with my niece & nephew without getting tired quickly
8. Not having a need for the ever growing pile of change I used to spend in the vending machines at work.
9. Going to a concert or hockey game without worrying about whether I will fit in the seats
10. Traveling without having to worry about asking for a seat belt extender
11. Catching myself in the mirror and being pleasantly surprised at what I see
12. Seeing people that I haven't seen in a while and watching them struggle with recognition and try to figure out what's different
13. Sharing my successes with friends and having them share their successes with me
14. Meeting small goals and celebrating those victories
15. Parking at the back of the parking lot at work and enjoying the walk to and from the building
Sunday, February 24, 2013
On the Move!
Constant movement. I've been moving and moving and moving and I'm expecting to crash and burn at any moment... except that as part of this new lifestyle, I have tons more energy... so I think I'm good! I have been getting up earlier and working out.... going to work early, working late... spending time with family and trying to keep myself honest with the food I'm eating.
It's definitely harder right now... PMS = chocolate cravings... Spring time = Easter candy... Easter candy = Cadbury Creme Eggs... my absolute favorite. Whoever made those are just evil. I went to Target recently and got some goodies for a close friend who was having a baby... I love to take things to the hospital that dad and visitors can munch on as well as give mommy something sweet to snack on after all is said and done. I mean, all that work in delivering a baby, somebody betta bring me a candy bar!! <growl!>
So, confession time... I got a box of Cadbury Creme Eggs for my friend.... and I got a box for me. You thought I was going to say I avoided it, huh? Nope. No lies here. I did it. I put it in the cart... I wheeled it to the register... and I knowingly paid for that box of evil. Have I opened it? Yes. Have I tried one? Yes. But just one. I didn't feel great after. I felt more disappointed in myself than sick. Just disappointed in my weakness. But you know what? We are all WEAK. I don't care what anyone says. If someone tells you they've been perfect and haven't cheated during something like this, whether dieting or exercising or post weight loss surgery, they... are... lying...!!! You try to determine your limits. You try to find things that you can snack on here and there to fulfill that taste craving you have. It's not rocket science, folks. It is what it is. We are human and we are weak.
But let me just say, I am not taking advantage of this situation. I knew when I selected this surgery that I was a cheater when it came to food. That's precisely why I had this surgery. I get sick when I eat (light) sour cream, but I don't when I eat an entire Cadbury Creme Egg? Seriously? What's wrong with this picture? As soon as sour cream hits my stomach, no matter how large or small the amount, I have this internal burning sensation like someone has dropped 80 habanero peppers down my throat. It's quite painful. But I can eat a Cadbury Creme Egg and go to sleep? Heh... little devilish eggs. Pure evil those eggs.
Enough about the eggs. I didn't get to work out a lot last week. Work continues to prove busier than ever. I guess that's a good thing because I come home, walk the dog for a mile or two, eat dinner (lately, Parm Encrusted Tilapia and veggie of choice), and head to bed. I haven't been overeating or lazing around... just move from one task to the next to the next. It keeps me honest. Lunches consist of a wrap or burger without a bun or soup or whatever the healthy entree is at work. Some days it's just fruit and some type of protein. Some days it's at my desk and whatever I bring from home. It is my life at the moment. It is quite busy.
Good thing about that is, constant movement = constant weight/inches lost. I've lost about .5 lb short of 50 lbs. It has been 2 months and 4 days. I'd say that's pretty darn good. I have been retiring clothes here and there... and the jeans I wore this weekend will be retired for life... I took them off tonight without unbuttoning them. I sat down in them at church this morning and my belt buckle was touching the center part of my bra. My nephew walked around the house pulling his pants up acting like an old man to mock me. It's time. They're done. I have several pants like that. Shirts, don't even get me started. I had shirts I had bought back in the fall that I can't keep on my shoulders, much less cover up my chest with now. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled I'm losing weight. Just don't have the time to go shopping to find new stuff!!
So, I start swimming this week. Hopefully going to get these arms and upper body shaped up. Then mid-March I start training for FitTastic, the Run-Walk club. That will be two days a week and will end with the Susan G. Komen race in June. I'm excited about that! I hear it's a great race - folks in the neighborhood on the route decorate their yards and cheer you on. It's a big deal in the Triangle!
Well, going to catch up on some shows and then head to bed. A new week of new and better choices starts tomorrow. :)
For now,
Kells
It's definitely harder right now... PMS = chocolate cravings... Spring time = Easter candy... Easter candy = Cadbury Creme Eggs... my absolute favorite. Whoever made those are just evil. I went to Target recently and got some goodies for a close friend who was having a baby... I love to take things to the hospital that dad and visitors can munch on as well as give mommy something sweet to snack on after all is said and done. I mean, all that work in delivering a baby, somebody betta bring me a candy bar!! <growl!>
So, confession time... I got a box of Cadbury Creme Eggs for my friend.... and I got a box for me. You thought I was going to say I avoided it, huh? Nope. No lies here. I did it. I put it in the cart... I wheeled it to the register... and I knowingly paid for that box of evil. Have I opened it? Yes. Have I tried one? Yes. But just one. I didn't feel great after. I felt more disappointed in myself than sick. Just disappointed in my weakness. But you know what? We are all WEAK. I don't care what anyone says. If someone tells you they've been perfect and haven't cheated during something like this, whether dieting or exercising or post weight loss surgery, they... are... lying...!!! You try to determine your limits. You try to find things that you can snack on here and there to fulfill that taste craving you have. It's not rocket science, folks. It is what it is. We are human and we are weak.
But let me just say, I am not taking advantage of this situation. I knew when I selected this surgery that I was a cheater when it came to food. That's precisely why I had this surgery. I get sick when I eat (light) sour cream, but I don't when I eat an entire Cadbury Creme Egg? Seriously? What's wrong with this picture? As soon as sour cream hits my stomach, no matter how large or small the amount, I have this internal burning sensation like someone has dropped 80 habanero peppers down my throat. It's quite painful. But I can eat a Cadbury Creme Egg and go to sleep? Heh... little devilish eggs. Pure evil those eggs.
Enough about the eggs. I didn't get to work out a lot last week. Work continues to prove busier than ever. I guess that's a good thing because I come home, walk the dog for a mile or two, eat dinner (lately, Parm Encrusted Tilapia and veggie of choice), and head to bed. I haven't been overeating or lazing around... just move from one task to the next to the next. It keeps me honest. Lunches consist of a wrap or burger without a bun or soup or whatever the healthy entree is at work. Some days it's just fruit and some type of protein. Some days it's at my desk and whatever I bring from home. It is my life at the moment. It is quite busy.
Good thing about that is, constant movement = constant weight/inches lost. I've lost about .5 lb short of 50 lbs. It has been 2 months and 4 days. I'd say that's pretty darn good. I have been retiring clothes here and there... and the jeans I wore this weekend will be retired for life... I took them off tonight without unbuttoning them. I sat down in them at church this morning and my belt buckle was touching the center part of my bra. My nephew walked around the house pulling his pants up acting like an old man to mock me. It's time. They're done. I have several pants like that. Shirts, don't even get me started. I had shirts I had bought back in the fall that I can't keep on my shoulders, much less cover up my chest with now. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled I'm losing weight. Just don't have the time to go shopping to find new stuff!!
So, I start swimming this week. Hopefully going to get these arms and upper body shaped up. Then mid-March I start training for FitTastic, the Run-Walk club. That will be two days a week and will end with the Susan G. Komen race in June. I'm excited about that! I hear it's a great race - folks in the neighborhood on the route decorate their yards and cheer you on. It's a big deal in the Triangle!
Well, going to catch up on some shows and then head to bed. A new week of new and better choices starts tomorrow. :)
For now,
Kells
Monday, February 11, 2013
A New Day at Old Navy
Last week was crazy busy and this weekend I had all intentions of going to the gym for some swim time and yoga and then relaxing for the weekend. Haha. I should know by now to not make plans to relax...it never works out as I intended. I came home Friday night after stopping by Trader Joes on the way home. I got some yummies there and came home with plans to cook. My body had other intentions. I sat in the chair to relax a bit and woke up 2 1/2 hours later, not quite sure what day it was. It really annoys me when this happens because I feel so unproductive. I got a bite to eat and then went to bed. So much for Friday night.
Saturday, I woke up around 7. I got up and went downstairs to have breakfast and relax on the couch. There was a swim class at 9:30 and a yoga class at 11. I guess I relaxed so much I woke up at 10 on the couch. Then my sister called and said they were coming to Raleigh for the day. By the time they got here, my stomach was screaming at me for something I had eaten. Jamie wanted to return some stuff to Old Navy. Lily was with us and we decided to stop at Panera for lunch. I had soup and Jamie had soup/salad. Lily had what looked like an amazing pb&j because she wore it all over her face!!
We eventually ended up at Old Navy. I had ordered some workout clothes and needed to return some (too big!!), so I started looking around. I honestly didn't think I would find anything that fit. we walked around for a while and Lily and I picked out some clothes for her to try on with us. We got matching Wonder Woman T-shirts. I felt a little old when she said "who is that???", but after I told her I used to watch the cartoon, she really liked it. She also liked the Smurfs and Batgirl T-shirts. She's a funny kid...favorite shows are The Brady Bunch and Full House... Noah's favorites are Bonanza and Daniel Boone. Love those kids!
Anyway, we all three hauled into the dressing room at the same time. Lily modeled while Jamie and I flew through clothes. I ended up with more than them.... Because I can actually wear the clothes in Old Navy now!! It's been at least 10 years since I've shopped in there. It's exciting!! I would have paid twice the amount I paid at Lane Bryant or somewhere that sold plus sizes. It's nice to be able to fit into things that don't cost extra for being a fluffy chick.
I slept most of Sunday away with a migraine, but I did get a wifi DVD player at an auction in RMT. This then led to a Netflix membership renewal and which then led to a marathon of the first season of Downton Abbey. Can't wait until season 2 is available! Have also been catching up on movies. I worked from home today and planning to head to the gym tomorrow morning to try out the pool for the first time. We'll see how that goes! It's a new week!!
Kell
Saturday, I woke up around 7. I got up and went downstairs to have breakfast and relax on the couch. There was a swim class at 9:30 and a yoga class at 11. I guess I relaxed so much I woke up at 10 on the couch. Then my sister called and said they were coming to Raleigh for the day. By the time they got here, my stomach was screaming at me for something I had eaten. Jamie wanted to return some stuff to Old Navy. Lily was with us and we decided to stop at Panera for lunch. I had soup and Jamie had soup/salad. Lily had what looked like an amazing pb&j because she wore it all over her face!!
We eventually ended up at Old Navy. I had ordered some workout clothes and needed to return some (too big!!), so I started looking around. I honestly didn't think I would find anything that fit. we walked around for a while and Lily and I picked out some clothes for her to try on with us. We got matching Wonder Woman T-shirts. I felt a little old when she said "who is that???", but after I told her I used to watch the cartoon, she really liked it. She also liked the Smurfs and Batgirl T-shirts. She's a funny kid...favorite shows are The Brady Bunch and Full House... Noah's favorites are Bonanza and Daniel Boone. Love those kids!
Anyway, we all three hauled into the dressing room at the same time. Lily modeled while Jamie and I flew through clothes. I ended up with more than them.... Because I can actually wear the clothes in Old Navy now!! It's been at least 10 years since I've shopped in there. It's exciting!! I would have paid twice the amount I paid at Lane Bryant or somewhere that sold plus sizes. It's nice to be able to fit into things that don't cost extra for being a fluffy chick.
I slept most of Sunday away with a migraine, but I did get a wifi DVD player at an auction in RMT. This then led to a Netflix membership renewal and which then led to a marathon of the first season of Downton Abbey. Can't wait until season 2 is available! Have also been catching up on movies. I worked from home today and planning to head to the gym tomorrow morning to try out the pool for the first time. We'll see how that goes! It's a new week!!
Kell
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Crawl, Walk, Run
Howdy, folks! I have been really busy over the past week. I am now a card-carrying member of the YMCA in N. Raleigh! Woot!!
I know I say this every week, but I have been slammed at work. I literally get out of bed at 5am, go to the gym (ok, so today was the first day, but if I tell myself I've been doing it, then I'll keep doing it), come back home, shower, walk Paris, fix lunchbag, drive to work, don't leave parking lot until 6pm or so (tonight, I forgot where I parked... walked from one end of the parking lot to the other... hey, it's exercise!), come home, walk Paris, cook dinner, and.... CRASH. Lather, rinse & repeat. I should be in bed now. But I have a feeling most of my friends are quietly mumbling things about me not keeping my blog up to date...
So, this week has been interesting. Not only did I join the gym, but I did a bad, bad thing. After I went to the gym Tuesday night, I was starving. I decided to go through Chick-Fil-A drive through. That was tough. I ordered a Grilled Chicken Sandwich, no bun, with a side of fruit. Ha. You thought this was where I did the bad thing, didn't you? Nope. I was strong. I was good. I drove home... or towards home. On the way home, there is a Bojangle's. I had a migraine. When I have a migraine, for some strange reason (in my screwed up head), Bojangle's fries make my head feel better. Could be the carbs or the grease... dunno. Or at least, that was the case, pre-op. Now, I have paid dearly for the Bojangle's fries. I probably only ate 5 or 6. I scarfed them down. I gave Paris some. I was all about some Bojangle's fries. (The Chick-fil-A sandwich is in the fridge, if you're wondering.)
This is normally where I tell you I was as sick as a dog, all night long. Nope... Paris was, but not me. I didn't get sick. But I noticed when I got in the bed I had this strange sharp pain in this tiny little area below my stomach (pouch). I ignored it and fell asleep. Yesterday, it was worse. It was constant. And then it moved. It moved it's way through my bowels. It was a rough day.
Did I learn my lesson? Absolutely. Will I do it again? I will never say never. But, I will always remember how it made me feel. Yuck. Disgusting. (Paris is fine, just had a nice intestinal blowout... aka diarrhea)
So I got up at 5:00 am feeling better. I went to the gym. That place is packed even in the mornings! I got there in time so that I didn't have to wait for a machine, but there were people waiting when I got off of the treadmill. I'm moving slowly... gradually building up my distance and time. I'm not pushing or rushing.
I ran into the lady that registered me Monday night. Her name is Jenny and she is so sweet. She said she was glad to see me and had been telling folks about me and the surgery. She is really excited to see the results. I am too. :)
So after Tuesday and today, my shins are KILLING me. I have some runner friends and I took their advice and went to Capital Run Walk for a gait analysis and to be fit for proper shoes. I came home with some pretty great shoes (Brooks Adrenaline). All this time, I've been wearing the wrong size. I've been buying a size 10 or 11... mainly because of the width. I came home with a 9 1/2 and they feel great!
It was funny, when I first walked in, they asked if I was there to pick up a packet. I asked what they were referring to and there is a Krispy Kreme Dash this weekend. I had not heard of this... apparently people enter this competition to run 2 miles to a Krispy Kreme, then proceed to eat a dozen glazed donuts and run back. What the????? NO.... THANK YOU. I would DIE. (especially now)
Since I've been going to the gym, I am sleeping like a baby. It feels great. I am hoping some of the pain of my body adjusting to this new strange thing called exercise will subside soon. I just have to push through the next few weeks.
Paris is quite confused with the new schedule. She will get used to it, but I have to get it down to a routine, for her benefit and mine. I will walk her in the mornings, and then when I get home at night, I will take her on a LONG walk to burn off some energy.
Today, when I was perusing the Capital Run Walk website, I found something called Fit-tastic! Now, I love a good play on words, but this is genius (not the word, but the concept... stay with me folks).
I signed up for two different 5k's recently. One is at the end of March - it is an Off-Road Challenge for The Biggest Loser in Charlotte. The other is in April - Angels Among Us at Duke. I may not be able to do the off-road challenge (given the aforementioned clumsy awkwardness). I will decide that later on though.
But for now, I need to go to bed so that I can get up at 5am and get to the gym... in my new shoes. :)
Good night for now!
Kell
42 lbs lighter
I know I say this every week, but I have been slammed at work. I literally get out of bed at 5am, go to the gym (ok, so today was the first day, but if I tell myself I've been doing it, then I'll keep doing it), come back home, shower, walk Paris, fix lunchbag, drive to work, don't leave parking lot until 6pm or so (tonight, I forgot where I parked... walked from one end of the parking lot to the other... hey, it's exercise!), come home, walk Paris, cook dinner, and.... CRASH. Lather, rinse & repeat. I should be in bed now. But I have a feeling most of my friends are quietly mumbling things about me not keeping my blog up to date...
So, this week has been interesting. Not only did I join the gym, but I did a bad, bad thing. After I went to the gym Tuesday night, I was starving. I decided to go through Chick-Fil-A drive through. That was tough. I ordered a Grilled Chicken Sandwich, no bun, with a side of fruit. Ha. You thought this was where I did the bad thing, didn't you? Nope. I was strong. I was good. I drove home... or towards home. On the way home, there is a Bojangle's. I had a migraine. When I have a migraine, for some strange reason (in my screwed up head), Bojangle's fries make my head feel better. Could be the carbs or the grease... dunno. Or at least, that was the case, pre-op. Now, I have paid dearly for the Bojangle's fries. I probably only ate 5 or 6. I scarfed them down. I gave Paris some. I was all about some Bojangle's fries. (The Chick-fil-A sandwich is in the fridge, if you're wondering.)
This is normally where I tell you I was as sick as a dog, all night long. Nope... Paris was, but not me. I didn't get sick. But I noticed when I got in the bed I had this strange sharp pain in this tiny little area below my stomach (pouch). I ignored it and fell asleep. Yesterday, it was worse. It was constant. And then it moved. It moved it's way through my bowels. It was a rough day.
Did I learn my lesson? Absolutely. Will I do it again? I will never say never. But, I will always remember how it made me feel. Yuck. Disgusting. (Paris is fine, just had a nice intestinal blowout... aka diarrhea)
So I got up at 5:00 am feeling better. I went to the gym. That place is packed even in the mornings! I got there in time so that I didn't have to wait for a machine, but there were people waiting when I got off of the treadmill. I'm moving slowly... gradually building up my distance and time. I'm not pushing or rushing.
I ran into the lady that registered me Monday night. Her name is Jenny and she is so sweet. She said she was glad to see me and had been telling folks about me and the surgery. She is really excited to see the results. I am too. :)
So after Tuesday and today, my shins are KILLING me. I have some runner friends and I took their advice and went to Capital Run Walk for a gait analysis and to be fit for proper shoes. I came home with some pretty great shoes (Brooks Adrenaline). All this time, I've been wearing the wrong size. I've been buying a size 10 or 11... mainly because of the width. I came home with a 9 1/2 and they feel great!
It was funny, when I first walked in, they asked if I was there to pick up a packet. I asked what they were referring to and there is a Krispy Kreme Dash this weekend. I had not heard of this... apparently people enter this competition to run 2 miles to a Krispy Kreme, then proceed to eat a dozen glazed donuts and run back. What the????? NO.... THANK YOU. I would DIE. (especially now)
Since I've been going to the gym, I am sleeping like a baby. It feels great. I am hoping some of the pain of my body adjusting to this new strange thing called exercise will subside soon. I just have to push through the next few weeks.
Paris is quite confused with the new schedule. She will get used to it, but I have to get it down to a routine, for her benefit and mine. I will walk her in the mornings, and then when I get home at night, I will take her on a LONG walk to burn off some energy.
Today, when I was perusing the Capital Run Walk website, I found something called Fit-tastic! Now, I love a good play on words, but this is genius (not the word, but the concept... stay with me folks).
"Fit-tastic is a 12-week training program geared toward the beginning walker/runner who wants to develop a healthy and sustainable exercise regimen. We have experienced, certified coaches who have put together a program designed to help you achieve your goals with the support of others like yourself."Guess who signed up? This chick. Thankfully it doesn't begin until March 11, so I have a month to get out of the clumsy, awkward walking stage... yes, I'm clumsy.
I signed up for two different 5k's recently. One is at the end of March - it is an Off-Road Challenge for The Biggest Loser in Charlotte. The other is in April - Angels Among Us at Duke. I may not be able to do the off-road challenge (given the aforementioned clumsy awkwardness). I will decide that later on though.
But for now, I need to go to bed so that I can get up at 5am and get to the gym... in my new shoes. :)
Good night for now!
Kell
42 lbs lighter
Friday, February 1, 2013
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
"Just follow that one road the whole time!... I hope THEY don't get lost, I'm so bad at giving directions..." Glinda in Wicked.
Not sure why this has been on my mind so much... I think I relate this journey I am on to Dorothy's journey in the Wizard of Oz. There are twists and turns and some scary things and some things that make you smile. You meet interesting people along the way and you meet people that are mean and unsupportive. But most importantly, you follow this road to meet the goal you've set for yourself... Whether it's to find someone special, to lose half of your body weight or to find your way home is no matter. What matters most is that you follow the road...follow your heart and love yourself. "Just follow that one road the whole time!"
The past two weeks have been pretty busy. As I mentioned in my previous post, things at work have been...stressful. I literally come home and clean or cook or both and crash. My energy levels are much better than they were. I have really gotten into a groove with my eating habits. I did notice one day this week I didn't plan and had quickly grown tired of reheating leftovers, so I went to work with little snacks but nothing substantial to eat. Luckily there was soup in the cafeteria that day that I could eat. It was good and filling. But I realized that I need to have a plan each day. The biggest issue I have faced is not really wanting what I've packed in my lunch bag that day once I get to work. I know things will get better when I can have real foods because then I will be able to eat salads or grilled chicken in the cafeteria on those days I'm having the Lunchbag Blues.
I have made some pretty yummy recipes lately. My favorite was chicken & broccoli in Alfredo sauce (Bertolli's Light Alfredo sauce). Another favorite is the pizza. Mission tortilla shels come in Carb Balance. I added sundried tomato pesto as sauce, then mozzarella, Parmesan, feta, & pepperoni. Deliciousness!!!!
I went today for my B12 shot & the PA was pleased with my energy. I also had lunch at Firebirds with my team from work. I ordered wood grilled salmon with steamed veggies. It was yummy! This weekend I am spending time with my sister for her birthday. We just got back from Walmart where I got lots of fruit & stuff to make pizzas this weekend.
Unfortunately, I have been craving chocolate. We got some of the weight watchers English toffee candies. They hit the spot!
I wrote out some motivating quotes an put them on my mirror in my bathroom. If I feel rough or feel like giving up, I can quickly remind myself to keep going and try harder!!
Sorry it's been so long since I blogged. I really am trying to be better about it!!
For now... 41 lbs lighter,
Kell
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Tarred.
Tarred? Yes. Tarred. Or as most spell it, tired.
My Granddaddy Wright was a Kentucky Hillbilly. He would answer the telephone "mmmmyellow". He had false teeth that he liked to keep in his pocket and fool us into reaching in for Werthers Original. He loved Hee-Haw, Snuffy Smith, NASCAR and Budweiser. He loved to sit under his carport and watch the tractors and cars drive by on what used to be a country road. He loved collards and chitlens and made the very best sausage and gravy I will ever eat in my life. And if you asked him, "how are you, Granddaddy?", his response was "Shooooweeeee, I'm tarred!!" And he would wipe his bald head dramatically with his hanky or bandana or paper towel, whatever the cloth of the day was. He was a good granddaddy. I reckon he was the funniest man I've known and I miss him a lot.
So how am I today? "Shooooweeeee, I'm tarred!!"
I got up this morning with a nagging headache. I gagged while taking my vitamins, one of which is redonkulous in size and I found out at the docs today that I should be taking 4x that amount....per day. I have to sit to dry my hair right now. Otherwise I don't have the energy to fix my lunch and walk Paris. Thankfully the 30 minute drive to work gives me the time to rejuvenate physically. Today, when I got to work, I needed a nap. I miss the days working at the RBC Plaza where we had "quiet rooms". I guess I could try to get access to the new mothers room, but there's one slight problem...I'm not a new mother. Oh well.
Speaking of the doctor, he said everything is on track. The vitamins are the new norm: B-Complex, D, Iron, Omega-3, B-12 injections, calcium, and I think that's it?? I can start gradually exercising. Oh and I've lost 33 lbs. Yay!!
Work is crazy. We have a HUGE project we are working on and it's stressing folks out. A lot of folks are leaving...some retiring, some changing jobs, others...well, I won't go there. I'm getting a complex. Two of them sit on either side of me... I try to remember my deodorant each day. Gosh, just tell me if I stink...
So by the end of the day, I was chugging along and never happier to pack up to go home.
Because, Shooooweeeee, I'm tarred!!
Kell
My Granddaddy Wright was a Kentucky Hillbilly. He would answer the telephone "mmmmyellow". He had false teeth that he liked to keep in his pocket and fool us into reaching in for Werthers Original. He loved Hee-Haw, Snuffy Smith, NASCAR and Budweiser. He loved to sit under his carport and watch the tractors and cars drive by on what used to be a country road. He loved collards and chitlens and made the very best sausage and gravy I will ever eat in my life. And if you asked him, "how are you, Granddaddy?", his response was "Shooooweeeee, I'm tarred!!" And he would wipe his bald head dramatically with his hanky or bandana or paper towel, whatever the cloth of the day was. He was a good granddaddy. I reckon he was the funniest man I've known and I miss him a lot.
So how am I today? "Shooooweeeee, I'm tarred!!"
I got up this morning with a nagging headache. I gagged while taking my vitamins, one of which is redonkulous in size and I found out at the docs today that I should be taking 4x that amount....per day. I have to sit to dry my hair right now. Otherwise I don't have the energy to fix my lunch and walk Paris. Thankfully the 30 minute drive to work gives me the time to rejuvenate physically. Today, when I got to work, I needed a nap. I miss the days working at the RBC Plaza where we had "quiet rooms". I guess I could try to get access to the new mothers room, but there's one slight problem...I'm not a new mother. Oh well.
Speaking of the doctor, he said everything is on track. The vitamins are the new norm: B-Complex, D, Iron, Omega-3, B-12 injections, calcium, and I think that's it?? I can start gradually exercising. Oh and I've lost 33 lbs. Yay!!
Work is crazy. We have a HUGE project we are working on and it's stressing folks out. A lot of folks are leaving...some retiring, some changing jobs, others...well, I won't go there. I'm getting a complex. Two of them sit on either side of me... I try to remember my deodorant each day. Gosh, just tell me if I stink...
So by the end of the day, I was chugging along and never happier to pack up to go home.
Because, Shooooweeeee, I'm tarred!!
Kell
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