Anyway, it’s a new year and today measured 144 on their Scale. Cholesterol and Blood Pressure also were within normal ranges so I got $50 (participation) + $50 (BMI) + $50 (Cholesterol) + $50 (Blood Pressure) => $200! I was completely elated and told everyone I ran into. The $$ (which will go towards some new smaller (yeah) clothes) isn’t even the best part. Last year, I failed it all. This year, I passed it all. Complete Proof of Positive Life Changes!!!!
144. If I calculated correctly, I should be good on BMI. Although .... weekly (or mostly weekly) Ladies Night started up again last night... not the best timeto be having Pizza and Beer -- the night before a weigh-in... but anyway I just made it! Biometric Screening is put on at work by or health insurance in an attempt to promote health and wellness.... although after the discouragement of last year, I think they are not doing it the right way.
Anyway, it’s a new year and today measured 144 on their Scale. Cholesterol and Blood Pressure also were within normal ranges so I got $50 (participation) + $50 (BMI) + $50 (Cholesterol) + $50 (Blood Pressure) => $200! I was completely elated and told everyone I ran into. The $$ (which will go towards some new smaller (yeah) clothes) isn’t even the best part. Last year, I failed it all. This year, I passed it all. Complete Proof of Positive Life Changes!!!!
0 Comments
145. Was in some exercise class the other day, and we were doing rollovers... I've tried these for years... was just able to eek one out before having emergency appendicitis surgery. Afterwards, couldn't do them... Without any prep or thought, I attempted and was ABLE TO DO it ... once, twice, and more. I could not believe it!!!! So, of course, just like skiing, I'm analyzing why... Weight Loss? Increased activity? Strength??
146.8 Skiing was fantastic… was famished every day and away from normal eating (and a scale) so feared the worst… but I was pleasantly surprised. My stamina was increased by 300 percent. I was the first one out and the last one to go in on 3 consecutive days. Was able to keep up with my 14 year old going down the expert slopes. Wanted to go out a 4th day but others wanted to go zip-lining instead! Just for reference, last time we went away skiing, I ski’d 2/3 of the day before quitting and needed to take the second day off to recuperate — and I thought what I was doing was good at that time — how little I knew! Haven’t’ been able to run since last Wed (1 week) …so need to start that again if the temps ever get back into double digits and it stops snowing… Although started P90X3 yesterday and have 2 work-outs in… Goal continues to be <= 145 by 1/30/14… Got the next weeks running days planned and will continue with P90X3 and really watch what I eat and hope fingers crossed that I weigh less than 145 on their scales!!! Size 12 is getting too big now and Size 10 jeans (relaxed fit) feels fantastic… might just have to go to Kohls… was going to treat myself if attain the 145 – but I think I’ll need to anyway. What’s ahead… don’t really know. I made my first goal and am determined to make my next. I find myself looking at the athletes in the videos and actually thinking that I could look more like that than I do now. I haven’t been this fit … probably ever. And haven’t weighed this weight in a long time – probably 15 years!!!
I know now and hope to remember in the future that this is a lifestyle change not for a month or a year but forever. I’ve learned that as we age, we actually need less calories which a lot of people don’t know… so even with the same activity level at 50 you simply can not eat the same as you did when you were 20 or 30. I also learned from Sue (R.N.) that in general our metabolism decreases by 10% each decade… but although that alone is enough to make some folks just settle for the way things are … it won’t for me anymore, because I also now know that there are things that you can do to wake up a sluggish metabolism — even when you have an underactive thyroid. I hope this journal helps me remember this journey and helps keep me on track when things get tough or I stumble in the future. I certainly expect that to happen… hopefully not too often… but perfection would be boring and what good is the accomplishment if not for the struggle. It’s only recently that I’ve realized that people are asking me how I did it and probably considering my path as something that may help them. I’ve actually been told several times recently that I am an inspiration to them. If this is the case, I am honored that I may have an impact on others like so many have had an impact on me. For this reason, I’d be happy to share my story and answer any questions. Couldn't have even made it this far without the support of many folks:
Brenda: Our original Fitness Coordinator, who got caught in the fall-out when the building where I work was sold, and the Fitness Center was not a priority. Her xtreme fitness levels are an inspiration to all who know her, and her encouragement of all levels is exemplary. At that time I was only doing Pilates 2 days a week... Brenda was so welcoming and when she left somehow I was friendly enough with her to become FB friends and keep up with her. Karen: Fitness Center Manager: When she started, we were doing our own Pilates routines because all group programs had stopped. She single handedly re-built the fitness center and I was then able to add Zumba, Aerobics and Yoga to the Pilates I was doing. As welcoming as anyone, she encouraged all in whatever they were doing and always made you feel like you were doing such a fantastic job. She touched so many people that when she lost her voice, we (Olga, Matt and I) started a cross-site “Save Karen’s Voice” campaign to raise money to buy her a headset. Carol, Tara, 1st Zumba teacher ??, Sherry, Lynn: My group instructors along the way for Pilates, Zumba and Yoga. I feel / felt challenged, encouraged and comfortable in their classes. Anita: Fitness Wellness Specialist and Trainer. Ran the C25K program. She followed the program; set the pace; did not let us compromise when 5 minutes.. or 8.. or 10 seemed completely impossible. She found us a race and gave up her Saturday to run it with us. After the program was over, she started the running club, and has shown me that outside running (when properly attired at least at 20 degrees or more so far) is sooooo much more preferable than the treadmill. Leah: Health Promotion Specialist and Trainer. My favorite workout... with personality, enthusiasm and ideas off the charts. She just spouts off her knowledge so effortlessly, and for some reason (although I've probably heard it before) I'm listening. She encouraged me with running.. Looked at my shins when they were bothering me, recommended being properly fitted for running shoes and spoke to me individually on more than one occasion about nutrition and thyroid. Jean and Angela: Some fitness center buddies who somehow convinced me to do the C25K program in the first place! Had seen the C25K on the schedule and immediately dismissed it thinking I’m not a runner.... I’m too old for that! But they were persistent and since they were both beginners, I knew I wouldn’t be alone... so somehow, some way I got convinced. Had that not happened, I can’t help think where would I be right now. Olga, Tony, Matt, Michelle: My co-workers who I chose to include in my journey. Olga, my workout buddy. We really intensified going to the gym about a year ago. We encourage each other, when one of us just doesn’t feel like it. We compare aches and pains and commiserate together and then go again. Tony, who has been a complete advocate with the running. He came out once with the running club, but he talked and laughed too much -- and at that point (going up a hill) all I could concentrate on was breathing -- and I had to tell him that I wasn’t going to talk to him while I was going up this hill. He encouraged me (relentlessly) to do Stu’s 30K. We’ll see how that works out. Matt, a black belt (in something) who on again, off again does Martial Arts classes with us. He knows a great deal about fitness in general; and like so many others, is there to encourage only when appropriate. Michelle: Who clocked on her GPS just how long the front track was... just at the perfect time when we needed to know the distance. She listened to my running stories and shared her own. She has since joined the Running Club and most recently it’s been me, Michelle and Anita. Harriett: Who followed my Facebook Journey and was always giving tips of encouragement. Harriet started running at 46; and now (?? a few ?? years later) is doing half-marathons. Her 19 year old daughter just completed her first 10K. Brian: My hubby, who encouraged me to go running in the snow!!! I probably would not have gone on that day, which could have led to other excuses or moderation. Now I have the attitude, you don't know until you give it a try. Also for listening to each day that I ran in the C25K program the excruciating details of how I went from the HUGE challenge of running for 60 seconds to the now comfortable run of 2 miles. My Kids: who also just listened, probably at first thinking their old Mom was crazy... to respecting and helping me progress: Katie helping me find new workout clothes... they really don't make flattering ones for people who have any extra weight at all. Brandon for answering my questions about general fitness, weight lifting, running etc. Nick for listening and wanting to come running. Everyone who noticed: When people notice, it makes such a difference... It's fuel to go on, a catalyst to continue and confirmation that all the hard work is paying off. I kinda wish I had started this journal at the beginning, but how do you know you’re at the beginning until you realize you’re in the middle? So... I’ve organized this with an initial kinda long recap, followed by some individual entries along the way. Before kids (23+ years ago), I never had any issues with weight. Actually remember on one doctor's visit being told I could gain a little weight... hahaha what a hoot! Anyway life, career, kids, homework, sports, activities, thyroid and completely no time all got in the way of not eating correctly, not exercising enough and a slow and steady progression of weight gain over the last 2 decades. I vividly remember hitting the 150 pound mark -- for the first time ever -- when I was 7 months pregnant with my first kid and thinking Wow, that’s so heavy!!! If I only had a crystal ball to know that 20 years later that same weight would become a goal on the way down!!!! Sometime around 3 years ago when I was Project Lead (and stressed to the max) working 60 hours a week --- which was around the same time I had my appendix out -- I was at my absolute worst weight at 183 (Yikes!!! - I don’t even measure my current weight loss from here)... up from a pretty consistent (but still overweight) 163. I was having back problems (which I thought was still latent from the appendix). Doctor told me I really needed to try to lose weight. So I did -- was really good about taking thyroid meds (for underactive). Stopped all Soda and Sweets and lost 15 pounds. Then my thyroid was adjusted and I gained back 7!!! This is where I measure my current weight loss from (~ 176). Perhaps in mind defeated by the thyroid, but in hindsight, I somewhat went back to my old ways -- a daily soda and sweets, and never adjusted my exercising. Knowing that your metabolism increases with age and further with looming menopause and knowing I had an underactive thyroid were not excuses .. but perhaps reasons that I did not do anything more in earnest about it at the time. I mean.. I was going to group exercises 4 days a week (Zumba, Yoga, Pilates, and Cardio). I mean what more could I possibly do???? Then in September 2013, Anita started a C25K (couch to 5K) program. My fitness center buddies, Angela and Jean were going to do it. So I somehow got talked into it (they later quit the program). But I persevered. I’d be remiss without capturing that running was not easy. The C25K program started with 13 people. Only 5 made it the end and ran the 5K. I tracked the journey on Facebook and maybe in a later entry, I’ll extract from FB to officially capture more of the daily challenges it involved... but suffice it to say it was enough of a challenge that more than 50% of the folks who took it on did not complete it. I was very slow at first running with the back of the pack... but the back of the pack kept quitting <geesh>. I also did my “running homework” religiously as I felt I’d never be able to meet the next weeks challenge if I didn’t. I had some painful shin splints and my hip bothered me. I almost stopped. I took advil. I used the foam roller, I elevated. I hesitated. I dreaded it,, I persevered... Then somewhere in there, I felt better and stronger and less in pain and started running with the front of the pack. Around the same time as starting C25K, I had my second meeting with Leah regarding proper nutrition. She said pretty much the same stuff she had said in an earlier consultation... but I listened this time.... The running was the catalyst.. figuring why waste all the good that the running did by having that candy bar.. I saw almost immediate results and by the time of the 5K 8 weeks later, I was down 15 pounds, down a size and feeling that Running was the key. I now believe the increased activity combined with the modified diet are the keys. Between 15 and 20 pounds loss and probably after getting some new clothes that were no longer too big, people were noticing the weight loss. Sporadic at first but then more frequently... Just before Christmas. Matt (first guy to verbalize) said that he didn't know whether he was supposed to say anything (office proprietary) but that I looked great. Well, that really made my day! Then had a regular doctor's appointment in December. She was impressed and asked what I had been doing. Took Thyroid levels and as feared, she needed to adjust my thyroid. Was initially devastated by this... thinking all the hard work would be reversed.... but eventually told myself I wouldn’t let that happen. Some communication with Leah (who also has underactive thyroid) showed me that there are other things you can do to help with metabolism.... so Google became my friend with my search of the day being "ways to increase your metabolism". Water, water, water, green tea, almonds, wheat bread, protein early in the day, weight training all became part of my repertoire. With 2 weeks off over the holidays (and a multitude of parties) my goal became to simply maintain the same weight. I kept my original thyroid dose through the holidays and adjusted the last day of the year. With no exercise classes to go to, I continued my running 2 - 3 times a week outside. Did the treadmill once and really did not like it. During this break (at 22 pounds), family noticed and were asking me about it. Brian's Dad wants me to somehow get Brian involved. Since then I've noticed others not so good eating habits... “no time” being the excuse (hmmmm was my excuse too)... and of course although a social “staple”, Alcohol consumption is a complete waste of calories.... My new motto is you don't want to drink your calories. Over Christmas I mostly held at 1 glass of wine or 2 tops. And the rest of the time, I pretty much abstain. Well almost.... This first week back to work after Christmas break was simply amazing... Literally every day someone said how good I looked. Monday: IT guys saying it was “very” noticeable; Tuesday: Gym folks; Wednesday: Karen!!! who said "they" said she'd be surprised. This absolutely made my day!!! Thursday: Gym Folks etc. etc. People were asking how I did it. Was it just the running? What else was I doing? The recognition is fantastic and such a catalyst to continue. Following Brenda on FB... I decided to join in her P90X3 Challenge.... I was concerned about adding such intensity to my already pretty full schedule, but wanted to try the Shakeology and the workouts sounded fantastic. Also was thinking of toning and combatting the new lower thyroid dosage. Ordered it and received it on January 8. Concidently I stubbed my left pinkie pretty badly --- with all different shades of purple. Googled what broken toes looked like and feel it is likely broken, but it's not in much pain - just awkward because of the swelling. Taking ibuprofen. Maintained a normal group exercise schedule on the toe (although yoga balancing poses were pretty impossible), but did not start P90X3. Since this coming week is skiing --- and I don't want to be in pain for that -- I may start very modified or I may wait and be 2 weeks behind or I may start Feb 1 and be part of her second group. Haven't decided. So, today, 11 days into the new thyroid dosage and I'm still losing! Yeah, I do know that 11 days probably doesn’t make a dent in the new thyroid levels, but anyway... My current goal is to get down to (or below) 145 by January 30. On that day, we have the health screening and if you have a BMI (based on weight and height I think) of less than 25 (which is considered normal and not overweight) then you get $50. Back when I started, after carrying 25 pounds of cat litter to the car, my initial goal became that I'd like to lose 25 pounds. I've done that... Now I'm thinking what my ultimate goal is. The P90X3 program also asks that as well as requires "Before" pictures. I've taken the pictures (~ 152) and I really don't like them... Soooooooo my new goals are to: 1) get BMI under 25 by Jan 30 (~ 145) to get $50. 2) get to 135 pounds; evaluate at that time if I want to lose more 3) More toning which I expect intervals, weight training and P90X3 to help with. Oh... almost forgot, my goal for (anytime in) 2014 is to do 1 - yup just 1 - pullup. |
AuthorI’m a completely ordinary person going through a completely
extraordinary transformation! Archives
September 2022
Categories
All
|