BIG CHANGES

Not to sure where I left everyone at the last time I was here...I know it was earlier in May and here it is the end of the Month already. Since this is Memorial Day Weekend, I would just like to say "Thank You" to all the men, women, and their family who serve to keep our great country safe and secure. The sacrifice you give, doesn't go un-noticed.

Ok moving along, I have some incredible things to tell you. First of all, I am at 61 pounds down since the last time we spoke...I have noticed some decline in my loss as I get closer to my goal, but I think that is to be expected. I am still averaging within the 2-5 pound loss range that I was told about when I first started the program. I feel incredible and I am really starting to notice BIG changes in my outward and inward appearance. What I mean by that it that I have seen alot of changes to the outer look, but more importantly the inward changes too. I am so much more confident. I am liking the new me more and more with each passing day. I carry myself differently these days, simply because I now like how I am beginning to look. I used to hold my head down and not look up, I knew people were talking about me, and I didn't want the world to see what I had knowingly become. I wanted to be someone else, and yet I struggled year after year with how to get out from under that. When I found this program, it was like my entire life changed for good...So THAT is what they mean by LIFE-STYLE changes! Well, boy has my life changed...and for the better.

I have to tell you the latest. I really suprised myself. Up to this point, I had not exercised too much. I just never had the energy to do much when I was overweight. I had made some attempts and walked the treadmill, but nothing really consistant. An opportunity came up where I could run with my husbands Karate group. My husband suggested that I just give it a try and see where I was at physically after losing over 1/2 of my goal weight. I was so scared. I can't tell you how quickly I fell back into that I can't do it attitude. I made every excuse in the books for the entire week leading up to the run. As each day grew closer to going, I had pretty much talked myself into not doing it. My kids and husband both were gonna run and I guess what changed my mind is my son telling me that I had done much already by losing the weight, that I could do this to..and he promised to be there to support me at the finish line.. Wow, that was deep! It really made me think, and it was on that basis that I made the decision just a few days before the run that I would do it.

I mentioned it to a few friends that I work with, and they said that they would like to do it too just to support me...One of the girls had never run either...Now that is friendship! I realize that there could be a lesson in this for more than just myself. We have always prided ourselves in teaching our children that whatever they do, they must be all in. When the boys started karate, we told them that once they started, they would see it to Blackbelt..and that committment is key in many parts of our life..from marriage, to jobs, to friendships, goals, etc..This whole run is that my oldest son can complete that committment and recieve his 1st Degree Blackbelt this summer. I need to be the person that I have taught them to be, and so far I have not been the best example with my weight loss issues. This is my chance to show them and myself, that I am truly committed to getting healthy, and that as a family we will see this thru.

Well, May 22nd..the big day arrives..We get up at 5am to get ready. I am still so scared about doing this run. Luckily, there is alot of support and about 50+ people show up for Master Garza's run..Boot Camp people as well as those training for their Balckbelts. Master Garza begins with a pep talk which really spoke to me, and prayer (which I needed). Then we lined up at our starting point and off we go! I guess I am as ready as I will ever be..My friends show up to run and support me. So I take off and 27.41 minutes later I completed it! I did far better than I thought I would and it wasn't near as hard either. I DID IT! and I felt great..I wasn't like dying or anything. My recovery was good. What meant the most to me that day was the enourmous love I felt from my family, friends,and all the Karate folks that were there...I did not finish last. There were about 4 more that finished behind me and they had been doing his Bootcamp so I felt alot better. But as people finish, they lined up on the finish line and hollared and spoke words of encouragement to bring the last one in. It was so awesome that my husband ran back after completing his run, so that he could finish my race right by my side...And waiting for me at the finish line was my youngest telling me that I can do it, and being so proud of me as I crossed the finish line...WHAT A DAY! What a difference 61 pounds make in your ability to breath. I was ready to go again...and I did just this morning!(May 30, 2010). Another great run, and I improved my time to 27.10 for 2 miles..Not a record for true runnings, but for me it is awesome. My friends and I have decided we will try to do this weekly at the bridge, and during the week after work, I will try to run a few blocks (1 mile) to help improve myself. It is a great form of exercise and I think I am going to love being a run.

Well, that's about it or now...Monday is a holiday, so I will not be able to go into the clinic for a weigh-in until Tuesday. I will wait for that official number before I post again...I look forward to blogging again soon.