5K. Do WHAT?

I have a wonderful new friend, Leslie, who ran cross country in high school. She didn't run for years and then began running again last year. She has run in some 5K's and is doing really well. She basically started training from scratch since she hadn't been an active runner for so long. Leslie ran a 5K this weekend and was over last night talking about it. I have never really been a runner. Jamie's theory is unless something is chasing you, there is no reason to run. I've kind of had that same idea. But something peeked my interest last night when Leslie was talking about 5Ks. I think maybe it's the good feeling of accomplishment I've had lately. I like the feeling and want more. If I ran a 5K I would definitely feel like I accomplished something.

After Leslie left, I went to tristateracer.com and found a calendar of upcoming races. There are some in December and January, but I think that's too soon. But there's a 5K in Huntington in April for autism, and I thought that would give me plenty of time, plus autism is something I really care about. So I thought that would make my first race all the more special.

As I thought more about this today, I got nervous because I have no idea where to start. I'm not a runner. I didn't run track or cross country in school, I know nothing about it. I asked Leslie where to start and she gave me some pointers and directed me to the site, coolrunning.com. They have a lot of great information, including a program called "couch to 5K" that helps people like me start out and get into the groove, gradually.

I am excited to start this new journey. And now that I have announced it to everyone, I have to follow through! My training begins in the morning.

By the way, I'm 13.5 pounds down and I learned to hula hoop the other direction. And of course I have a whole new set of bruises!

Numbers

It has been about two and a half months from when I began working out, a month and a half since starting the Flat Belly Diet, and one week since hula horror. I've officially lost 12 pounds and have gone down 2 pants sizes. About 3 weeks ago I had gone down one size, and after a week of hula hooping, I've gone down another size. I don't think it's all because of the hula hoop, but I think it is contributing significantly. It still hurts to do, but it is getting easier. I am up to 7 minutes now! I am posting a picture of the wicked bruising I have on my side. It looks like I have been beaten. But I have been assured that it will go away.Hopefully this doesn't gross you out!

So all this progress has really motivated me to keep going. It is so nice to actually see results. I have a long way to go, but am on my way!

My brother sent me a Power Point presentation today that his dietitian at work put together. It is about holiday eating. Apparently people gain about a pound from holiday eating, but never lose it. So a lot of extra weight that people carry around is from years of holiday eating. I have been anxious about the upcoming holiday meals. The presentation had some great tips, like snacking before going to a family dinner so you're not famished when you get there which usually ends up in overeating. Another good idea is to only put the bulky foods on your plate that fill you up and don't mess with insulin levels. So eat things like proteins, lean meats, nuts, and veggies; stay away from white stuff like white bread, rice, potatoes. Go for wheat bread, rice and crackers. Eat the pumpkin pie without the shell. Don't deny yourself the favorite things, just eat small portions. And don't waste calories on liquid calories or food that just isn't worth it. So I have a plan and I am going to enjoy my Thanksgiving meals, but focus more on blessings, family and relationships rather than food.

Hula Horror

Tonight I began a new part of my exercise routine. A friend of mine who has had great success at weight loss suggested I purchase a weighted hula hoop. I had never heard of one these. When I was a kid I used to hula hoop all the time. I loved it. I was also skinny. So I researched hula hoops online and found the one for me. I ordered a four pound medium ACU Hoop. I have anxiously awaited for it to arrive for several days. It was on the porch when I got home this evening. It came in eight pieces, all different colors. They are made of foam and snap together. Of course my obsessive seven year old insisted that I assemble the pieces in ROYGBIV so they would look like a proper rainbow. I assembled it and was surprised at how large it was. This wasn't going to be a big deal. I was great at hula hooping and I can still do it with Brett's hula hoop. No problem. WRONG!

The torture began. I swung that bad boy around my belly and could not believe the pain! It only stayed up for about 4 seconds! The instructions said for the first week to only use it for one to three minutes. Being the over achiever that I am, I wanted to go for at least 5 minutes. I made it but mostly in just 4 second intervals! I think the longest it stayed up was about 20 seconds. It took every ounce of strength I had to keep that thing going. When the directions say "forcefully" swing the hoop, it means FORCEFULLY swing it! I was out of breath and couldn't believe I got such a work out! But I survived. Beth had warned me that for some time after she started she actually had bruising from the impact of the hoop. I am quite sure I will have multiple bruises tomorrow.

As Jamie and the kids watched they thought it was quite funny. Jamie said it looked painful. I have red blotches all over my abdomen. This better be worth it! I will decide later if Beth really wants to help or if she's playing an evil trick on me!

Fringe Benefits

Several months ago James, who is 4, very innocently asked me why my belly was still big since Luke wasn't in it anymore. I told him I was working on it. He then said, "but you aren't exercising." That's when I was reminded of the example I am setting for my children. Shortly thereafter I joined the gym.

Of course the best part of losing weight is having to yank up my pants all the time. I love actually seeing progress. But some other great things have happened too. I feel really good. I just feel healthier. My energy is good and I have more motivation in general.

Brett, my picky, PICKY eater, has taken notice also. She knows mommy is trying to get healthier. She has actually tried some new things that I am eating, and likes them! She tried baby spinach, tapenade, and a blueberry smoothy. She is watching so I have to keep it up.

Jamie has started working out and is eating slightly better. So I am glad that something positive is happening in my family through this new way of living. I think it's going to last this time.

Torn

It's been a while since I've written and there has been a lot of progress. I'm down about 9 pounds which is wonderful. I am having more good days than not. This thing is not exactly coming naturally to me, but it is much easier and I pretty much have it down to a science.

I'm finding the most important part in managing my eating is planning ahead. I have to pack lunches and snacks for the days I'm away from the house. If I don't, I get too hungry and want to eat whatever I can get my hands on. So being prepared is the most important thing for me right now. I've had a few tough moments, like when I picked up pizza for the kids and when I smelled McDonald's fries when I was hungry. But the amazing thing is that if I just get through it, I'm fine. It's not the end of the world if I don't fulfill that urge immediately!

One thing that frustrates me is being torn between viewing food as just fuel or thinking it is something I should enjoy. Part of me wants to just look at it as something I need to survive and nothing more. The other part of me thinks God made it so good so that we can enjoy it. Ugh! My thin neighbor, Isaac, tells me we are to enjoy it in small portions. And I think that's the key. Ultimately, that's what this whole Flat Belly Diet has been about for me; eating small portions with a MUFA added to it. I just wish pumpkin pie was a MUFA! Last night at a church dinner I did have a few bites of pie. I felt slightly guilty, but I plan to go full steam ahead with the plan. The weight loss I have experienced is definitely motivation to go on.

Until later....

Deep in Thought

Luke spiked a high fever in the night so I was up for while trying to get it down. Between the motrin and cold bath that he did not enjoy, I think everything is under control. Now, after much tossing and turning, I decided to quit trying to go back to sleep and just make use of my insomnia.

As I was trying to get back to sleep, I had a lot going through my mind. One of the things I was thinking about was Grandma Lieving. She was raised in the early 1900's in rural Appalachia. She walked to school and took a cold potato for her lunch. My mom always called Grandma's family "dirt farmers," which just meant they farmed to survive. She only went to the 6th grade and was very smart. I remember her reciting the counties of West Virginia when she was in her 70's or 80's.

When I, or anyone else, would go to Grandma's, the first thing she would say was "are you hungry?" And if you weren't, she would tell you that not being hungry wasn't a reason not to eat! Hmmm...maybe I am starting to see the development of my eating habits. Grandma wouldn't just fix a simple meal. I remember going there for lunch in sixth grade because she lived just a few doors down from the school. She would have spaghetti, hot dogs, bread, a couple of side dishes, maybe a piece of cake, and always cookies. She always had glass bottles of pop, orange was my favorite, that had the plastic caps to keep them from losing fiz. Remember those? I remember Grandma making greasy hamburgers. She would dip the bun in the grease and if she didn't have buns, she would put the burgers on regular bread and the bread would be soaked with grease. That was one thing I didn't like to eat at Grandma's (and that really thick bologna she always had). She always had carnival glass dishes full of candy too. Circus peanuts, mints, those crunchy peanut butter log things, horehound candy, the list goes on and on. And her noodles....mmm mmm her noodles. Surprise, surprise, Grandma was a big woman.

Everyone remembers Grandma having several main dishes and a table covered with food. Just look at the picture of her table. (that's Grandma holding my sister). I'm not sure what that was about. I don't know if it was her German heritage. Maybe it was because she and grandpa made a good living and wanted to make sure that they always had food, unlike during Grandma's childhood. Maybe she just enjoyed feeding others. Whatever it was, it makes me warm and fuzzy thinking about Grandma's kitchen. I have her cookie jar on a shelf in my kitchen and when I open it I can still smell her cookies. I'll never wash it.

My mom has taken on Grandma's role. Often, as soon as someone enters her house, she asks if they are hungry. And of course if they aren't, she tells them that's no reason not to eat. I watch the joy on her face when she feeds my kids and they gobble up every morsel. It's kind of the family joke that whenever any of my parent's kids or grandkids come for a visit, they go straight to the fridge. I caught myself in her kitchen yesterday thinking "I'm going to see what's in her cabinet to eat." I wasn't even hungry! And of course my new mindset quickly stopped me from doing so. It seems like mom gets a sense of fulfillment when she is able to feed others, as did Grandma.

So what is this emotional stuff about? Do I love food because I love Grandma and she always made me feel special? Is that part of the connection? Is it completely unrelated?

One thing I have realized is that when my kitchen is well stocked, I feel secure. I think it's a money thing. If you have enough money to feed your family, there is sense of safety and security, for me anyway. Another thing I'll have to explore....

One thing is for sure; I miss my Grandma. It's been about 20 years since her death and I still have a good cry over it about once a year. Maybe today's the day for that cry.

I Almost Lost My Pants!

Today in court I almost lost my pants. I haven't visually noticed much change, but I could tell a difference today with how my pants fit. I was very excited! I kept having to yank them up!

I am very appreciative of all the encouragement I have received since posting my first blog. It makes me want to keep going.

Someone who posted a comment is my sister-in-law, Tracy Wood. After reading her comment, I felt the need to share how I have been inspired by Tracy and her husband, my big brother, Chris. For at least the last year they have lost a tremendous amount of weight and kept it off. It has been a complete lifestyle change for them, watching what they eat and lots of exercise. It started when Chris joined the Biggest Loser weight loss contest at his place of employment. I always knew Chris was a big loser, but was surprised when he won the contest! :) I think that's what started it all for them. But they have done really well keeping the weight off. Tracy looks down right hot. I of course can't say that about my brother without getting a little nauseous, but he does look very nice. He is cut. I don't remember him ever being cut. Even when we were young and he was thin, he wasn't in as good of shape as he is now. For the last several months every time I see Chris or Tracy, I have been compelled to work on myself. I mean come on, if my brother can do it, I can! So I am very grateful for the example they have set for me. And if any of you tell my brother that I said he inspired me, I will deny it! :)

So there's not much depth to this blog, but I guess I'm realizing the importance of encouragement in this journey. Stay tuned...

Chris before.
Tracy and Chris after

A New Beginning

I hate writing, blogging, journaling, etc. I enjoy reading what others write, I just don't do it myself. But since "research shows" journaling increases your success of losing weight, I'm going for it. This will probably not interest many, but it is for my own health. Maybe someone else will benefit too.

On October10 I started the "Flat Belly Diet." This was by the recommendation of my nurse practitioner because of my struggle since having kids and my risk for diabetes. I have been working out faithfully since the beginning of September, but my middle just won't budge, even with results elsewhere. So the NP tells me this diet is the only thing that will work. I have tried many diets before. Weight Watchers, Adkins, and my own little diets. I never follow through, never see lasting results, and am now at my wits end.

In the last few weeks something just changed. Something clicked in my brain. I think this is finally the time. There are several reasons I want to lose weight. I want to be healthy. I don't want to have diabetes. I want to be a good example for my kids and others. And of course I want to be a hot mom! These are things I have always wanted, but something lately has really moved me to take action.

The problem. I love food. When I was a kid I remember several times being very sick and when the doctor would ask my mom about my appetite, she would say, "oh it's fine." I remember coming out of surgery after having my tonsils and adenoids out and asking the guy pushing me to my room for food. And as much as I have denied it in the past, I am an emotional eater. Happy...eat...sad...eat...angry...eat...excited...eat...eat...eat! I can blame this on my upbringing. I can blame this on my stressful life. At this point, I don't feel like blaming anyone. I am what I have become and now it's going to change. Maybe some day I will pay a lot of money in therapy to figure out why I feed my emotions. But for now, mom, you're off the hook.

So the NP says The Flat Belly Diet is about the only thing that will work for me. So I leave the clinic, get online and order the book for 9.95. I anxiously await its arrival and binge on carbs in the mean time. It was kind of my farewell to carbs celebration. The book arrived on Thursday, I stayed up after everyone was in bed and read a good chunk of it, got up the next morning with my shopping list and headed to Walmart before anyone was even up. So Friday I began the "anti bloat jump start" which is a 4 day horrific experience. The first day wasn't that bad, but days 2, 3 and 4 were miserable for me. I went to a cookout, a family dinner, a small group with pizza, and served food at the Farm Festival and did not touch a single morsel. I was grumpy, angry, tired, weak and miserable. I was even mad at the authors of the book. But determined. Mind you this is unlike any determination I have ever experienced when it comes to food. For some reason I kept going. I think people were praying for me because I was physically and emotionally miserable, but stuck to the plan.

Then came day 5! Here's how the rest of the diet works. I eat four 400 calorie meals a day, with each meal containing a serving of a mono unsaturated fatty acid, or MUFA. MUFAs come from olives, avocados, nuts, and get this DARK CHOCOLATE! Yeah! So even though I am eating way fewer calories than before, the food I am eating is good, and I'm eating every 4 hours, so it hasn't been that bad at all. Actually, I have been surprised at how good it is. And I am completely disgusted by the amount and the things I was eating before. One of the FBD breakfast meals is a whole wheat English muffin with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter and a half a banana. It's actually pretty filling and good. There are a ton of different meals to choose from. Some of the ingredients I haven't found around here yet, but I am making due. Tonight I had a veggie burger (a first for me) on an English muffin with cheese, sliced avocado, smoked red peppers and spinach leaves. I really wasn't sure about it, but it was delicious!

So I am encouraged that I can actually pull this thing off. I've lost almost 5 pounds and for the first time in years my wedding ring is loose. My short term goal is to be able to wear my diamond again. Long term, hot mom. And healthy of course.

Please pray that I continue on my health journey. I am excited and ready. Thanks to those of you who have supported me in this. And to those of you who have told me to cheat just this once, I'm ignoring you. I may even stop hanging out with you, at least temporarily!