Swimming -- my happy time!

Thursday, July 31, 2014

The man who is swimming against the stream knows the strength of it. 
~ Woodrow Wilson ~ 

      

I spent three hours in the pool yesterday. I was loathe to get out! I managed a couple of achievements, too. 

Swam 6 laps (Breast Stroke) without the noodle. I did cheat and use my arms, though...  

Did a lot of water-walking / marching and arm exercises with the foam barbell.

No weight loss -- but I really feel the toning and strengthening. 

 

 

 

My accomplishments after 90 days at Spark People!

I was FREEZING when I hopped out of the pool this afternoon!

I am at 90 days back at Spark People!  

My accomplishments to date: 

1. 30 pounds down 
2. Down one pants size (3X to 2X) And maybe even two... 
3. Exercising / swimming 3X per week 
4. Lost 4 1/2 inches 
5. Blood Pressure is low enough that Doctor has halved my dosages 
6. Energy levels are high 
7. No soda / tea / coffee for 90 days 
8. No longer considered "pre-diabetic" 
9. Preparing to walk in a 5K in October 

Last but more importantly, I AM HAPPY!  

Spark People, Friends, I LOVE YOU!  

Miscellaneous!

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Never go backward. Attempt, and do it with all your might. Determination is power. 
~ Charles Simmons ~ 

The following video is about a program (in France) to stop wasting produce. I LOVE it and hope that US food stores will follow suit! 

youtu.be/p2nSECWq_PE 

The Color Vibe is a 5K Run / Walk.  It will be in Savannah in October and I AM going to walk!!!  I KNOW that I can do it!  I WANT to do it! I WILL do it! 

www.thecolorvibe.com/savannah.php 

Check their website -- www.thecolorvibe.com -- and see if there is one near you! 

I am hoping to get some pool time tonight. I swam for 90 minutes last night. It really relaxes me and I sleep so well afterwards.  

 

I can honestly FEEL myself toning up. My size 3X pants are so loose they are falling off.  That's a lovely feeling. I'll be buying new pants soon... maybe... a size 1X this time?  

In the meantime, I'm using my barbells for strengthening / toning my arms. Progress is slow, but I persist!  

Chasing *ONE*derland is quite the adventure. I can see it getting ever closer. Sometimes, it's faster and farther ahead, but it never goes out of my sight. 

I'm making up ground... and it is not so elusive as it was a few months ago. 

Intermarché - "Inglorious Fruits and Vegetables"

Non-Scales Victories (mid-July)

Non-Scale Victories!

Sunday, July 20, 2014

So, my darn scale is being a witch. That's okay, I'm steady exercising and losing INCHES! Yes, that's right!  I've lost a total of 4 1/2 inches since July 3rd! 

 Go me!  

I am learning that after you begin an exercise program, you will likely gain a few pounds due to water retention. Your muscles are storing and burning fat for fuel. After 4 to 6 weeks, there is a breakthrough, and the scale will begin to move downward once again. 

I can live with that!  

I am so enjoying this... the swimming... the workouts... the sheer joy of being alive and moving. 

Why did I wait so darn long? 

These are the bracelets on my right wrist. They used to be quite tight. Not anymore! 

30 Pounds down!!!

Saturday, July 12, 2014

I am now OFFICIALLY 30 pounds down from 291! 

I began this journey at a BMI of 51.5 -- I'm now at 46.2 -- a full 5 points down. I still have 7 points to lose to reach the "severely obese" stage. 

I frankly don't see myself as "morbidly obese" but I recognize that it's not based on appearance but WEIGHT. I still have 121 pounds to lose to reach my goal. 

Reach it, I will. 

BMI	Weight Status
Below 20.0	Under weight
18.5 - 24.9	Healthy
25.0 - 29.9	Slightly Overweight
30.0 - 34.9	Obese
35.0 - 39.9	Severely Obese
40.0 and Over	Morbidly Obese

I went for my 6 month check-up yesterday and received great news. My BP is low enough now that my Doc halved my BP meds. He's pleased with my weight loss and is halving my Metformin dosage. 

He said if I lose 30 pounds by January, he will likely take me OFF of the Metformin and halve my Lovastatin (Cholesterol med) as well. 

I am so happy! Very positive reinforcement indeed! 

This evening... I am going to try on a pair of size 1X jeans. I don't think they will fit quite yet, but I am interested in seeing how close I am. 

Of course, it is a goal to leave the PLUS sizes behind me. 

I have another goal: to be able to COMFORTABLY cross my legs while seated. All of us who are very overweight know that crossing one's legs becomes impossible. It just does. I want to be able to do that again (without thinking about it). 

Funny... the things that you want to do once you've gotten too big to do them. We all go through it -- it's akin to mourning. 

However, we CAN get those things back. We just have to work at it. It IS worth the time, effort, and energy. WE are worth it. 

I. AM. WORTH. IT

30 pounds of fat and the choice is mine.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

 

As of today, it's a 29 pound loss for me, but I wanted to see what 30 pounds of fat looks like. 

Wow. Was I really carrying that much fat? And do I still have 120 pounds of that horrible stuff to lose? 

Yes. Yes, I do. 

 

Just imagine 120 pounds of fat -- what is doing to my heart, lungs, kidneys, pancreas, etc. 

This is what motivates me to keep working, every day, to lose this weight and get healthier. 

I CHOOSE to move forward. I CHOOSE to walk and swim. I CHOOSE to demand a healthier me. 

I CHOOSE to eat better and to leave the fatty, sugary, sodium-laced processed foods behind. 

I CHOOSE LIFE! 

I do want to crow a bit: I got in three days of swimming (90+ minutes each time) this week! 

70 DAYS

70 Says since: 

I re-joined Spark People 
I've had a soda 
I've gained weight 
I've felt like giving up 
I've 'splurged' (gorged) at a meal 
I've had to buy larger clothing 
I've despaired 

70 Days of feeling: 

Strong 
Empowered 
Successful 
Energized 
Motivated 
Inspired 
Peaceful 
Determined 
Positive 

10% GOAL REACHED!

Saturday, July 05, 2014

My first major goal was to lose 10% of my beginning weight of 291 pounds. I reached that goal this morning!!!

10% of 291 = 29.1 pounds
291 - 29 = 262!

This morning my scale was a solid 262!

WOO HOO! I am re-energized!   

Now, for the NEXT 10% Goal:

10% of 262 = 26.2 or 236 pounds. 

I've also dropped my BMI from a DANGEROUSLY High 51.5 down to a still-high, but less deadly,  46.4.  That's 5 points. Doesn't sound like much -- but it's important to keep lowering that number. 

Classification BMI Underweight  <19 Ideal BMI 19-25 Overweight 25-30 Obese >30 Severely Obese >35 Morbidly Obese >40 Super Obese >50

 

Yes... at 5' 3", I was considered Super Obese. Now, it's Morbid Obesity.  I am on my way to 39 -- which will take me OUT of the Morbid range and into Severely Obese. 

Do I like those terms? No, I don't.  However, it is what it is and only I can change that. 

I CAN. I WILL.