Spring-Like Day

Yea!!!  The sun is shinning and it feels like Spring,BUT when I woke up this morning I noticed that my eyes, hands, and knees were swollen today.  My immediate thought was, "I am allergic to oysters!"   I had them only once before, but only a few.  I "Google"d it later that day and found that oysters are the worse food I can eat for my type of condition.  I was so proud to have looked at the calories prior to the party but little did I think these little things could cause swelling.  I have not felt good all day.  So to combat the swelling, I have been drinking lots of water to flush this junk out of my system.  I felt like staying in bed today, and believe me, that is far from how great I have been feeling.  I fought the feeling and push myself to do my normal Sunday routine.

I attended our Sunday workout today called "Total Body".  It was truly total body and it pushed my fittness limits to the max at times.  When I completed the class I felt better than I did when I entered the class.   It is so amazing how much I can do compared to the first 2 weeks into the program.  Weight training is so important for the body.  We use the body bar and weights throughout the class.  We also learned how important it is to build muscles.  We cannot compromise that!   I am starting to notice a few muscles cuts on me....oh yea!

Today I met one of the yoga teachers, and, searching for her method of teaching, I began asking her questions.   I do not want to be in a class where there is a lot of chanting going on and I can't understand a word they are saying.  Nor do I want to go to some land I do not want to go.  You know what I mean?  She assured me that she does not do that.  Mainly, a lot of stretching and a lot of core excercise.  She did warn that some positions may be challenging, but not to feel bad if I couldn't do them all.   Somewhat hesitant, I decided to take the class today after Total Body.  Why not?  Dinner is cooked, and Ben is just home relaxing.  I really enjoyed the class, especially when she said, "sit back like a toddler".   Wow!  I can do that move.  We did some moves that tested every muscle on my body.  Remember Gumby?  Well, I had to twist myself like that.  I was in full control of how far I could push my body.  At one point, she came over to help me with a few moves.  What a challenge this class was for me!  The best part was at the end, when she turned off the lights and we just layed on our backs, lengthening our spine, and guess what ...       ...I heard myself snoring.  How embarssing!  I hope no one heard me.  That was my nap that I told you I wanted to get. (Maybe 8 mins)  Wow!  What a power nap!  I will be back!  Since I am a little more hyper-active these days, I should do this at least once a week.

Well, got to get ready for a powerful week.  Don't forget I have a suprise for you mid-week. 

Zumbathon

Now I am becoming a regular of "Zumbaolic".  No self-help group needed for this.  I was invited to join the Zumbathon.  Several students are going to Uganda to help the local people medically.   I hope they earned enough donations from all of us to help with their expenses.   We danced for 2 hours!!!  We had so much fun.  I even won a leather Zumba bracelet.   Different teachers and different styles.  From modern hip hop to Latin and African.  When I got done my feet felt like two bricks were sitting on top, and my arms are crying out.  We had so much fun and I know I burned some calories at the same time.  I especially enjoyed talking with Sylvia, one of the intructors (see photo below of her and her husband).

Check out these photos that were on display!  I love the African children, and if I could I would adopt one If I would, however my hubby looks at me like I am crazy reminding me......we are too old.  Guess what I feel 20 again!

Then I had to dash home to make pita squares and humus dip hors d'oeuvres as my healthy choice to take to a congregational oyster roast.  I had such a good time and did not touch one thing white...potatoes, sweets, macroni....well you get the picture.   I walked around drinking water, which helps.   Here is my dinner menu 15 oysters (117 calories), 8 large shrimp (44 calories), corn on the cob, half (63 calories) for a total of 223 calories.  This is why I love sparkpeople.com for calorie counts.  By the way, my husband did not eat desserts because he is trying to support me.  I did not realize it till I came home.  What a sweetie (not sugar)!  Guess what!  I enjoyed myself better, knowing I can say NO to the bad stuff.  It was nice to be with my spiritual family, whom I dearly love.  Before this I had been avoiding gatherings.  Now I am more incline to go.

Now I may go, friends, and soak my feet to get ready for another busy day.  Tomorrow, don't look for me till late, because I am taking a nap.  Yes, a nap!   Mid-week I have a big big suprise for you (no hints).

Thankful

Today was my sister's surgery.  I just found out that she is out.  She is doing well, and the doctor thinks the cancer was contained in one area on the thyroid.  They will know for sure after all tests are back.
Instead of waiting around here in town, pranching the floor like I would have done in the past, guess what I did...         ...I went swimming at the Wellness Center.  I did laps, got in the sauna, and read, and then decided to take the Aquatics class.  When our intructor, Marty, asked us to close our eyes and relax it was a great opportunity to pray for my sister.  I was so tired I could have gone to sleep at that moment.  My legs felt like jelly when I was done with the class.  I wanted to go home and just get in the bed, but, as you can see, that did not happen.

I really appreciate my team today.  Laurie and the rest of the team ran the last half of my last lap with me.  We have had a good week as a team and a great workout.  We worked hard with weight training with sand bags.  We did all our laps which equaled a mile with the sand bags in our hands.  If someone were to drop the sandbags, guess what we had to do.....you guessed it burpees!  Cute little Heather dropped the bag and, guess what...      This will help everyone mentally and physically this week.  Push.  Push harder.

Weigh-in #6

Well, tonight I will cut to the chase.  The results are listed below.  As you can see, Sydney Fowler is coming up on me, which is good, because it pushes me to work harder.  Everyone is doing such a good job!  For this session (5th) of the Healthy Charleston Challenge, there is a total weight loss of 1,274.9 pounds.  Let's give all of us the yahooooo!!!!  We are beating obesity, we are cleaning our bodies, we are building muscle, and we are looking good!   On this upcoming week's workout I will have to push harder, because I am getting closer to my goal.  Each week, we have to work harder than the previous.  Help me Lord!  I know we will have a fierce workout tomorrow.  Our team is ready, we all were in good spirits tonight.  I will keep my focus and work hard.  I have lost 20.8 pounds on HCC and this is the 6th weigh in.  I have lost a total of 50 pounds since starting my journey.  (Go Gina!!!)

Tonight as always, I love our nutritional class.

FEMALE RESULTS

1. REGINA POWERS 10.54%

2. SYDNEY FOWLER 10.00%

3. LESLIE BRADY 9.43%

4. ADAIR DEMPSEY 9.27%

5. CAROLINE MILLER 9.20%

I have a special request tonight.  My dear sister Shirley is having surgery tomorrow at 3pm at Ann Arbor Cancer Center in Michigan.  She has thyroid cancer.  They will be removing the turmor tomorrow (not sure of what stage yet).  Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.  Tomorrow I will run faster for you Shirley, I will lift harder and I will keep you in mind and heart.  My sister is a very brave and strong woman.  I admire how she has handled her medical problems.  She has such a positive outlook.  I am confident she will fight this cancer!  She doesn't know it yet, but she will be out running with me soon!  

Thanks for all your continual support.  I love the comments. 

Powerful Team Workout

Today most of our team was in attendance.  It is so good when the team is together.  It mentally helps to know we are doing this together.  That is why we signed up.  Right?  To be a part of a team and have that support from each other.  I am starting to get to know others on different teams.  When they hear my name, that all start asking me what I am doing.  I share but, never claim to be an expert..     ...I'm still learning too.  I also met the guy who is in the number one spot for men, we shook hands and then he and three others from his team members did Zumba with me yesterday.  We had so much fun!

 Laurie had us do a boot-camp style training without the cursing.  I thought she was Jillian (of The Biggest Loser fame) for a moment.  I felt like I was  going to throw up.  We did reps, and each time after doing the first set, setting the bar higher by trying to beat our best. (she timed us) Hey!  I am improving.  I did not get an attitude for having to do that many burpees.  I felt like falling out, but I did them anyway.   I can always tell when Laurie has her boot-camp attitude on.  What did we expect when they announced that is her specailty.  She gave a nice speech regarding the weigh-in tomorrow -- not to let the scales discourage anyone.  She said to all of us"do you know what you are doing for your bodies inside".  (our heart and so much more)  I am glad to hear that speech, trust me.  I hate to see anyone sad over weigh-ins.  I am happy that during the week I do not worry about the scales anymore.  My body dictates what happens.  I just have to do my part prior.  Working out daily and writing every food particle down.

Well, after last night's blog.... which was kinda long winded, I will give you a break.

A quote I love and saw, which went with last night's blog so wonderfully, goes like this -- "Loving oneself is the start of a romance."  I forgot who said it....but love it.  So true!  Mothers, wives, sisters.  Make room for you!

Peering Inside

Ok today I had to peer inside of myself.  I try not to look back too long, much because like a runner, if you lose your focus you could lose the race (especially with a bad foot or hip).   I am writing this mainly for those who are struggling with weight issues.  Perhaps this has been your issue.  Before coming to HCC, I had identified an area that really caused a lot of my weight issues.  I had poor self esteem and I suffered depression.  My esteem issues came from many tough years of abuse.  Abuse and depression both crippled me, made me look in the mirror and see someone I did not like.  It's really too bad I felt that way because when I look at old pictures, I see a really pretty girl (very thin, too).   I did not like myself most of the time.  I always had relationships.  Never had a problem attracting men, but I always felt it was not me they were attracted to.  I always felt that they always had some wrong motive.  After many years of talking to professionals, reading one self-help book after another, and of course the most helpful of the self-help books on my shelf, the bible.  I decided to make a change.  I decided to love and take care of myself.  Sounds simple, but it was hard.  Just like a mother would love a child.  Yes, I had to take action.  I was not living.  I was a making myself a victim in many situations which, many times, circumstances did not warrant.  My tears, a little now, are a wittness that I lost too many years, if only.....no I can't go there, dry my eyes.  I have to live NOW.  I cannot change the past.  I am living now.  No time for the pity pot (flush and walk away from those thoughts).  I have learned how to love ME.  When I started this journey, I met my husband whom I am married to now.   It took me a while to trust him and let him love me. (My Ben is such a kind person, would not hurt a flea.)  Wow!  Am I glad I was on the mend or I probably would be single to this day.  Then the brain tumor hit me, and my weight got out of control and then the depression.  (I had some weight starting before the actual diagnosis.)   Now this person in the mirror was worth fighting for, but was not very pretty.  I cannot deny I was afraid to the point of screaming, some days to the top of my lungs (scared myself to death doing that)!  I may have given up if I had not started this process.  My face was swollen, my weight went to it's all time high, and I was dealing with learning how to walk without a walker, and then without a cane.  This took my self-esteem down again.  This time I am ready to fight.  Fight for this precious life I have been given.  And I am not done yet.  Hey!  I just started living.  I pleaded to God.  Yes, I have deep belief in God. I could not have done this without him.  If you want to hear about my faith just ask me. (I don't want to push religion on this blog unless you want to know)  Now my kids are grown, but what about my grandkids?  I want to be there for them now.  What will my hubby do without me?  The fight is on and I made it!!  My recovery from my illness was due to loving me.  I was worth fighting for.  Any doctor will tell you, going into surgery for a craniotomy, that you have to have a good attitude.  I found laughter even when I was in intensive care. (mainly due to many prayers)  I even celebrated coming out of there with my ipod.  Still something I can't leave home without.

When you love yourself it helps, because then you can love others.  It's true, not a cliche'.  If you suffer depression, you suffer low self-esteem.  Work on loving yourself.  Make time for you.

Another word  that helped me through my abuse issues is the word FORGIVENESS.  Yes, I have made peace with those who have hurt me in my past.  What a freeing experience.  I think that is why I like to dance.  I feel free.  I have found that working out does release those endorphines to make you feel good.  So much better than taking anti-depression pills.  Losing weight makes you feel better about your self-image but you got to peer through your soul too.  I have to remind myself that it takes time but I know now I can do it.  Yes I am doing it and I can just scream with joy of how good it feels this time!!!  Remember in the beginning that I said "cry with me, rejoice with me".  I have tears now of joy.  I am starting to recognize that young girl again.

I hope that my sharing this some of you may relate and can be helped by using some of my methods of recovery.  Now, hey!  Enough of this!  I have a run now!  Remember, I can't look back too long. I have Zumba to go to....  I have to keep my eye on the prize.  I think putting the prize before me helps.  (smile)  Run with me, my friends......

Monday Run

Today is probally one of my shortest blogs.  I think I write too much anyway some nights.

 Monday workouts always seem hard on me.  We ran a mile right off the bat. Our little team never complained.  Then we did weight training.  My back was hurting a little from Sunday's workout.  I think my weight's were too much. 

Tonite my mentor Beth met me for swim aerobics.  She is such a pleasant lady. She sets a good example as a mentor and has been in first and second place these past few weigh-in's.  She keeps me going on Mondays.

There is no way I can add a third class because I said three hours this week.  That third hour will be running to the grocery store, errands, parking far, going up stairs when I can...walking/running to the gym.  I am tired and don't want to overdo it.  Sometimes I am reminded that I am not 20.  Tomorrow will be more interesting.....I have little something to share......stay tuned.  Photo too!

Sunny Sunday

The snow has melted and the sun is out.  Always a good way to start the day.  How nice it is to wake up each day to a new day.  I won't write much because I just want to relax and enjoy the rest of my day.  Have you notice I can write as long as I can talk.   Some days I have to put my blackberry down and my computer.  The problem with me is that I am a girly girl and a techie (or least a wanna be) nerd.

I just want all of you to know before I go further on this journey that I will never become a hoochie mama, wearing tight clothing, too young or fad driven.  I am of the age where classy and modest appeals to me much better.  Many who lose weight go a little crazy, I hear, at my age.  If you see me acting crazy, Wendy or any of my other friends, let me know.   

Today, I hurry to change in the ladies restroom conveniently located across from the classroom.  I have it down to a science now to get out of my stockings, dress, and heels in about 5 minutes and make my way to the classroom for warm-ups, and get myself psyched.  (Oh yeah!  I must not forget that I must hurry down some water, and a cup of yogurt for lunch while in transit.)  Today we did Lillie Bar Class, I think they call it.  We use a bar weight, pretty much, for all the class.  I just read how important it is for women to do weight training on this journey.  There are so many myths about becomng muscle-bound like a man.  It would take a lot of weight training for us to look like that.  Anyway, it makes me feel good doing it.  I have increased the amount of weight  I lift, so I'm not sure how heavy it was because it was not marked.  I will tell you though, I felt the burn!  Now I understand that exercise jargon.  I remember a time where I hated to look in the mirror and now when I am lifting I actually get near a mirror.  Don't tell anyone that. (giggle) 

This is a sample workout of the body bar.  You can order them on amazon if you like to do it at home.

Keli Roberts on YouTube

Keli Roberts Body Bar video on Amazon

Remember the young lady that put me in second place for that one week.  Well I smiled and said hello.  It was good to see her there in class, she smiled back. (I did not say hey I put you back in second though.)  This is a friendly competition, and it just helps all of our hard work.  I could not believe all the people from other teams that showed up.  Julia and I were the only ones from our team in class today.  On an average day, I bet you are wondering how much time am I devoting to exercise these days.  On average, I give about 2.5 hours per day.  This usually included walking to gym, and two classes a day, not all at one time.  This week, though, I am bumping it up to 3 hours.  How can I do this?  I schedule everything.  I used to waste 3 hours at one point of the day by watching some mindless show on TV or doing something that's not important to my health.  So don't worry, I am just putting first things first.  All other things are added.  I just think of it as having a part-time job.  No one complains if you are working part-time.  So that is what I am doing.  By the way, once I reach a certain weight goal, I am sure I can lower the amount of time spent at the gym.  I am making this a life long habit.  That is, working out and eating healthy.  Otherwise Janis said she would hunt us down.  (smile).

Snowy Saturday!

It was a cold morning and I did not want to get out of bed this morning.  It's not often I am not up and running.  I also had a headache and did not feel like moving till I had a cup of coffee.  So this was a morning I took my time doing everything.  By noon I was bouncing off the wall.

By one oclock I decided since we had no planned workout, I thought I would go to the gym on my own.  My body is starting to crave this.  I know I work out much harder at the gym.  So off I went, and ended up staying for 2 hours.  I did 4 miles on the ellipitical.  I did my homework card plus weights and a few laps.  Boy, did I feel great after getting this done.  I find I like listening to my iPod while doing laps and my exercises.  The time just passes so quickly.

I felt a great sense of accomplishment because I  did not let the cold and snow stop me today.  Here are a few pictures of the snow for those of you in my old town on the West Coast that do not ever see snow unless you go to the mountains. (I love my gate photo)















I am still very proud that in just five weeks I lost 18.4 pounds!  I never could have done that in the past without HCC.   I am counting down the weeks and hate to see it end, so I have decided to sign up to be a mentor for the next and future sessions, and cannot wait to help others on this journey, while at the same time continuing life-long health habits.  I think this may be a new career path for me.  It certainly would be a great way to keep the weight off and stay healthy.  Snow Snow oh me oh my!

Fabulous Friday

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Last night we had boot camp and the rubber bands class.   Our Team Boot Camp HCC guys were really nice.  What I liked most about these classes is that all the groups of HCC were together.  One big community of people who are gathered together for a common goal.  I hope we do more together in future classes. 



 The photo to the right is our students who weigh us. They also write the newsletters each week with the final results.  They are to be commended for doing such a great job!  They are such nice young ladies, and always smiling.  I look forward to seeing them, and they make our weigh-in a lot less stressful.


By the way.......
I have avoided puting full length photo's of myself because I want to be a surprise to my family on the West Coast.  My daughter Tiffanie is going to give me a full makeover when I visit Californa (late Spring) and my daughter Summer in Portland, OR is going to take me shopping.  I can hardly wait.   Even if I don't win the HCC contest, I have this to look forward to.   I also want you to know I have already won...      ...my life back.  That is the best win. 

One request...  ...don't think that because one is in the top that they don't still need support.  I am still learning and growing.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of your support.  Hey my total was more than I thought with HCC I have loss 18.4 pounds. (Total Journey= 48.4) Next week hopefully the 50 pound mark.

Only a few were able to make it to team workout but it was good to be here together, working toward next week's goals.  We even have homework.  After our team workout, I decided to swim and kick back and enjoy the water.  Then I sat in the sauna relaxing and reading till my cheeks turned red (the "cheeks" on my face, that is... :).  Tomorrow, stay tuned.....I have to go see the snow!  Snow in Charleston!