Monday Workout

Well, what a way to start a Monday.  I'm actually happy to be in the mindset that working out daily is a must.  I was eager to see my team members, as I suddenly feel they are like a life support system and are people who I already care about.  We are all fighting to get healthy and to get weight off.   Laurie, our trainer, had us run stairs and I have to admit, I almost started to cry when she announced the workout plan.  I have a foot that does not always want to move the way I want it to go. When I had my brain surgery, I lost some feeling in my left foot (feels like a sleepy foot)   I am not complaining because I had the top surgeon in Los Angeles, CA at Cedars Sinai Hospital. (You may have seen him on Oprah, Dr. Keith Black.)  He is the best neurosurgeon you will ever find.   This is NOT going to get in my way!   I looked down at my Nike's and said "Just do it!"   Guess what!  I did it!  It was a struggle.  We had to do running in between, which I modified when I could not fully run , then push ups, and host of other killer exercises.   At the end I cried quietly, hoping no one could see my tears.  My trainer Laurie, her assistant Whitney, and my team members came back to get me when  I was behind. They really wanted me to make my fitness goals for the day. Thanks so much team.  I really think I would have quit without them.  They may not know I am running for my life.  I think they are also.  See how far I have come.  Check out the photo below of my neurosurgeon  Dr. Black and me after my 10 hour brain surgery.   Dr. Black, if you are listening, thank you for the care you have given me, I can't say it enough.   Thank you Ben (hubby), and Tiffanie(daughter) for being there when I woke up and could say your name for the first time.(Something I was so worried I would not be able to do)   Ben and Tiff were the loving caretakers. Thank you to my children who supported me in their own ways.  Nicole the oldest daughter is a nurse, which was nice, especially when I did not understand something medically. She just had twins about a year earlier.  My little grandsons (Amari and Amir) and my first born granddaughter Ajanea kept me fighting.  Summer, the youngest, was never short of encouraging words and has such a big heart.  (I think she had the hardest time seeing me go through this.)  Her daughter, Soliel, also kept me fighting.  Since then Summer has blessed me with two more grandchildren. (Noey and Ian.)  My son Herbie, his hug was like medicine; he had no problem crawling in my bed beside me.  Gina, you have come a long way baby because of all of them!  This is why I write.  To strengthen some skills I feel I have lost and to look back on my progress.

  Tips for the day:  on the Today show this morning, they said blogging was one of the top goals for 2010 and exercise fights cancer.  Share your thoughts or tips on my blog.  I would love to hear from you.

My all time highest weight was 225! When I look at these photos I smile! Starting at the left is me in a t-shirt I brought to keep myself positive. (One of my favorite quotes.)  Middle photo- is my first outing after a 3.5 month stay in the hospital. 

Far right I am going home!  Last photo is Dr. Black and my favorite nurse. I can't believe I am 

running now!!! 

                                                       

Posted by Gina's Weight Journey at 8:18 PM 3 comments  Links to this post

Labels: brain sugery, cedars sinai, Dr. Keith Black, Los Angeles,meningioma

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So It Begins

Oh! By the way, our team name is TEAM MUGHELLI. Ovie Mughelli, a Charleston native, is probably the top paid halfback in the NFL   I went to his website (http://www.oviemughelli34.com/community.htm) and was impressed that he is helping many youths with educational goals and football clinics.
If you are listening thanks for sponsoring our winning team.  

My First Day of the Charleston Healthy Challenge

I was a nervous wreck at our first meeting. So many people, like myself wanting to healthy, lose those extra pounds and make this a lifetime change.

I met the other members of my team for the first time. I immediately knew that I was fortunate to be placed with what struck me as the best team in the program. One by one, they all describe themselves the same way: "I am very competitive by nature" they repeat. Yahoo! I asked my trainer if she was anything like Jillian on the Biggest Loser and she just smiled slyly. I knew right then that we were in trouble. One of my old dear friends shared her name, Laurie. I don't know if I am going to think of her as my friend every while she's "motivating" us every day, though. She seems so sweet now, but I just have a feeling that this won't last too long.

I can remember watching The Biggest Loser on TV thinking, "Boy! Those folks are big!" as I scarf down pizza, ice cream and cake. Oh yeah! And don't forget about the 2 glasses of wine. What denial I was in, but no more! I can remember thinking that those work outs on TV were not bad enough to have all that crying that was going on. Guess what! It was me fighting back the tears today as I listened to personal story from one of the male competitors who was literaly fighting for his life, which made me feel right away that I could relate to his story. Now who's crying every week watching the show. I look forward to this show week after week. When it was off I felt like I was missing something on Tuesday. What are your thoughts of the show?

First Workout

One on one with Laurie asking me bluntly " Why are you here?" I had to stop myself because once I thought about it, I realized that it was more that about shedding weight.

I could tell that Laurie, as kind as she is, wanted me to shut up and get to the workout. TMI!

We have to run. One mile, minus a lap. WHAT?!? I am 53 years old, I thought to myself. I have not ran since I was in my twenties. With much effort, I ran and walk. Toward the end of this ordeal, one of my team members held out her hand saying "Gina you can do this! Grab my hand!" I wanted to cry, but I made it to her outstretched hand and realized that she is a true team-player.(I still trying to get everyone's name) A moment that gave me the confidence to say "Gina you can do this", it's going to be tough weeks ahead but you can do it."

Stay tuned for photos and much more.......

A New Year, A New Me

Hello family and friends!

As many of you already know, I was selected to be a part of the Healthy Charleston Challenge MUSC, a program like the Biggest Loser TV program. When I received my acceptance letter I was screaming so much that my husband thought I fell and hit my head! (I had to explain otherwise.) I read my letter with much anticipation and, right away, started imagining myself as one healthy woman and already named the the winner (after a lot of work)! Prior to this, I

was going to West Ashley for water aerobics and following the Tony Ferguson plan (Love and miss my nutritional counselor Heather. She cheered me on and took a personal interest in me.) The Tony Ferguson diet program was a great start. Then, on to a low carb life style not eating anything white. Result? 30 pounds gone, in 3 months!  Check out my photos at the top right. The red dress is my 30 pound loss. We will take a full length photo today before weighing in next week for the Healthy Challenge. Take a look at the team of my ladies at our water aerobic class. What a sweet group of dedicated ladies! (Sorry some of you did not brave the cold that day.)  I will be back daily to look for your comments. I know you are cheering me on! Come walk with me, run with me, cry with me, be joyful with me because I am going to do this! Please share your journey to health and fitness so that we can encourage one another. 

"The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare" (Unknown author)