To some of you, this might seem like an incredibly bazaar post. It's my journey, my blog, my post. Take it or leave it.
Why do people eat? Perhaps its too give our busy bodies fuel and energy. Perhaps to cure ourselves from boredom, or alleviate some sort of pain. People all the time say that they "Love" a certain item. Maybe this is trees, cheese, cookies, apple juice, or hot dogs.
I was at some sort of event a couple of years ago. I think it was stake conference, but it could of been something else, maybe it was an motivational speaker, or monkeys talking at the zoo. I have no idea really. But the topic was love, an emotional attachment. What is love?
Love, by definition is an interpersonal affection. One of the basic needs for humans, is to be loved? What happens when you love something, that can't love you back? Maybe it's the trees, maybe a car, or maybe even food? Do you feel the need to satisfy there wants and desires, when they can't fulfill your needs? The speaker then went on to explain that you can't love something that does not have a brain, as it can not reciprocate these feelings, and needs. He also explained that when we love these inanimate objects, we are creating empty idols for ourselves. I'm sure we have been told that in the scriptures it says something about not having any idols other than God.
This seminar, rang deep in my soul, I decided to take this advice, and live it. Some of you may have noticed that I never say "I love xyz" and I always say "I like xyz," and this is why, I have chosen not to love anything, that "can't be loved." Dean, of course, has argued endlessly about this. But for me, it's what I have chosen to assist me in meddling through life, and it works wonders!!!
I think having this philosophy has done nothing but assist me in propelling me forward. This philosophy has allowed me to realize that I DON'T need the cakes, cookies, hot dogs, ice cream, and any other unhealthy foods. I only NEED the food as described in the weight loss program. After all, when you invest in these foods, what do the foods do for you? The correct answer, is make you fat. What a lovely relationship, eh? You pay them money, and they make you fat. Because I have chosen to live by this advice, I believe that I have been healthier, and happier. Dean has argued with me many times about how this isn't how life should be lived, but it works wonders for me!
I had my monthly meeting at work last night... of course this was accompanied by food. The menu that was displayed was: Subway Sandwiches, Chips, and Ice Cream Cake.
Before the meeting, two others, who have done the weight loss program asked about my progress. I showed them the most current in progress photo, and they were shocked, and enjoyed seeing my transformation. I got the biggest high five and praise, that I have ever received, from another health coach at the meeting. One of the people that saw my in progress photo, asked the amount of weight I have lost on the program, I told her, and she said "even with your cheat days?!" I corrected her, and informed her that I don't cheat. I explained to her, that I did the math, and one minute of cheating on the program, quickly adds up to an excruciating 75 dollar fine for your wallet. I can't afford that, so I stick to the guidelines that are in place.
After the meeting, there was still tons of food left over. I was busily chatting business talk with some coworkers, when I heard "Tiana, would you like cake?" I looked over at her, and responded: "Seriously? Why did you even ask?!" She and I both cracked up, and she said "Oops, sorry!" I then showed her my in progress photo, and she said I am doing amazing, to keep it up, and said "none of this crap for you!"
I think its because of the philosophy that I have adopted, it makes it easier for me to say no to things that I used to eat in a heart beat. I don't want to have a relationship with things that will make me fat!
It's so nice to have family, friends, bosses, coworkers, etc. That back me up on my decision to become healthy.
P.S. This semester, I had to write a paper on the Perceptions and Sensations of obesity, and I got an A!
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Monday, April 28, 2014
(Almost) Happy Bunny!
Here is a cyber wave to all my blog stalker readers! *WAVE* I am so very glad and happy you have supported me throughout my journey thus far.
I have alluded to a health challenge multiple times on this thing before, and I recently sent some of you, who had previously expressed interest, an invite to the slim down to summer challenge, and all of you have accepted. After reading the fine print about how much the buy in is, and how the money will then be distributed to the winners, I have chosen not to continue with the proceedings of being a team leader for this challenge. The risk is just too large of a gamble for me, at this point in my life. I will provide the details on how the money is balanced out in a private manner, if requested.
I want to publish a huge thank you, to each of you who were going to be on my team for this challenge. If you would like to learn healthy habits of health, and join the weight loss program that Dean, and I, found miracles in and together, have lost over 100 pounds, I will be more than ecstatic to coach you through an amazing transformation, and it does not require gambling your money away.
If you would like to join the challenge anyway, I will be more than happy to give you directions on how to join, and I will definitely cheer you on from the sidelines!
Also, it only seems only appropriate to issue a huge heart felt thank you, who have continued, and will continue to cheer me on as I continue to close in on my goal weight. Your comments, cheers, and unprecedented support and love, has not gone unnoticed, unappreciated or unwelcomed. Thank you to everyone who has been on the sidelines cheering me on, on my transformation to a healthier, happier life! There are no words to express how grateful I am for all of you. Due to privacy reasons, I have chosen not to name names, but you all know who you are. From the people stopping me in the halls, and on the streets saying I look amazing, to the people who blog stalk me, and issue comments of love, pride, and support, you know who you are, and I appreciate each of you! These comments from you, have assisted in propelling me forward, when I want to give up, or cheat on the diet. You all, are also assisting me in my journey to health. Much love, respect, and appreciation coming to each of you!
I want to publish a huge thank you, to each of you who were going to be on my team for this challenge. If you would like to learn healthy habits of health, and join the weight loss program that Dean, and I, found miracles in and together, have lost over 100 pounds, I will be more than ecstatic to coach you through an amazing transformation, and it does not require gambling your money away.
If you would like to join the challenge anyway, I will be more than happy to give you directions on how to join, and I will definitely cheer you on from the sidelines!
Also, it only seems only appropriate to issue a huge heart felt thank you, who have continued, and will continue to cheer me on as I continue to close in on my goal weight. Your comments, cheers, and unprecedented support and love, has not gone unnoticed, unappreciated or unwelcomed. Thank you to everyone who has been on the sidelines cheering me on, on my transformation to a healthier, happier life! There are no words to express how grateful I am for all of you. Due to privacy reasons, I have chosen not to name names, but you all know who you are. From the people stopping me in the halls, and on the streets saying I look amazing, to the people who blog stalk me, and issue comments of love, pride, and support, you know who you are, and I appreciate each of you! These comments from you, have assisted in propelling me forward, when I want to give up, or cheat on the diet. You all, are also assisting me in my journey to health. Much love, respect, and appreciation coming to each of you!
I really don't feel like blogging much today, as I am nothing short of exhausted, but since I don't have a health coach to call and help keep me accountable, the job of this blog is to do just that.... I weighed in at 182 pounds today.... I am now 3 pounds away from sliding into the "unhealthy" category, and you of the obese category. Here is a progressive side by side photo, to assist in proving my case!
I wish I would of hit 179 today, but I am pretty sure I got kicked out of fat burn on Friday, because my stress levels were so high, a fire engine's ladder wouldn't of been able to reach them, and I was also incredibly busy making sure Lucky was getting well, sometimes making sure my Lucky girl will make it through her rough patches, is more important than a drop in dress sizes. I am also very happy to start swimming again!
For the record, I have never, ever been able to fit into the shirt on the right hand side. We bought it many years ago, just because it was on clearance, and was a happy bunny, in fact the tags are still on it. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to fit into it yesterday!
I wish I would of hit 179 today, but I am pretty sure I got kicked out of fat burn on Friday, because my stress levels were so high, a fire engine's ladder wouldn't of been able to reach them, and I was also incredibly busy making sure Lucky was getting well, sometimes making sure my Lucky girl will make it through her rough patches, is more important than a drop in dress sizes. I am also very happy to start swimming again!
For the record, I have never, ever been able to fit into the shirt on the right hand side. We bought it many years ago, just because it was on clearance, and was a happy bunny, in fact the tags are still on it. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to fit into it yesterday!
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Circle of Life
Today, (blog started on 4/22/14) has been nothing short of incredible. The day started out as any other. Dean packed my lunch in the busy flurry of getting ready for the day. I (thought) I had my monthly meeting at work tonight, so I had made my lean and green meal in the morning, and packed it safely away to eat while I was at school, thinking I wouldn't be home until late.
Due to car drama, I was stuck at school all day. Right before Dean arrived to rescue me from being stranded, "E" (the person who introduced me) to the program, stopped me in the hallway, and said that I look amazing, he has been silently watching me stick strictly to the plan over the last month or so, while he has fallen off the bandwagon titled "HEALTH HERE WE COME!" We then talked about what caused us to get fat, he specifically asked me what my vice was before starting the program. I have no idea what my specific vice was per say, but I think it was a combination of unhealthy living styles. He also said that because he has been silently watching me march forward, (I say silently because I did not tell him when I went back on plan) and seeing me shrink, and look more and more awesome, I have now become his inspiration. What a circle this has become, he was my inspiration to start the program, and now I am his.
The day marched on, we fetched the truck out of the sick car hospital, and then I showed up to my monthly meeting (which I was an entire week early for) but it was nice because I needed to have a business related chat with some people anyway. After the chit chat, someone who I have known for almost 2 years now looked at me and said "Tiana, I've noticed that you have lost a lot of weight!" My reply: "Yes, I have! And you didn't notice last month?!" While laughing. She laughed and said, I did notice, but I just didn't want to say anything. She then asked if I was done, or if I was going to lose more. I told her I have approximately 30 more pounds to go. She replied "look at you go!" I then asked her if she wanted to see my "Before" and my "In "Progress" photo. (which I also showed "E" earlier in the day) Her face lit up like a Christmas tree, and she enthusiastically replied: "Yes!!! Do you have one?" So I pulled out my digital personal assistant, also known as my cell phone, and showed her. She was ecstatic for me.... she then passed around to everyone that was standing there. They all cheered me on. I had previously emailed them a 'hey, when I hit a goal in a personal transformation I am doing, I'm going to Disneyland for a week" email.... today I informed them, that yes, that is a weight loss journey. Their response was: "Okay. Let us know when, and we'll cover you!" By the way, when your friend's and family are losing weight, you are SUPPOSED to take notice, and tell them that you notice, it does us a tremendous amount of cheering us on! These comments like to fly at us, in our darkest moments in our transformations and we NEED things to keep going!
I thought, how blessed am I to have found a weight loss program that works miracles, and I work for people who are rooting for me, and will continue to work for me, when I hit the finish line.
The number one excuse I get from everyone that is interested in the program, is they can't afford it. Honestly, neither can we. I have no idea how we are able to afford it, we pay our tithing, and we have money for it. But, I have decided that this program is a lot cheaper than this.....
On the Left: My Mom's memorial book from her funeral, along with my favorite photo of her. On the top right: A casket courtesy of google images, and the bottom right, a photo of the kids that were now left without a mother, taken shortly after we buried her. Paying a few hundred dollars for a weight loss program, seems minute in the grand scheme of things. Everyone knows that obesity leads to an early death. It is possible that if my mom had a weight loss program like I did, she could have been there for all the milestones in my life, like high school graduation, marriage, and to be there for me amongst our infertility battle. I don't know about you, but I think if I had kids, I would want to do everything in my power, to ensure that I don't die from complications of obesity and leave my
child(ren) to mettle through life alone. What would their life look like without you in it because you die of a heart attack at 32? Conversely, what would there life look like if you lose just 10 pounds and found energy you didn't know existed, and could chase them around the house, the park, or Disneyland, instead of you sitting on the sidelines watching them grow up, building memories with them, instead of building memories of each other.
Due to car drama, I was stuck at school all day. Right before Dean arrived to rescue me from being stranded, "E" (the person who introduced me) to the program, stopped me in the hallway, and said that I look amazing, he has been silently watching me stick strictly to the plan over the last month or so, while he has fallen off the bandwagon titled "HEALTH HERE WE COME!" We then talked about what caused us to get fat, he specifically asked me what my vice was before starting the program. I have no idea what my specific vice was per say, but I think it was a combination of unhealthy living styles. He also said that because he has been silently watching me march forward, (I say silently because I did not tell him when I went back on plan) and seeing me shrink, and look more and more awesome, I have now become his inspiration. What a circle this has become, he was my inspiration to start the program, and now I am his.
The day marched on, we fetched the truck out of the sick car hospital, and then I showed up to my monthly meeting (which I was an entire week early for) but it was nice because I needed to have a business related chat with some people anyway. After the chit chat, someone who I have known for almost 2 years now looked at me and said "Tiana, I've noticed that you have lost a lot of weight!" My reply: "Yes, I have! And you didn't notice last month?!" While laughing. She laughed and said, I did notice, but I just didn't want to say anything. She then asked if I was done, or if I was going to lose more. I told her I have approximately 30 more pounds to go. She replied "look at you go!" I then asked her if she wanted to see my "Before" and my "In "Progress" photo. (which I also showed "E" earlier in the day) Her face lit up like a Christmas tree, and she enthusiastically replied: "Yes!!! Do you have one?" So I pulled out my digital personal assistant, also known as my cell phone, and showed her. She was ecstatic for me.... she then passed around to everyone that was standing there. They all cheered me on. I had previously emailed them a 'hey, when I hit a goal in a personal transformation I am doing, I'm going to Disneyland for a week" email.... today I informed them, that yes, that is a weight loss journey. Their response was: "Okay. Let us know when, and we'll cover you!" By the way, when your friend's and family are losing weight, you are SUPPOSED to take notice, and tell them that you notice, it does us a tremendous amount of cheering us on! These comments like to fly at us, in our darkest moments in our transformations and we NEED things to keep going!
I thought, how blessed am I to have found a weight loss program that works miracles, and I work for people who are rooting for me, and will continue to work for me, when I hit the finish line.
The number one excuse I get from everyone that is interested in the program, is they can't afford it. Honestly, neither can we. I have no idea how we are able to afford it, we pay our tithing, and we have money for it. But, I have decided that this program is a lot cheaper than this.....
On the Left: My Mom's memorial book from her funeral, along with my favorite photo of her. On the top right: A casket courtesy of google images, and the bottom right, a photo of the kids that were now left without a mother, taken shortly after we buried her. Paying a few hundred dollars for a weight loss program, seems minute in the grand scheme of things. Everyone knows that obesity leads to an early death. It is possible that if my mom had a weight loss program like I did, she could have been there for all the milestones in my life, like high school graduation, marriage, and to be there for me amongst our infertility battle. I don't know about you, but I think if I had kids, I would want to do everything in my power, to ensure that I don't die from complications of obesity and leave my
child(ren) to mettle through life alone. What would their life look like without you in it because you die of a heart attack at 32? Conversely, what would there life look like if you lose just 10 pounds and found energy you didn't know existed, and could chase them around the house, the park, or Disneyland, instead of you sitting on the sidelines watching them grow up, building memories with them, instead of building memories of each other.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Shakin' It UP!
Well, first of all, I am going to shake things up a bit: Here is a "selfie" of me at the department store, merely just trying on new clothes. I chose not to purchase any thing as of yet. My current clothes still fit, at least reasonably well, and I just don't want to spend money now when I know I will be down another size or two in a few weeks. I don't think selfies should be on the internet, but this was a huge non-scale victory for me last week, and it deserves a spot in my journey. I also kidnapped Dean into going to Kohls with me on Saturday night, and I tried on the same size there, and was able to fit into those as well, so everyone can rest assured knowing that it just wasn't because it was the same brand as I currently sport. I thought fitting into this size could of been a fluke.
Your job is to guess what size I was able to fit into.... Both shirt and pants. Here is the photo:
As for the exercising thing, it has been determined that the chlorine is NOT what caused my hand to turn red, which is fantastic news. The problem is that we still have no idea what the culprit of the madness is. It turned bright red on days that I didn't go swimming, and just so you know the pool that I utilize is indeed an indoor pool, so I am protected from sun damage. This does mean that I can resume my swimming rituals, as of next week!
I am still eating on plan. Dean is back to eating his "normal people food." For him this translates in to things that nobody should be eating, namely boxed crap. In most countries this items are outlawed. He is addicted to the box crap, but he read the nutritional facts on it, and came to the conclusion that it really isn't very good for you. So.... he attempted to make his version of Rice a Roni... I thought I would be brilliant and purposely make it so that he wouldn't care for the taste of it. I dumped a ton of random SPICY spices and jalapeno's in it he caught me right before I was going sabotage his meal by dumping pumpkin spice in it.... well, my plan back fired when he announced he liked it! GRRR!!!
Here is some updated information about the challenge: sign ups for coaches is supposed to begin today. Although, due to some technical difficulties which I full expected, will begin tomorrow, for health coaches. Players can sign up under the coaches the following week. It's a $20 buy in. It begins May 5. you earn points for writing on the wall daily, logging food and excerise, inviting friends (they don't have to join, you just have to invite, and there is a limit of 14 points for this) listening to support calls and watching webinars. How to win: lose 6% of your body weight, OR maintain your current weight. AND collect 80 % of the points, The pot of money will then be split evenly with all the winners, throughout all of the teams. You can invite your friends/family members/ church people, any one you want to join our team. I will be creating a facebook event in the following minutes to get this event rolling. I will be honest, they are advertising this challenge as a way to increase each coach's clientele list, it will be fantastic if my team members become my clients as well, but I am not going to be a salesmen, but my pocketbook will sure give a smiley face if this occurs.
Okay. So some of the blog stalker have specifically requested a side by side photo, I was finally able to create one, this one is taken several weeks ago, as I did not purchase the new sizes I fit in, nor do I think a photo in a dressing room should appear as a before or after photo.
Okay, I know some of you are dying to get to the weight loss announcement for this week. I had hoped to be under 185 this week, even though I know I should not be setting short term goals, I still had a glimmer of hope in me that just wouldn't leave. Today, I weighed in at 184! That means, I reached my hope! It really doesn't seem that long ago when I would weigh in at 245. What an incredible journey I have been on! I have been met with criticism of people asking me why I haven't been losing as much per week compared to when I started this journey. The answer to this is two fold: The program's typical results is 1-2 pounds per week, so I am right on target. Also, the company does produce flavor infusers that are calorie burners, that contains tea, and caffeine. Caffeine, they say, increases your metabolism. However, I can't stand the taste of tea, I did in fact try one when my health coach mailed us some samples, and I had no idea it contained tea, and I immediately spat it out, and secondly, it has caffeine, a drug that is addictive, and can lead to heart problems, both problems I have very little desire to shake hands with. So, the slow turtle (me) will get to a healthy wait, sooner or later without the assistance of drugs.
Okay, and correct answer for the little game of "Guess T's Current Size is".... Size 14 pants, and a SMALL (men's) shirt! For the record, I wore size 14, in high school!
Your job is to guess what size I was able to fit into.... Both shirt and pants. Here is the photo:
As for the exercising thing, it has been determined that the chlorine is NOT what caused my hand to turn red, which is fantastic news. The problem is that we still have no idea what the culprit of the madness is. It turned bright red on days that I didn't go swimming, and just so you know the pool that I utilize is indeed an indoor pool, so I am protected from sun damage. This does mean that I can resume my swimming rituals, as of next week!
I am still eating on plan. Dean is back to eating his "normal people food." For him this translates in to things that nobody should be eating, namely boxed crap. In most countries this items are outlawed. He is addicted to the box crap, but he read the nutritional facts on it, and came to the conclusion that it really isn't very good for you. So.... he attempted to make his version of Rice a Roni... I thought I would be brilliant and purposely make it so that he wouldn't care for the taste of it. I dumped a ton of random SPICY spices and jalapeno's in it he caught me right before I was going sabotage his meal by dumping pumpkin spice in it.... well, my plan back fired when he announced he liked it! GRRR!!!
Here is some updated information about the challenge: sign ups for coaches is supposed to begin today. Although, due to some technical difficulties which I full expected, will begin tomorrow, for health coaches. Players can sign up under the coaches the following week. It's a $20 buy in. It begins May 5. you earn points for writing on the wall daily, logging food and excerise, inviting friends (they don't have to join, you just have to invite, and there is a limit of 14 points for this) listening to support calls and watching webinars. How to win: lose 6% of your body weight, OR maintain your current weight. AND collect 80 % of the points, The pot of money will then be split evenly with all the winners, throughout all of the teams. You can invite your friends/family members/ church people, any one you want to join our team. I will be creating a facebook event in the following minutes to get this event rolling. I will be honest, they are advertising this challenge as a way to increase each coach's clientele list, it will be fantastic if my team members become my clients as well, but I am not going to be a salesmen, but my pocketbook will sure give a smiley face if this occurs.
Okay. So some of the blog stalker have specifically requested a side by side photo, I was finally able to create one, this one is taken several weeks ago, as I did not purchase the new sizes I fit in, nor do I think a photo in a dressing room should appear as a before or after photo.
Okay, I know some of you are dying to get to the weight loss announcement for this week. I had hoped to be under 185 this week, even though I know I should not be setting short term goals, I still had a glimmer of hope in me that just wouldn't leave. Today, I weighed in at 184! That means, I reached my hope! It really doesn't seem that long ago when I would weigh in at 245. What an incredible journey I have been on! I have been met with criticism of people asking me why I haven't been losing as much per week compared to when I started this journey. The answer to this is two fold: The program's typical results is 1-2 pounds per week, so I am right on target. Also, the company does produce flavor infusers that are calorie burners, that contains tea, and caffeine. Caffeine, they say, increases your metabolism. However, I can't stand the taste of tea, I did in fact try one when my health coach mailed us some samples, and I had no idea it contained tea, and I immediately spat it out, and secondly, it has caffeine, a drug that is addictive, and can lead to heart problems, both problems I have very little desire to shake hands with. So, the slow turtle (me) will get to a healthy wait, sooner or later without the assistance of drugs.
Okay, and correct answer for the little game of "Guess T's Current Size is".... Size 14 pants, and a SMALL (men's) shirt! For the record, I wore size 14, in high school!
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Crash and Burn
Well, as you all know exercise is good for you. It is good if you want to lose or maintain weight. It is also good for the body and the soul. My preferred method of exercise, other then walking my little doggie throughout the neighborhood is swimming. And the reason for this, its low impact on my joints, and I don't believe it will cause me to gain a lot of "weight" back in muscle.
As you also know, I am a burn survivor. I was told I needed to wait a year until I got into a pool.
Tuesday marked the one year mark, and you bet I went swimming! My hands didn't hurt at all. I didn't need to stop half way in the midst of doing a lap for a breather like in the olden days. I was able to complete some laps (just going one direction) in under 25 seconds. But before that, I decided to take two flights of stairs up, and didn't have one single problem, this used to be an impossible task. I truly felt like I was on the top of the world. While I was swimming, I thought a lot about overcoming things. I have overcome a lot of stuff including, but not limited to being burned, school troubles, and being obese!
Then I thought how cool it is that other people come along and help us out of whatever corner we have found ourselves in. Programs and people are there, ready to lend a helping hand when we need it.
Well, I swam for about 20 minutes (you have a maximum exercise limit of 45 minutes per day on this program, and let's face it, my dog NEEDS to have her walks) and everything was fine. My burn sites didn't have a problem. I decided to go swimming the very next day, at the same time. Only to find out that my burn sites would turn BRIGHT red. I tried washing the chlorine off, multiple times, only to find out that my hands (where I sustained 2nd degree burns) would turn bright red. It didn't exactly hurt, but just seeing my hands be red again, similar to when I got burned, hurt (mentally). I don't know if I should be in the chlorinated waters. I had previously asked my primary care doc, and he said it should be fine. I almost want to check in with my burn doctor and see what this turning red business is all about, but really don't want to have to pay him hundreds of dollars to tell me that its no more than agitation or something. My primary care physician is free to see, and I have given that considerate thought of asking him if there is some sort of fancy cream I should use to avoid the redness.
I went to bed, well, crying. I wanted so much to be able to swim without any incidents. I wanted to swim so that I might lose what is still allowing me to stay in fatso land faster. I woke up this morning, and my skin was back to "normal" on the burn site. So I have decided to swimming only every other day, and see what happens with my color-magic arms.
In other news: that 6 week slim down challenge that I alluded to previously, will be taking sign ups as of Monday. I will post or email those that have said there interested in it, directions to join, and how you will be able to win the money, on Monday. I thought the website that is going to be handling everything was going to be launched today, but I found out that I got my days mixed up, and it's really on Monday.
In other fantastic news: I have a very favorite client! "M" has only been on the program for one week, and is quickly shrinking! I couldn't be more proud of her! Her drive, determination, and results are
unprecedented. I am so happy for her and feel lucky to finally have a GOOD "real" client! I won't brag about how much weight she as so far ditched, cause that is her place, but she is definitely rocking this program!
Also, some of you who are only blog stalkers have requested side by side photos.... I will post that on Monday, when I have a new weight to report!
As you also know, I am a burn survivor. I was told I needed to wait a year until I got into a pool.
Tuesday marked the one year mark, and you bet I went swimming! My hands didn't hurt at all. I didn't need to stop half way in the midst of doing a lap for a breather like in the olden days. I was able to complete some laps (just going one direction) in under 25 seconds. But before that, I decided to take two flights of stairs up, and didn't have one single problem, this used to be an impossible task. I truly felt like I was on the top of the world. While I was swimming, I thought a lot about overcoming things. I have overcome a lot of stuff including, but not limited to being burned, school troubles, and being obese!
Then I thought how cool it is that other people come along and help us out of whatever corner we have found ourselves in. Programs and people are there, ready to lend a helping hand when we need it.
Well, I swam for about 20 minutes (you have a maximum exercise limit of 45 minutes per day on this program, and let's face it, my dog NEEDS to have her walks) and everything was fine. My burn sites didn't have a problem. I decided to go swimming the very next day, at the same time. Only to find out that my burn sites would turn BRIGHT red. I tried washing the chlorine off, multiple times, only to find out that my hands (where I sustained 2nd degree burns) would turn bright red. It didn't exactly hurt, but just seeing my hands be red again, similar to when I got burned, hurt (mentally). I don't know if I should be in the chlorinated waters. I had previously asked my primary care doc, and he said it should be fine. I almost want to check in with my burn doctor and see what this turning red business is all about, but really don't want to have to pay him hundreds of dollars to tell me that its no more than agitation or something. My primary care physician is free to see, and I have given that considerate thought of asking him if there is some sort of fancy cream I should use to avoid the redness.
I went to bed, well, crying. I wanted so much to be able to swim without any incidents. I wanted to swim so that I might lose what is still allowing me to stay in fatso land faster. I woke up this morning, and my skin was back to "normal" on the burn site. So I have decided to swimming only every other day, and see what happens with my color-magic arms.
In other news: that 6 week slim down challenge that I alluded to previously, will be taking sign ups as of Monday. I will post or email those that have said there interested in it, directions to join, and how you will be able to win the money, on Monday. I thought the website that is going to be handling everything was going to be launched today, but I found out that I got my days mixed up, and it's really on Monday.
In other fantastic news: I have a very favorite client! "M" has only been on the program for one week, and is quickly shrinking! I couldn't be more proud of her! Her drive, determination, and results are
unprecedented. I am so happy for her and feel lucky to finally have a GOOD "real" client! I won't brag about how much weight she as so far ditched, cause that is her place, but she is definitely rocking this program!
Also, some of you who are only blog stalkers have requested side by side photos.... I will post that on Monday, when I have a new weight to report!
Monday, April 14, 2014
One Week Round Up!
Apparently, friends and family, and perfect strangers know just what to say when I am having a rough patch, and want to give up.
The company I am a health coach for, is launching a new 6 weeks to summer slim down competition, with monetary rewards at the end. I thought I would follow directions that were presented on our secret facebook group and see how much interest I would get from my friends and family, before I decided to start up a team..... So I began following directions.
I posted my "before" and "in progress" photo on facebook.... it's supposed to be an after photo, but there will be no "after" photos.... I am doing this program for the rest of my life.... Hence the reason it's called Take Shape for Life.... it doesn't say, "take shape for your summer body," or anything of the like. I suppose the after pictures are after you lose all the weight you wanted to..... but since I am not there yet, an "in progress" photo is as close as it gets.
Well, people have been offering up plenty of positive, supportive comments. It's been awesome, welcomed, and needed when I have gotten discouraged. Well on Thursday (4/10/14) the institute director stopped me and asked me if I was still doing the program (He, like a like of people, did the program, and found success as well) and stated that it looked like I too, was having success. I told him I had hit my 55 pound mark (from my highest.... I did lose a few pounds before I started the program).... he went around the institute, boasting about me. He went to Brother S. and bragged about the success I have had so far.... then Brother S. stopped me, and I showed him the "before and "in progress" photos, he said it was astonishing (his wife or daughter, is also a health coach for the same program) he then took me aside and said that I would be greatly blessed for becoming healthy. I would be able to live a healthier, happier, enriched, more blessed life. Somehow he knew just what I needed to hear, to find more encouragement.
Also, at the institute, some one has been mean... someone keeps making fresh, homemade bread. This becomes free food for us "poor starving college students" I'm often asked how I can withstand the peer pressure of free, yummy food, or if I feel deprived. The answer is: I look at the unhealthy food items as if it's a green, ugly monster, coming to kidnap my health away. And the answer to if I feel deprived of food: the answer is no. I'm not depriving myself of anything, instead, I am releasing myself from being unhealthy. I am eating food that is the very best for me, at this stage in my life.
I do have a funny thing to brag about: I went to a local craft fair this weekend, they had plenty of food venders as well.... I became the crazy lady who read every single nutritional fact label on the display bottles before sampling anything.... I only found one item that was no carb, no sugar, low calories, so I decided to try that one. You can imagine my shock and feelings of defeat when it was handed to me, on a tortilla chip. I ate this sample, but it was not good in the least.... then Dean went back to the shower on Sunday, and Dean continued to tell me that small samples weren't going to throw me out of fat burn more, so I did try a few items, some were terrific, especially root beer popcorn! I left feeling very, very, fat, and full. But I am excited to get right back on plan!
Also, we need to issue a public service announcement with a title called "SHUT UP, IT AIN'T NONE OF YOUR EVER LOVING FREAKING BUSINESS!!! Since I have been losing weight, annoying, asinine people who think they are God have come out of the wood works... There have been a rash of people who have issued us statements such as "now that you're skinny, you will get pregnant." "I know you'll get pregnant now, just watch" And a host of other asinine, rude "I'm God now, I know everything, you'll get pregnant when I say so" comments..... to those of you have done this, and continue to do this.... SHUT THE HECK UP!!!! I am not doing this program to "get pregnant" I am doing it to GET HEALTHY!!! This program DOES NOT cause someone to get pregnant. Only intimacy does. It is listed that it MAY increase fertility, but that is NO GUARANTEE!!! I have never been tested for answers regarding fertility, my husband was, and we were issued with private answers regarding our struggle. Here's the deal.... if you don't stop with the asinine comments, we will no longer entertain your thoughts or words, by no longer speaking to you. You will be rejected from our lives for a significant period of time. Your comments have done nothing but provide substantial harm, opening incredibly sore wounds that were once healed. We demand to be treated with love, dignity and respect, regarding our situation with our most hellish struggle, called infertility. If you can't show us the upward most love, dignity, respect, and support, we don't want anything to do with you, please go back to being a 4 year old sunbeam and learn what the love of Christ is, and how to project that, before you talk to another human, ever again. You are doing nothing but causing extreme pain to rise from the ashes again. If we do get pregnant on the program, that's great! If not, that is just fine as well. You all have two choices: accept our struggles as ours and leave us alone regarding our "required six babies" that you think we should have by now, or pay for us to have fertility treatments, so that you may "fix" us... (although I have given it substantial thought to set up a gofundme fundraiser for every pound I lose that will go for treatments, but have not entertained that thought very far. )
I know some of you that have issued these statements are just plain psychotic, some of you are "Utah Mormons" and demand that everyone else lives as you want them to. And some of you are just ignorant, and the only way to cure ignorance is my issuing information. So, I have issued you information regarding pregnancy talk and suggestions, to cure you from your ignorance. Please learn to understand that pregnancy "intuition" and suggestions from you people (and that's multiple) does nothing but cause intense harm. I have tried, for months and months to be nice to you people, I can't take it anymore. I need to watch out for my own mental health, as well as my husband's, and by issuing your statements, you cause nothing but mental health to escape from us. A group which I am a part of, amazing women who are all childless Mormons are going to be featured in an upcoming LDS Living article, I strongly encourage each and every one of you to read that article a hundred times, until you "get it". It will be on what NOT to say to us, who struggle every day to just breathe and live "normal lives." Ignorance isn't bliss, it's hurtful. Educate yourselves on what NOT to say, including insinuating that weight loss is the magic pill to getting pregnant. Also, did you know that if you weigh too little, for your build, it can adversely effect fertility just the same as obesity can?! I know and I understand that, I guess that's why I was smart enough to go through my transition with doctors. Here is the deal, I have wasted a lot of tears, energy, and money trying to fix our infertility. I have put a lot of money towards investing in my transition of being healthier, and consequently happier. I deserve to be happy. I deserve to be left alone regarding the hell of our infertility. I deserve to not have to deal with baby predictions, they are harmful, and I am sick and tired of being harmed by the people this is directed at, who are our family and friends who are supposed to love and support us regardless of what we have, or don't have. You may think that these comments are offering support, but I guarantee that all these pregnancy comments and "intuition" do not provide joy or support in the fact that I have found a truly miraculous weight loss program, instead they continue to focus on what we don't have, which does nothing more for us then insinuating that we STILL are not good enough. We, on the other hand think we are pretty strong, courageous, awesome people, and its unfortunate that you refuse to see past the scarlet letters, that you have placed upon us. We are not going to apologize for issuing our statements, as we have done nothing wrong other then fall prey to obesity, and fall prey to a disease called infertility that we have no control over, and we are not going to apologize for the behavior and actions of the ones who are the perpetrators of this.
Most of you have remained supportive and have stayed clear of the pregnancy talk, and we are still so very grateful for you. We need the love , respect, dignity and support, as we break away from a disease that can destroy our lives.
Now we will move on to my weight loss check in for this week.... The scale clocked me in at a large lump sum of 187.2. I will admit I wish I was skinnier then this, but I will take a two pound weight loss over nothing! Also, I have decided, that setting short term goals for myself, is probably not the best idea, because if it does not happen, I am faced with bitter disappointment. So, I will just take what I can get! Tomorrow will mark my one year burn anniversary, and I will then be cleared to go swimming! I am hoping that this cardio exercise will aid in more significant weekly weight loss.
I decided to take a look at the BMI chart that is put out by the program (not any of the internet ones) and, I am just eight pounds of escaping from the "Obese" category, and sliding safely into the "unhealthy" category!
The company I am a health coach for, is launching a new 6 weeks to summer slim down competition, with monetary rewards at the end. I thought I would follow directions that were presented on our secret facebook group and see how much interest I would get from my friends and family, before I decided to start up a team..... So I began following directions.
I posted my "before" and "in progress" photo on facebook.... it's supposed to be an after photo, but there will be no "after" photos.... I am doing this program for the rest of my life.... Hence the reason it's called Take Shape for Life.... it doesn't say, "take shape for your summer body," or anything of the like. I suppose the after pictures are after you lose all the weight you wanted to..... but since I am not there yet, an "in progress" photo is as close as it gets.
Well, people have been offering up plenty of positive, supportive comments. It's been awesome, welcomed, and needed when I have gotten discouraged. Well on Thursday (4/10/14) the institute director stopped me and asked me if I was still doing the program (He, like a like of people, did the program, and found success as well) and stated that it looked like I too, was having success. I told him I had hit my 55 pound mark (from my highest.... I did lose a few pounds before I started the program).... he went around the institute, boasting about me. He went to Brother S. and bragged about the success I have had so far.... then Brother S. stopped me, and I showed him the "before and "in progress" photos, he said it was astonishing (his wife or daughter, is also a health coach for the same program) he then took me aside and said that I would be greatly blessed for becoming healthy. I would be able to live a healthier, happier, enriched, more blessed life. Somehow he knew just what I needed to hear, to find more encouragement.
Also, at the institute, some one has been mean... someone keeps making fresh, homemade bread. This becomes free food for us "poor starving college students" I'm often asked how I can withstand the peer pressure of free, yummy food, or if I feel deprived. The answer is: I look at the unhealthy food items as if it's a green, ugly monster, coming to kidnap my health away. And the answer to if I feel deprived of food: the answer is no. I'm not depriving myself of anything, instead, I am releasing myself from being unhealthy. I am eating food that is the very best for me, at this stage in my life.
I do have a funny thing to brag about: I went to a local craft fair this weekend, they had plenty of food venders as well.... I became the crazy lady who read every single nutritional fact label on the display bottles before sampling anything.... I only found one item that was no carb, no sugar, low calories, so I decided to try that one. You can imagine my shock and feelings of defeat when it was handed to me, on a tortilla chip. I ate this sample, but it was not good in the least.... then Dean went back to the shower on Sunday, and Dean continued to tell me that small samples weren't going to throw me out of fat burn more, so I did try a few items, some were terrific, especially root beer popcorn! I left feeling very, very, fat, and full. But I am excited to get right back on plan!
Also, we need to issue a public service announcement with a title called "SHUT UP, IT AIN'T NONE OF YOUR EVER LOVING FREAKING BUSINESS!!! Since I have been losing weight, annoying, asinine people who think they are God have come out of the wood works... There have been a rash of people who have issued us statements such as "now that you're skinny, you will get pregnant." "I know you'll get pregnant now, just watch" And a host of other asinine, rude "I'm God now, I know everything, you'll get pregnant when I say so" comments..... to those of you have done this, and continue to do this.... SHUT THE HECK UP!!!! I am not doing this program to "get pregnant" I am doing it to GET HEALTHY!!! This program DOES NOT cause someone to get pregnant. Only intimacy does. It is listed that it MAY increase fertility, but that is NO GUARANTEE!!! I have never been tested for answers regarding fertility, my husband was, and we were issued with private answers regarding our struggle. Here's the deal.... if you don't stop with the asinine comments, we will no longer entertain your thoughts or words, by no longer speaking to you. You will be rejected from our lives for a significant period of time. Your comments have done nothing but provide substantial harm, opening incredibly sore wounds that were once healed. We demand to be treated with love, dignity and respect, regarding our situation with our most hellish struggle, called infertility. If you can't show us the upward most love, dignity, respect, and support, we don't want anything to do with you, please go back to being a 4 year old sunbeam and learn what the love of Christ is, and how to project that, before you talk to another human, ever again. You are doing nothing but causing extreme pain to rise from the ashes again. If we do get pregnant on the program, that's great! If not, that is just fine as well. You all have two choices: accept our struggles as ours and leave us alone regarding our "required six babies" that you think we should have by now, or pay for us to have fertility treatments, so that you may "fix" us... (although I have given it substantial thought to set up a gofundme fundraiser for every pound I lose that will go for treatments, but have not entertained that thought very far. )
I know some of you that have issued these statements are just plain psychotic, some of you are "Utah Mormons" and demand that everyone else lives as you want them to. And some of you are just ignorant, and the only way to cure ignorance is my issuing information. So, I have issued you information regarding pregnancy talk and suggestions, to cure you from your ignorance. Please learn to understand that pregnancy "intuition" and suggestions from you people (and that's multiple) does nothing but cause intense harm. I have tried, for months and months to be nice to you people, I can't take it anymore. I need to watch out for my own mental health, as well as my husband's, and by issuing your statements, you cause nothing but mental health to escape from us. A group which I am a part of, amazing women who are all childless Mormons are going to be featured in an upcoming LDS Living article, I strongly encourage each and every one of you to read that article a hundred times, until you "get it". It will be on what NOT to say to us, who struggle every day to just breathe and live "normal lives." Ignorance isn't bliss, it's hurtful. Educate yourselves on what NOT to say, including insinuating that weight loss is the magic pill to getting pregnant. Also, did you know that if you weigh too little, for your build, it can adversely effect fertility just the same as obesity can?! I know and I understand that, I guess that's why I was smart enough to go through my transition with doctors. Here is the deal, I have wasted a lot of tears, energy, and money trying to fix our infertility. I have put a lot of money towards investing in my transition of being healthier, and consequently happier. I deserve to be happy. I deserve to be left alone regarding the hell of our infertility. I deserve to not have to deal with baby predictions, they are harmful, and I am sick and tired of being harmed by the people this is directed at, who are our family and friends who are supposed to love and support us regardless of what we have, or don't have. You may think that these comments are offering support, but I guarantee that all these pregnancy comments and "intuition" do not provide joy or support in the fact that I have found a truly miraculous weight loss program, instead they continue to focus on what we don't have, which does nothing more for us then insinuating that we STILL are not good enough. We, on the other hand think we are pretty strong, courageous, awesome people, and its unfortunate that you refuse to see past the scarlet letters, that you have placed upon us. We are not going to apologize for issuing our statements, as we have done nothing wrong other then fall prey to obesity, and fall prey to a disease called infertility that we have no control over, and we are not going to apologize for the behavior and actions of the ones who are the perpetrators of this.
Most of you have remained supportive and have stayed clear of the pregnancy talk, and we are still so very grateful for you. We need the love , respect, dignity and support, as we break away from a disease that can destroy our lives.
Now we will move on to my weight loss check in for this week.... The scale clocked me in at a large lump sum of 187.2. I will admit I wish I was skinnier then this, but I will take a two pound weight loss over nothing! Also, I have decided, that setting short term goals for myself, is probably not the best idea, because if it does not happen, I am faced with bitter disappointment. So, I will just take what I can get! Tomorrow will mark my one year burn anniversary, and I will then be cleared to go swimming! I am hoping that this cardio exercise will aid in more significant weekly weight loss.
I decided to take a look at the BMI chart that is put out by the program (not any of the internet ones) and, I am just eight pounds of escaping from the "Obese" category, and sliding safely into the "unhealthy" category!
Monday, April 7, 2014
Down
It's Monday, so it's my weigh in day. I am greatly dissatisfied and disappointed at the results.
But sometimes it's other things that signify the weight that is lost, whether it be the clothes you wear or the number of inches lost on your body.
I know I didn't eat as much as I should have last week, I had some nuisance of a stomach bug which made me want to throw up everything I ate, and at the pure sight of food.
Saturday night we went to the LINQ (a new shopping outside mall area) here in Las Vegas, where they had Sprinkles Cupcakes, and Ghirardelli, and a host of other restaurants. We went into both Sprinkles Cupcakes, and Ghirardelli, and I won the battle for the night, I did not purchase anything.
That is what's nice about the program. You come to know what your body needs and wants. I decided that I didn't need the fatty, sugary, addictive foods. I have walked completely away from all of that.
Last week was Dean's birthday. My sister called last night to ask what kind of cake he had. I told her that cakes are outlawed in Nevada. She responded by saying, "well, then he can have a cupcake!" I then convinced her that a cupcake is a cake, and those aren't allowed either. LOL!
I was able to purchase new shirts on Saturday. I present you with the results.
Here is a "before" picture and an "in progress" photo.
But sometimes it's other things that signify the weight that is lost, whether it be the clothes you wear or the number of inches lost on your body.
I know I didn't eat as much as I should have last week, I had some nuisance of a stomach bug which made me want to throw up everything I ate, and at the pure sight of food.
Saturday night we went to the LINQ (a new shopping outside mall area) here in Las Vegas, where they had Sprinkles Cupcakes, and Ghirardelli, and a host of other restaurants. We went into both Sprinkles Cupcakes, and Ghirardelli, and I won the battle for the night, I did not purchase anything.
That is what's nice about the program. You come to know what your body needs and wants. I decided that I didn't need the fatty, sugary, addictive foods. I have walked completely away from all of that.
Last week was Dean's birthday. My sister called last night to ask what kind of cake he had. I told her that cakes are outlawed in Nevada. She responded by saying, "well, then he can have a cupcake!" I then convinced her that a cupcake is a cake, and those aren't allowed either. LOL!
I was able to purchase new shirts on Saturday. I present you with the results.
Here is a "before" picture and an "in progress" photo.
I am wearing a pair of loose size 16 pants, and a MEDIUM shirt.
Last night, I emailed my dad these photos, and he said he was really proud of me, he and his wife said that I lost a whole human! It was nice to hear him say he was proud of me. He has never, ever, mumbled those words. I asked him if he would watch the dog while we go to Disneyland to celebrate my weight loss. And they said they would. So half of the pet sitting problems are solved!
Today, when it was time for me to "make" my lunch, I looked at my variety of choices, and I thought, I don't want to eat any of this. Nothing looks good. I want this to be over. Then I thought about my first real client. She should be starting tomorrow. I thought I can't ask her to do something that I'm not willing to do. So, of course, I'm holding on for one more day! There are roller coasters high and low, but I'll be better off in the long run.
As for the exercise component of my program: the only exercise I have gotten is walking the dog twice a day. I'm now ready to advance that. I can't wait to get back in the pool and swim. However, I was told that I should wait one year after my burn date (April 15) before swimming again. I found out that UNLV has a free aquatic zumba class. I'll be exercising, but not swimming, perhaps that's a good compromise? However, when that day hits, I'm going swimming! I know that the traditional exercising on ground is really bad for your knees, so I really want to exercise in the water!
I weighed in at 189 today.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
What is this, a joke?
This week has been riddled with pure amusement.
It was Dean's birthday on Tuesday, but he wanted his birthday dinner on Monday. On Monday we went to the market to get my weekly vegetables, and the makings for his chuckwagon casserole. The recipe calls for crescent rolls. He thought that if we got the reduced fat ones, that it would be better for him in the long run. We stopped to compare and contrast the nutritional facts on both the regular canister of crescent rolls, and the reduced fat one. We found out, that there was absolutely no difference. But as we were walking away from these in the store we heard a loud "BOOM!" We turned around and discovered that one of these cans busted open in the market. I made the cynical comment "It has too much fat, it couldn't stay in it's clothes anymore!"
Then over the last couple of days, one of the secretaries has continually asked me to make a Book of Mormon, out of food art. Either fruits and vegetables, or M&M's... the candy is much, much easier to do. But it's impossible to make any food art without snacking on some.
Also, one of my psychology teachers bribed us. She said that if we could find anything positive regarding common core curriculum, she would offer us an undetermined surprise. I was hoping it was 20% extra credit or something fantastic... You can imagine my dismay when she presented me with a bag of M&M's, and 1% extra credit. It took a long time to find positive things regarding common core, and I know that it will also take a long time for the weight of M&M's to come off..... and no, as for the record, I have not consumed them. Dean, however, very willingly offered to take them off my hands. I told him I was going to put them in our tiny fridge in our office and eat them once I am in the maintenance phase of the program. Did you know that there are 250 calories in a bag of those things! That's a lot!
Also today, when I got dressed for school, I came out of the bedroom, only to be informed by Dean that the shirt I was wearing, was "hideous." A shirt that used to fit me well, has now become a parachute.
Also, this week, I have found, that for whatever reason, the universe is against me getting my lean and green meals completely in. Most of the protein that I have attempted to eat, has caused me to feel violently ill, so I have not consumed much "lean" of the lean and green meals. I don't know whats going on. Most of the foods, I have always liked in the past. I tried a new sauce last night, and I think I might be allergic to an ingredient in it. I immediately felt an overwhelming fear to spuke my insides out, and my tongue broke out in a ton of tiny white dots. I don't know what's wrong with me. I think it might be my bile reflux disease reminding me that it's here to stay, or stress, who knows. As I have been getting quite nauseous in between feeding times too.
It was Dean's birthday on Tuesday, but he wanted his birthday dinner on Monday. On Monday we went to the market to get my weekly vegetables, and the makings for his chuckwagon casserole. The recipe calls for crescent rolls. He thought that if we got the reduced fat ones, that it would be better for him in the long run. We stopped to compare and contrast the nutritional facts on both the regular canister of crescent rolls, and the reduced fat one. We found out, that there was absolutely no difference. But as we were walking away from these in the store we heard a loud "BOOM!" We turned around and discovered that one of these cans busted open in the market. I made the cynical comment "It has too much fat, it couldn't stay in it's clothes anymore!"
Then over the last couple of days, one of the secretaries has continually asked me to make a Book of Mormon, out of food art. Either fruits and vegetables, or M&M's... the candy is much, much easier to do. But it's impossible to make any food art without snacking on some.
Also, one of my psychology teachers bribed us. She said that if we could find anything positive regarding common core curriculum, she would offer us an undetermined surprise. I was hoping it was 20% extra credit or something fantastic... You can imagine my dismay when she presented me with a bag of M&M's, and 1% extra credit. It took a long time to find positive things regarding common core, and I know that it will also take a long time for the weight of M&M's to come off..... and no, as for the record, I have not consumed them. Dean, however, very willingly offered to take them off my hands. I told him I was going to put them in our tiny fridge in our office and eat them once I am in the maintenance phase of the program. Did you know that there are 250 calories in a bag of those things! That's a lot!
Also today, when I got dressed for school, I came out of the bedroom, only to be informed by Dean that the shirt I was wearing, was "hideous." A shirt that used to fit me well, has now become a parachute.
Also, this week, I have found, that for whatever reason, the universe is against me getting my lean and green meals completely in. Most of the protein that I have attempted to eat, has caused me to feel violently ill, so I have not consumed much "lean" of the lean and green meals. I don't know whats going on. Most of the foods, I have always liked in the past. I tried a new sauce last night, and I think I might be allergic to an ingredient in it. I immediately felt an overwhelming fear to spuke my insides out, and my tongue broke out in a ton of tiny white dots. I don't know what's wrong with me. I think it might be my bile reflux disease reminding me that it's here to stay, or stress, who knows. As I have been getting quite nauseous in between feeding times too.
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