An update

Well, the last weeks have been interesting. I haven't lost any weight, but haven't gained any either. I am eating way better than I had been though. I've taken lunch every day but one and I'm cooking more. I've really dropped my soda intake too.

My numbers from the blood tests are good. Blood sugar was 87 (should be under 100), triglicerides are 161, LDL Cholestrol was 100 ( should be under 99) and HDL Cholesterol was 40 (my dr. wants it between 40 - 59).  So, the new goal is to lower my LDL and hold everything else the same, since there is no way to really raise your HDL. So, now it is concentrating on a lower fat diet and definitely getting more exercise.

I did find the "exercise room" here at the condo complex. Right now it's kinda a closet with 2 bikes (one looks like it's from the 50's), a health rider, and a rowing machine (probably from the 50's too). But it's a start. I'm going to start with walking the laps in the parking garage under the building and go from there. As soon as the weather is nicer I'll be able to walk in the park.

At some point the scale will start moving down :)

As Week 2 Wraps Up

Ok, so this week didn't go as well as the first but I'm not giving up. I have great support from so many and I'm doing this for my health.

I am going to be doing the US Bank Fight For Air Climb --- which I need to start training for. I am drinking less soda, and eating smaller portions.

Monday is the blood tests. We'll see how serious I get after that. Definitely need to find the exercise room in the condo complex and start working out at least 2 more times a week!

Don't Take Your Health For Granted

So many things the last few days have reminded me why I started this challenge. The anticipation of the lab tests - and now the loss of my aunt. Carolann taught us all so many things, especially these last years. Patience, not to blame God or anyone else for the things you can't control, and how to value you health while you still have it!!

I don't want to ever look back and regret that I wasn't able to do something about my health now. I have as much control over the state of my health now as I ever will. To not do something about this now can impact not just me but so many other people I have in my life and even those whose path I haven't even crossed yet.

I am very proud of the small things I have accomplished this week to start my way to my goals. I took lunch every day this week. I've only had 2 sodas since Monday each day compared to 4 or more. I'm drinking more water and Kool Aid as an option and Monty & I have had several rather healthy meals the last few days. We're also going to play volleyball tonight!

I am also looking to March 20 and the US Bank Climb for the American Lung Association.

Each little step gets me to my goal - A Healthier Me in 2010 and beyond.
Keep up your hard work - each little step is a new victory!!

The Motivation Just Keeps Coming

Ok, so I guess I need to get hit over the head with things sometimes. I got the results back from a test from the doctor that I had the week before Christmas. Even though the main results came back normal there was a slight indicator to her that I may have pre-diabetes. So. . . I now have to go in a week and a half and have a fasting blood test to see if my blood sugar and lipid panel are still within normal limits. I had this done about a year and a half ago and everything was within the middle to lower normal limits. I'm taking this as a sign that now is the time to do this. I do not want to be diabetic. There is no way I want more medication or have to stick myself with needles. And if you know me - you know how I hate needles.

That being said - I have a great success for today. I only have 2 cans of soda all day, actually drinking the second one now. AND I drank 3 - 16 oz bottles of water!! Took my lunch to work and no snacks. I'm on my way.

I have a lot of great support and several friends and family members who are going to join me. One cousin has issued the challenge to join her on the US Bank 40 Flight climb in March. I took her up on it, just want to prove I can do it I guess. It'll be fun to . . . I'll have to remember to bring the inhaler.

I've come up with several ways to get exercise. I can actually walk laps in the underground garage where I live and even though my VCR/DVD broke I can use my laptop to so exercise videos. I just have to get up and get going!!

Now is the time! I've got to do this!!

My Biggest Loser Challenge to Friends and Family

For my Facebook friends - this is the note I posted tonight on Facebook!

After watching the Biggest Loser for the first time in years, I have been inspired. I want to challenge myself to get under the 200lb barrier this year. That means I have about 68-70lbs to lose this year. I am tired of plus size clothes, tired of 2X & 3x, tired of asthma & firbromyalgia. So . . . I am challenging myself and any of you who want to join me in losing weight and getting healthier this year.


I know it will be tough, I'll probably get crabby at times, cry and everything else but I want to do this. Dr Oz always has a couple or individual on his show each night where he looks at their health, weight, etc then looks at their chronological age vs their actual body age. I don't want to be someone that is 40 years old chronologically but 70 by actual body age.

I am going to go slow, it took me 40 years to weigh this much, it's gonna take time to lose it. I'm going to start small - cut down on the soda, excerise a bit more each week (yes, more than the weekly 2 hours of volleyball), and little things like that. I'm going to take my lunch each day to work, cook more at home, and do all those things to get healthy that all fat people know but have so much trouble doing.

What I'd like to do is start a support network for those of you who want to join me. A place where we can cheer each other on, tell about our wins, defeats, and losses. We can share what's working for us and hopefully things that can help all of us.

So, my question and challenge to you, my friends and family, is - who wants to join me? Who wants to make 2010 their healthiest year?!?!?

And yes, I'm going to have Monty take a pic of me (a before). If you choose to do it, we don't have to share. Not sure if I'm brave enough to do that, yet.
Let me know if you want to join me. I can get emails together and see what we can do to get some kind support system & network together.
Hope you can join me.