LESSONS FROM THE CRUISE and FAMILY SUPPORT

The cruise was great. The guests and the speakers were wonderful. I'm not so crazy about the Bahamas -- overcast, cold water, very little free access to the beach, no steel drums, etc. But our days at sea with the conferences were awesome! Words cannot express how enouraging and enlightening they are. I couldn't pick a favorite because each person brought something different to the table.

So ... came back from the cruise vowing to not let myself go on another cruise EVER again if I did not take control and lose weight. I've been sort of fluctuating with 15 pounds for over a year now. It is time to kick it over the hump and move on down the road. I am dedicating the rest of the year (until the NEXT cruise in 2011) to getting myself together. No weight "goal", but rather a "health" goal -- and the weight should follow!! lol (yeah... right... you KNOW I've got that perfect number in my head... lol..)

What has been really fun is that my sweet family has taken up the torch and we are all working on this together! My youngest son, on his own, lost over 30 pounds eating low carb and exercising 2x a day. He encouraged us all of us to join him. He is part of the "Pound for Pound" challenge through Biggest Loser, but I have to admit, I'm not exactly sure how that works.

We started out in mid March 2010 at a total weight of 1,234 pounds. We have a "secret" facebook group page and we post our recipes, menus, & challenges. As of today (4/19/10) we are at 1,157 pounds -- WE HAVE LOST A TOTAL OF 76.5 POUNDS! That is so cool. There is six of us -- my husband, my 2 sons, my daughter, my daughter-in-law, and of course, moi.

An interesting observation is that even when one of us doesn't lose one week, or even has a slight gain, the total weight keeps us motivated. It's the "team work" concept I suppose. It is almost as if we are working hard just in case we need to "be the pound" for someone else. lol.

Our goal is to lose 100 pounds by June. We will do it. And then, next cruise, I will be back in my "comfort" level weight wise.

The Biggest Loser is an inspiration!

*************************

Well, folks, I’m doing it. I am working out. Three days a week I go to a TEAM fitness class of 10 other women. We have a group trainer who takes us through various exercises. So far so good.

Then this week I decided to kick it up a notch. WHY? … because I have watched The Biggest Loser a few times. I have watched these people – all well over 200 pounds, and most over 300 pounds – work out like crazy. I have watched them cry and fall and sweat and give up and start over and be PUSHED beyond what I would do. Pushed. Pushed to lose 5 to 25 pounds a WEEK! A WEEK!!!!! I would like to be pushed like that.

So I am kicking it up a notch and getting inspired. I have added another day to my routine. Then in a couple of weeks, I will add another day, with my goal being to work out 5 days a week. We have been told that we need to allow time for our bodies to “rest” – do I see them doing that on the ranch? No. BUT what I do see is variety. They just keep being active. I get LOTS of rest on the weekends, and I actually sleep deeper at night. So I get rest -- but not like I USED to think I had to rest.

I was especially moved when Jillian helped a woman overcome her fear of water. Jillian pushed her to realize that it was all mental – as was my fear of working out at the gym. ALL MENTAL. If you get a chance, go to The Biggest Loser website and review some of the stories. They are very inspirational.

Looking back I would have to say that the WORST year of my "diet" life was when I got all caught up in a diet scam that took a toll on my health. “Kimkins” was NOT good, especially for my time of life. I was going through great metabolic changes in my body because of my age and the things that I did only speeded up the aging process – NOT helping it. I damaged a lot of my body systems and it has taken an enormous effort to pull back out of it. Just remember – Heidi Diaz lied about everything, including who she was.

Anyway, back to the point – It has to be done. Exercise must be included. BUT it is NOT NOT NOT about weight loss. In my opinion, exercise cannot be grouped with "diet". Diet (what you eat) is about fueling the machine. Exercise (activity) is about keeping the fluids flowing in the machine. Exercising does NOT fuel the machine. Diet does NOT "RUN" the engine. It’s like the difference between gasoline and oil – they both help the car, but one is the fuel and one is the lubricant. Lubricant and no fuel? The engine simply will not run. Fuel and no lubricant? The engine will freeze up. Your body needs the combination of both.

Realistically I am NOT looking at exercise to lose weight… BUT I am hoping that the activity will loosen these stiff joints, awaken the blood flow, and give me back some energy…. Oh, and help my metabolism be a better burning machine.

I avoided it for a very long time – I can’t do that anymore.

If not now, when?

Better, Better, Best -- 2010

Well, the thyroid meds are working.

Have I lost a bunch of weight? No

BUT... I just feel different now. I quit gaining, which is fantastic. It is a horrible feeling to be dieting and GAINING weight. That is one of the ways that I know the meds are working is because I have quit gaining.

Actually I have started losing again -- slowly, but losing feels much better.

I have changed doctors (because of insurance) and I had a little struggle trying to convince the new doctor that I was on a good routine and that it was working. He was very skeptical, but agreed to keep up the meds. I am supposed to go back in February for a follow-up. I think that he will be pleasantly surprised.

With the "physical obstacles" dealt with, it is time to move on to the next phase -- EXERCISE.

I probably hate exercising MORE than the average person. I never had brothers to compete with. I never was involved in any physical activity -- except baton twirling! :D I hated gym class with a passion - which prompted me to sign up to work in the office instead (this was allowed back then). Hate it hate it hate it. I even dislike watching it on TV.

So... at my age, the only ONLY thing that affects the metabolism as much as needed is EXERCISE. I like dancing - especially clog dancing, but I do not have the time to devote to it. I am already paying for a gym membership that I am not using (Isn't everyone? -- or at least ALMOST everyone?)

So last week I made a decision to bite the bullet and try to incorporate it into my life. It will be a necessary evil. It will be like a huge horse pill or hypodermic shot I have to take daily. It will be like smashing my face into a brick wall every day. ugh. It brings up every bit of fear & rebellion within me.

EXERCISE is everything I hate/abhor/fear -- competition, body image, and routine.

Gee... sounds like I'm ready, doesn't it?

I don't know how I am going to do it. I don't know how long I can choke down the fear and feeling of inferiority, age, body image, etc.. but I packed my gym back this morning.

It is in my car and ready for me to drive from work to the gym.

And I will be there with the millions who have made their resolutions. UGH -- I hate that! I do not like to be typical. It makes me want to rebel. hahaha I supposed I will have to look forward to plugging in my headphones, blocking out the rest of the world, and just do it...

for me.