Shrinking Judy: 3 Month Celebration

This past Friday, January 20th, I celebrated three full calendar months on my healthier lifestyle and 35 pounds lost! I had to really push for that last pound, but I did it! How did I celebrate? Well, I shared my good news with friends and family early in the day via Email and phone. Then, I headed for the walking track to keep on keepin’ on, because as happy as I am about my success to date I have to remember that I still have a long way to go. It takes consistent hard work during workouts and self-control with what I choose to eat.

I’m now walking 1.25 to 1.75 miles every day that the dreary winter weather cooperates. I am pushing the distance to build my endurance for the 2.5 mile walk for Children’s Cancer Research on February 18th.

Last week I added Richard Simmons’ “Tonin’ To The Oldies” workout every other day. I shifted some furniture around and made room in my apartment. This is a great DVD because it combines some cardio with strengthening for both upper and lower body. I haven’t been able to complete the entire workout from start to finish yet, but I’m improving each time.

Walking and the DVD are my two main workouts, but it’s not all I’m doing. I have access to an exercise bike, so I ride for 20 minutes or so a few times per week. In the evenings I do some “traditional” exercises at home, especially for any muscle groups that didn’t receive a workout of some sort earlier in the day. Every other day I use my free weights for upper body muscles.

Increasing my workouts has paid off. This morning I got a really big surprise on the scale: not one, but two pounds lighter! It’s a great way to begin the new week.

Weight lost so far: 37 lbs
Onward and downward!

Peaches

I was in my kitchen the other night preparing my evening salad. It was near 60 degrees outside, so I had some windows open including the window on my back door. I heard swooshing footsteps in the grass, peeked out and watched a lady of about 75 pass back and forth several times demanding that her dog come to her “right now!” She sounded more frantic with each attempt to corral the dog, but she was having no luck. I returned to my cutting board with a grin on my face, but seconds later the lady knocked on my door.

“Could you please come out here and help me get my dog?” I’m late for church, and she won’t come to me.”

I don’t remember ever seeing the lady before. She was dressed in a traditional church suit complete with a shiny gold pin of some sort on her lapel, and her hair was perfectly shaped and sprayed stiff from her probable once a week visit to the salon. The expression on her face said she was at her wit’s end. I stepped out into the yard.

“What’s her name?”

“Peaches. I wouldn’t bother you, but my neighbor said you’re good with dogs and cats.” (Apparently, my reputation precedes me!)

Peaches, a short-haired, medium-sized mutt who stands about knee high, was smiling and running as fast as she could in giant figure eights around her owner. She’d get within a foot of her, run 30 or 40 feet away and take another lap. I would have laughed, but I think the lady would have burst into tears. She futilely called Peaches one last time, but the look on her face said it all: HELP!!!

I pasted a big smile on my face, bent over, snapped my fingers repeatedly and began embarrassing, but usually effective, baby talk aimed at Peaches. She came to me, wiggled dramatically and ran off. I intensified the baby talk to the next level and patted my thighs several times, coaxing her to come. On the next lap after hitting mach speed she slid to a stop at my fee, wiggling and smirking, rolled onto her back and begged for a belly rub. She got one. Then, I grabbed her firmly with both hands and handed her to a most gracious owner who immediately disappeared around the corner of the building.

I hope I see Peaches again. She’s cool.

Shrinking Judy: At 12 Weeks

Switching to walking the track for my main aerobic exercise was a good move for me. I don’t have the space to dance to DVDs. When I first started moving at all back in October doing a little dance to music was fine. I lasted only 5 minutes the first day and built up to 45 minutes over several weeks, but I still wasn’t getting a good aerobic workout.

I began with walking several blocks on January 1st, but as I walked I remembered from long ago that, generally, I prefer the track to wandering around town. I was a bit leery of using the track because I didn’t want to flounder in front of more fit walkers. On January 4th I got up the nerve to take my fat body to the walking track in town and started with one mile. Yesterday, I completed 1.5 miles! I haven’t briskly walked or run that far since I was in basic training when I was 18yo, and I’ve got to tell you that IT FEELS GREAT!

Physical training during basic training usually started three minutes after waking abruptly to the sound of reveille. So, for a couple of days, inspired by my memories, I attempted to do the same thing now with one exception: I had to take the extra time to feed my cats or face the consequences. One does not want to anger or intentionally disrupt my Kelli’s routine! Anyway, this didn’t work well for me. I found that, without breakfast and coffee first, I didn’t have the energy needed. Also, my older body needs time to wake up and needs more stretching before I’m ready to move. So be it!

On February 18th, I will participate in a 2.5 Mile Walk for Children’s Cancer with my good friend, Nancy. The actual event will be held in Houston, TX, so I’m registered as a “virtual walker” and will be doing my walk here where I reside in MS. I’ll have a link on my Website soon for donations that will all go to cancer research. I’m excited about increasing my walking distance weekly in preparation. I’ll keep you updated!

Weight lost so far: 32 lbs
Onward and downward!

Shrinking Judy: At 11 Weeks

Today marks a full 11 weeks on my healthy program of both diet and exercise. I’ve lost 31 pounds, and the benefits and changes to my body and disposition are incredible. I’m wearing jeans that are two sizes smaller. I can zip up my jacket that previously I couldn’t even close all the way around me. The swelling in my ankles and feet is minimal now. Previously, I couldn’t even get my sneakers on let alone tie them. My blood pressure is normal. This list of benefits and changes is long. The bottom line is, I’ve shrunk and am healthier. Oh, and the change to my disposition? I’m happy! I’m suffering fewer headaches and migraines and feel better, I know I look better, and everything I do is easier!

Getting started on an exercise program was slow going. The first couple of weeks, though I was excited and motivated, my big body just could not keep up with my good intentions. My first aerobics workout lasted only five minutes. I gradually increased and now can do an hour of dance aerobics. My program includes stretching, toning and aerobics, and I try to exercise seven days per week with a varied structure. I work with free weights on my arms and upper body and am beginning to visually notice a difference. I’ve felt a difference for weeks. I began walking short distances with my walker and/or cane. Yesterday, I completed a mile without either one.

I was laughing yesterday as I commented to a friend about the contents of my refrigerator. “It looks like a model lives here!” Lettuce, cherry tomatoes, celery, carrots, peppers, yogurt, cheese, lean deli meat, skim milk, apples, strawberries and other healthy foods have replaced all the junk that I used to buy. I bought ZERO fast food in the month of December. I bought very little processed food. I drink nothing but water (at least 64oz. daily) except for my morning coffee and a cup of tea in the evening. I only eat meat a couple of times per week, choosing to fulfill my protein requirements in alternate ways. All of these changes should contribute to healthier cholesterol values the next time I’m tested.

It seems some of my friends have a conflicting opinions about treats and whether or not I should allow myself to have a small piece of cake or an occasional Coke. One said, “You can’t deprive yourself.” Another said, “Feed you cravings, so you don’t binge.” Well, for me, I don’t feel deprived by cutting ALL of these treats out completely. I know that my body is being fed the healthy, nutritious food it needs, and that is the purpose of eating. By cutting out the junk food, grease and processed foods I have lost the taste for these items. I’ve actually acquired new cravings for healthier items instead. I am a food addict! In my opinion, if I have a piece of cake, say, to celebrate my 31 pounds lost, that would be the same as giving an alcoholic a beer for remaining sober for three months.

Will I ever eat cake and drink a Coke or have a burrito? Sure! Someday, when I’ve reached my goal weight I might indulge once in a while. But, for now, I choose not to put anything into my mouth that is not necessary to fill my daily nutritional needs.

Weight lost so far: 31 lbs
Onward and downward!