Friday weigh in - major milestone edition!



ONEDERLAND!!!!!!!

I'm not sure I could be any happier about anything at the moment. I knew today was going to be the day. I went out at 7am, ran a 5k, came back threw all my clothes on the floor and jumped on the scale. It said 199.2 then I realized I was still holding my phone so once I put that down, a solid 199. I have not been this weight in at least 8 years.

Here are the stats:
Jan 14 - Start of liquid diet - 250
Jan 29 - Surgery weight - 237 -13
Feb 8 - 231 -6
Feb 15 - 222 -9
Feb 22 - 220  -2
Mar 1 - 218  -2
Mar 8 - 216  -2
Mar 15 - 213 -3
Mar 22 - 209 -4
Mar 28 - 208 -1
Apr 5 - 206 -2
Apr 12 - 199 -7

51 pounds total!  That's an overweight suitcase on Delta.

As you can see, amazing loss this week! My trainer is out of town so I did lots of yoga, lots of running and a spin class. I'm a little worried I burned some muscle which would account for the crazy weight loss this week. It also confuses me because I'm trying to find a perfect balance between weightlifting, cardio and yoga. Am I lifting too much? It seems to slow my weight loss but isn't it better for me in the long run? It's so hard to know!

What I do know is that I'm going to celebrate my success today - mani pedi, lunch with Crys, dinner with my best friends in the world. Lots of love :)

I can't believe how far I've come in 10 weeks. My life has completely changed already and there's still 74 pounds to go. I'm just going to continue to enjoy the journey!

Monday Mix Tape

Weekend wrap up
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Another beautiful weekend gone by in a flash! It was packed full of exercise, friends and fun. Did you know that fun can be had without enormous amounts of food and alcohol? I didn't! :)

I started off the weekend off with "Bikram power hour". The traditional class is 90 minutes but the hour one is perfect for a Friday afternoon. I'm so glad I went because I had a huge breakthrough.
This is Dhanurasana or "floor bow". I have always been able to get my right foot but not my left. My instructor would often hand me my other foot or I would just do it on one side. On Friday, I reached back and there it was. I grabbed both feet and did my pose - with a few tears of joy! (Just to be sure it wasn't a fluke, I did it at home the next day!) That my friends is why we are doing this. It's so much more meaningful to me than anything the scale says!

Saturday I took the day off exercise to get the patio and deck ready for the first dinner party of Spring.

new cushions for the furniture
I grilled steaks for everyone even though I'm not eating steak yet.
Lucy would have really liked one.
Late night fire pit. I surround myself with gorgeous women :)
Sunday was even more beautiful so I got up and did this
I have NEVER had such a great run. It wasn't a personal best time or anything - it was so nice out that I had to stop and talk to all the neighbors on the way out which slowed it down but I didn't care. I felt so strong. I conquered all the small hills I would never have even attempted before. I only walked the 2 biggest ones and I couldn't be more proud of that. The little blip of red on the route is a shoe tying stop!

What are you eating?
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I can honestly say I had so much fun all weekend without overindulging at all! I tried Sushi on friday and loved it. I had 3 pieces of tuna and salmon sashimi and one piece of nigiri (eel with rice).  I ate a teaspoon of the rice just to try but I can see how it would expand in the stomach and might get uncomfortable. 4 pieces of sushi. I used to get about 15? Our bill was so cheap it was laughable :)

I tried one of those one bite cupcakes from Trader Joes. I should have had half because the whole was way too sweet. Lesson learned. Really don't need sweets at all!

Sunday we had to attend a cookout and it was your typical cookout with burgers, hot dogs and potato salad. At first when I saw all the food I was nervous. Part of me would have loved to eat a big burger and a hot dog but those days are gone. I had a half of a burger without a bun and a tsp. of potato salad and a bite of the birthday cake. Plenty of food and plenty of fun without overdoing anything. There's such a freedom in that.

The week ahead
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My trainer is out of town all week and I'm fending for myself. I'm totally dependent on her to get my weightlifting in so this will be a challenge! There will be yoga, spin, body pump and running involved and she would probably want me to add planks, burpees and jump rope. It's hard to kick my own ass but I'm going to try!

Have a happy, healthy week everyone!

Friday weigh in

Happy Friday! It's going to be a perfect weekend here in the ATL and I'm looking forward to getting outside and catching up on some running! I spent most of the week with my trainer and a few intense yoga sessions so it's nice to think about being outdoors with just myself and my music.

I was pleasantly surprised when I sat down to write because I thought it was only one pound this week when actually it was 2. Hooray!!

Jan 14 - Start of liquid diet - 250
Jan 29 - Surgery weight - 237 -13
Feb 8 - 231 -6
Feb 15 - 222 -9
Feb 22 - 220  -2
Mar 1 - 218  -2
Mar 8 - 216  -2
Mar 15 - 213 -3
Mar 22 - 209 -4
Mar 28 - 208 -1
Apr 5 - 206 -2

44 pounds total!  

My goal is to be 199 or less on my visit to the surgeon April 26th. It's going to be close but I'm going to give it all I've got!!

Monday Mix Tape

Weekend Wrap Up
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I made it through Easter without touching a single piece of candy! What is it about Easter candy that's extra appealing? I think it's because as kids in my family, we had to give up candy for Lent then we would gorge on it on Easter Sunday. It was always such a treat but combine that with parents who smoked (this was the 70's and they didn't know any better yet!) and it was a long and nauseating trip home from Grandma's!

Saturday was a gorgeous day and my sister and I had plans to attend a yoga event at the W Hotel. Our favorite instructor was teaching a 75 minute class and then we got drinks and snacks at the hotel bar. There was about 150 people and it was one of the best classes I've ever done.
The gorgeous view
The other gorgeous view :)
This is my instructor Astrid. I know I never stop talking about her but she has totally changed my life!
Sunday was my day off after 8 days in a row of workouts so we decided on a late brunch. This was my Easter treat- fresh grapefruit juice, tequila and Grand Marnier! It was absolutely necessary as I was headed home to get my taxes together for the accountant.


I love being self employed until tax time. It wasn't too bad - I was pretty organized this year!

What are you eating?
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People keep asking this so I'm going to make it a regular topic! I still eat a protein shake for breakfast and today I tried a new strawberry version with frozen strawberries and greek yogurt. Not sure if my nutritionist will be okay with me continuing to do a meal replacement but I'm just not really a breakfast person - the shake seems to be a good solution.

Seafood is still my favorite - I eat a lot of tuna, salmon, crabcakes, etc. I still eat a lot of chicken and just tried a little filet mignon over the weekend. It was delicious but it filled me up really fast. Maybe too fast. I ate about an ounce and a half.

I feel completely normal when I eat out which was unexpected. I thought servers would question me ordering so little and not finishing it but that's not really not the case. Sometimes I get mussels and can eat about 10 then give the rest to the table. Brunch was a simple scramble of eggs, chicken sausage and avocado with a side of black beans. I ate half and gave the biscuit to my husband.  

Yesterdays mid-day cocktail caused an afternoon battle with carbs. It scared me a little to have cravings since I haven't really had any but that's the price I paid for the drink! I ended up eating a Kashi blueberry waffle and it did the trick.  Rice cakes are the closest we get to carbs in our house - except for the waffles which are a new purchase. I hope this was an isolated incident and the waffles don't become a problem - otherwise they will have to go!

Off and running!
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Thursday was my first run since Thanksgiving. Being the person that I am, I couldn't just ease back in so I set out to do a 5k to see how much work I had ahead of me. It was exhilarating to run again. It was a million times easier since losing the weight and inches of a toddler. I even ran up hills I would have never attempted in the past. I ended up only a minute short of my personal best 5k which is 49:55. I felt awesome - my quads not so much! I had to skip weight training on Friday and go to yoga instead - even that was iffy! Tomorrow we will do it all again. Since my surgeon doesn't want me overdoing it on the cardio, I'm REALLY going to try to keep it slow, easy and fun!

Have a happy, healthy week everyone!!



Friday weigh in - 2 month update!

Two months since surgery already! Things have changed so much that it makes me even more excited for what's to come! Even though it was a slow week, I feel like the stalls are when I lose the most inches and my skin shrinks up a little.  I don't mind them as much now!

Getting right to the stats:
Jan 14 - Start of liquid diet - 250
Jan 29 - Surgery weight - 237 -13
Feb 8 - 231 -6
Feb 15 - 222 -9
Feb 22 - 220  -2
Mar 1 - 218  -2
Mar 8 - 216  -2
Mar 15 - 213 -3
Mar 22 - 209 -4
Mar 28 - 208 -1
42 pounds total! 
 
Starting BMI = 48
One month post surgery BMI = 42.6!! - 5.4
Two month post surgery BMI= 40.6 -2.0

Though the weight loss has slowed from the first month, the inches are still coming off! I'm wearing Old Navy petite 16's (down from a 20-22)
Waist: - 3. 75"
Chest: - 1"
Hips: - .75"
Thighs:  R - 1.5"
Arms: - . 75"
Calves: - .5"
- 8.25" for this month
19.25 total inches since surgery!

Now for the progress pictures. I was determined to wear the same clothes each time but there's no way I'm ever wearing that crappy Old Navy tank ever again now that I've discovered the joy that is a $50 tank top from Athleta. I wore it to yoga and it was life changing. The fabric is so soft and it wicked away all the sweat - exactly like they say!  
I'm starting to like what I see! I can put my arms down at my side for one thing and I'm starting to see the tops of my shoulders. Judging from my shoulder width, I'm actually quite small under there. This is going to be interesting!


Happy weekend everyone - and happy Easter!

Monday Mix Tape

Weekend Wrap-Up
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Like most of the nation, we had crappy weather all weekend which always makes me stir crazy. Luckily we had a few events to go to and it ended up being really fun. Thursday night we went to a film festival and Friday I went to see one of my favorite singer/songwriters at a great little venue. I live in such a cool city with so much to do and I finally feel like going out and taking advantage of it. I feel good in my clothes. I don't dread having to park far away and walk. I don't feel like I take up more than one seat in a small bar. I love it!

Saturday I did not work out for the first time in 8 days. There were streets closed for a race and it was pouring rain and there was no way I was going to make it to Bikram and stay sane. I knew that decision left me only one option 75 minute hot Vinyasa - by far the hardest class. I had to set my alarm on a Sunday but I did it and it was awesome. I even had energy left to plan all our meals for the week which helps so much.

59,999 + 1
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I, along with 59,999 other lucky lottery enterers, rushed to my inbox this morning to find that got into the Peachtree again! For those that don't know, the Peachtree Road Race is the worlds largest (and hottest, and hilly-est, and crowded-est) 10K. Last year was tough. I'm not gonna lie. I trained plenty but my start time was 9:30 and it was HOT-lanta hot. This year I will move up a bit - from X to T. If I run it even faster this year I can start even earlier next year. Eventually I will be behind the Kenyans with my neighbor. Ha! Not with my short legs :)

So I guess it's time I add a little running back in the mix and get ready for another hot summer running down Peachtree. I'm so excited to see what a difference my weight loss will make in this years race. I can't even imagine!

Have a happy, healthy week everyone!

Friday Weigh In

It's going to be a short post today because I've been working on a mega-project all week. Even though I've been so busy I still managed to get in every single workout.


Okay so now for the stats:
Jan 14 - Start of liquid diet - 250
Jan 29 - Surgery weight - 237 -13
Feb 8 - 231 -6
Feb 15 - 222 -9
Feb 22 - 220  -2
Mar 1 - 218  -2
Mar 8 - 216  -2
Mar 15 - 213 -3
Mar 22 - 209 -4
41 pounds total!   

I'm thrilled with my loss this week! Every day is like a new day lately and I couldn't be happier.

Next Friday is my 2 month update with progress pics so stay tuned! In the meantime, I leave you with the first picture of me that I like since my wedding! Happy weekend!




Stranger Here or "Nobody puts Baby in a corner"

I'm blogging today because there have been a few unexpected things that have popped up in my post-surgery journey that I wanted to share. I'm guess I'm feeling very open to learning lessons right now. Some are a gentle, sweet nudges. Others are baptism by fire.

Last night in yoga I got one of those gentle, sweet nudges. My instructor sat down on my mat and said "now I don't want you to freak out or get scared or never want to come back... (I was wide-eyed wondering what on earth could be coming next)...but you don't belong in the back corner. I want you to think about moving up - at least one row." I must have rattled off 5 excuses in a row (it's too crowded, I can't quite do all the poses, blah blah blah) then she told me to just think about it. I did think about it and realized that I had just made a bunch of excuses and y'all know how much I hate excuse makers :) So I moved up a row. And it wasn't so bad. Someone new can have the back corner now. I guess I'm done hiding out back there.

Moving on to what is just the beginning of many months of constant shopping. You would think that would be fun right? When I walk into a clothing store, I immediately gravitate to the plus size section - which is as horrible, sparse and sequined as it always is. At this point, I don't even come close to being able to wear anything in it so why do I look? Is it to see if clothes in that section became cool the second I couldn't wear them anymore?!? I have no idea. Comfort and routine I guess. Then I start to circle the normal people racks. Always starting at XL and working my way down. I feel like a fraud. Sometimes I wonder if I'm starting to look like I belong in this section? I'm not really a self-conscious person by nature but somehow all these tiny clothes in the 'normal part of the store' render me defenseless. Things I try on fit - and even look good! It's convincing myself to try is the hard part.

My head really needs to catch up with my body - that's going to be a wild ride!


Monday mix tape

Weekend Wrap Up
-----------------------------------
This weekend was one of those "this is why I live in Atlanta" weekends. Spring is in full swing and it was close to 80 degrees!

Saturday I went to my extended Bikram yoga class. It's only 15 minutes longer than my normal one but that is a loooooonnnng 15 minutes. Towards the end of the floor series, I had one leg out to side and was draped over it with my hands clasped to the bottom of my foot in traditional Bikram style. My instructor (you all know how much I love her!) sat down next to me and said "how are you? is it so much easier now?" I showed her my interlaced fingers on the bottom of my foot and she knew as well as I did that was a first for me!!! It was so hot and I was reduced to a happy puddle on the floor by the end. The rest of day I was kind of in a haze and finally went to bed at 9:30. On a Saturday!

Sunday was St. Patricks day and the whole neighborhood was outside! My husband and I planned a 5 mile walk with stops at our 2 favorite pubs. It was a great day and a great workout. I managed half a beer and half a bloody mary over the course of about 4 hours. I haven't really found anything I like that "sits well" post surgery. I'm actually really glad about that - I don't miss it at all and I certainly don't need it so we will keep it to a minimum!

Which brings me to today. Monday. I knew it was going to be today so I stepped on the scale and got my wish. I hit the 40 pound mark. One day shy of my 8 week surgiversary.

Judging a book by it's cover
-----------------------------------
 I love how even at 43 years old I still learn lessons. Sure, I learn stuff about my job and about yoga and whatnot but life lessons are always a surprise at this age.

Last Saturday I was settling into "my spot" at yoga. It was getting more and more crowded and suddenly here comes little miss perfect body laying her mat out right in front of me. I got a little agitated but I did give her a point for staggering her mat so I could still see even though she was only an inch away. I don't do well with crowds and closeness especially when it's 105 degrees and you are sucking up my life-giving oxygen.

She turned around and asked me if this was a crowded class and I mentioned something about the January people starting to fade out and she said she was a January person but she was hooked. Then we just started talking. And I freaking loved her!

I saw her again this weekend and she took the same spot in front of me but this time I was glad to see her. Bikram really isn't the most chatty environment so we didn't talk long but again, loved her!

Tiffany, if you ever read this, thank you for being so cute and perfect bodied and for making me realize how ridiculous I am.

My trainer and I were talking about it and agreed my judgement of other people is probably a defense mechanism for my insecurities over people judging me for my weight. Especially as the (formerly) largest person at yoga. Most people I've talked to about it have said they too struggle with it. Glad to know I'm not alone but I can promise you I'm going to work on that - hard!!

10k ahead?
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It's that time of year again. Time for the lottery of the worlds largest 10k. The Peachtree Road Race. The one that's up hill the whole way on the always blistering hot Atlanta 4th of July. I don't know what is wrong with me but I entered it again. By next Monday's mix tape, I will know if I'm one of the chosen 60,000. In a weird way I kinda hope so!

Friday Weigh In

Happy Friday!

Things were a little better in the weight loss department this week. I'm constantly changing things up to see what it is my new body really wants and needs to keep the weight loss going.

There were a couple days this week where I felt like I was hungry all day. Not sure if it's in my head or if it's real hunger. I just drank my water and had all my usual food - basically just ignored it. Even though I know there's no way I could eat anywhere near what I used to, it still a little scary to be faced with hunger again. Real or not.

Anyway, here are the stats for the week:

Jan 14 - Start of liquid diet - 250
Jan 29 - Surgery weight - 237 -13
Feb 8 - 231 -6
Feb 15 - 222 -9
Feb 22 - 220  -2
Mar 1 - 218  -2
Mar 8 - 216  -2
Mar 15 - 213 -3
37 pounds total!  

I'm well on my way to the 40 pound mark! I'd love to hit onderland by the time I see the surgeon again at the end of April. It's a lofty goal but I'm going to try!

Today I will be shopping for regular size clothes. I'm thinking of easing myself in at Old Navy so I won't feel bad about donating it all again a month from now. Wish me luck because I have just a handful of things I can wear at the moment.

Have a great weekend everyone!