7 minutes and 98 lbs

I just ran a half mile.

Those of you who know me may be asking me why.

Simple....to celebrate 98 lbs and 7 minutes.

Travel back with me to Easter 2013 and keep reading - this is my life-changer.

Easter 2013 - My sister was here with her kids. I had a great time visiting but I was truly weary from listening to her weight loss story and if she said Take Shape for Life one more time, I was afraid I might hit her.

At nearly 300 lbs, I wanted to roll my eyes. My sister was already thin and I couldn't fathom why she'd want to lose weight. As she spoke, I wanted to slap her and tell her I would give my right leg to be her size.

I was frustrated and I didn't tell her but as the weekend wore on, I felt worse and worse about myself. It wasn't her fault but by Easter Sunday I'd be taking it out on her - mad, angry, irritated, and over-sensitive.

As if Tara wasn't bad enough, my mom had just started Take Shape for Life. When she arrived, the two of them were high on "TSFL" and I felt fat, out of shape, unattractive, stupid, and like I'd messed up my life. Dramatic? Yes, but that's how I felt.

I was miserable but I just wanted everyone to believe I was ok. More than anything I wanted myself to believe I was ok.

Of course, my weight issues didn't start a year ago. It was an accumulation of over 15 years of fast food or other poor eating choices, inactivity, and trying to convince myself I was ok.

I decided to give Take Shape for Life a chance. I figured I'd give it one month and that would get me "kick-started" and then I'd do my own thing.

My food arrived and I started the program one year ago today! 

It only took 3 days for me to realize how much better I could feel when I fueled my body with nutrients instead of crap. I had energy. I was sleeping better.

At a week, I stepped on the scale and was amazed with the progress.

At a month, I figured out a way to afford the second month.

At two months, the cost of the food felt like an investment in a healthier, happier Heather.

To say I feel amazing would be an understatement!

Today marks my one year anniversary of the program. I woke up this morning wondering what outfit I should wear for my one year comparison photo. What outfit would make me look the thinnest? Which one would make my readers say wow? Pictures are worth a thousand words and trust me....later this week when I post a photo, you'll probably say wow.

But today I celebrate something bigger than the way I look. . .today I celebrate the way I feel!

Energetic. Healthy. Confident. Able. Strong. Capable. In control. Beautiful. 

Crater Lake Today

So to celebrate, I decided to do something active.

It started with a trip to Crater Lake. A high elevation, a bit of hiking.








Something a year ago I wouldn't have considered. I would have come up with every excuse under the sun as to why I couldn't go.

And if I did decide to go, I would have packed some chips, chocolate, probably a soda or two for the drive. And when I returned, I would have rewarded myself with McDonalds.

Eat every 2.5 - 3 hours. Today's choices -
S'more Crunch, Peanut Butter Chewy Bar,
Honey Mustard Pretzel Sticks, and a big giant
bottle of water.

This time, I packed my five "meals" and plenty of water. I didn't miss the chips, the chocolate or the McDonalds. In fact, I was excited that my five meals were so convenient and easy to carry.

I traipsed around, enjoying the fact that I could breathe easier. Marveling at how my joints didn't ache. I didn't feel sluggish. I didn't feel like all the other "fit" people were looking at me.

A slimmer, happier, healthier me. 

I felt great - so thankful for the decisions I've made over the last year.



So when I returned home I decided I wasn't done. My dogs were driving me crazy, ready for a walk. So we headed out for a walk.

I walked a block, then two. And all of a sudden, I wanted to run. I can honestly say I've never had that feeling (that I can remember, maybe when I was a kid??). I decided to run to the next intersection. And then I ran a little longer.

And then I decided to see what I could do.

A half mile it turns out. Not bad for no training, right?

I ran. And as I ran, I filled with pride.

My dog ran with me today. 

I celebrated the dozens of donuts over the past year that I've said no to.
I celebrated all the times I didn't hit the drive through.
I celebrated all the french fries (my previous weakness) I didn't eat.

I celebrated a healthier life.
I celebrated a better me.

I celebrated 98 lbs lost.

Each step while I was running felt like victory.

Every step felt amazing. I could do it!

And when the .5 miles were done, I walked another 1.07 just because I could.

And when I finished, I celebrated again....this time I celebrated 7 minutes.

7 GLORIOUS MINUTES!

A year ago, my fastest pace for a mile was 19.57 minutes and that was if I pushed myself as fast as I possibly could. My legs ached. My shins hurt. My thighs were jello. My fingers were swollen. I pushed for that 19.57 minute mile.

Today I beat that by 7 minutes. I came in at 12.06 minutes per mile.

I don't even care that I ran at a turtle's pace.

I ran.

I celebrate. . .

7 beautiful minutes and 98 lbs! 

I'm so thankful a year ago I made the investment in me.

Emotional Eating Tips

It's been a rough couple of weeks emotionally for me. I won't go into all the particulars but just know that I've had the strongest desire to drown my sorrows in chocolate, cheese, calorie-laden coffees, and whiskey/coke.

It's been a great lesson for me however. With 87 lbs lost and a whole lot of willpower, I really thought I had my emotional eating habit under control....I've totally got this.

Confession: It's taken every tool and trick I can think of to stay on plan. It's not been easy.

Here's my tips:

Remind yourself why you started: Surround yourself with reminders of what you really want. I pulled out my structural tension chart, made a few copies, and keep them around me.

Journal: I write down everything I eat or drink plus post photos of sayings, outfits, or lifestyle events I want to accomplish.

Challenge: I ask myself, "Will I regret not eating this?" when I'm faced with temptation like chocolate, a piece of cake, or a donut.

Substitute: Make healthy comfort foods instead of fat and calorie laden ones. For example, I love potatoes and cheese and dips. Here's a few:

Cheddar Mashed Cauliflower

•             2 medium heads cauliflower, broken into florets

•             1/3 cup 2% milk

•             1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary

•             1/2 teaspoon salt

•             1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

In a Dutch oven, bring 1 in. of water to a boil. Add cauliflower; cover and cook for 5-10 minutes or until tender. Drain; return to pan. Mash cauliflower with the milk, rosemary and salt. Stir in cheese until melted.

Parsnip Fries

Be Shallow: It feels noble and "right" to use optimal health and a long life as motivators but sometimes, those just aren't what motivate me. Sometimes I just need to be "shallow" - sometimes it's a cute skirt, the thought of wearing a bikini, the desire to be sexy, or the ability to prove someone wrong that motivates me.

Forgive yourself: Sometimes, I just make the "wrong" decision and it's ok. If I eat a piece of chocolate, I just get over it and get back on plan right then instead of waiting for tomorrow or Monday.

And there you have it...the ways I've stayed on plan. What tips work for you?

Weekend Sabotage

Paula, Stacy, Me and Laurie pose in front of the
Salmon River sign

I woke up this morning with achy joints, a slight headache, a bit of bloating, and some regrets. This weekend marked my annual girls fishing trip. We drive 10-12 hours to arrive in tiny Riggins, Idaho, get up early the next morning, spend the day on a freezing river and attempt to catch fish. We spend the next day exploring this part of Idaho and then drive 10-12 hours back. I look forward to it all year long.


I did not eat well...hence, my regrets. But as I drank my medifast hot cocoa this morning, I couldn't help but feel like I was somewhat victorious over my unhealthy habits. Did I eat a piece of bread, drink a soda, and devour three or four peanut butter fudge bars? Yes I did. And this morning, I regretted it. And I physically feel like I ate crap.

 

The ice on the river had to be broken up for us to fish

But I want to take a moment to look on the bright side. Let's compare....

All of us stalking those steelies! 

In year's past, I would have ate chips in the car on the way. Drank calorie-laden coffees all the way there. When we stopped for lunch, I would have had a burger and fries. I would have drank several vodka drinks mixed with sodas. I would have eaten a plate full of Laurie's mom's peanut butter fudge bars. I would have eaten lots of sandwiches (i.e. lots of bread). I would have eaten breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks snacks snacks.






Now let's talk about this year....I had one calorie laden coffee drink. A small one on the way home. I chose water or coffee mixed with my medifast hot cocoa. I did have two cans of soda mixed with whipped cream vodka. But only two. I ate two small handfuls of wasabi peas instead of chips (not sure it's a better choice but they're HOT and I couldn't eat as many lol). I ate a salad at lunch on the way there, a bowl of french onion soup at lunch the day we went to McCall, and I stayed on plan for my dinners. On the way home, I splurged on a mini blizzard at Dairy Queen.

The canyon where we fish...beautiful

Did I make all the right choices? No. But I didn't completely blow it either. And more importantly, this morning, I'm right back on plan. I'm not waiting until Monday. It starts again now.

I'd call that progress!