Well, I have overcome some stuff with this new life thing.  I have ventured into the world of exercise...all kinds.  I have of course walked/run.  On Monday, I went to Zumba... alone!  Just me in a class full of skinny bitches with moves like Jagger... or more like Ricky Martin.  OMG!  I felt like such an idiot.  But I got through the class.  If I couldn't do, I just marched in place and moved my arms.  It was crazy! I also figured out that I have NO stomach muscles.  The leader was like "Tighten those stomach muscles!" and I really tried. Nothing happened.  My fat rolls just rubbed together and I couldn't make it work like the other ladies. BUT, I was still standing at the end and that my friends is a miracle.  I like this rec center.  It's not the one closest but it's got more to offer and I feel comfortable there.
So, while I was there I met the yoga instructor and she was so nice and swore that I would love her class so tonight I went to my first yoga class.  I LOVED IT!!  Granted it was a stretching and relaxation class and not strength, but still it was so relaxing and I felt so limber.  I really enjoyed it. My good friend Marci came with me.  Then we had a beer, but I digress... lol.  I'm going to the strength class on Monday and see if I still love it after that!
So, I have been trying to figure out, why now? Why is this suddenly working for me?  Where is this willpower coming from? I have a couple of answers. The obvious answer first is from God.  He knows my struggles and He has put some things and some people in my path that have helped me. He lead me to the Anti-Jared blog and facebook guy who encourages me daily in his posts.  He has surrounded me with friends who encourage me daily for every little victory even, and especially when I don't feel so victorious.  Chris being gone has also really helped.  Whenever we have tried to lose weight together, it never fails that Chris loses like 10lbs the first day and I gain 2lbs and I start off discouraged and quit.  So, having him not kick my ass on the scale has helped.
The last and most psychobabble thing I think has helped me gain control of my health is that I have absolutely no control over anything else.  To be honest, the rest of my life is pretty shitty these days and there is nothing I can do about it.  I can't control a damn thing. I CAN control what I put in my mouth and what I do with my body... so I am seizing the opportunity.  Whatever is allowing me to do this... I'll TAKE IT!
I feel really good about what I am doing and how I am doing it.  I am learning about my body and what it can do.  I am much stronger than I ever thought I was.  I will be successful this time.  Yay me!
 
I'm living the life my friends...mostly.  I have had quite a few NSVs lately.  Things that I thought would be really hard and close to impossible have been relatively easy.  I have found it pretty easy to make better food choices.  I have heard of people doing it, and I know it sounds a bit melodramatic but I never thought I would be able to say no to fattening delicious things and choose healthier things without being angry about it. I have!  The other day on the way home from work... a very dangerous time for me... I decided that I was going to have a cheeseburger.  I had the points and I really wanted one and I was starving. I pulled into Jack in the Box and when I did the Taco Cabana was looking at me right next door.  There was a sign about Cabana bowls and I thought... I could have a bowl with veggies and no shell and it would probably still be high points but a much better choice.  I pulled into TC and not JitB.  I ordered a bowl with black beans, lettuce, tomatoes, guac, taco meat, and little cheese, and a little sour cream. It was like 11 points but a ton of food and lots of protein and fiber and not nearly the carbs of a burger.  I couldn't even finish it.  I can't believe I did it.  I know to some that may sound ridiculous, but I never would have done it before.  I had eggs and fruit this morning with a piece of bacon and no biscuits and gravy, no cinnamon rolls and no soda or OJ.  I had 2 small pieces of chocolate but I was able to stop at that.  I don't know what this new thing that has come over me is... I don't recognize it.  Could it be WILL POWER?!?!  I have never had this in my life. I have to say it feels good... empowering.
BUT... on the flip side.  My exercise, well, not so much.  I have had a very hard time leaving the couch.  I know that I would feel so much better if I would just do it. I feel better after.  But it's been hard to overcome my laziness.  I have no excuse.  I just enjoy sitting.  So, my challenge this week is to GET OFF THE COUCH!!
I'll let you know how it goes!  I'm always open to suggestions.  I am new at this healthy stuff.

 
I really hate scales.  I know I shouldn't put much into them, but how can you not? It's the one way to measure how you are doing.  So, I have been without soda for 3 weeks.  I have been following a program consistently for 2 weeks.  I have exercised more than ever in my adult life. Please understand that I used to drink 2 at least RT 44 Vanilla Dr Peppers from Sonic every single day. I drank like 1200 calories plus the crappy food I ate. Like a sausage McGriddle most mornings and foot long subway sandwich or cheese enchiladas for lunch. I'd sneak a candy bar or 2 most days. Now I stick to my points and stay away from those things completely. I drink water.. lots of it and nothing else. I've lost 7lbs.  I can't break 300.  I know that is pretty decent weight loss, but damn! I guess old age really does slow it down.  I am so glad Chris isn't here doing it with me because he would already be down 20lbs and I would quit.  That's my pattern.  But no longer!  I will keep on trudging on and I will beat this!! I'm gonna win this win this freaking DietBet and I am going to break 300lbs then I'm getting rid of the scale and will only weigh at WW. I CANNOT base my success on a scale.  Ok.. that is all.
 
Well,I have run about 4 times now, maybe 5. It's getting better, but man, when I started I seriously thought I might die. I started out ( still do) by walking briskly for a couple of minutes to warm up and loosen up. Now, remember I am a 41 year old couch potato, I literally have not run or jogged or walked fast in YEARS! So I pick up my feet to run and they feel like 3 cinder blocks are attached to each foot... like they are being pulled down by some evil force keeping me from moving.  It was the strangest feeling.  But, I kept on and I ran maybe 25 yards...when I stopped my heart was pounding like I had been running from 10 foot spiders. It scared me. So, I didn't run again till by heart calmed down some.  The next run interval was a bit downhill and didn't feel as bad and my feet felt considerably lighter. I warmed down after that by walking the last few minutes.  Then while walking inside I realized my foot/ankle was hurting.  I took my shoe off and the right side of my foot was swollen already. I iced it and listened to Chris lecture me about not starting so fast and losing weight before I try to run.  I didn't listen much... I have seen lots of 400lb+ people on different blogs talk about doing this and I am too.
The next time I walk/ran which was a few days later, it was a lot easier.  My feet haven't felt like cinder blocks again.  It didn't get my heart rate up quite so much. I also doubled the amount of running I did by shortening the time between running intervals. I also added a cul de sac to my running path.  Now every time I do it I run a bit more and add a little distance... a short street, a culdesac, or something like that. I realized this past week that I seem looser all the way around... like my muscles don't hurt as much when I get up or I just seem to move easier.  I also don't seem as tired during the day.  It could be diet related more, but I think it's a little of both. I never thought I would say this, but I feel more energized and I kinda get why people get addicted to running.  With the tiny bit I've done, I feel the high a little.
So, now I have to confess that I am only walk/running about 20 minutes... maybe even less.  But it's getting a little longer each session.  I am going to try to commit to doing it at least every other day.  Right now it's kind of whenever I have time.
There you go... I hope this might help someone get off the couch and out of fear of pain or failing or even death and TRY! I totally had all those fears and still do.  I haven't bought a sports bra yet because I am afraid I won't keep it up and it will be a waste.  I'm ordering one right now!
 
Well, it's been over 2 weeks since I started my new life and DietBet and Weight Watchers. How am I doing you ask? I know you didn't really ask, but you're reading this so obviously you're dying to know.  Well, I'm proud to say, I think it's sticking!!! I have not had a soda in close to 3 weeks... NONE!! Eno at Sonic probably thinks I've died. I pretty much have drank water and sparkling water. I saved my points for beer a couple of nights. I had a nonfat latte tonight but again... I had to points.  I have not had more than a taste of refined sugar and I have stayed within my points. And I honestly, for real, not lying, feel great!!  I feel empowered, I feel more energy, confidence and will power!! Is it hard? Heck yeah, but not nearly as hard as I thought. Do I miss some things... Oh yeah! But, I know that food is an addiction and a VERY slippery slope for me so at this point, I have to avoid things that could send me down that slope.
Have I exercised? Why yes, yes I have.  I don't do the gym.  It's just not my thing right now, but maybe it will be someday.  I am walking and actually running.  Just a bit, but I am doing it and it's hard and uncomfortable, but it feels good to do it and I can move more already just from a few days of getting off the damn couch.  I do so love the couch, but I need to get off it more often. I am planning to do a 5k sometime in June for sure, maybe sooner and I would like to run at least half of it.  That's my goal.  But what is my weight goal you ask? Well, I don't really have one.  I can't focus on the scale.  I have to weigh in for WW, but I am trying to keep that away from my focus.  I have a goal of fitting on a ride at Six Flags, and not using a seatbelt extender on a plane and shopping in a regular store.  My goal is to LIVE and not be a prisoner of my weight.  To be an example of health, courage, self-control, overcoming, and the hardest... patience.  I know it's only been 3 weeks, but I can see my journey ahead, you know picture it in my head.  Once I can do that, I know I will get there.  So, look out... there is a skinny bitch in here that's breaking out...one good choice at a time!.