January 2017 is Complete

Today is the last day of January and I have to admit that this month flew by. Looking back on the month I was amazed at what I had accomplished. 31 days in January and I completed 29 workouts. The three days that are highlighted were actual scheduled rest days. These three particular rest days were travel days for work My coach and I decided that it was best to rest on these particular travel days since I had so much going on.

This was a great start to 2017. I feel great and I look forward to my morning workouts...I know, who have I become?? When I finish my daily workout I feel like I can accomplish anything that day. By completing them in the morning, I let nothing get in my way. Those early morning hours are all about me and I decide how the day is going to go moving forward.

A friend of mine and I text each other early in the morning to get each other moving. It is a great way to be accountable for your workouts...no sleeping in if the other person is working out too. I will admit it isn't easy to get up early, when it is cold and dark outside. Often times we are up two hours before the sun even rises, asking ourselves why?? I answered that question recently with this ..."the things we do for greatness"!!

In a short period of time I have seen a difference in my abilities. I feel stronger and more confident in myself! Bring on February and let the journey continue!

6 Months and counting

6 months ago I had a procedure that changed my life and I will never look back. Every day is a new adventure and some are more fun than others. After having bariatic surgery, I learned very quickly there is nothing easy about this. I had to learn to eat and drink all over again. Although days were not always easy, I would not change my decision. As part of the post-op procedures, you have to learn to eat very slowly. If you eat too fast it can hurt and believe me that is not fun. Funny thing I discovered, when out in restaurants, the thing that makes people uncomfortable is when you put your fork down. You are not actually done with your meal but you are eating slowly. When restaurant staff see this, they think that something is wrong. You explain that everything is fine and that your dinner is great but you can see they are uncomfortable. Try putting your fork down and you will see it too!

Prior to the surgery I had three goals; get rid of my diabetic medication, lower my blood pressure and become a faster runner. So far so good. I have not taken any medication for my diabetes since July and my blood pressure is down. I am also happy to report that I have fallen in love with running again. I actually look forward to my workouts. And yes, I am a faster runner today...but I think I can get faster. This past Sunday I had a long run workout, 7 miles total. I wasn't feeling great and I had to push myself out the door. I started off slow but was determined to finish. when I checked my time and looked at my mileage, I ended up having negative splits! My second half of this run was faster than my first half. I have never accomplished that before!! That made my day!

I am not finished, I still have more miles to go on this journey but I am stronger and ready to face it all. Where will I be in another six months? Where will this journey take me?

Updated numbers:

Down 67 pounds
I have lost 70.6% of my body weight
112/68 blood pressure
90 - blood sugar level (fasting)

375 days ago...

I am sorry for the delay in posting again but I was traveling for work and was on the road for 9 days. Day one of this work roadshow, was Wednesday, January 4th and it was an anniversary. An anniversary that very few would even know was happening. Exactly one year earlier I had my first visit with the surgeon who did my bariatric surgery. I had agreed to make this visit and at least hear him out. As I had discussed in previous posts it was my diabetes coach that encouraged me to make this appointment. I can say that after the first visit I wasn't 100% convinced to have the surgery, not even close. However, I was convinced to at least do some more research.

Well in less than a week, I will be going back to see that same surgeon for my 6 month follow-up. In the last 6 months I have not regretted having the surgery once. And I can also say I have not regretted taking the time to do the research and question whether this surgery was right for me. I am not upset that it took me 5 months to make this decision to say yes to the surgery...since July 26th there has been no looking back ... only forward!

The following pictures were taken January 9th and 10th to commemorate the 1 year anniversary!!

January 9, 2017

January 10, 2017

January 10, 2017

Strength in 2017

Every year I put together my resolutions for the new year. And like many others, at the end of the year I look back on the things I didn’t achieve. Even though I did a lot this year, and made some major changes, I still didn’t do it all. When looking at my resolutions from last year I came up with a “word” and a “phrase” to follow for the year. My “word” was Balance and my “phrase” was medication free. Based on just the words, I think I accomplished a lot. I am medication free and although not perfect I have worked very hard at being balanced. 

So 2017…what will be my phrase and what will be my word to carry me through the year?? My phrase is “The Year of Mo”. This is not to be looked at as a self-centered phrase but instead an opportunity to remember to take care of myself. It is a phrase to use to continue what I started in 2016 but also a year to do so much of what I want to do and continue the things I didn’t accomplish in 2016. 

My word for 2017 is “Strength”. It took me several days and a few runs to decide on this one word. However, to me this one word is a combination of so many others. When I started this process of coming up with my word, I kept coming back to “Spirit Mind and Body”. Under each of these words I have things I would like to accomplish and if all stay in sync you can create BALANCE. When you are balanced you have good HEALTH. Good health leads to feeling STRONG and with this STRENGTH you can accomplish anything!

Tri-ing to continue the journey!  Happy New Year Everyone!!

PS:I am not listing my resolutions here but please know I have a list. And of course on the list is to be more committed to my strength training...no pun intended ;-)