Update

Okay. Here is the "inch" update:

1. Since December 31, 2007 I have lost 17 inches
2. Since October 22, 2007 since I started the exercise portion I have lost 27 inches
3. Since March of 2007 I have lost 38 inches

I am pretty excited.

I did three straight nights of intense exercing at the gym. I am now getting VERY sore!!! I wonder if on my off day, should I do more exercing or do I let my muscles rest?

God Bless,
Karen

Did I sign up for this?

Okay, so I have been waiting for weeks for the "Biggest Loser" to start at my gym. Well, I signed up to participate so the day has finally arrived. I go to the gym, meet my trainer, who is not Amber but a guy, then I get my official tee-shirt (which is an x-large so there is no way it will fit), then I do my cardio, my workout and then get back on the elliptical so I can do what my trainer says. At this point look over and there is an entire group of participants for the Biggest Loser over by the aerobics floor. The trainer (who has probably never had a weight problem in his entire life and who has muscles out to here) waves me over. I find out that there is not only a "Boot Camp" class on Tuesdays but another class on Mondays. So, I go over. 1/2 hour of pure tourture ensues!!!!!!! There was a step thing, a boxing thing, a rubber band thing and then this 1/2 of a ball that he made us stand on and do knee bends.

So, right now I am not sure if I want to get the 7 inches of snow predicted for tomorrow so I don't have to go to the bootcamp class or if I want to go and get it over with?

Anyway, if I don't write again it is because I can't move anymore!!!!

God Bless,
Karen

P.S. Would you believe that the tee shirt actually fit? A little snug but...

The battle continues

Can anyone tell me why I make things so difficult? The last 5 days I have eaten horribly!!!! It is so frustrating. I know what to do, I know the changes that I have to make and yet I continue to sabotage myself.

I was watching the Biggest Loser last night and they went home for a week. Some of the things they were telling others they weren't allowed to eat was so strange to me. I know that you aren't supposed to eat french fries (I admit that I still do) but some of the other things like even a baked potato? I guess I still have a lot of learning to do.

So, if you can answer why I continue to work against me I would love the input.

God Bless,
Karen

The battle of oversized clothes

Ah, weight loss!!! What an exciting thing. You get healthier and you look better but there is one BIG downside to this. Your clothes become too big. That's right, I am wearing pants that are 2-3 sizes too big for me. They hang way below my shoes and look really bad. I finally found a sale on pants my current size at $4.70 each so I bought 5 pairs. With shipping it is only $30.00. I am pretty excited but they won't be here for a week or so.

So, why am I writing about too big of pants? Well, last night, for instance, we received a lot of snow and I decided since I had not made it to the gym this week I would shovel the sidewalks. Not a problem unless you have pants that fall below your shoes. They were not only below my shoes but ended up under my shoes and frozen to the ground!!!! Yes, that is right, frozen to the ground. I had to move the shovel and then lift my pants legs off the sidewalk.

Not only did that happen but this morning I decided to take the old litter to the trash can in the garage. It was really heavy so I just sat is outside the door in the garage until I was ready to leave. As I came out I didn't have a lot of room and couldn't move the trashbag with the litter in it with my foot so I hit the garage open button and when I went to try to step over the trashbag my foot got caught in my TOO LONG PANT LEGS!!! and I ended up tripping and falling.

But the good news is if your floor is wet and you need it polished just call me. My pant legs can mop it up for you.

God Bless,
Karen

Looking back to go forward

Memories. What a good and bad thing. I have let my memories rule my daily life for a long time. Unfortunatley I have let the bad ones be at the center. Now, I am trying to use those memories to move me forward.

In the process I have started to think of the good memories as well. Some of you have probably received letters or emails from me in the last few days and I haven't spoken with you in years. I have called others that I haven't talked to. Those are the good memories. How fun is it to look back and remember the crazy classes or the fun talks that you had with people? For too long I have remembered the hurts that were presented to me and become a victim. With my journey well on it's way I am now focusing on the good times. And there were way more than I wanted to admit!!!!!

So, to all of you who have had a part in my past and left me with amazing memories I want to thank you. I pray that I hear from you in the future so that I can make sure your memories are good ones as well.

Have a great day,
God Bless,
Karen

New Format

Okay, so I am a woman and therefore have the perogative to change things when I want. As you will notice (if you have looked at the blog before today) that I changed the template. I am not sure I like this one either but sometimes you just have to look at things and then go from there.

So, I donated blood today. They still had to spin my sample to see if the iron was safe for me to donate but at least it went part of the way down this time. I AM STILL NOT GOING TO EAT SPINACH!!!! (Sorry, just a little editoral comment.) I am supposed to workout tonight but am not sure if I can. I know that I can't lift anything heavy for the rest of the day but didn't know if doing the other exercises would cause problems? Anyone have any ideas?

By the way, I will wait another 50 or 60 pounds before I try the hanging thing again. It kills my shoulder but at least I know I can hang there for the 4 seconds. Someplace to start.

Have a great day,
God Bless,
Karen

What a good day

Okay, when you are trying to lose weight going to an employee banquet that has 5 different food stations that include A TON of food choices then attending a progressive dinner the next night is not a good thing. But wait!!!! It can be okay if you are careful!!!

I thought that maybe I had gained a pound or two but today proved to be a milestone day!!

1. I lost 3 more pounds since Monday
2. That puts me at 55 pounds lost since October 4th
3. Since my heaviest I have lost 64 pounds
4. Finished a second workout card at my gym (I had never even finished one card before)
5. There is a machine that you hang on and then lift your knees up to your chest. The first day I tried this as soon as I moved my feet I was on the ground. I could not even hold myself up for 1 second. Today, I held myself for 4 seconds. Okay, that doesn't sound like a long time but it is a start!!!)

I am pretty excited. God sure is watching me over here. I am just so excited to see what He has in store for me!!!

God Bless,
Karen

Oh yea, I went to the progressive dinner last night with the ladies from my church and had such an amazing time. I have a wonderful group of ladies to fellowship with. We were at the final house and I spied several pieces of gym equipment in the basement that is under construction. I was joking and asked if she had an elliptical hidden in the pile I could borrow and she said yes!!! If she is serious then I will see if some guys from church can bring it over so I can workout during the times I can't get to the gym. Man, God is good!!!

The Mile

One mile = 1,760 yards
One mile = 5,280 feet

Whatever it breaks down to it took me exactly 9 minutes today on the elliptical to reach my first one mile trek!!!! Yes, I not only made it past my previous time of 8 minutes but I reached the 1 mile mark on the elliptical!!!!

Just thought I would let you know.

God Bless,
Karen

P.S. I kind of like the distance in feet. Seems like I made it a lot futher than 1 mile!!!!