Moving to facebook only

It seems like no one really follows the blog anymore, but reads my updates on facebook instead.  And, it's easier for me to update facebook remotely, and add pictures.  So,  I've decided to suspend the blog for now.  But, if you do want to follow my journey, please see my facebook page.  I'll be updating it daily and hopefully will have some new pictures soon.  Thanks!!

https://www.facebook.com/MyExtremeWeightLossJourney

Long Day

So, I am finally starting to feel back to 'normal' today.  So, what better way to celebrate than to get back to my regular gym schedule?  The only problem is that it's also my once a month meeting night.  So, I compromised and went to one class and then my meeting.  I'm glad I did.  It's always good to check in with supportive people!

And, the muscle challenge class was especially good tonight.  The cardio was a little lighter tonight which really allowed me to focus on the weights.  And, I think I did a great job.  I was able to do an exercise that was really hard to do without weights last week.  Tonight I did it with weights. Baby steps will get you there eventually!

And, I was also sadly reminded of just why I am on this journey.  If you can spare some prayers for a friend of mine, I would really appreciate it.  She's a single mother of a special needs daughter and had a brain bleed today.  So, if you can keep her in your thoughts and prayers, I'd appreciate it.  And, if you're in the Pittsburgh area and can help out, let me know!

Not feeling great

I haven't been feeling really well today.  But, I did make it to the step class at the gym this morning.  It was an amazing workout, but it pretty much did me in for the day.  So, overall a quiet day, but I did get my exercise in.  Hopefully, I'll feel better in the morning.  If not, it will be another quiet day.

Fun Friday

Today was a good day.  I had an incredible personal training session and a great yoga class.  And, I felt pretty good, too.  While warming up, I did intervals on the elliptical.  I was able to do a minute high to a minute low.  Not bad!

The PT session was really intense.  My balance and coordination are getting better, and I am getting stronger.  I love that I can do more and more.  It's silly, but I love that my squats are getting deeper, my push ups lower, and my calf raises stronger.  If I can ever get rid of all the fat, there is a really strong person underneath!

Fear LESS

I love that I am facing things that scare me.  And coming out OK.  I feel so strong, and brave.  Tonight, I tackled 'Group Blast'.  It's a high energy step class that meets before my yoga class.  For months I have watched people come out of the class with beet red faces, dripping in sweat.  I'd tell myself 'one day I'll try it'.  Well, tonight was the night I tried it.  And, it was wonderful!

To be fair, I know most of the people who take the class regularly from other classes.  They all said that it was hard, but that I could handle it.  That I could make whatever modifications I needed.  So, I decided to try it tonight.  And I made a lot of modifications.  But, I did the class.  And my face was bright red and I was dripping in sweat.  But, I was so proud.  It feels so good to take on something that you know will be hard, but manage it.  I never thought I would even think this, let alone do it.

So, today was a two hour day.  One hour of the new class, one hour of yoga.  And, I think I have a new Wednesday plan.  So happy!  So proud!

Happy Birthday To Me!

I never thought I would be happy about working out for two hours on my birthday.  But, I am!  (Although, I wasn't so happy to find out we were doing step tonight)  I am so proud of myself.  And, I'm so proud that I've made all these lifestyle changes, and stuck with them.  Since I've been eating the majority of my calories at breakfast, I even had cake at breakfast this morning and kept with my tiny dinner.  And, I love that Steve went along with me!

I really feel like all these changes have just become part of who I am and what I do.  So, keeping to my routine on a day that I used to feel free to binge - that's just huge.  I'm grinning from ear to ear with pride, and also with gratitude.  I really appreciate everyone who wished me a good day today, and who made me feel so special.  Thank you!

Back at it!

I'm back home from the conference and back on track with my exercise.  I guess I must have really missed working out.  I did two sessions of intervals today on the elliptical.  And, it felt really, really good.  I guess I'm finally hitting my stride and deciding what I like, and what I don't like, and what works for me and what doesn't.  That's a great feeling!  So, I feel like I'm starting the new week off with a good start.  This is going to be a great week.