No Turning Back Now

Updates: I’ve now lost 112lbs and am in a size 12. Not a lot of difference in pounds over the last two months, but I lost weight somewhere because I dropped a whole pant size! I try to keep in mind that I’m toning and won’t necessarily see results on the scale. The slow-down is normal at this point after surgery, but it’s still frustrating.

I still stick to my low-carb, high protein diet. I don’t really have (or need) cheat meals or days, but I do allow myself something sweet once a week. It’s usually frozen yogurt with fresh fruit on top. But, once a month, I eat something like cheesecake or carrot cake (my weakness). I still don’t ever eat bread, pasta, rice or potatoes. I keep myself fueled with lots of chicken, grilled fish and vegetables.

In other news, I’ve officially lost my mind. I was convinced to run a half marathon in October. Afterwards, I convinced Eli to join me. My motivation comes from a number of places:

1. I still need to lose 28lbs to be considered a healthy weight.

2. Thinking I can’t do it is not a good enough reason to not do it.

3. I’ve lost 112lbs in 10 months. If I can have enough willpower and discipline to do that, I can do anything.

4. Eli is going to train with me, not to mention about 10 coworkers. Only one of us has run a half-marathon. Only a few of us work out regularly.

So, how am I planning to do it? Lots of training.

I’ve been doing boot camp for about three months with Niki G's Fitness. I go four days a week (when I’m not traveling) at 5:15 a.m. I don’t know about you, but I give myself extra fit points just for getting out of bed at 4:45 a.m. I wish I could explain to you how physically insane these classes are. Have you ever crab-walked up several flights of stairs? How about run backwards up a big hill with weights above your head?  That’s just two examples of the beating I get from my amazing trainer, Whitney. I don’t remember the last time something wasn’t sore! If you’ve never taken a boot camp class, do it.

Eli and I are also running in the evenings after work. So far, we’ve been sticking to a couple of miles at a time, but we’re going to bump it up slowly.

Just to recap, my schedule is:

Monday: Morning boot camp, after work run

Tuesday: Morning boot camp

Wednesday: After work run

Thursday: Morning boot camp

Friday: Morning boot camp, after work run

Saturday: Longer run/walks (yet to be determined, but I’ll figure it out tomorrow)

Sunday: Off

So, this starts a new journey for me. Surgery seems like a million years ago, but I’ve come a long way as far as my health and the way I think about food.

I’ve disciplined myself to work out at least five or six days a week. I’ve proven I have willpower over food. All I have to do now is work a little harder each day toward my goal. Will I be able to run 13.1 miles in six months? Maybe not, but I’m not saying it’s impossible. What if I have to walk part of it? Well, then I think I’m still doing better than most people who never get any exercise. No matter what the outcome is, it’s going to be hard to be disappointed in myself for setting a goal and trying my best. 

Besides, I used to look like this:

And now I look Like this:

  

You’re support has meant the world to me over the last 10 months. I hope you will keep following my journey as I continue to strive towards being a healthy person.