Update from Doodle Acres – July 15, 2009

I know, I know, it has been a long time since I have blogged.  I didn’t start out taking a blogging break but somehow, I got out of the habit of posting.  So anyway, for those couple of you who might still check this site, I thought I’d write a post about what we’ve been up to…

Well about me…  I am happy to have this school year behind us and am enjoying some much needed time off from the usual rat race.  This spring I let things get way too busy.  Everything that we did was wonderful but I had trouble keeping up with the mayhem in a peaceful manner.  Note to self:  Don’t let that happen again!!!

About 16 months ago, I started a journey of trying to get my weight and my health into a better place.  I began (and continue) that journey at a local Diet Center.  I have lost 85 pounds thus far.  That number seems surreal to me even as I type it but I am thrilled to be the thinnest I’ve been in nearly 20 years and 25 lbs. thinner than when I got pregnant with Hope almost 18 years ago.

I have learned many things at Diet Center.  They have taught me that I cannot change my past mistakes.  I can just start out right now, right this minute doing the next right thing.  I don’t need to punish myself for a food faux pas.  I just need to do that next right thing. 

I go in to Diet Center about 3 times a week for 15 minutes or so for individual diet counselling.  And the support of my counselors (Ellen and Meg) has meant the world to me.  They have shared my triumphs and my falls.  They have encouraged me to persevere when I wanted to quit.  They have been there for me through everything.  And I can’t thank them enough. 

They even encouraged me to get off my lazy rear and get moving.  Of course they put it in nicer words!!!  With their encouragement, I have gone from a couch potato to somewhat of an athlete, who actually looks forward to exercising —well most of the time.

Last summer, I read a book called The Secrets of a Former Fat Girl by Lisa Delaney.  The author talked about her own journey from fat girl to fit.  She believes that in order to change the same old messages in her head, she had to change how she perceived herself.  In a nutshell, she began running and started to think of herself as an “athlete” rather than as a “fat girl”. 

When I read this book, I found her logic and her story inspiring.  However, at my weight (even having lost 25 lbs at that point with Diet Center) I knew that my body wasn’t ready to run.  So I started with “baby steps” (as Flylady would say) and began walking.  I walked and walked and walked for months until finally I started to slowly begin to run. 

I found a training plan online for transforming oneself from a couch potato to a 5K runner.  It was late February when I began my running and slowly but surely I have been able to increase my running time up to 35 minutes straight plus warm-up and cool-down walks.  I even joined the track club with my two middle children, Lenny and Lily.  Who would have thunk it???

I am a slow runner but I am running nonetheless.  And as Lisa Delaney predicted, it has helped me to start to change the way I view myself.  It is only a beginning but I have high hopes of running my first 5K race this fall.  I may very well be the last person to cross the finish line but who cares as long as I finish!!! 

AND BEST OF ALL, I AM NO LONGER ON BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION!!!  I had to write that in bold letters!!!  I feel as if God has blessed me so greatly with all of the positive support he has brought into my path.  God is indeed good!!!

Well I know that this update was all about me but it’s getting long and I’ll close for now.  I’ll fill you in on the children and Len next time!!!  Thanks for reading…

Oh one more thing, I am (reluctantly, sheepishly) posting these before and after pictures in hopes that it will encourage you in your journey towards health and fitness.  I hope it helps to see how far I’ve come.