Gate River Run March 12 2011

Here is my daughter Kaitlynn and I at the start of the 5k. The Florida Times Union 5k for Charity is at the same time as the Gate River Run. She stayed with me the whole time and we did it in 54.34. That is great as I really only been able to do this in the last few months.

The Green shirts we have on is from my weight loss center. You can see what they say on the front, and the back says I am running from Obesity! Jacksonville Weight Loss Center. There was about 15 of us from the Center plus my Doctor and Nutritionist ran in the 15k!

I walked and jog this race. I didn't finish first, but I was not last either. I would say I was about in the middle of the pack. Felt great to do this! So glad I did!

Kaitlynn and I as well as our group went over to the 15k finish line. It was there I learned a little bit about myself. I had finished my 5k. Walked over to the 15k finish line in hopes to see a few people I know. Then, I started really not feeling well! Everything kind of went gray/white and I kind of almost passed out! Luckily one of my friends noticed and her husband saw and caught me and laid me down on the sidewalk. Boy did I start to feel better then! Not sure if it was the lack of food, water, low blood pressure or all of the above that caused this! I have never had that happen before after a workout and I have had a few in the last few months! After a bit, I sat up, then got up and felt ok. Was able to walk back to the Expo and see some things there and head on to the car and came home. Scary but I at this time not to worried about it. But I promise myself, if it happens again I will go see a Doctor.

All and all it was a great day! I hope to run the Gator Bowl Run at the end of the year. Who knows, maybe next year I can run the 15k!

99 Lbs and counting!

Ok didn't get to that 100lbs mark yet but my Doctors visit went GREAT!
This side by side comparison is an eye opener for me! I can really start to see it in myself. I felt it, my clothes didn't fit any longer, I have more energy but like many who goes on a weight loss journey don't always see it in themselves. Tonight I have and WOW!

Didn't get a fill on the band today. Which is fine, I feel at this time I am at a good spot with it. I was asked today if I would be a mentor for someone that struggling with their weight journey. Also I was asked if I would go to a seminar sometime and tell my story. What an honor!

Rest of the week, I am focus on the Gate River Run (5k part). I get to pick up my first race packet of my life this week! I will be walking and some jogging but the goal now is to do the Gator Bowl 5k at the end of the year and run the whole thing! The only thing that has me a bit concern about this weekend is my robo toe. For those who don't know, I had my right big toe joint replaced Dec 2009. About two weeks ago, I tripped in a parking lot on a parking stop with that same foot and toe and it seems I bruised it. Been walking my miles, but jogging is another story at this time with the toe. I guess it just needs time to heal. Since it all metal in my toe I call it the Robo Toe.

So I am calling it a night. Thanks to all who support me with your kind words. I don't know if I could do this with out all of YOU!

I know I am in the 240'S and I am now having to wear bifocals!

I am so close to having lost 100lbs! I can't believe it! Last August when I started this jouney to now and I have lost almost 100lbs! Next week I get to update the ticker and I am hoping it will say that I have loss 100lbs! Next week is my doctors appointment and that is the scale I go off of. Still having a hard time with seeing it in myself, but the scale says so! My clothing says so! Having to shop for new everything says so! So why do I still see the old me?

Come to find out, that I am not the only one who sees the old self in themselves. Last night at support group we talked about self image. I also found out I am not the only one who can't get rid of their "FAT" clothing. At first I was keeping them as the "what if" but now I just want them not just thrown out but go to good use. I don't want to look at them, I just have them in boxes. Each day it seems I come across something that just don't fit anymore. I have found things that I hope one day I could wear again...and missed that window of wearing it again! Maybe we should do a clothing exchange at the center one night for support group. They done it before I got their. Put that on my list of things to do!

You know you are getting older when your glasses go to bifocals! UGH! I been wearing glasses since I was in High School. I noticed around the holidays last year I was having trouble reading. Gees with all the changes my body been going though, I shrug it off thinking that had something to do with it. Nope not really but I guess I was telling myself that to make me feel better! So today I order a pair of bifocals! That is just to get me by until I can order on Zenni Optical. Our whole family orders from their to get the best rate in glasses and we can each have more then one pair too!

So next week, I get to update again on here. Keep your fingers crossed that I can say 100lbs!

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day everyone! The little heart is I LOVE MY LAP-BAND!

Sorry I have not updated in a couple of weeks. Getting my life back on track takes time I guess. I got in to my GYN Dr and we are working my pain issue now. So that is getting better. I had a 3rd fill on my band last week and I am doing well with that. Weight is coming off and I am starting to look great! So life is GRAND!

Eating is an adventure! I am amazed at just how little I do eat now and feel full! I made a mock lasagna last night on my plate with a few turkey meatballs, some sauce and cottage cheese. YUMMY!

My focus is the upcoming Gate River Run. The 5k part anyway. Going to be a wonderful day spent with some wonderful friends from the Weight Loss Center.

Well off for now! Take care everyone!

Friday Night at the aloft we got RECHARGED

Friday night the Jacksonville Weight Loss center did a recharge event for all their patients. It was a good time, nice hotel and lots of vendors! The picture is of me and a few other patients that help with the event. We passed out some goodie bags and signed up some for a buddy system if they wanted some help.

We really had a good time. Kathy (one to my left) and I passed out the goodie bags. It was great to meet each of the patients as they came to the event.

Everyone is on this weight loss journey, just in different stages you could say. The support I get from this center and everyone there that is a patient I am very thankful for!

I found my DREAM exercise machine that night! Even Phil fell in love with it. It is a seated elliptical by Octane Fitness Oh how I wish we could get one of these! Two in fact! I can just see Phil and I sitting on these watching a movie!

Phil gave blood that night as they had a blood mobile there. Fashion show, a Q&A panel and don't forget the food by Chef Kitty!

Good night! Wish I didn't have to leave early do to not feeling good.

After a Rough weekend I am still Thankful!

Yes, it was a very rough weekend. The pain in my side came back! I went to my PCM (Primary Care Doc) and got a referral to see my GYN Doc. I did this on Friday.

Friday night I went to the Recharge event put on by my weight loss center. It was a good time, good info but, I had to leave early because I started not to feel good. Phil and I went to get a bit to eat, and I could not eat. :( But the picture is me at the aloft hotel for this event!

Friday night was a tough night to sleep. By Saturday morning first thing, double over in pain and Phil took me to the ER where I spent a good part of the day. Good News....this pain has nothing to do with my band! It is in place where it needs to be and looks good. Bad News is what I expected all along. I do have a ovarian cyst! Good thing I started working on that referral to see my GYN doc! I am calling my PCM first thing in the morning to let them know that is what it is and to make sure they turn that referral over to tricare.

So after this weekend, I am still thankful for my band and my family. They are so supportive of me! I will get though this! Just is going to take time.

I hope I can walk some tomorrow. So I can keep up with the 5k for the the Gate Run in March. I am looking forward to that as my goal for the following year is the 15k Gate River Run!

Why is it somedays so hard to work out?

Today is raining and my back is really hurting today. Needed to walk 2-3 miles but I would have to do that at the gym because of the rain. I think after I type this out, I will work out with the xbox or something.

But, I got up today doubting myself. I have come about half way on this journey to my goal. Now I feel I am hitting the brick wall! I eat the right things, but at the wrong times. Don't want to work out but I do go or do something to fix that. Not dropping the weight as fast as I was and the start of this. I knew this would happen sooner or later. I now have to start setting more mini goals I guess to reach for. Gees listen to me...must be the rainy day making me feel this way as well as my back.

I really wish I had the extra money for a treadmill for our home. I know over time I can get one, but I wish I had it for days like today. Yesterday I did 30 mins on one at the gym and it really did feel good!

Rain, Rain go away come back another day!