Girlfriends & Dudes ~ Sprint Triathlon

Last Sunday I competed in my first Sprint Triathlon!! I had a blast and exceeded my expectations. I thought I would finish in 2 hours and 15 minutes and ended up finishing in 1 hour 47 minutes - Swim (1/2 mile in 16.26 min), T1 2.39 min, Bike (12 miles in 47.36 min), T2 2.08 min, Run (3.1 miles in 39.52  min).  Think I did pretty well for my first one!

I did the event with my best buddy and trainer Brooke (love her so much!!). That's her on the left. I'm the one with the cheesy grin on the right. I tell you I could not smile enough that day, I was so excited!!

The thrill of doing something so outside of my comfort zone was amazing!!

Just a little disappointed that I still look so chubby, after losing 96 pounds. But my buddy Brooke said "Nobody looks good in a wet suit" I guess I trust her on that. I just don't like it. Oh well!

The event organizer Sherri McMillan sent us one of her favorite quotes:

 "What you get by crossing the finish line is not as important as what you become."  

What's most important is that when you cross that finish line, it positively impacts your whole life and changes you for the better in every way - physically, mentally and spiritually!  It develops your character, your self esteem and the belief in yourself. It gives you the strength to know that you can do anything you put your mind to!

I have noticed, now that I "live" my life and do things I never thought I would do, that when I "cross the finish line" on whatever I try, that it really does impact my life. I am changed and I am better in every way!!

I encourage you to set a goal and try something you never thought you could do. I mean something that's you've dreamed to do.  Make a plan, keep to it and cross that finish line!!! Trust me, you will have no regrets. It will change your life and you will become a better you!!

My next goal is weight loss!! I will lose another 30 pounds by the end of October. I've got my plan, I have my support group in place, I'm ready to go.....and most importantly I have my eyes on that finish line and I'm going to make it!!

Let me know if you are willing to take the challenge with me. It will change your life!!!

Have a fit day!!

Here's my Stats

Since starting my health and fitness plan in 2010. My life has CHANGED!!!!

I am no longer the couch potato who felt like at any minute, I would be bed bound. I was so fat and unhealthy that I did not want to live anymore. I was 121 pounds over weight and I was scheduled for foot surgery to repair my heel, remove bone spurs, then they were going to stretch my tendons in both calves (sounds horrible!!), and I was going to have my knee repaired. My blood pressure and cholesterol was in the high category to which I was medicated for both. I had sleep apnea and had to sleep with a Cpap machine (which sucked!!). I had acne, depression, acid reflex, body aches and other ailments. Not only did I not feel well physically...I could not move. And when I did, sometimes, I would tear the meniscus in my knee - did that twice - very painful!!! But because I could not move well, I was very weak and prone to falls. Cannot tell you the number of times I found myself face down on the floor. I seriously could not go from the car to the mall entrance without having to sit down. 

Not only did I feel terrible in my body, but I could not fit this body in places like....theater chairs, airplane seats, restaurant booths, and other normal seating. And then if I could fit, I worried that I would break a chair, which on several occasions...I did!!!

I did not do much when I was that overweight. Well....I have to say that I was a really good, I mean REALLY GOOD TV watcher...That's about all I could do after working a full time job and doing minimal things around my home. I just did not have the energy for anything more.

And people.....lets just say that I kept people at a long arms distance away from me. Just did not have the energy for relationships, outside of my family.

So you could say....prior to my weight loss....my box was really small. My sphere of influence barely made it outside of my house....barely! Seriously, if the Lord took me back in those days, I would have been OK with that, because I was living no kind of life, I felt like I just could not go on....

Since I made the decision to change my life so many things are different. Here's some of the cool things that have changed:

• Starting weight 274
• Current weight 179 - yeah that's 95 pounds lost!!!!
• I've lost 27.76 inches - went from size 26-28 to 12-14
• Off of cholesterol meds and working on the blood pressure meds now
• Never did have that horrible surgery. After the first 20 pounds came off, the foot pain subsided, the exercise I was doing, NATURALLY, stretched those tendons in my calves and by a miracle, my knee does not hurt!!
• All the other symptoms of obesity (listed above) have either subsided or have gone away.

I can fit in chairs, I don't worry about breaking anything and I can move!!

• A couple of years ago, I took a rowing class and plan on doing more.
• I can camp, bike, roller skate, swim, run, walk, skip, jump rope, life weights, and do anything I want!
• I've participated in
• 16 - 5k's (First 5k done in 67 minutes - last one 33 minutes)
• 1 - 8k
• 1 - 10k 
• 1 - 15k
• 8 - 1/2 Marathons (First 1/2 marathon done in 212 minutes - last one 167 minutes)
• And I will be doing my first Sprint Triathlon this weekend!!!

I've put in miles and miles of running and walking time in, as well as biking and swimming!! Never thought I could do any of these things. So exciting!!

This is me...swimming in the Columbia River (getting ready for the triathlon). Yeah that's a big cargo ship...I was swimming in the channel...woot woot!!! 

The other great thing is I've been able to influence others in my life to make the same changes. My sister has lost 30 pounds and shes getting ready to do a 5k with me!! 

I am working with another gal who is at 274 pounds now - - just like when I started - - and we've been exercising together since January!! No major weight loss yet, but she's getting things turned around and I'm starting to see some progress there (It's not just about moving - - - you have to change the way you eat too!!! She's starting to see that now)

Also I started a walking group - - well there's only 2 of us...for NOW!! I hope to grow this group and get some people on the road!!

Anyway, there's soooo much more I can share. The changes in my life are amazing. I feel great and I can see the finish line for weight loss...now for fitness...my box is growing and there's so many more things I want to do.....Marathon, olympic triathon...ironman!?!?!?!?! Just saying!!

Anyway, don't know where you are in your journey. My advise is....DON'T EVER STOP reaching for your optimal health and fitness. There's so much life to live and so many things to do when you are feeling good. It is soooo worth the effort, the pain, the frustration....it's worth everything to gain back your health!!

You FIGHT your way there!! You hear me? You are worth the fight. You've got stuff to do and lives to change. Now get to it!!

Are you with me?

I'm in the red shirt at Helvetia 1/2 Marathon

Have a fit day!!

I am still alive!!!

Cannot believe the last time I posted was December 31st. Where has the time gone???

You might be wondering......

Did she fall off the wagon??

Did she gain back her weight and is too embarrassed to say so....

Did she back slide......yikes!!!


Nope none of that!!!  With my new found energy. I find that I want to do EVERYTHING!!!  And with only so many hours in a day and so much to do. I've found I let some things...important things slide. One of those important things is keeping in touch with you!!

My apologies my Friends!!!

What have I been up to?

• Have not lost anymore weight, but have maintained 180 pounds for months. I'm feeling good!! 
• I started putting more focus on fitness in January.  Got the Shamrock Run (5k),  Hippie Chicks 1/2 marathon, Great Place to Run (5k), Hillsboro All Comers (5k) and Helvetia 1/2 Marathon done!! 
• I have one more 5k and then I will complete my first sprint triathlon Mid-July.

After that. It focus time on weight loss. I think I need to lose about 35 more pounds.  Seems so daunting....even though I have lost 96 pounds already...35 more pounds seems like a lot. It really should be a piece of cake.....right?

Here's a picture of me. I'm in red :-) Wish it was a better picture...

Tomorrow I'm going to share my progress info.

Hope you are doing well!!

Have a fit day!!

Excited for 2014

I have spent a good part of my life feeling like I’m behind and working hard to get where I want to go…To be the woman I’m supposed to be…. 

Physically I was behind because my weight and fitness were out of control. I was not the woman I wanted to be…. 

Mentally I was behind…well because I always thought there was something wrong with me. I had fears and inadequacies that stopped me from being the woman I wanted to be…..

 

Spiritually I was behind because I did not know the Bible well enough. Did not know my Lord well enough…. I was not the woman I wanted to be…. 

For the first time in my life….I FINALLY do not feel like I’m behind. I am right where I'm supposed to be. I AM THE WOMAN I WANT TO BE!!! 

My weight is…not in the normal range….YET!!! But I’m so close that it feels achievable!! I no longer feel that I can’t do it. I can and I will reach this goal!! 

My fitness level is better than it’s been since I was a kid!! I can run, walk, skip, jump rope, do jumping jacks, burpies….(don’t like em, but I can do them!!), I can water ski and surf, row, lift weights, swim, bike and garden and and and…..I can do so many things!!! 

My mind is healthy! I don’t fear like I used to. I don’t feel inadequate or lacking. I like people, they like me. I give out of our abundance and lack. I’m creative and have an awesome outlook of life! 

Spiritually….I am humbled…..So grateful to the Lord for all He has given me. Delighted for His teachings, lessons, discipline, guidance, love, joy, grace, mercy and so much more!!! 

I am optimistic for 2014!! For me, this is a turning point year! Goals will be met. New challenges and risks will be taken. New friend will be met. Old Friends will be contacted.  Broken relationships will be mended. New places will be visited. Doors will be opened!!! 

Life will be lived!! 

How about you….Are you taking 2014 on? Do you have goals set? Are you ready to change your life? Are you ready to live?? 

Join me in making this the best year ever!! 

Have a fit day!

 

 

We Froze Our Bells Off

The Jingle Bell Run was a blast. Well is was a freezing blast anyway!! I think at race time it was 10 degrees. Needless to say, I did not run it, because we were half frozen by the time the race started and I could not feel most of my feet. I was afraid, if I ran, that I would trip and fall. My feet just did not want to warm up! Anyway, it was fun walking with my thousands of crazy friends! It's such a fun event!!

How are you doing? Are you making your Christmas wish of reaching your optimal health and fitness this season?

I'm doing it! I am still working my plan and I've lost another pound! (Weight loss ticker has not been updated yet)

90 pounds gone so far!!! I only have 44 more pounds to go, to reach my goal. That is amazing!!

If you would like to know how I'm doing this please email me, your phone number and the best times to call, to transparent.joy@gmail.com. I would love to tell you more!

Keep up the great work. REMEMBER....to eat healthy foods, drink your water, exercise and get plenty of rest during this busy and stressful season.

You've got this!!

Have a fit day!!!!!

Revving Up For The Weekend!!

OK, for me, it officially begins this weekend......parties, gatherings, dinners out, food, food, food.......everyone is celebrating with.....FOOD!!!!!!!!!

Crept' me!!!

Even though it's the holidays, I'm still working my plan.  I have my goals of reaching optimal health and fitness in front of me. Do you?

I'm running into 2014 with a plan and I'm not letting anything stop me!!!  This year I'm going to reach New Year's Day feeling great instead of feeling fat and defeated.  Knowing that I have to re-lose weight that I just lost!!!!  I'm not doing that again. 

ARE YOU WITH ME?

Let's make this the best and most fit and healthy holiday season ever!!!!!

Work you plan. Eat healthy foods and fuel your body with good things.....not SUGAR!!!! Drink your water, exercise and most importantly, get your rest!!!

We've got this!!!

Have a fit day!!!

Post Thanksgiving Check In

Whew....It's been a whirlwind week!! I was so happy to go back to work yesterday so I could rest. Ahummm.....

Still working my plan!! I was down 1/2 pound, even after a holiday, which included, 2 Thanksgiving meals, all the stress, weariness and inactivity. Even with all that, the weight is still coming off!

My whole goal was not to gain anything. So with a 1/2 pound loss...I was thrilled!!

For the first Thanksgiving meal, I chose steak, mashed cauliflower, with low fat gravy and veggies. I did get to have a See's Candies Truffle, which I thoroughly enjoyed! Then on Sunday, we had another meal with turkey, mashed potato etc. I just had a very small plate. Also, my appetizers were veggies with low fat dip.

I did not feel deprived at all! I had plenty to eat and still felt like I was involved with the festivities!

So far, I've been able to avoid the holiday goodies at work! Sometimes it can be a struggle....especially when the canned popcorn comes in. I love that stuff!!

How did you do? Are you strategically planning for the next weeks of food and fun?

Lets make this the best December ever! Be sure to eat healthy meals every day! Drink your water!! Exercise!!! And get plenty of rest!!!!

Lets enter into 2014 healthier and fit!

Have a fit day!