Anyone Still Out There??

I just wanted to check in...  more for myself.

I have been struggling to run longer than 12 minutes for weeks now.  Today I dropped the MPH from 6 to 5.5 and voila!  I ran 20 full minutes and probably could have ran at least 5 or more.  With the 1 minute walk at first and the 3 minute cool down - it was 2 miles... not too shabby!

I still have 2 weeks to be able to run 2 miles without stopping.

I weighed myself yesterday - I'm up a pound and a 1/2!!!  Oooopsie!!!  I need to chuck the scale out the window.

WOW!

I can't believe it has been 6 months!!  I  feel like I had a pretty great start and piddled out at the end...
I was down a pound.
My totals:
Pounds Lost - 22.8
Percentage Lost - 11.76%
CONGRATULATIONS TO LYNETTE!!!  You're Awesome!!!

I feel okay about my total weight loss.  I would have loved to lose more, but - you know. 

I agree with all of Lynette's post from yesterday. I too, liked when others had great success - even if I didn't.  I was genuinely happy for you.  It is weird that losing 22.8 (25 for Lynette) pounds didn't make a HUGE difference in what my body looks like.  It's kind of frustrating... I suppose I'll get over it!!

I personally liked the mental change in me.  I am less critical of strangers.  I used to look at super fit people and sort of hate them... I was like "She's probably a jerk!"  Or I would look at super unfit people and think... "I hope I NEVER get that big!"  What a PUTZ I was... maybe AM still a little?  I can usually look at a fit person and say "She/He must work HARD for that body!"  or an unfit person and really want to hug them and have compassion.  Being heavy is hard - no matter if it's 40 pounds overweight or 100 pounds!  It's a sad and lonely place to be - even if you (read: I) don't want to admit it.

I also liked the change in my stamina.  I am able to run (jog - 6 mph) for 10 minutes straight... at any time.  Because it's a new month, I began increasing my time today.  I ran 1.5 miles in 17 minutes.  I had to walk for a couple of minutes after about 12 minutes - but decided I need to bump up my game.  I'm hoping I'll be able to run a 5K when I'm 40.  Won't that be weird??

I am glad this felt like a success.  Well, it did for me - I hope some of you too.  I don't think I'll weigh myself weekly anymore... it's too maddening when I don't see a change.  I think I'll post on this blog monthly - hoping to see more changes and way LOWER numbers each time.  Maybe by December I'll have lost all 40 pounds?

We need to get together and take pictures - celebrate and have fun!!  We are awesome!!
Thanks for being a huge part of this!!  It's like I had my own cheering squad the entire time!!
Love you to bits!!! 

My goal for July 30 (four weeks)  - 2 miles in 20 minutes - down 3 pounds.

Well, this is it.

So, today was the final weigh-in.  I went out with a bang and a gain of .5 pounds.  I wish the weigh-in would have been a couple days ago, because I was down a pound.  I'm not sure what happened the last few days.  Actually, I think it was a temple date and trip to El Matador for Mexican food.  Anyway, here are my totals for the challenge:
Total Lost:  25 pounds
Total Percentage Lost:  12.8%
I am really, really disappointed that I didn't do better.  But there were some things about this experience that I really liked, so I'm going to be positive and list them now:
1.  I liked that when others had a better week than I did, I didn't feel petty.  This is big for me, because I think I am basically a petty person.  But I was truly cheering for everyone to succeed.  I really like everyone who joined this challenge with me, and I liked being part of something positive like that.
2.  I like that even though I don't really look any different, I can go to my closet and wear pretty much everything in there.  I wore the same skirt to church for probably two years.  (Only a very slight exaggeration.)  I got the skirt for Shelby's baptism, so that tells you it was long overdue for replacement.  And now I have some choices.  For that I am grateful.
3.  I really liked that through this we kept in touch with each other a little more.  I really looked forward to any posts or comments through the week.  You are all wonderful women.
4.  I can be pretty good about not overeating, but I am not good about pushing myself with exercise and working out.  You have been great inspirations to me in that department.  Thank you!
5.  I liked that this challenge made me look around and notice the good things people were doing to improve their health.  I found good examples through all of you, and through people at work, and even people in my neighborhood.  I gained a greater appreciation for others' good habits, rather than being threatened by them.
A couple weeks ago we went to Tori's graduation in California.  I was so happy to meet people that have befriended her with whom she has made connections.  I had heard of these people for a long time, now.  I really enjoyed her friends, but I was struck by the way they all interacted with each other, and I didn't sense they were competing with each other.  I think there's a lot of that here in Utah.  These women were not all skinny, blonde, augmented women with fragile self-esteem.  They were REAL and beautiful and accomplished and so good at bearing one another's burdens and seeking for happiness.  Now I am sure they have struggles and challenges just like the rest of us, but I just didn't feel that competitiveness that keeps us from enjoying one another.  Anyway, that was a silly rant because I don't really know these people enough for such an analysis, but just something I was thinking about. 
The bottom line:  During this experience, I wanted all of you to be successful and to know how beautiful and wonderful you are.  You were beautiful and wonderful before this challenge, and you are still beautiful and wonderful.  You have all touched my life for good and I am glad to know you!  In very specific ways, you have all inspired and enriched my life and I am forever grateful.  I love you!