So I did it! I did my first day of Couch to 5k.  I didn't make it through all of the running - the last three were the toughest, and I had to stop running early.  But I did as much as I could.  I'm sure it will get easier - well they say it will anyway. 

I found a Christian Podcast for it, and it's pretty cool - because they tell you when to walk and when to run.  They have podcasts for all of the eight weeks.  I might be doing week one for two weeks, but we'll see how it goes.

I feel good though.  I feel good about myself for getting up and doing it.  Though I have to admit, I didn't want to get up...my cat woke me up at 5:30am - she was out of food *sigh*.  So I decided to go back to sleep and I told myself if I wake up close to 6:15, I'd go, if not, I needed the sleep.  Well, I woke up at 6:05am...so I dragged myself out of bed and got ready to go.

I just hope I can keep it up! Supposedly, it will eventually get EASY to run three miles.

I've got to do something...I used to run...and I'd like to again.  So....I'm gonna start the Couch to 5k program.  It sounds like it will work, and I would love to start running again.

So...if I can drag my butt out of bed in the morning before Adam goes to work, I'm gonna start!!  I've been really tired lately, so hopefully I can do it tomorrow...otherwise I'll put it off until next week.  There are some cool podcasts to help time what you're supposed to do, so I'm gonna try to get that figured out...but for some reason iTunes isn't opening for me on my computer --- not sure why.  

Anyway, my goal then would be to do that each week...they say that if you're really struggling with a week, then you repeat it before moving on.  So I can't say that I want to get to the 5k in 8 weeks since I might have to repeat a week here or there, but I would really like to...so by the second week in July, I would really like to be running 5k (or three miles) three or more times per week!

So in the last couple of days, several people have told me that as I have lost weight, I am looking YOUNGER!!  That's really cool.  Not that I'm old...I'm only 29, but I will be 30 this summer, and it's a big milestone for me...and it does make me feel oldER.  So for people to say I'm looking YOUNGER, it's WONDERFUL!!  Just wanted to share!

Wow...So I was looking up BMI's...and you know they say that a "Normal Weight" is between an 18.5 and 24.9.  I couldn't remember what that range was for me, so I put it in a calculator...that would be (for me at 5' 8.5") - a range of 124 pounds to 164 pounds.  WOW!  That's a range of 42 pounds!  I know it has to do with bone structure...but still - that's quite a range.

BMI Categories:

• Underweight = <18.5 - for me that's 123 pounds or less
• Normal weight = 18.5-24.9 - for me that's 124-166 pounds
• Overweight = 25-29.9 - for me that's 167-199 pounds
• Obesity = 30-39.9 - for me that's 200-266 pounds
• Morbid Obesity = BMI over 40 - for me that's 267+ pounds

I can't imagine being around 125 pounds...that would be surreal - but I do have a small bone structure, so maybe that's where I need to be...I guess we'll see...for now my goal is 150.   

I am just glad to say that morbid obesity is FOREVER gone from my life!  I'm so excited.  I can't wait until I am no longer obese - it's kinda cool because that mark will come when I reach ONEderland...two big milestones at once.

Well, my third mini-goal was finally met - to weigh 260, and have my BMI be UNDER 40.  I am no longer morbidly obese...just obese now!  Woo-hoo!

Next Goal:  under 250 pounds...I am currently at 258, so it's probably going to come quickly!  

Alright...so I know I haven't posted in a LONG time.  Very sorry.  I had a rough patch that just ended a couple of weeks ago - just in time for T-ball for my boys, and then finals!  Just finished finals yesterday...now I'm DONE for the summer.  Gonna take a break!

I can't wait for nice weather to get out and enjoy it with my boys!

It's late and I need to get to bed...so long for now!

~Annie~

It's certainly been a while since I posted anything.  

My surgery was Feb 27th.  Everything went well - though my surgery took a while because of the shape of my stomach - it took about 4 hours or so.  

I was doing pretty good - but then got a slight infection about a week out, so ended up back in the hospital.  After getting my stupid drain out (which hurt like crazy!!), and getting pumped full of antibiotics, I am starting to feel better.  So my recovery has taken a bit longer than most because of that...but I'm doing alright.  Still need lots of sleep.

I weighed myself on a scale at the hospital before leaving - I was 309.2.  Then I weighed myself on that same scale before leaving the second time - I was down to 293.2  - 16 pounds down!! This morning my scale said 282!!  How cool is that!!  That's 27 pounds down from after surgery!! And 33 pounds down from my highest weight. 

I go in tomorrow for my first real post-op appointment.  I missed my first one being in the hospital and all.

Anyway, I'm getting tired out, so I'm going to go lay down now for a bit.

~Annie