Steady going and NSVs

Feb 02, 2010

Well so far I've lost 47 lbs.  My weight loss has slowed down over the last 3-4 weeks, but that's OK and it's to be expected.  I was on vacation for a week in Florida during the third week in January and experienced quite a few NSVs!  First of all, prior to leaving on my trip, I was like WTF do I pack?  I needed to take some shorts, capri pants, etc. and was very concerned that I would not have any that would fit.  A week before my trip, I got out my summer clothes from this past summer.  Some things fit, and some looked like "clown" clothes if you know what I mean!  I also found some clothing items from probably 2-3 summers ago that had not fit me in quite awhile; and they seemed to fit OK.  Can you believe that I actually found clothes that was brand new and still had the tags on them?  Apparently I had bought them, and they didn't quite fit but I refused to take them back thinking, "They'll fit me soon after I lose 20 pounds or so."  Well, of course that 20 pound loss never happened and I had never been able to wear the clothes, until now that is!  During the trip I wore the clothes that had seemed to fit OK a week before we had left.  However, during the trip my fiancee commented that I really needed new clothes because this stuff was too big and just didn't seem to fit right.  I agreed!  I agreed that this would be the last time that I would be wearing these items; I would get rid of them all after I got back home.  I know when this spring and summer rolls around I will need to do some SERIOUS SHOPPING because I will not have anything that fits right!  I'm not complaining through, mind you!  Also, during our trip we went to Disney and some other theme parks.  We had just been to these same parks at the same time last year, January 2009.  Last year on the trip, I barely fit onto some of the rides.  Those of you who go on roller coasters, etc. know what I mean when I say that I barely made "the first click," of the seat belt, restraint, etc.  This year, the belts/restraints locked me in with several clicks.  I could tell a big difference in the way that I fit into the seats, restraints, etc.  And YES, I rode every wild roller coaster and crazy ride in all of the parks!  Also, I did LOTS of walking.  My family and I went everywhere in the theme parks, walked each entire park.  We went to 5 parks in 5 days!  I was able to walk around so much better, without fatigue or pain...it was a great feeling, I actually felt energized!  Also, at the resort where we stayed - they rented bicycles.  Now, please know that it's been probably 15 years or more since I have ridden a "real bicycle" so I was a little scared to do it.  But, my kids really wanted to go bike riding and I needed to supervise them.  So, I rode bikes with them, all around the resort for about 45 minutes.  I was a little fatigued after the bike ride, but I guess that's to be expected when it's something I haven't done in so long.  It felt so good though while I was riding - I was able to do it without too much difficulty and it was a lot of fun, something that I have really missed in my life actually.  It was definitely something that I have never done with my kids before, and a really fun activity that I would not have been ABLE TO DO before!  Maybe I'll buy myself a bike to ride at home...I'm certainly going to consider it!  I had a few snacks that I probably shouldn't have had during my week of vacation, but nothing too over the top.  At Disney and some of the other places, they let me order kids' meals, etc.  At the resort where we stayed, we had a full kitchen so I actually cooked most of our meals at the resort and made things that were good for me, and that satisfied my family as well.  It was a great vacation; I really felt the best, better than I have in a very long time!

Since I returned from vacation I committed to working out at the gym.  I started last Monday and right now I am going to the gym 3 times per week (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays) after work.  I think I also want to start working in an additional workout day on either Saturday or Sunday; just have to try to work it into my busy schedule.  I really like going to the gym, it's such a positive stress reliever.  I feel like if I'm stressed I can work it out at the gym instead of through food and/or isolating myself like I used to do.  I've really been enjoying the exercise more than I thought I would!  I have been doing 35 minutes on the treadmill, then 30 minutes of weight-lifting (mainly arms), then 30 minutes on a recumbent bike.  Another great thing about the gym is that with my membership I am able to take a guest with me anytime I go, at no additional charge.  My 15 year old son just started going with me, and he loves it!  Although he is not overweight, I think it's really great that he is coming with me.  He mainly likes to lift weights there and is trying to "get buff" lol!  It's really great though because I feel like it is helping to teach him how to stay in shape and take care of his body; and just how important that is.  Plus it allows for more parent-teenager time which is rare nowadays. ;)

If you've actually read my whole rambling blog post, congratulations on your patience!  I don't post updates often, but when I do it's usually a (too) long one!  :)  Thanks to everyone for their support, and hope everyone is doing well on their journeys!

1 Comment