The humidity is back!  Oh well, it is still summer in the South!  Finally got thru my P90X+ upper body and abs workout last night....tonight I'll walk the neighborhood with DH and DD and grandpuppy.

Eats today:

B1-1/2 c cottage chs with NSA peaches, 1/2 ww english muffin
B2-grilled chicken breast (4-6 oz)
L-1 cup of homemade taco salad (ff re-fried beans, lean ground beef, salsa, grated cheese, onion. lettuce and tomato)
S-Chobani yogurt
S-Kashi bar
D-grilled salmon and steamed veggies

Dessert:  sugar free jello, coffee later in evening

As I begin the process of reflection, I take a deep breathe, look back through journals, remember where I was, what I felt, where I am, what I feel…it’s been quite the journey over the past 5 years! Five years ago today at age 27, I chose to undergo gastric bypass weight loss surgery (WLS). It was by far the greatest decision I have ever made in my life. This is solely a glimpse of a 5 year in the making transformation…….

 

Throughout the weight loss process, I have gone through many transformations: physical, mental, emotional & spiritual. I lost 100 pounds in 9 months. I lost 119 pounds by the one year surgiversary date. I have lost a total of 134 pounds. At my heaviest, I weighed 267. The day of surgery I weighed 253. At my smallest since surgery I have been 127 and back up to 140 and then down again. I regularly maintain 133-136 with my “happy" weight as 133. With each pound lost, a new part of me was revealed, a hidden piece of me uncovered. As noted in my journals, it was not until November 2009 that my mind's eye caught up with my physical eye. During that time, I was finally able to see me for me! Everything I had stuffed came bubbling up, everything I had tried to drown with food began to surface. I knew my only choice; only desire was to begin addressing my own garbage. I was ready to put all my bags down, lighten the load in ALL ways!

 

I got divorced during this 5 year time span. I have cried, hidden, ran from everyone and everything I knew only to return with and to opens arms. I have gone through counseling and met with a psychiatrist. I read every self-help book I could get my hands on. I completed two rounds of plastic surgeries. I have volunteered to mentor others going through WLS. I have struggled with transfer addictions. I have struggled with an eating disorder. I have been obsessed with food. I have struggled with my own reflection in the mirror. I have partied like a rock star & prayed like a Saint. I have found refuge in my Father, Gordon’s words & solace in my Mother, Karen’s touch.

 

And ooohhhh, how I have lived, laughed & danced! I created a Life List and began to check-off items & tasks! I have found peace & healing in laughter with friends & family. I have traveled coast to coast. I have grown, gained insight, strengthened healthy relationships & realized it was time to break ties with unhealthy relationships, grasped & hung onto the Universe, God for guidance & safety. I am still working; I will always work to be a better version of me. I am happy. I no longer try to “find" myself, but rather am enjoying the freedom of “creating" myself, whoever I want to be, however I want my world to look, I have the power & choice of that….EMPOWERING! Life is the journey & the journey is the reward……..

Happy Wishes~ Holli

Last night was not fun.  I got home from work, put on workout clothes and headed to the basement to work out.  Got started on the warm up and realized I needed the bathroom.  Had "issues"......lots of pain, trapped gas...and the other gross thing you usually have in this situation.  Well, felt so bad had to lay down--fell asleep and stayed in bed until this a.m.  Feeling better today, but not sure what hit me.  Was it a bug?  Something I ate?  Who knows.  I did eat a serving of my homemade collards at lunch....COULD THEY BE THE CULPRIT??  I hope not...they've never messed with me before, and I do so love them.

Eats today:

B1-1/2 slice ww toast with PB and banana
B2-grilled chicken breast
L-Healthy choice pasta steamer, watermelon
S-Chobani cherry yogurt
D-homemade taco salad with no shell (was supposed to cook that last night)

Exercise:  will finish the upper body workout I started last night.

Have a great day!!

C25K is a great way to start!  Take your iPod and crank up the jam!  I don't realize I'm breathing so hard when I have the music blasting!

I had to "de-carb" the house yesterday....DH and I were snacking on too much crap....sent all the candy, chips, out the door with my son, and all the leftovers from the bruch went to DD house...except the fruit salad!  I kept that

I have two 5k's coming up in October so I have to up the running....I want to be able to complete them with all running, no walking....I can do 2 miles continuous, but then I need a quick break, so my goal is the whole 5k with no stops.....I'm glad the weather is getting cooler so running will be easier!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!  We had my DD bridesmaids brunch yesterday...that was the last function until the rehearsal!!

I ran Saturday, and the weather was still nice and cool when we got out there at 8ish.  Yesterday DH and I did yoga....I love yoga...it is so relaxing.  Tonight is upper body weights and abs.

Eats today:

B1-Jimmy Dean D-Light breakfast bagel
B2-grilled chicken breast
L-collard greens and a few bites of pork chop and a few of steak
S-Oikos yogurt
S-fruit salad
D-taco salad (homemade with no shell)

Dessert-frozen yogurt bar