Lesson Learned

I know I've told many of you before that maintenance is tough. It really is because I've gotten (and many of you have also) to the point where I can eat any and everything. It's really just like before the surgery only now I have better control. I think it really comes down at this point to exercise.

I've been working with my daughter to get her assignments in at school. That's all I'm asking of her this year. You might thing, easy! But it's not. She does amazingly well when she's at my home but sadly she's not always here. I ask her what homework she has, what long-term project she has. I check her homework and help her in areas where she's struggling. We talk about the importance of school and why it's structured the way it is and we discuss ways to finish things you start. Like any child, she needs someone to help her. To sit down with her to do homework. Learn how to organize so she completes assignments on time, how to manage time to get a long-term project done, etc. I understand the concept behind the "Let the child do it herself, if she fails she'll learn" parenting style, I simply disagree with it (as do most experts). I believe a parent is there to guide, to teach. If you never introduce your child to something (in this case a way of doing things), how can you expect them to do anything but flounder?

Anyway, I bring this up because my daughter also wants to get into better shape. She's a typical teen, worried about how she looks in comparison to other girls. She really shouldn't, she's absolutely beautiful. As a parent, I'm highly motivated to give her a sense of determination, an understanding of how to create a habit/routine, to show her how to start (and finish) something. Right now she starts things but has issues with finishing them (i.e., schoolwork, projects, exercise).

At the forum on 11/9/11, I was introduced to Linda. She's amazing. She's run a 10k and a half marathon. Are you kidding me? I was taken back to a few months ago when my daughter and I talked about running a 5k this coming summer. So I asked Linda.. how did you get started running. She told me how she couldn't run very far when she started but she stuck with it. Why does that seem to me a lesson that we can use for everything? Hmmmmmm.

So, how do we get started? I have a few ideas. Stay tuned as this is to be continued soon. Very soon. On this very blog.

November 9th Coming Up Fast

If you don't already know, I've been asked to be part of the RMAP forum on November 9, 2011. Initially I declined but after some soul searching, I decided I needed to accept the invitation. What makes me laugh is that it's been hard creating an outline and providing all the materials Carley wants by 10/26. Ugh. Too much to do, too little time. Wait... isn't it supposed to be Too Many People to Do, So Little Time? How did it change? haha

I hope everyone knows how to get to the RMAP 11/9/11 forum and that you're all going to be there. It might be your one and only time to hear me spill all my knowledge and experience in one setting (as opposed to getting it piecemeal on various forums).

I know I'm the worst blogger ever but I promise I'm going to start doing a better job. Stay tuned...

Weight Gain - Resolution

Okay so I'm back. Sorry for the absence. It's been crazy. Since the last time I posted, a lot has happened. The company I was happy with and working for folded up shop and laid everyone off. I have to chuckle since this is the 2nd time I've been through this. Fortunately I was one of the last ones let go which meant a pretty decent sized severence package. I took five months off waiting for the job I thought I was meant to move on to. A lot of people were shocked when that didn't turn out right. Panic mode a bit. It took me almost 7 months to find a job after that but I'm happy where I've landed.

However, the stress from that and a past relationship not having enough to do other than find ways to annoy me created a year (plus a few added months when I had anxiety from knowing my job was ending) where I was less than ideal with my eating. I'm currently at 247.8 lbs. Gahhhh. The worst part about it is that in some sense I still feel skinny and really I am. So many people have told me that I was too skinny at 207 and that they like me at this weight. 207 was too thin but I still believe that between 215-220 was the right weight for me. My goal weight was 225 and I achieved it but now I'm above it.

I. AM. NOT. HAPPY. Hahahaha.

The question now becomes, what am I going to do about it. Well... hmm. I've been thinking about that a lot lately. I think the biggest change with my weight gain has been my face. So that's an added motivation. *laughs* My recent blood tests have revealed a low level of Vitamin D. Gahhh. That means I'm not going to be absorbing calcium. I need to get better at that. I need to get back to the 70/30 (Protein/Veggies) eating plan. I need to make sure I'm getting my water. And above all, I need to get more exercise. Stay tuned. This will be another journey. Hopefully it won't be a very long one. Goal weight is 220 lbs. That's basically 28 lbs. I'd like to be under 230 by June 1st and at goal by July 1st. Ambitious I know. But we'll see.

So hold on to something and here we go..................