June 25, second to last weigh in today. I gained a little bit, that disappointed me. I've been working out faithfully daily, and Bob and I have been bike riding also 2-3 times a week as well. So here's my accountability,, I did have ice cream, and candy this past month. Not a lot, but I justified my eating it. I paid for it today..Sunday's have been my cheat day, but father's day, I really did cheat, cake and candy.. not good...Ok, this is the last month, I'm gonna suck it up, and continue with my journey!!

  Bob and I went on a 10 mile bike ride tonite! We went out to Ashtabula's bike path. It was really a nice ride! This time last year, neither one of us would've said that we could have done this! We did!! We went hiking Tuesday at Girdled Rd. that's a beautiful place also! Northeast Ohio has so much to offer with hiking, biking and Lake Erie! We're really spoiled to have so much in our own back yards!

    I'm feeling a little competitive now that we only have one more weigh in. I really want to drop more weight before the end of July. I can do this, I know! Wishing everyone much success, we're almost there!!!!
 

Vivian

June 24

         These past 5 weeks have flown by! I"m not sure if I've lost weight or not. I did lose a couple of more inches, this I know. Tomorrow is weigh-in. I always get nervous, and I don't know why. Yes, I do, it's that accountability thing again...If I weigh in, and I don't lose, or worse yet, gain.... I'm being held accountable...I don't like this.. Before weigh-in and after, I'm ok, I only have to answer to myself, but come weigh-in time...YIKES......

      Finally went through my clothes yesterday. All of my fat clothes are gone!! Even my green sweat pants!! They were special to me, I had them for at least 15 yrs. You know when you have that one special piece of clothing you cannot get rid of?? I'm rid of my comfort clothes. It was difficult to depart with them because in the back of my mind, I'm telling myself I should keep them "just in case" I gain the weight back. I figured out last night, that's how I set myself up for failure, keep the fat clothes, it's a safe haven for me, so I can go back to eating like I did before and not exercising, and I'll always have clothes that will fit, some were bought when I had gone on vacation and they have memories...excuses....FAT CLOTHES...........GONE FOREVER...................There, now I'm out of my cofort zone again...another stepping stone in my life!!

    Bob and I have been doing a lot of bike riding, and hiking, this I really enjoy. We rode the mountains in Perry the other night. Ok, maybe NOT a mountain, but if felt like it, we were going against the wind....and it was at least 50  mph.!  Or it felt like it anyways! It was a good ride though, and we both worked up a sweat!

     I'll continue this blog tomorrow after weigh-in. Wishing everyone success, wether you're in the challenge or not! If you're trying to lose weight, then we're all in the same boat! Keep it up, and take it one day, one meal at a time!! If I can do it, so can you!!

Many Blessings to everyone today, and looking forward to seeing the contestants tomorrow!!!

   
 

Vivian

June 21

           First day of summer! Woo Hoo! This means that there will be no more rain, and only warm temperatures, right?!!  Went on the Gorge walk at Penitentary Glen in Kirtland on Saturday. What a beautiful walk that was! We were down walking along the creek and it felt like air condintioning! I recommend it if  you want something different to do, and to check out what we have to offer here in Lake County! 

     I'm signing up for the Johnnycake Jog today, I'm just walking, I know my knees won't last to run, plus I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to run that far anyways!!! LOL  Soooo, I'm blaming my knees!!

    I've been eating more fruit and veggies. Somehow that's easier to do in the summertime for some reason. I totally cheated on Sunday, that's my cheat day anyways, but I ended up eating 4 pieces of candy at my parents, I thought it was three, Bob said he counted 4. Oops, Thank you Bob! I also had some sugar free lemon cake later on, it was a small piece, but very good! 

    I'm working out everyday again, my work schedule has slowed down, and I have more time now. I worked out with Hannah twice last week. She told me that after a good workout you'll feel it the next day, after a great workout, you'll feel it two days later.. I felt it two days later without a doubt! It felt good, I noticed I don't work out quite that hard when I'm by myself. Hannah will push me to do 2 more, 1 more.. I know, if I were by myself, I would've quit before doing those last 2 or three. Something to remember, when I want to stop, do 2 or three more, to really push myself!

We weigh in on Saturday. According to my scale, I have not lost any weight, but I'm still losing inches. Jamie from Slim and fit said it's the inches that count, I'm toning up, but I told him it's the weight loss I need for the challenge!! 

    I'm ok with the inches. I feel like I get it now. Watch what I eat, watch my portions, eat more fruits and veggies, and drink lots of water and most important, exercise!! Get your heart rate up for at least 15 minutes a day you WILL notice a difference! No secrets, just living, eating healthy. I'm doing Zumba twice a week now, I like it! It's a fun way to exercise! And I've been riding my bike much more also. Find something active you like to do, or try something new! You won't know until you try it!

Wishing you success, and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again!!!

God Bless,
 

Vivian

June 14

       I Finally broke down and went shopping for some summer clothes. The ones I had were 2 sizes too big, and even with a belt I had a hard time keeping them up. I know my co-workers will appreciate this!!  I've been so stressed these past couple of days because I knew I had to go shopping by today (my Kohl's 30% off expired then) and in the back of my mind, I really and truly was thinking that I was going to be shopping the women's section again. That somehow I had gained all the weight back again. I know it sounds stupid, but in my mind, I'm still fat. I feel healthier, and have more energy, but I still feel like the fat lady, who doesn't fit in. This is something I need to work on I know.

    I do have a work out session with Hannah on Thursday, I"ve been keeping my workout rountine going each week at Perry,  and except for the past couple of days, I've been careful of what I eat. Well, except for the blizzard from Dairy Queen on Saturday night, but that was after a 7 mile bike ride, so I justified that one!  I think it's the season change that's stressed me out. Having to get out my summer clothes, that in the past have never fit right 2 years in a row! I did buy size 14's tonite, so I haven't gained the weight like I thought, and I was able to shop in the Misses dept. still. Gotta get used to this, but I think I can!

    Still wishing everyone success, we're getting near the end of this competition, so let's keep up the good work everyone!!! 
 

Vivian

June 9

             School's out! Woo Hoo!! I'm not sure who was more excited, me or the kids! Both, I guess! It's been very stressful these past couple of months. There's going to be a lot of changes with the school system come august, and possibly lay-offs. I'm near the top of the list, so my hours may get cut a little, but that's it. Change...nobody likes change, ever..

      I caught myself many times this past 2 weeks doing my grab and go again. I've been so busy with work, I did  not have time to sit and eat a meal. I did try to grab good food at least, I did eat a lot of fruit and veggies. I've been cutting up broccolli, squash, onions, tomatoes and putting them in my toaster oven, or in the microwave and eating them for dinner. Sometimes I'll add a little red potato for substance. I wish I could have a salad buffet at my house that would automatically re-stock itself daily, I would eat salads 24/7. I love salad bars when I go out, and I figured out it's because everything is ready to go. All I have to do is fix my plate! 

    Bob and I have been going bike riding recently. What fun! We've ridden on the greenway corridor in Painesville to Concord, that's a work out going South, it's a steady uphill grade, but coming back is much easier, since it's going downhill! That's a 6 mile trip. This past weekend we went out to Ashtabula's bike path off Rt. 45. That was nice, very quiet, and flat!! That too, we just rode 3 miles out and then back again, but it was a very nice ride! I would recommend that one for any beginners, it was a good day!

     I'm still working out at Perry Fitness Center, and taking Zumba classes now at Lake Metroparks Painesville Twp. Park on Wednesday nights from 8-9. I love Zumba! This is my 4th series of classes I've taken. And no, I am NOT a Zumba expert by any means, but I have fun, and it's good exercise and she only charges $7 per class for walk-ins, or $5/person if you bring a friend! Not too shabby! This will be going on for the next 6 weeks at least I'll be exercising! I also signed up for Zumba classes at Perry that start  next Tues. or Thurs. they're offering 2 differnt classes this summer. I like taking the classes, I'm paying for them, and I'm being held accountable to go. My friend Bonnie is going with me, so she helps keep my on track to make sure I show up!! 

     My arthritis has really been acting up lately, and it's rough, trying to get out of bed each morning. I've skipped walking on the treadmill a few days these past couple of weeks, It was just too hard to get moving. another excuse, I need to move, I know this, so I've been forcing myself these past few days to get up and exercise. It really does make me feel better once I get moving, I need to keep this up daily! I will, I hope!

   Still wishing everyone much success with the weight loss!! We're winding down with this contest, and the end will be here before we know it! See everyone soon!! 
 

Vivian

June 2

         Time keeps getting away from me!! I've forgotten to blog this week again.. Not good. This is a very busy time for me, at least for the next week, then my life will get back to normal. I haven't been able to get to Perry to work out this week due to my work schedule. I have been getting up early still and working out at home at least. The usual, 2 miles on the treadmill then my work out with my exercise ball, bands, and weights. 

      Memorial Day Weekend was fun, and very busy! Bob and I went for a bike ride along the greenway corridor in Concord. We rode to the end, and back, I believe that was 6 miles. It was funner coming back to the car, (downhill)!! We did have a cook out, ribs, veggies, and salad. I did make strawberry shortcake, I had more strawberries than shortcake at least. But I had to make room for the ice cream sundae we had later. It was a good cheat day for me! I'm still on track, watching what I eat each day, and making healthy choices.

    There's a bunch of us that are going to participate in the Johnnycake jog July 17 at the Lake County Fairgrounds. I"m excited to be able to participate with the other contestants. It will be surreal, this will be the week before our last weigh-in. I was in it a couple of years ago and really enjoyed myself! There's so many nice people there that day!

    I"m still taking Zumba classes at Perry on Tuesday nights, and there's a new class starting at lakemetroparks painesville twp. park on Wednesdays starting June 8 from 8-9pm. I really like taking these classes! It's dancing, you don't learn any certain moves, you just follow along the best you can, for an hour and have fun doing it!!

    I'm glad tomorrow is Friday! For a short week, it seemed really long!! Have a great weekend everybody, and I still wish all of us the best on our weight loss journey!!!!
 

Vivian