July 27  Wow, 2 more days until weigh in, I can't believe this journey is almost over! This week I'm visiting my son and daughter-in-law. My son is recovering from knee surgery, so I"m not able to get to a gym to do my usual work-outs. I did work out yester day morning, and I walked 3 1/2  miles today, and I'll be able to walk again tomorrow while he's in physical therapy. I'm really watching what I'm eating since I'm not working out like I"m used to. I also figured If I haven't lost any substantial weight this month, this last week isn't going to make or break me! (I am secretly hoping for a large weight loss though)!  There's been a lot going on in my life these past 6 mos. and as I had mentioned before, my biggest fear is that I don't want to start thinking, "it's over" I can start eating what I want. I don't want to go back to my old ways, and I'm hopeful that I won't, but in the back of my mind I'm still scared that I will... It's funny, when this challenge started, I couldn't see the end, 6 mos seemed like an eternity, and now it's here. Time flies, that's for sure!  I have to remember to weigh myself if not every few days, then at least once a week. I have to remember this, I've always gone by how my pants fit, and I can gain 15-20 lbs. before they don't fit anymore. I do not want that to happen!

    It's been great meeting all the contestants, and a few of us have been in touch between weigh-ins. That helps a lot. Having someone to talk to about what's going on in my life. We're all in this together. If you're trying to lose weight, get yourself a support group, friends, colleagues, anyone, that will help you be accountable. Or,,, you can submit your essay next year, and be in the challenge yourself! It works!!! It's accountability at it's best!! Until Saturday, I'm wishing everyone much success, and I'll be in touch soon. Good luck everyone!!

 

Vivian

July 23  YIKES! I've almost forgotten to blog this week! It's been very very busy at work, and very very hot as well! As you all know! What a crazy summer! I've been able to make it to Perry to work out 3 times this week. I even made it there yesterdsay morning by 5:15am! It was a great work out! As far as losing pounds, I think I'm only down a couple again this month. I did go shopping last night to buy more shorts, and I was able to go down another size smaller!! YEAH ME!!! I haven't fit in a size 12 since jr.. high!  The funny thing is, as I was trying them on, and I was looking at myself in the mirror, I saw the same person I was last year at this time. To me, I don't look any different. I feel much better, I don't have as many aches and pains, and I definately have more energy! But I think I still look the same. I'm not sure where that's coming from, or maybe I'm expecting to look like one of those super models, and I don't. And I know that's unrealistic expectations for anyone. I don't know, maybe it's how I feel about myself inside... Something I need to give some thought to..Have another couple crazy days at work, then by Tuesday things will calm down for me! (I can't wait)! It's neat to see the green shirts around town from the Johnnycake Jog. They're good conversation starters, and I can say, Hey I was there too!!! I'm still taking Zumba on Tues and Wed. This Wed is a day off, and she'll start up again Aug. 3 for six weeks. It's at Painesville Twp. Park Community Center on Hardy Rd. and it costs $30 for 6 weeks, or just $7 for walk-ins unless you bring a friend then you each pay $5/class.. It's a work-out, and so much fun!! It's a great stress relief as well! Because most of us try to keep up, and can't and we end up laughing a lot!! I really like it though! I hope everyone has a great weekend! 6 more days until our final weigh in!! i"m excited and sad at the same time. This has beeen a wonderful journey, with a great bunch of people!! I can honestly say that I will miss this when it's over!!!!

God Bless everyone, and try to stay cool!!!!

 

Vivian

Monday July 18

           What a great weekend! Ended up working late Saturday and Sunday, it was very busy at the beach, but enjoyable!

      Sunday Bob and I joined about 1000 other people at the Johnnycake Jog! What fun! I saw several people I knew! I did see Barb, I missed seeing Mike, I'm sure he was there somewhere! And of course it was good to see Laura again!! I'm glad that the race was held in the morning, because it had gotten very hot outside very quickly! I really enjoyed the woman who sprayed us with her garden hose as we walked by!!! Thank you again!!!

     It was really neat to see all the people there that day! Some were very dedicated,some were very serious athletes, I did see others who joined the race just for the heck of it! Either way, what a great experience it was! We (me and Bob) finished in 53 minutes. Not my best time, but this will give us something to improve on next year! And thank you Bob for doing this with me!!!

     I had really good pizza for lunch today, just 2 small pieces, and I've gotten ideas about how to improve things where I work,hopefully to be more efficient and help things run more smoothly!  Life is a learning experience. You're never too old to learn.

    I'm still working out three times a week at Perry, and at home on my off days. It's been too hot to ride my bike to work, I'd love to, but when it hits above 85 degrees, I'm not going to do it.

      It's not too bad when it's hot outside, I don't have an appetite!! That's a good thing!

    Time is getting closer for our last weigh in for this competition. I was thinking today, that I'm getting kind of nervous about that. I really don't want to revert to my old ways, and think woo hoo I'm done, I can eat whatever I want!

 I can't think like that, and I really need to change my way of thinking.

     Only time will tell. I'm hoping that my friends and family will keep me honest after this challenge is over, and call me out when they see me eating something I'm not supposed to.

   Until next time, Happy summer everyone!!!  Still hoping that all the contestants are doing well, and keeping on track!!! See all of you soon!!!!

God Bless,

 

Vivian

July 16

     It's been a good week for me. I concentrated on my exercising everyday. I had twisted my back Wed. night, so it's been a little sore, so when I went to Perry to work out, I just did what I was able to do. I still ended up sweating and getting a good work out in! Bob and I went to the Party in the Park in Painesville last night. I had chicken fingers, figured that was the heathiest meal there, and we split a rootbeer pop. We then went to Dairy Queen afterwards, so I really didn't eat as healthy as I should have!

     I feel like I'm plateauing again, according to my scale nothing's changed since the last weigh in, but I think I'm still losing inches. We'll see on the 30th!

     I've had a lot of support from my family and friends throughout this journey. I could not have done this challenge without them! I'm so blessed to have them in my life!! I keep thinking only one more weigh-in then I'm done..

    Someone pointed out that technically it's not just one more weigh-in, and this isn't the end. This is a life altering change, and I need to keep it that way, or i'll be right back where I started almost 6 mos. ago. I really need to keep that in mind, after July 30 at our final weigh-in.

    Bob and I are walking in the Johnnycake jog tomorrow July17! You can register tomorrow before it starts, there's still time! It's a fun experience, and I'm looking forward to it!!

     I"m hoping to see you there!!!

      Have a Blessed day everyone!!!!

 

Vivian

July 8  I had a good week! I worked out everyday, and even had a workout with Hannah this morning! According to her scale, I'm still the same weight though. I need to figure out what to do next. I've bumped up my cardio exercises, I'm doing Zumba 2-3 times a week now. I like the Wednesday night class at Painesville Twp. Park. If I bring a friend, we each pay only $5/class. And am watching what I eat. Except for tonite, went to Scooters for their Hawaiian hot dog, and had a chocolate ice cream cone. But I've been really good this whole past week. I don't understand what I'm doing wrong. Hannah said I need to change my workout, my body is getting used to the same old routine. So I guess I'll try that. I can't believe this challenge is almost over. It's been such a thrill being a part of this! 

   I'm still wishing everyone success whether you're in the challenge or not, if you're trying to lose weight, we're all in the same boat!! It was so much fun and so much easier putting the weight on!! I do feel better, and lighter, and I do have more energy, and my cholesterol levels have dropped dramatically, and that's without meds! I guess what the experts say, is correct, that exercise does work!!! Go figure! 

Have a great weekend everyone!!!!
 

Vivian

July 6,  I also wanted to remind everyone not to forget to sign up for the Johnnycake Jog!! It's July 17 at the Lake County Fairgrounds!! It's a fun day!!!!

p.s. yes , I did sign up!!!! LOL
 

Vivian

July 5th.

    Well I survived the holiday weekend! Went to two cook-outs. I ate good, and not too much, I did have strawberry shortcake with whipped cream. Actually I had that at both cook-outs! I definately ate too much whipped cream but I felt it was worth it!

    I started riding my bike to work, 4 1/2 miles, so that's not too bad. I did find out that riding home is a slight uphill, and against the wind!!

      I'm still taking my Zumba classes 2-3 times a week, and I'm still working out at Perry 3 mornings a week.

    I didn't work out hardly at all this past weekend and could really feel it today when Bob and I went to Indian Point and walked up the 3,000 steps there. Ok, there's only 137 but if FELT like 3,000!!!! We're going there again tomorrow, we figured if climbing those made us both lose our breath, we need to keep walking up them and get in better shape!  

  I"m disappointed that I had gained 2 lbs. last month. I'm still losing inches, but I need to watch what I eat better. I have caught myself snacking again. I checked the My pyramid.gov website and I'm not eating enough calories each day again, which is why I think I'm getting tired, and snacking again. I'm measuring my snacks for the day, and packing my lunch each day, and I'm trying to make sure i'm eating enough of the right foods! I'm hopeful I can lose weight this month, so wish me luck!! Hoping the other contestants are keeping motivated, and wishing everyone the best!!

Vivian