Just a short comment today… I got a bike yesterday, and to be honest I am not the same carefree cyclist I was at the age of seven. I thought once you learned to ride a bike you never forgot. In my case that is “practically” true, but I would not use the word graceful to describe my cycling abilities. In my current situation I have a difficult time keeping the bike and myself straight and upright; the bike I kind of wobble down the road. To top it off I am a chicken when it comes to biking near traffic on the busy highways. Is it gauche to ride on the sidewalks if you are 34? Hmm... I thought as much. My last complaint is the bruises on my butt. OUCH! Comfy saddle my ass. (I knew I should have spent my money on a flat screen TV instead; at least my ass would be much happier. Maybe a little bigger, but at least it wouldn’t hurt so much.)
I have wanted a bike for a long time. I was too afraid that my butt would be swallowed up by the saddle seat and all the public would see is my bum with a bike rod sticking up into it. Thanks to my surgery and my weight loss I feel more confident to take to the streets on two wheels. Isn't it funny how much I held myself back because of my weight? Besides the butt-bruise-discomfort-issue I feel so free and light spinning down the road. Yeah I am still on the back roads mind you, but I still feel good never the less.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
First Attempt at a 10K...No Really!
I am so beat! I feel like a wet pair of jeans that have yet to have come out of the washer-machine; all stiff and unwearable. I swear to you that I stretched. I prepared. I brought water and almonds. I wore my best pair of sneakers. I did everything I knew how to do today to make myself as comfortable as possible. I even went as far as to hire two coaches slash trainers. It is true that my trainers are on the cheap, as they are my husband and my ten year old daughter Holly, but free is free. What can I say?
Why do I hurt so much? In my brilliant moment (not so much) of wisdom I decided to walk 10K to “see” how it felt. You know to try it on for size. I went on to Google maps and carefully mapped out my route to make sure it was a 10K walk.
We started out around 10:30 in the morning. It was starting to get a little hot, but really how long would this walk take us? No more than an hour…an hour and fifteen minutes tops. Hey we can handle an hour or so. David was so excited about the prospect of what I was taking on, and I was grateful for his support and willingness to share my first 10K walk. I also managed to sucker him into a 10K walk every week for that matter; for the sake of “training”. I have to admit the first 7 ½ K were easy to accomplish, but after that we were starting to feel the power of the sun’s rays.. Apparently when the sun comes out it gets very HOT; who knew? We started to drag our butts and I started to question whose idea this was to come out here in the blazing heat and walk 10 bloody kilometres! But only I couldn’t complain because we both knew it was all my idea. Damn! At this point the only time we talked was to make comments about the how long roads seemed to be, and other times was when I asked David what time it was.
The best news is we made it home at 12:36 thank goodness; it was touch and go for awhile there. (For those keeping track the walk took us two hours and six minutes.) The bad news is that as it turns out our home has stairs! Who bough…oh yeah it was me again. As the night goes on my body gets stiffer…where is that A535?
*I did forget to put on sunscreen, as a result my face and shoulders look like a red delicious apple. Next week I must make sure I add sunscreen to my list of things to do.
BTW…On our route David noticed a bicycle shop and decided that we should buy new bikes. His reasoning: we need to be more active. What? We are going out in the next few days to buy ourselves some new wheels. Personally I think it is because David does not want to “walk/run” beside me as I train, instead he has a unrealistic dream of “coaching” me while he rides while I run. Well I got new for him…
Why do I hurt so much? In my brilliant moment (not so much) of wisdom I decided to walk 10K to “see” how it felt. You know to try it on for size. I went on to Google maps and carefully mapped out my route to make sure it was a 10K walk.
We started out around 10:30 in the morning. It was starting to get a little hot, but really how long would this walk take us? No more than an hour…an hour and fifteen minutes tops. Hey we can handle an hour or so. David was so excited about the prospect of what I was taking on, and I was grateful for his support and willingness to share my first 10K walk. I also managed to sucker him into a 10K walk every week for that matter; for the sake of “training”. I have to admit the first 7 ½ K were easy to accomplish, but after that we were starting to feel the power of the sun’s rays.. Apparently when the sun comes out it gets very HOT; who knew? We started to drag our butts and I started to question whose idea this was to come out here in the blazing heat and walk 10 bloody kilometres! But only I couldn’t complain because we both knew it was all my idea. Damn! At this point the only time we talked was to make comments about the how long roads seemed to be, and other times was when I asked David what time it was.
The best news is we made it home at 12:36 thank goodness; it was touch and go for awhile there. (For those keeping track the walk took us two hours and six minutes.) The bad news is that as it turns out our home has stairs! Who bough…oh yeah it was me again. As the night goes on my body gets stiffer…where is that A535?
*I did forget to put on sunscreen, as a result my face and shoulders look like a red delicious apple. Next week I must make sure I add sunscreen to my list of things to do.
BTW…On our route David noticed a bicycle shop and decided that we should buy new bikes. His reasoning: we need to be more active. What? We are going out in the next few days to buy ourselves some new wheels. Personally I think it is because David does not want to “walk/run” beside me as I train, instead he has a unrealistic dream of “coaching” me while he rides while I run. Well I got new for him…
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Number One on my List.
I wanted to show you what the love of my life David actually looks like. We have a phenomenal life together! I couldn’t ask for a better partner to navigate through this life with. This picture was taken on my 34th birthday.
As for my 35th year as promised I am making a list of things I want to do this year that will make this year a year to remember. I had to really think about what it was that I wanted to accomplish this year. It doesn’t have to be spectacular, but it does have to hold a special meaning to me.
For the first item on my list:
I am going to run the Vancouver Sun Run. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this run: it is the largest 10K run in Canada and the second largest in North America. Over 51,000 people run the Sun Run every year. Now I am not expecting to win by ANY means, but I WILL beat the average.
I went for my first walk/jog exercise today. I did pretty well; I ran for 8 minutes and walked for 40. I only came home because I ran out of water. I have ten months to get into "running" shape and I am determined to stay focused! My eye is on the prize, which will be bragging rights and a framed picture of course.
Why is this particular exercise important to me? It is simple- I hate running. I haven't got it quite right. I have not mastered running, and it is just out of my grasp. I also fear running because I am overweight. I hate the thought of my 'jell-O' body running down the road. That being said I want to do something that is hard, but will become easier the more I do it. Truthfully- I want to kick 40,000 other people’s ass.
#1: Run my butt off for ten months, and then join thousands of other people for a run, and finish before they do. See you at the finish line in April 2009
As for my 35th year as promised I am making a list of things I want to do this year that will make this year a year to remember. I had to really think about what it was that I wanted to accomplish this year. It doesn’t have to be spectacular, but it does have to hold a special meaning to me.
For the first item on my list:
I am going to run the Vancouver Sun Run. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this run: it is the largest 10K run in Canada and the second largest in North America. Over 51,000 people run the Sun Run every year. Now I am not expecting to win by ANY means, but I WILL beat the average.
I went for my first walk/jog exercise today. I did pretty well; I ran for 8 minutes and walked for 40. I only came home because I ran out of water. I have ten months to get into "running" shape and I am determined to stay focused! My eye is on the prize, which will be bragging rights and a framed picture of course.
Why is this particular exercise important to me? It is simple- I hate running. I haven't got it quite right. I have not mastered running, and it is just out of my grasp. I also fear running because I am overweight. I hate the thought of my 'jell-O' body running down the road. That being said I want to do something that is hard, but will become easier the more I do it. Truthfully- I want to kick 40,000 other people’s ass.
#1: Run my butt off for ten months, and then join thousands of other people for a run, and finish before they do. See you at the finish line in April 2009
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
David loves to shop!
If you have been keeping up with my blog from the beginning you read about my theory about buying clothes for shrinking women (and men.) If you haven’t I’ll wait…
Okay, I’ll assume you are all caught up on my ramblings.
I was such a clothes horse. I used clothes to feel better about being overweight. Well it was worse than I thought, because when I started clearing out my closet of all bigger sizes I filled up boxes and boxes, bags and bags. I was embarrassed about how much clothes I had accumulated over the years. (Who knew you needed twelve pairs of capri pants, and thirty tank tops? Who am I Oprah?) I donated, I gave, I cried, and then I donated some more. You should see my bare closet! Now your voice can echoe off the walls, because there is nothing there to impact the sound.
David, God bless his heart thinks that every woman needs twelve pairs of capris, and thirty tank tops, so when he saw my bare closet this caused him great concern. He asked me when I was planning on going shopping to replace my clothes. I told him that I would do it soon. But as the days ticked by and the magic clothing fairies failed to fill my walk-in-closet with new attire he got antsier. “Do you want to go shopping?” he would ask me in a tone that was similar to the tone we use to ask the dog if he wants to go for a walk.
I finally agreed to go shopping and when we got to the mall I went to the plus size stores as usual. (Go with what you know.) Here is my method for finding the “perfect” fit:
Pants- to find the perfect fitting pair of pants you must be able to pull them off of your hips without unbuttoning them. (Nope there is no elastic involved!)
Panties-to find the perfect fitting pair of undies they must have a bubble of fabric and air in the bum for added windy comfort.
Bra-(My personal favorite) to find the perfect fitting bra you must be able to fit grapefruit plus your own merchandise in the cup, and when you bounce you must still be able to give yourself a black eye from your merchandise whacking you in your face. Grandma would be so proud!
Shirt-To find the perfect shirt buy one that is too big so you can pretend that it is your boyfriend’s and/or husband’s shirt. *tip: try and find a shirt that makes your ass look big too.
Yesterday, my family took me into a regular sized woman’s store. I agreed (reluctantly) to go because the sign on the window said: up to size 18. My daughter and my husband start to pull dresses of off the rack and I notice that they are not pulling the biggest size. “Whoa wait a minute. I am a XXL if I am even that lucky.” They didn’t listen and they kept pulling their favorite dresses. I decided to leave the dress department, because I was afraid if someone saw me in the store they might ask me to leave. My heart was pounding so I started to look at capris. (You know I only have two pairs I am down by ten.) I grabbed the biggest size and ran away from the display like I was committing a crime. I went to change room I grabbed the only XXL dress, which I picked and put it on. I came out of the change room and it was too big, well according to them, according to me it fit all of the requirements listed above. I went back in to the evil change room and tried on dress after dress in smaller sizes; I even went down to a large. It fit but I wasn’t mentally ready for the responsibility that comes with a large. I also tried on a size twelve skirt and it fit comfortably with no problem except when I sat down it did show my lovely “roll”, so that was a definite NO! As for the capris it turned out that I didn’t pick out the largest size, but on a positive note it did pass my pull it off with having to waste time with out having to fuss with buttons and zippers;.
After all that I did not buy anything, but it was a great accomplishment towards feeling better in my own skin. When I get down to my goal weight of 160 pounds I believe that I will strangely get the Oprah clothes buying bug again…hum! Only 23 more pounds to go.
Okay, I’ll assume you are all caught up on my ramblings.
I was such a clothes horse. I used clothes to feel better about being overweight. Well it was worse than I thought, because when I started clearing out my closet of all bigger sizes I filled up boxes and boxes, bags and bags. I was embarrassed about how much clothes I had accumulated over the years. (Who knew you needed twelve pairs of capri pants, and thirty tank tops? Who am I Oprah?) I donated, I gave, I cried, and then I donated some more. You should see my bare closet! Now your voice can echoe off the walls, because there is nothing there to impact the sound.
David, God bless his heart thinks that every woman needs twelve pairs of capris, and thirty tank tops, so when he saw my bare closet this caused him great concern. He asked me when I was planning on going shopping to replace my clothes. I told him that I would do it soon. But as the days ticked by and the magic clothing fairies failed to fill my walk-in-closet with new attire he got antsier. “Do you want to go shopping?” he would ask me in a tone that was similar to the tone we use to ask the dog if he wants to go for a walk.
I finally agreed to go shopping and when we got to the mall I went to the plus size stores as usual. (Go with what you know.) Here is my method for finding the “perfect” fit:
Pants- to find the perfect fitting pair of pants you must be able to pull them off of your hips without unbuttoning them. (Nope there is no elastic involved!)
Panties-to find the perfect fitting pair of undies they must have a bubble of fabric and air in the bum for added windy comfort.
Bra-(My personal favorite) to find the perfect fitting bra you must be able to fit grapefruit plus your own merchandise in the cup, and when you bounce you must still be able to give yourself a black eye from your merchandise whacking you in your face. Grandma would be so proud!
Shirt-To find the perfect shirt buy one that is too big so you can pretend that it is your boyfriend’s and/or husband’s shirt. *tip: try and find a shirt that makes your ass look big too.
Yesterday, my family took me into a regular sized woman’s store. I agreed (reluctantly) to go because the sign on the window said: up to size 18. My daughter and my husband start to pull dresses of off the rack and I notice that they are not pulling the biggest size. “Whoa wait a minute. I am a XXL if I am even that lucky.” They didn’t listen and they kept pulling their favorite dresses. I decided to leave the dress department, because I was afraid if someone saw me in the store they might ask me to leave. My heart was pounding so I started to look at capris. (You know I only have two pairs I am down by ten.) I grabbed the biggest size and ran away from the display like I was committing a crime. I went to change room I grabbed the only XXL dress, which I picked and put it on. I came out of the change room and it was too big, well according to them, according to me it fit all of the requirements listed above. I went back in to the evil change room and tried on dress after dress in smaller sizes; I even went down to a large. It fit but I wasn’t mentally ready for the responsibility that comes with a large. I also tried on a size twelve skirt and it fit comfortably with no problem except when I sat down it did show my lovely “roll”, so that was a definite NO! As for the capris it turned out that I didn’t pick out the largest size, but on a positive note it did pass my pull it off with having to waste time with out having to fuss with buttons and zippers;.
After all that I did not buy anything, but it was a great accomplishment towards feeling better in my own skin. When I get down to my goal weight of 160 pounds I believe that I will strangely get the Oprah clothes buying bug again…hum! Only 23 more pounds to go.
Only 2 more days...
I am turning 34 on Saturday. I have mixed feelings about being 34. I am not one of those people who fear aging or pretend to be younger than I actually am. I am just me. I hangout and don’t count the years passing by, but I do wonder what the next years will hold. That is where my problem lies.
I have dreams but I let my dreams fall through my fingers; promising myself I will make new dreams a reality next year. But day-after-day I do the same thing and live the same life. I am still waiting for life to happen to me. What happens between the hope of a new year and just becoming content to wait for next year to make new promises?
Now don’t misunderstand me; I am not talking about going to the gym and working out 5 times a week, or eating vegetables with every meal. No I am talking about feeling alive, happy, and accomplished. I don’t want to tread water instead I want to sail on a yacht. I want to look back on my 34th year and say: "That was a fantastic year! I had so many wonderful adventures with so many wonderful people!" Does this make sense to anyone? Before Saturday I am going to make a list of things I will do this year that will bring me great joy.
Stay tuned…
I have dreams but I let my dreams fall through my fingers; promising myself I will make new dreams a reality next year. But day-after-day I do the same thing and live the same life. I am still waiting for life to happen to me. What happens between the hope of a new year and just becoming content to wait for next year to make new promises?
Now don’t misunderstand me; I am not talking about going to the gym and working out 5 times a week, or eating vegetables with every meal. No I am talking about feeling alive, happy, and accomplished. I don’t want to tread water instead I want to sail on a yacht. I want to look back on my 34th year and say: "That was a fantastic year! I had so many wonderful adventures with so many wonderful people!" Does this make sense to anyone? Before Saturday I am going to make a list of things I will do this year that will bring me great joy.
Stay tuned…
Monday, May 19, 2008
Life is a Highway
I am starting to have more good days than bad now, which is fantastic!
I live close to a busy road. I hate this road with a passion. When I bought my house I did not notice the road, or either it did not bother me at the time. It is the traffic that I can’t stand; especially the young gentlemen who find it necessary to trick out their 1990 Mustangs by removing the muffler. On my walks I will avoid this road by walking the back roads even if it takes twice the amount of time. Since I am not feeling too great I am forced to walk the shortest distance to get to where I want to go, which means taking the "no mufflers necessary highway”.
One day I had to pick my daughter up from school; I noticed a elderly woman sitting in a wheelchair on the side of the road. She was under a small tree that barely covered her and it was a rather warm day. I kept walking assuming she was waiting for a ride, but I was irritated at the same time that someone would make her wait on the side of the road I despised so much. When I came back with my daughter in tow she was still there! I was even more distraught on her behalf.
A few days later I ventured out with again to pick up Holly from school. The weather was colder and I was wearing a coat. I looked for the woman in the wheelchair and she was there, she had a blanket on her lap and she is watching the traffic speed by. She didn’t look unhappy but she didn’t look pleased either. She was not there when I passed by on my way home.
I very rarely drive because David is home more, and I like to be chauffeured (some things never change.) I notice the wheelchair lady day after day. It kind of is a game in my head, will she be there or will she not. More often than not she is there. I can’t wrap my brain around why she would sit out there so close to this road and just watch the traffic go by.
I start to wonder is there something that I am misunderstanding about this road or town. Now I want to talk to her and bring her cookies and tea and learn all of her wise secrets. I start to imagine myself bringing my own chair over and seeing the world through her eyes.
I don’t know if she is crazy, but that wouldn’t bother me anyway. I wouldn’t care if she was sick, because so am I. In fact I would admire that, because during my worse months this year I locked myself in my house, and refused to come outside. If I found out that her family just wheels her out there just to get her out of their hair, and she has no say in the matter. I would sit with her and share conversations.
In the end I have come to some conclusions:
Maybe she is waiting for somebody.
Maybe she just wants to be left alone for some peace and quiet.
Maybe she is too sick to even notice that I was there if I approached her.
Maybe I should learn to tolerate a busy road.
That all being said I am going to start to walk on her side of the road to say “hello” because you never know what can happen!
I live close to a busy road. I hate this road with a passion. When I bought my house I did not notice the road, or either it did not bother me at the time. It is the traffic that I can’t stand; especially the young gentlemen who find it necessary to trick out their 1990 Mustangs by removing the muffler. On my walks I will avoid this road by walking the back roads even if it takes twice the amount of time. Since I am not feeling too great I am forced to walk the shortest distance to get to where I want to go, which means taking the "no mufflers necessary highway”.
One day I had to pick my daughter up from school; I noticed a elderly woman sitting in a wheelchair on the side of the road. She was under a small tree that barely covered her and it was a rather warm day. I kept walking assuming she was waiting for a ride, but I was irritated at the same time that someone would make her wait on the side of the road I despised so much. When I came back with my daughter in tow she was still there! I was even more distraught on her behalf.
A few days later I ventured out with again to pick up Holly from school. The weather was colder and I was wearing a coat. I looked for the woman in the wheelchair and she was there, she had a blanket on her lap and she is watching the traffic speed by. She didn’t look unhappy but she didn’t look pleased either. She was not there when I passed by on my way home.
I very rarely drive because David is home more, and I like to be chauffeured (some things never change.) I notice the wheelchair lady day after day. It kind of is a game in my head, will she be there or will she not. More often than not she is there. I can’t wrap my brain around why she would sit out there so close to this road and just watch the traffic go by.
I start to wonder is there something that I am misunderstanding about this road or town. Now I want to talk to her and bring her cookies and tea and learn all of her wise secrets. I start to imagine myself bringing my own chair over and seeing the world through her eyes.
I don’t know if she is crazy, but that wouldn’t bother me anyway. I wouldn’t care if she was sick, because so am I. In fact I would admire that, because during my worse months this year I locked myself in my house, and refused to come outside. If I found out that her family just wheels her out there just to get her out of their hair, and she has no say in the matter. I would sit with her and share conversations.
In the end I have come to some conclusions:
Maybe she is waiting for somebody.
Maybe she just wants to be left alone for some peace and quiet.
Maybe she is too sick to even notice that I was there if I approached her.
Maybe I should learn to tolerate a busy road.
That all being said I am going to start to walk on her side of the road to say “hello” because you never know what can happen!
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