Move More

Today's walk consisted of 11,308 steps, 4.919 miles, 309.4 calories burned, three up hill climbs and one down hill. Yesterday at Weight Watchers, they challenged us to move more and increase the activity over and above the normal workout. I normally average about 7,400 steps and walk about 3.2 miles at least 5x per week.

Walking is an adventure, but can sometimes get boring. I try to change it up by walking different paths. Yesterday, there was a green snake on the walking trail. It took a minute to realize what it was, but it didn't take long for me to jump and take off running. When I got far enough away, I turned to make sure the snake wasn't following me. Crazy, I know.

I don't believe in running unless someone is chasing me. I've tried running on the treadmill and outside, but I prefer to walk instead. A lot of my friends are avid runners and I think that is fantastic. Whatever your exercise of choice is...challenge yourself to move more and take a few more hills along the way.

New Reflection in the Mirror

Just had a moment to sit down to read the latest issue of People magazine. Jennifer Hudson, the celebrity spokesperson for Weight Watchers, is on the cover. Something she said caught my eye about doubting that she can really fit into her new size 6 wardrobe. "In my head, I am still the same weight I was before," Jennifer says. "It takes a while to get used to it."

I recalled a few months ago, when I had gone on a shopping trip to the mall with my husband. We had split up to look at different stores and I wandered into CJ Banks, a 14+ store for women. I was browsing when the sales clerk approached me. She asked if she could help me with something and I responded that I was just looking around. "For a gift?" she asked. "Oh no, for me." I responded. Then she said it! "I believe that you might be in the wrong store. You will find your sizes in our other store, Christopher Banks. They will have what you are looking for." I smiled and floated down the mall looking for my husband. A true Pretty Woman moment.

I'm getting better at realizing my new size, but there are times when the old image of myself comes creeping back. This past Saturday, Hollie and I ran into Target so that I could grab a hoodie before going to Cedar Point. I hadn't realized how cold it was and didn't want to freeze. There were only two sizes (looking only at the hanger)...Large and XL. I grabbed a large and tried it on. Perfect! When I hung it back on the hanger, the inside tag grabbed my attention. It was a medium and it had fit. I'm always amazed that I have the larger image of myself. Like Jennifer Hudson, I will adapt to my new reflection in the mirror.

The Millenium Force

Millennium Force remains one of the tallest, fastest, and longest steel roller coasters in the world. It's tagline is "The future is riding on it."

Two years ago, we went to Cedar Point with our friends. We waited in line for the Millenium Force rollercoaster ride for at least an hour. We get to the top and it's our turn...then it happened. The seat belt wouldn't latch! I turned to my husband and said "What am I going to do? It won't latch." I frantically began to try to get the seatbelt to hook. The guy came by and said to me, "If the seatbelt doesn't secure, you can't ride." I was horrified. All of sudden, it latched and we were able to ride. All day, we walked through the park and waited in lines. I worried the whole time...would it happen again? I started looking at other people and thinking is this happening to them too? Nobody knew what had happened except my husband. As the day went on, we rode rides and had a great time. Later that night, we went back to the Millenium Force to ride in the darkness of the night. Cool, right? No! This time when we entered the line, the ride attendant stopped me and said, "You might not fit. Try the seat first before entering." So my friends wouldn't hear her, I quickly responded that I had already rode the ride earlier that day. I was embarrassed and worried as we waited in line.

That was the moment that I decided that I needed to do something about my weight and I joined Weight Watchers a few months later (deciding and doing are two different things).

Yesterday was my birthday. I went to Cedar Point with my friend, Hollie, so I could conquer the Millenium Force! I wanted to prove to myself that I could fasten that seatbelt and ride! I'm proud to report that the seat belt fastened and I rode the ride!

Life Happened This Week!

It is Friday night and I am starting to worry about the scale tomorrow. As I look over the last week, it is apparent to me that I ate out for 43% of my meals and ran out of time to exercise everyday.

We went out to dinner for my husband's birthday on Saturday, El Campesino on Monday to support our church, two days of training sessions at work with Panera for lunch both days, Wednesday night dinner with my HR team at Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse, Thursday night at Chick-fil-A to support the youth group and birthday cake at work on Friday.

How did I handle it? Well, for the birthday, El Camp and Wasabi dinners, I cut the portion in half and took the rest home for my husband's lunch the next day. I looked up the nutritional information ahead of time prior to ordering my Panera lunches. I chose the You Pick Two options...half of sandwich and a half salad with dressing on the side. The cookies look good, but beware of the high point value. You can easily eat at Chick-fil-A by choosing the Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich and a Diet Lemonade for a total of 5 points. As for the birthday cake at work...I always refuse, but it was for my birthday tomorrow. I took a sliver of the ice cream cake...took 2 bites and threw the rest away in my office. The first bite tastes just as good as the last bite.

Not sure how I will fair on the scale tomorrow, but one thing I do know is that life happens...it rains and pours...celebrations will always pop up on the calendar. My doctor asked me this week how I handle the celebrations? I told her that it isn't about the food for me anymore...it is about the people. I enjoyed my time this week with all of the people who I was able to share a meal with...thanks for the laughs.