Wow. Lots of Things!!

     This is our new friend. Her name is Chili.  I really think it should have been Chilly-she is always cold and loves to snuggle up by the fire.She loves to sleep on the bed with us, and burrow her nose into the blankets. 
We had a pretty rough beginning-she is a rescue dog.  I think she was at best, neglected, and at worse, abused.
Oh, and by the way, this photo was taken by my daughter, Stacy Graves (Rare Reflections Photography).  Great shot, huh? 

Anyway, since the end of January, Chili has become thoroughly ensconced in our lives  and we are so happy that she is with us!


So, that is one big bit of news.  The other? Well, I have been on a personal journey.  See, this is me, last year, in April, in Hawaii with my husband:

Yes, that is me.  With my thick neck and way overweight.  I can't believe I went to Hawaii that way! Well, anyhow, I did.  I really had a great time in Hawaii-except I was uncomfortable all over the place.  It was hot. We went to the beach. We walked around a lot. I was "uncomfortable" might be a slight understatement.

Well, we were planning my dear daughter's wedding for the next September.  She was in bridal panic mode-we had purchased her dress, and she had gained some weight.  Well, she and I decided to embark on a weight-loss mission, just so she could fit into "the dress."  We started going to a gym in July.  Now, I don't know how much good it did me; but at least I was trying to be a good mom.  There was a lot of other things going on in our lives at that time, too.  Husband and I were selling the business we had grown since 1994.  Our other "baby."  That deal was completed in July, too. 

So, then, in August, dear daughter talked to her personal trainer from her college town (3 1/2 hours from here).  She convinced him to come down and lead a group bootcamp over a weekend. She worked hard, getting people signed up and motivated to work out. Both husband and I joined.  Anthony McClanahan of 41 Sports Fitness Boot Camps came to our little berg, and whipped up some whoop-ass on 9 unsuspecting campers. Wooo-weeee!  I don't know if he was extra hard on us, to show what he could do, or if that was what he did to all his boot campers, but it kicked my butt HARD!

Well, he went home on Sunday.  The group as a whole met for a couple more weeks, then people started dropping out. Pretty soon there were only four of us left.  Then two-me and dear daughter.  We kept working hard.  Now, I don't know how you feel about hard workouts, but most people don't have the discipline to keep going if someone isn't there to urge them on.  We kept it up right up to the wedding-and "the dress" fit.  The dress I custom ordered for myself? It was a bit big, but that's ok. It wasn't about me, anyway!

So, does my journey end there? No.  We kept going. At least for another month.  Then, dear daughter dropped out.  I was on my own.  Wah!! What to do? What to do?  Well, I felt better.  I even looked a bit better.  The workouts were getting easier. Not easy, mind you, but a bit easier.  I kept going. Anthony sent me text messages, emails, food plans, encouragement.  He told me what I should be doing for a workout. He mixed things up, kept me going. Asked me how my plan was working. Asked me about my weight loss.  Buoyed me when I started sinking.  What a struggle. Holidays-oh, man, the holidays!  A trip to Vegas-for a week-didn't stop me.  We walked all over-didn't even rent a car.  Then Christmas.  All of a sudden, it was New Year's Eve.

Wow.  Now, I don't know without going to my calendars and journals, how much weight I had or had not lost. I just kinda kept going.  And, as a general rule, I don't make resolutions for New Years'.  But this year I did.  I vowed to lose 100 pounds in 2013. I know-pretty industrious.  But, that is something I committed myself to do.  So, January 1, I weighed in, and told Anthony that it was the Year of the 100 pound weight loss.  He told me I could do it.  He said he would help me. And he has been.

Ok, so here it is April. No, I haven't lost 100 pounds yet.  I have my goals in mind.  I also know that it isn't going to go smoothly every month.  I want the weight to be gone by November (around Thanksgiving).  So, here it is, April 10.  Where am I?  Well, since January, I have lost a total of 27 pounds. Not exactly where I want to be, but since I started, way back in July of 2012, I have lost sixty pounds.  Sixty! Whew!  So, you tell me-is it working?

This is from a correspondence I had with Anthony today:

Me:  "Ok, so, since I've been so frustrated with weight, I decided to do measurements today. I took measurements on Sept. 5, 2012, Nov. 18, 2012, March 28, 2013, and today (April 10, 2013). Over all, I have lost over 26". That is measuring neck, upper chest, lower chest, waist, hips, upper thigh, knee, and calf. I actually reduced my neck by 1/2"!! Ok, feeling better. Waist is down 5", while hips are down 5 1/4"!!

Anthony:   "That is awesome. keep on hitting it hard. Big changes coming..41

should I say more changes...41"

Me:  " Yup. So happy, energized, and excited!! Hey-I actually have a waistline now-it curves in! Lol!"

Anthony: " Thank you so much for following me. I wish everyone had your drive and self discipline..."

Me:  "I can't say I'm always perfect-you know that, but for the most part, I do what I can. I was a diet counselor at one time, did you know that? I lost weight 3 different times with (X Program), and I was a counselor for them for over a year."

There was some other discussion, then I told him, " If only people would look forward to their workout. I hate you while I am sweating, but love you when I'm done, especially when I've actually completed the work. I feel so much better these days, and I really appreciate you listening to my bitching. Ultimately, it's all me; if "I" don't do the work or eat right, it is my fault, not yours. My dad used to say, "I didn't force it down your throat." This from man who baked fresh bread two-three times a week-and he lived with us!!!

So, in an almond shell, that's "all" I've been doing.  Last time I went to the doctor, he drew blood to test it.  I had been having to go in for A1C tests (to keep an eye on my blossoming diabetes), as well as having the cholesterol tests and thyroid checked (been on thyroid meds for years).  Doctor could NOT believe his eyes. He told me I didn't have to worry about the big D now.  Hm. I do know something about something.  I have another appointment next week.  Let's see what he thinks of the sixty pounds gone, hmmm?