September 9, 2008 Back In The Saddle Again!

I'm finally back on track. It was hard, coming back from vacation. It took me a week to get completely back on the wagon with exercise and food. But now the kids are back at school, and we are all falling into a routine again.

It's comforting, sort of. I know "if this is Tuesday, then here's what's on the schedule..." I like knowing the routine. I decided that my exercise needs a routine again too. So I checked out the gym schedule and decided what goes where.

Monday: 10-11 am Aqua Cardio Hi-Lo (POOL)
Tuesday: 1 hour on the elliptical (usually in the AM)
Wednesday: 9-10 am Aqua Boot Camp (POOL)
Thursday: 8-9 am with trainer, 30 min on elliptical
Friday: 9-10 am H2O Blast (POOL)
Saturday: 30 min elliptical, 11:30-12:30 with trainer
Sunday: OFF

The only "carved in stone" days, not negotiable, are Thursday and Saturday (altho I will miss ONE Saturday this month). The other days are a bit more flexible. If I miss ONE, that's ok, I'm still exercising 5 days a week. But only ONE and not every week! Food has gone back to normal. i'm finding some new recipes, healthy ones, to try for me and the kids. Last night I made Cranberry-Orange Turkey Breast in the crock pot. It was great and we all loved it. It's a keeper! Tonite I'm making a healthy Mac & Cheese that I got a recipe for at the hospital. It has sweet potato and carrot puree in it, and the topping is made from organic wheat flakes and wheat germ. Low fat, lotsa protein, and yummy. COOL! I hope the kids love it.

I'm noticing that I'm hungry alot lately. Now, my exercise hasn't increased (yet), my food certainly hasn't decreased, and I'm not suddenly losing rapidly. So what's up? I posted that on Chit Chat and Neraus says our bodies want more food in the fall--we're preparing for winter. Hmmmm, interesting. Makes sense too! So I will just fight it, maybe schedule an extra snack if need be.

I had all my pants from Scotland taken in 2" in the waist. Now I have some clothes for fall! I will need sweaters later, but for now I think I'm good. Just need to order a couple pair of jeans. I don't really know how I'm going to dress as it gets colder. I'm thinking layers. I have hot flashes so frequently that I'm constantly getting hot, then cool, then hot, then cool! So I need flexible clothing!

I made a big decision on a reward for hitting ONEderland. Since I didn't end up getting an iPhone at 210 (and I even returned my Glyde and got a regular push button cell phone), I sort of "gypped" myself on that one. And getting to ONEderland is HUGE. So I decided the reward has to be pretty significant. I had originally thought of clothes, but I have pretty much everything except sweaters, and I really don't want to go nuts when i'm still losing. SO...I decided I will take the 3 diamonds I have from my grandmother (the largest one was in a pendant I hated--I had the stone removed and sold the gold last year, the 2 smaller ones are in earrings that I'm afraid to wear because I might lose them) and have them made into a ring. It will be very simple. White gold, with the bigger stone in the middle and the smaller on either side. Representing me and my kids! So every time I look at my hand, I will remember what I've done, how far I've come. I think it's pretty fitting, and it makes MUCH better use of those diamonds!!

People who I haven't seen all summer are just wigging out when they see me. It's funny--I've only lost about 20-25 pounds since I saw them last, but it must have been a significant enough change. Everyone is commenting on how much I've lost. Almost like they didn't notice the first 50 pounds! In any event, I'm getting a kick out of being called "Skinny"! Not to mention fitting in my smaller clothes! The orthopedist is going to be thrilled when I see him later this fall. He wanted me at or below 200 for surgery in January, and it certainly looks like that will happen! I just keep thinking about how much easier rehab will be at 1/2 the weight of last time! And with doing only one knee, it's gonna be a piece of cake (well, relatively speaking...)

So I'm back in the saddle again. And I've got control of the reins. The trail ahead is still steep, and rocky in places, but I'll make it. All the way to ONEderland and beyond. Because my guide (God) and my friends and family are with me in this, and I know the way, and I'm determined to get there.