The Miracles Keep Happening

 I thought my last visit to the doctor was something to shout about but the last two weeks only adds to all my happiness. I made some adjustments in my diet and the results have been nothing short of phenomenal. I have lost a total of 12 pounds during the last two weeks. I'm not starving myself or making huge impossible sacrifices that would only result in failure. I have given up my daily morning Coca-Cola and maybe have one on Sunday morning just because I want to have a little taste. I have also done away with refined sugar, processed food, and definitely fast food. I cannot begin to explain how incredible I'm feeling. This afternoon I actually felt like cleaning the living room, vacuuming, picking up and throwing away dog toys that Abby has decimated. I no longer feel winded after doing chores around the house and that feels fantastic. My brother will now jump up and down for joy because his burden just lightened up considerably. I don't expect to lose 12 pounds every two weeks now two pounds a week sounds reasonable and realistic. However, I did not achieve these results by feeling miserable or eating like a rabbit. My trainer emphasizes how diet is 99% of weight loss and the rest is exercise. My workouts get more challenging each time I go in and I'm having the time of my life. I feel that my workouts are a gift made especially for me. Life feels so good. Be blessed and well.

First Caveman Drill (Modified)

When I arrive to my workout it's normal for me to look at the dry erase board with the previous night's drill. I don't think anything about it and just dive right into my own workout. It took me a few minutes but I suddenly realized that my workout was eerily similar to what was written on the board. Sam explained I was doing my first modified caveman drill. I did a ten second sprint on the bike, 75lb deadlift (8 reps down to six by the last two rounds), pulled a sled with weight approximately 40 yards (by the last two or three rounds I reduced that distance a little but I'm extremely proud), chopping station 4 reps per arm, this is my favorite!!!!! I get to hit a huge tire with a sledge hammer!!!! :-)  and we wonder why I love it so much. I believe I did this circuit about five times and I felt like I was on cloud nine. Sam pushed me like she would people in one of her classes and it felt fantastic. When I first started I thought it would take forever for me to do tire lifts, chopping station, ball slam, and all the other neat exercises but it didn't. This entire process has been like learning to walk I had to start somewhere and now look where I've come. I sometimes wonder if Sam will sneak in the bridge or bird dog exercise just to see what my response would be. I better not give her any more ideas. I'm loving this and feel so grateful for feeling good again. I feel at times that my body is taking a deep relaxing breath and telling me thank you for doing this. Be well and be blessed.

Mind Over Matter

Feeling upbeat and thrilled about my clean bill of health, my trainer and I decided to kick things up a notch to see if I can improve my results for the next month. I agreed with Sam about making my workouts more challenging and changing my diet just a bit. For the next month I intend to cut out or drastically reduce the amount of refined sugar I take in and this means me eliminating my morning Coca Cola. I'm also avoiding food high in starch to help burn more fat. I've been a junk food addict for way too long and the cycle must be broken now. My plan is to retrain my taste buds to enjoy healthier food choices and break the cycle once and for all. I've got to do this for me and my health. My goal is to be healthy and fit. I have my doctor's blessing and that is good enough for me. I am feeling so alive and energized. I no longer suffer from insomnia and that makes a tremendous difference. I can walk from room to room without losing my breath and only four months ago that would have made me feel like dying. One thing I know for sure is that what I'm doing is working. I am at the stage where I'm beginning to love myself again and that is huge for me. I am enjoying being challenged more by my trainer in fact I have a feeling that I'll thrive. I've been long overdue for a positive and meaningful challenge in my life. I have the same enthusiasm about this as I did boarding school. Feeling great and being healthy is worth the effort and hard work. I believe that Friday's results at the doctor's office is sufficient proof.  Life is so good. Be well and blessed.

Benefits of having pets

In addition to a healthy diet and plenty of exercise, my dog Abby a one year old Dogue De Bordeaux, is part of my health regimen.

An article from www.peteducation.com discussed eight ways owning a pet can improve our lives. I got Abby last fall when my depression was at one of its lowest points. I am a dog person.  Nothing personal against cats. I just prefer dogs. I've had dogs since I was about nine years old. I will admit that there have been a couple of dogs dear to my heart that I've made up songs for, but singing these songs always made me feel so good.

Having pets benefits us in many ways and here are a few to consider: Reduce risk for heart attack and increase odds of survival, lower cholesterol and triglycerides, lowers blood pressure and stress, increase physical activity, fewer medical appointments and minor health problems, predict seizures, prevent Parkinson's patients from falling, sniff out certain skin cancers, and even alert people who have hypoglycemia giving them ample time to prevent onset of symptoms.

I love animals and always knew deep down that they benefit our lives in so many ways. One of the most important things Abby does for me is to help me live in the present moment. I forget about the past and stop worrying about the future. Maybe that is one of the reasons dogs seem so happy.

 

Doctor's visit and latest update

I saw my doctor yesterday for a checkup. I was feeling anxious about my weight and wondering how much I may have lost. Would I be disappointed? Heck no. My beginning weight was 349 now it's down to 344. That may not sound like much, but when you realize that I've lost six inches and that muscle weighs more than fat it begins to take on a new significance.  I felt elated at the news and couldn't be any happier if I tried. These are five pounds that I'll never have to worry about again. What really got me excited were my blood pressure and resting pulse rate. My blood pressure was 120/80 (has not been this low since HIGH SCHOOL!!!!!! That's almost twenty years heck yeah I was excited. My pulse when I began API was 96 now at a perfect 76. There is always hope. Not too long ago I was on the brink of wanting to die. I felt like it would be better than all the pain I was going through. These results are miraculous to me especially considering the circumstances. I've come to the realization that wanting to die is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. There is hope please don't give up even if you feel that would be the easiest way to escape pain. Depression, anxiety, and self hatred are not easy to live with. I've been to the bottom of the deepest dark pit tempted to take my own life twice. It isn't worth it. If you feel hopeless please seek help and surround yourself with supportive people who really care about you. You are being strong when you seek help, that is a huge step. I sought help from my doctor and was led to API and then on top of that I make one of the best friends in my life. My trainer Sam is awesome and a tremendous source of encouragement. I feel safe to express my feelings good or bad. Losing weight is an emotional experience too. There is a lot of baggage that comes along with it. When I began to let go of all the emotional garbage it makes room for all the good stuff in life. On a much brighter note today's workout was freaking cool. I got to flip my first tire not just any ordinary tire a huge one. Sam had to spot me but I flipped it several times and that my friends motivates me even more towards my goal. We can do anything we put our minds to life isn't hopeless. I hope I am able to inspire at least one person. I've been through some painful experiences in life, we all have and it's okay to hurt. However, after the pain, hopelessness, darkness, and despair there is light and healing. I promise. Oh the huge tire at the top is the one I flipped. Don't tell me there isn't hope because this is one of many proofs.