Archives for October 2007

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As we near the end of 2007, I’ve been thinking of what it is I would like to focus on for next year. I cannot believe the amount of progress I’ve made this year and even though I will not reach my original goal of losing 128 lbs in one year (ok, maybe that was a bit unrealistic!), I DO feel that I’ve made incredible progress.

Currently, I know that I can be at 85 lbs lost…possibly even 90. So, I still have a way to go with the weight loss challenge, but I think that 2008 will be a year of focus for another big goal of mine. The one thing that I can say that I’ve really learned this year is that intense focus really does create a very powerful momentum that will allow you to reach your goals. Losing this weight has allowed me to feel that I can accomplish anything!

I think I will intensely focus on business/financial goals (I have a lot of debt!) in 2008 – with the same kind of drive that I had with the fitness goals this year. I am not in any way saying that I am quitting my weight loss challenge – this will continue and I will be as determined as ever to reach my goal weight. I just don’t think that it needs to have the same kind of intensity as it once did. Just thinking out loud here…

It’s not too early to start thinking about what it is you want to accomplish in 2008. Got any ideas?

I know YOU can do anything – what is the thing in your life that you want to change. 🙂

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Today I happened to look at the odometer reading (total distance traveled) while riding my bike and noticed that I had just passed the 1000 mile mark!  WooHoo!

Let’s think about what this means… 

One year ago, practically to the date – I remember having a real struggle with a 30 Day Challenge I had set for myself to walk 60 minutes a day. I hadn’t really done much physically in a long while at this point and my goal was to get moving again! At that point, I remember feeling overwhelmed (alarmed!) that I really couldn’t walk for 60 minutes (or even 30) without feeling really bad. I did stick with that challenge by doing 4 15 minute walks each day until I felt that I could do 30 minutes at a time.

So, fast forward to today’s big Aha! moment – 😉

The fact that I’ve (joyfully!) ridden my bike for 1000+ miles in just over 3 months is pretty amazing to me!

I’m so happy that I’ve found a form of exercise that I enjoy this much and encourage you to try to find something that you really look forward to doing as well.

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Today, I planned to take the bus to Walmart for a bit of shopping and I also want to be taking my blood pressure at least once a week. (they have one of those cool machines near the pharmacy)

There is a bus stop right outside of my apartment complex, but when I take the bus from here, I am riding the whole loop of the bus route. I usually opt for the option of walking for about 30 min. and then catching the bus on its way to the end of the route. (Walmart – my destination)

After waiting for the bus for quite awhile I called to see what was up and they told me that on Saturdays this bus doesn’t start until later. Doh! At the point, I made the decision to walk – it was a nice morning and I had lots of good podcast material to listen to on my Ipod.

It took me another 40 minutes or so to walk to Walmart and as I was doing so I realized how much my attitude has changed since the beginning of the year.  Back then I was SO depressed about not having a car. I felt stuck! Now I just walk or ride my bike and feel wonderful about it. (OK, I do have my moments still)  But overall, the fact that I don’t have a car since moving to NC has been a good thing. It’s definitely helped in my quest for weight loss.

I don’t know why I felt that I could only get to Walmart by bus. It’s really just around the corner and I can ride through the neighborhood that is right next to my apartment complex. When I first started riding my bike, I was concerned about the busy road that it is off of. But now that I’ve got more experience under my belt, I don’t think it will be a problem at all. WooHoo! One more place I can get to on my bike! And J and AJ’s neighborhood is right across from this part of town.

All in all, a very encouraging day AND my blood pressure was great! 😉

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Today was an important milestone for me.

When I started my weight loss back in January, my physical health was a very important motivator. I’d been on blood pressure medication for the past 3-4 years. I knew all the risks of carrying the extra weight – each time I would feel something was wrong with my body, I feared being diagnosed with Diabetes.

The time had come to make some serious changes…my body had been telling me this for awhile.

I think officially my blood pressure has been borderline or at least on the low-ish side of high…maybe? Maybe not. Typically a reading would be 130’s over mid-90’s.  Actually that’s with the medication, so probably not that great.

For the past months, it’s been normal when I check-in with the doctor and I’ve also been taking it myself with the machine at Walmart. Have you seen these? They’re great and my doc says that they are accurate.

As I wrote last month, I had already cut out the one medication – Metoprolol. Today we cut the Diovan and now I am medication free. WooHoo! Blood pressure reading today was 120/80 which is excellent.

OK, truth be told – I made the nurse take it twice. 😉 When I first arrive at the office, I’ve been walking or riding my bike and I know this means a higher reading. I’ve learned this at Walmart as well. If I take it and it’s high, but then relax for a minute and take it one more time – I’ll get a different/better reading.

So today was a great day – an achievement for all of my hard work so for and the almost  70 lbs that I’ve lost. A real feeling of accomplishment to say the least.

Doc wants to monitor me and see me in a month. I guess this will be the true test as to whether my lower blood pressure has been due to the medication or the weight loss – Of course I’m praying for option 2!