There is no stopping me now!!!

I have taken a turn in my journey. In 2007 I started ediets at the time I weighed over 250 lbs. I worked and worked, danced, worked out ate good and lost very little weight so I got discouraged after about a year and gave up. I did the Dr.Li diet for awhile and had some success, (I may even do it again in the near future just for the shear benefit of tightening up my skin) but it was expensive and tiring on many levels. I still sit at around 240 lbs.

Recently I signed up for another online weightloss community that is free and just wasn't feeling it. And on it goes!! No success, discouragement, hopelessness, ugh!!!

Not too long ago I started reading a book entitled 'Younger Next Year'--a must read for everyone! This book has been a major inspiration to me and has changed my life!!!

Then it happened.........

I was at the gym where I coach gymnastics with fellow coaches having a bridal shower for one of our coaches who was getting married. I have felt kinda akward at the gym being overweight and coaching. The others are younger and in a lot better shape. After the shower we all went out into the gym to hang out and I decided to get on a beam, I used a large mat as a step and walked the length of the beam for the first time since I started coaching 2 years ago, that was fun and a little enlightening. It takes core muscles to be able to walk on a beam, guess I don't have much of those!!

This was taken at my second daughter's wedding June 2, 2012. I was about 242 here! Love that face!!




At one point in the evening we were sitting around chatting and someone mentioned something about a girl they new that was working on training for a fitness competition. I commented how cool that was and that it was something that I always wanted to do. Actually as a teen I wanted to be a body builder, but a few years ago I read a book about figure/fitness competition and dieting and thought it looked fascinating and more my speed. I was then asked why I didn't just do it. I replied that I was too out of shape and too old. Which was challenged with an offer of support and training. REALLY?!?!?!?! Yes really!!!! That was the beginning of November or maybe the end of October. I really don't know because the next couple of weeks were a blur. I was told to cut sodas, and breads. I did! I was told to start eating more vegetables. I did! Then the workouts began. I had fun!! My boys moved the weight bench into the house, I dug out the dumbbells and I started lifting weights. I began slowly working into cardio workouts (still not my strong suit). I bought some really cute, really high heels! I started noticing a difference in my posture within a couple weeks so I had my husband measure me. Ok so I am off to a great start. I lost 4 pounds the first week--I am feeling good!! During this time I also joined the online community at bodybuilding.com and made some contacts with women my age and general weight or had been there done that and now looked great! I continued lifting weights, doing alot of toning exercises and eating good, but I wasn't losing weight--I know, I know "Don't step on the scale because it is going to take 60-90 days before you will start losing the weight!!" People were starting to notice that I was changing and a few asked if I had lost weight. Of course I said no, because I hadn't!
Then one day I was whining about the scale not budging and one of the coaches at the gym said but you are slimming down. Ok, ok so I am slimming down but I am not really feeling yet. The next day one of my kids picked up a tape measure and I took from them and measured my waist. I looked down at the tape measure and the emotions were too much to hold back. Through my tears I saw that I had lost 2 and a half inches from waist in two weeks. I had to measure everywhere else and with each measurement I added 2 inches here, inch and a half there........16 inches total! I am getting somewhere!! Lifting weights is doing the trick, wow!!! Now I need to add some cardio to the mix, but I will get there!

Here is the plan, November of 2013 my goal is to stand on a stage in a bikini with a spray tan to be judged on my physique. Yes you heard me right! I have never worn a bikini a day in my life, (wait I think I had one when I was 3 or was it 4) but in November I will wear one not only in public but also on stage. I will also perform a choreographed routine to display my fitness abilities (not in a bikini). I am excited and nervous, but determined to do this! I have some great friends who are supporting me and helping me train as I work out the details of diet and workouts to be able to reach my goals. I have also signed up for a 5k mud run in April as a kind of halfway to my goal reward--it will be great fun!

I have to admit that even in the first month there has been some rocky patches. I made it through Thanksgiving (barely). I have had a pretty rough fibromyalgia flare up that we got worked through pretty quickly and a little bit of a head cold that I was able to kick pretty quickly also. I have not had too much problem with being tempted by sodas and sweets really, which has been a great blessing!

I have to give a lot of thanks and credit to Shawna, Dorothy and Paige. Without these ladies I would not have made it this far. They have been my biggest cheerleaders, coaches, trainers and supporters!! Thanks ladies!! There are several others that have also been supportive and put up with my whining!!

I am in this for the long haul! Anybody want to join me?