But it's all my fault. I've had a hectic last few weeks...which is just another excuse...but true just the same. We lost a good teacher on our team due to central office policy crap...and at the beginning of the 2nd semester no less. There aren't even any applicants in the pool to interview! I don't know what we're supposed to do. Anyway...it just felt like someone leveled a sucker punch right to the gut. And we all know chocolate is the best cure for that!!! Back to the plan though...we will survive! (I hope!) I guess I should just be thankful that during all my calorie splurging I still managed to lose 2 pounds instead of gaining 5...shouldn't I?
On the upside; my daughter is joining a swim team and my niece is happily filing for college scholarships and my husband is a few steps closer to his degree. Home is where my sanity lives...makes you just want to crawl back under the covers and tell the rest of the world to just go away! How tempting that is!
After suffering with severe varicose veins after my daughter's birth 9 years ago, I finally decided to have something done about them. I had my right leg done in October and my left leg done just a few days before Thanksgiving. It was an awesome new procedure that only required a small incision and a laser was used to burn the veins which are slowly being absorbed by my own body (yummy, huh?). However, the days and weeks that follow this procedure are a little painful as the veins die and pull away from the surrounding muscles and tissues. My veins were HUGE so I have been limited to wearing grooves in the carpet for weeks now.
A little history - just this summer I started trying to walk on the middle school track that is very close to my house. Even though it's close, I always drove to the track. The veins in my legs were so bad that after just a few minutes walking my legs would be aching, throbbing, and swelling to the point that even my baggiest sweatpants would be tight around my calves and thighs. This attempt over the summer is what prompted me to see my surgeon. If I couldn't even walk to try and get some exercise I knew I was done for.
But today - we grabbed my daughter's bike and took off through the trails behind my house; overh the hills, through the woods, tripping over rocks, we even found some deer tracks. When we got to the track, my neice and I walked and walked and walked while my daughter rode and rode and rode. About halfway through I realized that not only was I on the very same track that caused me so much pain a few months ago, I was wearing the same sweatpants that would go from loose to tight from the swelling in my legs. I looked down and almost teared up when I saw that they were still baggy (despite the fact that I've gained about 10 pounds since the summer)!
I couldn't believe the difference! No swelling, no aching, no throbbing...nothing. As hindsight always is 20/20, I suddenly realized how many things I had gradually given up over the years without even realizing it. Sitting here typing this, I realized that we bought this house 3 years ago and have tons of woods and trails right behind my house...yet I've never been on any trail other than the one that goes straight to the middle school. I can't believe it...I had no idea. Ten years ago I would have checked out the trails before I ever even looked at the house for crying out loud! I think I feel an expedition coming on...followed by the purchase of a mountain bike! WOO HOO!
I had an early morning walk scheduled with my daughter that was cancelled by the dismal weather outside. It's positively grim out there. She was so disappointed I decided to take her to see The Waterhorse but even she said she did not want to go anywhere in this yucky weather.
So now I have a true dilemma on my hands...do I put in an exercise video and put some healthy veggies in the crock pot for a nice stew on this cold, rainy day...OR...do I find a good movie on PPV, pop some popcorn, and make some nice, hot comfort food for dinner? Hmmmmm....decisions, decisions, decisions...
Don't ya' just love the beginnings of weightloss? That water weight comes off so easily and makes you feel so proud of yourself! I don't care though...I have decided to make another change this go around - I will celebrate the smallest of victories no matter what! I feel like going walking today!
Even though I am not officially beginning my 'new life' until the holidays are over, I am not allowing myself my usual "blow out" before starting a new diet as I usually do. I am trying to make some basic changes over the next week or two instead of the usual Monday morning "Ready, Set, Go!" mentality. I was very concerned about this laidback approach during the holidays. I kept thinking, "If I blow it even when I'm deliberately trying to restrict high fat, sugary foods what on earth is going to happen when I'm just winging it?" I was very pleasantly surprised with by ability to stop when I needed to stop or just avoid certain foods altogether. Did I eat things I shouldn't have? You bet. Did I eat five more chocolate chip cookies because I had already 'blown it anyway' with the first one? Nope. Did I beat myself up over that one cookie? Nope. Not one bit. That, for me, is a victory in itself.
It's 1:34 in the morning - it's officially Christmas Eve - and I've decided to start a weightloss journey - today. I must be crazy...
I have a WONDERFUL 9 year old daughter named Savannah whom I adore. She is just a cool kid, she cracks me up all day, every day. It hurts me to think of the things I've missed doing with her for the past couple of years. I plan to change that...
My husband is also completely amazing. Supportive, kind, helpful, and loving. I have no complaints about my family and home. Sometimes I cringe when he touches me; not because I don't want him to, but because I'm afraid he'll be repulsed by my size. I plan to change that...
I have an awesome job that I love but it also kicks my butt sometimes. I teach 7th grade life science in an inner city school. When I think of all that I do in a day, just at school alone, I can't help but wonder how on earth I manage to be overweight. I never sit down, I'm constantly moving, and I go up and down 2 flights of stairs at least 15 times a day. Yet the weight keeps piling on...I plan to change that.
I've planned to change these things for a long time. There always seems to be some excuse lying around that I am more than willilng to use. I tell my students all the time that if they're looking for excuses life will be more than happy to provide as many as they want. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day sound like 2 awesome excuses to me right about now. But I've decided to not use the available excuses this time...this time I am going to take responsibility for myself and my weightloss...that's the plan anyway...
The idea of involving my students in my weightloss journey came from a new TN law requiring middle schools to provide 90 minutes per week of physical activity. Yep - those 7th graders were THRILLED to hear that news. We then decided it would be more fun and challenging (oh, if they only knew how challenging) to help 'Get Mrs. Young Skinny'...they jumped at the idea...to be honest, I was impressed by their willingness to get behind me, their ideas, and their enthusiasm. We will begin this journey when we return from Christmas break...
Until then...I am bracing myself for the next few days. I must be crazy....
