I am so pumped!

This morning I did my first 5K - the SoJo (South Jordan) 5K/Half-Marathon/Marathon. Wow - what a rush! Before my surgery 7 months ago, I couldn't even walk a block, and when I had to walk, I walked very slowly and stopped often. Today I walked 3.1 miles in less than a hour, and it felt so good! All those long walks with my granddaughter Ellie in the stroller while I was in Illinois really helped keep me in good condition for today, so thanks, Ellie Jean!

Last summer at my weight loss surgery support group meetings, they started talking about something called "The Walk From Obesity." I checked it out online, watching for the announcement about the Utah walk this Fall. When it was finally announced, I was disappointed to see that the official walk was only a half-mile - I was already walking 1 to 2 miles several times a week. Then our support group leaders told us that we could join with the SoJo run and still get credit for doing the WFO, and I started to get excited. I waited till a couple of weeks before the race to register so I would have a better idea of what size tee shirt to get. I know, I know; that sounds very vain, but I really wanted a shirt that I knew I would fit and look good for more than a month after the race. And guess what size I was brave enough to order?

Size Small!!!! And it fits!!!!

Jack and I left bright and early this morning, before the sun was even up, found a good parking spot and waited in the car till about 40 minutes before race time. By then it was light enough to see, but very chilly with a brisk wind. We stood close to the outdoor heaters till time to head for the starting line, and I moved out. Jack had brought the camera, so we have a few pics to share:

Freezing in the wind before the race

And we're off!

The last leg of the race (I'm on the right)

Down the home stretch

Crossing the finish line

It was great after the race to talk to people there and tell my story and hear their stories, as well. Oh, and the Walk from Obesity people had several prize drawings, and I won a $25 gift certificate toward any play at the Hale Center Theater! All in all, it's been a very good day!

A Good Week

I intended to get this written and posted on Sunday, but as they say,"The best laid plans...."

Last week was a good week. From Sunday to Sunday I lost 3 pounds. A few months ago that would have been a normal weight loss, but at six months out from surgery, 3 pounds in one week is quite a bit. Those 3 pounds dropped my weight loss enough that I now have less than 20 pounds left to lose before reaching my goal weight.

Tuesday last week was my monthly measuring day, and I found I had lost another 9-3/4 inches (along with a 10-pound weight loss) since mid-August. Those lost inches included a 2-1/2 inch loss around my waist! My waist is now smaller than my top and smaller than my bottom for the first time in years - woo-hoo!!! I tried on the clothes in my drawers and hanging in my closet and found that (drum roll, please) the size sixteen pants and few remaining XL shirts are just way too big and baggy now. I can fit easily into the size 14 zip-front designer jeans (Eddie Buaer, Ralph Lauren, and Style& Co.) and the size 12 zip up and pleated front dress slacks and the size small pull-on warm-up pants that were tucked away with the "not-quite-yet" clothes.

One day last week I went grocery shopping with my 39-year-old daughter and was asked if we were sisters. Goodness! I am 24 years older than she is and have gray hair! I guess if the flabby skin is covered and I am smiling, I don't look like I am in my sixties.

One more thing to report. I got my hair trimmed up on Friday, as I am leaving town tomorrow for three weeks to visit my children in Illinois and Wisconsin (and see my brand-new grandson!). As Linda was combing through and cutting my hair, she commented, "It looks like you have a little buzz cut going on here underneath your longer hair!" Yay! My hair is starting to grow back in - and it is all that nice silvery white!

Yes, it was a very good week.

Some things I love

Some great things about losing weight:

Bending over while sitting down
Tying my shoes with the bow in the middle
Holding things (especially grandchildren) in/on my lap
Finding my waist
Shopping for new clothes
Wearing pretty clothes
Wearing heels
Wearing the mothers ring my children gave me
Getting compliments
Looking (and feeling) younger
Getting "checked out"
Hugging my husband
Walking to Church
Walking the dog
Walking, in general
Being physically active
Crossing my legs
Kneeling at the altar in the Temple
Sleeping without a CPAP machine
Standing without tiring
No more diabetes
No swollen ankles
No hip pain
Seeing my toes while standing
Curling up on the couch
Feeling small in a chair
Tightening my seat belt
Having energy
Weeding the garden
Doing household chores
Feeling in control
Becoming myself again
Being happy