Day 1 and Happy Birthday to me!

Well, it's official. I'm 44 years old and today is the beginning of my 45th year of life. It's been an interesting day so far with lots of love and birthday wishes from friends and family. Work was uneventful which is a good thing but it allowed for my mind to meander.

Several times during the day I found my mind wandering and wondering...what is in store for me over the course of the next year? I want to make it different, I want to accomplish things I've not been able to do in the past. Some things are small while others are pretty big.

One silly thing that popped in my mind today? I want to be able to cross my legs when I sit. I don't mean "criss cross applesauce"... I mean really cross my legs, like a lady! Now don't start with the OMG...like a LADY? I know I know...I'm not the most lady like person in the world. My frister calls me crass. I'm not sure why but I suspect it has something to do with bodily noises she finds offensive. Hey! My mom always said "It's better an empty house than a bad tenant!" I have to agree with her.

ANYWAY...This is how I typically sit because I can't actually cross one leg completely over the other. Apparently my panniculus gets in the way. That's the fancy word for my big belly. I learned that when I worked for a plastic surgeon at the impressionable age of 15!

As I mentioned in my first post, I have completed a 5K race, but my goal is to be able to RUN an entire 5K race without walking. It will happen. I'll make it happen and I know I can do it. Time dedicated to the physical work of exercise and training my body to have more endurance will make a difference. I have friends and family that will encourage me but ultimately it's up to me and taking responsibility for my actions. I can do it. This weekend I'll do my second official 5K race and I'm really looking forward to it!

My official weigh in this morning was a little bit of a surprise but it is what it is....my official starting weight...

YUP...that says 258.2 - it's OK, it's up from the 255 I thought it would be but that comes as the result of some self sabotage I did last week. I didn't exercise once. There were a couple of legitimate reasons...and a few no-good excuses. Regardless, the only exercise I had in the previous 7 days was 2.5 hours canoeing on Black River (which was a lot of fun by the way).

I think I should touch on one of the actual reasons...I had a biopsy done because of a slight scare. After the biopsy Monday, I was uncomfortable to put it mildly...that lasted a couple of days but by Wednesday it was just excuses. The good news is that the biopsy came back negative for cancer cells so big sigh of relief there.

I didn't go to the gym today...that was a conscious decision although I don't know why other than pure laziness. Today while walking to Subway for lunch, I realized that I got slightly winded just walking up the steps at work...that had subsided significantly since I'd started exercising a few months ago. It was a wake up call that after merely a week of moving LESS, my body was revolting. As I walked, I was reminded that I LIKE to move. I enjoy the exercise and the feeling my body has when my heart rate goes up and I'm getting fresh air. That's when I got excited about going back to the gym tomorrow. I work out twice a week with Chris. He's a really great trainer that knows when he can push a little harder. I like that about him. I'm looking forward to seeing what kinds of changes will come from an increase in gym activities.

I recently started doing some classes at the gym instead of focusing only on the sessions with Chris and an hour or so on either the treadmill or elliptical. I've tried the step aerobics (it kicked my ASS), water aerobics (which I thought would be lame but WOW what a workout!), and I've done a body works class that is lots of sculpting and ab work. I can't completely keep up but that doesn't mean I'll give up!

Well, my sweet family is waiting for me to present me with one of my favorite dinners - Beef Stroganoff prepared by Mikki...she's so sweet! She made the favorite recipe which is FULL of calories from fat AND she created a low calorie version with ground turkey breast and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream! She loves me....

Just an FYI - dinner will be followed by a piece of decadent chocolate cake from Costco. Also a conscious decision that will be followed by putting the left overs in the trunk of my car to be taken to the savages that I work with. It's amazing how quickly food disappears at my work when you put it out to share. I know, maybe I shouldn't be exposing them to all those calories but better them than me! Let them use their willpower and determination!