2nd Anniversary!

Two years and 145 lbs later . . . 

November 7th is as sacred as my wedding anniversary.  I made a promise to myself to find a way to be happy and healthy.  I knew the journey would be long and it was daunting . . .

but here I am!

What's the same?

I still REALLY like crap food.  Salty, processed, sugar (fake or real) and fattening.

Whoppers, doughnuts, fries, macaroni and cheese, pizza, ect.  I still eat them (GASP!)  but in serious moderation.  That word "moderation" actually fits in the "what's different" section below.

Still not a big fan of fruits and veggies . . . but I eat them anyway ;)

Still watch a lot of TV but I do it while on the elliptical or to reward myself after a workout.

I still think I'm huge.  Body issues, I know.  But there it is.

Still can't do a pull-up or a proper military style push-up.  STILL!

Me in my SUPER tight size 10's.
Wearing them because I CAN!

What's different?

Me in size 28 jeans once again!

I'm 145 lbs smaller, from a size 28 to a tight 10.

My feet went from a size 10 to 8.5 (biggest shocker EVER)

My breasts decided to leave me, not sure if they're ever coming back.

I can walk into any store and shop off any rack!

Race junkie = nerdy car

You will often hear me say "sorry I can't, I have to workout"

(except I'm not really sorry, it just seams the polite thing to say)

I get REALLY excited by new music on my MP3 player.

Guaranteed to make for a good run.

Padded bras are my friends and underwire is a must!

I set my work schedule around race dates.

Never given, always earned.

Costumes.  I can finally fit into any costume I want for the first time since I was a child.  Now I wear something to almost every race.  I know I look like an idiot but I'm having the time of my life.

I can outrun my kids.  In the the beginning walking up my basement stairs would leave me gasping for air.  Now my 10 year old asks me to WAIT!

I have loose skin.  My rolls of fat deflated into loose bits.

I have wrinkles now.  Crows feet and smile lines have appeared.

I think I look much older because of said skin issues but I'm told I look much younger.

(Back to the body issues)

I wear through shoes as fast as my growing children.  My old "tennis shoes" used to last years, now I'm lucky if I can get them past 3 months.  Also, proper running shoes are expensive, leaving less money for fabulous heels.  Just sayin'

I rarely wear makeup anymore.  Not because I don't want to, but because I workout, then chase children, then workout WHILE chasing children, then collapse into bed.  What's the point?!

Most important change:  I've found something inside of me that yearns to live, breathe, fight, feel, and discover.  It doesn't care what you think or say, because it wants what it wants.

This girl is on FIRE!

That song "Girl on Fire" is about me.  

Loves to all my losers!

Teresa

This Moment

Let me just say life has NOT been awesome lately.   I'm tired of the daily fight and struggles with my own personal demons, health issues, homeowner trials and financial woes.  Add to all of that the burden of trying to lose 190 lbs and it all seems unbearable at times.  

I've trained hard for a Triathlon that I had to pull out of for health reasons, my weight loss has stalled, and I'm training for a 1/2 Marathon and can't seem to get past that mile mark.  

So.  Tired.  Of.  Fighting.

I asked myself:  What's the point?  I didn't ask for this special bag burdens and trials.  Can't I just lay them down and walk away?  Check out of this crazy race?

I know in my gut I can't.  Sure, I could walk away and quit fighting.  I could lay this bag of burdens down on the side of the road and walk away but here's why I won't:

This moment:

 

       

Because of my babies and this man:

"Here's the thing, you try and you fail.  You try and you fail.  But you get up everyday and you try again for THIS moment.  This moment right here.  This is what you fight for.  And it doesn't happen often but when it does happen, it's magic!  

And it's worth it!"  Jillian Michaels

Stand up and keep going! I may be moving slowly and crying the whole way but I'll be right behind you ;)

Teresa

You are not alone!

Feeling alone is this journey of weight loss and lifestyle change?

Well, you're not!

I made this video just for you. 

Pardon my appearance, I'd just run 7 miles and it was 11pm,

so tired!

Luvs,

Teresa

Race Repeat!

I have officially entered my "sophomore year" of races.

Running the same race 1 year later was awesome.

This time I was lighter, faster, stronger, and better trained.

Oh, the difference a year makes!

Last year 53 min

This year 40 mins!

Here's some funny shots of my prep:

Stuffing my key into my bra.  

Forgot to wear my pants with the secret pocket.

Mouthing off to my friend who's taking stupid pics of me while putting on the fairy wings . . . 

because they encourage happy thoughts, right?  ;)

Us girls before the run trying not to psych ourselves out!

She finished in 33 mins and I came in at 40!

Where will you be in 1 year?!

WHAT?!?!

Soapbox warning!

It's been 24 hours and it's still bugging me, so here ya go!

  Yesterday someone said to me:

 I'm so glad you've lost the weight the easy way.  

I feel so bad for the people who have to lose it the hard way.  

WHAT?!?!?!

  A year and a half of changing my eating habits, sweating,
killing myself at the gym, learning new things,
and pushing myself harder than I thought possible is the
EASY WAY!?!?

Nothing about this is easy.

It's hard on so many levels, it's painful, it burns, it's lonely
and sometimes scary . . . 

NOT EASY . . . 

But it's worth it.

I will swear time and time again, it's worth it.

But, don't tell me it's the easy way.

Next time I may not be so gracious ;)

Running is a Privilege

In case this needs reiterating . . . I am a slow runner.

I'm okay with that, it takes time and patience and I am getting faster.

However, today I was running the track at the gym

and this older man was walking very fast.

It took me FOREVER to pass him . . . RUNNING!

(Granted the man was probably 6'5" and I'm 5'4")

I came along side him, ripped the headphones out of my ears and said:

"You walk as fast as I run and it's driving me crazy!"

He smirked back and said:

"Be grateful you CAN run"

Yes sir!

I stuck those headphones back in my ears and just kept running, grateful that I could.

Try

Pink's song "Try" has gotten me through a good many tough runs.

I heard it first on "The Biggest Loser" and then went searching on You Tube!

Chorus:

Where there is desire there is gonna be a flame,

where's there is a flame someone's bound to get burned.

But just because it burns doesn't mean you're gonna die.

You gotta get up and try, try, try!

Here's the deal:  Desire is what makes me go out and sweat, run longer
 than I thought I could and lift more weight than before.
Desire is what ignites the flame to push.  

Yes, it's exhausting and it burns "but just because it burns doesn't mean you're gonna die."

When I'm out of steam and I don't think I can go any further I remember this:

Remember your desire and why you started in the first place.

You can go further, faster and lift more.  

TRY!