Good Tuesday morning everyone.
Sorry I haven't been on the thread for the last day. I woke up yesterday with a stomache virus. I was lucky enough to get ds2 out to his school so he could leave for Gambia. I just made it home before I got sick again. I have been sleeping on and off since 11:30 yesterday. I just called in sick for today. If I can't get anything in me today then I think I have to calll in tomorrow also. Yesterday all I had was 3 pretzels, one banana and lots of water. Nothing has stayed in me since yesterday morning.
Off to try some toast.
Have a happy and healthy day.
Hope you are feeling better soon, Dona.
Your students will be sad to have a substitute on the day after vacation.
Hi everyone!
My name is Susie and I'm 54 years old. After being a couch potato most of my adult years, I got off the couch in August, 2006 at age 49 to train for the 2007 WDW half-marathon. I NEVER, EVER thought I could/would do something like that. I thought that was only for super athletes, not an occasional 1 mile walker like me. A good friend of mine lost a bunch of weight and did the 2006 WDW half. I knew if she could do it, I might could. I've never received a metal for anything and after hearing that anyone who finishes receives one, then I had to try it. I was excited and scared at the same time. I could barely walk 1 mile - how was I going to run/walk 13.1 miles within the 3.5 hour time limit?!!! After following a training plan, I did it - blisters and all. It wasn't pretty. I was hurting at the end. I swore I'd never do another one. Three days later, I signed up for the full the next year. It was going to be the 15th anniversary of the Mickey (the full marathon) and I was turning 50. I had to go for it. 45 half-marathons, 2 full marathons and a Goofy later, I'm still at it.
If I can do it, anyone with reasonably decent health can do it!!!
My problem is that my weight is holding me back in so many ways. I'm not very speedy in my races, I feel tired all the time, I'm starting to have knee and feet issues, and the list goes on and on. I need to lose around 50 pounds. You'd think that with all the walking and running I do, it would be easy for me to do this but it's not. I don't have a good relationship with food and I need to change this. At the end of January, I am going to start a medically supervised weight loss program. The program lasts 16 weeks with mandatory classes and lab work each week. After the initial 15 weeks, I will either continue until I get within 5-10 pounds of my goal weight or I will start on a maintenance program with the weight-loss group. I'm excited to be doing this but it will require great discipline to stick with the program. I know I'll need encouragement from ya'll and I'm willing to provide encouragement to everyone as well.
Now, I need to catch up on all the introductions and send in my initial weight.
GO, TEAM, GO!!!!!
We can do it!
Hi Susie!! It's great to see you again. I hear you on the weight loss affecting your running, and have slacked off. YOu're doing great keeping up with it, and I hope the new program wiill be really helpful for you. Good luck!! It will be an Incredible year!!!!
I am 52 and was wondering if a marathon could be in my future.
I bet it is. Keep hanging around here, and you will be running. I never ever in a million years ever thought I would do a half marathon, but I did it. And you will too. Disney races are the best, but if you're interested in a goal half, in sept in Salem they have the wicked half marathon, a beautiful course around marblehead neck. I did it last year, and am going to do it again along with Maria-Worfiedoodles on team mickey. My first 5k I ever did is a womans race in june in beverly on the water, and for a first race, I really liked that it was a womans only race. The princess was really nice for that as well. I just felt more comfortable with mostly women. Any way, I am picturing you in a disney race one day soon.
QOTD - January 3, 2012 - This isn't really a question. And you can use it as part of your HH #4 - relax each day. OK. I want you to sit down, close your eyes and envision yourself at the end of your journey. How do you see yourself?? Are you sitting in V&A in a new sexy dress making wise food choices?? Are you running in the next Princess Marathon?? Or are you able to keep up with the kiddo's at MK without keeling over?? Are you in that itsy, bitsy, teeny weeny, yellow polka dot bikini, at the top of Summit Plummet thinking maybe this wasn't a very good idea?? 
I picture myself at goal weight in my wish shirt, actually in a smaller size wish shirt, run/walking the disney half marathon the month before my 50th birthday in 2014, having plenty of time for every picture taking opportunity during the race, not even worrying about my pace and the sweepers. And then dinner in mexico after the race with my bl wish peeps. Actually, dinner is not so important as the margaritas.
This is my first year doing Dis Biggest Loser and I'm excited. I'm in my mid 40's and need to lose more than a few pounds. Last year I lost 30 lbs with Adkins. This year I'm doing a "modified" Adkins -- low carb, but not no carb. I avoid processed flour and sugar, eat my veggies, whole grains and berries and yes enjoy some beef, fish, poultry and bacon!
Welcome and love the bold on Bacon. Sooo yummy.
Kathy - Great job tracking every ugly bit yesterday. I am doing the same because I am not making enough changes in my eating yet.
It is amazing though because writing it down is causing me to change it up a little each day. Soon I know it will not be so bad.
Writing it down definitely makes a huge difference. sure, I ate too many chips yesterday, but if I didn't write it, it would have been worse. I know that. I'm happy to be going back to work today and know it's a little easier to get a routine going.
iAs I was reading Jen's post about doing whats important to us I realized this. Many of us on here are teachers, nurses, and SAHM's. I cant remember what the diagram is called anymore but its a personality test and I remember them saying those who are in the _____ category are usually nurses, teachers, service men/women, etc. That category was indictive of those people who always put others first, very caring and empathetic individuals. Thinking back on that I thought it was ironic that a majority of us are in those professions and here we are all focusing on the same challenge in our life. Weight loss!
It is time for all of us to be a little selfish. Put yourself first!!!! It doesnt mean everyone else needs to take a back seat but put yourself up there with them. My kids are my life but It is when I only am worried about caring for them that my own health starts to fall. I have learned that although I need to do all I can for them I also need to find time to do the same for myself. I know all of you can do it too.
Here to putting ourselves first just a little bit. Wise words, Lindsay. Thanks.
This was my quote today from Running World....
We find time for the things that are important to us. Period.
I thought about all the people who responded that exercising is going to be the most challenging part for them. I agree in many ways because I also live a totally crazy life - teaching, mom of 2 very busy kids, wife, head of the parent group for the HS dance team, serving on the school district GT committee, and so many more things. I look at my calendar every single day and wonder how I can fit one more thing in the day and sometimes the honest answer is I can't.
So, what do we all do about the exercising? I think today I just asked myself...is it important to me? The answer was yes (even though I tried to give excuses why it was okay to skip it). It meant that something had to give today. For me, I just had to walk away from all the grading I had left to do. I know this means I will be working on it tonight when I thought I would be done but the exercising was important. Period.
I have looked at my schedule for the week and I have decided that I am going to make some hard changes...like 2 days this week I am going to get up at 4:45 so I can get 15 minutes of exercise in before work. I know that on those 2 days I can fit 15 additional minutes in later in the day but this is the only way it is going to happen. I hate getting up early but I know I can do 15 minutes. I also know that I am going to have to ask DH to do a few things for me on one night so that I can free up a little bit more time.
I cannot keep putting everything else on the calendar and not have time left over for the exercising because in all honest, I know that the exercising is going to make the difference for me in this challenge.
So, tonight as you get ready for the rest of this week and are trying to figure out how to fit everything in...I hope we all realize how important our goals are and that we make time for what is important. Period.
Alright...I am done preaching!
I just thought that this quote came to me today at the perfect time! BTW....if you want an inspiring quote sent to you every day via e-mail...sign up at Runner's World. Some are really good!
Very well said, and so very true. I don't know if I would be getting as much exercise in right now if I didn't have the dog, but it is a priority to keep her active and tired, so she will behave when we are gone all day, so it's a big benefit for me as well.
Good morning everyone!! It's so great to see such an active thread and feel the motivation and determination here. It's nice to meet everyone, and I wish i had more time for personal replies, but it's back to work today for me, so time is limited. We got a dog a month ago, Poko, so my work day routine is a 40-45 min walk when we get up at 5:30, and then another 15-20 min walkt before work now. I go in at 9. I hope she adjusts to being back in the crate ok now that she's gotten used to us being home. A friend comes and walks her midday, and most days hangs out with her and her 4 yo son for a while.
I did better eating yesterday, but there's still room for improvement. I've got leftovers for lunch and dinner tonight, and will only eat what I bring to work. If there is any holiday junk left, I will not indulge. My holidays are over. I've got work to do, if I want to make my goal.
Have a great day everyone!! If you've had time off, hope your first day goes smoothly and to all you teachers out there, hope all your students got a good nights sleep and are off the holiday sugar highs.
)
My arms are still screaming at me this morning... But I'm going to try to finish it by the end of the week. 
I see myself shopping for clothes in the petite section, not in the woman's sizes. And getting pictures taken of myself that I can be proud of. Also being comfortable in my bathing suit on the beach and wearing shorts to Disney because I'm so self conscious about my legs. 
) My doctor informed me that I needed to do "something" as I have chronic health issues from being overweight. I would like to lose 100 pounds.
She used to be 330lbs and lost 200 through changing her diet and exercise. So I feel totally comfortable with her and know she's been there done that. And she's not looking at me and thinking "
look at the fatty trying to exercise." 
I'm going to go to her 2 times a week and on my "off" days I'm going to try to do some walking/running on the treadmill and maybe some Wii Zumba. 
I can also go running with my trainer and another friend, if I choose too. 
to all the new challenge participants, this is a fun motivating group!
