Keep on keeping on

Hi everyone. I realize it's been about a month since my last post. I'm just writing a quick update and because I don't want to sound too negative, it probably won't be a long one.


Long story short, our Disney trip was wonderful. I will admit to not sticking to my diet and exercise as I planned on but I did not splurge on everything in sight either. I'd say I was a pretty good midway between the two. I didn't even step on the scale for 3 weeks and, while not having lost anything, I had not gained either. The past week however, has been a different story.


Now, remember in my very first post me admitting to being a comfort eater, which led to my insane weight gain last year due to multiple factors? Well, that part of me that I swore off came creeping back into existence last week and I've been fighting her away ever since. The crazy thing is that nothing particularly or mind numbingly bad has happened...I've just been faced with a couple issues that I thought I had been able to resolve myself to accepting and that little devil on my shoulder just kept jabbing even deeper, which is driving me insane (more so because of the fact that I even allowed myself to go there)! My weigh in days are on Wednesdays but I guess because I was determined to torment myself, I stepped on the scale a day early (because really, what does one day matter?)...and I've gained 4 pounds!!!! IN LESS THAN A WEEK!!!! I'm so disappointed in myself because I've let stress once again do this to me. But it's all good. I'm on a mission and refuse to let some silly worries that are only temporary deprive me of my health and dreams. My head's back in the game. I slipped and fell and picked myself back up (but 4 pounds!!! REALLY?!?!?!?). Nothing's going to stop this determination. I've got some making up to do but it's the valleys on the way to the top that make getting to the top that much sweeter.


I don't know if any readers of this post are sleep apnea sufferers that can relate, but I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea last year and have not gone without my machine but one night since. As my mom started quizzing me about the safety hazards of mixing sleep apnea (which essentially is a lack of oxygen to your brain as you sleep) with high altitude sickness (a condition that results from being in high altitudes that also stems from lack of oxygen), I felt a nagging sensation creep across and knew I would be making a call to my sleep doctor soon to discuss the issue. While I am so grateful that the extent of my health goes no further than an aggravating sleep disorder when there are so many people battling much more serious health problems, I would hate to think that something as miniscule as this would be the one factor that would stop me from making the summit to Kilimanjaro.My faith will guide me safely where I need to go, I just pray a little place in Tanzania is one of the stops.

Disney Bound and 31 down!

In just one more day we will be loading up and heading south for the magical world of Disney! We are all getting excited and I never in a million years thought I would hear myself say that I will miss my workouts. My workouts, which are becoming ever more intense, have definitely helped boost my weight loss. I'm excited to share that I have lost 31 pounds! Now if only I can keep it at that number over the next week and a half while at Disney! I've packed my running shoes and hopefully can find the motivation to jog the trails every morning. Here is a progress photo!

So my trips to the gym have become somewhat entertaining the past few times I've been. As my endurance has increased so has my intensity level and to help keep me "pumped," I do like most and have my music turned up full blast during my workouts. Well, this particular day happens to be busier than normal with more people on the machines. I hop on my favorite machine (a mix between a treadmill, elliptical and stairclimber...it will KICK YOUR BUTT!!), hit my playlist and get to work. Out of 5.5 miles, I'm only about a mile in when I notice 2 ladies next to me keep looking my way and giving me annoying looks. It was about 3.5 miles in that one of the YMCA employees started pacing behind me, almost as if he was silently urging me to finish my workout. It wasn't until I had about a minute left that I took my earphones out and was utterly mortified when I realize what all the fuss was about. My machine was in desperate need of some WD40 and had been begging me for 60 minutes (ironically much like the employee STILL pacing behind me) to get off! I'm talking the entire building probably could have heard the horrific squeaks and groans. But it was all good...I got my 5.5 in! Needless to say, I've since been on that same machine and I'm quite sure they oiled it very good!

On a separate occasion, different day, I'm back at it chasing down the miles. I'm lost in the music (as I often tend to get) when one of my favorite "back in the day" dance jams comes on. I must have completely lost all sense of shame or pride or whatever you prefer to call it because I literally got so into the song that I momentarily forgot that I was on a cardio machine and can't just bust a move so easily. I literally lost control and about went flying through the window. If you are familiar with the Kings Mountain YMCA you would see how that would be possible. Thankfully, this was during the time of day that hardly anyone is there so only a few were there to witness my shenanigans. I'm not one to easily embarrass. Heck, the image of myself about face planting into the window is enough to make anyone, myself included, get a good laugh. Coincidentally, a friend who's getting married in several weeks texted me later that very day to tell me that she added that same song to her playlist for the reception and couldn't help but think of me!

That's been my excitement at the gym lately. It just makes things more fun when you add a little unpredictiality (is that even a word!?) to the mix.

I'll see you back here in a couple weeks. In the meantime, my family and I will be hanging with Mickey and the gang. I guess I'll just be watching from the sidelines as they enjoy the nice cool Mickey ice cream bars! Lord give me strength!!!