The Journey

I have been on a journey this past year. It started 28 July 2012 and continues through this day. Very hopefully, it will continue on for a few years more.

I can't remember if I had posted about this journey . . . but here is the beginning and end of this first year.

Along the way, I could feel small changes. Like, at Christmas when I asked for, and received two new tops in the 4X size I like. (Mom and I always said we liked to wear tops/jammies that we could turn around inside of and this was how I liked my shirts. When I tried them on, they were a lot bigger than I expected.

I was TOTALLY amazed when I saw these two pictures side by side. Granted, the one on the left is a little closer, but still, the difference is amazing . . . and, pound wise, I believe it is less than a 30 pound loss.

As I compare the photos this time, I can see a change in the "rolls" at the elbow. Man . . . it is still a surprise seeing these pictures. After a year, I don;t see any difference when I look in the mirror . . it just looks like me, Paula Sue Gaumer Tooke.

I think the first thing I noticed was my chin . . . not as many as I had when I started. Next, I realized that my ankles were smaller . . . what a weird thing to notice, but they aren't as "swollen" looking as before.

Now, I can't wait to see how the inside of my body has changed. I get my year end blood work before I go to the doctor in a couple months, I'll get blood work done. MAN ALIVE, I so hope the inside numbers look as good as I feel the outside numbers look.

Am I bragging, no . . . I am just in a state of semi-shock that this difference has occurred.

Keeping Track of Calories and Exercise

I keep forgetting to add this to the blog.

Well, not this . . . . .

Everytime I look at this picture I think the following:
1. I can't believe how dark my hair is.
2. I can't believe how fat my arms, belly, boobs, cheeks and chin are :0{

It could have been kept under wraps for infinity. (But I figured I'd share it so all of you have an idea why my doctor asked if I would be interested in a weight loss program.) This was taken at my brother's house when Miss Elizabeth was 5 days old. She is wrapped up in a receiving blanket I edged for her. Her dad, my nephew, was so sweet. He came in carrying her in her car seat and as soon as he had gotten her out, he brought her to me to hold. I was so thrilled!

Anyway, we are 5 days short of 2 months in on our new LIVE IT plan . . no diet allowed . . I don't want to die doing it, I want to live. We have been going in for our cardio and strength training three times a week. It is nice when we finished . . I actually do feel better . . . but would I do it without the husband going to? I don't know.

I found a site online where we can track what we eat and our exercise . . . Everyday Health . You have to register, but it is free. It is the best online place I have found for keeping track of calories . . . they have, literally, thousands of foods in their data base. If you can't find your food, you can create your own and list the info needed. If it is a food you eat often, you can make it a favorite to find it easier.

If you want to keep track of your food an exercise, I would suggest you try it. If you do, let me know how successful you are at keeing track of your foods.

MOG

Have I told you that the husband and i are going to a MOG? If you have never heard of a MOG, it is a Medically Oriented Gym.

We noticed that something was going in down a few buildings from our doctor. When we showed up for our appointments last summer, we discovered that they had remodeled their office. Totally shocked us . . which, I guess is a good thing. It meant we hadn't been in for a visit for 3 months so we had been healthy.

The last room at the front of their offices had been changed into a hallway which leads to the MOG.

When I checked with my insurance, they don't cover any  type of gym membership. That is weird . . it is Blue Cross Blue Shield and that insurance from New York covers it but mine from Indiana doesn't. So, I put off joining.

6 months ago when I visited the dr, he said that they had just started a program with MOG that Blue Cross Blue Shield was sponsoring. They would pay for a year of exercising and all you had to do was guarantee that you would go at least twice a week. He told me to think about it  . . . which I did.

When I saw him again 3 months ago, he said they were planning on a new group. Did I want to participate . . .I was so thrilled. I would be responsible to BCBS for 1 year of 2 weekly sessions. Sing me up!

Then, when the husband went in, the dr asked him the same thing. So we were both on the list. We got our call about a new starting group a month ago . . . and have been going three times a week since.

Several years ago the doctor wanted me to go to a pre-diabetes class. Since the husband is the cook, he went with me. I knew then that there wouldn't be any change in what we ate because he thought we were eating okay.

Well, now, he is searching for low calorie and low sodium recipes and reading labels on EVERYTHING! I find it so funny. He say, "Do you know such an such and such and such . . . ?" I'll laugh and say, "Of course I do."

Then, I tell him we need to try light / lite whatever . . . which he always turned his nose up at before. Now, he thinks they are pretty good.

Now, maybe, I will be able to lose some much needed weight form his being concerned about his diet. And, with luck, I will be able to work off some calories to help.

Will let you know how it is going in a month or so.

Keep your fingers, eyes, toes, legs, and anything else you can keep crossed for me.