So, let’s see…status…things are going great. I am on track for my half-marathon. My last mileage day had me at 8 miles which is ahead of schedule. Training is going amazing. I have lost 6% body fat since starting work with Tye. I am at a total loss of 78.5 pounds right now which is awesome. So, that’s 28.5 pounds since working with Tye. I have some great muscle definition now in my arms and legs. My stomach area is shrinking and things are going well. I am capable of a whole lot more than I ever dreamed possible. Tye is constantly challenging me with new things to try and I am doing them.

Life is going pretty well too. I started a part-time job in the back office at Staples doing some accounting work. I am in the midst of training still, but it’s going well.  I am doing my best to enjoy life more. I love my gym and the people there. I keep pretty busy and am just having fun and trying to stay healthy!

So, let’s go….measurements were a bit odd so they won’t be exact because someone else did them last month and the difference in how Tye and that person measured makes numbers off a bit…however, according to Tye, I have lost 10 more inches!!! Woot! That puts my total inches lost up to 23 3/4 inches overall  Very exciting. As for weight, we are currently at 69 pounds lost total (I’m hoping to get that last pound out of here this weekend, so I can say 70!!) Awesome! That means my total for working with Tye at this point is 19 pounds So, we’re almost at 20 pounds!!! So, I can’t complain about the results. He’s doing amazing work and we are seeing some great results!!

Today, we talked about running/jogging. He gets my reasons for not wanting to, but thinks that I need to let those past negative memories go. I agree with that, but it’s a bit harder than just telling all those insecurities and fears and feelings to just go away and feel better. So, he agreed to jog with me…not every time, but for starters. I guess he is thinking I am going to love it. So, jogging with me is a start and possibly a way to replace my negative memory with something more positive.

We also discussed my diet and though for the most part things look pretty good, I need to work on getting a bit more carbs on a regular basis and more calories as well. My protein and fat levels are not bad at all. I have been pretty good with the whole nutrition thing so there wasn’t a lot to adjust there. Although, he did counsel me to not be so legalistic with everything. Easier said than done for me, but I will try. I just don’t want to screw up. I have spent years eating the foods I really shouldn’t and I want to enjoy and eat healthy foods. So, I will try to adjust the calories and carbs a bit better so that my body is being fueled properly!

Our training session was a bit different today in that we did everything backwards and took one thing (that I didn’t mind) and added something I am not as fond of!! LOL! I think I might have been a bit whiny or goofy, but overall I think we did well. He did note that I was rushing through everything and I told him that I had learned to do that while he was away…if I went faster, I got done faster! He laughed because he knew I was being honest with him! I did try to slow down and he slowed me down on some to get me to focus on the work. We took away the calf raises and added lunges into the routine. They hurt…the last set I wasn’t sure if I could do them, but we made it through. He also took the leg extension machine back out and we did our walk/pull thing and I think he was putting more of his weight into it than usual. And then just for fun in the middle (and because he knew I would say no), he said let’s jog a lap. Of course, I said no and of course, I relented! That’s just me…I told him I didn’t want to be mad at him or hate him. LOL, he noted that afterwards I wasn’t angry or even frowning at him, but smiling…I told him it was because he’s so cute! It’s hard to be angry at someone so adorable I did appreciate that he jogged with me and I hope that he continues to do that for awhile so that I can get used to associating it with something more positive. And my squats were a bit pitiful…I blame the fact that I missed them on Tuesday by not doing my training session or maybe the fact that I am tired of them…but they are working, so I guess I can’t complain too much!

So, it was a pretty awesome training session. I did 30 minutes on the treadmill at 8% incline afterwards and then had to rush to shower and get changed to head over to our friends for dinner. I had just finished applying make-up when I got paged to the front desk! Jason had arrived and he and Tye were chatting (which of course makes me nervous!) I finished up some scheduling stuff with Tye and told him I would see him tomorrow at the gym. Then we headed to our friends, Steve and Emily. They made an awesome spaghetti dinner! I wished that I could eat more of it than I did…it was so delicious!! Afterwards we hung out for awhile and chatted. Then it was time to head home! I should be sleeping right now, but I am not overly tired. Plus I really felt like blogging!

I scheduled an appointment to see Amy because I wanted to talk to her about my diabetes medicines. I felt with the 65 pounds lost that it may be time to see what my body could do with a little less diabetes medicines. In the past three weeks, the highest my blood sugar has gone was about 114. So, we both agreed it was time to take away one of the meds. I am now only on Byetta for my diabetes, which means that I now only have to inject myself twice a day and the amount of pills I take each day has been reduced (basically vitamins and supplements now!) So, I am one very happy woman! I am well on my way to getting to my goal of being completely off of diabetes meds this year!! Give me a few more months and we’ll see if I can’t control this thing with just diet and exercise! I’m really psyched about this change.

So the next few days around here should be interesting. I will be keeping a really close eye on my blood sugars to see how my body is dealing with just the one medicine. I no longer have to check/record my blood pressure since I am officially done with those meds! My training starts back up on Friday (nervous about that, but looking forward to getting back to work!!) Also on Friday, we will be taking measurements. Tye will actually be doing them himself this time. I am nervous about that because I know people do measurements differently and I really want to see those inches shrinking. You’d think it would be enough for me to just see the results in clothing but the pounds and the inches mean a great deal more to me than the way my clothes fit. Mentally, I still have not caught up with the new changes in my body. Little by little, I do notice things and get excited. For example, Saturday we were in the car and I looked down and commented…”I have a lap.” Hubby replied, “You’ve always had a lap, there’s just a lot less tummy and more leg now!” It’s nice when I do notice the little things but I do wish that I had the overall picture that other people get to see. I am hoping my mind catches up soon!

I am also quite nervous about seeing my trainer on Friday. It’s been almost a month since we’ve seen each other and I really want him to be wowed when he sees me. It’s crazy to want that validation but it would be so nice if he could see all our hard work paying off.  So, we’ll see. We’re both super-excited to get back to work. I uttered some crazy words to him while he was away that I wanted something “more challenging” in our workouts when he returned. It was probably not the smartest phrase to ever come out of my mouth! However, it’s definitely time to change up our training routine. My biggest fear is that he is ready to start jogging or running (which both are equal to me) and I am not ready for that. I have some mental/emotional hang-ups about that stemming from childhood and until we can replace those memories with some positive ones that involve jogging or running, they’re not going to go away. So, I get to tell Tye about those issues on Friday so that he might understand more why I say I am not ready for that yet. I really hope I don’t have to become the uncompliant client because I really enjoy being the compliant client who does what he tells me to do without questions. I trust that Tye has my best interests at heart and if he knows the underlying reasoning behind my dread of jogging/running, then he will help me conquer that. God’s been pretty amazing in the ways that He has used him so far to help me, so I know He will continue to bless me with more help.

That’s about it for now. Tomorrow, I have more cardio and fitness coaching…the same on Thursday and then there’s Friday’s training!

I went to the doctor in 2008…that’s an accomplishment because I always despised going to the doctor. I hated to be told I was overweight and needed to lose weight. I hated feeling fat and dreading the scale which would tell me how badly out of control I was spiraling. But when I went in and met with Amy (the Nurse Practitioner at my doctor’s office), I didn’t feel bad about myself. I didn’t enjoy going there and knew that things weren’t going well health-wise for me, but she at least did not give me the lectures I had already heard 1000 times before, besides as she said I beat myself up about it far worse than she ever could. And Amy saved my life. The diabetes diagnosis was just what I needed to push me to do something about my health.

I lost 65 pounds this year. This is a pretty awesome accomplishment to me. I have to be honest, I really wasn’t sure I could do it. I think I stayed in the “fake it til you make it” phase for awhile there, but I was determined to do this. I still have more that I want to lose, but I believe in myself a little bit more than I did in the beginning.

I overhauled my diet this year. I eliminated a lot of food that I ate regularly and all of those fun treats like chips, cookies, candy, etc. No more sodas either. This was hard at first and at times, it is still difficult. I admit though I am much happier without all those things that are bad for me. And at least now, I have learned that I can not be a social eater and that I can have those things occasionally in small portions. I have also learned portion control. I used to eat whatever and however much of it that I wanted. Sometimes I would eat because I was bored. And I was an emotional eater…I ate for every emotion. Now, I eat 6 times a day and small portions. I have learned to eat more complex carbs and have them earlier in the day with fewer carbs at night (which gives me better blood sugar control). I have learned to drink water and like it (if it’s the only thing you can drink, you learn to deal!)

I learned to love exercise in 2008. That is an amazing feat for me because I have NEVER liked exercise. I do not enjoy getting hot and sweaty. I don’t like overexerting myself. Well, that’s all in the past. I enjoy going to the gym 5-6 days a week. I love walking (on land or by treadmill). I love working with weights and doing strength training. I just enjoy knowing my body is getting more and more fit. I love knowing that I am doing something vital for my health and my life. I love the energy I get from my workouts and the strength. I love my muscles and the fact that they are defined and not hidden in layers of fat anymore. I just love being more fit.

I hired a trainer in 2008. To be quite frank, it was nerve-wrecking that first day with my trainer. Tye is an amazing man and he is really hot. It can make a girl who is overweight nervous to be working with someone so goodlooking. It can make you feel fat and ugly. I can say without a doubt that I have never felt that around Tye. I never feel bad about myself around him. He’s got a good way about him that he welcomes you and makes you feel like what you are doing is something you can accomplish. Hiring Tye has been one of my best choices of 2008 because he’s been an amazing source of encouragement and knowledge. He’s really helped to keep me motivated and keep me on track. I am so blessed that God put him in my life to help me on this journey! I look forward to what 2009 will bring in the way of our training

I became a happier and more positive person in 2008. I decided to stop allowing excess drama to take over my life. Unfortunately, if you happened to be a source of excess drama in my life, you kinda got booted…but I saw no sense in surrounding myself with negative, unhappy, miserable people who only wanted to wallow in it and make my life as miserable as theirs. So, 2008 was a year of cleaning house for friends that weren’t truly friends. It was difficult but very necessary. I totally needed to do that in order to get myself in the right place for dealing with my health. Since I approached this with a more positive attitude, it’s been what has helped me to stay strong throughout this (that and my supporters!) And through all of that, I have grown closer to God which has been the absolute best thing for me!

I am no longer on blood pressure medicine. Since it was causing my blood pressure to be too low, I went off of it and decided to keep a log until I can get back in the doctor’s office. I am working towards having Amy adjust my blood sugar medicines next to see what my body will do now that there is not as much weight to be concerned about. Hopefully at my next appointment we can do this because I would love to see the diabetes medicines gone too (that’s the goal!)

I am signed up to walk in my first ever half-marathon in April of 09. This is something I never in a million years would have thought that I would do. But I am registered and at this point there is no turning back. I will walk this half-marathon. I will crawl if I have to. I am going to try to run part of it (could be just a few steps, but I promised Tye I would try and I will). But this will be an awesome accomplishment and I can’t wait!! I know that I will be ready for this come April!

So, for the most part, I feel like I am on track. I am doing what I need to do in order to get off of the diabetes medications. I am making some great progress. I look forward to seeing what 2009 will bring for me…hopefully a safe, healthy pregnancy and no more diabetes meds We’ll see. I am just happy to finally be on the right track and headed in the right direction!!

So, now we are on to getting rid of the two diabetes medications! My hope is that on my next appointment, I can talk her out of the JanuMet and stay on the Byetta for awhile. We’ll see what comes of that. But I think my numbers prove that things look good and with the weight loss, we need to be moving closer to adjusting the meds to see how I am dealing with the diabetes with diet and exercise. But I do want to stick with my Byetta for awhile.

Anyways, that’s our current status. I am pretty happy about it!!

I am still exercising all the time…I’m quite addicted. I go to the gym 6 days a week. Usually day 6 is either to train hubby or some light cardio. I am training with the trainer twice a week. He’s currently on vacation and I am doing my sessions without him. It’s a little sad because I miss the encouragement he provides and the fun. But, I will hang in there until he returns!! I am also doing fitness coaching and cardio every day. I’m still battling a small upper respiratory thing, but it’s not impacting me too much other than to just make me tired.

I am doing well food-wise. I am doing my best not to have the things that I have been told to avoid. I am allowed a cheat meal but I have been trying not to make use of it.  If I don’t feel the need to cheat, then it’s better for me to just do what I am supposed to.

I am not sure when we will be doing measurements again. Most likely when Tye returns from vacation. I am working really hard to make some really progress while he is gone! I guess that’s why I am pushing myself so hard.

Anyways, that’s about all that’s going on here now.

I was so antsy to get into the gym today. I couldn’t stand the fact that I had to wait so long to go in! It drove me a bit batty!! I finally gave up and went in a bit early anyways so I could do a little bit of cardio before the workout! I got about 20 minutes on the treadmill before my workout started. I made it all the way through the 4 sets of my exercises without puking (or peeing…I upped my water intake and have been peeing like crazy!) But it’s all good. It was another tough intense workout, but the reward is so going to be worth it!! We had lots of fun (hard to believe I am saying that, but it’s true) and I got a great workout. Tye is doing such a great job with this. I am working harder on the changes that they wanted to make in my nutrition. I gave up bacon and sausage. I occasionally have a protein shake now to increase my protein intake. I am trying to choose better carb options. This whole experience is going great so far. I am really happy to have gotten someone who gets me. He’s kicking my butt and I am loving every minute of it. I think he’s having fun too!

I am hoping not to be as sore in the morning or on Sunday. But we’ll see. As long as I can move in the morning, I am going to the gym to get in some cardio. Then Monday will be fitness coaching and maybe a class or something. We’ll see!

As for measurements, we did a new round on Tuesday. They weren’t stellar results, but here’s what we had…1/4 inch from my neck, 1/2 inch from my waist, 1/2 inch from my hips, and 1/4 inch from my calf.  So, another 1  1/2 inches makes a total of 13  3/4 inches since beginning the gym (Butterfly Life).

I will give Tye credit though, he worked me hard today! I don’t think my heart rate has been up that high in a long time. He is definitely worth the money…he’s pushing me beyond what I believe to be physically capable. And he makes me laugh! I swear, if I was younger and single, I would be all over him like white on rice But I am desperately in love with my hubby, so I shall just flirt and drool!! LOL!

So, I decided to have some protein before my training session. I opted for this energy mix by Planters because it worked within my carb range and had protein. I ate it an hour before my workout. Well, apparently Tye pushed me hard enough that it decided to make an appearance! Luckily, I have been a good student of my body and was starting to feel a little queasy at first, so I took a walk around the gym and did my last exercise in that set. Afterwards, I felt lightheaded, so I sat down for a minute. Then, I felt lightheaded and queasy and then I knew it I was going to pass out or puke. Puke seemed more likely. So, Tye walked me to the restroom and said either way we were done for the day because he didn’t want to push me too much further since I was not feeling well.

So, I make it to the sinks in the bathroom and then proceeded to vomit…just once. And I instantly felt better! I cleaned up the area and went back out. I debated whether or not to tell him, but I figured he needed to know. So, I said I am fine. He asked if I was feeling better and I said, yep, I puked! We laughed and sat down and talked for awhile.

It looks like we will be making more changes to my diet. I admit I don’t like this. I have already given up a ton of food and the idea of giving up other favorites makes me nervous. But I can and will do this. If I seriously want to achieve my goals, then I have to. So, it’s a done deal…my nutrition will be changing a bit!

And he laughed at me because I told him that I had to be at the gym at least 5 days (sometimes 6) a week. I refuse to give up my morning routine of getting up and getting exercise. For example, I went in this morning and did an hour on the treadmill and a 30-minute class for legs. Then I went back for my appt. at 3 with Tye. I need my morning exercise…it gets me going. So, I think we found a compromise…circuit training 2 days a week, 2 Zumba classes a week, 2 sessions with Tye a week, and some cardio if I have to (Which I probably will!) It all depends on how I am feeling. That is the key. I have to be feeling okay to do that much. Since I am a good judge of my body, I will figure it out! Besides I just started to get to the point where I don’t hate exercise, so I don’t want to make excuses or take time off.

Here’s my concern right now…my blood sugar. I did not test before my workout. This is an error, we will start doing that before each training session. About 1/2 hour afterwards though, my blood sugar was 151! It has not been that high since I was diagnosed…I have been super careful! So, either the puking or the intense workout raised it. I will find out Friday which it was. But I need to be careful.

Anyways, I love my trainer and I totally see us being friends for life after this journey. He’s a great guy and he is so going to get me where I need to be. He knows I don’t accept excuses and he doesn’t let me dish them out. He pushes me much harder than I push myself and he is going to get results! He told me he is going to have me jogging…I reminded him that I don’t run and he said with a twinkle in his eye, “You will for me ” He’s so cute, I am sure I will, just to impress him!

My hubby is super-excited about all this too. He’s so supportive and just plain awesome! I am blessed to have such a great support system.

I had a 3-month follow-up today with Amy. And let me tell you, I was nervous about going to get a new A1C test. My last test (7/31/08) was 7.2! That was what got me diagnosed diabetic. I have been working so freakin’ hard and I just realy wanted to make a dent in that number! Well, here’s my new number…are you ready for it… 5.4! That’s right! I dropped that number quite a bit!! I was really impressed!! It seems like my numbers are just coming down and getting right everywhere since I have been more diligent. I have lost 46 pounds, 12.25 inches total, and dropped my A1C by 1.8 points!!  So, all this tells me to keep at it. It’s working and it’s worth it

I also tried out my new gym today. I have to admit that I like it. I am not used to it though and it’s going to take awhile to get comfortable on the new machines and get a routine going. I did decide which trainer I want to work with for a bit. I admit my criteria were not your normal criteria. I chose him mostly based on how cute he is I love eye candy!! I also chose him because he knows how to train for athletes and that’s what I need right now to get me ready for my half-marathon. And I know that I will work hard while I am flirting with him Mostly I was really impressed with his attitude about fitness and such. He’s a great guy and I think he will help me to reach my goals!

Well, that’s about it for now! Got tons to do this afternoon while I am celebrating my new A1C number I’ll post more in the next couple of weeks about the new gym and what I am up to.

I didn’t get to work out while I was in VA. Curves wouldn’t let me come in and try it out. I didn’t walk as much as I would have liked either. But I didn’t go crazy and eat too terrible or ruin all the work I have done. It was probably a good thing for me to have a week off from my intense routine.

The bad news I got when I got home from my trip. My gym, Butterfly Life, is closing on Nov. 15 due to some issues with corporate and the economy. I am devastated!! I feel like I am being orphaned and I am worried about losing my motivation and my momentum. I have an appointment to try out Pivotal Fitness tomorrow. I am hoping that they will be a good fit. I know they won’t be the same but as long as I can feel comfortable going there and working out, I will be happy. And some of the other ladies might go there too. So, we’ll see.

No news on my diabetes and high blood pressure. Both appear to be under control at this point. I am still working hard to get more weight off to be able to get off all meds. I see Amy on the 17th to check my A1C levels and my cholesterol (which was borderline high). I am really hopeful that my A1C is down. I can’t imagine it not being down, but I get nervous about medical tests!

I am trying to get myself back up to where I was when I left for my trip. I lost a little bit by taking the week off of training. But the good news is that it won’t take me too long to get back to where I was. I did get some equipment from the gym and I have a new video for walking to try out. I am trying to make sure that if it gets really nasty out and I can’t walk that I have the opportunity to do so here at home. So, we’ll see. Also I have Zumba DVDs to try out.

Anyways, just wanted to update here since it has been awhile. All is well on the homefront