I haven't blogged in a while and I have a lot on my mind.
First of all - I find "The Fresh Beat Band" beyond irritating. I used to think Max & Rub were anoying. Well, they could move in, frankly, if it meant I never had to hear or see the corny, campy freakishness of the former-Jumparounds.
I have not weighed myself in 2 weeks because 2 weeks ago I weighed myself and found myself "broken through". At my heaviest, around Thanksgiving from my estimation, 2009 - I weighed upwards of 230. I don't know specifically because I was too depressed to weigh myself, nevermind attempt to lose it. But since then I have begun to exercise regularly (work out, even!), eat well, all but eliminate meat from my diet and visit with my doctor on a regular basis to keep an eye on my cholesterol, heart and blood - a lot can happen to your body when you're not paying attention. And while it is very easy to find lots of reasons (read - excuses) for those things, the bottom line is this: if you don't take care of your body (and mind, but that's not this topic) it will fall apart. You have to be aware of what you consume, how often you consume it and how you burn the fuel you have chosen to consume. It's so simple it's stupid. There is no magic bullet. Being healthy is hard work but oh, so worth it. I have never felt better - body or mind.
Anyway, 2 weeks ago I weighed in at 199.
This is a major breakthrough for me. One I was not sure if I was going to share publicly - but the support and feedback I received thought Twitter and Facebook made me realize that I am SO not alone. There are so many women my age (and men) out there that had their fatbacks creep up on them in their 30s. I want to help. I want to inspire. I want to share so that no one feels like they are the fattest, grossest, ugliest person out there. You're not. Nor was I. But I feel better that it is behind me.
And I still have about 20 pounds to lose before Christmas to reach my 50 lbs for the year, but I feel so close to that. Like, I have the formula, I just have to maintain the discipline.
I will get on the scale this coming Friday and set a goal for August 1st. My goals have to be smaller, I can't drop 10 pounds a month - I am building muscle and frankly, the first 20 pounds are always the easiest.
Today is Independence Day, July 4th, The 4th of July. I love today. It truly kicks off summer. We have at least 1, possibly 2 Beach days planned this week and 1 each week for the next few weeks. Plus playdates, pool time, swimming lessons and perhaps an over-nighter at my parents' house.
Today we head to my In-Law's and I'm really looking forward to it. It's been a while since the whole family has been together and with a few of us heading north and south after this weekend, it will be really nice to just float in the pool, have a few drinks and lots of laughs together.
When I was a kid I remember waking up beyond excited for 4th of July Fireworks. I heard on the news this morning that more than 15% of all fireworks-related accidents are from Sparklers. And yet, when I was as small as my own kids are now, I can remember walking around the beach pretending to smoke those things.
Those were the good old days... We'd swim all day, eat from the big grills that the Dads were working up near the horse-shoe pits. And the Dads would be at the beach, not just the moms!
Then, around 5 we'd head home, put on dry clothes and get right back on our bikes and go back to the beach for more grilled dinner, bug spray, games of tag and while our parents drank Vodka & Tonics, we'd suck down store-brand soda and wait for it to be dark enough for the fireworks to start.
All the kids would have to stay on the grass, no one but the fathers were allowed in the sand.
Mr. Henry, Mr. McKee, Mr. Chiaro, Frankie, Mr, Clarke, Mr. Rice, my Dad - whoever - would dig deep holes, set up buckets of water and light off fireworks that are definitely illegal now and may have been back then, too.
Lightshows you would pay admission for these days. The smell was fantastic and you could barely see your hand in front of your face for all the smoke in the air.
Good Times.
Great, Awesome, Priceless childhood memories.
God Bless the USA.
