What a year!

I can't hardly believe the New Year is upon us. As I look back at the past 12 months I realize how far I have come and all of the things I have done. I am so thankful to have found my health this past year and so happy to have such an amazing support system around me to cheer me on as I reach for my goals. I never in a million years thought I would become an athlete. Up until August I had never even ran a whole mile at once. Ever, never..seriously, not in my entire life. Now I can..plus a few more :o) Up until August of 2008 I hadn't been on a bike in 12 years. Now I ride 40 miles for a couple of hours of fast fun. I swim, take yoga, shake my ass in Zumba and love life. I have worked for this. I have worked hard but I also have people around me that make it a little easier.
When I started this journey I figured if you were not in my corner than you didn't need to be in my life and I am still happy with that choice. I can't say everyone has been there but the people that have are the ones that matter. Most of all my husband has been there every step of the way. He amazes me with his support and love and ability to push me harder than I ever could imagine. I have taught him nutrition but he has taught me what it is like to be athletic. He is an amazing athlete. Whether it is cycling, swimming or running he is always in the top of the pack. His physical abilities amaze me and push me to catch him. As I crossed my very first finish line on August 8th he was all I looked for. I remember the last turn of the run. I wanted to give up but then I saw this other woman's family. They were cheering and her husband had a huge sign. At that point all I wanted was my husband. My family didn't show up, as usual, but he was there competing, sweating and pushing just like me.
I also have a good friend, Aimee, that has struggled with weight just like me. We have known each other since high school and have both taken control of our lives. We both have a low tolerance for bull shit and can share many of the emotional mood swings that have come with losing weight and gaining a life. We can share things most people wouldn't understand.
Now everyone in this little town recognizes my work and weight loss. I am often seen running down a back country road or riding my bike. The gossip gangsters around here have been sure to keep track of my progress and even the greeter at Meijer has spoken up. Today the teller at the credit union asked me if my plan was to melt away to nothing. At my gym I have Al, Gloria, Deb, Dave, Carmen, Delores and Kristine. They make it comfortable for me to be there and always have. Kelli was my favorite gym employee. Liberal, artistic, open minded and outspoken. She let off this happy vibe and on a plus side works for WW. She left us..boooo. She "trained" me on my very first day. I was scared and embarrassed of my weight. So Kelli..(I know you will read this). Thank you for making me feel not so horrible that first day and making me want to come back for more.
Those are the people that have changed my life this year. I <3 them all.

"Pointing" myself back into the right direction...

I keep hitting the mini plateaus. I really don't know why except I have lost a great deal of weight and my body probably would like to rest. I think sometimes it tells me so but I don't listen. I have never been a big fan of being told what to do. If I was I probably wouldn't of gotten so damn fat to begin with...HUh what *gasp* she said fat. Yeah, so what? You call a crack addict a junkie so why not call it as it is..I was a fattie. I say this with love but I was so addicted to food I am surprised the sweats and shakes were not visible just at the sight of pizza. Oh I love food. I love food so much I have been using my "calorie deficit" as an excuse to squeeeeeze in some things I know I shouldn't have. Chocolate, Coke Zero, ice cream, full fat lattes.....the list goes on. I have reviewed my food diary and the only way to stop this for now is to start counting points again and STOP counting calories. The difference seems so vague but there is a huge difference. All calories are not created equal and some are just plane evil. 150 calories of black beans = 2pts, 150 calories of chocolate is 4pts...see my point, LOL. To elaborate I would upload my bodybugg calories and see I had worked off 4000 calories...well heck then I can eat 3000 right? Well sure fattie, that leaves 100o calorie deficit. Well what are you going to eat if you have 3000 calories to consume? Fajitas and a giant margarita...ME TOO, ME TOO!!! So I am back on the points and off the food crack. So this combined with the BFL workout routine is bound to kick the rest of this fat to the curb or what ever mystery place it is that fat goes when it leaves. I secretly hope it goes to the skinny bitchy head cheerleader from high school....don't laugh, you know you want her ass to explode with Twinkies too.

It's like a really really bad dream...

Last week I lost 1 pound. 1 pound..only 1 pound. It has taken me 4 weeks to lose that 1 pound. I am so tired of stepping on the scale and it not moving. I doesn't defeat me but it is very discouraging considering my nutrition and work out schedule. Last week looked like this:
Monday~Rest
Tuesday~3 mile Run
Wednesday~ weights & 2 mile Run
Thursday~3 mile Run
Friday~ weights & 30 minutes elliptical
Saturday~10.52 mile walk
Sunday~Rest
I did not induldge too much on Thanksgiving and I have increased my water intake. The only litch in my nutrition I see is that my protien is down and my carbs are up. An easy mistake to make when you don't eat much meat. No matter what way you figure it I should of lost more but no matter what I do things aren't moving. This next week I am going to concentrate on lowering my carbs a little and getting more protein. My calorie deficit for last week shows I should of lost at least 2 but then again for the week before my deficit shows I should of lost 3.....yep, getting a little angry at this point.