Joy

Felling joy again from an activity that my previous weight kept me from participating in was unexpected and powerful. I rode a horse again on Thursday in an hour long lesson. I have not ridden in years even though through most of those years I actually owned horses. I was too fat, tired, slow and sluggish. I did not want to subject my lovely mares to hauling my a$$ around! Finally, with the hard work of weight loss I was able to feel good about getting back on a trusty steed. I rode for a good hour with a trainer at a lovely old barn near my home. It was THRILLING!!! I rode better than I thought I could - I guess it is sort of like riding a bicycle - you never forget. It was great. The only mishap was on the dismount when I was sliding off the back of this extremily large Percheron cross - my feet hit the ground and my brain received an emergency transmission from my thighs! "We are sorry to inform you that we are now made of jello!!!' They sort of collapsed and on to the ground I went! The trainer ran over to me, the Percheron cross Sampson looked curiously at me as I sit on the ground and I sat there feeling no injury - just happy!! I cannot wait until my next class. I cried with joy when I told my husband about my class. I drove over to my friends house tell her all about the class. I hope that she will join me with a lesson soon!

Salsa and chips

I think I have found a partial solution to my salsa and chip cravings. I found some multigrain tortila chips. I was afraid they would not taste good but I actually like them better than regular corn tortilla chips. They have such a nice flavor! Anyway I can have my salasa and chips with a lot fewer feelings of guilt and that my dear friends is a good thing!!

I LOVE my new gym!!

I went to my new gym again tonight. It is sooo nice! I was happy to complete about 45 minutes on the eliptical. I set the machine for the weight loss program. I was able to complete it while spending 95% of my workout in the correct heart range. Average HR of 141 with a peak of 160. I am not sure if that is good or not but it was good for tonight! I am so tired right now! It has been a very long day!

Virtual Weight Loss

Here are the results of my virtual weight loss using the web site I mentioned yesterday.

Inspirational photos

I found this great FREE site! You send them your current picture and tell them how much weight you would like to lose up to 50 pounds. They change your picture to reflect the weight loss and send it back to you by email! It is so inspirational to see yourself after weight loss! You can hang the pic on your refrigerator or just keep it in your wallet to remind you of your goal!
Here is the website address

www.weightview.com



I am off to the gym - keep your fingers crossed for me! I am trying to get to Onderland this week! I was 201 again this morning! I think I can do it!! Yipee!! I am down 79 pounds from January of last year! I was 280 at my highest!

A box lunch...

Today I was in a tax class all day long. I thought at lunch we would break and I could run over to the store for a light lunch. Well they announced they were serving a boxed lunch! I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to eat it. I was pleasantly surprised! They had boxed lunches from Panera. I chose a tuna salad on wheat bread. I have not eaten a sandwich in over 9 months! I ate about 1/4 of the sandwich with no problems at all. It was delicious!
I have not exercised today. My brain is so fried after 9 hours of federal taxation instruction!!! I will make it up tomorrow with a vigorous gym workout!
On an odd note - I have been craving salsa for about a month now. I do not know why I am wanting to eat the tomato,onion and chili goodness! Can a person have a salsa deficiency?

Is it possible....

to be too skinny for your fat friends and too fat for your skinny friends? The answer to that question is ABSOLUTELY!! It is so interesting to see how your friends deal with your weight loss! I have seen others struggling with weight issues get upset because someone in the same struggle is losing more rapidly. I have also sadly seen weight loss ruin "friendships". The fat girl in the group holds that position for life no matter her size. It makes the other group members feel better about themselves and they certainly could not take it if they themselves become the fat girl! It is much more comfortable with the status quo! Fat girls should stay in their place!! NOT!!!! It is difficult to find these odd challenges as you lose weight and get a handle on your health. Of course this is not the rule. I have found tremendous support among the majority of my friends. It was surprising to see this too fat/too skinny phenomenon. It happens and I argue that these people are not really your friends. You are merely a placeholder in their group. A placeholder were no one wants your spot.