I should have updated by now, but I have not taken the time. It's been over a year now since my surgery and what a year it has been! I have spent the summer working on getting in shape - doing Jillian Michael's dvds and running longer and more often, plus cutting out more carbs and focusing on getting in more variety of protein and more consistent eating schedules. It's been a big process this whole year of finding what works and what does not and filing away keys in my mind that keep me on track. I watched an episode of "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition" where the contestant worked out 6-8 hours a day. It clicked with me during that 2 hours watching that show: I can work out a LOT more and not hurt myself. I was working out every other day. I immediately switched to making it my goal to work out every single day and it has immensely changed both my body and my mindset. I went from running 3 miles each time I ran to 3.5, then 4, then 5 and most recently 6 miles. It has been amazing to feel my body just DO IT and fall into line with what I ask of it. I feel like a totally new person, it is so indescribable. I just wish everyone could experience this kind of freedom.
At my one year anniversary I had my one year checkup at the bariatric surgeon's office. I weighed in at 174.5 pounds, for a total loss of 105.5 pounds since I started this journey. My BMI is still not in the normal range but the dietician said to not worry about it since I have muscle. Okay, that's all nice to say but I will not stop until I am at a normal weight, no matter what calculation is done to determine it. I'm just 5.5 pounds away from that goal - 168 pounds is the top of the normal BMI range for my height. I will get there, no problem :) My Vitamin D levels are low as are my B-12, which is odd cuz I take those every day, but we're going to double up for a few months and see if it works to get them up where they belong. Nothing dangerously low, but they want to keep all levels healthy of course. My good cholesterol levels are stellar, she said she can tell how much I exercise based on that. So I'm glad to be as healthy as I am now. YAY!
Bob Harper's book, The Skinny Rules: The Simple, Nonnegotiable Principles for Getting to Thin, has totally been a huge key for me this summer. It simply lists 20 rules to live by. I can not live by all 20 rules yet, but I've implemented a few and they have been super helpful. The most beneficial thus far is simply to keep protein and healthy snacks in the front of the refrigerator. I keep myself totally stocked with Greek yogurt, hard boiled eggs, apples and berries. It has made it so much easier to avoid junk food - when I am feeling bored and wanting to eat, I just eat something healthy out of my fridge. Among the list of other great rules are - no carbs after lunch (hard to do but I do remind myself of this when I'm contemplating mindless snacking) no potatoes, no fast food (I gave up fast food 1/1/12 so that one isn't hard), always eat breakfast, do not skip meals, and eat an apple or berries every single day. The harder ones to follow I will start implementing next I guess. I highly recommend this book - super easy to read, lots of recipes and really common sense based.
I ran my first 10k today. I had a time of 1:15:02. I wanted to run it under 1:15 but I guess I got close enough. I would have finished faster but it was EXTREMELY hilly! OMG, it was a challenge but it was also really fun. It was in Estherville, Iowa, the town where my Grandma lives as well as my aunt and uncles. It was so so so so so fun to run in the town that is so dear to my heart and see parts of it I have not seen ever before. I trained and prepared well so I felt strong, energetic and not sore, which was so great. And the weather was amazing - 66 and cloudy. A little humid but still so great to run in such cool temperatures. Then it poured but cleared up just in time for the parade in town :) My goal is to run the half marathon there next year. We shall see!
All in all, it's been quite a journey. I am so much healthier and feel amazing and I feel like the changes I've made to my diet and exercise habits will stick and I will be able to continue to maintain and improve my health. Running in the races I have have been keeping me motivated so I intend to keep doing more and more so I keep getting stronger and increase my endurance. It's so fun to be ABLE to run for an hour and 15 minutes. I am flirting with the idea of running a full marathon at some point. Just to DO it. Probably not the Twin Cities marathon though, it's too hilly :) So I don't know. We will see how I feel when I do the half marathon and go from there. It's totally addicting, this running thing. There is no feeling as sweet as crossing a finish line. My new favorite quote is, "we don't quit when we're tired; we quit when we're done." Kept me going today on a ginormous 1/4 mile STEEP hill.
So I guess that's it for now. I probably won't update this much anymore since I am almost at goal weight and just maintaining my lifestyle. Check my main blog "www.thelifeofcranny.blogspot.com.
