The photo says it all

Big Suprise

Well as promised and mentioned Monday, I went and had some fun. My dear husband is on vacation this week and I've been wanting a new tattoo for awhile now. So as a reward of sorts, he paid for me to get this one...that is the beginning of many to come.

The plan is to eventually be a sleeve with an underwater theme. I will add a manatee, a sea turtle, sea horse, some fish and end at my wrist with coral and rocks.

This was not my first (actually was my 4th) but none are this big. I sat for 3hours for this...the others will be smaller. It was alot of fun and a get day!

Photo update

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but today's picture kinda leaves me speechless. We were up early today, off the meet my brother and his family for lunch, so I asked my daughter to take a new picture for me. My mind still hasn't caught up with the mirror..but hopefully one day it will.

The weather is beautiful here in Texas today. I had a great workout at the gym today and we are heading to Six Flags tomorrow morning for some fun! Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Glad to feel GOOD

Finally feeling back to my old self this morning. I went to my water aerobics class...It had been a week since I'd worked out. I just hate being sick.

I asked my daughter to take a couple of new pictures for me this weekend (as I am scrapbooking my weight loss journey). I am proud to announce I am 1 pound away from 90lbs lost. I am just dying to cross that 90lbs mark! It is shocking how time flies when your busy. I can remember being so proud at 20lbs. lost, 35, 50...to think of 90 or 100 was too far to stretch my mind. I have always worked off little goals. I constantly focus on making it to the next mark...not the overall goal - as it would be too overwhelming for me. I am just thrilled to have made it so far in just 9 1/2 months. I had hoped I could do 100lbs in a year...but never pressured myself with it, but as the time draws near I think it is possible to accomplish.

The other day my husband was complementing me on my hard work and success...he told me he thought I'd never do it. I guess after seeing someone try and fail for years one would just assume this was just another "Try". Most previous "diet" attempts lasted less than a week. While I was caught a bit off guard by the sheer fact he was admitting to me he never expected me to accomplish this...I can't blame him for it. Somewhere inside myself I might not have believed I could do it either in the beginning, but I sure am glad I stuck with it. The changes I've made have become a lifestyle, I have really never felt like I was dieting. That was the purpose of the journey - to make a change, to improve my health, my fitness, and my quality of life but not feel deprived. I am just ever so grateful that I have found success to this point as I know so many of my fellow bloggers have truly struggled alot.

Some Background

Thanks everyone for all the great advice and suggestions on how to recover from my hip injury and to continue running. Some may already know this, but I feel it is important to give you a bit of background on me.

In 1996 at the age of 21 I was in a REALLY bad car wreck. Both of my legs were crushed. My left femur was shattered and my right leg was broken in 7 places {including the femur also}. I was told I'd possibly never walk again. These weren't my only injuries. I fractured both wrists, my pelvis was broken in 3 places, I had a skull fracture, lost 3/4 of my right knee cap in addition to being impaled by the tilt steeling level and internal injuries.

While I have enjoyed running these past 3 months and am disappointed that my old injuries are now limiting me, I am grateful to be alive and walking and able to do as much as I can now.

My primary form of exercise is WATER AEROBICS - I do 2 classes (110minutes) three days a week. It is my first love and what got me started on this weight-loss journey in May 2009.

I started adding additional land cardio in Sept. 2009 for my off days from my water classes and eventually began weight training also. The weight training has made such a difference for me. I am so much stronger, more toned and just really look forward to hitting the gym on my weight days.

I have been interested in boxing for a couple months and may pursue that a bit instead of the running. I am still kinda brainstorming on what I will replace that goal with...but make no mistake, I am moving forward and not looking back. I am just that kind of gal. I can't be bothered or distracted by what could have been...because I know from my past, that is the beginning of my demise.

Can you believe it? - hot 100 update

Christmas is only 4 days away! Where has the time went?

We had a great weekend. The hubby and I attended his annual Teamster Christmas party. It is always a good time. So many drunk people in one location to watch as they make fools of themselves...LOL! Every year they do photos at the party. Last year we didn't do it because we arrived a bit late and the line was so long, but a friend did take a photo of us.

So I'm posting both last years photo and this years...

Quite amazing difference (if i do say so myself).

HOT 100 UPDATE:

1. lose 5lbs. per month - lost 6 lbs. for Dec so far

2. workout with weights 2x's per week - DONE! love it...you should see the muscles I have now

3. no bread/crackers for snacks - DONE! finally conquered this problem

Great weekend

My hubby works odd hours. Friday night (Saturday morning) he arrive home around 6am. When he got in bed it woke me and we got to talking. After about an hour and a half he said he wanted to try the "couch to 5K" running with me. I was happy to say the least, but he wanted to do it right now..LOL! Well, I was already awake for the day, i had promised my teen daughter to take her with me also - so I woke her and off we all went, bundled for our run in 28 degree temps on a early Saturday morning.

It was truly a great. I could never have dreamed 6 months ago when I began this journey we'd all be running side by side like this! They both loved it...and felt like it was challenging them to do their best, but not too tough. I pushed harder of course too because they were with me. I do most workout alone, so it was quite nice to have them along.

That evening we had my nephew for the night. It was his parents annual Christmas party and he got to sleepover for the first time. It was a great day all around!

Pump up the Jam

They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words....I for one am speechless (but oh so happy with the changes I'm seeing and feeling!)

CHRISTMAS 2008

OCTOBER 2009

In the face of change

I slept most of today, something I seldom do. Since starting this weight-lose journey, I have not allowed myself to return to bed after I start my morning. That is quite a discipline, since my husband works nights and is always in bed during the day. Although I'd slept all night, I was mentally and emotionally exhausted from life. Just on overload!

It was nice to just escape the non-stop thoughts and second guessing all day. You know how you have a fight and you think of all the things you'd wished you'd done or said. Hindsight is 20/20...but a person could certainly send themselves to a the funny farm dwelling on "what could have been". I try not to hash and rehash life. What is done is the past and all we can change is the future.

I did enjoy looking into the past a bit today. To not beat myself up but bask in the pleasure of some success. Losing 54lb certainly changes a persons look. I'm not done. I'm only just beginning this journey...but for a moment it was nice to reward myself in looking back from where I came. I am amazed how my face has changed over 4 months and I look forward to what is ahead.