A Step in the Right Direction

Hey everyone.
I thought I would share my triumph with everyone.

For those of you who dont know, I had a heart transplant last year and am about to hit my 18 month post transplant day. (Surgery was Feb 26, 2010 for a long term genetic disease).

Because of this disease about 10 years ago I realized that exertion and my body just didn't go together. I landed myself in the hospital many times after exerting myself even a little bit. It was just not something my heart could handle.

Since my transplant I am actually able to do some walking which got to be so difficult near the end..(now i can actually run more then 2 steps). I still never walked much due to where I lived to get anywhere i had to drive and the humidity kicked my butt and the gym wasn't close, etc. I always had an excuse.

So on to my triumph. We have moved to a city and so I have done a lot more walking because there is so much with in walking distance. Yesterday I debated going to the gym which is across the street (we have free membership because of where we live). I finally went last night with my husband. But today, I went on my own! And it felt good. All I did was walk on the treadmill, but I feel satisfied that I actually did it.

Last night I walked for about 45 minutes and did just over 2 miles. Today I walked again for 45 minutes but walked 2.25 miles. Now if I can just keep this up along with walking to the store, cleaners, etc.

Katie

This Week's Triumphs!

I am in "I cannot screw this up" mode right now.  

Otherwise known as having an amazing amount of will power.  

I pray it will last long enough for me to see some results and be encouraged to keep going.  This reminds me of all the times I tried to quit smoking. (which I did do 14 years ago btw)  Before I actually quit, I tried so many times that I have lost count.  I even quit once for 6 months and went back to it.  Every time I tried to quit, I would tell myself that this was it.  This was time I would quit.  And then I would start smoking again for one stupid reason or another.  Losing weight is so similar, it's scary.  The difference is, you need food to live.  Here's the thing.  I'm an all or nothing kind of person.  I can't just cut back on something.  I either go whole hog or completely deprive myself.  So I am trying really hard to learn to find that middle ground.   That's why I admire Kassie (read her last post) for being able to have one mini donut the other day and just stop at one.  I struggle with that so much.  Anyway, I have been having a good week and I wanted to share my little victories.

Triumph #1

I had a Lia Sophia party last Friday, and I had some beers, I really didn't munch out too much.  However, I did end up eating a piece of the cheesecake that I had made.  I just couldn't resist.   Unfortunately, the next day for some reason, I fell apart.  So I was not so good Saturday and ate much more than I should have. :(

And here's where my victory comes in.  Usually, my having one bad day would send me into a tailspin and that would just lead to more days like it.  However, I stayed strong and got right back on the wagon on Sunday.  I have stayed on track ever since.

Triumph #2

Except for the above-mentioned day, I have gone on the treadmill daily for 30-45 minutes.  This is a pic the treadmill earlier today right before I got started.  You see that little gem sitting there?  Yep, that's my Kindle and if you could zoom in, you would see that I'm reading MotU.  That little thing has kept my ass on there probably 10-15 minutes longer than I normally would.  I just try to focus on the story and not look at the time on the treadmill.  You know how you get so involved in a good FF, right?  It has really been helping me.

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Triumph #3

I love to go out to eat, but you know how hard it is to find healthy entrees at most restaurants.  I have certain restaurants that I prefer and I pretty much know what to order.  Chili's is probably my favorite restaurant, but those damn chips and salsa are like freakin crack!  Once I start eating them, I cannot stop.  I literally have no control over myself when it comes to them.  Even if I tell myself that I will just have a few and stop, it never happens.  Remember how I said I'm an all or nothing person?  This is one of those times.  So we went to Chili's the other day and as soon as the chips and salsa hit the table, I threw a piece of sugarless gum in my mouth.  Guess what?  It worked.  I did not think it was possible for me to resist Chili's chips and salsa but I did.   Next, I'm going to try that when I 'm cooking dinner because I tend to want to snack while I cook.

Please share some of your weeks victories in the comments!  

C'mon girls!  We need to encourage each other!

xo

Marie