Zumba!

I have found a new love to take me through the winter.... ZUMBA.

Recently offered in our little town, I've splurged in allowing myself to pay for it. And I LOVE it. I love to dance, and the instructor is so fun. And honestly, I'm pretty sure 6 months ago I wouldn't have been able to do it at all. And I keep up great. It's a testament to how far I've come. I absolutely keep up!

There are some moves where it's just a lot to move my body - and the weight. But that will continue to get better! For now, I'm sweating twice a week and LOVING it. I may look goofy, but we are having a blast. And I'm shocked at how quickly the 45 minutes goes!

My nemesis at Zumba is the Baliwood belly dancing song. Hips don't move so well anymore. So I need to work on it! And speaking of hips - they get pretty sore. Not pain, just soreness. Hoping that is just a sign that they are moving in ways they haven't moved in twenty years!

zumba

Today I tried something new - attending a Zumba class for the first time - and I LOVED IT. I am very excited to find something fun to do for exercise over the winter. My walking will lessen as we get into our Wisconsin winter, so I was looking for something other than my elliptical to fill in. And I think Zumba could be it. Very excited. The key - keeping it fresh!

another "discovery"

My clavicle has reappeared. This is so funny. Little things I'm noticing, like the re-appearance of my clavicle. Really changes my appearance.... and it makes me happy.

Officially done at the store, and my craft sale is over. So tomorrow I need to figure out how to get my mojo on with regular exercise~ I'll keep you posted!

another milestone!

While I never wrote down "goals" per say - there are many things that I have in mind that I'd like to be able to do once I get healthy. You are now thinking, run a 5K (yes that's on the list), etc. But many of you don't know just how overweight I was.... so on that list are also some things many people take for granted. Like buy and wear a pair of fashionable knee boots. My legs are too big to do that, and I'd LOVE to some day be able to!

Sunday I was able to realize another milestone. One so subtle that no one in church would even know it happened. While sitting waiting for church to start, I was able to cross my legs. Right leg over the left, with no need to "hold on" to the leg to keep it there. A WOMAN cross. not a man cross. A WOMAN. And it was comfortable.

You may be questioning my sanity at this point, but it's been 20 years since I could cross my legs like a lady. And I did it on Sunday. And it was cool. :-)

So just when I think I've plateaued or begun slipping back, God gives me a little sign to show me yet another way my body is changing for the better!

A little slip

A combination of travel, scrapbooking, and Halloween has caused me to slip. I have not eaten well AT all, and have eaten more than my share of Halloween candy. So today is a new day. November 1st, and my life is back on track! Here's to health, and happiness everyone! Life is too short to take things for granted!

bummed

Sunday was our 17th wedding anniversary. It was a beautiful fall day, and in line with my life change, I asked if we could go hiking - on a bluff near our home. A bluff within 10 minutes, that I'd never hiked!

We spent a wonderful afternoon tromping through the woods, loving the fresh air, and the smell of the woods. All along, I snapped pictures of the guys (we made DS go too!), some they were aware of, some they weren't.

At the end, my hubby suggested we take a picture of the two of us - being our anniversary. Excited to do it - after a 40+ lb weight loss - I agreed.

I was very disappointed by the picture. While I can see changes, I am still SO large, and the oversized clothes that don't fit didn't help the picture at all.

So I was bummed to say the least.

Patience.

I need patience.

..in the mirror...

Even though I am down 41 pounds, and have had multiple friends comment on how I look, I have not seen enough of a change when looking in the mirror to feel I actually looked different. Even though I've gone down a pant size, I still am large enough that when looking in the mirror, I am the same.

until today

Today I took a solo road trip to see my daughter. And on the way home, I stopped for a break, and upon walking out of the bathroom, went past a floor length mirror and saw the change.

It was a bizarre moment.

As I stared at myself, I saw a totally different shape. VERY different. I'm amazed I hadn't noticed before.

I actually look like a very overweight person who has lost a lot of weight. You know, THAT look - I can't describe it, but I see so many changes happening now! I stared at myself - from all angles - for a couple of minutes. Even though I was in my big old baggy clothes, I looked so much better.

And I needed that.

GO ME~!