So Long 270's

It is Friday and it is WEIGH IN day....I dropped below 270 today to 267.6...WooHoo!!!  The movin and shakin is paying off and all of the support, ideas, funny stories, thoughtful words and gifts have been instrumental in these 1st 2 weeks.  Thank you all!  You are all amazing! I hope you will hang in there with me for the next 50 weeks...and join me for a raucous game of Volleyball on Saturday August 17th 2013..time and place TBD!!
So today was a recovery day for me...and my body and mind are thankful!  I am finding that after the Tues-Thurs workouts, my "Recovery Friday" is needed.  I will tell you that I am already noticing a shift in my energy levels (in a good way) and some of this activity is starting to get a little easier!!  I am still using Weight Watchers as a way to control my food..however, am reading a few books and may start incorporating some different food plans into my current program.  I am still having some struggles eating too late...but I will say that my night grazing has diminished significantly.  I have fallen in love with a couple of snacks (to satisfy my sweet tooth)...almond butter and bananas (my Dr. told me I needed to increase my good cholesterol-thus the almonds).  I have always loved fruit...but am just eating it more often.  My Mom has been making me smoothies with ice, a small amount of skim milk and assorted fruits...love them! 

Here is the Week 2 Recap:

• Started this week weighing 274.2
• Worked out Sat, Sun, Tues Wed. (2x) and Thurs.
• Shopped for Fluffy girl workout clothes
• Got some amazing and unexpected support
• Had a Funky Monday...but made a solid recovery on Tuesday!
• Busted through the One Mile mark and am now walking 1.5 miles...MonDOO!! (for Brig, Jilly and Linda)
• Found out I would be coaching Emily's Church league Volleyball team! Yay!
• Double workout on Wed.  Two-a-days!!!! Awesome
• Talked music and shared some fun workout music
• Got even more amazing support from friends and family
• Got "prayed" through another week!

Let's Talk Tunes:

No workout is complete without some kick butt Blues: So here is a little Stevie Ray

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU0MF8pwktg

Here is Adele singing Sam Cooke....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUTDSr3Vtoo&feature=related

Here are another few on my current listening list!

Roll Away your Stone-Mumford & Sons
Good Girl-Carrie Underwood
So What-Pink

Today's Blessings:

Music Friday at work!!
Lindsey!!!
3 day weekends
One step closer to goal!

OK...so I am going to the lake this weekend with "my people" and I am concerned about wireless access...so blogging might be a challenge.  I have loaded the blogging app onto my phone however, am not sure about signals or lousy phone typing skills!!!  But I will give it my best shot!  So my workouts this weekend will most likely be a lot of walking...and I will be enjoying some down time with Tone Tone, Donna, Emily, Bill, Greta (the Shih Tzu) and Riley (the Schnauzer). Fun!

I  hope everyone has a safe and happy Labor Day weekend...Enjoy your time and again, thank you for all of your support.  I love this quote by Robin Roberts below...really inspiring from a woman fighting against illness...with dignity and grace.  I don't want to miss one moment of the meaning!!!  Journey 120-"Mawa Inspired" (Good luck to Kerri Walsh as she plays in a tournament in Cincy this weekend)

"There’s a quote that really resonates with me when I think about this time in my life. ‘Life provides losses and heartbreak for all of us. But the greatest tragedy is to have the experience and miss the meaning.’"~ Robin Roberts

Shake your groove thing

Hello Thursday....tomorrow is the 2nd weigh in with only 50 more to go!!!  After my morning swim yesterday...I decided that my workout was a little light.  So, last night I worked on my upper body (machines and free weights) and I did another 15 minutes on the treadmill.  I was wiped out afterwards but I felt much better about my workout.  This morning I did my 1.5 mile walk and hustled into work...As I told you guys previously...when I walk early in the morning, I don't really listen to an I-Pod or anything... I like the quiet.  However, when I am on the bike or lifting weights...I have to have some motivation. 
So...this brings me tonight's general topic.  Work out music!  Of course, most treadmills, elliptical, bikes, etc...now have T.V.'s attached  Which I must admit...I like.  I am a T.V. junkie and being able to watch a little television while I pedal away is kinda nice.  However, music is inspiring!  Music gets my blood pumping and helps me get my groove on...at least what is left of my groove!!!  Anyway.  I thought it would be fun to share a few of my favorite songs/artists with you and maybe you can send some of your workout faves back to me!!  BUT...before I do...I must say that some of my workout music may not all be typical ...largely because I love singers!! Big, powerful singers, soulful bluesy singers, iconic singers and not so well known singers!  Great vocalists really serve as a source of inspiration for me and always have!  But there is nothing wrong with a great back beat..straight up jammin song that just makes you want to dance. 

So my first selection is actually a contemporary christian song and for those of you that don't really listen to this style of music, this song to me is universally fun!!!  Great way to wake up!!! Mandisa (of American Idol) and Toby Mac.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1ovNZTpVcU

So here are a few other songs that I have been listening to: 

Rumor Has It-Adele ( Amazing vocalist--but the drums rock in this song)
She's a Bad Mama Jama-Carl Carlton- pure FUNK!!!
Brick House-Commodores-More old school!!
Tightrope-Janelle Monae
Party Rock Anthem-LMFAO
Moves Like Jagger-Maroon 5
R-E-S-P-E-C-T-Aretha!
Pumped up Kicks-Foster the People
I wish-Stevie Wonder

These are just a few from this week...each week I will be posting more great music...It is what makes working my rear end off (literally) manageable for me!!!

 I still want this next year to be the time of my life!!! I want to make this transition from Fluffy to Fabulous as much fun as possible.  I want to continue to be inspired!!!

OK...check back tomorrow for another weigh in!  For those of you playing along...let me hear from you!

Blessing today:  I have almost made it through week 2!

God Bless and Good Night

Things are going swimmingly

Happy Hump Day Everyone...I hope you all are finding your way through the middle of the week...having a few laughs along the way.  I must say that is a great thing about my job...I get to laugh every day.  We all like to laugh and do...often!  Though being independently wealthy would be my first choice...having a job that I get to laugh at while I am working...that isn't a bad thing!

OK...so today was swimming day...I did not exactly bound out of bed this morning...but I made it to the Y.M.C.A and got in about 20 minutes worth of swimming.  I felt like I could have gone a little longer today but did not leave myself enough time to do that...so I will be back in the gym tonight.  I love the water and have always enjoyed swimming.  As I have said in previous posts, it is a lot harder than I guess I expected but I like the way I feel when I am done.  Not as much pressure on my middle aged joints!!  But...as much as I love swimming...I cannot imagine loving it so much that I would be would  want to swim the English Channel or some big open water swim...like Diana Nyad. 

I don't know how many of you are familiar with Diana Nyad...but she is pretty unbelievable when it comes to endurance/long distance swimmers...what amazes me about her (and inspires me) is that she is now 63 years old and STILL is swimming long distances in open ocean waters...I am attaching a link about her most recent swim...I cannot even comprehend how she does what she does...not only does she swim long distances...she does it in jellyfish infested waters...with sharks, stingrays  and lions and tigers and bears...oh my!!!  I figure if she can fend off a few hundred jellyfish for 70+ miles...I can go an extra 15 minutes in the pool. HA!  Though if I am being completely honest...I think swimming in the ocean...getting a million jellyfish stings...swollen lips and salt-water blisters all over my face sounds a little cuckoo... but her endurance and drive..inspiring. 

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Diana-Nyad-Open-Ocean-Swim-Florida-Straits-Cuba-Key-West-Success-Reaction-167781285.html

Inspiration is the best kind of rush for me...in whatever form it comes in!  I would love it if you guys would share some of your inspirations with me...things that motivate you to go beyond your comfort zone.  I love my comfort zone...it is cozy there...however, in order to accomplish the goals I have set for myself...I have to take some giant leaps into places that may not be so comfortable at first. 

Before I go...I got my confirmation that I will be coaching Emily's VB team...my first coaches meeting is next week.  Here is quick shot of my volleyball girl!

Also, a co-worker of mine recommended a high protein, low calorie/low carb shake.  I have been using them as a little protein boost during the day.  There are pretty good.  Here is the website.
http://eas.com/product/advantedge-carb-control-ready-to-drink

"Tune" in Thursday...I am thinking it is time to talk about good workout Music...Have a great rest of today...Love the comments, emails, FB posts...keep em coming!  "MaWa" Inspired!!!

"Do one thing every day that scares you.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt

Can I get 2 Quarters with that MILE

Good Tuesday evening to everyone...OK...so after my Funky Monday...I had to shake it off this morning and start FRESH!!! So again...I was up by 6:00 AM and at the park by 6:30 for a walk.  I am trying to keep these morning workouts interesting so that my body does not realize that I am up so early AND working out....sneaky!!!!  So tomorrow will be swimming...and Thursday will be the bike! You get the picture.   Anyway, once I got to the park and did my stretching...I struck out on what has been a mile long walk in this cute little, heavily wooded park just down the street from our apartment.  I really love being outside (in tolerable temperatures) and early morning temps are fairly doable if you don't mind the humidity.
So....I start my walk and so far...the 1st quarter mile or so I really have to push my body and mind to participate...I am not a "fast out of the gates" kinda girl.  However, once I get past that 1st quarter mile...it actually gets a little easier and I really find myself enjoying a somewhat peaceful environment...listening to the birds and the crunch of the gravel as I walk along...it is kinda nice.  I choose not to listen to any music while I am outside...just my preference.  I like the sound of nature (with a little traffic mixed in) and it gives me time to say a few prayers and get my head wrapped around what I have going on for the day. 
I typically turn around at the 1/2 mile marker on the trail and loop back to the parking area to complete the full mile...but today...TODAY....I made the entirety of the trail...which is 1.5 miles or 2 Quarters with my mile (hehehe).  I had a few "push through" moments (as I call them)...moments where I think I cannot keep walking and I just keep pushing and push right through the discomfort. It worked...and I finished the mile and a half...without any trauma.  I am sure for some of you walkers...1.5 miles is no big twig...but for me...It felt great to push through to another level.  No going backwards...just forward.  Two miles here I come. 
I am hoping that with each week's challenges come moments like today when I get a dose of accomplishment to counteract the "funky" moments!!!  There is that wonderful HOPE again...gotta love it!

I got an incredibly sweet email today from a friend and I thought I would share it as my blessing for today:

I read this and thought about you.

As you are.

Stronger than you know.

More beautiful than you think.

Worthier than you believe.

More loved than you can ever imagine.

Passionate about making a difference.

Fiery when protecting those you love.

Learning,.  Growing.  Not Alone.

Warm.  Giving.  Generous.

Quirky.  Sexy.  Funny.  Smart.

Flawed.  Whole.  Scared.  Brave.

And so, so, so much more.

Be Strong.  Be confident.  Be you.

God bless you, Jaime.

I am so proud of you.

Thank you for the beautiful words of encouragement...can't ask for kinder friends and family...not possible! 

OK....Tomorrow is HUMP DAY people...Halfway to weigh in #2 and week #3...I hope all of you taking this Journey with me are taking good care of your mind, body and spirit and keep me posted!!!

How bout a little James Brown to cap off the night

"I feel good, I knew that I would, now
I feel good, I knew that I would, now
So good, so good, I got you"

Funky Monday

Hope everyone has had a good Monday...though my cynical self says...is there such a thing as a good Monday.  Honestly, I have never been a big fan of Monday...I guess I should be grateful that I get to see Monday each week..but that is not always the case.  This Monday has been a little tough...I am struggling with a little lethargy today and am so busy at work that I am a bit overwhelmed.  So...I am a little stressed. 

Guess what...Stress can cause weight gain...particularly the production of Cortisol in the body...don't worry...I am not going to give any medical lectures on the topic and will leave it up to you to gather more info on the topic if you so desire.  After reading some of the data..it appears that there are varying opinions on the topic...too complicated for my somewhat addled brain this close to 9:00 PM at night (and I am still at work).  But here is what I do know...for me, stress leads to a whole cornucopia of issues none of which are good and managing stress..well, I am no good at it!!! 

Sadly, I have been known to stress over things that have not even happened!!  So...my pattern of behavior often looks like this:

• I worry and stress about life stuff...you know, money, work, semi-imaginary issues (ha,ha)
• I get overwhelmed/lose focus/have to work late to keep up 
• I can't sleep
• Eat late, eat poorly, etc...
• Get exhausted, get headaches...and the list goes on...

It is actually really difficult for me to write all of this down...not my best personality trait.  However,   given all of that...one of my secondary goals on this Journey is to incorporate better stress management into my life..really practice setting boundaries with myself and managing my time and stress levels in conjunction with the eating and exercising.  Given that I am still at the office...I still have quite a bit of work to do in that department. 
BUT...I have HOPE...I love HOPE!  It really is always right there to choose as an option to any situation.  I do know that exercise can relieve stress and I am pretty confident that the healthier my body gets, the easier it will be to manage some of the emotional stresses in my life (and vice versa). 

I feel compelled to say this about this blog of my Journey...it is my intention to be completely honest.  I think that for me, that is part of this Journey.  No pretense, or disguised feelings..just the truth. 

I had somebody,who has been down a very similar road, remind me that there are going to be "funky" days...that is just the way it goes...but you get up and you start the next day fresh...ODAT!

Despite this Funky Monday...I do have blessings to share...

• Tomorrow is NOT Monday
• HOPE--I have it!!!

Before I go for the evening...Just a couple of administrative things...

1. I have added several ways for you guys to follow this blog...Please see the right margin for Follow options.  You can follow, subscribe or get email notifications...
2. Please share this site with your friends, family, absolute strangers :)...the more people, the more input, the more wisdom shared...the better the Journey!!!

Tuesday here I come....Journey 120-"MaWa Inspired"

God Bless and Sweet Dreams!!!

Taking this Journey Gracefully

Good Sunday afternoon to everyone.  As usual, I hope this day has been filled with laughter, worship, fun, family and most of all,  L-O-V-E!  Today was Church day for us and was a big day for Emily as she started Confirmation classes this morning and tomorrow will begin 6th GRADE...unbelievable!!! 

So today has been filled with Church, lunch with my girls and then off to the Y-M-C-A...for 35 minutes on the bike ( a little over 5 miles), 20 minutes in the pool and a little whirlpool time.
While working out, I am aware that my brain still believes that my body is athletic but my actual physical body strongly disagrees.  What I mean is that while I am working out...I am in that mindset to push through the discomfort, to go a few extra minutes, or laps...but my body...well she is a little slow on the uptake!!!  Don't get me wrong though...I am really grateful that I am able to recall what is was like to work hard within the context of sport/physical activity...but I am clear it is going to be a while before the body catches up to the brain... baby steps I guess.  My brain is just going to have to be patient!

 Patience, a virtue that I have not mastered...which leads me to another thought I have been having...As I have said several times already, this is going to be a long process...that is why I called it a Journey in the title..I vision this as some long trek across country...months of travel through different places and different experiences...expect in the back of my head I hear my own voice saying..."Are we there yet"...ha!  Strangely, I really don't want to rush it!  I was inspired to choose this way of accomplishing this goal for a reason.  I think of the Olympics and again that the event that inspired me only happens every 4 years and takes years upon years to prepare for...to achieve.  There are obviously quicker options for weight loss these days...Medicines, lap band, gastric bypass...etc...but I chose This Way with intent...I want to take this Journey and I want to do it Gracefully. 

I looked up the definition of Grace and found the following definition on the freedictionary.com:  Grace: Seemingly effortless beauty or charm of movement, form, or proportion.
OK...clearly this is not the grace of which I speak...effortless beauty, charm of movement OR proportion are not my strong suits!!  However; I found the following definition in Webster's:  a : unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification b : a virtue coming from God.  "Grace can be defined as the love and mercy given to us by God because God wants us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it" (www.umc.org). 
I want this Journey to be "Graceful"...to be about all of the Gifts I have received that are God given, to take care of those gifts and to re-gift all those blessings wherever I can!!  So...though I will not be wearing toe shoes, a tutu and dancing the most stunning version of Swan Lake you have ever seen...I do hope that I am able to take this Journey and make it look as Graceful as possible. 

I had some fun pics to share with you guys today...but technical difficulties kept me from posting.  Will add them another day. 

A little fun news:  I will be coaching Emily's volleyball team (Church league play) and am looking so forward to it!!

Blessings for today: Every minute of the DAY!

Tomorrow is DAY 10...Let's get fired up and ready for another week of exercise, healthy food, laughing our butts off and weight loss galore!!!! 

Only 355 days left...the quest continues to reach my weight goal and PLAY Volleyball...Thanks to Kerri and Misty for continued inspiration and thanks to Lori P (one of my best buddies from HHS) for another shot of inspiration!!!  Journey 120-"Mawa" Inspired!!!!!

A Little Retail Therapy-Sweet Saturday

Happy Saturday all...I hope your day has been filled with great things!!  I must say that I started this day with a little pep in my step...which is profoundly unusual for me...My pep has been pooped in the last several months and hopping out of bed on a Saturday was not in the cards!!!  So this makes the last 2 Saturdays special for me...Last Saturday I was up and ready to go before 7:00 AM and today I was at the park by 8:15 and ready to go!  Riley ( the white dog) was my walking partner today and we walked a little over a mile today...I am trying to push beyond my comfort zone each day!!  At the end of our walk...my face was  red as a beet and Riley's tongue was dragging the ground (not quite).  But we both had fun...at least I think she had fun...she doesn't say much!! 

After the walk, I decided to stop by and see my Sweet Pea (Emily)...a quick 20 minute visit but always a blessing... just hanging out with my girl and looking at all of her school stuff...she starts 6th grade on Monday (I can't believe it).  I arrived all sweaty with my "Mawa" Inspired head band on...She looked at me and just shook her head...I am fairly certain she thinks I have lost my mind...She is not used to seeing her Aunt Jaime in workout clothes rockin' a cool head band.  She'll adjust...lol!

After my visit, I headed home, ate a little breakfast, rested for a while and then Tone Tone (my Mom) and I headed across town for a healthy lunch and some shopping.  If you live in Houston...try Hungry's in The Village (Rice U area)...decent healthy menu options, nice weekend lunch place...THEN...we headed to the stores for a little shopping.  I desperately needed a few new workout clothes and decided to go ahead and get a few...Now for those of you that are not familiar with shopping for workout clothes for Fluffy people...it is no easy task.  Now in my mind, workout clothes for fluffy people should be on every corner...Instead, there are generally only workout clothes for the average human!!!  I know....Fluffy people have a tendency not to work out and therefore the demand for fluffy workout clothes is limited...blah, blah, blah...BUT trust me...if I am working out next to you...you definitely want me fully covered in appropriate workout clothes...OK, I digress...Bottom line:  I found workout clothes...bought them and am now official and properly dressed!!!

Forgive me for giving you a blow by blow of my day...that is generally not my intention.  However, this blog is about my Journey and all the changes that will take place over the next year.  So it is important to me to point out that the fact that I have been up since before 8 AM...walked over a mile, hung out with an 11 year old, fixed breakfast, got dressed, drove across Houston, had lunch, shopped for 4 hours and am sitting down to write this blog by 6:00 PM...is a huge change for me.  I have not been able to be active in what feels like forever.  I love being active...the person inside this body has always loved being active.  But, bad health has slowed that significantly over the past 10+ years and that is why today is worth a "blow by blow".  Today was a change...a really good change!!

Just a few miscellaneous items before I go...I snapped this pic of my Mom at Hungry's  today and thought it was blog worthy :)


She just so dang Cute!

And this is a pic Mom found of her and I from a loooong time ago...She has made it into and "motivational" tool and placed it on the fridge!

Funny!!!

Today's Blessings:

Unexpected gifts that make this Journey so much more joyful!
Words of support and kindness from strangers!
Time with "my people"

Be grateful for the tiny details of your life and make room for unexpected and beautiful blessings.

I am beyond grateful today.  Thank you!

See you tomorrow! jlp