Post-holiday recap.

Christmas 2010 has come and gone.  I did not succumb to the lure of cookies or candies.  Yay!!!   My best gift is how wonderful I feel compared to last year.  Our family holiday celebrations are rather low key.  It was delightful to watch my 13 month-old grandson and his total delight with his new toys. 

We did not have a White Christmas but we are having a Boxing Day Blizzard!!  As I write this it is snowing and blowing like crazy! 

Love to all,
Marlena of Mohegan

Healthier Lifestyle

Well, Dr. Jarrett didn't like my idea about climbing stairs at lunch.  He feels that the short burst of exertion does not burn many calories nor does it really have much other benefit.  He thinks I'd be better off just walking for 20 minutes.  His recommendations include choosing parking spots further away from my destination and doing extra laps at the mall when shopping.  These habits along with dedicated exercise times every day are encouraged.  I've not had a lot of motivation for all that these days.

The colder, darker days approaching the winter solstice have traditionally been difficult for me.  In previous years I have tended to gain weight like a bear preparing to hibernate.  In fact, only last minute desperation inspires me to be ready for the holidays.. Six days until Christmas and I have very little shopping done.  Our tree is up but not decorated.  The atmosphere at work has been anything but festive.  The hospital is full to bursting and the ER has been extra busy.

In spite of my winter doldrums my doctors are very happy with my progress.  Dr. Jarrett is very pleased with my weight loss.  Dr. Landman, the endocrinologist was so excited and says I barely need her anymore.  I am not taking anything for my diabetes and she is only treating me now for hypothyroidism.  I don't have to go back to her for six months.  I go for my bariatric surgery follow up at the surgeon's office the week after Christmas.  After the New Year I need to pay attention to other areas of my health that I have been neglecting.  I need to see my gynecologist, my dermatologist and my dentist.

Losing 100 pounds in six months is nothing to shrug off however.  I continue to marvel at how much better I feel now than I did last year.  I'm a different person. I have less "insulation" now so I have to dress a little warmer.  I've been wearing the coat I used to save for when the temperature went down to zero.  It hasn't gotten lower than ten degrees yet!

Stay warm everyone!

Love,
Marlena of Mohegan
 

100 POUNDS OF ME ARE GONE!!!!!

Yay!!!!!!!

I was hoping to reach this milestone for Christmas and I got there with ten days to spare.  I am so aware of how much better I feel now than I did six months ago.

I can't be complacent though because I know this is a lifetime battle.  Since eating my lunch doesn't take my whole lunch break I thought I'd do some walking.  During the cold weather though I don't want to walk outside.  I decided to do stairs.  I walked up two flights of stairs today and my heart rate went up to about 130.  I sat for a couple of minutes then went down in the elevator to have my lunch.  (My knee hurts more going down stairs than up.)  I'll just have to keep doing this until I can run all the way up to the fifth floor.  A friend suggested that I set a fitness goal as well as a weight loss goal.  Thanks for the idea Heather! 

Love to all,
Marlena of Mohegan. 

T'was the night...

T'was the night before Christmas when all through the house,
the calories were lurking all ready to pounce.
There are cookies for Santa placed out on a plate.
I might take a nibble if the sleigh arrives late.

On the Christmas tree we'd hung striped candy canes
I feel my resistance is starting to wane.
The stockings are bulging with goodies galore
Who dropped holiday M&M's on the floor?

We strung some popcorn to hang on the tree
For every kernel used I think I ate three. 
Do I see a big golden box from Godiva?
I'm starting to drool from too much saliva. 

The fridge is stocked with egg nog and more
to be ready for friends who'll come through the door.
A turkey for dinner and pies for dessert
Plus munchies for noshing to keep us alert.

I'll need my strength for the big day ahead
I'd better stop snacking and get up to bed.
For the kids wake up early to unwrap their stuff
And everyone eats much more than enough. 

So to all, who like me, must put on the brakes
And say no to all the candies and cakes.
The best part of Christmas is not what we swallow
but warm family hugs and the kisses that follow.

Cleaning out the closet

Today I filled two plastic garbage bags with clothes that are too large for me to wear anymore.  I'll be taking them to a Good Will bin and get rid of them.  You'd think I'd have more room in the closet now but my husband doesn't think so.  He's always complaining that I have too many clothes, shoes, purses etc.  He doesn't understand how anyone could need more than three pairs of shoes (work shoes, dress shoes and sneakers). Of course if I bring up the subject of all he has in the basement, the garage and two sheds he replies that every bit of his stuff is critical for the maintenance of the house. 

It did feel good to get rid of the big clothes though.  It is nice to wear something that was once snug and find it is very roomy.  Eventually though it begins to look ridiculous and has to go.  Fortunately I am still able to find wearable clothes in the back of my closet.  I have a stretchy black velvet dress that I wear for choral concerts.  It is a wonderful dress because it never looks wrinkled even if I forget to hang it up.  I was still able to wear it at my largest weight.  Now, however, it still looks good but has gotten a lot longer!  (I guess I'll have to give it up when it starts dragging on the floor.) 

I'm looking forward to the after holiday sales to get some bargains for clothing that I plan to wear for this winter only.  I plan on being a lot thinner next winter.

Love to all,
Marlena of Mohegan