After being around 225 for a month, I guess it's time to get serious about the weight loss again .  Started using fitday.com again. 

For this morning, I did a 14/16 (walk/run) split on the treadmill.  I think that is the first time I've had more running than walking.  So that felt pretty good.  2.88 miles all told, for about 5.7MPH.  Still aiming to get to 6MPH by the time of the pig.  I spoke to a person at FOCAS (who does the pump and run).  They are expecting 500 for the pump and run and a mere 20,000 for the pig itself.  Not sure if that is just the marathon, or all the other things too.  Glad we have our room reserved!!

After the cardio I did abs and back, then pullover and cable work.  Quit after 30 minutes and trundled myself off to work.

Jim

THE PLAN: get up at 6:30, eat a good breakfast, and take many layers of clothing so that we could try things on in the cold in the parking lot so we'd know what worked for us. We would leave at 7:30 to get to the race site in plenty of time to do this fashion arranging.
THE REALITY: Jim 'set' the alarms - his for 6:15, and he checked mine and it said 6:30 so he did nothing to it.  He turned his off - and at 7:30 I woke up and screamed "Jim - I thought we were getting up at 6:30!! It's 7:30!!"  Well - mine is set for 6:30am M-F - and today is Saturday!!!
So quick good breakfast (but we forgot the snacks), and put on what we think will work - and head out at 8:00!
I put all the captions under the photos - silly me - but check them out anyway!  A photo story!

First layer - performance shirt - size men's medium (it's supposed to be skin tight).

Second Layer - wicking jackets, and second pair of pants for Christi!
We got to the race area by 8:30 - and finished getting dressed - but I only have a photo of Christi:

It really was cold!!!!!

Christi pushing through the wall BEFORE the race!

Waiting with the 5Kers


Support from Jim! "me and my shadow!"

Christi walking - 2nd mile, and mile 3!!!

The Finish Line!!! Yes, I was the last person - 1:03:42.  I spent the first mile freaking that I was the last person, but 10kers came in behind me - and folks that did the 5k after completing the 10k.  Ok - that's hard core - shorts and t-shirt, 15K in 30 degree weather. 

Things we'd do different:
Set the alarm clocks!
Wicking gloves.
Hat's that don't climb up your head (maybe Christi just needs a new head!)
Bring our own snacks - not the sugary ones they provided - but those would have been good for a 10k or a run.
Warm up before the race - so the first mile isn't my legs tightening up.

I'll write about my thoughts later.....but here's the promised photos!  Enjoy!
Jim & Christi

I WALKED THE 5K!!!  Again, as I said previously - Jim walked with me - so the times do not reflect his abilities, but mine.  He can walk like the wind - and run faster!
Anyway - we're not sure of my official time - but if we base it on the clock - and that we left 15 minutes past the clock start - I think I almost made it in an hour!
So - 10k left at 9, 5k left at 9:15, and the clock said 1:17 and some clicks as I walked up to the finish line.  But - we'll know the official time when they are posted this afternoon.

We didn't miss all the awards ceremony - but they were pretty much through by the time we got there.  For both the 5k and the 10k.
Photos and time and more info to come!  Thanks for the encouragement friends!
~Christi

We are going to have to choose to be happy -  because - it's 27 degrees!!!  Ok, I can do this - I shoveled snow in the cold, I took a snow walk in the cold - I can take a walk on the clear bike path for a 5k in the cold!  Pictures when we get back!
C&J

We are looking for a hotel room in the Cincinati area - not too far from where the flying pig is going to be - but not in the high price places. 
QUESTIONS:
Are there regular hotels in reasonable driving distance for the flying pig?
Is Blue Ash too far away?
Can you give us some ideas where to look?
Thanks!
only a little behind the ball here!
J&C

SOOOOOOOOO, I went to the doctor yesterday.  Again, I've been very open here about my issues with abuse.  This weight loss has triggered a lot if issues, panics and such that I haven't had to deal with for a while.  And - sleep - ah, what is that????  When you walk with a terror that threatens to grab you around every corner - sleep isn't the safe refuge many people enjoy.
Anyway - my shrink strongly encouraged me I'm not going crazy - that huge changes, good or bad (and she was very insistent that the weight loss and self care I'm doing is a VERY GOOD change) tend to stir up past issues and shake things up.  So - nightmares, panics and such are not unexpected by them.  Basically she said this, too, shall pass.  BUT IN THE MEANTIME we're going to adjust your meds - and add this one for sleep hallucinations (which is the technical term for night terrors).  And then she mentioned she needed to have a fasting blood sugar report brought in - this med will raise my sugar levels.  DO YOU REMEMBER I'VE WORKED HARD ON THEM THESE PAST THREE MONTHS???  Many folks gain weight on this med. So - now - I'm back to working on the eating and such in even more intensity.  But - my FP doc wasn't going to put me on Metformin, because my sugars were so low - but apparently there is a study just published in JAMA that metformin and one of these atypical psych meds helped the patients lose weight - so, I'm going to try to find that report and take it to my FP doc on the 14th - and we'll see if I can get some help with that as well(blood sugars and prevent weight gain).  By God's grace I have beaten the higher blood pressure from one of the meds, I'm hoping this blood test will show the cholesterol levels are better - and maybe we can beat the higher blood sugars with this. 
I guess there is no room for laziness, kicking back, or gliding in my life....I have several health issues - and they are all complicated and predisposed by the abuse I endured as a child.  Here's the mean Christi - I wish they could all be taken off me and put on my Dad - the perpetrator - but they can't.  They are my burden to bear - and I'm working hard to be gracious about it.  What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, right?  That's a pretty general quote - and I'm not too sure I agree with it totally - because as all abuse victims know - something dies inside - and it's very hard to live when the terror lives, and threatens to show up, and memories flood back without any warning.  But I will live - in spite of my abuser - in spite of the weapons that were formed against me - By God's grace, and through Jesus Christ, I will live to declare the glory of God.  I will walk through this valley of the shadow of death - because HE is with me - and HE will comfort me - and on the other end of that valley - HE has prepared a feasting table for me, in the presence of my enemies - A PARTY PLANNED BY GOD JUST FOR ME - to thumb my nose at the enemies that wanted to destroy me. (Psalm 23).  In so many ways, weight loss is the least of my worries - but it is the method that will create health and well being in my life - and it will touch every aspect of my life - physical, mental and emotional.  Losing weight is the result of me taking care of myself - and that is in the face of years of perpetuating the abuse by not taking care of myself.  I WILL NOT CONTINUE THE ABUSE BY ABUSING MYSELF WITH FOOD!!!  I wonder if I have it in me to tighten up even more with food, exercise, and such - but what is my choice?  Not to?  To succumb to the ramifications of the abuse?  To declare my abuser the victor???  NO!!! NEVER!!!  I have gained a new sense of self worth - God given worth - and to give up is to call God a liar.  To quit is to turn my back on all I've accomplished over the last 17 years, much less the last 3 months.  While there are many things I will never have - I never thought I'd have a sense of worth.  I do.  I never thought I would like myself. I do.  I never thought I would want to live. I do.  While I admit to not really knowing myself well in the midst of the garbage - I know myself now - and I cannot deny myself anymore.  No one took care of my as a child - but I can take care of me as an adult.  I WILL NOT PERPETUATE THE ABUSE BY NEGLECTING MYSELF.  I will not validate the abusers and the neglecters by following in their footsteps.  I believe that every life has worth - and should be honored as such.  THAT INCLUDES ME.
So- Cancer patients deal with cancer - and choose to lie down and die, or fight and live until they die.
Paraplegics choose to find new ways to deal with their situation - or they quit and vegetate.
Amputees can choose to fight or feel sorry for themselves.
Who am I to dishonor their fights for life when I have all my physical abilities - and I can turn around my disabilities - and shine.  I'm just stuck in this cocoon right now - and as any good butterfly knows - you have to fight your way out to have strong wings so you can fly.  I need to fight the cocoon - and get strong then spread my wings and fly!  They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31?)  I will wait, I will fight when the fight is there to fight, and someday, I will spread my wings and fly! By God's grace, and by the strength given to me by Faith in the Son of God - I will beat this thing - these things.  With Family, Friends and Faith, I will be fine!
thanks for reading,
big hugs,
~Christi

I've been having a rough time - I wrote about that.  It's about emotions and such that come up as I lose weight - lots of old stuff is being stirred up - but I'm trying to hang in there and keep focused on my health - physically, emotionally and mentally.
But there is a little silver lining - I needed some clothes for the 5k's we're going to do - because the weather could be chilly for the next three, so I needed some long sleeve 'wicking' shirts(performance) to keep me warm and dry when I worked up that sweat walking.  Anyway - I have worn 2xL men's shirts for a LONG time.
So - when Jim and I went to look for a rain windbreaker on Sunday - I tried on the XL and it was too big - the LARGE fit!! And it was in my color! (blue)
Yesterday, I decided to look for some "performance" shirts - and in the mens department, I tried on (over my clothes) a large - ok. One choice, green.  I don't like green.  But on a whim, I tried on mediums (and understand, these shirts are supposed to be form fitting, but not skin tight) - THE MEDIUM FIT!!! IN THREE DIFFERENT STYLES OF SHIRTS!!!! MOSTLY BLUE!!!! AND IN A HEAVIER VERSION JACKET SHIRT!!!! IN BLUE!!! The great thing is, the mediums were on clearance - $5!!!  For the price of a new shirt, I got three shirts and a fleece performance shirt!  And I got Jim some (RED) shirts!!!
And - we bought me some workout pants that are wicking as well - and we got them in XXL women's - and they are too big.  But I hadn't been able to buy the XXL women's clothing!
So - things are changing!  And we are geared up for the 5k on Saturday here in the Columbus area!  I gotta go work out!
hugs,
~C

Another week, another workout with Carl!  Yeah!!!  We started out with Carl's comment that he was going to 'preexhaust' me.  That meant 2 sets of 12 each of chest press, closed grip chest press and dumbbell flies with 2 40# dumbbells, with no rest.  Then on to regular (185#) and inclined bench press (135#) with Carl helping me on various numbers of reps.  Always trying for at least 12.  After 2 or 3 sets, Carl was spotting me after about 6 reps.  We did at least 3 sets of each, thought I don't really remember.  Mixed in some crunches on the ball and pushups (which are really _hard_ after doing sets on the bench press).  Finished up with single arm chest presses, triceps extensions, push downs and body weight dips.  Pretty neat. 

I also did 10 minutes of elliptical before and 20 minutes of treadmill after.  Plus some more ab and back work.  I didn't do anything during the show, because I was doing work on my laptop.

Hope Marcus is enjoying his vacation, and not just running laps around the cruise ship

Jim

I had a great weigh in on Sunday - but have had some other issues come up that have interfered with my eating and exercising this week - just being real here.  I think some of my meds may need to be adjusted - it may be something about losing weight - but that should be addressed tomorrow.  The Baconators have been calling my name, and the ice cream....and this week, I don't have the strength to fight them off.  So - this week, if I stay the same, I'll be happy!
Still planning to walk the 5k on Saturday - I hope everyone else has a great week!
Going to watch the show tonight - and see a doc tomorrow!  I'm so glad ya'll aren't bent on perfection here!  I know that you'll still be here if I do gain this week (which I WON'T) - but I want to be honest with you.  This is a life change - which takes a lifetime - not a moment.  I've been so encouraged by everyone's mess ups and then the subsequent pick it back up's!!!  I don't mind falling down as long as I fall forward and get up taking steps in the right direction!  I am working on plans for the rest of the week - and getting in my exercise....and my water....and moving forward in the midst of stresses.
big hugs to everyone,
~Christi

Jim officially lost 1 pound to officially hit 225.
Christi finally officially got 220 - and went past with another official lost to hit 219! that's 2 pounds lost!
We then went to Sharon Woods MetroPark in Columbus to hike the 3.8 mile path in prep for the Run Happy 5k on March 29th. Jim refuses to run these 5k's so that he can walk with Christi, so she won't be alone.  So this hike was based on Christi's ability - not Jim's.  We did the hike, 3.8 miles, in 1 hour 20 minutes. That's an average of 2.8 miles an hour - not quite what Race Folks want a walker to achieve - but it's what Christi is able to do right now.  That's not even a 20 minute mile -
Next Race is April 20th - Dam Fool 4 miler. Our daughter and son-in-law will be joining us here.
Then - May 3 - Flying Pig 5k
Then - May 10 - Christi will be doing the Walk for Life in Columbus all by herself, unless Faith and Steve come to that one too - Jim will be in training for work.
We plan to continue with races throughout the year - and practicing at various Columbus metroparks and state parks in Ohio!!! Anyone interested in joining us, let us know!

   The Jelly Bean Poem

  Red is for the Blood He Gave
  Green is for the Grass He Made
  Yellow is for the Sun so Bright
  Orange  is for the Edge of Night
  Black is for the Sins we made
 White is for the Grace He Gave
  Purple is for His Hour of Sorrow
  Pink is for our new tomorrow

  A Bag Full of Jelly Beans, Colorful and Sweet
  Is a Prayer, is a Promise,  Is a Special Treat.
~unknown
 
As an artist, I am very drawn to color.  As a Christian, I have decided to see God everywhere.  I recognize Him as the author of all art, since He is the creator.  One day, I needed a very simple way to remember the Lord in a difficult situation, and someone gave this colorful poem to me. 
My situation didn’t seem so bad, as I remembered Him shedding His blood for me. I was in a pretty black mood, thinking about that day, and complaining rather than giving thanks in all situations.  As I looked around at this fallen world, I could see His handiwork - and remembered that this is my story - praising Jesus all day long.

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1Th 5:16-18
Happy Resurrection Sunday!
Christi & Jim
please enjoy my card for you (my art work - please do not copy without my express permission, it is copyrighted)

~mcw (c)2004

Why am I changing the way I eat and the way I do things?
To lose weight, right?  well - that's not really a good enough reason for me to workout, feel exhausted and in all over pain, sacrifice food favorites, and be all sweaty and stinky.  I fit in most airplane seats, and on most amusement park rides now. And, for that matter, I don't fly or go to amusement parks very often!  Sorry - but that's the truth.  So, losing weight is NOT my reason for doing this.  Then, what is?
REASONS FOR EXERCISING: I can't just do it to 'burn calories' anymore
My right leg - if I don't walk at least every other day, the neuropothy acts up and my lower leg aches like crazy - so, I walk to prevent my right leg from hurting - and potentially losing my leg. Amputations are not reversible - and most people who get to that point die within a few years.
Oh, and who knows what neuropothy(compromised circulation) does for dvt???  So, when I fly, I don't have to be so worried about blood clots!
My feet - walking keeps them limber, and helps the plantar faciaitis stay in check - stretching out from working out really helps - otherwise, I get horrible pain in my heels, and if I haven't been walking - in my shins, calves and anything in my lower legs from the tightening of the plantars.
My hips - walking every other day has kept my hips loose, and strengthened them so that I can do things around the house without debilitating pain.
My shoulders - both have been injured and both must be trained in range of motion or they lock up - which affects my arms and my neck and my head.
My neck - my neck has always been weak - and tension here causes migraines that require medicine that knocks me out for three days - keeping my neck flexible and strong, by keeping my shoulders flexible and strong prevents the migraines I used to get.
My arms - tension in my shoulders or neck tend to cause carpal tunnel and tendinitis flare ups in my elbows and wrists.  When this happens, I am pretty much useless. Keeping my shoulders and neck strong, and strengthening my arms has greatly reduced these flare ups.
My knees - they are more stable the more I walk - that builds my confidence in moving.
My bones - having stability will help prevent falls, and doing weight training and walking will help build the bones to prevent fractures if there is a fall.
My spine - to prevent further damage to the vertebra so that I do not end up paralyzed again.
My heart - if I don't walk at least every other day, my heart rate suffers.  Tachycardia, for whatever reason, is a very bad thing - and having a heart that is 'deconditioned' - meaning out of shape - means my heart will not be as able to withstand a heart issue if the other risk factors add up to a heart attack.
My Breasts - will be protected from cancer - lowering some of my risks by exercising
My Blood Pressure - while normally in the good range, when the blood sugar rises out of control, the blood pressure does too - which can cause headaches, as well as add to the risk factors for heart disease.  Exercising keeps this down to good to excellent levels.
Fibromyalgia - this is a either/or situation - either I hurt with the fibro because things get locked up, or I hurt with the muscles because I work out - it's a different pain - and I'm still working on this one - though the fibro pain can become debilitating - and the workout pain is just achy flu like pain I can push through. But sometimes it's hard to remember that I want to choose to have the workout pain to keep from having the fibro pain.  I don't like pain!

REASONS FOR EATING RIGHT: I can't just do it to lower calories anymore.
My blood sugar levels - if I eat sugar, whites, and after 7PM - my blood sugar is whacked in the morning.
So - why worry about my blood sugar?
My eyes - I have already had eye effects when my sugar was too high - and that scares me.  Diabetic eye issues are NOT reversible. At this time, I've just had blurred vision - nothing permanent.  I need to keep it that way.
My leg - nueropothy, and internal ulcers on the feet. There are no ulcers at this time - but I cannot allow the nueropothy to progress - the blister on my foot a couple months ago was missed for a while for lack of feeling and could have gone bad.
My cholesterol levels - they are affected by the blood sugar levels.
My liver - is affected by insulin resistance - causing a fatty liver condition that is dangerous to one who has had hepatitis in the past.  The liver can repair itself - IF given the time to do it, to cleanse itself, and replenish itself.
My Breasts - will be protected from cancer - lowering some of my risks by eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and less junk

REASONS FOR REDUCING BODY FAT %:
Heart - will be able to work more efficiently without the weight of the fat on it
Lungs - will be able to breathe better and more fully without the fat constraining them.
Liver - will be able to repair itself and perform it's job by not having to flush so much fat
Blood vessels - will be able to flush themselves, and move around things the way they should
Bones & Joints - will have less pressure on them with the extra weight, and more strength with the replaced muscle strength.
Breasts - will be protected from cancer - lowering one of the most common breast cancer risks - obesity

So - I'm struggling with losing weight just 'to look better' as a reason - because, I need more of a reason than just 'to look better'.  Sometimes I have to sacrifice other things to put exercising and eating right first - and 'looking good' is just too selfish a reason for me to say 'no' to my family.  On the other hand - there are a lot of things going on in my body because I didn't put my health first.  Or at least near the top most of the time, because there will always be times that a mom will have to stay up all night, or sit at a hospital for a while, or run out in the middle of the night for something. The point is, that when the crisis is over - what priorities come back into play?  Just holding on has been the status quo for many many years.  I've been striving to be alive, not just thriving - I want to be vibrantly alive now.  And that has nothing to do with how I look.  It doesn't have anything to do with what size I wear, or what inches my waist is.  It has to do with the inside of me - and how I tick.  And what I allow my body to be fueled with, and fueled for.  It has to do with what I like to do, and how can I be able to do it.  Like hiking in my favorite gorge!  Swimming in the ocean against the waves.  Picnicking at the top of a mountain (maybe a small mountain!).  Walking a 5k.  These don't have anything to do with my size - but they have everything to do with my health. 

I lost my focus - and thereby lost my motivation.  I need goals that are heart rate, blood workup, endurance, flexibility and strength related - not weight related.  The weight will take care of itself - the other things, I need to work on. Lot's of folks are thin, but still not healthy. Some call that skinny fat.  I may be a beautiful, hot gramma when I lose all the weight - but what I really want is to be full of high enduring energy, a self-believing, faith walking, mountain moving momma - that can't be stopped.  To me, that will be true beauty.  I'd love to be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, too - but we'll leave that for next year.
big hugs,
~Christi

Actually, this is my overview of this month so far.  And, my new view of my life.
I started this month with a doc telling me not to walk -
So, I tumbled into the 'I can't' camp - wallowed in swamp self pity - and mucked around in the mire of 'woe is me'.
I started this month with an overload of calorie intake/burn information -
So, I fished around for calorie free comfort food, and skipped meals and compensated with some cookies.
The only thing was my Personal Trainer Jennifer to keep me moving ahead - telling me not to stay in the 'I Can't' Camp
The Stress team attacked, and I gave in - not knowing how to exercise or how to eat.
I've had a pile of camp buddies - fear of eating wrong (because of diabetes), fear of exercising too hard (because of the heart rate issue), fear of hurting myself (because of prior injuries), and the twins - fear of anorexia and fear of bulimia returning.  They share the same cabin with me! Fear Cabin!
But then I got a new assistant - Physical Therapist Ted that said "walking is the best thing for your knees" - and I COULD WALK!
I was again in JOY Camp!
But the eating was still mixed up - do I eat 1000 calories, or 1500, or 2000???  What do I eat, when do I eat it, can I get off my meds?(NO!) - and, darn it, why don't I just get a lap band so that I don't have to think about it!
THEN - there is a post by a friend here (Todd, thank you) that mentioned his way of doing calories - and he confirmed my basic thinking.
AND THEN - there was the call with Jenni's trainer - who confirmed both my eating and exercise plans - with the intensity concept.
AND THEN - there was the scale saying 220 - not 220.5 - but the real 220. 
I was at a plateau - because the 2 doctors's visits made me question everything I knew was right for me.
And questioning everything I do is a thing from the past that has haunted me for 47 years.  Self confidence has NEVER been my strong suit. Hearts, yes, Self Confidence - that's a whole 'nother deck of cards!
Well - as many have pointed out - I've lost 29 pounds - I did it without the Biggest Loser show entourage, and I did it without weight watchers, jenny, nutri this or that - because we chose to do personal trainers instead.  Now, I couldn't have done it without this support system, and if this support system falls apart - I may have to do weight watchers or biggest loser club for the support - but for now - YOU all are my support - and because of you - my feet are on solid ground again, my head is screwed on as straight as it ever gets, and I feel like I can tackle this again -
COME ON - I LOSE ONE MORE POUND AND I  NO LONGER HAVE TO SAY I NEED TO LOSE 100 POUNDS!!!! I've been saying I need to lose over 100 pounds for 8 years at least.  Now - I only need to lose 100 - and soon, I will never have to say that again....THAT IS EXCITING TO ME!!!
Back to square one - one step at a time - and I have not lost ground - I'm just refining the path I'm taking! Something I will have to do at every major step because of the changes in my body, not because I failed.  Oh - that's another camper - fear of failure - that often prevents me from trying.
So - I want to stay at this JOY Camp - and I really don't want those other campers from Fear Cabin to come over. But I'm in a new Cabin - I CAN.  and I'm working on the new campers of courage, knowledge, confidence, forgiveness, mercy and grace for myself.  I need a cabin counselor named "Good Enough" to replace the cabin counselor "Perfection or Else". 
I'm starting to like myself - and I need to be my best friend. 
I hope this doesn't just fill space, and this helps someone else - but even if it doesn't - at least I have written it down - gotten it out - and hopefully that will help me to tackle these things and move forward.  It seems I keep tackling the same things - but really, it seems with every pound lost, I'm tackling it with a different, new me.  And that's my goal - to release the new me that lives in JOY Camp, with all those wonderful campers.
Thanks for reading,
~Christi

I ran more than I walked this morning!  17 minutes to 13 minutes.  All told, I did 2.94 miles in 30 minutes with a longest run of 5 minutes.  First time for that.  Followed that up with 40 minutes of weights.  And when I got home, I weighed 223.  Course that went away when I drank a bunch of water, but it gives me hope for Sunday's weigh in.

The phone call last night really encouraged me to push harder.  I have not been going to the edge the way I need to.

Here's to exertion!

Jim

Sunday was a beautiful day in Central Ohio.  And we have some very lovely parks in this area.  We were watching our grandson, and his mom called and said "I don't have to go to work today - I was wondering if we could take a walk somewhere pretty? And, can we take the dog?"  SURE! Jim and I were already planning on putting Brayden in a stroller and walking at one of our wonderful metro parks here in Columbus - but this meant we got to go to one of our favorite areas - Glen Helen near Yellow Springs, and Young's Jersey Dairy for a treat!
Here's the description of the Glen:
Now - silly me - there are tons of paved bike paths in Yellow Springs that I thought would be perfect for the stroller, and level walking - but Sarah wanted to go down into the gorge!!!  With a 100 pound dog not used to walking on a leash - and a 22# baby - no back pack - no stoller - in one of the most unadulterated, unprepared hiking areas in this area!  hmmmmm.
I strapped on my knee braces - and we headed out. 
Jim estimates we walked 3 of the 4.4 mile loop - and we almost went the wrong way and went out to meet the next State Park!!!  We found the short cut back to the entrance - but we had to walk across the stepping stones - in the overfull creek.  We all got our feet wet - and pants wet up to our knees (all except Brayden!).  But it was beautiful, and the worst part was climbing back up the stone stairs to get out of the gorge.  I really wish I'd taken a photo of that! The most wonderful thing was I DID IT!!!  I walked on muddy paths through a beautiful gorge, holding onto the dog when Sarah let Jim carry Brayden - and the only time I was concerned was climbing the steps out.  And I didn't care - I just took my time!  Enjoy the photos!

I did my second chest work out with Carl this morning, sandwiched between 20 minute sessions on the treadmill.  I've been doing a lot of pushups in the last week and a half, so maybe that will help.  We did lots of high rep stuff today, traditional bench press, as well as single arm dumbbell presses on the bench and on a ball, ab crunches on the ball, tricep extensions, body weight dips.  No pushups this morning with Carl (which was a real killer last time).  I don't know if I'm getting stronger, but it didn't hurt as much this time

The second stretch on the treadmill, I ran half the time I was on the treadmill.  First time I've done that.  Running 3 miles still seems a long way off.

Jim

I tried to go to the gym this morning, and as we turned into the parking lot - I was about to lose my breakfast, and Jim ran in and told Jen - who said "leave her in the car!". We also canceled the Physical Therapy session - and I crashed at home.
So - I spent today resting, and thinking about what I've been doing with this journey - what has worked, what hasn't - and I do promise I'll get the pics up of the hike in the gorge - that in itself is AMAZING!  I wish I'd taken photos of the steps I had to climb up to get out of the gorge!!!  But, more than anything - I've thought about my successes - and that I want to get rid of this weight - NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES!
Anyway - I can't do the computer when I'm sick to my stomach - so, I'll see ya'll when my stomach settles!  Keep it up! WE ARE ALL THE REAL BIGGEST LOSERS! DOING IT AT HOME - ALONE - WITH ONLY OURSELVES TO HELP US! YOU ALL ROCK!  LOSING THE WEIGHT IN 2008 SO WE FEEL GRRRRREAT!
~Christi

Didn't want anyone to think we were gone! We watched the grandbaby all weekend, then hiked a gorge with him and his mom on Sunday - pictures to come.
Today, I am getting the house ready for my brother and his family from NC to come visit - tomorrow is full and I'll catch everyone up when I get a chance to stop and breathe!

On the other hand - Jim is down to 225 - for some reason, I am back up to or still at 221 - even with upping my workouts last week.  I didn't get to officially put 220 down anywhere - because by the time it was weigh in - I was 221.
I"m bummed - I really wanted to see the teens!  On the other hand, a medicine I am on, I remember my doc saying "I'm amazed you are losing weight so fast - most people gain on this!"  Ok - if my calories are right, my workouts are right, my water is right - then I can blame it on the meds - and accept the lower numbers.  As long as they keep going lower!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!  I'll read up on all of you when my whirlwind winds down in a day or two!  But we haven't forgotten you!
~Christi

As we were working out this afternoon, I realized I have been between 225 and 230 for a month now.  I figure that's long enough!!  It's neat that I haven't gone back up (which is what I've always done before), but there is no excuse for not losing more.  So I will either break 225 tomorrow, or next week.   Christi and I did part of our circuit today, then walked on the track in the gym.  9 laps to a mile. After we did 5 laps, Christi suggested that I run, so I started running til I caught up with her.  So I ran 3 stretches of about a lap and a half each (til I caught up with Christi each time), then walked for a lap or so.

After watching Mark on the show, I'm pretty sure I can get below 200#.  If I can get to 190#, then I would have a shot at riding the mules in the Grand Canyon (something I did as a teenager).  I would love to share that experience with Christi.  It's not as hard as walking, but riding for 6-8 hours is not easy either.  (To ride the mules you have to be between 13 and 65, and under 200#, fully clothed)

Off to get the grandbaby.

Jim

I got off the treadmill and walked the track - timing myself.  Walking on a track is much different than walking on a treadmill!!! Just before this, Jim and I had done our lower body circuit training - so, I may not have been quite up to my abilities - but I did one mile around the track in 20 minutes - which works out to 3 mph.  Jim ran laps around me twice - show off!
But I could only do 1 mile........My calves started hurting!
Like I said - maybe it was because I'd done a 1/2 hour weight workout on my legs right before???? 10 minute warm up on the elliptical which I haven't done for two weeks?
Anyway - two weeks ago, I wasn't allowed to walk at all! Woo Hoo!
Have a great weekend!
~Christi