Before & After

Yes - I'm still going strong.
No - I haven't gained any weight back.
Yes - I'm still exercising daily (abs, yoga, walking, floor work...)
No - I'm not trying to lose huge quantities of weight any longer.
Yes - I do eat (trust me on that - I eat plenty).
No - I do not barf it back up.
Yes - I did this on my own with inspiration & major support of my good friend (and task master) KC
No - I did not have a personal trainer nor did I go to a weight loss camp or appear on the Biggest Loser
Yes - I have made my goals.
No - I am not finished - I hope to always have goals and be striving to reach them.

NEW GOAL: Actually make 4.5 days on the Master Cleanse (I'm currently on Day 02 and it's not a walk in the park).

I haven't posted in some time but wanted to put up some Before & After pix (finally). I have gotten many e-mails from people who wanted to see the results and at long last here they are.

The top left picture is July 2001 (around 212 lbs)
The bottom left picture is April 2009 (around 180 lbs)
The pictures on the right were taken last month (around 142 lbs). I'm about 5lbs thinner than that right now.
I have worked very hard, have seen the results and damn it I am shaking my booty!

I'm heading to Kripalu (again) next week for a 4 day relax & renewal yoga retreat and to think about what I REALLY want to give thanks about this Thanksgiving. So instead of turkey, stuffing, gravy, sweet potatos and pies I'll be enjoying a Buddha Bowl full of some wholesome foods like THESE and offer up a prayer that I somehow managed to learn that it's NEVER too late to start over...

Whoever said it's all downhill after 40 was wrong.

Peace out and be good to yourself. You're really all you've got.

Day 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 - Green, green juice and yellow beams of sunshine

ABOUT ME

“Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.”— Helen Keller

"I dare you to live joyously." — Me

According to the New Oxford American Dictionary:

joy |joi|

noun

a feeling of great pleasure and happiness

There's my girl Helen again. I do love quoting her. Any time I start to get a little blue or woe-is-me or negative in any manner, I come right back to Ms. Keller and get my reality check. Living all but 18 months of her life in total darkness and silence, she still manages to be a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations. What a wonderful legacy. I should be so lucky. If I can inspire or help anyone on the journey of life then I am so lucky.

The battle of the bulge and my on-going war with the middle-age slump can really take a lot out of a girl. My changes are now incremental and tiny but still headed in the correct direction. I may lose the occasional battle (as seen by my pogo weight) but I am slowly, but surely, winning the overall war. The fact that I'm into clothing I have not worn since the mid-1990s (yes, I saved them) is testament to the reality of my body sculpting. So buck up. Suck it up. I am a rock.

In other thoughts - I'm coming around to the choices in life again. This epiphany I'm in the middle of really distills down to choices: what I put in my mouth/body, what is my attitude, what am I indulging in (or not), what do I want for myself out of life, what am I going to do to make it happen. All of these choices are MINE to make. No one can make them for me. They are profound in their effects not only on the self, but on how others interact with you. You know the simple exercise of walking down the street and smiling at a total stranger. Odds are they'll smile back. On the other hand, if you just look at them, chances are they'll just look back. HOWEVER, don't you feel a ton better when you share the smile? Pay it forward baby - pay it forward. Re-read my Helen Keller quote of the day - YOUR SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS LIES IN YOU. You can choose to bury it or share it. When you share it - it comes back-at-chu and it's a win-win situation.

So the phrase of the day?

Live joyously.

Do the Snoopy dance.

Q. If a dog can live joyously - why can't you?

A. You can.

Check out the stats:

STATISTICS

Height - 5' 7-1/2"

Weight - For the record, I'm weighing in next to nude on the same scale, around the same time every morning before eating or drinking anything.

WEEK ONE - Wednesday, July 15 - Tuesday, July 21, 2009

DAY 01 - 173.4 lbs

DAY 02 - 167.3 lbs

DAY 03 - 165.0 lbs

DAY 04 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in

DAY 05 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in

DAY 06 - 162.8 lbs

DAY 07 - 161.6 lbs

WEEK TWO - Wednesday, July 22 - Tuesday, July 28, 2009

DAY 08 - 160.2 lbs

DAY 09 - 160.4 lbs

DAY 10 - 159.2 lbs

Day 11 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 12 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 13 - 159.4 lbs

Day 14 - 157.6 lbs

WEEK THREE - Wednesday, July 29 - Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Day 15 - 157.0 lbs

Day 16 - 158.2 lbs

Day 17 - 157.0 lbs

Day 18 - 157.1 lbs

Day 19 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 20 - 155.0 lbs

Day 21 - 156.1 lbs

WEEK FOUR - Wednesday, August 5 - Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Day 22 - 156.2 lbs

Day 23 - 154.9 lbs

Day 24 - 153.3 lbs <-- 20 lbs in 24 days!

Day 25 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 26 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 27 - 153.9 lbs

Day 28 - 153.9 lbs

WEEK FIVE - Wednesday, August 12 - Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Day 29 - 153.2 lbs BMI 28.9

Day 30 - 150.9 lbs <- 22.5 lbs lost

Day 31 - 150.9 lbs

Day 32 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 33 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 34 - 150.0 lbs

Day 35 - 150.5 lbs

WEEK SIX - Wednesday, August 19 - Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Day 36 - 150.7 lbs

Day 37 - 152.1 lbs

Day 38 - 151.1 lbs

Day 39 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 40 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 41 - 148.6 lbs <- Now if I can only STAY in the 140s!

Day 42 - 148.3 lbs

WEEK SEVEN - Wednesday, August 26 - Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Day 43 - 148.9 lbs

Day 44 - 150.3 lbs <-- GRRR BMI 28.2

Day 45 - 148.9 lbs De ja vu!

Day 46 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 47 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 48 - 148.0 lbs

Day 49 - 147.4 lbs

WEEK EIGHT - Wednesday, September 2 - Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Day 50 - 146.7 lbs

FOOD

Breakfast

FRIDAY

• Juice (big pot to drink of: liquified spring mix, avocados and lemon)
  

SATURDAY

• banana & walnuts

SUNDAY

• banana & walnuts

MONDAY

• banana & walnuts

TUESDAY

• banana & walnuts

WEDNESDAY

• banana & walnuts
  

Snack
FRIDAY

• Juice

MONDAY

• cantaloupe

TUESDAY

• 2 ears of corn

WEDNESDAY

• cantaloupe
• dehydrated broccoli
  

LUNCH

FRIDAY

• Juice
  

SATURDAY

• Salad

SUNDAY

• Salad

MONDAY

• Salad

TUESDAY

• Small salad
• 1/2 stuffed pepper
• peach

WEDNESDAY

• Salad
  

Snack
FRIDAY

• Juice

MONDAY

• nuts
• apple

TUESDAY

• sun dried tomatoes
• cantaloupe

WEDNESDAY

• Stuffed pepper
• kiwi
  

Supper

FRIDAY

• Juice
  

SATURDAY

• Salad

SUNDAY

• Salad

MONDAY

• Salad
• 1 stuffed pepper

TUESDAY

• Salad w/ zucchini linguinie
• Dehydrated broccoli

WEDNESDAY

• dehydrated corn on the cob
• Salad w/ 1/2 avocado
  

EXERCISE

Day 45 - FRIDAY

• Abs with Tamilee Webb (Program 1)

Day 46 - SATURDAY

• NOTHING

Day 47 - SUNDAY

• Abs with Tamilee Webb
• 3.2 mile power walk

Day 48 - MONDAY

• 30 minute walk
• Abs with Tamilee Webb
• Buns of Steel with Greg Smithey
• Random Pull-ups

Day 49 - TUESDAY

• NOTHING

Day 50 - WEDNESDAY

• abs with Tamilee Webb
• random pull-ups
  

Day 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 - I'm flapping my arms but I don't seem to be getting any higher...

ABOUT ME
“One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ”— Helen Keller

"I dare you to fly." — Me

I feel like I've been coasting. I got into the 140's and then, mystifyingly, I'm back up above 150 again. One good thing is that my BMI went down. I am exercising daily, but guess I need to step it up. It IS hard to find the time; I won't lie to you gentle reader. I'm a busy, busy gal - like MOST of us and putting away the time to exercise, eat correctly, drink enough water (always a battle for me) & keep up with this blog - is a struggle.

I just had a conversation today lamenting about the fact that it is so much EASIER to be BAD. (sigh) Ah, to live a life of slovenly indulgence. But wait - though EASIER, the cost is RIDICULOUSLY HIGHER. OK - what do I want more - an easier time of it with a horrible self image or a rougher time of it but feeling like a million bucks? No brainer... Million bucks please.

The lumps keep coming and I'll keep taking them. I did not do this to myself in 44 days, nor will I cure myself in 44 days. I'm in for the long haul baby. Commitment (gulp - did I just actually type that word?), honor (I dig that one), strength (OK), focus (cool), determination (balls to the wall) and MOXIE (my favorite) are gonna bring me home. I... AM... A... ROCK...

Check out the stats:

STATISTICS
Height - 5' 7-1/2"
Weight - For the record, I'm weighing in next to nude on the same scale, around the same time every morning before eating or drinking anything.

WEEK ONE - Wednesday, July 15 - Tuesday, July 21, 2009
DAY 01 - 173.4 lbs
DAY 02 - 167.3 lbs
DAY 03 - 165.0 lbs
DAY 04 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
DAY 05 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
DAY 06 - 162.8 lbs
DAY 07 - 161.6 lbs

WEEK TWO - Wednesday, July 22 - Tuesday, July 28, 2009
DAY 08 - 160.2 lbs
DAY 09 - 160.4 lbs
DAY 10 - 159.2 lbs
Day 11 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 12 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 13 - 159.4 lbs
Day 14 - 157.6 lbs

WEEK THREE - Wednesday, July 29 - Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Day 15 - 157.0 lbs
Day 16 - 158.2 lbs
Day 17 - 157.0 lbs
Day 18 - 157.1 lbs
Day 19 - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 20 - 155.0 lbs
Day 21 - 156.1 lbs

WEEK FOUR - Wednesday, August 5 - Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Day 22 - 156.2 lbs
Day 23 - 154.9 lbs
Day 24 - 153.3 lbs <-- 20 lbs in 24 days!
Day 25 - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 26 - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 27 - 153.9 lbs
Day 28 - 153.9 lbs

WEEK FIVE - Wednesday, August 12 - Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Day 29 - 153.2 lbs BMI 28.9
Day 30 - 150.9 lbs <- 22.5 lbs lost
Day 31 - 150.9 lbs
Day 32 - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 33 - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 34 - 150.0 lbs
Day 35 - 150.5 lbs

WEEK SIX - Wednesday, August 19 - Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Day 36 - 150.7 lbs
Day 37 - 152.1 lbs
Day 38 - 151.1 lbs
Day 39 - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 40 - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 41 - 148.6 lbs <- Now if I can only STAY in the 140s!
Day 42 - 148.3 lbs

WEEK SEVEN - Wednesday, August 26 - Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Day 43 - 148.9 lbs
Day 44 - 150.3 lbs <-- GRRR BMI 28.2

FOOD
BREAKFAST
SATURDAY
* Banana
* Walnuts
SUNDAY
* Banana
* Walnuts
* Juice
MONDAY
* Juice
TUESDAY
* Banana & walnuts
WEDNESDAY
* Banana & walnuts
* green tea
THURSDAY
* Banana & Walnuts

SNACK
MONDAY
* Juice
TUESDAY
* 6 prunes
WEDNESDAY
* Cherry tomatoes
THURSDAY
* Cherry tomatoes

LUNCH
SATURDAY
* Salad: romaine, onion, hot peppers
SUNDAY
* Salad: red leaf lettuce, olives, avocado, scallions, tomatoes, walnuts
* Juice
MONDAY
* 2 ears of raw corn on the cob
TUESDAY
* Zucchini Linguini
* Cantaloupe
WEDNESDAY
* 2 ears of raw corn
* salad with avocado
* 1 kiwi
THURSDAY
* Salad: field greens, avocado, onion, carrot, cilantro - oil & vinegar (California Pizza Kitchen)

SNACK
SATURDAY
* Sun-dried tomatoes
* walnuts
* 1 banana
* blueberries
SUNDAY
* Juice
* [1] ear of raw corn
MONDAY
* Juice
TUESDAY
* Sun dried tomatoes
* Cantaloupe
WEDNESDAY
* pepper & cauliflower mash
THURSDAY
* 6 prunes

SUPPER
SATURDAY
* Sashimi and green salad. My first animal product since mid-July.
SUNDAY
* Juice
MONDAY
* 2 ears of raw corn
TUESDAY
* Apple
* Salad
WEDNESDAY
* Zucchini Linguini, tomatoes, basil, scallions, olives, raw corn tossed w/ rice wine vinegar & basil olive oil
THURSDAY
* stuffed pepper (stuffed with what - I have no clue but it ROCKED)
* chopped salad
* decaf blueberry tea




EXERCISE
Day 39 - Saturday
* Abs with Tamilee Webb
Day 40 - Sunday
* NADA - day of rest
Day 41 - Monday
* 3.4 mile power walk
* Abs with Tamilee Webb
* random pull-ups
Day 42 - Tuesday
* Abs with Tamilee Webb
* 1.5 mile power walk
* Buns of Steel
* Random pull-ups
Day 43 - Wednesday
* Abs with Tamilee Webb
* 2 mile power walk at lunch
* 2 mile power walk to the library
* random pull-ups
Day 44 - Thursday
* random pull-ups
* 1.5 mile power walk to the grocery store
* Abs with Tamilee Webb (the HARD ONE - program TWO)

Day 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 - I got a little behind :-)

ABOUT ME

“Be of good cheer. Do not think of today's failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles. Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost.”— Helen Keller

"I dare you to choose to be happy." — Me

 

Check out the stats:

 

STATISTICS

Height - 5' 7-1/2"

Weight - For the record, I'm weighing in next to nude on the same scale, around the same time every morning before eating or drinking anything.

 

WEEK ONE - Wednesday, July 15 - Tuesday, July 21, 2009

DAY 01 - 173.4 lbs

DAY 02 - 167.3 lbs

DAY 03 - 165.0 lbs

DAY 04 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in

DAY 05 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in

DAY 06 - 162.8 lbs

DAY 07 - 161.6 lbs

 

WEEK TWO - Wednesday, July 22 - Tuesday, July 28, 2009

DAY 08 - 160.2 lbs

DAY 09 - 160.4 lbs

DAY 10 - 159.2 lbs 

Day 11 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 12 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 13 - 159.4 lbs

Day 14 - 157.6 lbs

 

WEEK THREE - Wednesday, July 29 - Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Day 15 - 157.0 lbs

Day 16 - 158.2 lbs

Day 17 - 157.0 lbs

Day 18 - 157.1 lbs

Day 19 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 20 - 155.0 lbs

Day 21 - 156.1 lbs 

 

WEEK FOUR - Wednesday, August 5 - Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Day 22 - 156.2 lbs 

Day 23 - 154.9 lbs

Day 24 - 153.3 lbs <--  20 lbs in 24 days!

Day 25 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 26 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 27 - 153.9 lbs 

Day 28 - 153.9 lbs

 

WEEK FIVE - Wednesday, August 12 - Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Day 29 - 153.2 lbs

Day 30 - 150.9 lbs <- 22.5 lbs lost

Day 31 - 150.9 lbs 

Day 32 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 33 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 34 - 150.0 lbs

Day 35 - 150.5 lbs

WEEK SIX - Wednesday, August 19 - Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Day 36 - 150.7 lbs <- we salted extra last night in anticipation of juicing today

Day 37 - 152.1 lbs <-- WATER??

Day 38 - 151.1 lbs <-- This fluctuation is making me crazy!

  

FOOD

Breakfast

FRIDAY

• 2 cups of coffee 
  
• handful of walnuts
  
• 1 banana

SATURDAY

• mini bananas
• walnuts
• blueberries
• Starbucks - Cafe Americana!

SUNDAY

• 3 cups of coffee
• walnuts
• mini bananas

MONDAY

• 1/2 container of blueberries
• handful of walnuts
• 2 cups of coffee

TUESDAY

• 2 cups of coffee
• handful of walnuts
• 1 banana

WEDNESDAY

• 2 cups of coffee
• handful of walnuts
• 1 banana

THURSDAY

• 2 cups of coffee
• walnuts
• 1 banana
• some blueberries

FRIDAY

• 2 cups of coffee (mmm - Starbucks Kenya)
  
• walnuts
  
• 1 banana
  
• some blueberries
  

 
Snack
FRIDAY

• 1/3 pint container of cherry tomatoes

MONDAY

• sun dried tomatoes

TUESDAY

• sun dried tomatoes
• canteloupe

WEDNESDAY

• dehydrated crackers with nut cheese, red pepper, onion, yellow pepper, green pepper
• 2 figs
• 1/4 pint of cherry tomatos

THURSDAY

• 1/2 pint blueberries
• sun dried tomatoes

FRIDAY

• blueberries

 
Lunch
FRIDAY

• Salad: baby spinach, scallion, avocado 11 black olives, sun-dried tomatoes
  

SATURDAY

• Salad
  

SUNDAY

• Salad
  

MONDAY

• 2 ears of corn on the cob
• zucchini linguini w/ spicy marinary and spinach leaves & cherry tomatos

TUESDAY

• small "sandwich" - dehydrated something "bread" with carrot "not tuna" spread, tomato & onion <- Yummy!
• "soup" - tomato, cucumber, onion, herbs
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 orange

WEDNESDAY

• Salad: spinach, black olives, cherry tomato, 1/2 avocado
  
• 1/4 cantaloupe

THURSDAY

• 1 ear of raw corn
• 1 avocado
• 2 figs
  

FRIDAY

• 1 peach
• veggie mix: spinach, zucchini, scallions, tomatoes, cauliflower, mushrooms

 
Snack
 MONDAY

• [1] orange
  
• [1] peach

TUESDAY

• cherry tomatoes
• marinated green beans

WEDNESDAY

• "chowder" - tomatoes, asparagus, onions, herbs, zucchini, corn

THURSDAY

• 1/2 apple
• cherry tomatoes

FRIDAY

• 2 figs

 
Supper  

FRIDAY

• Live lasagne
• Zucchini Linguini

SATURDAY

• Live lasagne
• sun dried tomatoes
• walnuts
• mushrooms stuffed with carrot "not-tuna" salad

SUNDAY

• Salad

MONDAY

• dehydrated green beans, asparagus stems, broccoli
• corn "chowder" without the milk or heat :-)

TUESDAY

• 1 ear of corn on cob
• dark green salad with red pepper (olive oil, salt & lemon dressing)
• 1/4 cantaloupe

WEDNESDAY

• zucchini linguini
• green salad
• 1 apple

THURDAY

• zucchini linguini w/ mixed greens, basil, tomato, onion

FRIDAY

• JUICE!

 

EXERCISE

Day 31 - Friday

• Random pull-ups 

Day 32 - Saturday

• Power walk  for 2.4 miles
  

Day 33 - Sunday

• Abs with Tamilee Webb
  
• Power walk for 2.4 miles (early afternoon)
  
• Power walk for 50 minutes (late night)
  
• Random pull-ups
  

Day 34 - Monday

• 30 minutes of yoga
• Power walk - 40 minutes

Day 35 - Tuesday

• Abs with Tamilee Webb
• Power walk 2 miles at lunch
• 50 minutes of pain with the original "Buns of Steel" video with Greg Smithey

Day 36 - Wednesday

• Abs with Tamilee Webb
• random pull-ups
• 50 minutes of Sweating to the Oldies 2 w/ Richard Simmons

Day 37 - Thursday

• random pull-ups
• 6 mile power walk

Day 38 - Friday

• random pull-ups

Day 30 - Judgment Day has arrived and Goal #1 has been achieved (and then some...)

ABOUT ME
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”— Helen Keller

"I dare you to choose to be happy." — Me

Hey – there’s my gal Helen Keller again. I think I’m gonna quote her for the next few days. The more I read about her, the more amazingly simplistic my life seems. Today’s quote is right on the money for my experience of the last 30 days.

SO HOW DID I GET HERE?
Well, about 35 days ago it went down sort of like this: It was first put to me (in a very nonchalant way) by guru/chef/task master KC:

KC: “Hey, I’m thinking of trying to lose 20 lbs in 30 days.”
Me: “Oh, I think you could definitely do that.”
KC: “Wanna do it with me?”
Me: (internally – “GULP”) (externally) “Absolutely."

(Yes, I can definitely put on a good front and swallow my fear (for awhile).) Inside my head I was saying, “What on earth have I just gotten myself into? Yes, I’ve been “raw” before, but never this strict and never with a serious goal in mind. I can’t possibly do this! Now wait – I have KC to help me along. Maybe, I can do this. Actually – I’m GOING to do this.” That’s honestly how it went down. In a split second I went from “this is impossible” to “I’m going to do this”.

The first thing that I worked on was OPTIMISM and a positive outlook. I swear life can just FALL into place when you have an attitude adjustment. This goes in line with another earlier blog of mine discussing CHOICES. We CHOOSE to view life negatively or positively. We have that power in our hands to turn a negative into a positive or just be miserable. We hold the power to impact our lives and those around us with our outlook. So come on and sing this along with me (just imagine I’m David Cassidy):

"Hello world, here's a song that we're singin' Come on, get happy."

GOAL #1 - DAY 30 HAS ARRIVED
I did it! I did it! (picture me leaping for joy like the Bionic Woman). It's the power of juice (and no sodium)! Wow - I haven't had that big of a weight loss jump in some time. I'll take it! I'm still a little freaked that I not only made this goal, but made it early AND blew past my best expectations! Positive affirmations abound!

So what's next? Well, the next goal is to be at least 138 lbs or a size 6 by October 10th. What is October 10th you might ask and why that date? Ha! It's my high school reunion. I will be damn close to the same weight I was when I graduated high school! Now THAT'S a GOAL!

Judgment Day has arrived (for all my fellow Terminator addicts out there)! I want to take a moment and thank all of you who have been reading this blog and offering me lots of encouragement along the way. It is much appreciated and I am a big believer that you get back what you give out. Thank you. OK, let's check out the stats:

STATISTICS
Height - 5' 7-1/2"
Weight - For the record, I'm weighing in next to nude on the same scale, around the same time every morning before eating or drinking anything.

WEEK ONE - Wednesday, July 15 - Tuesday, July 21, 2009
DAY 01 - 173.4 lbs
DAY 02 - 167.3 lbs
DAY 03 - 165.0 lbs
DAY 04 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
DAY 05 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
DAY 06 - 162.8 lbs
DAY 07 - 161.6 lbs

WEEK TWO - Wednesday, July 22 - Tuesday, July 28, 2009
DAY 08 - 160.2 lbs
DAY 09 - 160.4 lbs
DAY 10 - 159.2 lbs
Day 11 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 12 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 13 - 159.4 lbs
Day 14 - 157.6 lbs

WEEK THREE - Wednesday, July 29 - Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Day 15 - 157.0 lbs
Day 16 - 158.2 lbs
Day 17 - 157.0 lbs
Day 18 - 157.1 lbs
Day 19 - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 20 - 155.0 lbs
Day 21 - 156.1 lbs

WEEK FOUR - Wednesday, August 5 - Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Day 22 - 156.2 lbs
Day 23 - 154.9 lbs
Day 24 - 153.3 lbs <-- 20 lbs in 24 days!
Day 25 - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 26 - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 27 - 153.9 lbs
Day 28 - 153.9 lbs

WEEK FIVE - Wednesday, August 12 - Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Day 29 - 153.2 lbs
Day 30 - 150.9 lbs <- MAJOR JUMP (22.5 lbs lost) - thanks to juicing

FOOD
Breakfast

• 2 cups of coffee
• handful of walnuts
• 2 small bananas
• 4 black olives (while I was getting my lunch together :-)

Snack

• 10 cherry tomatoes

Lunch

• Gaspacho: tomato, zucchini, onion (same as 2 nights ago - YUM!!!)
• Salad: baby spinach, scallion, avocado 11 black olives, cherry tomatoes

Snack

• Nada - I was full

Supper

• 1/2 piece of living "lasagna" (zucchini, nut "cheese" and sun-dried tomato gravy)
• 1/2 dehydrate red pepper stuffed with kale and other goodies
• Zucchini linguini
• 1 apple
  
• 2 mugs of decaf coffee

EXERCISE

• Random pull-ups
• Abs with Tamilee Webb "I Want That Body" video (Program 1)
• Getting my recycling together to take to Recycling Services. Trust me - it qualifies as a workout.
• 45+ minute power walk to the bank and back! Though the journey is what its all about - there's something to be said to having a destination.
  

Day 29 - The empowerment of change and living life as a free spirit

ABOUT ME

"To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable." — Helen Keller

"I dare you to be a little bohemian. Free your spirit and free yourself." — Me

I love Helen Keller. I read a lot of biography's and for whatever reason, as much as I admire and am in awe of Keller's life's achievements - I have not read her biography (I know she was involved with one herself - rather than someone writing it posthumously). This must be rectified after I finish my current arsenal of biography's of Grace Slick, Jonestown, Billie Holiday, Nick Drake and Anais Nin. Thank goodness for the library!

Why Helen Keller? Well, blind and deaf she managed to accomplish amazing things during a time where being a woman wasn't exactly easy. She was born in 1880 and died in 1968. She lived her entire life during a time where few women even completed high school. She not only completed high school, she was the first deaf blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree (she graduated from Radcliffe). She also went on to become an American author, political activist and lecturer. She was amazing - take a gander at her wikipedia page HERE.

In addition to her achievements, she did something even more amazing. Something that many of us, including myself, have great difficulty doing. She lived her words. She lived what she believed. She continued to change and grow and behave like a free spirit and consequently exhibited undefeatable strength despite ridiculously, incredibly, difficult obstacles by any time period's standards. I mean in reality ALL I'm doing is dropping some weight on a time frame and taking charge of my health. Keller woke up in total darkness and silence every day of her life after age 18 months over and over again. No noise. No light. Silence. Yet her spirit was not defeated, to the contrary - her spirit became a beacon for many others and soared to unimaginable heights for those whom had no physical handicaps. Yes, I definitely am going to read her biography.

Well folks - tomorrow is the big day. Day 30. I've already met the 20 lb challenge and am ready to continue with challenge #2 which is to get to my proper weight of 138 lbs (I'll be in the 130s for the first time in 20 years when I get there). I'm shaking up my life and hopefully bringing a few other people with me on this journey of hope, joy and good health. Let YOUR spirit soar. Be an agent for change and freedom. Let your inner light shine and be a beacon for others. Pay it forward.

Here's the news for Day 29. So far, I'm in great shape for the big day tomorrow, but just to be sure - I'm juicing today!:

STATISTICS

Height - 5' 7-1/2"

Weight - For the record, I'm weighing in next to nude on the same scale, around the same time every morning before eating or drinking anything.

WEEK ONE - Wednesday, July 15 - Tuesday, July 21, 2009

DAY 01 - 173.4 lbs

DAY 02 - 167.3 lbs
DAY 03 - 165.0 lbs
DAY 04 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
DAY 05 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
DAY 06 - 162.8 lbs

DAY 07 - 161.6 lbs

WEEK TWO - Wednesday, July 22 - Tuesday, July 28, 2009

DAY 08 - 160.2 lbs

DAY 09 - 160.4 lbs

DAY 10 - 159.2 lbs

Day 11 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 12 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 13 - 159.4 lbs
Day 14 - 157.6 lbs

WEEK THREE - Wednesday, July 29 - Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Day 15 - 157.0 lbs
Day 16 - 158.2 lbs

Day 17 - 157.0 lbs

Day 18 - 157.1 lbs

Day 19 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 20 - 155.0 lbs

Day 21 - 156.1 lbs

WEEK FOUR - Wednesday, August 5 - Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Day 22 - 156.2 lbs

Day 23 - 154.9 lbs
Day 24 - 153.3 lbs <-- 20 lbs in 24 days!

Day 25 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 26 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 27 - 153.9 lbs

Day 28 - 153.9 lbs

WEEK FIVE - Wednesday, August 12 - Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Day 29 - 153.2 lbs <- Woot! Back under the 20 lb mark again!

FOOD

Breakfast

• 2 cups of coffee
• Juice: Carrot, cucumber, apple, lemon
  

Snack

• Juice: Carrot, cucumber, apple, lemon
  

Lunch

• Juice: Carrot, cucumber, apple, lemon

Snack

• Juice: Carrot, cucumber, apple, lemon
  

Supper

• Juice: carrot, lemon, tomato, celery, cayenne pepper (woot!) and black pepper. Now THAT'S what I'm talking about.
  

EXERCISE

• Random pull-ups
• Abs with Tamilee Webb (the tough one - didn't make it completely through it though - I was crunched for time.
• 2.8 mile power walk which ended up stopping at the grocery store for tonight tomatoes and celery (and tomorrow's avocado treat :-)