Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Most recent picture

Here's a more recent picture. This is with one of my choir seniors. 

Two days until freedom!

Tomorrow, we have kids until noon and then Wednesday is our institute. Freedom! Of course, Thursday is the Six Flags trip, but that's mostly fun. 

I hit 81 pounds lost this morning! I definitely did a happy dance. I feel so wonderful. I have 7 more pounds to lose to hit my goal before vacation. I've got three weeks. I think I can do it. Every single pound is a victory. I can't believe I'm so fortunate to have this second chance at an active, healthy, and fulfilling life. I know now that I can accomplish anything. Bring on the 5K training! I ran all the way from my house to a friend's tonight. I'm sure it was no farther than 1/8 of a mile, but that's still an accomplishment for me!

I can now see the 100 pound mark ahead of me.. I am so excited to get there. I would really like to be there by the end of summer. 

Naturally, I have some issues with loose skin now. I knew that I would, but it's still unpleasant. My arms are really showing if right now. My stomach, inner thighs, and butt aren't far behind. Plastic surgery will happen eventually. But, I figure it would be more intelligent to wait until after I'm done stretching out my stomach from having kids before I get any tucks done. Or maybe I could do the non-stomach tucks first. I don't know. I do have plastic surgery connections (don't ask me how!), and he's ready for me whenever I'm ready. First, I have 57 more pounds to lose!

Next week, I'll be playing with the Urbana Pops Orchestra. I'm so excited to play my flute again! I really miss it. Maggie isn't too thrilled about the flute thing because it means that the attention is not focused on her...

Friday, May 17, 2013

Summer... almost!

I suppose I'm overdue for an update. I'm not even sure that people read this, but it's nice to put my thoughts out there.

Since the musical ended, it has been a constant rush at school to get spring concert music learned, wrap up music appreciation classes, and get about 120 students auditioned for next year's ensembles. The junior high concert was last Monday. It went well! I'm really excited about next year's junior high choir. The ensemble is looking very strong. I can't wait to start working with them. (But first, I need a 2.5 month break.)

The high school concert is on Sunday. We had a month to learn our music since we didn't do much choir rehearsal during the musical. Beauty and the Beast was just so much more difficult that I had to take a lot of choir time to rehearse. And I picked very difficult music for the high school choir this semester. Our biggest challenge is a Gerald Finzi piece that is typically sung by college ensembles. I am so proud of them for working their butts off on it and getting it learned for the concert.

On Sunday I will be 5 months out from surgery. I am currently 78 pounds down total and 70 post-op. I've been on a stall for about 2 weeks now, but that's normal.

I am loving my new life. I love the energy I have and I love my new body. I still have 60 pounds left to lose (which seems really daunting right now...), but I'm just trying to enjoy my body currently.

The natural stretching of my stomach is freaking me out. I am so terrified of gaining back the weight. This is the part where I have to tell myself to keep using my surgery as a tool and not a solution. I will be able to eat more food, but it's up to me to make healthy choices. I literally have had nightmares about  gaining all of the weight back.

I am still committed to not eating sugar. I have tried a few things that have added sugar, and most of it does not bother me. However, I am making the voluntary commitment to stay away from it. I also try to avoid carbs. I don't eat pasta (but I crave it sometimes!), and I have massively cut back on bread.

I eat a lot of cheese and drink a lot of milk. I'm so glad that I love dairy and that it's a healthy part of my diet because of the protein.

I am still running bits at a time. Once school gets out, I plan on starting the C25K training. It is still exciting for me that I can run a whole block! It's difficult to run with Maggie though because she is so ADD. She will not be doing the C25K training for me. There are too many squirrels, kitties, and poop to smell in the world for her.

One month until I head to the Dominican Republic! I can't wait! And I have an entire new wardrobe to take with me!

One full week of school left... !