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... !