Partners in Crime

Sometimes in life, you get lucky to find a friend really early on who will be there at so many important events in your life. Your first college job, for example:

(God we look young) (and thin)

Your first college party (or parties):

(I promise we were 21...I think)

Someone who will, several years later, stand by you as your Matron of Honor on your wedding day:

Someone who, out of alllllll the people our age who are having babies, will incite the first genuine tears of happiness at this news from your not-quite-ready-yet self:

(At Anna's baby shower. Pardon my crazy red hair and crazy eyes)

And someone who, almost 10 years later, will come home from a long day of teaching and let you help give her sweet baby a bath, cook dinner for you, and share an evening of planning for the next big event together:

I am so excited that Anna and I will be doing yet another major event in our lives together.

From the college years, through boyfriends and finally to husbands, weddings and babies -- now as we both approach (gasp!!) 30 years of age, we will, yet again, be standing by one another for a new milestone as we walk 60 miles together in the fight against breast cancer.

I cannot wait to post the pictures of us together on the walk and as we cross the finish line together! I love you Anna Banana!

(this post cross-posted at http://mandywalks60.blogspot.com)

20!!

It's unbelievable how much positive reinforcement goes a long way in this journey. I have the most amazing support network of family, friends and even strangers that are cheering me on as I make my health goals a priority in my life and as I commit to training for The 3-Day.

As of today, I have raised $810 towards my goal of $2,300.

Also, I have lost 20 lbs out of the 40 lb weight loss goal I set for myself.

I have been a bad girl about going to the gym consistently, but I have done everything in my power to be active even on my nights off from the gym. My sweet puppy Carmen has benefited from that, since my activity on non-gym nights usually means a long walk for her and Mommy. But, I would rather be at the gym, at least until the weather warms up (for more than a day) and the days are longer. I really don't prefer walking in the dark in my neighborhood, and Carmen is certainly no protection against would-be attackers. :)

However, when I have gone to the gym, I've slowly been building up my endurance. I'm learning how to control my breathing when I jog and how to be constantly aware of my posture. Even though I'm training to walk 60 miles, I figure it's just as beneficial for me to learn how to run. Because after the 3-Day is over, I'll have to set some new goals...maybe even a 5k or 10k somewhere down the line.

As usual, my husband has been incredibly supportive and is happy for me and proud of me. Occasionally he ribs me about the fact that I'm walking that far, and that I'll be "roughing it" (he got an especially good chuckle over the fact that I'll be sleeping in a tent on the two nights) for 3 days. But of course it's all good-natured, and I know he's proud of me.

My friends have been amazing.

We had a reunion two nights ago (Saturday) for a show we all did together a year ago, Crazy For You, which was also a celebration of two friends being in from out of town AND a birthday celebration for one of the cast members. I haven't seen some of these people since New Year's Eve, and some since even further back than that. Kevin was especially proud:

It was SO UPLIFTING to see their faces when they walked in and saw me, came over and hugged me, and commented, "Oh my GOD look at you! You look so great!"

I really did just get tears in my eyes typing that. I don't know what I did to be blessed with such awesome, genuine friends, but I'm thankful for it because they're here and supportive when I need them the most.

I know I've got a long way to go in reaching my 40lb weight loss goal (much less Goal B Of Which We Never Speak Out Loud) and in being able to walk this 60 miles. But damn. I really do feel like I'm over the biggest hump, which was getting started and believing in myself.

I'm so. excited. to see what happens over the next few months!

(P.S. this post is cross-posted here on my 3-Day blog)

Annoyed

This blog will be short and sweet.

I'm finding myself getting more and more annoyed as I continue on my weight loss progress towards my goal(s).

I'm annoyed when people, even with the best of intentions of checking up on me and keeping me accountable, ask me what I'm eating every. damn. day. Like they're keeping tabs on my meals, as if I'll binge if they don't. I've got this...I really do.

I'm annoyed with all the varying pieces of advice I'm getting, unsolicited. "Don't make food a reward." "Cut out all your carbs." "Make sure you're not eating processed foods." "I can't believe you eat anything with white sugar."

I'm annoyed with any and all signs, ads, commercials, billboards, etc. that are offering SlimQuick, NutriSystem, The Hollywood Cookie Diet, ad nauseum. I can deal with Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig because I know they work for long-term changes.

I'm kind of annoyed when I tell people I'm doing the Komen 3-Day and they ask me ASININE, OBVIOUS questions such as "You know that's 60 miles, right?" "You know you sleep outside in tents, right?" OMG of course I do.

The end.

15!

(click on the picture to see larger!)

This is my very first attempt at a Before and After picture. The picture on the left is me in mid-December, weighing in at 210 lbs (vomit). The pictures on the right are from this past weekend of Show Boat performances, weighing in at 195 lbs.

Fif. Teen. Pounds.

And the fun part? You can totally tell. At least, I can!

It's funny...when you look at yourself every day, or someone ELSE sees you every day, you don't really notice. My own husband has been so supportive and happy for me when I do a happy naked dance out of the bathroom after a weigh-in (though maybe he's just happy about the happy naked dance? hmmm). But last night when I showed him these pictures side by side, he seemed genuinely surprised. His response was, and I quote, "Wow, honey! Great job!"

I still have about 25 lbs to go for my goal, but I am so pumped up.

I can't wait to keep going and, now that my lungs are back to almost 100% capacity, I can't wait to get back on the fitness wagon. Which brings me to my next point...

Since I got paid today, I totally plan on registering for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure (November 5-7, 2010) in Dallas this year. It's a hell of a commitment, I know. Each registrant has to pay a $90 registration fee AND commit to raising $2,300 before being eligible to participate in the walk. AND you have to train yourself to be able to handle the 3-day, 60 miles walk.

Bring. It. On.

Every time I think I can't do it, I think, "You know? People who participate in this walk...some of them are going through or have gone through chemo and cancer. If they can do it, I sure as hell can get off my fat butt and do it!"

I'm really excited about doing this, and I already have some fundraising ideas swimming around in my head.

Here's to the next 15!!