LJ Idol 7, Topic 19 - "Mirage"
Seven days ago, if someone had come up to me and asked, "Laura, do you think you could walk twenty miles this week?" my reply would have been an emphatic "Hell no!"
But guess what? Over the past seven days that I've been here at Rancho Cortez, participating in their fitness program, I've walked at least twenty miles, if not perhaps a few more. As a five foot tall, 242-pound woman who tends towards a very sedentary lifestyle, I certainly never imagined that I could do such a thing. Sure, amongst my fitness group I'm the slowest of the bunch, and tend to lag quite a ways behind everyone else - but the fact of the matter is, I'M DOING IT. Does going uphill still wipe me out, and make me pause a minute to catch my breath? Hell yes. But I take a few deep breaths, drink some water, and plod steadily onwards.
I have learned quite a bit over the past week. I can eat healthier foods and feel just as full. I snack a whole lot less, and when I do snack it's either a piece of fresh fruit - usually an apple or orange - or perhaps some string cheese if I want extra protein. I very rarely add salt to my food any more, with the exception of a tiny dash to my eggs in the morning - they are just too bland without it, and quite frankly I've never liked black pepper.
Over the past week in addition to all the hiking, I have worked out with hand weights, done water aerobics daily, and even attempted Zumba and Pilates.
It turns out that exercise is good for what ails you - my diabetes is under better control even though I am using less insulin. I have eaten more whole grains and no junk food, and have only drunk two cans of diet soda since I've been here, otherwise imbibing either cold water or plain iced tea. I haven't downed a Frappuccino in a week, and while I can't say that I don't miss my daily Starbucks fix, they've got less of a hold on me now than they did a mere seven days ago.
I'll bet my local barista is wondering what happened to the fat chick in the bright yellow PT cruiser.
The next time they see me, they may recognize my car but they won't recognize me.
You see, I'm not the same fat chick I used to be. That gal was an illusion - one who didn't believe in herself or her body's ability to push through, to do the unthinkable, to stubbornly walk twenty sweaty miles up rocky inclines and over dusty trails, panting all the way.
I am blazing a new trail for myself, and quite frankly I can't wait to see where it goes.
~~~~~
Author's Update, 3/28/11: I'm here at the ranch for one more week. At the end of week one I've lost 5.25 lbs. I'm down to 237 lbs and counting! Boo-yah!
But guess what? Over the past seven days that I've been here at Rancho Cortez, participating in their fitness program, I've walked at least twenty miles, if not perhaps a few more. As a five foot tall, 242-pound woman who tends towards a very sedentary lifestyle, I certainly never imagined that I could do such a thing. Sure, amongst my fitness group I'm the slowest of the bunch, and tend to lag quite a ways behind everyone else - but the fact of the matter is, I'M DOING IT. Does going uphill still wipe me out, and make me pause a minute to catch my breath? Hell yes. But I take a few deep breaths, drink some water, and plod steadily onwards.
I have learned quite a bit over the past week. I can eat healthier foods and feel just as full. I snack a whole lot less, and when I do snack it's either a piece of fresh fruit - usually an apple or orange - or perhaps some string cheese if I want extra protein. I very rarely add salt to my food any more, with the exception of a tiny dash to my eggs in the morning - they are just too bland without it, and quite frankly I've never liked black pepper.
Over the past week in addition to all the hiking, I have worked out with hand weights, done water aerobics daily, and even attempted Zumba and Pilates.
It turns out that exercise is good for what ails you - my diabetes is under better control even though I am using less insulin. I have eaten more whole grains and no junk food, and have only drunk two cans of diet soda since I've been here, otherwise imbibing either cold water or plain iced tea. I haven't downed a Frappuccino in a week, and while I can't say that I don't miss my daily Starbucks fix, they've got less of a hold on me now than they did a mere seven days ago.
I'll bet my local barista is wondering what happened to the fat chick in the bright yellow PT cruiser.
The next time they see me, they may recognize my car but they won't recognize me.
You see, I'm not the same fat chick I used to be. That gal was an illusion - one who didn't believe in herself or her body's ability to push through, to do the unthinkable, to stubbornly walk twenty sweaty miles up rocky inclines and over dusty trails, panting all the way.
I am blazing a new trail for myself, and quite frankly I can't wait to see where it goes.
~~~~~
Author's Update, 3/28/11: I'm here at the ranch for one more week. At the end of week one I've lost 5.25 lbs. I'm down to 237 lbs and counting! Boo-yah!