Chuckie's Extreme MASSIVEMeltdown :: Weight Loss Blog

Feb 28, 2008

Guess what?  I can cross my legs!!!! I discovered that I could do this about two weeks ago and it seems to be my favorite way of sitting now. I can remember if I wanted to cross my leg, which I knew I could not do, but if I would try I would have to reach down and lift the crossing leg with both hands to get it over the knee. Now I can just swing my leg up and over. Two years ago I was the person who would be having to sit down on a chair by the kitching sink in order to get the dishes done. I can remember clear as if it was today that I cried at how sad life was this way and what would my future hold becoming less and less independent. So this has certainly changed .. I'm crossing my legs now.

I'm having a little trouble with my commutes home from work and being drawn to an old habit of munching along the way. I had started to carry a bag of those little carrots to nibble on but forgot to take some today. I also have thought of digging out some audio books to listen to on my drives to make constructive use of the hour drive each way.

Off to bed now so I can get up for my swimfit before going to work. Yeah crossing legs >>> wow>>

February 18, 2008

Well, what a wonderful way to spend family day by starting at the pool with my hour workout. It certainly gets the day off on the right foot. I totally took myself out of my comfort zone today. My legs are quite ugly from some red and purple discolation on the front of my calves, still some swelling from the circulation issues and I don't usually let myself be seen for very long periods. I was doing my running in the pool and the nerve came over me to stop over and sit with my lifeguard friend before leaving. She was not on duty at the time and was sitting in the patio chairs on the side of the pool. I walked out of the pool and marched over to sit in the chair. That I did not worry that I would not fit or that I would make the legs break is amazing. The impressed expression on my lifeguard's face was nice to see. We sat and talked and I've asked her to set me up a program for the next 6 months to work out in the gym, the pool and at home for the times that I can't get to the gym. I have re measured myself today and will weigh myself tomorrow. It is my goal to reboot myself for some serious time "about me".  Later I went to a friends for tea and needed to go up the stairs to see something, and I strove to walk up and down one step after another and not the usual one step at a time. I did it twice!!!!.  Wow. the little things we take for granted.  It's hard to change our ways .. and I may not be perfect every step of the way .. but I'm sure worth it .. and every effort I make.

February 16,2008

Yeah, the weekend is here! What a long week this has been. I've woken up on my own before my alarm because I'm so eager for this day to get started. I'm going for my morning work out at the YMCA this morning. It's been almost two weeks since I've been able to get there and I'm really feeling the effects. Movement, physical activity or full fledged exercising is sooo good for the mind, the soul and our entire lives. I'm considering today a new day just as every day should be. Sit down take a few minutes to myself, plan my day of a happy balance, chores, responsibilities, personal development, physical activity and fun. The things that I have been doing since losing weight are amazing and I keep stepping outside the box.

That's it for now ... have to get this day going. Make a plan and get going!!!

Today, I'm going to do half an hour of deep water running with my water weights and half an hour of aquafit exercises. Then a nice hot shower. Then I'm off to meet with friends for breakfast at which I plan on having oatmeal, fruit and some yogurt. I need to make sure to get the calcium, fruit, fibre and protein. Later I have a business meeting and then some time to spend on projects. I really try to keep a balance in life as well as food and exercise. Journalling and reading are two things I need to focus more attention on.

A couple of weeks ago I had an AHA, or first moment when I straddled up to the bar when I was out at a function. Normally I would either know I could not lift myself up to the bar stool or would be wiggling and struggling and would not want anyone to see me. We were at our usual Sunday brunch spot and it was superbowl Sunday so there was no one there at noon. I took the opportunity to give getting on the stool a try .. and it worked. I got down to move our stuff over from the booth and got back up on the stool. Wow!! I'm normal. Being at the bar means more interactivity with people and conversations rather than being at a booth or table and people think you want to be left alone.  Last week at another function I just went to settle at the bar, before joining the function tables. 

February 13, 2006

Well, I can't believe how long it's been since I've taken the time for myself to write. It is very much in my best interest to commit to writing because it does the soul, mind and health good to get our thoughts out in writing.  So many thoughts can go swimming around in our minds that can actually make me confused and sick.

I have to say that I'm so very proud and in aw over my friend Charle's and how he's staying focussed on making a difference to people given what he has happening in his life. You truly are an amazing soul. I truly miss our support groups that we use to host and would certainly welcome being a part of one again. If anyone is interested to buddy up let me know.

I'm totally frustrated with the dose of winter that we are having here in Toronto. This has really put a damper into my regular work out time. I have such a long commute as mentioned in an earlier posting as I drive from North York to Mississauga and arrive home at around 6:00. SInce I get up in the morning at 4:00 I usually go to bed by around 8:00 the latest. I usually do not engage in very much in the evening and had been doing my exercise routine before work in the morning at 5:30 - 6:30. I have a winter driving phobia and have been having to get driven to work which means getting to work for 5:00 to allow my partner and chauffeur to get to work himself. What difference to the mind, body and soul not having exercised in over a week is. I can so feel the change in my joints. I tried to go over to the gym the other evening which has been a goal of mine for a bit .. and I was not able to find a parking spot after waiting and driving around for at least 20 minutes.  Although I could feel totally defeated I turned my thoughts to .. I tried!!!! This left me not feeling defeated which as we know can really send us for a tailspin.  Tomorrow is suppose to be a no snow day so I'm off to the pool in the morning. Wow... it will feel like heaven.

I'm becoming a volunteer at the YMCA where I work out. I've chosen to help out in a section that will put me interchanging with members, talking and also in the smaller gym area. See I have a bit of a plan. I can be a little sneaky sometimes to try and make sure I get doing what I need to or that I've been procrastinating about. I am going to monitor the small gym area for the members.. who don't put things back, or need help .. in case there is a danger or risk. This will also be done a couple of evenings a week and on weekends and will get me into a "gym" working out myself also.

Food wise I'm doing quite well. I'm still learning to eat healthier and feeling great.

I best get myself off to bed so I'm in shape for the pool in the morning.

Take care .. and remember to be good to yourself first!!!!... You have to come first before anyone else. This way you can be there for them in the long run.

Wanda's First Post

Well hello and welcome to my first post. This is quite interesting and thank you again Charles for the invitation. I will tell you more about me in an intro message later, but for the moment I'll just say that what's on my mind. I tried to register to do this blog using the nickname Charles gave me, "sunshine" and it was already taken, then I tried my next favorite "miracles" and it was spoken for also.. so I went with my third choice of "willowdale" which is the name of the street I live in.

My plans for the day were altered but I am an easy going person and go with the flow believing that things are meant to happen the way they do.

I have a habit of changing my mind or not going through with things. This is a habit I'm actively changing in the new me. I went this morning to a conference at the Toronto Convention Center, and amazed myself at how my ability to walk has improved. Four or five months ago, I would not even have accepted an invitation or thought of going to a "conference" or show because of my mobility and my size. Since losing my first 100 lbs... imagine that .. carrying around 100 lbs less of potatoes is so strange. I had to walk around first to find a bathroom and then found out that the room for the conference was in the lowest level of the south building and I was in the north building. I trudge forward without thinking twice and was actually registering that I would be getting to do this again to get back to my vehicle. This alone was worth the day. I will close now but will return later with the intro blog on me.