WE ARE DONE!

Here we are - Day 99. We really did it. I don't think anyone knows how hard we worked except for the other participants. I have to admit that it was really, really hard but it was so worth it. I am so proud of all of us. Yesterday I went for a bike ride which I haven't done for a while and I was amazed at how much easier it was - I just felt so much lighter and stronger. What a great feeling - I loved it. I hope we all keep going to the gym cause I like working out with people I know. You are all looking so good. I wish we had taken "before pictures" when we first started so we could compare them with "after pictures." So in my last blog, I just want to thank everyone who gave us their support in any way. Especially Jenna, the best trainer in the world. It was a real life-changing opportunity for me and for my husband and we THANK YOU ALL!

Almost Done

As this challenge begins to come to a close, I am so grateful that I was lucky enough to be chosen to participate. What a change it has made in my life and my husband's life. We made a committment at the beginning that we would give this our all and we have. I have almost reached my goal of 25 pounds lost and my husband who has been such a support has lost 28 pounds. I have learned so much from my fantastic trainer who even postponed her mission call just so she could finish this with the three of us participants. She has really taught me so much about exercise and the part it plays in maintaining body weight and just feeling better. I know this sounds crazy but I just FEEL lighter - when I walk up stairs it is so much easier because I feel like I am not carrying as much weight. Last night I decided to see how far I could walk and I walked 3.6 miles - wow, I could not believe it. I really feel like I will be able to maintain my weight now with all the information I now have about nutrition and exercise. To sum up this program, it was a life changing program for which I am so grateful. All I can say is, please run this program more often so more people can take part. I am so proud of all the other participants who have worked so hard, too. It is nice to have people suffer right along with you and I enjoy seeing the others at the gym sweating just as much as I am.

Endure to the End

It really is starting to get very close to the end of our 100 days. I still have 6-7 more pounds that I set as my goal so I am going to have to work hard the last 3 1/2 weeks. Went camping last week with my family - that is actually a good way to watch what you eat cause if you don't take it with you there is no temptation. Can't exactly run to the store for a box of oreos. Anyway, we had a great time camping and I was able to hold my weight stable. I did indulge in some s'mores which no one can turn down. But I really feel like I have changed my lifestyle and finally know how to control my eating and how big the portions should be. I will be sad to see this come to an end.

I noticed yesterday that we are now 2/3 of the way done with our program. This has been a fantastic program. I know I would not have lost the weight I have without the structure of a heart and weight loss program. I am really learning how to eat better and how to limit my portions to a healthy level. I went out to eat twice this week and the first time we went I felt so good ordering my salad with no croutons or cheese and salad dressing on the side. Then the second time I was able to also limit what went into my food, did away with the calorie-laden tortilla shell and tortilla strips. We have also joined a food co-op and really love it. Every Saturday I get fresh vegetables and fruits. Last week, I got an eggplant and have never cooked one before so I got out my recipe book and found a good recipe and tried it. Pretty good I would have to say. Things are going well. I am still losing weight and getting stronger each week.

Almost Halfway

Tomorrow is day 50 of our 100 days. In some ways it has seemed like we have been doing this forever and in some ways it has gone really fast. I have definitely changed my eating habits. I never thought I would be able (or want) to read food labels on food. It drives my husband nuts when we go shopping and I pick up a package and immediately turn it over to read the food label. But trust me, it makes a difference to look at those labels. I am on schedule for the amount of weight I wanted to lose. I wanted to lose 25 and have now lost 13. So hopefully I can do as well in the next 50 days. I have really enjoyed having a trainer and she is so good and interested in my progress (even though I think she forgets how old I am sometimes - just kidding). I really wish everyone with a desire to get in shape could take part in this program.

It has been a long week. Unfortunately, I got a cold from a grandchild and so have struggled to exercise like I wanted. I only lost 1 1/2 pounds last week but I guess that is still okay. I know we all want to lose 10 pounds a week but it just isn't going to happen and in fact, shouldn't happen. Slow and steady -- that is the goal. Amazing how much energy you lose when you don't feel well. We are now one third of the way through our program. It has really gone fast.

Just got home last night from a 5 day vacation. It is difficult to watch what you eat and exercise when surrounded by family who love to eat and keep the day too busy to exercise. But I was happy to have maintained my weight while I was gone and consider that a pretty good accomplishment. I was most proud when we went out to eat at my favorite place in Montana and I ordered a very good salad. Not what I would have ordered a year ago. Did the same thing at Wendys when we were driving home and stopped there to eat. Anyway, I had a great vacation but am now home and am able to control everything much better. Hopefully, this will be a good week.

It is Tuesday and exactly two weeks ago today we started our challenge. I feel like I have worked very hard and am giving it my best effort. I am beginning to feel better and stronger already. I have lost 6 pounds so far and here's hoping, many more will follow. I see all my fellow "challengees" at the wellness center and am so glad we are doing well. I hope we all find success in September.

Here it is--my birthday today. I am proud that I am giving myself a great present this year and that is learning to take better care of my health by exercising and eating right. It has been almost two weeks since we started and I am already feeling better. For my birthday on Friday night my husband and I went out to eat at Market Street Grill in Salt Lake City. I was glad to see that I could maintain my good eating while eating out. Sometimes we think we can't eat out and still eat healthy but we can. I think I will stay away from hamburger places for a while after learning in our nutrition class how many calories and fat grams are in those. Just pick better places where you can eat healthier.

It has been a good week. I thought when I started with the nutrition part of this challenge that I would be hungry all the time but I am finding that I feel just as full as before. I think it is because instead of filling up on empty calories, I am eating much better food and feeling just as full. So I don't really feel like I am dieting.

Let me tell a little about why I wanted to be selected for the 100 day heart challenge. In 1997 my son was diagnosed with leukemia which would require 3 1/2 years of chemotherapy. That first year I completely fell apart physically and mentally and was not taking proper care of myself. At the end of the first year, I decided that I would have to get my life back in order so that I could better take care of my son. I needed to be physically well and I needed to be mentally strong and emotionally well for him. So I began exercising by walking and strength training. Through the last 13 years I have been fairly regular but I have noticed that I have not lost weight and my heart lab values were starting to creep up as was my blood pressure. I knew I was not eating and exercising in the right way. So this is why I signed up for the challenge. I would like to learn better nutrition especially as I get older and to learn better ways to exercise. I am so glad to have been chosen and appreciate the opportunity to learn to take better care of myself.