weight loss

I, like most people celebrate New Years on the eve of December 31. My REAL new year, however, my birthday, comes two days later, on January 3.

Happy new year to me! How, you may ask am I celebrating this year? Well, I took myself on a 5 mile run. Why? Because, my dear friends, I COULD. Before my 36th year, I was too out of shape to walk 1 mile. I was uncomfortable walking up a flight of stairs. But today, on my 36th birthday I ran, or jogged, rather, at a pace of about 12min/mile for a little over 5 miles. It took me about an hour, and I burned a little over 550 calories. But it's the accomplishment that I was after. Last year I was not only obese, I was doubtful I would ever be anything else. My husband says I was always negative about running. I said many times,"I'll never be a runner."

On New Years Day, I rode my bike with a group of about ten other crazy people for 40 miles in a VERY cold wind. Yet another thing I did, because I could.

I have reached a point in my fitness routine that I do things simply so I can continue to do them. I want to never have to say I can't do something because I'm too fat, or heavy. This is a place I have never been. It's amazing!

I'd planned to wait until I got down to 220 pounds, but I decided that a: 30 pounds lost was a huge milestone, b: 230 is a nice round number also, and c: the deal was too good to pass up.

I spotted this Trek 1200 on Craig's list this morning. I was afraid I was too late, as the ad had been posted last night, but I sent an e-mail. It's rare to see bicycles in 60 cm frame size. I was figuring the best I'd find would be a 58. But, staring me in the face was the perfect bike. It's a 2001, but it doesn't appear to have been ridden more than a few hundred miles. A quick tuneup, a new rear inner tube, and it was off for a ride this afternoon. Good times.

The previous owner was even kind enough to throw in 4 jerseys (including a long sleeve). I guess I'm going to have to pass them on before too long, though, as I'm going to "under grow" XL!