Commitment

I've made a commitment to a few things...

1. To continue losing weight via exercise (mountain biking primarily, but also at the gym), and food control. BTW, I am now down 45 pounds from my all-time high weight of 280. By the first race, I want to be a lot closer to 200 than I am now (235). Hopefully less than 200.
2. To actually COMPETE in 3 mountain bike races this spring. This should keep me on track with #1.
3. To make damn sure my asthma stays under control as much as possible, so I can get #1 and #2 accomplished.
4. To get my living room and my laundry under control tonight and tomorrow. Its driving me nuts.
5. To get my paramedic back.

So, there. I've put it out for the world to see. I plan on posting regular updates on #1-3, including that lovely weight tracker up at the top of this page.

Now, for those of you asking, "Why in the WORLD do you want to race in mountain bike races? After all, you treat these guys and gals all the time. You KNOW they get hurt." True... but I trail ride already. And its fun. Its a little different when you compete. I can be a very competitive person, and having a goal of racing (i.e. finishing) is a good goal to start with. These are simple races. I am not going down a 2000' foot decent or anything here, folk. This is decent singletrack located near my home, and I am familiar with it. Both from a perspective of riding it, and from getting people out of there. I came back to trail riding partly to understand a little more of the injuries I was seeing at the races, but being out there... well, I got bit by the bug again. And since my knee surgery, I've made a decision that I WANT TO DO THIS. Yeah, I might get hurt. I've slid out just riding the trail before. But hey, I know my EMS company will be out there providing EMS at the events... I know I'll be in good hands if I do get hurt. They are "the best"!

On the last commitment, I've decided to take the pre-paramedic class at Sierra College this winter/spring. I've already registered, and am waiting to schedule the class. Its the first step for me. I've been away so long, I need to start over. This is my chance. Then, I am HOPING that the fall part-time paramedic program will be up again at ARC. If not, I will find another program. I'd do it full-time if I could find someone to support me for the year it will take... any takers?

3 months down...

Wow... We've gone through 3 months of this year all ready. It seems like it should still be January to me. Time is just FLYING by.

I am still losing weight... not sure what I weigh, but the pants are looser and looser all the time. Had to go get a new duty belt today, as I was running out of holes (going in, not out!) in my current one. Donated my big belt, that was way too big now. I even tried on some EMS pants today. They fit, but a few pounds, and they will fit WELL. The pic to the left was taken about 10 pounds heavier ago, at the beginning of March. Still need to get rid of the stuff around the middle...

I am getting ready for the ESF-8 Training Summit (formerly known as the NDMS Conference/Training Summit). I fly out on April 3rd to Dallas, TX. Haven't been there since, oh, September (Hurricane Ike deployment)! Dallas is a beautiful city. I will come back on the 8th, and then work opening day for the Rivercats. Not sure if I am going to my day job that day or not. We'll see (probably will!).

Working EMS is a blessing to me. I love doing it. More than any other job I have EVER had. That's why I got back into it, even though the pay isn't quite there for survivability (Thus, why I work for the State during the day). I see people when they are having a bad day... and hopefully help make it better for them.

Speaking of which, I ran into one of my patients at an event recently. He had sustained life-threatening injuries last year at that same event. Injuries that we found out were even worse than we had observed, and later had been told. He was back doing what he had been doing that day, taking photos at the event. Only this time, he was walking, and not on a bike. I don't get a huge amount of feedback on my patients normally. His was and still is the exception. He is well known in the biking community. But to be able to talk with him at length was really, really nice. He isn't 100%, and may not ever be, but I like to think we gave him a chance to get there.

BMI under 40!

Having just updated my weight loss ticker above, I just had this realization that my Body Mass Index (BMI) is now under 40! When I started this weight loss journey, it was over 45.

While I still have a long way to go, this is, for me, a MAJOR milestone. It means I can continue to be deployable as a DMAT member, it means my health is better, it means I move easier, it means I WEAR SMALLER CLOTHES that don't wear out as quickly, and it means that I believe I can do anything I put my mind to.

And it reminds me I am doing well, and to stay on track.

Me, an athlete? Who would've thought?

Yep, I am cycling a lot nowadays. Riding from my home to the light rail station is a good 8 miles. I am working up to riding the entire way to work, about 14 miles. I ride that frequently now. And it is really getting easier. I was planning on doing the bike part of the Luna Bar Womens Triathlon (a friend asked me to do the ride portion, while she did the swim, and another person did the run). Unfortunately, it is the same weekend as a DMAT training down in southern CA I will be attending.

I like having the time to think to myself. The exercise gets my brain working, and I can problem solve a lot easier now... seriously!

Anyhow, here is a pic I took this morning of me in my biking attire. Yeah, it magnifies every flaw I have, but it is really comfortable! The shirt was given to me by one of my bosses, who is really revved that I am into cycling (She rides 22 miles each way to work daily! And enjoys the Death Ride, the Rubicon, the Tour de France (she rode the course last year for her vacation - not during the TdF, but after). Quite an inspiration for me!

Obviously, I am still losing weight. I had a period of time that I was gaining. It was frustrating, but then I started losing again. The thought is that I was building muscle, and the muscle is now burning more of the fat. Dunno. But I am glad to be losing again! Current weight: 249.0

Updates

OK... Its been a while since I posted. I have been sooooo busy, you would not believe it! Let's see, where do I start?

On April 19th, David and I went out and brought Diana and Jonny back to California. Things were getting worse and worse every day for them. Jon was acting increasingly more bizarre, also refusing to see Jonny (except for the day before we came back, ironically enough). I strongly suspect he is using meth or coke right now. His color was horrible (yellow, including his sclera - the whites of his eyes). He damn near ran over my feet when leaving Diana's apartment. We were all becoming more concerned that he would be physically violent (as if mental and emotional wasn't enough). We were so relieved when we got back here!

Diana and Jonny are doing well. Jonny is walking EVERYWHERE! He turns 1 on May 22nd! Diana is working, and looking for better work, while getting back in school to earn her degree. I know all of this is so hard on her, but she is doing the right things for her and Jonny.

I started bike riding to and from work. I can't ride anywhere near all the way (yet), but I am working on it! I ride at least 5 TRUE MILES per day (over hill and dale, so-to-speak). Some days, it is as much as 20 miles (whew!). The cost of gas is just too much, and I need the exercise. I was a little bummed at my WW Weigh-in last Saturday, as I had gained weight. But my pants are looser, and muscle weighs more than fat. I am hopeful that I will see a loss this week at the scale.

Financially, things are not good. It cost quite a bit to get Diana and Jonny back here, and honestly, it was money I can't afford. And diapers, etc add to the cost. Diana is working, but it isn't much right now (Which is why she is looking for better). I am trying to figure this all out, but frankly, I need more money or less expenses. All my reserves are gone. For those of you I have helped in the past, please considering returning the favor. We really need the help. I don't often ask for help, but this is rough right now. Many of you know I work more than one job (I have 4, actually. All but one are VERY part-time, and intermittent), so you know I try to do things myself.

Of Cookies, Jonny, Tendonitis, and more...

First, here are a few pictures of Jonny!





































Now, many of you know that I am a Girl Scout Leader. And yep, it is that time of year again... GIRL SCOUT COOKIE TIME! If you are looking for cookies, get in touch with me! We still have plenty of all varieties, including the new Sugar Free Little Brownie cookie! (It really tastes yummy!). The other varieties are: Thin Mint, Samoas, All Abouts, Cafe Cookies, Tagalongs, Do-Si-Dos, and Trefoils. Price: $3.50 a box + Shipping to get it to you.

I am battling tendonitis in my right wrist again, and am sitting here splinted to try and alleviate the pain (That and NSAIDs). Ugh. It has got to get better quick. I don't want to go to Nashville splinted later this month. If it isn't better soon, I guess I will get it seen.

I am back on Weight Watchers again, and seem to finally be losing weight again. Maybe my body needed a "diet break". :-)

WooHoo!

I dropped a pants size!!! Current weight: 251.0 (Lost 0.5 from last week... not a lot, but enough to at least get in these pants COMFORTABLY). Exercise is the key, for this success. Hopefully, I can drop another pant size before the NDMS Conference... :-)

W00T!

This week, I went to my usual Weight Watchers meeting, only to find they were closed. Although the sign said they were closed for the holidays, it actually was due to the contract they had with that location. OK... So, I went to another location (The old one my daughter and I used to go to). I was thinking about using my "free pass", so I didn't have to weigh in. I've been really lousy about being on plan this week. But, I decided to weigh in, to get the bad news...

I LOST 2.4 POUNDS!

Yep. I am down to 251.2 pounds. Another 1.3 pounds, and I will be lighter than I have been in 16 years! Needless to say, I am revved to stay on plan again. :-)

A weighty oops

This week, while getting over a nasty cold, I really didn't stay on plan like I should have. The net result? I gained 0.6 pounds. Not a lot, but a bummer.

A few more pounds down

I am down to 253 now. :-)

Latest Weighin

Today I am at 256.6 lbs, for a total loss of 21.2 lbs so far.

Latest Weigh-In

November 3, 2006: 258.4 lbs

I have lost 19.6 lbs so far (5.4 since I restarted on WW). Long way to go, but I am back to losing again.

Well, I am now down more than 20 pounds again! That was really good news to hear. I was having a bit of a bummer day before I weighed in. :-)

Went to my WI (Weigh-In), back down to 260.1... :-) (Another 3.4 lbs down!)

By next week, I hope to be back to 20 lbs down... just got to get my back to behave better, so I can be exercising. Either way, I am back to the gym tomorrow (maybe just spending more time in the pool and/or jacuzzi than on the cycles!)

Went back to WW this evening. Thought I had gained a lot of weight, but I haven't, really. Yes, I am up 4.3 lbs, but I honestly thought I had gained more (And that was in my jeans, not my lightweight pants). We'll see what happens next Wed. :-)

Well, now that I survived the Memorial Day weekend (working the entire time), I am spending a day recuperating. Literally. I don't know why, but I feel crappy. Could just be dehydration, since yesterday, it was just my boss and myself working all EMS calls at my work (we should have had 4 people total working EMS). Within 20 minutes of the game starting, we were busy. And I mean BUSY. Although I can't go into specifics due to patient privacy, suffice it to say we saw everything from bandaids to near death. It was loony.

So, today I sit here on my bed most of the day, staying online (haven't done that in a long time!), and basically RESTING. I figure if my body says "Stop and Rest", I need to.

Tomorrow is yet another day. I hope to begin writing a new PalmOS program tomorrow. Sketches of the screens are somewhat done already (Did that at night and during breaks at the DevCon last week). Oh yeah, I go back on Weight Watchers tomorrow. I've been very remiss about attending meetings, and have gotten sloppy with my diet. Don't even know what I weigh right now.

Today's weigh-in: 258.6 (Total Loss = 20.2 pounds so far)

After a HORRID week last week (I gained 2.2 pounds), from last Wed to today, I lost 5.2 pounds. Guess starting the bicycling has paid off!

The good news: last night's weigh-in showed I have lost another 3.2 pounds. Now down 17.7 pounds!

The bad news: I think I have strep throat again. Ouch.

I am down 2.2 more pounds! Total loss is 14.7 pounds! It is odd having my clothes feel so loose. Even things that were tight before are now not just fitting, they are truly LOOSE. Wierd... (But I love it!)

Yesterday's Weigh-In: 3.2 pounds lost. :-)

Well, I hit the magical "10 pounds" of weight loss. My pants are definitely a bit looser! I didn't stick around for the meeting, as I have a nasty cold right now, and didn't want to infect the world.

I will celebrate with the group next week, when I am feeling better.

Wednesday's Weigh-In: I lost another 1.1 pounds, for a total of 7.2 pounds now! :-)

Schoolwork is keeping me busier than anything. I have so much reading to do. Last Monday, I opened my Organic Chem book to review the material that the instructor was going to go over. I had this sudden realization that ALL THE WORDS WERE BLURRED. I looked at other things (blurry), and even asked one of the other people in class if it looked blurred to her. Nope. Looked fine. Crap.

I made it through the day, and called up Lenscrafters. Yep... I now HAVE TO wear glasses to read. It used to be an option. Not anymore. My 41 year old eyes just said "No" to my reading without correction any longer. I didn't even realize how long I had been compensating, reading and getting headaches, until I had a few days of zero headache days. Lesson learned.

I took a little hiatus to regroup my thoughts and actions. While doing this, I decided that I would attend CES 2005. I saw a few new things, but overall, I was actually a little disappointed. No real INNOVATION. A lot of improvement on existing technology, though.

Back on track again, I went and joined Weight Watchers again. Haven't been a member for over 15 years, but I need to lose weight. I am tired of feeling tired. And I need energy to compete with the 20-somethings that are in my classes at CSUS with me. I have been on plan 100% since starting (It was just last Wed). And I joined 24 Hour Fitness. Even just the little exercise I am doing (30 minutes/day) is making a difference. Yeah, I am sore, since I haven't exercised in... forever. But I feel better.

OK... My weigh-in has me at 121kg (266.2 pounds). Not quite the loss I had wanted. But I have cheated a lot. And attended a major conference (Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas). I did manage to avoid all but 2 buffets. Back to putting what I eat down in a food diary... and oh yeah... I need to start walking more, now that my feet have calmed down from CES.

Taking My Weight Loss Attempt Public

Well, as of today, January 5, 2004, I am working at my weight loss and exercise plan. Why? I am extremely overweight, tired of feeling lousy, and would like to stay on this Earth as long as I can. Is this a "quick fix" fad diet? No. I am working on eating relatively healthy, using weight loss shakes for one or two meals per day, and eating healthy the remainder of the day. Total calories: 1300 (1500 while walking around the CES show floor). Here are my short term goals:

Current weight: 122kg (268.4 pounds)
Lose 10 pounds within 1 month
Exercise 3 times a week, for a half hour.

My long term goals:

Lose 110 pounds
Exercise daily
Feel better
Look better