It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing

So cute...reminds me of my Finn when he was a pup:)

Well, I have finally done it.  I have made it all the way from P3 to the 4th floor of my office without stopping once.  I know, I know, you're probably thinking what the big deal is, but...read this.  This may be the first read for some, a refresher for others.  I wrote that post about three and a half months ago.  At that time I was dying while doing something as simple as walking up the stairs.  Incidentally, I haven't taken the elevator since late November (except on a few occasions when I had to because I had clients with me).

Tonight I ran over 2K by doing 2 and 1 (run 2 minutes, walk 1 minute) intervals.  For those of you who run, I know you were me at one time.  Feeling really proud of yourself as you build your endurance every week.  I'm in my third week of my learn to run clinic now and went from doing 1 minute running and 2 minutes walking, to what I was running tonight.  I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but for someone like me who loathed exercise and avoided it at all costs, I think I have found a physical activity I can stick to. I'm actually doing it and being successful!  Every single week I'm amazed that I lived through a whole week of doing that particular interval, so I know I can do this.  I can just imagine how I'll feel when I make it to 10 and 1's.  Like a million bucks, that's how.  Thanks again Enz for doing this with me:)

Yesterday I took a client clothing shopping.  There's an outlet area in Toronto on Orfus Rd. where you can find great deals on clothing.  I have been there many times in the past and stood around quietly while clients shopped and then I simply paid for their purchases.  The prices there are insanely cheap and you can get a lot of stuff for little money.  So I'm standing around waiting for my client, and I'm in the same mindset I've always been in while on Orfus Rd.  I never looked at anything too closely because nothing there would fit me.

Well I'm bored so I venture around and start looking at some things.  I'm holding stuff up wondering if it will fit me and decide that since it's so cheap, I'll get some stuff, hopeful I'll fit into it in a couple of months.  I spend $70, get a pair of jeans ($7.50), a bunch of tops for $2 - $5, five pairs of shoes for $25, and a bunch of hair accessories for $10.  Today I'm pondering over what to wear so I try on the jeans and a top...and they fit!  I wore my $14.50 (jeans, top and tank top) outfit to work today.

I have never been able to shop at Orfus Rd. before.  It's a bit of a crap shoot there because you cannot try anything on.  You just grab and buy.  Since I have zero spring/summer clothes, I need to start buying stuff that will see me through this season.  I can't spend a lot either because, although I'm not putting a time limit on my weight-loss, I could reach my goal weight by the fall.  If not, I will be at goal by next spring/summer.  Not to shabby for a former plus sized shopper!  I'm just so tickled that I was able to buy cheap clothes like everyone else!!!!!!

There are so many changes happening in my life due to my weight loss, and I'm taking none of it for granted.  Last weekend I did something I haven't done since I was in my late teens.  I swung on a swing with my son.  When I was a girl, I used to love the swings.  I haven't been able to fit in one for a very long time.  While swinging at the park with my son and two nieces, three things crossed my mind.  I couldn't believe I comfortably fit into a swing, I loved the feeling of the wind blowing in my hair, and if I closed my eyes one more time, I was gonna throw up.  Man getting old sucks!  I definitely don't have the stomach I used to.  I'm not sure if I'm looking forward to the amusement parks this summer which equally sucks.  This will be the first time in a very long time where I won't have to worry about whether or not I'll fit on a ride.

Running up that hill

I would be completely remiss if I did not mention the outpouring of support, input, advice etc. in regards to my last blog post.  I received numerous, and much appreciated, emails and comments on the subject.  My heartfelt thanks to all!  I would like to thank Angie once again for making me see the serious errors of my ways and righting me.  As well as for giving me the material for my last blog post.  My previous two blog posts have become my most popular EVER.  I also must give a holla to Allan over at Almost Gastric Bypass.  His eloquent rebuttal to my previous post is definitely worth the click (and then some).  If you haven't already been over there,  read Allan's refutation of the situation here.  Everyone's advice, input and opinions were received with gratitude and  respect.  Thanks again to one and all.

Moving on now.  Wednesday marked the end to my first week of my "learn to run" clinic through the Running Room.  For the first week we were doing sets of 2 minutes walking and 1 minute running.  We were supposed to do the same set on Wednesday but because our running group is so small, we were put with the group a week ahead.  So I had to do one minute walking and one minute running...a session early!  Initially I was a bit freaked out and anxious that I was going to be left behind, but I must say, the older group was perpetually in the back.  And, I survived doing one and ones.  Now I have a whole week to worry about whether or not I can do sets of 1 minute walking and 2 minutes running.  It really does get easier every time I go.  And I can totally see how running becomes addictive.  After each practice run, I'm so full of adrenaline and awe that I actually did it, that I can't wait to do it again.  Looking forward to tonight's clinic already!

I'm not sure where my weight is right now.  I can only say that I have been following phase 1 of Dr. Poon's religiously.  I take a bit more carbs just before I run (usually in the form of a protein bar), but other than that, I'm on track.  I tend to not weigh between official weigh-ins because then I become obsessed with the scale.  I do know that I now comfortably fit into regular 16's (pants) and that plus 14's are too big for me.  This happened over the last two weeks.  Who knew that there was such a big difference is plus sizes versus regular sizes.  That being said, I no longer have to shop in plus sized stores.  That's a NSV (non-scale victory) I'm really excited about.  I can now pay lower prices for clothes like other "regular" sized people.  The price of plus sized clothing is always more expensive.  Just another reason to keep on track!  I'm determined to never have to shop in a plus sized store again.

Due to my schedule, I don't have an appointment to see Dr. Pitt for a weigh-in until March 27th.  That's three weeks between weigh-ins.  I'm curious to see if I can truly stay off the scale until then.  Shouldn't be a problem.  I can see significant changes in my body every week.  New bones sticking out here and there, being able to fit into a pair of pants I couldn't get over my hips the previous month.  You know, the real significant stuff.  Enz has joined a yoga class with me that we start at the end of the month.  I really need to work on my flexibility and my toning.  Considering the fact that I am an admitted exercise hater, I now run three times a week and will begin a fourth day of exercise in the form of yoga in a couple of weeks.  And I still take the stairs religiously.  Not too shabby for a former couch potato.