Persistence

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

I'm enjoying the thoughtful comments on blogs from SparkFriends and in particular the message boards in my new At Goal and Maintaining team.

It's very helpful to be part of a community of people who are trying to be healthy, know it's not always easy, expect setbacks but are by and large persistent in pursuing their goals.

I have a lot to learn here and I'm enjoying it. In a former career I was an art history teacher and of course one of the great architectural accomplishments of Western history was the building of the Gothic cathedrals. A process of trial and error, with spectacular failures when early efforts at building those soaring Gothic arches frequently unsuccessful. Gothic cathedrals were largely the product of anonymous and communal effort by people from all walks of life -- peasant through kings. And none of them was ever completed.

The internet generally -- Wikipedia -- and sites like SparkPeople make me think about those anonymous and communal efforts to create something inspiring -- beyond the abilities of any one of us individually.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CHRYS13 7/29/2009 9:57PM

Beautiful analogy. Thank-you! Yes, we all need each other. Report Inappropriate Comment

THATCARRIEGIRL 7/29/2009 9:07PM

Excellent analogy. If you think about it, even when we reach our goal weight, the process is not completed. It is a lifelong endeavor, and while it may get easier over time, I think we have all learned that those unwanted pounds can sneak back up on us in a flash if we do not guard against them. Report Inappropriate Comment

WACHSC 7/29/2009 8:43PM

Loved the way you tied SP to art and architecture ! Thanks for putting this into words. Cindy Report Inappropriate Comment

Beginning the Work of Maintaining

Thursday, July 23, 2009

So far, I'm not getting much of a sense of how many calories I need to eat to maintain weight loss . . . so I'm just sticking with the programme for now. I don't want to be gaining weight, that's for sure, particularly since I'm still not able to be back into a full exercise programme because of residual post-treatment skin chafing. And I would not mind losing a few more pounds, so I'm just experimenting a little.

But: I'm feeling very optimistic that the skin (although still pretty red) is healing. There are no more broken or open areas. And my energy levels, although not back to normal by a long shot, do seem to be on the upswing: I slept pretty much all last weekend but have been working fuller days this week than last. One more hospital checkup next week and then I think I'm done.

There's a wonderful sense that I'm "coming out the other side" of a six month ordeal. And it's nice to be doing that at target weight, able to wear stuff that was not comfortable at all in the spring.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SERENE_ME 7/29/2009 9:19PM

Welcome to the wonderful world of maintenance!!! I actually don't find it much different from weightloss - I tapered off losing weight for the last 5lbs (took about 8 weeks) then simply stopped losing about a pound from goal. I've been maintaining that since early April. You've been through a lot - to lose weight during radiation treatments is very impressive - you'll have no trouble getting the hang of this maintenance gig. One day at a time Ms Mellow - ODAAT! Report Inappropriate Comment

DSHONEYC 7/28/2009 10:18PM

I was quite surprized to see our friendship had "broken up"....I am not as adept at this as you are...don't know how to send "goodies" and have wanted to send you the energizer bunny. Tee Hee! Report Inappropriate Comment

DSHONEYC 7/24/2009 12:36PM

Dear friend, this is great information for me. Thanks for sharing. Wish I had been able to combine weight loss with my own 6month ordeal. No time like the present to "get with the program, eh?" Report Inappropriate Comment

MARTANYDIATORRE 7/23/2009 11:10PM

You are such an inspiration Report Inappropriate Comment

GOAL MET! GOAL SET!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

I was thrilled today to step on the scale and see 154.5 flash up. Tried the scale in four different spots on the floor: yes, really true, no wavering. Last weigh-in 157 and now I'm down below the 155 goal weight.

So now I'm rethinking: is 155 the right goal? Or do I want to take it a little lower -- say the 150 I'd reached and maintained in 2001?

But what is absolutely clear to me: the MAIN goal is Main(tenance); I never ever want to permit my weight to creep up again.

Thanks, SparkPeople, for a fantastic site. And thanks, Spark Friends, for all your support: you are an amazing group of people.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DARLENA3 7/21/2009 11:44PM

You are the amazing one! Report Inappropriate Comment

JOPAPGH 7/20/2009 9:38AM

How did I miss this? Congratulations! Best of luck with maintenance. Today was my weigh in and I also hit my goal weight, although mine did benefit from repositioning the scale. So did you find a good group for maintenance? Report Inappropriate Comment

DSHONEYC 7/19/2009 7:54PM

I am so happy for you! Keep on doing what you have been doing. The goal met isn't the weight so much but the lifestyle of balanced living and health. Someday..........I'll join you! Report Inappropriate Comment

MARTANYDIATORRE 7/18/2009 6:07PM

I do the same Report Inappropriate Comment

ORIWOO 7/18/2009 12:31PM

Way to Go !!! Stand tall, Be proud. Lori Report Inappropriate Comment

MARSGIRL23 7/18/2009 11:37AM

WOO HOO!!! What an exciting journey to be on now... MAINTENANCE! I'm hoping you'll stay on the Spark People site and remain an inspiration for us!! Report Inappropriate Comment

FLOWINGWATER 7/18/2009 10:04AM

Yay!!!! I'm so happy for you!! Congratulations!!! All your hard work has paid off!!! Good luck on your future goals (whether it be maintenance or another 5 pounds). It's a lifestyle change so just keep doin' what you're doin' and maintenance will be a breeze! Report Inappropriate Comment

Sparking for Two Months

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Reading JOPAPGH's blog reminded me: I've also been at SparkPeople for two months as of yesterday, July 10. I've used the nutrition tracker every day for every meal and only been a little less diligent on the exercise. Meaning that although I have recorded all that I've done, that exercise has been less than my pre-SparkPeople exercise routine. That's because during the past two months I've also completed radiation treatments which have slowed me down. For years I've been going to the gym 4-5 days a week, generally 40 minutes of cardio/500 calories plus abs and stretching every day; and upper body weights on alternate days with lower body weights. Treatments have slowed me down on that (fatigue plus fairly extreme skin burning) and the side effects are expected to peak about 10 days from now, then taper off over the following month or two. As energy rises, I'll be stepping up my exercise to my former levels and then beyond, I'm sure: I love that endorphin high and have had to restrain myself to accommodate the medical realities (and the chafing!).

These treatments made it the best possible time for me to embark upon Spark. During the two months, while dealing with the radiation, I've taken off 14.5 pounds of the 17 pity party pounds which had limpet-like attached themselves around my middle (mostly) after my February diagnosis. I've got 2.5 pounds to go, and even though they have been very very slow to budge they will go too: I am confident! I am determined!!

I've lost 2.5 inches around my waist and am comfortably back wearing my size eights (the 10s were getting a big snug before). Had a lot of fun "shopping in my closet" and received quite a number of compliments: the 14.5 pounds does make a difference to how I feel as well as how I look. Today I've celebrated my two month anniversary by treating myself to a StarFrite kitchen nutrition weigh scale to make absolutely sure that the 1 oz of cashews or 1 oz of cheddar I've been charging myself really has been 1 oz: and actually confirmed that my eyeballing has been pretty darn good! (It's a pretty nifty gadget and I've been wanting one for a while . . . comes programmed with a ton of foods with their calorie/protein/sodium etc and others can be added.) Also got some low-tech measuring spoons and measuring cups to reinforce the accountability..

SparkPeople: What an amazing site. I've counted calories before (of course) but the Nutrition tracker is a very handy tool. I like the "food group" feature since I tend to eat big multi-item salads every day for lunch, adding a different dressing and low-fat protein source to each one. I like the "favourites" because I do tend to eat a lot of the same foods (in rotation) over a week. I particularly like the nutrition breakdown: that I can, for example, look at what I've already eaten by mid afternoon and decide that I need to increase protein, increase fat, back off on carbs etc etc before the end of the day. Love the daily "report" feature. Love the Fitness trackers. Love the teams, the articles, the message boards, the blogs, the trivia questions (even though I am not very bright about these) -- most of all love SparkPeople: your warmth, your support, your humour, your commitment to health, energy, and engagement with life.

Thanks, everyone!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

IMAGINE_IT 7/14/2009 4:47PM

Love your Blog!! I have been following your progress almost from the beginning..because you found me somehow and left one of your kind and wonderful messages on my page... i may not always respond..or come by as often as i should...but i do watch you.. from afar...lol..not in a spying way of course!!! You have been doing amazing..and it shows..and i am really proud of you..and to me you are inspiring..and motivating..and i am proud to have you as a friend Comment edited on: 7/14/2009 4:48:09 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

DSHONEYC 7/13/2009 5:09PM

Way to go! Your retrospective blog was inspiring. Keep on blogging! Report Inappropriate Comment

ANIMEMOM1 7/13/2009 4:23PM

You have been a wonderful inspiration for me as well. You have done fantastic with extra barriers that would crumble so many. Above an beyond losing the weight, you have helped keep yourself healthier to help you through this and be around for all those who love you and look up to you. Keep up your good work. Congrats on your new addition. My scale was a eye-opener. I remember saying..."That is all the chicken I GET?" Thank goodness I have learned and am now pretty good at eyeing it-though I still weigh every chance I get. Report Inappropriate Comment

THATCARRIEGIRL 7/13/2009 1:47PM

You have done a great job - and not just with yourself but with being a motivating factor, at least for me. That's the best thing about SparkPeople - there is never a shortage of people willing to offer support and encouragement, because we ALL need it at some time or another. You've been a big source of that for me, and I am thankful for that. I bought mysef a digital scale about a month ago and I don't know how I survived before! Well, I know how I survived before - I didn't cook and I didn't pay any attention to portion size. It's definitely nice to know exactly how much I am putting into my mouth now. Well, sometimes! Keep up the good work - those last few pounds will disappear before you know it! Report Inappropriate Comment

NGALAX 7/12/2009 5:01AM

I think you are amazing. I love your approach.Yes the Spark tools are great aren't they? Before Spark I didn't pay attention to food groups I just ate what I fancied. I wish you all the very best on your Sparkaversary and in the future! Report Inappropriate Comment

JOPAPGH 7/11/2009 3:37PM

Your results after two months would be consdered great. Considering your circumstances, they are amazing. I am glad to hear the next couple of months will only get better and better. I have been a big scale user from day one. Since I am a mega data nerd I gravitate to weighing things in grams. Makes it tough when I travel because I can't guesstimate portion sizes and weights very well. Keep that laser beam focus on your goals, John Report Inappropriate Comment

Golf

Friday, July 10, 2009

Glorious evening on the golf course -- just the right temperature, beautiful blue skies and interesting clouds, not too many bugs, wonderful golf companions, purple liatris and yellow daylilies coming into bloom in the flower beds, the second crop of young robins chirrupping and adolescent crows squawking at their harried parents to be fed; and me with just about enough energy to get through nine holes.

Not playing well, of course -- but well enough to enjoy myself. Until I landed in the sand on the ninth and despite three mighty swipes, was unable to blast my way out. No big deal: I picked up, watched the others putt out and headed for the club house.

A lovely start to the weekend.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

FLOWINGWATER 7/11/2009 10:45AM

Sounds like a wonderful evening out with friends and enjoying nature. What could be better? Report Inappropriate Comment