3721 Sky Harbor Dr, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 FOR SALE! Call (208) 651-9700
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Today I took my wedding ring off....
I've known for a while this day was coming. The writing was on the wall.
No, my marriage isn't on the rocks. In a few weeks I will celebrate my 37th wedding anniversary to that cute Canadian boy I married at barely 18.
As I was getting ready for work I decided that my pretty diamond ring had become too loose to wear without risking losing it. I have had a couple close calls. I had moved it to my middle finger some time ago. Recently, I would put it on my pointer finger. Today, after it slipped off, I had to face the music.
My fingers have been shrinking. Officially, as of today I am down 68 pounds, but sill have that much more to lose. When I get to my goal I'll have my rings resized. For now, rather than risk losing my diamond ring, I decided to put it away.
That got me to searching through my jewelry box for a substitute ring to wear on that hand. For kicks, I dug out my simple, original wedding band from my days as a child bride. It wasn't all that long ago I tried it on and could barely get it on my pinkie. I wondered how close I was to being able to actually get it on my ring finger. To my stunned delight, it slipped right on!
An exciting and unexpected milestone! Next, I wondered if there was any chance that my high school class ring, even smaller, could possibly fit. I bought it when I was 16, a very long time ago. I was flabbergasted that it slipped right on, too!
◦
No, my marriage isn't on the rocks. In a few weeks I will celebrate my 37th wedding anniversary to that cute Canadian boy I married at barely 18.
As I was getting ready for work I decided that my pretty diamond ring had become too loose to wear without risking losing it. I have had a couple close calls. I had moved it to my middle finger some time ago. Recently, I would put it on my pointer finger. Today, after it slipped off, I had to face the music.
My fingers have been shrinking. Officially, as of today I am down 68 pounds, but sill have that much more to lose. When I get to my goal I'll have my rings resized. For now, rather than risk losing my diamond ring, I decided to put it away.
That got me to searching through my jewelry box for a substitute ring to wear on that hand. For kicks, I dug out my simple, original wedding band from my days as a child bride. It wasn't all that long ago I tried it on and could barely get it on my pinkie. I wondered how close I was to being able to actually get it on my ring finger. To my stunned delight, it slipped right on!
An exciting and unexpected milestone! Next, I wondered if there was any chance that my high school class ring, even smaller, could possibly fit. I bought it when I was 16, a very long time ago. I was flabbergasted that it slipped right on, too!
I admit to crying a few emotional tears at that moment. Those rings had not fit my fingers for DECADES! I will have fun wearing them. Every time I look at my hands it makes me smile! There isn't a single thing about them that is special, except that after a very long time, they FIT! Go Vikings! Class of '74 RULES!
Friday, February 18, 2011
California, here I come!
I'm leaving tomorrow for my annual Keller Williams Realty Family Reunion in Anaheim. Having lost 50+ pounds, and having given to charity about 165 items of clothing, my closet is BARE! It's CRAZY how few clothes I have! But, I don't want to buy winter clothes now since they won't fit next winter after I have lost 75+ more pounds... So I am making do with just a few outfits.
But out of necessity I ventured out today to see if I could find a few things to wear in order to look presentable this coming week in California. I am hard to fit. Very short, very wide. Disproportionately large arms. Fitted sleeves don't fit. Hey, but I have a cute face!
So anyway, at my first stop I took two tops into the dressing room. Not only did they both fit well, I LOVED them both! Usually, I end up settling for something I am less than in love with, simply because it fits me right. I ventured to another store, took a couple more tops into the dressing room, and again I scored two tops that fit AND that I loved! Man, I could get used to this!
Pants were a little more challenging, being that my legs are so short and wide, but I did find one pair that I LOVE and that fits WELL! And in a size I haven't worn for many years! Wooohoooo! I even scored a great pair of shoes for hobbling miles and miles on my arthritic knees through the exhibition hall. They are supportive, comfy, stylish and SMALLER! That's right, my shoes are getting too big and I had to buy shoes either a half or full size smaller!
Tomorrow I will head to California with a few new outfits in smaller sizes and will thoroughly enjoy wearing them. My hair, however, will be out of control. Under orders not to cut or color it until my makeover for The Women's Council of Realtors fashion show on April 7th, my ends are split and my roots are showing. It is lifeless, drab and hanging in my eyes. What's a girl to do? I will follow orders and leave it alone.
And I will imagine people walking past me thinking, "Wow, she could actually be attractive for a fat girl if she would just DO SOMETHING with her hair!"
◦
I am not a shopper. Don't like to shop, never have, never will.
But out of necessity I ventured out today to see if I could find a few things to wear in order to look presentable this coming week in California. I am hard to fit. Very short, very wide. Disproportionately large arms. Fitted sleeves don't fit. Hey, but I have a cute face!
So anyway, at my first stop I took two tops into the dressing room. Not only did they both fit well, I LOVED them both! Usually, I end up settling for something I am less than in love with, simply because it fits me right. I ventured to another store, took a couple more tops into the dressing room, and again I scored two tops that fit AND that I loved! Man, I could get used to this!
Pants were a little more challenging, being that my legs are so short and wide, but I did find one pair that I LOVE and that fits WELL! And in a size I haven't worn for many years! Wooohoooo! I even scored a great pair of shoes for hobbling miles and miles on my arthritic knees through the exhibition hall. They are supportive, comfy, stylish and SMALLER! That's right, my shoes are getting too big and I had to buy shoes either a half or full size smaller!
Tomorrow I will head to California with a few new outfits in smaller sizes and will thoroughly enjoy wearing them. My hair, however, will be out of control. Under orders not to cut or color it until my makeover for The Women's Council of Realtors fashion show on April 7th, my ends are split and my roots are showing. It is lifeless, drab and hanging in my eyes. What's a girl to do? I will follow orders and leave it alone.
And I will imagine people walking past me thinking, "Wow, she could actually be attractive for a fat girl if she would just DO SOMETHING with her hair!"
It's all good! I am a work in progress, and I'm getting better and better every day!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
FIFTY POUNDS and going strong!
A couple weeks ago I finally hit that 50 pound milestone I had been closing in on. The day I anticipated hitting it, Kerri was there at the scale to document the accomplishment. Cate looked nervously on, as the scale announced my... 49.5 pound weight loss!
Right after that weigh-in, I was at Costco for the first time in months. I decided to find a 50 pound bag of rice so I could lift it and actually feel how much weight I have shed. It was mind blowing! I decided to buy that 50 pound bag of rice, and it was a real struggle trying to hoist it into my cart. A nice man lunged to my rescue and saved me from falling into the aisle under that enormous and heavy bag. He helped me get it into the cart, as I happily told him that I had just lost 50 pounds - as much as that bag weighed. He congratulated me and even shook my hand. He seemed truly impressed. I guess it is impressive, isn't it!
◦
As I stared at the scale, I couldn't help but smiling anyway! Couldn't say I had lost 50 pounds when I had only lost 49.5 pounds. I took off my rings and earrings and tried again. 49.5, again. But you know what, 49.5 pounds/50 pounds - close enough! It was an AMAZING FEELING!
I'm not sure on what day I actually hit the 50 pound milestone. And it doesn't really matter, does it. It has been slow going the past few weeks. Must be the dreaded plateau, because in spite of my best efforts, that scale just doesn't move much at all. But it's still going down, just not fast enough for me!
Right after that weigh-in, I was at Costco for the first time in months. I decided to find a 50 pound bag of rice so I could lift it and actually feel how much weight I have shed. It was mind blowing! I decided to buy that 50 pound bag of rice, and it was a real struggle trying to hoist it into my cart. A nice man lunged to my rescue and saved me from falling into the aisle under that enormous and heavy bag. He helped me get it into the cart, as I happily told him that I had just lost 50 pounds - as much as that bag weighed. He congratulated me and even shook my hand. He seemed truly impressed. I guess it is impressive, isn't it!The 50 pounds of rice has been sitting on my kitchen counter since I bought it a couple weeks ago. I'm not really sure what to do with it! Last night I had Derek take my picture with it. I could barely hold it!
You can't really see it in the pictures, but I was about to drop that bag while Derek fooled around with the settings on the camera. I can easily imagine my knees and feet thanking me everyday for not having to carry that 50 pounds around anymore!
Here's to the NEXT 50 pounds! And if you are running low on rice, you know where to find some!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Keep on keepin' on
The past few weeks have been a bit discouraging for me as progress slowed. I transitioned to regular food, and with that experience came the need to plan, shop, cook, prepare, package, count calories, carbs and protein. It takes TIME and DISCIPLINE, things that are not naturally strengths of mine! Although I have joyfully continued to lose, I have put up puny numbers on the scale the past few weekly weign-ins. A one pound loss, and then a 1.5 pound loss. Very discouraging. I do recognize that it is still positive, and happily have never NOT lost at least a little bit, but I'm impatient!
This week I rejoiced with my sister, Kerri, when she reached a particular weight loss milestone she had been aiming for. She is an inspiration to me as we travel this parallel journey to health and fitness. CONGRATULATIONS Kerri! The first milestone of mine that I managed to accomplish was getting off the 35 pounds I had gained over the past year and a half. Once those pounds were gone I was back to where I started and making REAL progress! It was a day of joy and exhilaration when the scale announced my accomplishment! The next milestone, that seems to be so slow in coming, is to get 50 pounds off. I shoulda, coulda, woulda hit it a few weeks ago if I had continued on the path I was on, dropping an average of 3.5 pounds a week. My last three weigh-ins had me down 42 pounds. Then 43 pounds. Then 44.5. COME ON!
 |
| Back in the saddle again! |
In my determination to hit that 50 pound milestone sooner, rather than later, I am going back to the strict Optifit food for a while. The fact is that I actually grew to LIKE it, and I really MISS the convenience. I don't want to have to think so much about what I am going to eat! Slipping those packets into my neon lunch bag every day, hitting the road and not giving food another thought, is the best meal plan for success, for me. When I'm hungry, pull something out and eat it. When my bag's empty, I'm done for the day. Idiot proof! So today, I am back in the Optifit food saddle. Giddy up!
 |
| With Peggy and Heidi at the Keller Williams Open House |
Last week my Keller Williams Realty office held a big celebration. Our annual Vision Breakfast celebrating accomplishments of 2011 and goals for the coming year, and later that day, the Grand Opening of our new office. There were several agents attending from Spokane, who I met last Summer during our 8 week BOLD coaching sessions. They wouldn't have known that I have been dieting. Several of them approached me to tell me how good I looked! It was very gratifying because honestly, when I look in the mirror I don't see much difference. But I will keep on keepin' on until I achieve my goals, because there is just no reason not to!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
A modeling makeover, and another AMAZING stroke of good fortune!
It all started last June. I participated in a 8 week coaching program that pushed us to think boldly and create positive energy. Among other things. From there, I boldly decided to audition for the Biggest Loser. My sister, Kerri, and I made it to the final cut before being rejected by the network execs in the last step. We like to think it's because we are too well adjusted to provide prime time drama! Kerri mentioned our experience in her weekly Main Street newspaper column.
The staff at Surgical Bariatrics Northwest read her column and very generously gave us an amazing consolation prize - twelve weeks all expenses paid in their medically supervised Optifit non-surgical weight loss program. It was an amazing three months of hard work and self-discovery. I succeeded in losing 42 pounds!
I still have A LOT to lose, but I am well on my way thanks to the wonderful head start I believe I attracted to myself by boldly taking positive action and working hard to maintain a positive mindset.
After about two months on the program, Marie, the Operating Principal at my real estate office, asked me if I would agree to be a model in the Women's Council of Realtors spring fashion show in April. She thought that since I am working on physically transforming, it might be a good venue for me to show off my progress. I laughed out loud. Seriously? I am short and fat. I have a touch or arthritis in my knees and a bunion on my foot - I wobble when I walk! Not exactly the profile of a fashion model! But then I thought, boldly and positively, that it would be good motivation to stay the course with my fitness goals, so I agreed.
A few weeks later, I came to find out that it is so much more than a fashion show. I had no idea! The dozen or so models spend three months working with a certified fashion consultant. Think of What Not To Wear, Clinton and Stacy! We will have a facial & make-up makeover, a hair makeover, a session with Linda in our closets going through our clothes. Learn colors, styles, accessories, all correct for our different body types. She will shop with us for our show outfits and even make sure we are fitted correctly for new bras! Geeze Louise!
I feel like I did when Kerri and I were gifted with the Optifit program - like I have won a certain kind of lottery! I found out at today's "class" that I need to wear my tops higher to make my short legs look longer. I actually started to hyperventilate when she hiked up my top to demonstrate to the others. I have spent decades under the delusion that longer tops helped camouflage my out-of-proportion, pear-shaped bottom half. It's going to take some mental readjustment. The class unanimously agreed with her that I looked taller and thinner with a shorter top, or I wouldn't believe it. I also learned that I'm not 5'4", I'm 5'2.5". And that I can't touch my hair - cut or color - between now and my makeover, 2+ months from now! Which means a couple months of bad hair days, with gray sideburns and a skunk stripe down the top of my head. Uh oh.
I might not have snagged a spot on The Biggest Loser, but I certainly feel like a winner! I'm a little nervous, but mostly excited, and very grateful for the amazing opportunity to be worked over by a pro.
P.S. Just this past week, Patricia in my office took me aside and said she noticed that I am walking so much better. Not so wobbly. Forty-two pounds off of my arthritic knees and gimpy foot have made a huge difference! I should be able to get another 40 pounds off by April and sashay down that runway with a spring in my step! ◦
The staff at Surgical Bariatrics Northwest read her column and very generously gave us an amazing consolation prize - twelve weeks all expenses paid in their medically supervised Optifit non-surgical weight loss program. It was an amazing three months of hard work and self-discovery. I succeeded in losing 42 pounds!
I still have A LOT to lose, but I am well on my way thanks to the wonderful head start I believe I attracted to myself by boldly taking positive action and working hard to maintain a positive mindset.
After about two months on the program, Marie, the Operating Principal at my real estate office, asked me if I would agree to be a model in the Women's Council of Realtors spring fashion show in April. She thought that since I am working on physically transforming, it might be a good venue for me to show off my progress. I laughed out loud. Seriously? I am short and fat. I have a touch or arthritis in my knees and a bunion on my foot - I wobble when I walk! Not exactly the profile of a fashion model! But then I thought, boldly and positively, that it would be good motivation to stay the course with my fitness goals, so I agreed.
A few weeks later, I came to find out that it is so much more than a fashion show. I had no idea! The dozen or so models spend three months working with a certified fashion consultant. Think of What Not To Wear, Clinton and Stacy! We will have a facial & make-up makeover, a hair makeover, a session with Linda in our closets going through our clothes. Learn colors, styles, accessories, all correct for our different body types. She will shop with us for our show outfits and even make sure we are fitted correctly for new bras! Geeze Louise!
I feel like I did when Kerri and I were gifted with the Optifit program - like I have won a certain kind of lottery! I found out at today's "class" that I need to wear my tops higher to make my short legs look longer. I actually started to hyperventilate when she hiked up my top to demonstrate to the others. I have spent decades under the delusion that longer tops helped camouflage my out-of-proportion, pear-shaped bottom half. It's going to take some mental readjustment. The class unanimously agreed with her that I looked taller and thinner with a shorter top, or I wouldn't believe it. I also learned that I'm not 5'4", I'm 5'2.5". And that I can't touch my hair - cut or color - between now and my makeover, 2+ months from now! Which means a couple months of bad hair days, with gray sideburns and a skunk stripe down the top of my head. Uh oh.
I might not have snagged a spot on The Biggest Loser, but I certainly feel like a winner! I'm a little nervous, but mostly excited, and very grateful for the amazing opportunity to be worked over by a pro.
P.S. Just this past week, Patricia in my office took me aside and said she noticed that I am walking so much better. Not so wobbly. Forty-two pounds off of my arthritic knees and gimpy foot have made a huge difference! I should be able to get another 40 pounds off by April and sashay down that runway with a spring in my step! ◦
Thursday, January 6, 2011
My NEW GOAL - 100 pounds by April 7th!
Based on my average rate of weight loss these past 12 weeks of 3.33 pounds per week, which included four holidays - Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years - I am going to commit to giving it everything I've got to lose 60 pounds by April 7th. I will need to stay on track and get moving more, LOTS MORE, but I believe it's possible. It will take a 4.61 pound average weekly loss. Possible, but it will be a real challenge. Success will mean that...
I have been recruited to be in the Women's Council of Realtors spring make-over fashion show! Never, ever, in a million years would I ever have imagined myself agreeing to parade on a runway, as a model. A short, plump, wobbly model. But I agreed to the invitation because I believe it will be good motivation to keep me on course - knowing that I will be on a runway as a model with all eyes on me, on April 7th!
Having lost 40 pounds in the past festive-food-filled 12 week period, I confess to still not exercising like I should. Exercise has always been my nemesis. I lost 40 pounds in spite of NOT MOVING! I did do weight resistance training twice a week in the Optifit fitness center with their awesome staff, for about 8 of those 12 weeks. I did no aerobics. My sore knees and feet make even walking around the block difficult.
So I figure, if I go all out, GET MOVING, focus, and give it all I've got, I just might surprise us all and pull it off.
...I will hit the 100 pound milestone on the day I take to the runway as a fashion model!
I have been recruited to be in the Women's Council of Realtors spring make-over fashion show! Never, ever, in a million years would I ever have imagined myself agreeing to parade on a runway, as a model. A short, plump, wobbly model. But I agreed to the invitation because I believe it will be good motivation to keep me on course - knowing that I will be on a runway as a model with all eyes on me, on April 7th!
Having lost 40 pounds in the past festive-food-filled 12 week period, I confess to still not exercising like I should. Exercise has always been my nemesis. I lost 40 pounds in spite of NOT MOVING! I did do weight resistance training twice a week in the Optifit fitness center with their awesome staff, for about 8 of those 12 weeks. I did no aerobics. My sore knees and feet make even walking around the block difficult.
So I figure, if I go all out, GET MOVING, focus, and give it all I've got, I just might surprise us all and pull it off.
"The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high
and falling short, but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark." Unknown
◦
and falling short, but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark." Unknown
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)