women

Motivated and Determined

/ From My Hart / 9 Comments

motivation

About two weeks ago I decided to tell the world (okay, technically just those who read my blog) that I weigh an astounding 265 pounds. Hell, I was just as shocked as y’all to not only see it on my scale but to actually admit it on the internet. Most women don’t tell their real age let alone their weight. Yet, I did. I wanted to not only hold myself accountable but to document the process of losing it pound by pound.

Since that blog entry, I have been walking on the treadmill every other day for 45 minutes at an incline (definitely feeling bootylicious these days!), using free weights for my arms/back and finishing with a round of abdominal exercises. I’m not going to lie. Some days are much harder than others, especially with how busy I have been at work. Hell, I even took my tail to the gym yesterday when the temperature was only 16 degrees outside.  I believe I earned a gold star for that one. In addition, I have been drinking nothing but water which is no easy task when you’re used to drinking Diet Coke several times a day. Don’t judge me. I would drink Diet Coke the way most people drink coffee. It was my source of caffeine.

To my surprise, I have kept up the routine and have friends who continuously hold me accountable. Last weekend I really, really, really wanted some bacon, but my dear friend Brandee reminded me it was no longer on my “approved to eat list” unless it was turkey bacon (yuck!). Tonight, I even joined my co-workers for a one-hour long line dancing class. That was a fun way to burn some calories! My boss even joined us! Good times!

So I guess this is the part where I give you my weigh-in results. As of today, I weigh 255 pounds! A whole ten pounds down in two weeks! I don’t’ know about you, but I am freaking excited!

The hard part will be to keep up this momentum and continue to lose more pounds and inches. I have set goals for myself, and, once I reach each of them, I will be rewarded. For example, I want to go skydiving before the end of 2015. In order to do that, I have to be no more than 200 pounds. I believe I can do it, and I will get there.

The struggle is real at times. I am not even going to lie. I know there will be times I will need to stay in the gym an extra 30 minutes because of the piece of birthday cake I may have consumed at someone’s party. I know there will be times when I want just one more martini but will remember my goal weight and have water instead.

My next goal is to reach 230 pounds. When I do, I will let you all know. I am determined and motivated.

 Until next time…….these have been just a few thoughts “From My Hart.”

Alzheimer’s Sucks

/ From My Hart / 2 Comments

Grandmama and me

Alzheimer’s sucks. Yep, it does. It is a horrible, horrible disease I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. I am pretty sure I have said that at least 1,000 times in the last couple of months but even more so after spending the last several days visiting my beloved Grandmama in my hometown of Indianapolis who currently suffers from the debilitating disease.

So, who is Grandmama? 

Grandmama is my maternal grandmother. She is the heart and soul of our family and is by far one of the strongest women I have ever known. From the moment I was born, she has been my biggest cheerleader….even when I knew I had done wrong. When I have needed anything, whether a ride to physical therapy after knee surgeries or a home cooked meal, she has always been there for me.

It’s Grandmama’s fault I started watching Young and the Restless! We used to discuss those crazy characters every weekend when I was a student at Alabama A&M. (Don’t judge me. Yes, I scheduled my classes around the long-running soap opera). 

Grandmama taught me how to play cards. She taught me how (and why) to cut coupons before going to the grocery store. She taught me the importance of making lists every morning before starting the day. She taught me how important it was to exercise the brain by doing word searches and completing (or attempting to at least) crossword puzzles.

Now, this same woman’s memory is fading and fading fast. 

The last several days has been tough to watch her, but I know seeing my face brought her so much joy. Even when I want to cry as reality slaps me (and the rest of my family) in the face, I find comfort in knowing her memory is not completely gone. She still remembers some people and periods of time.

It’s not easy seeing someone you love and have always admired become the latest Alzheimer’s statistic. 

DID YOU KNOW?

  • More than 5 million Americans are living with the disease.
  • Every 67 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s.
  • Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women.
  • In her 60s, a woman’s estimated lifetime risk for developing Alzheimer’s is 1 in 6. For breast cancer it is 1 in 11.

For more information, visit the Alzheimer’s Association at http://www.alz.org/.