It's now history

What a lovely dinner we had tonight. Our hospital chef really did his thing for us. The presentation was just gorgeous! And the food was delicious--I had the salmon and I loved every bite from the salad to the dessert. So many thanks for that lovely dinner.

It was very humbling for Bonnie and me to win the second place. Losing the weight and having the trainer was way more than enough reward for our efforts. So many worked so hard and did so very, very well. In my book every single participant was a winner. I loved that Traci talked about the accomplishments of each of the teams--it was really great to note that every single team worked hard and accomplished a lot. Now I think that says a lot about the leaders of this program.

I plan to spend the remainder of my life a lot thinner and more active than I was when this Challenge began. For that, I have to thank the program and everyone who had anything to do with it.

I hope to see everyone at Kathy and Eric's on June 12 at 4:00!

I can't believe it is almost over. What a wonderful adventure this has been. I had a wonderful team mate--Bonnie could not have been a better partner and I am so proud of her. She has cheered, encouraged, cautioned, reminded me all the way. She has improved her endurance and strength so much. I can't imagine doing this sort of thing without such a wonderful partner to keep me going.

And then our trainer, Shan'tel was the best, a real key to the entire success of the program for us. And Traci and Riley always ready to answer questions, encourage, and help any way they could. Mindy's meetings kept us focused and I loved seeing all the participants each week, especially since seeing everyone was hit and miss in the gym.

And my son, Jeff, ran/walked the 5K with me, coaching all along the way--I was really lucky he could do that for me. I told him he was the one who deserved the ribbon. But now only the dinner on Wednesday is left. I am glad we are getting together at the Vorlages in June. They were so great to volunteer to host us.

I wish this program was available to everyone who wanted it. It has made a huge difference in my life. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone Wednesday!!

Sadly, we're at the 100th day.

According to Eric's chart, today was day 100. The Race for Red was this morning, Monday we weigh out, and Wednesday we have the final dinner. After that, I am really looking forward to the pot luck dinner at Eric and Christi's. This has been one of the memorable experiences of my life and I am glad there are a few more days to savor it.

I thought the Race for Red this morning was a great introduction for us into the world of those public races that we see going on all the time through the warmer months. I always thought that was another world from me, but now I think it would be a lot of fun to look forward to participating in some of them.

And I ask you, was anybody surprised that Julieanne had the fastest time? That lady amazes me with her absolutely Olympic type athletic body and upbeat attitude! Our trainers are an impressive group--that is for certain.

Until Monday morning...

Final training session

We had our last training session with Shan'tel tonight. I am really going to miss those learning/training/working sessions with her. But here's hoping that I can remember and build on what I have learned. I think one important thing I have learned is to just take whatever minutes I can find and MOVE. Like someone said, "It's all good."

The weight training has been a new chapter in my life. I have never really understood how to go about it, and never understood the importance. But Shan'tel has been wonderful to help us understand what to do and why. She has exposed us to varied routines that can give a good workout whether we're home or in a gym. So no excuses.

And above all--I plan to stay aware of what goes into my stomach. Writing down everything I eat has been a real eye-opener. It is so easy to eat the wrong thing, too much of a good thing, not count the samples I eat at Costco, or graze on the food I am preparing for the family. Like the exercise--it all counts, my body will record it whether my journal does or not.

Anyway, I am most grateful for this wonderful experience we have all had. I feel so lucky to have been a part of this group. Next stop: Race for Red !!

Stay the course

For some reason today was a real challenge for me. I totally fell off the wagon!! I don't know what got into me! Thank goodness tomorrow is a new day. I am going to go to bed now and hopefully wake up to a new beginning in the morning. I wonder if it was the rain--somehow, I am glad I don't live in the Northwest. I would really have to talk to myself hard to overcome those dreary days like we had today.

I guess this is an "endure to the end" challenge at this point. Unfortunately it is not the end for me. I need to stay the course at least through the summer before I can possibly hit maintenance. So...Good luck everyone.

Final week just hours away!

I am sure glad I got chosen to do this Challenge. It will be like Christmas to get our final numbers. I do hope my blood pressure, percentage fat, and cholesterol are down. But regardless of what those number say, I feel like I have a much better body. I am so glad for the weight I have lost--I hope I never pack those pounds back on.

I finally got to do some yard work today. I really like working in the yard, but somehow I have caught a cold and it really tested my determination to get anything done today. Anyway, I didn't dig up very many dandelions--I just mowed over them. So they will for sure be smiling at me again in a couple of days. Such is life. I have gone many years without catching a cold, but just as spring has finally arrived I have a lulu. I hope it goes away before next Saturday or Bonnie may have to drag me on the 5K.

Good luck to everyone in the final days of our adventure !!

Lot's of Heart Challenge folks at the gym tonight

It felt so good to see everyone there--Kendra, the Winters, the Murrays, Michele and Betty, and Eric. It was a great night and I have never seen so many of us there at once. That's ten of us in all--half our group. Bonnie and I had a good workout with Shan'tel. I just hope I can remember how to continue with all the good exercises after we finish with Shan'tel. I am definitely stronger. And I ran at 5.5 mph for one minute--never thought I'd do that! And I have a very bothersome bad cold besides.

Shan'tel said to get the best body we can have, three more months should do it. So I for sure intend to hang in there until my weight is where it needs to be. When I watched the KBYU program on TV yesterday and saw us exercising I decided then and there that I have a long way yet to go. I am glad the weather is coming into the warm season as it will be easier to get out and exercise.

So good luck everybody as we come into the home stretch. I know we're all doing our best to make our trainers look good and feel like they have helped one small portion of the people's health in Utah County. I hope we all do well enough that the program will continue for more people next year.