It has been entirely too long since I last blogged. Getting to a computer and having time to type out my thoughts here has been tough but I am back and ready to update. Summer was busy and fun. I spent lots of time in my pool and working out. The Missouri River flooded so badly this year that our parks were under water until just a few short weeks ago. I am still anxiously awaiting the re-opening of my park so I can walk and enjoy nature there. It has been hard to find alternatives in the meantime. Until it became too hot to be outside walking, I would drive out to Kansas and meet my friend Terisa and we would walk at the track at Turner High School but the driving back and forth also got to be tiresome in the 100 degree heat. So many days I would workout in the pool.
Some very significant life changing events also happened this summer. In early August, my life was shaken when my cat Oscar died. He had been so tough and such a loving family member. I miss him all the time and so do my other cats Smoky and Feisty. The very day I was to pick Oscar up from the funeral home and bring him home my cousin Joanne Rodriguez was in the ICU unit and died suddenly the very next day. I don't think I have ever been so shocked or grief-stricken in all my life. My cousin Joanne and I were close and her presence in my life is missed everyday. Death would be a recurrent theme in my late summer and early fall of this year. In September, the grandmother of my dear cousins Gwen, Taryn and Colleen passed away and a day later my cousin Carl Savoca would also pass away. Because their deaths were in the same week, so were their services and the family functions associated with them. It is sad because being part of an ethnically rich family on both sides, sometimes funerals are the only time you see cousins. Also it means lots of time spent eating and visiting. On a happy note, my cousin Nicole Rodriguez got married. Her wedding was amazing and as with any family function, food, drink etc. were all part of the package. With regard to my weight loss journey it created bumps along the way that have been tough to overcome. Life and so it seems death happen and moving forward from grief is definitely one of the toughest plateau/setbacks I have encountered on the journey thus far. But now I am back and ready to go.
 |
| Me and my cousin Joanne Rodriguez |
 |
| my sweet kitty Oscar |
 |
| me and my cousin Carl Savoca |
 |
| My cousin's grandmother Marie Puccio Sirna |
 |
| Me and my cousin Nicole Rodriguez and our cousin Mario (Suge) |
In August I did participate in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure with my friend Terisa and others from work. I felt so different this year from last when I had participated in the race for the first time. It was exciting to be with someone who had not been in the race before and seeing my pic from this year compared to last year made me feel pretty good. See for yourself.
 |
| Me with the Pink N Perky team on last year's Race |
 |
| and me this year :) |
I also participated in the Riverside Riverfest 2011 5k Levee Run in September. That one benefits the Northland Animal Welfare Society (NAWS). Here is a pic of me from that one. I ran through most of that one and I completed the 5k after a 10 hour workday in the early am on a Saturday in 48.10. Pretty good. I am getting better. It was during this run/walk that I came to realize a few things. The run took us past the casino and it goes without saying how much I love that place and the people there and how it represents some of the biggest achievements of my life. Then on the levee you run under the Fairfax Bridge that crosses over into Kansas City, Kansas. While under the bridge I could hear the sound of the cars passing overhead and it immediately brought tears to my eyes. Many of you dont know that when I was 15 years old, I ran away from home with my boyfriend to the San Diego, California area. While there we slept under a bridge of Interstate 5. I heard that sound for many nights. Until this run, I had not heard that sound. It was a big reminder of where I have been and where I am and now as my body could jog and run and walk fast through this race, it was a reminder and a sign of where I am going. I am moving forward with my life in every positive way I can and I know that the first time I felt like I had control over anything was when I decided I did not want to die and I was going to lose this weight and have a life. An amazing morning run with friends from work and revelations from the roadside that had so much to show me.
 |
Me at the Levee Run 5k for NAWS
|
I have been on a roller coaster to say the least for the summer and early fall. I continue to workout but my weight loss has stalled yet again. I am currently on vacation from work and have been participating in a strength and resistance training specialty class being offered from Jazzercise called Pure Muscle which is awesome. I really love it. Tomorrow I return to my Deep Water Aerobics class that just kicks my behind and I am in bed for the rest of the day after that. Today, I will go walking, its a little cool but sunny and nice. Its a forever thing and I know the rest of this weight will come off, my dedication has not waivered.
I am finding inspiration in Jennifer Rumple and Courtney Rainville from the current season of the Biggest Loser. Jennifer is my age, she started out in the 300's and has a stress fracture in her right knee which has prevented her from any weight bearing exercise on that leg but she has not faultered, she has not quit, the injury has not held her back. She has been working out in the pool on the Ranch and is pulling big numbers. If she can keep going through a setback injury of that magnatude, I can keep going too. Courtney Rainville was recently voted off the show and her self esteem seemed to be the biggest obstacle for her in the competition but she went home and her after pic they showed of her is amazing. Plus she gave a two week stay at the Malibu Ridge Fitness Ranch to her sister because she wants her to start on her own journey to health and happiness too. They all so ROCK!!
 |
Jennifer Rumple- Biggest Loser Contestant Season 12
Courtney Rainville- Biggest Loser Contestant Season 12 |
I have also become a fan of two shows on the Live Well Network. I am in love with Live Big with Ali Vincent. For those of you who don't know, Ali was the first female winner of the Biggest Loser and she is out there helping others to "live big"! It made me think when she asks, "what are you doing to Live Big, I want to know!" Then it brought me to the second show I have been watching called Motion, an outdoor hiking/trekking show that takes place in the National Parks of the United States. They ask on their website for people to submit why they would want to be a guest hiker on the show. Well, I have decided that to Live Big, I can hike in the mountains and see beautiful scenery and make physical and mental accomplishments. I am going to submit myself to be a guest hiker on that show! Wish me luck!
 |
| Ali Vincent Before and After |
All the feedback I get from friends and co-workers keeps me going, and frankly I am very competitive so when I know others are getting on the bandwagon to live healthy happy lives through weight loss it gets me going even harder. I guess my message here for my first blog in FOREVER is remember that there are always stumbling blocks and road hazards but if you keep your mind locked in on the prize and pick yourself up each time you fall and keep going you will not fail. I hope that it wont be so long until I blog again.
I am going to be participating in the Bill Cross 5k this Sunday, October 23, at Zona Rosa and I will be in the Elmwood Cemetery Graveyard 5k Run on the following Saturday and attending my lovely cousin Kristin's wedding also next Saturday! I can't wait!! So I should have lots to blog about. Take care all!
