I have loved this video clip since the moment I first saw/heard it. Since music is a huge part of what brings me joy in life, I thought I'd put it out there to share with those of you who haven't yet had the pleasure... Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v3d6SFcDys
Saturday, June 20, 2009
For My Aunt Shelley
Last weekend I watched as some of my family members did a 5K for Breast Cancer. Since I hadn't know about it in time, I wasn't able to participate. So... this morning I got up and thought I should do one on my own, in honor of my Aunt Shelley. I forgot to clarify how long a 5K is, in terms of miles, before getting on my treadmill, so I figured if I did 3.5 miles, that ought to more than cover it. (I now know that it's actually 3.125 miles, so I exceeded what I had set out to do.)
I have struggled a bit with committing myself to a regular exercise plan since having my surgery. I always want, and intend, to do more than I actually end up doing. Ever since I was much younger, I've never really found that "love" for being active, but I am slowly coming around, and have had many reasons to be inspired lately. All of my previous efforts at walking on my treadmill usually end after 2 miles and about 35+ minutes. Between my lower back, knees and hips hurting after much more, I generally just call it quits at that point. I decided to try using the sports compression shirt and capri pants that I got just before Orlando (but had not used yet). I got these because of all the extra skin I have that kind of gets in the way, making exercise a bit more of an ordeal than your average person. I had also gotten some new running shoes recently, that needed to be broken in. It was amazing to me how much more endurance I had this time around by having some better "gear" to keep me going. All-in-all, I completed 3.5 miles in 56 minutes at a 1% incline and 3.8 miles an hour. This isn't exactly "terrific" by anyone else's standards, but for me, it was a huge victory. In the end, that is what counts, because I'm really only competing against myself.
Eleven months ago at 353.6 pounds, there is not a chance in this world that I could have ever accomplished this, and I really am proud of myself. Although my hips are pretty sore right now, I feel energized, and want to do this again and again, and I know in time, it will eventually get easier. I may not always have a full hour to dedicate every day, but I'm pretty sure it's worth the adjustment in my schedule to feel healthy like this as often as I can. I know that if I can keep this up, there is no stopping me from achieving my ultimate weight loss goals. If all goes well, and I continue to drop my last 40 pounds or so, I'm hoping to have a bit of plastic surgery this Fall to get rid of the "bat wings" underneath my arms. That alone will make a huge difference in the way my clothes fit, and will also get me one step closer to looking on the outside like the way I'm beginning to feel on the inside... What a great journey this has been!!!
This is my most recent picture at 140 lbs. lost...
A Little Bit of Inspiration:
If ever you feel like giving up when life or challenges seem insurmountable, check this out for a bit of perspective... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QbgOGnbxDo
I have struggled a bit with committing myself to a regular exercise plan since having my surgery. I always want, and intend, to do more than I actually end up doing. Ever since I was much younger, I've never really found that "love" for being active, but I am slowly coming around, and have had many reasons to be inspired lately. All of my previous efforts at walking on my treadmill usually end after 2 miles and about 35+ minutes. Between my lower back, knees and hips hurting after much more, I generally just call it quits at that point. I decided to try using the sports compression shirt and capri pants that I got just before Orlando (but had not used yet). I got these because of all the extra skin I have that kind of gets in the way, making exercise a bit more of an ordeal than your average person. I had also gotten some new running shoes recently, that needed to be broken in. It was amazing to me how much more endurance I had this time around by having some better "gear" to keep me going. All-in-all, I completed 3.5 miles in 56 minutes at a 1% incline and 3.8 miles an hour. This isn't exactly "terrific" by anyone else's standards, but for me, it was a huge victory. In the end, that is what counts, because I'm really only competing against myself.
Eleven months ago at 353.6 pounds, there is not a chance in this world that I could have ever accomplished this, and I really am proud of myself. Although my hips are pretty sore right now, I feel energized, and want to do this again and again, and I know in time, it will eventually get easier. I may not always have a full hour to dedicate every day, but I'm pretty sure it's worth the adjustment in my schedule to feel healthy like this as often as I can. I know that if I can keep this up, there is no stopping me from achieving my ultimate weight loss goals. If all goes well, and I continue to drop my last 40 pounds or so, I'm hoping to have a bit of plastic surgery this Fall to get rid of the "bat wings" underneath my arms. That alone will make a huge difference in the way my clothes fit, and will also get me one step closer to looking on the outside like the way I'm beginning to feel on the inside... What a great journey this has been!!!
This is my most recent picture at 140 lbs. lost...
A Little Bit of Inspiration:
If ever you feel like giving up when life or challenges seem insurmountable, check this out for a bit of perspective... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QbgOGnbxDo
A Great Weekend With the Family... (June 12th - 14th)
Last weekend was amazing! My Mom flew in, and other members of my extended family (Uncle Lorin) drove to Utah from Oregon - all in anticipation of my cousin Scott's return from Omaha, Nebraska, after serving a two-year mission for our church. I took a few days off of work to spend time with the family and participate in the festivities. Scott has such a great sense of humor, and adds so much fun to all of our family events. We've really missed having him around, but would not have wanted him to be anywhere else than where he was, serving the Lord.
Friday (June 12th) we congregated at the airport for his arrival. Unfortunately for me, Scott's plane arrived 15 minutes early, and I was running late - my stomach decided to "act up" just as we were getting ready to leave, as it does every now and then since having my RNY surgery. (Thankfully, the more time that passes, the fewer and further in between that this happens.) What a bummer with the timing, though, because we missed him coming down the escalator to greet everyone, along with all of those incredible emotions that come along with such an event. I had stayed up really late the night before, making some fun posters to greet him with at the airport. So... we re-enacted the big event and took some pictures anyway - they turned out pretty funny! (Notice Scott behind my Uncle Lorin!) I just love my family :)
Friday (June 12th) we congregated at the airport for his arrival. Unfortunately for me, Scott's plane arrived 15 minutes early, and I was running late - my stomach decided to "act up" just as we were getting ready to leave, as it does every now and then since having my RNY surgery. (Thankfully, the more time that passes, the fewer and further in between that this happens.) What a bummer with the timing, though, because we missed him coming down the escalator to greet everyone, along with all of those incredible emotions that come along with such an event. I had stayed up really late the night before, making some fun posters to greet him with at the airport. So... we re-enacted the big event and took some pictures anyway - they turned out pretty funny! (Notice Scott behind my Uncle Lorin!) I just love my family :) 
The next event on Saturday was a 5K run for Breast Cancer. I didn't know about it soon enough to register, so I decided to go along and cheer everyone else on, along with my Aunt Shelley. What she didn't know is that my Uncle Matt had t-shirts made for everyone on the "Miller Team" in honor of her 3-time victory over this devastating disease. She actually just finished her last radiation treatment (for the 3rd time) the week before Scott came home. Being there brought back such amazing memories of my brothers' Half Ironman, and I wanted to be there to support this cause. Next time, I will be the one participating as well...
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