Plantar-Fasciitis??

OK, so I've been having heel pain since the Jingle Bell run back in November. Literally STOPPED exercising in Feb and March cuz it hurt too darn much.

Running guru Amanda listened to me whine then found me this site: www.plantar-fasciitis.org.

Sounds pretty much like what I've got going on. When I stop and stretch out my calves while walking and really get warmed up, it doesn't hurt quite so much. Thinking maybe I should take the ibuprofen before I walk so maybe by the end of the walk it will have kicked in! :)

So, I'm trying to walk at least 2x per week with a group from work - we're up about to 2.5 to 3 miles in our lunch break on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is a far cry from where I was hoping to be before the marathon in October, BUT I can still make it there if I can just figure out a long-term solution for this heel pain.

Before & After as of 3-4-09

Ok, here we go . . . I am officially down 32 lbs. as of last night's weigh in. Woohoo!! In honor of that accomplishment, I have posted the original "before" picture taken before my surgery and a picture I took today with my camera phone. I went to put on my favorite shirt this morning and it just hung on me - so I went into the closest and pulled out a shirt just like it in a different color that I had picked up on clearance last fall. Even when I bought it, I was still reluctant thinking I could actually get into it one day. It's been a long time. I have gone from a 3X to a 1X!!! I just can't get over it.

I also started exercising yesterday. I even made it up the YMCA stairs without getting winded. It's just awesome. Now my goal this week is to make it back there again. I figure it's a good start and will be easier now that I'm down some weight. I did go rollerskating last weekend with the kiddos. So that counts too:)

February weigh-in

Ok ladies, I am officially down 30 lbs.! I don't know that I've ever lost 30 lbs at one time in my life. God is sooooo good!! The doctor went ahead and put another 1/2 cc. of saline in my band. He also advised me to watch eating the chicken because it is a stringy meat that can get balled up in the esophagus. Here I thought I was being good eating the white meat and it's what was giving me problems, not the wrap (like I had thought). He said I'm right on schedule in losing about a pound per week, which how he likes to see it come off. So just think, if I lose at least 30 lbs. each year for the next 3 years - there's my 90 lbs. I can deal with that!

So how are you guys doing? Got anything to update?

My "Aha!" Moment

I had an "Aha!" moment today. I've been putting off buying any new clothes since my lap-band surgery back in September. I broke down today and went to Wal-Mart to get a cheap pair of dress pants. I picked two pair out and actually went to the dressing room to try them on. (I hate trying clothes on at the store, but knew I would have to in order to avoid a return.) To my amazement I have gone from a (tight) size 24 to an amazing size 18!!!! Wooohoooo!!! God is so good!:)

Sorry, I don't have any current pictures to post with it, but I'll try to get some soon. I don't go for another weigh-in until February 23rd. My surgeon was gone all last month doing ministry work over in Africa -- let me tell you, he is a great guy. And no, they don't do the lap-band over there for them . . . I asked;) Dr. Myers knew he would be treating many people and so far he was aware of one child he needed to remove a growth off of the side of his neck. I'm anxious to see what all he did over there.

Anyways, I think I'm down about a total of 28 lbs. Starting next Tuesday (if I'm not still working two jobs), I'm planning on incorporating the treadmill again. After the encouragement of a friend, I have also joined a group of great gals and men in a "Weight Loss Challenge." My dear hubby is even doing it with me! We meet in the basement of our church and we all paid $29 to sign up and we weigh-in once a week and then attend a 30 minute class. You can be doing any weight loss method (I made sure because I was afraid they'd consider me a cheater). Then at the end of the 12 weeks they give 50% of the kitty (our sign up fee) to the person who's lost the most and then 30% to the 2nd place and 20% to the 3rd place winner. They are also taking a kitty for each pound you gain each week ($1 per pound) and if you miss a weigh in you have a fee to pay (encourages you to come). The person who has lost the most inches wins that at the end of our competition.

Sound like fun? Maybe you could start one up at your church, work or Mom's group. A little friendly competition has been just what I needed to get my motivation back! If you do, post it and let us know how it goes!