Okay, the title isn't really that great but, honestly, it is true.
Ever since I was given the big scare of my incredibly high cholesterol Shannon and I have been doing our best at making many adjustments. From eating healthier, smaller portions, and exercise it has been a year of great change for us - albeit slow change, but, the persistence is paying off!
It has been more trying now that we are in the holiday season, but it hasn't been completely impossible and I think we are still doing fairly well. We need to move back into eating more fruits and veggies, especially those darned leafy green things (ugh)! But we have definitely improved on our portion sizes, which is a HUGE thing and I think has made the biggest change on how our bodies are changing. And we have improved, but still have room for more, in the exercise department.
I did not weigh myself prior to starting off on this new path but I am pretty sure that over this past year I've lost around 25 to 30 pounds. I have really not been watching my weight as I know that I'm gaining muscle where I'm losing fat, so I know the realities of weight loss not being my goal or focus. And, honestly, I'm really focused more on the cholesterol as I don't want to have to start taking medications if I don't have too! But I have definitely lost clothing sizes and can fit into quite a bit of items that haven't fit for a few years. And that has helped me to keep up this new direction, and push myself to get even healthier.
On the exercise front we have been very successful with playing racquetball 2 or 3 times a week, and going on our daily walk at work up a very steep incline. I continue to struggle with be consistent with my yoga but, every time I start it up, after only a few days, I feel so much better - flexibility wise and calmer in my mind - so I know it's worth it, I just suck at a daily rhythm or consistency. But I'll keep pushing.
Sadly, the YMCA near where we work is going to be getting rid of their two racquetball courts, and I truly hate exercising for exercise sake. I would much rather play a sport or two to get or keep in physical condition, but, alas that's not going to get to continue to happen.
There has been an offer of some new friends of ours to teach karate - apparently he is a 2nd level black belt (Or something like that), which I'm very interested in. Otherwise it's going to be Shannon and I pushing ourselves to start doing sit-ups and longer walks, or, god forbid that thing I truly dislike, jogging or running for no reason. HA!
Wish us luck on continuing on our healthy path! Would love to get some swim suit photos this summer and not look at myself and think, "Who the hell is that?" but think, "There's the Kelley I remember!" Tee hee!
And I will update here what my new numbers are from my blood test this Friday... gulp! I just wish there was a way to make things like kale taste good and not make me feel like a cow eating my cud.... sigh.
