The road to a better me – end of week 2

I am embarrassed to report that I have failed miserably this week on The road to a better me.

Without my divulging too much information, let’s just say this past week has been an emotionally trying one.

Unfortunately I do not handle stress gracefully. In fact, I tend to just shut down physically when faced with adversity. I don’t eat, I don’t sleep, and as a result I usually end up getting sick - which is exactly what has happened.

Although I have played with the boys for hours outside and taken them on walks, I have not exercised regularly this week due to physical and emotional exhaustion and even more than that a lack of sheer will power.

My eating habits have been just as bad, that is if you can call not eating an eating habit. I have however pretty much stuck with the no Pepsi thing. I say “pretty much” because I am still having a small glass every day. The stress of my situation combined with the stress of eliminating Pepsi out of my daily routine may just be more than I can handle at this time – I told you I was addicted…it’s ridiculous.

Last week my blogger friend Baloney made a comment that if I want my progress to stick, it’s a lifestyle change and not just a numbers change. I couldn’t agree more; in fact, I believe that had I started this journey earlier, I might not have failed so miserably this week.

As I am reading over what I have written thus far, I realize that I am full of excuses and really there is no excuse for how I have treated my body this week. So to all of you who are following along as I travel this road to a healthier lifestyle I apologize for my shortcomings this week but I apologize even more to myself for not handling the curve balls life occasionally throws with more determination and gusto.

So, how did the rest of you do this week? Are you staying on top of things or has this second week gone by the wayside for you too?

**Although I am still posting the chart this week, please know that the numbers you see do not reflect a healthy way of dieting.**

	Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4
Weight – lbs. lost	1.1 lbs	7.1 lbs
Biceps - in. lost	0	0
Waist – in. lost	0	1 in.
Hips/Butt – in. lost	0	1/2 in.
Quads/Thighs – in. lost	.25 in.	0
Calves – in. lost	0	.25 in.
Time spent exercising	M - (Wii) 20 min, aerobic, 12 min yoga T – walked 1.6 miles W – weight lifting	T – walked and pushed double stroller around park Everyday I have been stretching and doing a little weight training

The road to a better me – end of week 1

Ahhhhh, the end of week one on the journey to bettering myself. I wish I could say I have seen vast improvements in my weight  and in my energy…but no such luck. It was a short week though, so I am not discouraged… yet.

Overall, I was pretty proud of myself this week. I’ve been getting up earlier, working out, watching the amount of sweets I intake (despite how good that banana pudding looked). But I have to be honest…I caved on the no-Pepsi thing.

I started getting a terrible headache on Monday evening (from withdrawals I’m sure) so I fixed a small glass; and because I didn’t want to onset anymore headaches, I had a small glass on Tuesday, and an even smaller glass yesterday. Today, I have not had any and I don’t foresee having any either since my two liter is now gone.

I know I shouldn’t have drank it but in comparison to usually downing an entire 2 liter in one day, I’d say I’m doing pretty well.

Amazingly enough I actually lost one whole pound since Monday and dropped a quarter of an inch off of my thighs. I realize it’s not much; but again, with my only starting this thing on Monday, I’d say that’s pretty encouraging.

So how are those of you that are joining me doing? Did you have any amazing moments this week or did you cave like me? : )

	Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4
Weight – lbs. lost	1.1 lbs
Biceps - in. lost	0
Waist – in. lost	0
Hips/Butt – in. lost	0
Quads/Thighs – in. lost	.25
Calves – in. lost	0
Time spent exercising	M - (Wii) 20 min, aerobic, 12 min yoga T – walked 1.6 miles W – weight lifting

Walking for a cause

For the past few years I have taken part in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life in memory of my grandmother who lost her battle with breast cancer in 1982.

Monies raised from Relay for Life are used in funding cancer research projects, educational/awareness programs, advocacy within our local, state and federal law systems, and support services for those patients and families dealing with this life threatening disease.

This year I have been dubbed team captain for our church’s Relay for Life team. Therefore, my job is no longer just raising money for me to walk, but I am now to come up with and organize fundraisers for our entire team.

I am reaching out to you, blogging world, for any suggestions or ideas that you might have. Again, this cause is very near and dear to my heart and raising funds to help those battling with this terrible disease is one of my top priorities. Any input you might have would be greatly appreciated.

And so it begins…

…the journey down the “Road to a better me".

If you are clueless as to what I am talking about, check out this previous post. But in a nutshell, I have decided to rid myself of some major blogger butt by getting more active and cutting out some non-necessities.

I woke up this morning at 5:15 and was still too late in getting up to fix the hubby some coffee. Needless to say, I may have to rethink that little resolution…I am not a morning person.

Regardless, I went ahead as scheduled and decided to do a light and fun workout today and got out the Wii Fit. I did 20 minutes of aerobic exercise and 12 minutes of yoga. I would have done more but Jack had a dentist appointment today at a place a little over an hour away.

My biggest struggle in day one has to be the absence of my beloved Pepsi. I am feeling the lack of caffeine and the already opened 2 liter sitting on my kitchen counter is constantly screaming at me to give in…but I haven’t…not yet anyway.

Jack has also not helped matters by begging and pleading for the Krispy Kreme doughnuts we passed along the way this morning. I almost caved (man, do I love me some Krispy Kreme!) but again, I held steadfast - breaking a little boys heart in the process (note to self: don’t ever pass another Kripsy Kreme again – EVER!!).

So for those of you who have decided to join me on this journey, how have you done today? If you haven’t started yet, get to it!! There are still hours left in this first day and you really don’t want to be behind already do you? (This is me encouraging you, by the way : )

The road to a better me

I am suffering from a mild case of blogger butt and post holiday thighs. I am declaring that starting on Monday I am going to work at losing some much needed weight in pursuit of a thinner and healthier me.

Why am I telling you all this? 1. So that you all can be my cheerleaders – I am a firm believer in positive reinforcement and 2. because I need you all to hold me accountable – I lack the drive and determination to do this on my own.

The plan of action includes starting out by waking up at o’dark thirty, fixing the hubby some coffee (which I’m sure will take him by surprise since I usually sleep for a couple more hours after he has left for work) and then working-out at least three times a week for at least 30 minutes at a time (eventually, I hope to increase this); but for now this is a big step for me since I am basically as inactive and lazy as they come.

I also plan on omitting my beloved Pepsi and drinking more water (which I disgust). This is HUGE for me since Pepsi is my only caffeine fix – I don’t drink coffee or tea but Pepsi has truly become an addiction of sorts.

Speaking of omitting things, I also plan to cut back on my intake of sweets. Notice I said cut back, not cut out…life is short and you only live once and just the thought of cutting out sweets entirely is depressing and a sure-fire way for me to face failure early on during this road to bettering myself.

I am also not going to put out there, for all the world to see, how much weight I am actually wanting to lose: 1. because then you all would truly know how overweight I really am and 2. because numbers are never a good thing – again, I would just be setting myself up for failure.

The ultimate goal here is to lose weight and inches, regain some lost energy, and ultimately feel better about myself – hopefully making me not only a better woman, but a better wife and mother as well.

Time permitting, I plan to update my progress every Thursday by keeping a weekly log of weight lost, inches lost and time spent exercising; along with personal notes of how I am feeling and the struggles I have faced throughout the week. If you would like to join me as I embark on this new journey, I would love the company. Please feel free to copy the charts below, if you’d like. And if you would just like to cheer me on and/or hold me accountable, I would appreciate it more than words could say.

Personal Chart (for home use only)

	Starting	Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4
Weight (lbs)
Biceps (in)
Waist (in)
Hips/Butt (in)
Quads/ Thighs (in)
Calves (in)
Time spent exercising
Personal Notes, Struggles and Achievements

Blog Chart (what I will post on Thursdays)

	Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4
Weight – lbs. lost
Biceps - in. lost
Waist – in. lost
Hips/Butt – in. lost
Quads/Thighs – in. lost
Calves – in. lost
Time spent exercising

(I have no idea why all the rows and columns are erasing once in blogger; but you get the general idea.)

A new kind of cancer

I have had friends and family members battle with cancer. Some, unfortunately, lost that difficult fight and therefore, cancer awareness holds a very near and dear place to my heart.

My mom sent me the following "chain" e-mail and although it was to be sent via e-mail I thought that maybe I could reach a larger audience by posting it to my blog. Please take the time to read it. Hopefully you will never need the following information; but, just in case...who knows - it could save your life or someone elses.

In November, a rare kind of breast cancer was found. A lady developed a rash on her breast, similar to that of young mothers who are nursing.

Because her mammogram had been clear, the doctor treated her with antibiotics for infections. After 2 rounds, it continued to get worse, so her doctor sent her for another mammogram. This time it showed a mass.

A biopsy found a fast growing malignancy. Chemo was started in order to shrink the growth; then a mastectomy was performed; then a full round of Chemo; then radiation. After about 9 months of intense treatment, she was given a clean bill of health.

She had one year of living each day to its fullest. Then the cancer returned to the liver area. She took 4 treatments and decided that she wanted quality of life, not the after effects of Chemo. She had 5 great months and she planned each detail of the final days. After a few days of needing morphine, she died. She left this message to be delivered to women everywhere:

Women, PLEASE be alert to anything that is not normal, and be persistent in getting help as soon as possible.

Paget's Disease: This is a rare form of breast cancer, and is on the outside of the breast, on the nipple and aureole. It appeared as a rash, which later became a lesion with a crusty outer edge. I would not have ever suspected it to be breast cancer but it was. My nipple never seemed any different to me, but the rash bothered me, so I went to the doctor for that. Sometimes, it itched and was sore, but other than that it didn't bother me. It was just ugly and a nuisance, and could not be cleared up with all the creams prescribed by my doctor and dermatologist for the dermatitis on my eyes just prior to this outbreak. They seemed a little concerned but did not warn me it could be cancerous.

Now, I suspect not many women out there know a lesion or rash on the nipple or aureole can be breast cancer. (Mine started out as a single red pimple on the aureole. One of the biggest problems with Paget's disease of the nipple is that the symptoms appear to be harmless. It is frequently thought to be a skin inflammation or infection, leading to unfortunate delays in detection and care.)

What are the symptoms?

1. A persistent redness, oozing, and crusting of your nipple causing it to itch and burn (As I stated, mine did not itch or burn much, and had no oozing I was aware of, but it did have a crust along the outer edge on one side.)

2. A sore on your nipple that will not heal. (Mine was on> the aureole area with a whitish thick looking area in center of nipple).

3. Usually only one nipple is effected. How is it diagnosed? Your doctor will do a physical exam and should suggest having a mammogram of both breasts, done immediately. Even though the redness, oozing and crusting closely resemble dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), your doctor should suspect cancer if the sore is only on one breast. Your doctor should order a biopsy of your sore to confirm what is going on.

This message should be taken seriously and passed on to as many of your relatives and friends as possible; it could save someone's life. My breast cancer has spread and metastasized to my bones after receiving mega doses of chemotherapy, 28 treatments of radiation and taking Tamaxofin. If this had been diagnosed as breast cancer in the beginning, perhaps it would not have spread... http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/pagets-breast