Last E2E challenge update…

Okay so I didn’t rock this challenge like I really had planned. I turn 50 in 18 days and I wanted this challenge to bring me to the end of my journey of weight loss and I could begin my journey of maintaining. Well it didn’t happen in the weight loss part and for the running part, it’s on pause right now but not because I want it to be but because my body wants it to be. However this challenge was not a dud for me either. Thought I didn’t loss any weight…my starting weight was 175.4 and today it’s 174.4 (I lost 3.6 pounds this week but remember I gained at least 12 lbs almost right away in the beginning of the challenge), and I sure can not fit into my swimming suit (this is the littlest size 14 I have ever seen but swimming suits are suppose to be tight but still…ugh!) I used as my challenge clothes

and I can’t run a full 5K yet I have learned amazing amount of things. Here are just a few to share with you:

1. I learned when I needed something you guys were there to back me up 100% of the time.

2. I learned that it takes a community to lose weight, tone up, and get somewhere in this journey.

3. I have learned so much about different foods, different way to prepare them, about different way to afford the better foods and skip those processed goodies.

4. I learned that I can go without sugar as long as you guys are there to help me push myself through it all.

5. I’ve learned that just because I can’t run right now does not mean I am a failure and that I need to get up. I just have to reset my mind to the beginning and keep going.

6. I’ve learned that you guys are so awesome and I have formed some great and special friendships and am truly blessed from here to eternity.

7. I learned that this journey will not be ending any time soon and as much as I had hoped my 50th birthday would mark something amazing (other then getting a tad older) it will mark the continuing journey to getting to the new me, to getting to be healthy, wealthy and wise.

I started with 3 books, 2 about running and 1 about getting older. Well that getting older one…it’s not for me right now. The Marathon books was awesome and so fun and I loved it. The complete book of Women’s Running is a bit above me right now so I will hang on to it and read it later on. The book I’m in love with is:

I have learned so much about life from this book and learning to center oneself, learning to survive and learning to become the better me for not just me but for family, friends and the most important Christ.

So my waist started at 39” and ended at 37.5 and my total inches from the beginning to now (which included my bust, waist, hips, arms and thighs) was 166” and now is 159 so I did come down, I did change some but not nearly as much as I had planned but you know what, it’s okay. Life here has been interesting and I’m learning to deal with all the new stuff, the sick ones, the kid going to college, learning to love and so much other stuff that really I am no a failure like I thought for a while.

My calories are suppose to be near 1500 a day and since I have been horrible at journaling I couldn’t tell you where they were at but I do have to tell you I know that I get my gallon of water a day, I know that I eat much more fruits and veggies then I use to and for meat, well it’s expensive so we’ve learned other ways of getting protein in. Such as, this morning I tried something new:

Almond milk, I’ve heard about it, I’ve read about it and decided it was time (I also had a $1.00 off coupon and there was a .55 cent one on the fridge door). I hadn’t a clue what kind to get so picked the unsweetened kind. I mixed it with Carnation Instant Breakfast (sugar free of course) and Jillian Whey because I need it to last and protein lasts much longer then not adding it and for a total of 200 calories, 20 carbs, 6 fats and 21 proteins it was excellent. I added one large brown egg for 70 calories just to make sure I’m full so a total of 270 calories for breakfast and it’s good for me. Well I’m learning. Now to get rid of the breads and cereal’s….that’s gonna be hard.

I have to tell you my buddy, my friend, my supporter, my diet buddy….Casey has been wonderful. We have become friends and I don’t think we’ll let this friendship fall to the wayside. She has taught me so much and has supported me through this whole journey, she’s awesome.

 

My quote is still important to me and I will still become the runner I want to be….it’s just going to take extra time but you know what, I’m still planning on living until I’m 101 and I have seen lots and lots of older people running so I’ll just be a slow one to get there but I will.

"If you want to become the best runner you can be, start now. Don't spend the rest of your life wondering if you can do it." -Priscilla Welch

My second quote really just sums it all up:

"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run." --John Bingham

So my friends this challenge comes to an end and I’m going to miss reading all your lives and challenges and all. I plan on following as many as I can and I’ll be stopping back at the challenge page and clicking on the links that will take me to your blogs. But I know we’ll all be moving forward, moving on and if for some reason I miss something in your life, if I miss some super milestone, if I miss just plain you I am sorry. You all have been a huge part of this new year for me and I thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for all you’ve done for me and for all your support.

Take care and have the most blessed and awesome Easter. And I hope and pray for each and everyone of you, that you reach your goals, you reach the place in life where you too are Healthy, wealthy and wise and if not, learning!!

Love to you all,

Julie

Thanks Mir for everything and Angela, WOW are you one amazing woman. Thank you both for all your support and love!