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Today was the day! The pups are gone, the wedding’s over, it’s time to test out the bike that I bought a few weeks ago. I was very excited and a tiny bit nervous. Who knew if I even could ride this thing after so much time as passed since getting on a bicycle.

I decided that I would just ride around the neighborhood as it is pretty quiet and definitely a good place to start with not much traffic.

From the moment I took off, I completely felt like a kid again! I had no idea it would be so much fun to ride. I had been thinking about transportation and fitness, while completely forgetting how much I used to love riding my bike as a child. It was the weirdest feeling – and wonderful!

I rode for about 45 minutes and as I was heading home it started to rain a bit which actually made it even more fun! 😉 I can tell right now that it’s my "backside" that gonna have to get used to it…hmmm…wonder how long that takes. I’m going to press in and try to go for a least a short ride every day or so. I feel a bit timid around traffic, so I also have that to get used to as I know I want to be able to ride all over town. That would be amazing for me!

WooHoo!

🙂

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You’ll see in yesterday’s check-in that I’ve lost 8+ lbs which is awesome! This puts me back on track from the weight I put on during the Chicago trip and wedding week.

I’ve been working hard to get back on track and it’s definitely paying off!

I think there are some important lessons to be learned from this. We need to realize that "life" is going to keep happening around us so we will need to adapt routines, diets, schedules – everything that’s making us feel so good about our weight loss.

I think that weight loss is not only about food and exercise but mental attitude as well. Having a "roll-with-it" attitude can do wonders to help you survive the curve balls that WILL come your way during this process. Long-term consistency is key and getting right back to it, when we do have those extra calories, lapse in exercise and weight gain.

Keep at it!

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Have you heard of a puggle? It’s a mix of pug and beagle and I have to say that Gracie and Duke are 2 of THE cutest puppies! I am dog sitting for J and AJ while they are on their honeymoon this week. It’s been a bit difficult to get back into my routine totally because Gracie is a big crying baby when I leave the apartment for even a quick workout at the gym….little stinker!

So, I’ve just decided that my exercise while they are here will consist of 30 minute walks with them which they love! So far so good. The did keep me up a bit the first night, but I think we are settling in just fine. For the most part, all is good altho I will be happy to have regular routine (solo) next week when J and AJ are back. 😉

After all, I did put on 4+ lbs when all was said and done with the wedding/company week. I’m convinced that this is not actual weight – more likely due to increase in sodium and water weight, so I suspect it will come off fast once I get back into it. We’ll see.

Ok, I hear puggles needing to go outside…

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Family started to arrive last weekend and it’s been wonderful having everyone in town. My parents have been staying with me for the week (which I always enjoy) and we’ll all be moving to a hotel for the weekend. Should be a great time.

So, there has been lots of eating out and cooking some big meals together. So far, so good. I’ve vowed to keep exercising and doing my best at normalcy during the day and leading up until we go to the hotel.

We had family pictures taken at the beach this week. We haven’t done this for awhile and since we would all be together J worked out a good deal with her wedding photographer. At first I was a little iffy about how I felt since I still have so much more weight to lost, but of course it can’t really matter what one person thinks. So, I just decided to suck it up! 😉 We all wore denim and white shirts. (I had gotten a denim skirt for the occasion)

Tomorrow, all of the girls are having a spa time together which should be really nice. I’m getting a pedicure/manicure which I am really looking forward to. It’s been a long time since I’ve treated myself in this way.

Tomorrow night is the rehearsal dinner which is Mexican food at J and AJ’s. It should be relaxed and fun!

Then Sat. the wedding is at 6 with the reception at 7. They are getting married on the beach and there will only be family and close friends attending the actual ceremony. The reception is being held at a restaurant right next to this beach spot and there is a deck where people can watch if they choose to. I think it’s going to be very beautiful.

I’m so happy for J and AJ and will let you know how everything goes.

Sidenote: I can’t tell you how happy I am that I made the decision back in Jan to lose weight with the idea of the upcoming wedding as a goal.  In Dec, when I first began thinking of the weight loss challenge,  my goal was to lose 50-60 lbs before the wedding. As of my last weigh-in, I’ve lost just over 43 lbs. Even tho I haven’t lost the amount that I originally intended, I can tell you that I feel completely different. So much has to do with the attitude and the direction that I’m headed. I don’t feel nearly as self-conscious attending this weekend as I did the wedding of my brother a year earlier.

WooHoo! Forward progress is good!

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My BIG news for the week…I bought a bike!

I am so excited about this. I’ve been thinking about it for a bit and it makes sense to me for 2 reasons:
1. A new form of exercise to add to my routine – hoping I will love it.
2. A form of transportation which I really do need as I don’t currently have a car

Even tho I don’t really think I will be able to get out there and ride until after the wedding/taking care of dogs, I purchased while J was out of town and I was able to use her car to shop for it.

I ended up purchasing a Trek hybrid model. A hybrid is a combination of both a road bike and mountain bike. This is all new to me, but I knew that comfort level was a top priority for me and the seat of this bike is so much more comfy than anything I remember riding as a kid. And by the way, I haven’t even been on a bike since high school or maybe Jr. high. I hope it’s true what they say about riding a bike. 😉

I purchased a helmet and have made the commitment to never ride without it. (even in my quiet neighborhood) I used to nanny for 2 doctors and have heard all sorts of scary statistics when it comes to accidents without helmets being worn.

I also bought a little bag that goes on my handle bars – to carry keys, money, sunscreen, etc. I suspect I will want to add some other type of travel pack in the back as I would prefer not to ride my backpack in the hot weather.

So I am good to go and anxious to try it out – I think I will wait until all the wedding festivities are over so I can continue focusing on the current exercise routine, but I am very excited about this new purchase. I’m finding it all very interesting so I will also be adding a section on biking/cycling to the site where I can give you lots of great info on what I’m learning about this.

One other thing, I had actually avoided going to a bike shop for awhile because I had it in my head that I was too big to ride a bike! Is that silly or what?! 😉 Then I started thinking more rationally about it and realized that this is a silly idea and of course much better to start now then when I am thinner. AND who know…I may really fall in love with this. I’ll keep you posted!

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I am determined to do a week of Boot Camp in between my weekend trip to Chicago and the beginning of Wedding festivities starting with family in town next week. (the wedding is June 16)

What does this mean exactly?

I am 100% doing my best to eat well and healthy as I know there will be a lot of out of the ordinary meals coming up shortly.

I am committed to exercising as much as possible this week. I am vowing to make the time in my day to do this.

Basically this is just a re-focussing so that I do not lose momentum. I can do it and so can you! 😉