Continuing the Journey,...

On the way home from seeing my brother and Sister-in-Law this past month at the rehab hospital, I had to pull off the side of the road to take in the sunset.  It was just a short couple of minutes, but enough pause to have a moment of gratitude.  How wonderful it is to have the ability to see such sights, and to have the gift of health and mobility.  Every day is truly a gift.  At any moment, any of us could lose what we have.  We don't like to think that way, of course.  But in taking a moment to grasp that reality, one gains a sense of appreciation and respect.  When we work on improving our health, we are making a conscious choice to stick around in this world for a little longer, and savor the good things.  No, I am not talking about the "Famous Dave's" or "Golden Corral" good things.  I mean the good things in life ~ the things that are typically taken for granted  ~ in nature ~ our senses ~ and in our relationships and being human ~ those shared moments that make us laugh and smile ~ or blush ~ or those moments in which you think, "Yes, this is one for the books ~ one of those times I will never forget".  And sometimes we are faced with tough health issues: stroke, cancer, heart attack, virus, injury,...  Or a loved one is faced with such.  We often wonder "why"?  It may not seem fair.  But if there is anything positive that can be taken from these life-challenging obstacles, it is the gift of having a greater awareness of the preciousness of life and of each other, and in the strength of knowing that you can overcome.  If even in the moment, you can overcome.  You can choose to crumble under the pressure, or take a deep breath and say, "Okay, hold on!  Here we go!"  Life's hurdles challenge us to live much deeper, in a sense.
     

Photo credit: divemasterking2000

So I have a friend that keeps pestering me to go skydiving.  I have always wanted to go ~ or at least I did when I was younger.  But as I get older, I think I appreciate having my feet on the ground!  Yet, another part of me is intrigued, thinking maybe this is one of those self-inflicted obstacles where I could challenge myself to say, "Okay, hold on!  Here we go!"  (My pulse is increasing just thinking about it.)  I can imagine it is such an awesome experience to float peacefully through the sky under an opened parachute.  I am absolutely terrified about the idea of actually jumping from a plane and free falling, however!  I mean, I cannot possibly imagine loosening my grip enough to where I would actually let go.  It is a tandem jump, so I would be going with an experienced jumper.  I guess I will have to think about it.  I looked up statistics and there are roughly 30 annual deaths reported worldwide for an estimated 3 million jumps.  Not the worst record.  I have a doctor's appointment in a few weeks.  I will check in with him to see if he thinks my ticker could survive the jump (or if I can actually combat my nerves on this one).  The jump is tentatively set for March 2nd.  There's plenty of time to contemplate,...       

Photo Credit: http://themaintenancemanager.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/gavel.jpg

On another note, work has been quite busy but is going well.  I have had five opportunities to testify in court as an expert witness.  Three of those five experiences have occurred within a two-week period.  (My 3rd hearing in the 2-wk period is set for next week.)  Talk about tackling performance anxiety head on!  I always experience some level of anxiety prior to getting on the stand.  Granted, it is probably not the same level of anxiety as jumping out of a plane, but it is anxiety, nevertheless.  Preparation and experience certainly do help alleviate much of the stress.  I love the feeling I get when I have successfully tackled that anxiety, and I leave the court room knowing that I did my best, made a strong case presentation, and responded appropriately to cross examination.  Next week's hearing will be challenging, but I am up for that challenge!

And speaking of challenges,...
I had a successful week on the HMR diet program!  I am down another two pounds!  And that puts me into 170-land!  Yay!  I have earned another pair of slacks.  It really feels good!!

Tonight's HMR treat was a coconut banana cheesecake smoothie.  Ingredients: HMR shake, sugar-free coconut Torani syrup, sugar-free cheesecake and banana pudding (approx. 2 tablespoons pudding mix total), water, and ice.  It was very delicious!  In an effort to continue the weight loss momentum, I decided not to use the pudding mixes every day, but they add a nice treat to the shakes on the weekend!

Day/Date:	Weight (pounds):	Total Amount Lost:
Wednesday, 10/06/10	245.2	-
Thursday, 01/17/13	179.4	65.8

Day/Date:	Weight (pounds):	Amount Lost on HMR:	Total Amount Lost on HMR Program:
Monday, 10/08/12	213.9	n/a	n/a
Thursday, 10/11/12	211.0	2.9	2.9
Thursday, 10/18/12	209.2	1.8	4.7
Thursday, 10/25/12	204.0	5.2	9.9
Thursday, 11/01/12	203.4	0.6	10.5
Thursday, 11/08/12	198.4	5.0	15.5
Thursday, 11/15/12	197.6	0.8	16.3
Thursday, 11/22/12	194.6	3.0	19.3
Thursday, 11/29/12	194.0	0.6	19.9
Thursday, 12/06/12	192.2	1.8	21.7
Thursday, 12/13/12	190.6	1.6	23.3
Thursday, 12/20/12	188.8	1.8	25.1
Thursday, 12/27/12	185.4	3.4	28.5
Thursday, 01/03/13	185.4	0.0	28.5
Thursday, 01/10/13	182.4	3.0	31.5
Thursday, 01/17/13	181.4	1.0	32.5
Thursday, 01/24/13	179.4	2.0	34.5

Update:
Well, this is interesting.  Since I started composing this blog entry, I took a break and googled the company that my friend wants me to entrust my life with re: skydiving.  Turns out they have had 3 deaths with the company (2001, 2002, and in 2009).  My friend was not aware of this record.  The parents of the young lady who died in 2009 (who was employed by the company) sued the company in 2011, claiming the equipment was old and defective.  The lawsuit also apparently referenced known on-the-job drug and alcohol use amongst the employees who pack the chutes.  Apparently the company also lied about their safety record on its website.  The Fresno Bee article can be found here.  Hmmm,...  Guess who is once again content to have her feet on the ground (for the moment, anyhow)?!  One could say it pays to do your homework!  (Or perhaps I was better off completing the jump without knowing??)  I think I may never know the answer.      

Today I remind myself to honor life and take care of myself; body, mind, and spirit.
Have a great weekend!  
  
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Capturing the Moment,...

I took this photo on my iPhone on the way to San Francisco last month.  Pictures, of course, never do justice but the sunburst from behind the clouds was magnificent, and I had to try to capture the moment.

Speaking of capturing the moment, it has been several weeks since I have updated my blog, so I thought I'd better post before getting on with my day.

January's weight loss journey started out a little slow, but is actually right on track.  Here is my progress to date:

Day/Date:	Weight (pounds):	Total Amount Lost:
Wednesday, 10/06/10	245.2	-
Thursday, 01/17/13	181.4	63.8

My weight loss journey since being on the HMR program is captured below: 

Day/Date:	Weight (pounds):	Weekly Loss:	Total Amount Lost on HMR Program:
Monday, 10/08/12	213.9	n/a	n/a
Thursday, 10/11/12	211.0	2.9	2.9
Thursday, 10/18/12	209.2	1.8	4.7
Thursday, 10/25/12	204.0	5.2	9.9
Thursday, 11/01/12	203.4	0.6	10.5
Thursday, 11/08/12	198.4	5.0	15.5
Thursday, 11/15/12	197.6	0.8	16.3
Thursday, 11/22/12	194.6	3.0	19.3
Thursday, 11/29/12	194.0	0.6	19.9
Thursday, 12/06/12	192.2	1.8	21.7
Thursday, 12/13/12	190.6	1.6	23.3
Thursday, 12/20/12	188.8	1.8	25.1
Thursday, 12/27/12	185.4	3.4	28.5
Thursday, 01/03/13	185.4	0.0	28.5
Thursday, 01/10/13	182.4	3.0	31.5
Thursday, 01/17/13	181.4	1.0	32.5

I am hoping that I can get into the 170's by next Thursday's weigh-in.  I promised myself that I can buy a new pair of slacks for every decade milestone that I achieve.  179.9 would get me those slacks!  I only have to lose 1.5 this week to make it there.  Wish me luck!

My sewing friends are making me think about purchasing a sewing machine.  I have taken in several slacks myself, by hand sewing.  (And luckily the butt seam has held!)  Hand sewing takes time.  It is relaxing, however.  And it is fun to see the end result, which is better fitting clothes.  I am not certain I would use a sewing machine enough to justify the cost, but it would be kind of fun.

Some friends have challenged me to a St. Patty's Day weight-loss contest.  My goal is to get into the 160's by then.  I typically don't set desired weight outcomes for goals, but I know if I continue to engage in certain habits, I can achieve my goals.  In eight weeks, I am hopeful that I can lose 11.5 lbs.  And if I don't achieve that goal by then, I promise myself that I will celebrate the weight-loss that I have achieved between now and then.

So,... do you have any goals for the 8-week St. Patty's Day Challenge?  If so, feel free to post them here!  I would like to hear what others are doing.

On January 8th, I traveled to Stanford Medical Center to meet with a hepatologist (liver specialist) for a second opinion on treatment options.  First, I have to comment on the University Medical Center.  The campus was huge; impressive.  They were under construction at the time, but there were plenty of workers available to direct me to the right location.  I chose to use the parking ramp, but valet parking was available.  Second, I learned that I am doing the right things as far as doing all that I can do to keep my liver healthy.  Aside from abstaining from alcohol use, or other ingested toxins, weight loss is the best gift you can give your liver.  My doctor wants me to continue to work on getting to a healthier BMI.  He did not indicate a specific weight that would be ideal, but my medical team at the Endocrine Center is working with me on a goal weight.  At 5'2", with a bit more of a muscular build, 140 would probably be ideal (or 135-145 range).  Gone are the days where we compared ourselves to an unhealthy "ideal body weight" chart that put all body types into one category.  I know I would be happy with that weight range.  Funny how I look back at high school and recall feeling "fat" at 125 and 135.  That is unfortunately so very common.  Too many young girls, and young boys as well, put so much emphasis on that scale.  It is sad to see how self-esteem can get wrapped up in a number, or in comparing ourselves to others.  Right now, I am liking 181!  So 140, I can imagine, would feel great, and it would be a blast to shop for clothes at that weight!

I will probably post more at a later date about the visit to Stanford.  Right now, however, I am off to head to another impressive facility in the southern part of the state: Loma Linda University Medical Center.  My Sister-in-Law is there recovering from a stroke.

Driving long distances can be challenging on the HMR diet.  My strategy on drives like this is to pre-freeze an HMR shake.  I also cut up an HMR bar (it's similar to a typical health bar) and put it into a baggie and froze it overnight.  This way I have something to nibble on.  If I took the bar by itself, it would be gone in about three bites.  The cut up pieces help keep me alert, busy, and satisfied, so that I don't get too hungry.

The team at Loma Linda is pushing my sister-in-law to regain her language, movement & balance, and fine motor skills.  They are incredible in the work they do and in promoting the attitude that you don't know what you can accomplish unless you continue to push your limits!  I am also incredibly impressed with my brother and his dedication to his wife and her recovery!  His wife is also my hero right now.  She pushes herself every day and doesn't give up.  Her family and friends are so very proud of her!       

Have a wonderful weekend!  For many of us, it is a long weekend, as Monday is holiday to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.  For those of you not already retired, plan your time off wisely!  Capture some great moments!  Enjoy your weekend and each other!              

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