Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  I’ve spent the first days of the new year preparing for my upcoming race season.  But, let me back up a bit…to the end of 2011.

When I last posted, I mentioned taking six weeks off – but didn’t share why.  I was keeping things “private” until the “event” happened, but am ready to share now.  Any formerly obese patient will understand that there can be very personal sagging skin issues after massive weight loss.  Well, I had one of those “issues” – one bad enough to qualify me for “medically necessary plastic surgery.”  Though the problem was “icky” – I’m thankful that it enabled me to qualify to have a panniculectomy (~8 lbs. of sagging tummy skin removed) on December 22^nd.  I’m recovering well – and TOTALLY PLEASED with the result.  This was not a cosmetic procedure (a tummy tuck would be cosmetic) – no muscles were tightened up…but the skin issue is gone, and I love my new look!  I’m READY for the events 2012 will bring!

I was very close to my 150 lb. loss pre-op, and have surpassed that during my recover period.  I’m closing in on my goal-goal weight-wise, but can TRULY say I’m at the point in my journey where I’m less weight-focused, and more active-goal-focused.  My successes at this point are truly more exciting off-scale than on.  Who’d-a-thunk?

While off, I’ve been rereading some very inspirational books that I think other wanna-be-athletes will enjoy.  Jayne Williams calls herself the “Slow Fat Triathlete,” and her first book was titled such.  The subtitle of that book is, “Live Your Athletic Dreams in the Body You Have Now.”  It’s a great jumping off point for anyone who has a dream – especially those with BIG DREAMS!  Her follow-up book is one I picked up a couple of years ago and had skimmed, but never digested.  Well, I’m so glad I got into it now – it was exactly what I needed.  “Shape Up with the Slow Fat Triathlete : 50 Ways to Kick Butt on the FIELD, in the POOL, or at the GYM – No Matter What Your Size and Shape.”  Again, as a larger-than-average athlete, Jayne understands ALL of the mental & physical issues non-traditional athletes (and wanna-bes) face.  READ her books!

For those thinking that they’ll NEVER be able to participate in endurance events, I’ll share a quote from her “Shape Up” book:

            “When I went to Albany to do a speaking gig for a women’s group, I stayed with a cheerful and wise woman named Mary Jane who had been training for months for the Pine Bush Triathlon and knew she was going to be slow. ‘Well, ‘ she said, ‘I look at it this way: triathlon is an endurance sport, so whoever comes in last wins at enduring the longest.’ And this is true. If you’re out enjoying a beautiful morning in a scenic area, what’s the rush?  The slower you are, the more you get to enjoy the experience.”

Taking my re-found inspiration from Jayne, and the foundational stuff that BariAthlete’s Lea helped me with last year, today I laid out my training and nutrition plan for getting to my half-marathon on May 20^th.  I have a few “ideas” I’d like to incorporate along the way, but my base is built.  I’ll continue recovering from surgery for a few more weeks – just doing the slowest of walks at this point – and be ready to roll the first week in February.  I have an 8K scheduled in March, the half marathon in May, and Warrior Dash in September.  I’m excited for another year of GROWTH – mentally and physically.

Thank you for keeping up with my story – and for your support, if you’re on my TEAM!  More to come, I’m sure J

Living My Fit Dreams!