Overdue Race Report!!! It's a long one!!

On June 14, 2009 I participated in the US WOMEN's TRIATHLON in Naperville, Il.

I swam a half mile.
I biked 14 miles.
I ran/walked 3.1 miles.

Here is my report:



Here I am all set up and ready to go in transition.


I love this picture of Dar and I in transition.


I did not get body marked the day before the event, so after I was all set up in transition I went and got body marked.




It seems that no matter what event I am at, I run into people I know from the YMCA, where I work out. The lady next to me is Leslie. I was her children's pre-school teacher and we see each other at the Y from time to time. The lady next to her is Lois, who works and teaches spinning at the Y. Leslie was doing this tri as her first one. Lois was there to cheer her on.


The race started at 7am and our wave didn't start till shortly after 8am, so Dar and I had fun with permanent markers. Here is Dar's leg. It was her birthday and during her race she got lots of birthday wishes.


My favorite Bible verse, that I love and that helps me through all my events is, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." A lot of people thanked me on the run for having that verse on my leg.


I run my races in honor of children who are living with Trisomy or that have passed away. This race I did in memory of Baby Michael Z. In November, I ran a Turkey Trot, in his honor, just a day after he was born. Two weeks later, after a valient fight, he passed away. I knew that I would do this race for him when I signed up.


Here I am showing off all my body markings and showing off the skinnier me too.


Here we are on the beach waiting for our swim wave to start.. I absolutely love this picture of Darlene and me. Someone recently asked me if this was my twin sister? She is my sister from another mother. I love you Dar.



I have a wonderful friend named Michelle that I met online through our blogs. Two years ago we met in person doing this same Triathlon. This year we were in the same wave. She is an incredible lady and if you want to check her out her blog it called HITTING MY STRIDE. Just click that and you can visit her blog. We saw each other in transition and then didn't see each other again until the race start, so I ran over to my family members, grabbed my camera, ran back in the crowd, and took this picture, seriously like 2 minutes before the tri started. I'm glad I did. I love it.



Here are all of us girls ready to go. Check out my HUGE goggles. LOL I suffer a little bit with claustrophobia when I put my face in the water and I found that these goggles work the best because of I have more of a view. I look like a dork in pictures with them on, but they help. :)



Can you find me? I'm at the back of the pack and ok with that. Even when I am almost last in a race I think to myself, "What are most of my friends doing right now while I'm here at the back of the pack doing a triathlon? They are in bed still." So, back of the pack or not, I'm up and doing a triathlon and finishing.



The swim was tough. We have been having a very mild summer and the water temp was very cold. They even emailed us and let us know that it was going to be ok to use a wetsuit. The only problem is I'm not wetsuit size yet, so I did not have that option. When we stepped in the water it was cold. When our wave started I ran and jumped in and as soon as my face hit it literally took my breath away. It took me a good 5 minutes to get used to it, but 20 minutes later I finished and got out of the water as you can see here in the picture. At my first tri here in 2006 I had a panic attack in the water for the last 5 minutes of it. In 2007 I started to have a panic attack, but was able to breathe through it and not let it over take me. I am proud to say this year NO PANIC at all in the water. I've come a long way. Maybe it's the dorky looking goggles. I don't know for sure, but I was very happy.



After getting out of the water, and starting to jog the longest run to a tranistion that I have ever seen, I realized that my heel was flaring up. The pain was pretty bad and I had one leg that was cramping up. I did not have a fast transition due to this because I had to do some stretching, but soon I was out on my bike for a nice 14 mile ride.



Here I am coming into transition 2. I just rode 14 miles. For the most part it was uneventful except for my left foot/heel/leg cramp. Pretty much from the get go my left foot was giving me issues. It did not like my biking shoes and did not like being clipped into the pedal. The ride is a nice one. It is too loops and not hilly at all. The only excitement was a lady that totally took a turn to fast and hit the curb and FLEW off her bike. She got up, got back on, and passed me. :)

Next off the run and I'm all done. As soon as I got off my bike I almost fell over from the pain in my left heel. I took time to stretch it in transition, but I knew this run/walk would not be easy. I was right. I was on my way and not within two minutes I was debating whether or not I should continue on. I looked down at my arm and saw the words IN MEMORY OF BABY MICHAEL Z. and knew I had to do it for him and his family. This little boy fought for his life for two weeks and didn't win his fight. I realized that I could fight and finish a 3.1 mile walk for him and that's just what I did. I kept moving and eventually the finish line was in sight.



Here I am heading towards the finish line. I was happy to see it and happy to get some encouragement along the way. Everyone was high fiving me. It was great!!



Here's a close up of me having fun with the crowd. I love how happy I look in this pic. Also, for those of you who don't know I am part of a Team called TEAM TRISOMY and the founder, Michael Hennessy, always wears a cowboy hat on his runs, so I have started to do that. We have team members nationwide. You can check out Michael's website at IRONMAN FOR KIDS.I look really happy in this picture.



Here I am getting closer.



I'm almost there. Victory is mine.



I made it across the finish line. Here are Dar and I with our medals. We did it!!



Here is Dar loading our bikes on the rack. We were heading to her house for a victory celebration, but more importantly her birthday celebration with her family.



Besides my cool finishers medal I also got this nice token as a reminder of my race. That's my back and yes, that is sunburn.



It was a wonderful day!! I cannot wait to do it again next year.

Here are my stats for the race:

Melissa Black Swim 21:36 Transition 1 7:35 Bike 1:09:31 Transition 2 6:00 Run 1:00:09

Over all time 2:44:48

Results from 2006, first tri ever: 2:27

Results from 2007: 2:42

This is AWESOME!!

It can be yours for only $4,889.99. Click on the price to go to the website. I would love one, but would not be able to be on the phone and on the treadmill at the same time.

Where is this journey taking me?

I am so excited because I am doing a great job on weight watchers this week. I know it's only been since Saturday, but I have tracked everything and that's with even having a BBQ yesterday. Everybody brought food to share and there was a ton of stuff, but all I had was 2 turkey burgers on a special bun, spinach salad, water, veggies, licorice, 2 chocolate chips. I get 36 points in a day and that all came to 22 points. This is the first time at a get together like this that I wasn't concentrating on the food. It was just there as a side to the fun and conversation that I was able to have. Something that is cool is that I brought individual sized bags of chips, and individual sized bags of veggie chips. There were no veggie chips left at the end of the party and there were regular chips left.

I'm really excited to see how my hard work will pay off on the scale next week. I'm really in a whole new mindset with this. I have a weight loss goal that I want to reach by the end of December. If I really get back in the grove I will make it. I'm excited to think about my goal. I'm excited to picture myself 100 pounds lighter. I'm excited to picture myself able to do things I haven't done in years. I'm excited to picture myself crossing the Ironman finish line. I"m excited to have my kids with me on this journey, so they can see me become healthy. I'm excited about what awaits. Anything I want I can have and right now, with God's help, I can lose this weight and begin the next journey in my life.

I'm just wondering what that next journey will be. I was talking to my weight watcher leader today. He has said several times, in our meetings in front of EVERYONE, that I would make a great weight watchers leader someday. He says that what I share inspires others. Recently I was thinking about that and started praying about whether or not that is the route for me. Overweight kids and teens kept popping in my head. I can see myself using my journey to help others. I want to educate parents on how to have a healthy home. I want to encourage obese teens and help them become fit. Whether it is through a camp setting, or some other way I can see my journey helping not only adults, but mainly teens, families, and kids. I'm excited to see myself reach my goals, but also excited to see how I will be able to give back and help others reach their own goals.

Weight Watchers Update

I lost .6 pounds. I had a couple months where I've been fluctuating between the same 5 pounds. I have renewed my weight loss efforts. My weight watcher leader told me to just have a goal of a pound a week, that everyone can lose one pound a week, so that is what I am doing. I am going to try and lose a pound this week. I want to start seeing a loss again every week. I can do this.

Also, just wondering where all my blog readers are? Have you left me for Facebook? :(

Great Quote

Don't let yesterday fill today.





On the triathlon note I decided not to do the tri on July 26th, but will do the one at the end of August.





Have a blessed day!!

To tri or not to tri, that is the question.

So, I was planning on doing another sprint triathlon on July 26th, however, I am not sure if I should or not.
I am still having minor heel pain, but I must say that it is WAAAY better than it was. I wear orthotics in my shoes, I'm doing exercises, stretches, massage, and it is getting better. My chiropractor says there really is no reason I can't do the triathlon.

However, I have not been training as I should and it is only 3 weeks away. I know that I could finish it, but would I be happy with just finishing it. I'm a little anxious about this one because it is my first real open water swim. It's not a long swim, but it is an open swim. I know I will have to face this sooner or later to become a better triathlete and make it to my ultimate goal of Ironman, but I am nervous about doing it undertrained.

The other option is to skip this one and go and cheer on my girl Dar and do one the end of August. This is another all female one and my friend Dar is doing that one as well, so I wouldn't have to do it alone. I would have more time to train, lose weight, and take more time to make sure my heel is healing. I"m kind of opting towards this second choice, but still not sure. I need to decide soon, so I can register and get in the mind set I need to.

So, to tri or not to tri, on July 26th, that is the question. What do you all think?

"How are you doing" or how Joey, from friends, says it, "How you doin'?"

Those are 4 simple words (or three in Joey's case) that we ask people everyday, but do we really want to hear the answer.
I asked someone how they were doing when I called them recently. They answered, "Well,um, ok."
I proceeded to tell them why I called because I did not want to forget. I got all the business done and then
asked them again, "How are you doing? You didn't sound like everything was ok when I asked before."
Things weren't going ok and she had had a hard day at work. I am so glad that I took the time to REALLY ask her how she was doing.
I was in a hurry that day, but took a WHOLE five minutes extra to really see how she was doing. It didn't take that long, I really wanted to know, and still got things done that I needed to.

This is just a reminder when you ask someone how they are doing please take a few minutes to really ask them. When you ask please listen to their answer. They may say great, but really they are not and you can usually tell. Let them know that you care, that you are there for them, really listen, and give them a hug if they need it.

When someone asks you how YOU are doing, if you are having a hard time with something, tell them. I know that HOW ARE YOU has just become the norm for when you are greeting someone, but really asking, really listening, really answering, and really caring could make all the difference in someone's life.

Compliments

Compliments are very hard for me to accept.

I want to lose 130 pounds, so when people tell me I look great I say, "Thanks, but I have so much more to lose."

I have gained wait over the last 4 weeks, so when someone at church last Sunday said, "Wow, I see your still shrinking," I said, "Thanks," but was dying inside.

Today I met some Weight Watchers friends for breakfast after our meeting. I was wearing jeans, a top that fits, and my hair was down. Everyone said how great I looked and my response was, "Thanks, but I've gained the last four Saturdays."

Why is it so hard for me to accept a compliment? Why do I have to put myself down?
I have worked hard. I do look good and yes, I do have a ways to go, but man, I've lost a lot already even with my 4 week struggle, so I deserve the compliments. Next time someone says I look good, I will smile, flip my hair, and say, "THANKS. I DO LOOK GOOD, DON'T I?"

Weight Watcher Update

I woke up this morning and weighed myself. It's my same ritual every Saturday morning. I do it just to see what to expect at Weight Watchers. I actually knew on Friday that I had gained. I can just tell. Well, the scale confirmed it for me. I was frustrated. I had done a triathlon. Had some great workouts this week and really ate well. I could not figure out what happened.

I did not want to go to Weight Watchers, but knew I had to. I usually meet my friends from WW at 7am to walk. I was so frustrated about the gain that I didn't want to walk with anyone. I left a little bit late, texted my friend Dave and told him I was coming, but in a mood, and needed to walk alone. I prayed on my way there, listened to motivating music, and walked/jogged by myself with just me and my IPOD. I actually jogged most of the route and met up with my walker friends and by then felt great.

It didn't matter that I had gained this past week. I was out jogging. I was at my Weight Watchers meeting with friends instead of avoiding it like I would have in the past. I had done a triathlon the Sunday before. I went to the meeting, talked about my triathlon, showed off my finishers medal and encouraged my whole meeting to not put so much stake in the scale. I told them that I was mad coming to my meeting this morning. I told them that I almost let 3 pounds take away from all the great accomplishments I had this week. This is a reminder to myself, but to all of you out there as well. When you have a bad week with your eating and exercising please make sure you don't let it get you down. If you focus too much on the number you will let that side rail you. In the past I would have come home and said, "Screw it. I'm eating whatever I want today. What's the point?" I didn't do that today. I went to the gym and got in a great workout and then came home and ate a healthy lunch. I'm very proud of my responses today and feel like I have really turned a corner.

Watch Episode 9: Motivate for Only in A Woman's World.

Enjoy this cartoon. I thought it was cute and so true

The Professional Pics

Here are the professional pictures taken of me at my triathlon last Sunday. Sorry they are so tiny. I was only able to save the thumbnails. I really wish they would have gotten the finish sign in, but oh well. Enjoy!!



Me coming out of the swim before the long run to transition. I had shoes ready for me because of my sore foot and now am glad because I heard the rocks in the parking lot were awful.



Saying hi on the bike.



Looking good on the run.



Crossing the finishing line.



Showing off my bling.

It's a new day.

I'm focusing on what I need to do:

* focus on my relationship with God first and foremost!
* focus on healing my heel
* focus continuing to eat well
* focus on being active whether it's at the gym or just outside
* focus on getting my house organized this summer
* focus on where I am mentally with everything.

I am refocused and looking forward to continuing on in my journey towards a healthier life, spiritually, physically, and emotionally.

I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me the strength-Philippians 4:13

Had a reality check today

Today I went to personal training.
I told Matt about how my triathlon went.
It was very hard on me.
I'm very proud that I finished, but there was a lot that I had a hard time with.
Everyone is very encouraging and supportive and I appreciate that greatly. You will never know how much. Thank you for all the notes and comments of encouragement for this triathlon.

However, today I needed the reality check that Matt gave me.
He asked me a lot of questions.
He pushed me to really think.
He asked me a lot of questions regarding my heel and why I am not aggressively taking care of it. I have a great chiropractor that is telling me all the right things to do for it, but I am not completely following through and Matt really got me thinking about it all today.

He knows that I want to be an athlete and thin, so he asked me again why.
I told him I want to make my kids proud of me, I want to be healthy, I don't want to be tired and unhappy with who I am.
Then he asked me, "what is unhealthy about you?
I said I've been injured, I still don't have this eating thing down and that is all I basically said, but tonight I got to thinking that the thing that is most unhealthy about me is my mindset. I said to him, "If I could just get my mindset squared away I would be good to go." S I G H. No one said this would be easy.

Matt, thanks for our talk today and our workout. You gave me a lot to think about and I thank you for that. I am so happy we met and continue to look forward to our journey together.

Official Time

Melissa Black Swim 21:36 Transition 1 7:35 Bike 1:09:31 Transition 2 6:00 Run 1:00:09

Over all time 2:44:48

Results from 2006, first tri ever: 2:27

Results from 2007: 2:42

Race Report 1

Unofficial time: Between 2 hours 35 minutes or 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Cold water, perfect weather, they newly paved the bike. It was a great day.
Even with heel and hip problems was able to persevere and finish.

Did it with my best friend Dar and my blogger peep Siren (Hitting my Stride).
You ladies rocked it. Great job!!

I'm tired and hungry and at Dar's house for her bday bbq.

Will write more later.

Thanks for all your support.

Happy Birthday Dar.

Siren, you rocked that wet suit.

Twas The Night Before My Triathlon

Twas the night before my triathlon
and all through the house
everyone knows I am nervous
even the mouse

My list was hung on the fridge with care
with hopes that I wouldn't forget anything
that there'd be no despair.

Tricia and Parker are all snug in their bed
While dreams of cheering for their mom danced in their heads

Dar's got her stuff and I've got my swim cap
and now it's time for bed, no time for a nap

When from the garage their arose such a clatter
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter

Away to the garage I flew like a flash
I was really worried that it was my bike that went crash.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear?
But a man on a bike telling me to have no fear.

He came in so quick, so lively, and fast
I knew it was Triathlete Legend Dave Scott what a blast!!

Very rapidly his advice came.
He whistled, he cheered, and he called me by name.

Get in the pool, on your bike, get those running shoes on,
get out there compete, and have you some fun.

Keep on going when you hit that wall.
Now bike away, bike away, bike away all.

It's beautiful weather before the race.
I just couldn't believe that I was looking upon
Dave Scott's face.

So on his bike Dave Scott flew
He had all his gear and his nutrition too

Then in a twinkling I heard in the garage
Dave Scott changing gears. I stood there in awe.

I turned around and got on my bike
Dave Scott said we can go for a ride if you like.

He started to pedal and a turned his head,
Soon gave me a nod to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but just started to bike.
And I learned so much from just watching, biking and the like.

And after we biked awhile he knew it was time for him to go.
And giving a nod down the street he rode.

He sprang out of his seat, looked back my way.
Told me I would be great and to just have a fun triathlon day.

After that I heard him say, as he biked out of sight,

"Happy Triathoning to all, and to all a healthier life"

Just thinking about some stuff

Thinking about Statistics. . . why did I decide to take that class? I walked in my graduation 3 credits short and all that is keeping me from my diploma is a statistics class. I have had a long time to finish it, but have had a hard time. Keith has helped me tonight, but it is a looong process of trying to wrap my brain around this. Part of tonight's lesson was titled THE LOGIC OF HYPOTHESIS TESTING. See there is the problem. Me and logic just don't get along. When someone says, "Melissa just think of it logically" of Logically speaking" they lose me right then and there. I've never been good at logic puzzles or anything of the sort, so statistics being mostly logic is proving to be a hard class for me, but Keith has been very helpful, patient, and encouraging to me. He even came to Caribou Coffee tonight and helped me study. Please pray for me. I'm trying to finish this class by the 27th, so it is no longer hanging over my head. Thanks.

Thinking about Triathlons. . . first one of the season is the day after tomorrow. YIKES!! I'm thinking I'm going to go and have fun and finish. I'm thinking I have no high expectations. I'm thinking you can't do anything about injuries and you just have to work with what you've got. I'm thinking despite all my hurdles I've had to jump lately I'm the lightest I've ever been for an event, I've been training with Matt, I'm losing weight, and generally feeling better. Even with the lack of training I can say this might be my best time ever. I cannot wait to find out. I have another one in July and possibly in August. Sunday is just a warm up, so no matter what it will be good.

Thinking about my Kids. . . home from camp tomorrow. You know they drive you nuts when they are away from you and then you miss 'em like crazy when they are gone. I cannot wait to go and pick them up tomorrow and hear all their stories. Parker did the high ropes course twice. I am so proud of him and cannot believe how much he is growing up. He will be 10 July 2nd. I'm thinking I don't have little kids anymore. I am so proud of all they have done and will do and I love them soooo much.

Thinking about weight loss. . . sigh. I've been stuck losing and gaining the same 5 pounds for awhile now. I'm thinking I need to get my butt in gear if I want to reach 175 pounds by December 31, 2009. That has always been my goal, but I have put myself behind schedule, so I'm excited to see if I can reach my goal or be pretty darn close to it. I'm remotivated to do what I need to do, not to be thin, but to be healthy, and to have the lifestyle I have dreamed of. One of being active and not dying young like my mom.

Thinking about my relationships. . . I take most of them for granted especially my relationship with God and my wonderful husband, Keith. Today and tonight, Keith showed me so much kindness, patience, love, and encouragement that it reminded me why I fell in love with him. About my relationship with God, I want to be closer to Him and rely on Him for everything, so tonight I am recommitting myself to Him. I will have a goal of reading my Bible and praying everyday. I have let my goals, and busyness slowly push Him out. I cannot do anything without Him and not spending time with Him is not the way to go.

Thinking that I'm tired. . . . I still need to drive home from Caribou Coffee, so I must get going. Just was thinking about some things and wanted to get them down before I forgot. Good night.

Role Model

Wow, no one has ever told me I'm their role model, but yesterday someone did.
Someone is looking to me as an example. As someone they could model their life after.
I am so honored. I feel so unworthy, but know that God has put me in this person's life for a reason.
We were meant to meet. We were meant to help each other.
So many times we hear celebrities upset when people say they are role models for their kids, but I see it as an honor and privilege.

Jordan, I promise to be the best role model for you. I promise to strive to be the best that I can be and in doing so help you to be the best that you can be. I promise to be there for you when you need me. I can just listen when you need to talk, be a shoulder for you to cry on, or even go beat up some stupid boy. LOL Thank you for your compliments and for seeing me as someone that you would like to be like. This is such and honor and one that I accept with open arms.

Lord, Thank you for bringing Jordan into my life. Thank you that she sees me as someone she can look up to. Please help me be the best role model I can be and to always remember to keep you at the center of my life, so I always stay Christ centered and not me centered. I give you my journey and ask that you help me see what direction I am to go. Help me to always be encouraging to others and to always put others before myself. In Jesus' name- AMEN!!

Perspective

I am sitting here with my foot in a bucket of ice.
I have been having pain in my heel.
I pulled a muscle in my sore heel today.
I can barely walk. I have a triathlon on Sunday.

Baby John D. age 14 months.
Born with Down Syndrome and Leukemia.
Leukemia was in remission, but now it's back.
He goes into the hospital on Monday to start chemo.
He will be there for 6 months, 6 MONTHS.

Kinda puts my whole heel situation and triathlon situation in perspective, huh?
I'm very blessed. I'm blessed with two healthy children.
I'm blessed with my health even my sore heel.
I am learning to praise God through all my circumstances.

Please pray for Little John, his family, his doctors, and his nurses. His family has a long road ahead of them and will need all the prayers they can get.

U inspire!

I'm sitting here tonight at my computer just thinking about the journey I am on.
I checked facebook and someone had written two words to me. They read "U Inspire."

As some of you know I have been having a lot of trouble with the whole inspiring others concept. I hardly have a handle on what I need to be doing, let alone inspiring others and having that chance that I'll let them down. Recently inspiring others has felt like a burden to me.

Recently I have had 3 people tell me that because of me they have joined weight watchers. I have received emails from people that just signed up for their first triathlon and thanked me for making my journey so public. It was what I needed to hear because just this week I had I was questioning whether or not I should have made my journey so public. I was wondering if I was ever going to accomplish what I want to accomplish and then I realized that I am slipping back into relying on myself to make it and not relying on God.

My true inspiration comes from God and that He sent his only Son to die for me. Jesus made his journey VERY PUBLIC and he inspired so many to follow Him. I need to once again turn my focus on Him and not on what I want to accomplish and what I want to do. I need to again make Jesus and God the focus of my journey and everything else will fall into place.

Tonight I was talking to a wonderful young man, Matt, that is in my son's theater group. I was telling him some things about my journey and inspiring others and he said, "Wow, that's cool, you are like a missionary of sorts." That simple comment made me think about my journey and inspiring others in a whole new light. God has given me the gift of encouragement and reaching out to others. I am finally having success with losing weight and getting healthy and I could not do it without God. God is then turning it around where I am reaching out to others, inspiring them, and helping them change their lives. Because of God helping me I can turn around and help others.

This has totally shifted my thinking on inspiring others. Before I was looking at it as a burden. I was scared. I saw it as a responsibility that I didn't want. I felt I would let everyone down if I gained my weight back or quit triathlons, but now I see it as an honor from God. He has chosen me to help others change their lives just like He is helping me change mine. Wow, pretty cool. I also just want to say to God, U inspire me. Thanks.

Matt, thanks for those words tonight. I know it was just one sentence, but it really changed my outlook on the people that I am inspiring. God used you tonight in my life.

I also want to thank my friend Jordan R. You are always so encouraging to me and more times than you'll ever know, it is when I need it most.

Weight Watchers Update

Yeah, um, it was just as I expected not so good, but like I said in the last post, it is the start of a new week. I have reflected on what went wrong and readjusted for the coming week. It's all good.

I'm Frustrated

Tomorrow I go to Weight Watchers.
I am frustrated by my week.
I didn't work out like I should.
I didn't eat like I should.

I want to change.
I have changed, but some habits are hard to break.
Maybe I don't want it badly enough yet.
Maybe I still feel like I don't deserve it.
Maybe I'm letting that stupid voice in my head get to me.

I'm tired of this.
I want to be healthy.
I want to be thin.
I want to be an IRONMAN.

I don't want to gain my weight back, so
I need to snap out of it.
I am frustrated.
Old habits die hard and I am sick of it.

Tomorrow I go to weight watchers.
It's a new day.
It's just a number on the scale.
I have a whole new week ahead of me.

I want to change.
I will change.
I do want it bad enough.
I do deserve this.
I'm telling that stupid voice in my head to SHUT UP!!

I will do this.
I will be healthy.
I will be thin.
I WILL BE AN IRONMAN.

I will not gain my weight back.
I will snap out of this.
I will not be frustrated.
I will break my old habits.
They will not rule me.

Weight Watchers Update and the gym

I had three weeks where I gained 8 of my 45 pounds back. I can list a bunch of excuses why, but I won't. The bottom line is I screwed up, lost focus, and saw the consequences of my bad choices. I have lived too many years making excuses. This time I'm not going to. I decided I had made enough bad choices and did not want to see anymore weight gain, so I got refocused, made GREAT decisions and this week I lost 6.2 pounds. I am very happy with that and know that I will easily lose the other 1.8 this week if not more. It feels good to be back.

I have also learned a lot from this little detour. I learned how quickly we can gain the weight back. I learned that even when I am detoured I am still making smarter decisions than I would have in the past. In the past I would have skipped Weight Watchers while on my little detour. This time I didn't skip one weigh in. I knew I would have gains, but I went and faced the music. Once I got back on track I realized how much better I feel when I'm doing making the healthy decisions and I never want to feel like I did during my detour. This is real life. I will have my ups and my downs. Each time I have a down I am seeing it last shorter and shorter. That is all I ask of myself. We don't call it a journey for nothing. If you are struggling and on a detour right now, look at the map, and get back on track. You can do it. I did and feel so great.

Another exciting thing in my life is that I joined another contest at the gym. The last contest was called Biggest Winner and we were in teams of 5 and competed to see which team could lose the most percentage of weight loss. My team won. We beat 4 other teams. We each won 2 free personal training sessions. Well, they are having a new contest. It is BIGGEST WINNER Couples. I joined with my friend John. We met at the Bueller YMCA about a month ago, worked out next to each other, got talking about Triathlons (oh Yeah!!) and the rest is history. We are partners for a 10 week contest and we are in the zone. We already weighed in and measured and the next weigh in is not until next weekend and I already lost 6.2 since being weighed in. I will not only keep you posted on my weight watchers experience, but will also keep you up to date on our team journey.

John, are you ready to rumble? We are going to kick some BOO-TAY!!!!

Have a blessed Sunday everyone!!
Remember (to steal a phrase from my good friend COMM) there is treasure everywhere!!

BIKE THE DRIVE PHOTO

My friend, Darlene and I did BIKE THE DRIVE. This is an annual event in Chicago where they close Lake Shore Drive for 5 hours and open it to bikes. The total route is 30 miles. We did 15 this year. The south loop of the route ends at The Museum of Science and Industry. Every year I take my bike up the stairs and raise it in the air like I'm in Rocky. This year Dar and I both posed that way and a Chicago Tribune photographer took our pic. We didn't realize she was taking a picture until she came up to us and asked us our names. My friend Megan found it for me and sent it to me. Here it is:


Bike lift
(Tribune photo by Nancy Stone / May 24, 2009)
Melissa Black (left) and Darlene Seeman hoist their bikes on the steps of Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry Sunday morning. The two participated in the "Bike The Drive" event on Chicago's Lake Shore Drive Sunday.

Happy Memorial Day!!

Why do we say Happy Memorial Day when this should be a day of remembering our fallen soldiers. There really is nothing happy about it, but our country has turned this day of mourning into a day of parties, travel, parades, and a kick off to summer. This is not what the holiday is about at all. I'm not saying we should all walk around somber today, but to wish someone a happy memorial day is baffling to me.

In 1971 Memorial Day Observance was changed from the original date of May 30th to the last Monday is May. This way we could have a nice little 3 day weekend. Now don't get me wrong I like a three day weekend just as much as the next person, but in my opinion that has changed the meaning of this holiday. It seriously has become a weekend of sales, BBQ's,travel plans and a day off school. I take my kids to the local parade every year. We make a poster to thank the vets that are in the parade and after the parade we go to the local VFW to thank the vets for serving our country. We also do this on Veteran's Day. I never want my kids to forget why we get to live in such an awesome country. I don't come from a military family, but I'm raising my family to be a family that thanks military.

One Memorial Day after the parade we were heading back to our car and saw an older vet sitting at a picnic table in our park. My kids probably around age 5 and 4 ran up to him and simply said, "Thank you for serving our country." He teared up and said no one had even thanked him that day. Another Memorial Day weekend we had taken the kids to downtown Chicago and they were thanking vets all day. In the evening in the train station to head home we thanked a female vet. She said the same thing, no one had thanked her all day and how much it meant to her.

Please enjoy your weekend. Enjoy your BBQ's, your shopping, and your travel, but please remember why these things are possible. We live in such an awesome country because of those who have come before us, those who are serving now, and those who are yet to come in our military. Please thank a vet today and EVERYDAY!!

Here is a post I did in 2007 regarding Memorial Day. I had met a soldier and he told me they are trained not to expect anything when they get home that way they won't get hurt. Please read on to hear what else he had to say. . . Memorial Day 2007

Weight Watchers Update

I have had a rough few weeks at weight watchers. I have gained the last three weigh ins. I am not letting it get me down and i know what I have to do to get going again and I am doing it. I have joined a website called Sparkpeople.com. It has a lot of great stuff to help me on my weight loss journey. Check it out. Someone sent me the following when I was having a particularly hard day. It put things into perspective. Hope it helps you too on your journey. Someone wrote this on their one year anniversary of being on sparkpeople.com


10 Things I Have Learned On My One-Year Anniversary

Today is my anniversary and I have learned the following during my one year on SparkPeople:

1. Losing weight is hard!
2. Being fat is harder!
3. I rather be fit and healthy than fat and unhappy.
4. Giving up is not a good option.
5. Set backs are inevitable.
6. Overcoming setbacks can make your stronger (if it doesn't kill you- just kidding.)
7. Stay in the game long enough and eventually you will hit a plateau.
8. Pushing harder doesn't always yield the best results.
9. Listen to your body and take a break when you need to.
10. Reach out to at least one person everyday on SparkPeople. (Friends or strangers, it doesn't matter.) It helps and keeps me accountable.

I have been very frustrated because I am in pain constantly and it has been for a couple weeks now. I have pain in my left heel, right knee, and right hip muscles. I am praying a lot and the Lord is really helping me through this challenging time. I am following #9 above a lot lately. I am walking instead of running, I am working out in the pool more, and if I don't get to run my 5k at the end of my triathlon in June I am ok with that. I have a bike ride tomorrow. I usually do 30 miles. I don't know what I'll be able to do, but I'm going to try and do at least 15 miles and if I don't I'm ok with that. The Lord and I have really had some great heart to hearts this week and I'm really feeling on top of the world right now. In the past I would have wanted to quit, but not this time. I usually would have avoided weight watchers and I haven't. I would have quit and gained back even more weight than I have. I would have given up. Not this time. I have a great group of friends from weight watchers. They took me and another member out to celebrate our graduations today and they have been so encouraging. They are all life time members and remember being where I am right now and they are great. I want to thank them all for sticking with me through all the celebrations and all the downs. You are all the best and I couldn't do it without you.

Here's to a new week and to a Healthier me.

Weight Watchers Update and Graudation

Weight Watchers Update: NOT GOOD

Graduation Update: AWESOME. I AM A COLLEGE GRADUATE.

I Graduate Tomorrow

I'm so excited that tomorrow is my graduation.
I really never saw myself ever graduating from college.
I am continually amazed by what I am doing and taking on.
This is not who I have been for years.
It feels great and I am not stopping.
I cannot wait to see what lies in store for me.
There is no stopping me now.

Happy Graduation to all my friends who also overcame many obstacles to graduate. We are doing it. We are living our dreams.

Happy Mother's Day

To all of my friends that are mom's, for those of you becoming moms, you all rock. For those of you, like me, who have lost their mom. I'm thinking of you today and praying for you. I know how hard this day can be. Hang in there. I would like to take this moment to give a shout out to my mom. Because of my mom I am caring, loving, kind, compassionate, and many more things. Because of my mom I love kids and working with kids and because of her I have finished college with an elementary ed teaching degree. Thanks Mom for always being a great role model, not just in what you said, but in how you lived. I am who I am today because of my mom. Mom, You ROCK and you are my ROCK! I love you.

Weight Watchers Update

I gained .4 pounds. It was frustrating because I wrote down everything I ate, worked out, and overall had a great week, but then I decided that the number on that scale does not rule me anymore. Every week I am becoming a stronger, happier, healthier person and that is all that matters.

Instead of dwelling on the negative I am dwelling no my non scale victories today.
Here are just some of them:

I have people changing their lifestyles because of me.

I am inspiring others. I never thought I would be inspiring, but go figure. I am.

I am graduating from college. Me, graduating from college. Wow!!

My clothes don't fit anymore. They are big.

I can exercise longer and harder then ever before. I'm doing stuff I would have just laughed at last year if you had tried to tell me what I would be doing in a year.

I really can say that I love myself now. I have always been a giver to everyone else, but myself and I'm doing it. I'm loving myself and taking care of myself.

Everyday someone tells me how great I'm looking and how happy I look.

I am starting to run.

I have an awesome husband and two great kids that love me when I'm heavy or not.

I finally have realized in the last few weeks that I truly deserve this.

I am happy.

A little .4 gain at WW is not going to take any of this away from me. I don't know why I gained, but it's ok. Next week I'll knock it out of the park and if I don't then I will adjust and keep going. This would have caused a downward spiral in the past, but not anymore. Wahhhhooooooo!! I've come a long way.

Before and During Pics

Here are my before pics that were taken on November 8, 2008. I weighed in at 297 pounds.









Due to more than one person requesting these, I am putting up some during pictures. They were taken this morning and I weign in at 261.2 pounds. I am at 45 pounds lost. The next pictures will be posted when I hit 75 pounds lost. Let me know what you think of my pics.







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Weight Watchers Update!!

Not a big loss at all, but still a loss none the less.

I only lost .2 pounds.

That brings me up to 45 pounds lost, so I am very happy about that.

I am not happy that I didn't work out like I should. I'm not happy that I didn't eat like I should. This next week I am going to my trainer twice and I am back to journaling what I eat. That is a key component to Weight Watchers that I have gotten away from.

Again, not a great weight loss, but I knew it wasn't the greatest week either. I will live and learn and celebrate what I have accomplished. 45 pounds down. Wahhhooooooo!!