I'm still here and working at it.  Sorry for the long hiatus from writing.  I completed my first partial (aquabike) triathlon on August 22nd with my neighbor Chelsea Ryan (who did all three events) and was proud of myself for being under an hour.  By the way, "aquabike" means that I'm only doing the swim ("aqua") and bike ("bike") portions of the triathlon.  It does NOT mean that I'm racing on one of those big water bikes with the huge wheels that you see on lakes sometimes.  My knee hasn't been bothering me as much and I've been running 3 - 3.5 miles 2-3 times a week. My goal is to run a 10K without stopping by March and the Monument Avenue 10K. It does get addictive if you keep doing it, but unfortunately, so does sitting on the couch and eating chips while watching TV and drinking beer.  Trying to stay focused on the first one.

I'm continuing to train for the next triathlon on October 10 that Mike is doing also.  For that one I'll be doing all three events (400m swim, 12 mile bike, 5K run).  The run is going to kick my butt.  Got to keep moving...

Been having fun planning C's 5th birthday party on October 9 and my 40th birthday party on October 23 (both in Richmond). If you haven't received an evite invitation to my birthday party and would like to come, please email me and let me know.  I didn't include many people from NC because I didn't think many people would want to make the drive just for a birthday party.  I am very excited to report that my good friend Cherie has already booked her flight from Florida and will be here for the Birthday/Halloween extravaganza.  Haven't seen her in years. I'm so excited.  Also not sure what I'm going to wear yet, but have a lot of good ideas.

My weight has plateaued for now, but I feel great and my clothes are fitting well.  Doubt I'm going to reach my weight goal of 144 lbs by my birthday because I'm also building muscle now, but I'm still happy and plan to keep on with the fitness plan/triathlon training after my birthday is over.

Thank you to all those who've checked in on me.  I'm far from giving up and this exercise thing is becoming a way of life (since I refuse to give us the Velveeta/Rotel dip).  Don't give us on me.  Love to all.  Thanks for your support.

Well, I did it.  I signed up for the Pink Power Triathlon on August 22 (although I'm only doing the swim-bike portion) and the Napier Realtors Richmond Sprint Triathlon on October 10th.  Bought a beautiful road bike (see picture) on 7/29/10.  It's a 2011 Trek Lexa S (there goes my camera money!).  Haven't been able to ride it yet.  Pregnancy "issues" just keep coming back at the worst times.  Enough said.  Won't do into it any deeper than that.

So, in the meantime I've been swimming and trying to work on breathing on both sides during freestyle (I've always breathed on my left) and my flip turn (not doing it crooked and not getting water up my nose).  Mike's going to help me with it this weekend if we can get a sitter for the kids (Mom, want to come visit?).  I'd also like to do the bike route with him so he can show me some pointers like how to change a flat tire.  He's been a great coach so far ~ encouraging me and writing up a training schedule (and not flipping out when I bought a bunch of "gear" at Performance Bicycle).

I'm excited and nervous since I haven't had the traditional 13 minimum of training for either of these triathlons.  My goal is just to finish before they kick me off the course.  I know I'll get better as time goes by.

Gotta run.  Lunch break is over.  Hope everyone is doing well.  Thanks for reading this and continuing to encourage me.  :)

I've been on a plateau for the past couple weeks.  It's been hard with special event celebrations every weekend for the past 3 weeks (and another this weekend in Charlotte).  The good news is I'm holding steady and not gaining weight.  I've broken into the 150s on 3 mornings so far, usually on Friday morning in preparation for the weekend.  Alcohol is evil, but I like it.  What's a girl to do?

I've gotten away from my food log and need to start it up again.  I've also been up late most nights working on a project for my friend's birthday and so I haven't been doing my sit-ups.  I just need to get focused again.

Then, there's my body.  I had an MRI done on my left knee last week.  The doctor thinks I have a torn meniscus.  I'll find out if he's right on Wednesday.  My left toe has been locking up and after researching on the internet, I think it may be Hallux Rigidus (sp) - arthritis in the toe/foot (tennis is a big culprit for this).  I'm seeing the foot doctor tomorrow for that.  He'll probably want to do an MRI too.  If I do the Pink Power Triathlon, I'll only do the aqua/bike (swim, bike portion) since I don't have enough time to train for it.  Still aiming for the Napier Realtors Richmond Sprint Triathlon in October.  I'll still be 39 for it and it should help me lose any last few pounds that I'll be working on.

So, I've stopped playing tennis for now.  I'm still running 3 miles 1-2 days per week.  I really enjoy it.  It's starting to be addicting (I NEVER thought I'd say running is addictive).  Luckily, my knee and toe don't bother me when I run.  I prefer to run in the morning when it's not too hot yet (we've had 100+ degree days here in Richmond during the past couple weeks).  I've also been swimming about once a week, but I want to increase that.  Would have gone twice this week except that after the first day my neck was killing me.  Didn't know if I slept wrong on it or was breathing wrong (turning just my head instead of turning my whole torso).  It's still sore.  Could probably use a chiropractic adjustment, but would need to get a referral for it and already have enough doctor bills.  Went bike riding once last week.  It was about 6 miles.  Got passed on a slight hill by 2 old people (probably in their 60s or 70s). How sad is that?  I figure it's because I was on a mountain bike and they were on 10-speeds, right?

Mike is only working Wednesday this week, so I plan on running (no rain) or swimming (if raining) in the morning tomorrow.  Can't do anything Wednesday or Thursday morning and leaving for NC Thursday night with little C.  Taking my running shoes and bathing suit with me so hopefully I can use the M'ville YMCA on Friday and Saturday morning.  Probably won't be feeling up for it on Sunday.  ;)

Thank you for everyone's support.  I appreciate those who've checked in on my and asked how I was doing.  I'm still here and I haven't given up by any means.  Free Jilly!!

My friends are right, I think I was starving myself and last week it caught up to me.  I didn't feel like I was starving myself.  I actually felt good and had more energy.  But last week, I was SOOOO hungry.  I broke down and ate a bunch of food that probably wasn't good for me.  And I'm realizing that not eating enough during the day just makes me hungry at night before I go to bed (which is when I shouldn't be eating).  So, I'm going to start working on that.  I need suggestions on healthy things to eat at work that will help keep me feeling full.  The cucumbers last week tasted good, but 30 minutes later I was hungry and I was burping up cucumbers for the rest of the night.

Jules, most mornings I do not eat breakfast at home (I'd rather get some much needed shuteye than wake up early so I can eat) so I end up eating at work with my coffee.  The only thing I have here are banana nut and chocolate Sam's Club muffins in the freezer (that I bought prior to starting my diet). If I do eat a muffin, I cut it in half and save the other half for another day.  I think it's just poor planning on my part (and I'm usually such a good planner).

Looking at my food log, I see that I'm addicted to sugar. Is that abnormal?  Maybe I have an imbalance?  Even sitting here drinking my water, I have to put a packet of Great Value (Walmart) Sugar Free Lemonade drink mix in it so I'll drink more.  Luckily it's 0 everything except for 25mg of Potassium.  However, looking at the ingredients, I don't know what most of them are.

My knee and foot injuries from running the 10K back in March are getting worse.  It hurt to walk on Friday from lunch until I went to bed.  The next morning it only hurt mildly and this weekend was good with no pain.  I'm playing tennis tonight and hope it doesn't bother me.  I WANT to run and play tennis and bicycle and swim and do Zumba.  Why isn't my body helping me?  Stretching.  There, I said it.  I'm a horrible stretcher. I know I should stretch before and after an activity, but I'm so non-limber that I hate doing it (especially if people can see me and can see that I can't touch my toes ~ don't remember EVER being able to touch my toes).  So, that's on the list of things to do:  Stretch.

Gotta get back to work.  My lunch break is over and I wrote instead of walked since my shoes were at home (had to wear them home on Friday because my foot hurt).

Love to all.  Keep the encouragement coming (since I haven't heard from many people in a long time). :)

~ Jill

I'm realizing that I need to ramp up my exercise so I've started a Tennis Ladder in the West End of Richmond at https://www.globaltennisnetwork.com/tennis-ladders/ladders/tennis-ladder-page/ladder/1520-richmond-west-end-tennis-ladder.  I'll even play at 6am if there's light.  At last view, I was still the only one in the ladder but hopefully people will spread the word and I'll have some other members soon whom I can play tennis against.  (So, please spread the word if you know of anyone in Richmond, especially the West End, who plays) 

Volleyball tonight was cancelled due to lack of players, so if I can't find anyone to play tennis with I'll go swimming at the YMCA instead.  Either way, I'm going to exercise tonight.  Mike's on his 5 day break so hopefully I can exercise for the next 4 days in a row.  :)

We are back from a wonderful week in Corolla, NC in the Outer Banks.  It felt great to just get away since we hadn't had a vacation in 2 years.  The kids had fun despite both getting sick (there's nothing quite like a 4 year old on Prednisone aka "crack").  Next year we hope to do two weeks instead of just one.

I realize that I'm still early in my "Race to Healthy," but I still decided to not be as strict with my calories at the beach.  I didn't drink the water that I should be drinking on a daily basis, so I'm ramping that up again.  I also didn't track my calories and weigh myself.  I DID try to do more physical activities.  I ended up playing tennis two mornings and went bibycling 2 mornings.  I'd hoped to swim laps also, but the Ocean Lakes community pool wasn't open like Twiddy (the rental company) said it was.  Really bummed about that since that was a big reason why we got the house we did.  I ate yummy crab legs three different nights for dinner.  I figured I was burning calories trying to get the meat out while eating healthy (seafood).  However, I drank alcohol daily (including yesterday for Memorial Day).  The following article popped into my inbox this afternoon regarding this very topic, so I thought I'd share how bad alcohol is for weight loss ~ www.livestrong.com/article/126358-just-bad-alcohol-weight-loss/https://www.livestrong.com/article/126358-just-bad-alcohol-weight-loss/

Anyway, I'm back and tracking.  Only down a pound total, but I think the water gain has a lot to do with that.  Oh, and I'm still fitting into my size 12 pants so the weight I gained back is at least in a different place.  :)

P.S.  If you ever decide to cut the grass for your husband (like I did yesterday), make sure that you figure out how the "self propelled" part works ahead of time so he doesn't have to tell you after you're already 90% done with a blister on your right hand.  I figure I needed the exercise...

If you would have told me 5 years ago that one day I'd be excited to fit into size 12 pants, I would have told you "you're crazy!"  Well, that day is today and I am excited.  Just 6 weeks ago I tried on the same pair of pants and they were too snug.  It's so great to "see" some progress and not just on the scale.  I'll be doubley excited when I can fit in the size 10 business suits I have.  Maybe next  month?  We'll see.  I'm looking forward to it.

Vacation is coming up and I'm taking my bike, tennis racquet and running shoes.  My plan is to do some sort of exercise/activity each morning as long as someone is willing to watch the kids.  Maybe I can even play tennis with my husband?!  That hasn't happened in about 6 years.  Any suggestions on tips for staying on my plan while on vacation?

Just thought I'd share.  This picture is one that we came across while cleaning the house.  This picture was taken probably in 1993 or 1994.  Yes, that's me ~ the blonde.  Check out my abs!  This picture is now sitting on my desk at work to remind me of another reason that I'm doing this.  I want abs like that again!  (Also in pic:  Michael Sabbagh and Meredith (Moore) Comer)

By the way, I haven't thought about the camera in about 11 days.  It will be a nice reward, but it's no longer my motivating factor.

Hope you have a great weekend!

I felt guilty yesterday, but today I feel better having the numbers on the scale go down a little overnight.  I realize that isn't the most important thing, but it's the only one I can quantify for now.  I'm also feeling better.  I already feel like I have more energy. 

I have a new parking spot at work (not that they're assigned anyway).  I'm now parking in the farthest spot from the door (next to the sports car that doesn't want any other cars near his, but he'll get over it).  It may take me a couple extra minutes to get into work, but I know the extra walking is good for me.

I also trying to drink more water.  Believe it or not, but I could go all day long with only drinking one glass of water until I got home at night.  Now, I'm increasing my water intake (sometimes using Special K Protein Powder added).  I know water is essential, so I'm doing my best there.

Flossing.  I'm one of "those people" who don't floss very often.  So, I'm making an effort to flow every other day working up to every day.  Tonight will be my second time.  It's all part of that overall getting healthy thing, right?

Crunches before bed.  I've committed myself to doing crunches prior to getting into bed each night.  So far, I've only not done it one night.  I'm up to 50 crunches each (front, left-side, right-side).  Need to figure out some exercises to do for my lower abs though.  Feel like I'm not working those.

Zumba.  I've been going to Zumba at the YMCA on Wednesday evenings at 6pm when Mike's not working.  Tonight is one of those nights. Do I really need special Zumba shoes?

Volleyball.  Normally, I would have to miss my weekly volleball league tomorrow since Mike's working.  Luckily, my teammate who lives across the street has to miss it for an earlier commitment, but has offered to come over and watch the kids so I can play.  What a great friend...

Walking at Lunchtime. I'm going to walk today at lunchtime (only a high of 72).  Can't wait!

Goodbye to Almond snacks. I was eating too many of them.  Now, I'm only eating 3 a day for the cancer fighting benefits.

Ice Cream.  I'm actually still eating it.  Last night I had 2 tablespoons to cure my sweet tooth.  And I still lost weight.  :)

I had a wedding on Saturday and fell off the wagon big time. I didn’t eat that much at the wedding, but the 3 glasses of wine followed that evening by half a bag of Doritos with a Miller Lite when I was tipsy took me from down 4.5 lbs to only down 1 lb. now. I’m so frustrated with myself. Who thought Doritos and Chardonnay had so many calories? Also the Wendy’s spicy chicken sandwich with fries and a sprite for lunch didn’t help either.

I started eating Almonds last week as a snack, but I think they’re derailing my weight loss also because of the high fat content. Plus, it’s hard not to keep eating them. I need to work again on portion control.

OK, my husband has told me if I'm going to do this right, then I need to tell everyone what I weigh.  Hopefully all of the women (and some men) out there know how difficult this is for me.  However, I am fully committing myself to this and to my sponsors, so I've now added my weight to my website.  I will do my best to update it daily.  Gosh, I feel naked now...