How fat is too fat?!

Vacation seems like such a memory now, even though I've only been "back to the real world" for a little over a week. My husband and I enjoyed a wonderful 5 day trek to Las Vegas! It was a combination of relaxation, fun, and awesome shows. Here's a very windblown self portrait from our last night in Vegas. We'd just finished walking to the Bellagio to see Cirque du Soleil's "O"!

One thing I did, that I have NEVER done on vacation before...I worked out! I've always asked, "who really uses the hotel gym," any time I've cruised past one on the way to the pool on previous vacation. The answer this time is ... this girl! Despite a fair amount of relaxation I worked out 2 mornings, and I logged over 30 miles on my pedometer throughout our stay!! Needless to say, I did not feel guilty at all about indulging in some delicious food during our trip! It was an awesome vacation! 

I witnessed a random weight-related situation one of our flights home that I've been contemplating blogging about and I keep going back and forth. Obviously something about the situation bothered me, or stuck with me, because I'm still thinking about it ... so here goes.

On our last flight, from Denver to Knoxville we were seated in the last row of the plane. Before the flight departed our flight attendants were hanging out in the back of the plane. A lady came down the aisle and put one of her carry on bags in the overhead bin about 4 rows in front of us. She then put her other bag in the aisle seat on that row. She didn't sit down, but instead came straight to the back toward a flight attendant. I could hear the frustration in her voice, and the conversation.

Passenger: There's no room for me to sit in my seat.

Flight Attendant: What do you mean? Is someone else sitting there?

Passenger: No, but the guy in the middle seat is spilling over into my seat ... there's no room for me.

Other flight attendant: Yes, I had to take him a seat belt extender a few minutes ago.

Passenger: Is this a full flight, or can I sit somewhere else?

Flight Attendant: I think we're full. He has to be able to put the arm rest down in between your seats. That's our policy.

Passenger: Do you really want me to try that?

Flight Attendant: Why don't you just wait back here and we'll see if we have an open seat.

OK, I went to Frontier Airlines website and can't find anything about overweight passengers and a policy. I guarantee they have one...even if it's not on their website! A little googling and I found this article mentioning that some airlines have started charging passengers if they require two seats. It sounds like most airlines are probably doing just what our crew did ... found the "offended" passenger a new seat.

My more important question is ... America, how did we get so fat? True, I think that many places like airplanes and arenas have downsized trying to make more room for more people to make more money. However, even at my heaviest I never had trouble buckling the seat belt on an airplane.

I keep replaying the scenario over and over in my head and can't decide if I am happy with how it was "handled," or if the gentleman should've been confronted. If there had been no extra seat on the plane, what would've happened? If he had been confronted, what good would the embarrassment have done? Or maybe the confrontation would've been his wake up call that he needed as an intervention of sorts? Emotional, physical, whatever ... maybe that would've been his proverbial straw that broke the camel's back? 

I try not to be judgmental, and I tell myself when I get frustrated seeing the very overweight women in the motorized carts at Wal-mart, that I don't know their situation, and I don't know if their handicap contributes to their weight, or if their weight is their handicap. I want to yell at them when I see the cart full of processed food, sugary sodas, and plain old crap ... "give a damn, and you can do something about your situation!!"

I know that change is hard. And I know that our society makes it pretty easy to just stay the way you are, and never grow out of a difficult situation. We enable people to make poor choices and live lazy lives. I don't want to be that person. I wish that somehow I could facilitate a change in that man's life so that he's never the topic of a flight attendant's conversation again. I wish I could waive a magic wand and make the pain associated with being overweight go away for those who physically hurt because of their weight. But I know those thoughts are ridiculous.

One thing I do know is that I'm glad my desire to change came from within me, and was no spurred on because I realized I was too fat for an airplane, or too fat for my job! Just this past week someone told me about a Texas hospital that has decided to not hire people with a BMI over 35. Granted, I've never been a fan of the whole height/weight chart that determines a person's BMI. I prefer the awesome tool we used during our Biggest Winner competition that calculated the number through a high-tech scale. 

I've always thought that as a group healthcare professionals are some of the most unhealthy people around. When you figure in the physical demands of most healthcare jobs and the stress ... and the fact that we're the last people to take care of ourselves, we're gluttons for punishment. This Texas hospital isn't taking any more excuses for being overweight. Their policy states "an employee's physique 'should fit with a representational image or specific mental projection of the job of a healthcare professional,' including an appearance 'free from distraction' for hospital patients."

Surely you're thinking -- employers can't discriminate against you because of your weight! Well, guess what? Only the state of Michigan and six US cities (including San Francisco and Washington, DC) ban discrimination against the overweight in hiring.

Although I don't agree with the hiring practice I have to say I'm not at all surprised! In this day and age when medical insurance is so expensive for employers to carry on employees. I'm glad that I work for a company that is trying to motivate us to get healthy by providing an incentive-based wellness program, earning points for positive lifestyle habits, and positive health changes. I've almost reached the highest tier in our wellness plan, and try to do things on a daily basis to earn more points.

I'm sorry this blog has rambled. But I've had all of these thoughts floating around for days! I want people to be inspired to improve their quality of life through their own choice. I don't want people to start their journey on a negative step, feeling like they were forced to lose weight for a job, or forced to lose weight so they could fit into their air place seat! The best step I've taken in a long time is to lose weight for me. I want to lose weight to improve the quality of my life. I want to lose weight to build a better future.

Thanks for bearing with me! 

Today I choose to be happy

Today has been a real doozy of a day. Emotionally this day has taken its toll on me. My first reaction to an emotional, sucky day ... french fries, I want french fries. Fortunately the positive thoughts I was able to force into my head on the drive home were enough to help me bypass the McDonald's, the Sonic, the Taco Bell, the Burger King, the Krystal & the Wendy's. All of those temptations were just the ones on my side of the road! lol

A few months ago I wouldn't have cared, and I would've just given in to my emotional eating. The victory  is not in avoiding one of my favorite foods ... but bypassing it because I knew I was only trying to fill an emotional need, not a physical one. I wasn't hungry. I was hurt, angry and frustrated. Hurt, angry and frustrated don't go away with french fries. They may be temporarily numbed by the delicious potatoes deep fried in hot, bubbly oil -- but that feeling of satisfaction is only a momentary pacification. Have you ever noticed how similar the words fried and friend are ... coincidence, I think not! lol

Score: Fast Food: 0 Amanda: 1 And that is today's victory.

What's made me so emotional, you ask, that I'm driven to fast food drive bys? Short answer: myself. Let me explain. Another lifelong issue I'm trying to combat is self doubt. Someone once told me ... other people can't make you miserable, you're the only one who can make make you miserable. We, as freed adult humans, hold the key to our happiness. Unfortunately, we loan it out sometimes, or forget where we put it ... but, the only person who has the ability to make myself feel ridiculously miserable is me...because I let people make me feel that way.

Today I was reminded that negativity breeds negativity, and there's no room for that in my life. If someone has a negative opinion of me, or doesn't like me, I'm sorry for that, but I can't dwell on it. I can't make everyone happy, and I shouldn't even try to entertain that thought. If every day I wake up, and be the best Amanda I know how to be...that's got to be enough for me.

I am so thankful for the positive habits I've learned during my Biggest Winner journey. I'm so appreciative of the time and tools that were given to me that will continue to help me accomplish my goals. Tonight I'm recommitting myself to living a positive life. Tonight I'm thankful for all of the good in my life. Tonight I'm thankful for a wonderful friend who knew what I needed and said, "let's go for a walk, it will make you feel better." She was right. Between the brief fellowship and the movement, she quickly had me laughing and remembering that I'm the writer of my own destiny. Other people's words or actions can only upset me or feel bad about myself if I let them. Tonight I choose to not let them. Score: Amanda wins!

Of course, no blog would be complete without a little inspiration from Pinterest! :)

A beautiful day for a hike!

Well, it's been a few weeks since I posted, and I hate that it's taken me that long, but my life has been crazy nuts. Work has been very busy, and I've been trying to stay on top of my exercise and health program.

Our team was worried about our official program ending for many reasons. We've grown so dependent on each other and the support we have provided each other, that we knew we'd struggle some adjusting back to our "normal lives." Our group has been determined to stay together as much as possible, and continue to support each other on our weight loss journeys.

Another concern some of us had was not having the free access to the gym we had during our training. That's been a huge adjustment for me, and I've spent the last week exploring different non-gym workouts that are easy after work. So far I've walked a lot, I bought a jump rope, and I danced with our Xbox Kinect to Dance Central 2. Some of us are exploring affordable options to join a gym, so if you have any great discount connections to a local gym (preferably with group classes and a pool) let me know!

Our team has also come up with a schedule of sorts to try to keep us on track! We would like to include any of our friends and family who are wanting to get more active to join us for any of our meet ups. On the walking days -- there are usually a few runners in our group, but most of us (including me) walk. We know, especially with the summer approaching, that we won't all be able to make every Saturday or Sunday, every week...but we knew we needed some structure to keep us in line! There's also a few local races some of us are considering, if you're interested!

2012 Biggest Winner Tentative Schedule of Meet-ups

Sunday, April 15: Melody’s week! Hike White Oak Sinks in the Great Smoky Mountains. Melody has done this hike before, and it takes about 3 hours to complete. The hike is described as a “wildflower” hike with lots to see! The trail is near Tremont in the Great Smoky Mountains.  

Saturday, April 21, 9:30 a.m.: Arielle’s Day! West Side YMCA. This is down the “hill of death” from New Balance and The Health Shoppe.

Optional: Saturday, April 28, 8 a.m.: Dogwood Classic 5K   Register at: http://www.ktc.org/RaceDogwood.html

Sunday, April 29, Time TBD: Darla’s Day! House Mountain Hike!

Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m.:  LeeAnn’s Day! Tommy Schumpert Park (6400 Fountain City Road, 37918).

Saturday, May 12, 10 a.m.: Edee’s Day! Ijams Greenway.

Saturday, May 19, 10 a.m.: Mike’s Day! Greenbelt Maryville/Alcoa. Meet at Old Courthouse.

Saturday, May 26, 8 a.m.: KTC EXPO 10K/5K  Register at: http://www.ktc.org/RaceExpo.html

Tuesday, July 3, 9 p.m.: Pilot Fireball Classic 5K Register here: http://www.ktc.org/RaceFireball.html

Saturday, July 21, 7:30 a.m.: Carter Mill 10K This race ends at a pool! Register here: http://www.ktc.org/RaceCarterMill.html

Today was a beautiful day to be in the Great Smoky Mountains. Casey & I headed to White Oak Sinks with teammates Melody, LeeAnn, and Darla. We had a gorgeous 3 hour adventure complete with water fall, and a bat cave (no bat mobile, though).

The hike was full of beautiful wildflowers! 

I'll try not to take so long between posts from now on ... just trying to adjust to post-weight loss competition life. Still trying to continue building a healthy lifestyle, and I appreciate everyone's support! Feel free to join us for a walk or a hike sometime! 

Slow and steady wins the race ...

Ever since race day on Sunday (Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon) I've been mentally composing this blog, trying to find the right words to describe the emotions and details of the day. On Sunday, April 1, 2012, I accomplished my goal -- I crossed the finish line, completing the half marathon, 13.1 miles!

Last year I applied for Covenant Health's Biggest Winner team with multiple goals in mind ... my primary goal was to build healthier habits, and jump start a weight loss attempt that I started in the summer. My secondary goal was to complete a race event during this spring's Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon. Originally I planned to run the 5K, but after we started training, I decided instead to walk the half marathon (13.1 miles). 

Over the past few months you all have read about my training experience, as well as my weight loss journey, and I appreciate your support more than any of you will ever know! I've tried to be nothing but candid in my blogs because so much of this journey for me has been about accountability. I knew in the beginning that the more I told people about what I was doing, the more I would feel responsible to not only myself, but everyone who was cheering me on. And it worked! I knew I could finish the race. I knew I wouldn't be running, but that's not what this race was about to me. It wasn't about racing at all...but finishing the race. 

Race time: 4:13:04

Place in race: 2610 out of 2616. 

Yes, you read that correctly. Only 6 people finished the half marathon after me. 4 of those actually finished WITH me, and were teammates, along with Coach Kane who cheered us along throughout the race. I told myself in the beginning that in this race, time did not matter to me. I just wanted to finish. I wanted to enjoy the day, and enjoy what our team had accomplished. 

The day started with our team cheering on our hand cyclist member, Edee. Her race started 5 minutes before the foot race. 

As we all hugged Edee and wished her luck I felt this crazy combination of nervousness and excitement...kind of like that feeling I used to get on the first day of school. You know the feeling ...not sure what the day would hold, but knowing that you couldn't wait to find out! Edee thought it would take her over 2 hours to complete the half marathon...she finished in under 2. She kicked some major butt! 

At 7:30 our race started, with 726 marathoners, 2616 half marathoners, and 152 Marathon Relay Teams (4 person teams). Shortly after our start the next group of 1826 started the 5K.

Along the way I was thankful for a lot of things -- the first one was people cheering us on! On Kingston Pike, my church friends the Hintons, stood in front of our church cheering us on -- it was awesome! 

When we got to Cherokee my parents and husband were camped out at the bottom of the driveway. They'd been there to see the first runner speed by, and hung out until we made it! My sister was in the front of the pack, and passed their house a lot earlier than I did! 

Before we passed my parents house my husband snapped this pic of Melody who was a little ahead of us. Look how happy she is! 

A bit later my husband snapped this one in front of my parents' house of me, Lee Ann & Darla.

Soon Coach Missy backtracked to check on the 3 of us. During the entire race she kept tabs on the entire team, and pretty much knew where everyone was at all times, and in what shape they were in. Missy snapped these photos as we walked down Cherokee Blvd.

In the background of this one is our friendly pace cop...who pretty much rolled up the course behind us the entire morning. :) As we headed towards Noelton via Blows Ferry, we found Melody's sign! 

Next stop: Noelton. I have to tell you ... this was the boost we needed.  Noelton still had a party going on, with music, drinks and people! They cheered us the entire way! 

At the top of Noelton, we were also cheered on by my awesome mom & dad, husband, and in-laws! They were all by themselves...the band had packed up, the news crews were gone ... but there they were, on the sidewalk, waiting for us! I have the best family in the world. 

Next we headed to the greenway that would take us all of the way to Tyson Park. We've walked this route numerous times during our training ... but on Sunday it felt like the longest greenway in the world. We did, however, pass the absolute best water stop on the entire course ... complete with music (I'm Sexy and I Know It) & costumes, LMFAO stye! We danced along with them, and it gave us the kick in the butt we needed to keep going! 

Next it was Tyson Park. My husband and in-laws were also waiting for us there! My parents went on to Neyland to see my sister cross the finish line (she set a new PR 5 minutes quicker than her time last year -- finishing 2:03:29)! Also, part of Lee Ann's family met us here, and walked with us for a bit.

Missy snapped this one of me and Casey -- best husband in the world! 

LeeAnn with her cousin & uncle who came in from Texas to cheer her on!

After Tyson Park the remaining part of the course takes you down Cumberland Avenue, up behind ETCH & Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, down to the Candy Factory, across Clinch Avenue (where we started) and across Cumberland to Neyland Stadium! 

Mentally and physically this was the hardest part of the course for me, and I think for the teammates who were with me. Our bodies had started to hurt, and at this point you're ready to just be finished! Going down this hill was the best feeling in the world. I knew that at the bottom I would cross Cumberland, and be in the home stretch.

Approaching Neyland was awesome. People who'd already completed the race were on the sides of the alley leading into the stadium cheering you on. I had chills, and the feeling of pride almost brought me to tears. I stepped onto the field with Lee Ann, Darla, Mike & Coach Kane, and approached the finish line.

In true finish line fashion we decided to jog to the finish line. I love the pure joy in Lee Ann's face in this photo! 

At this point I started to realize that my shorts were way too big, and if I didn't hold them up, they were going to fall down! lol

Here's an awesome pic of me trying to hold my shorts up! lol 

Needless to say-- once we reached the finish line, we were nothing but excited! As we neared the finish line I saw so many familiar and friendly faces that I couldn't help but smile ridiculously! I waved at cameraman Jerry, and at photographer Neil. I headed straight to give team manager Tonya a high five as seen below: 

Here's the close up ... lol. Still holding my pants up! 

We made it! Me, Mel, Mike, Lee Ann & Darla.

More of the team: Edee, Kelsey (Last year's Biggest Winner), Mel, Darla, Coach Kane, Mike, Manager Tonya! Teammate Randy was completing the full marathon, so he's not in our post pics! 

I felt amazingly OK after the race. I thought I'd want to collapse on the sidelines, and would hurt horribly. Instead I think adrenaline took over, and I was just excited! After our team took some photos, I started looking for my family! 

Here I am with my sister, who was well rested at this point since she finished the half marathon nearing 2 hours prior! lol 

Sunday afternoon I took the best nap in the history of naps, and unfortunately some soreness started to set in. I'm still working though the natural soreness, and babying my feet, since the high mileage caused a flare up of my sesamoiditis. 

But the feeling that remains two days after my 13.1 is complete pride & satisfaction. This is definitely the most difficult physical goal I've ever set for myself! And it's an amazing journey that I've shared with an incredible team! To my team, and our coaches, I am eternally grateful! You've helped me change my life! 

It's the Final Countdown

It's the final count down ... <cue Europe and their synthesizer melody, and sing along>! OK, so while the lyrics really have nothing to do with my excitement about it only being a few days before my first half marathon, the hook sure is catchy isn't it?! It's not uncommon in my house for me to break into song and that unforgettable riff... "It's the final countdown ... do do do do ... do do do do do..." In case you have no idea how it goes ... here it is for your viewing pleasure.

Lyrics | Europe lyrics - The Final Countdown lyrics

OK, back on target! I'm so excited (and I just can't hide it ... sorry, when I get really excited I continue to break into song!) that Sunday and the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon is almost here! I thought I'd be nervous. I thought I'd be hesitant. But I feel almost like a little kid the night before Christmas who can hardly wait to open her presents. I feel like I'm completely prepared for my first half marathon on Sunday. Coach Missy and personal trainer/life coach Chris have given me all of the tools I need, and helped me build the strength to accomplish my goal of crossing the finish line at Neyland Stadium on Sunday.

Interested in cheering me and other participants on in Sunday's races (starting at 7:30 a.m.)? Some popular spectator spots are Western Plaza Shopping Center, Tyson Park, KMA (the split for the half & full marathon). Spectators will also be able to enter Neyland Stadium through Gate 9 and sit in Sections A-P to watch participants cross the finish line. Also, if you're spectating, there's tons of entertainment to keep the party going -- check out this lineup! I look forward to hearing my pal Mike Mauldin  playing near the Ag Campus ... and although I'd love to hear my fave Jason Ellis on Sunday ... that would mean I decided to do the full marathon, and then you all would KNOW I'd lost my mind!

Although I'm really excited about Sunday, I will miss built in time with my teammates after we complete our event. I think we've all bonded, and are so dedicated to the fitness improvements that we're making right now that we will try to keep up some of our group exercise, like walking on Saturdays. I've always wondered how reality show contestants like folks on American Idol and the Biggest Loser become so close in such a short period of time ... but now I get it! When you've got so much in common with a group of people, and you've shared so many similar life experiences, and you spend quality time (like walking so many miles with them) with them every few days, there's no way you won't become close to them. I know I could not have accomplished the things I have accomplished in the past few months without my teammates.

Speaking of accomplishments -- last week I hit a milestone. I've lost 30 pounds since June!

Here's where I was in June ... 

Here's where I was yesterday...

I can't wait for our team to be able to show off our before/after pictures that should be released soon -- so everyone can see our complete team transformation! We had an awesome team celebration last night where each of our team members received a trophy and special recognition for their contributions to our team. It was such a fun night, and I can't remember the last time I got a trophy! 

I hope everyone has a great week! If you're a praying person, please say one or two for me and my teammates as we embark on a fabulous journey this weekend!

Here's some inspiration for the days to come!