So , instead of trying to answer every one's email, or question on MFP , or even posts that have been left for me herem cause I simply can not answer everyone individually, this will have to suffice.
People have been asking me , what about the excess skin, or loose skin, whichever, after having lost as much weight as I have, Have I had surgery to take care of it? Cause clearly people do not seem to think I have an issue with the excess skin. Well, OK, thank you for that, You saying that to me means I have done what I have intended to do, and that is HIDE IT WELL . YES , sadly, there is excess skin , And as open as I have been in this journey, no , I will not be sharing my pictures of all my skin for you to see, I am keeping that one to myself. You will just have to take my word for it. But Maybe its not AS BAD as some of you think. I am not sure what you expect, I get " Your tummy is so flat, Do you not have excess skin" ? Umm, yeah, But my tummy is 'flat' cause I am relatively small, I don't weigh that much,( compared to where I was) and I don't have much body fat, so the excess skin that is there, just kind of is there. It doesn't hang down to my knees ( haha, are you wondering that one?) but its not flat and pretty either. You name the body part, there is excess skin. Pure and simple.
BUT , I must say, for all of you wondering if it will happen to you too , and you are wondering if you should even, lose weight cause you don't wont the excess skin ( yes, people have actually said, I don't want to lose weight cause I don't want loose skin. REALLY? you would really want to be overweight cause you fear the excess skin? ) , there are many factors you need to consider. How long have you been overweight? how is your skin now? sun damaged? do you take care of it? How fast are you losing weight? are you getting tons of water in? are you doing strength training? BUT the key factor here , I think, is GENETICS !!
So what goes for me, may not go for you. I had held that extra weight for over 20 years, my skin had been stretched out for a very long time. it may never bounce back ,and I am aware of that. I am not freaking out over it, I don't love it, I , in fact, HATE it. But I don't have money to have it taken care of surgically, so I don't have many choices, But to deal with it. and part of my dealing with it , is being sure you don't have to see it.
Hope that answers some questions regarding the issue :)
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
I am no longer finally fit at forty
I am now 41. I had a birthday this past week, and while I had just an OK day due to personal things going on, I was able to enjoy my achievements that I have reached over the last year. My year of being 40 was wonderful, I did everything I set out to do. I reached my goal weight, and I have learned how to maintain that weight. ( Finally) I have reached fitness goals I honestly , never thought was possible for me to do. I can do pull ups, and just a few days before my birthday, I did 50 ( FIVE ZERO ) military style push ups. I held a plank for 4 mins, and only stopped cause it was 4 minutes . I was on the TODAY show, I was in New York City for 25 hours with my nearest and dearest friend Maegan, and we had a whirlwind time in the Big Apple, all because of my weight loss. I was on New Day Northwest, and shared that with two of my wonderful sons, Alec and Jake, and also my dear friend and workout buddy who keeps me honest, Angela. The NEW DAY show was almost better than the Today Show, cause I shared it with my sons, they made me very very proud and honored to say I am their Mother . I became an instructor at my gym and I now teach 3 classes a week .
But most of all , this past year I have been able to inspire others to start their weight loss journey, or I have been able to encourage them to continue on the journey they had already started. people that I will never meet, have been inspired by me sharing my struggles and my journey so open and publically. I am grateful that I have been able to do it, and happy to every single day. Cause if I can help one person who felt the way I USE to, feel the way I feel now, It makes it all worth it.
I leave you with a picture taken my Birthday weekend. Inner peace and happiness shows through in this picture, I think. 
Saturday, March 12, 2011
LOVE the NEW BLOG!
A Big Giant Thank you goes out to my dear Friend Maegan, She has been working on this little gem for me for my Birthday. I love it!
There is a contest at the trainers desk at the gym, for men and ladies, who can do the most push ups, and hold the longest plank. I did the push up challenge the other night before boot camp, I did 50 on my toe push ups ! I was in first place with the ladies and tied with the men . I had no clue if I could do 50, the most I had done was 38 then I got really sick and didnt workout for almost a week, but my goal had been to complete the 50 by the end of Feb. I was thrilled to do it! 
See pictures above! I have since been beaten, some crazy lady did 70 pushups! WOW , dont know who she is, but we are pretty sure she isnt human.
Awesome weekend planned, Birthday weekend! Actual day isnt till WED, but I have some birthday plans this weekend, and spending time with my boys.
Everyone have a good Weekend!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Long time no Blog
I am sorry its been a while, I was really sick for a week so I missed a post. Then I have spent the last week playing catch up, with life, work, family, ect.
Back to the sick, I had the following : Bronchitis, ear infection, sinus infection, and swollen tonsils. I have NEVER had any of the above. IT knocked me on my butt for sure, I taught a class on a Monday, after having been sick since Thursday, and finally went to the DR on Tuesday, ( after my mom told me I shouldnt have burning lungs when I did cardio). I took the following day off, spent it in and out of bed and on antibiotics, and it was a good 4 days before I was better. I went 6 days without working out, A first in over two years for me. The first workout was tough, and each one was tougher, it was a hard, exhausting week , this last one. But I worked out 5 days and worked 6 days. I am really looking forward to doing nothing tomorrow except going for a run.
I picked up a 3rd class this last week, I now teach Monday nights in Kent ( body works) Wed and Thursday nights in Covington ( Bootcamp) please Join me whenever you like!!
I met with my DR this past week, had all my blood work done, everything is perfect, I was hoping there was something that wasnt so perfect, I have been having inner thigh cramps in the middle of the night, I was hoping to find a reason why. Perfect, Who would complain? Well, I would. lol
I also talked about why when I increased my calories, I gained 4 pounds. Hello, I went from 1200 to 1500 calories, and gained 4 pounds. In the last week I went back to 1200 and lost those 4 pounds. according to my DR I should V E R Y S L O W L Y increase my calories. like 20-50 a MONTH . WOW, not 300 a day, right away? she wants me to only increase 20 - 50 a day, for a month at a time , then go from there. thats not even a cookie a day, its like a ...... A REALLY BIG CUCUMBER! lovely. This should be interesting.
Back to the sick, I had the following : Bronchitis, ear infection, sinus infection, and swollen tonsils. I have NEVER had any of the above. IT knocked me on my butt for sure, I taught a class on a Monday, after having been sick since Thursday, and finally went to the DR on Tuesday, ( after my mom told me I shouldnt have burning lungs when I did cardio). I took the following day off, spent it in and out of bed and on antibiotics, and it was a good 4 days before I was better. I went 6 days without working out, A first in over two years for me. The first workout was tough, and each one was tougher, it was a hard, exhausting week , this last one. But I worked out 5 days and worked 6 days. I am really looking forward to doing nothing tomorrow except going for a run.
I picked up a 3rd class this last week, I now teach Monday nights in Kent ( body works) Wed and Thursday nights in Covington ( Bootcamp) please Join me whenever you like!!
I met with my DR this past week, had all my blood work done, everything is perfect, I was hoping there was something that wasnt so perfect, I have been having inner thigh cramps in the middle of the night, I was hoping to find a reason why. Perfect, Who would complain? Well, I would. lol
I also talked about why when I increased my calories, I gained 4 pounds. Hello, I went from 1200 to 1500 calories, and gained 4 pounds. In the last week I went back to 1200 and lost those 4 pounds. according to my DR I should V E R Y S L O W L Y increase my calories. like 20-50 a MONTH . WOW, not 300 a day, right away? she wants me to only increase 20 - 50 a day, for a month at a time , then go from there. thats not even a cookie a day, its like a ...... A REALLY BIG CUCUMBER! lovely. This should be interesting.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Its AMAZING what your body is telling you
when you actually listen to it!
I have been having tummy issues. bloated and bubbly, after lunch usually, so I cut out yogurt, and that helped, then I must have added something else in cause it started up again. So I just suffer with it every day after lunch.... or sometimes its after breakfast. But it wasnt till yesterday when I didnt eat too much cause I wasnt feeling well, that I figured out what was causing me to feel ( and sometimes look) 6 months pregnant, it was PEPPERS!!! my love of all things, can add it to every meal and make it better, little sweet bell peppers. I love them , but guess what, they do NOT love me. SAD, super super SAD over this discovery. I love them, they have a crunchy sweet thing that I love about them .
the point is, 2 years ago I would have never even thought that if something was wrong with my tummy, that it was something I ate, I just never listened to my body before, but now, it talks, and I LISTEN, and guess what, when you are not putting all that crap in your body , you can pinpoint what is causing the issue pretty fast. Listen to your body, it really is trying to tell you what it needs.
I leave you with a thought that I think of often. before, when I weighed 330 pounds , everything was hard to do, EVERYTHING, even, the simplest task of rolling over in bed, that was hard to do, it required effort, and it was hard. I remember when it was no longer effort to roll over, and I can recall when it no longer woke me up in the middle of the night. My body was speaking to me, 'hi Tami, rolling over in bed should not be an effort, lose some weight girlfriend, you will sleep better' .... So glad I listened to it :)
I have been having tummy issues. bloated and bubbly, after lunch usually, so I cut out yogurt, and that helped, then I must have added something else in cause it started up again. So I just suffer with it every day after lunch.... or sometimes its after breakfast. But it wasnt till yesterday when I didnt eat too much cause I wasnt feeling well, that I figured out what was causing me to feel ( and sometimes look) 6 months pregnant, it was PEPPERS!!! my love of all things, can add it to every meal and make it better, little sweet bell peppers. I love them , but guess what, they do NOT love me. SAD, super super SAD over this discovery. I love them, they have a crunchy sweet thing that I love about them .
the point is, 2 years ago I would have never even thought that if something was wrong with my tummy, that it was something I ate, I just never listened to my body before, but now, it talks, and I LISTEN, and guess what, when you are not putting all that crap in your body , you can pinpoint what is causing the issue pretty fast. Listen to your body, it really is trying to tell you what it needs.
I leave you with a thought that I think of often. before, when I weighed 330 pounds , everything was hard to do, EVERYTHING, even, the simplest task of rolling over in bed, that was hard to do, it required effort, and it was hard. I remember when it was no longer effort to roll over, and I can recall when it no longer woke me up in the middle of the night. My body was speaking to me, 'hi Tami, rolling over in bed should not be an effort, lose some weight girlfriend, you will sleep better' .... So glad I listened to it :)
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentines Day!
did you do something today for yourself? To love yourself, your mind , body and spirit? we often think of valentines day as a day for lovers, but why not make it a day to love yourself? Pamper yourself, Get a massage, get in an extra workout ( simply because you can) get your toes done, or simply sit back and read a book. There are many ways to love yourself, and treat yourself in a loving way. So often we do things to our bodies that are not good, not loving, so why not take a day to love yourself? and if you're reading this after the big day?? No biggie, do something this weekend for YOU!
I did something good for myself today. I got TANKED. I wanted to know, once and for all , what my body fat % really was. Because of my loose skin, I can not do the pinch test, it wouldnt be accurate. and the thing that you squeeze at the gym ,isnt all that accurate either. ( Hmm, but mine wasnt too far off) but still. I wanted to have the most accurate testing available to me. I was hoping for 20% see chart :
Body Fat Percentage Categories
Classification Women (% fat) Men (% fat)
Essential Fat 10-12% 2-4%
Athletes 14-20% 6-13%
Fitness 21-24% 14-17%
Acceptable 25-31% 18-25%
Obese 32%+ 25%+
the first % is woman, second % is male. as I said, I wanted 20% I got 23% . As you can see from the chart above, I am considered "fitness status" Should be fabulous, I should be jumping for joy, but knowing that I wanted "athlete status" I am not jumping for joy. I need to lose 6 pounds of fat to be where I want to be.
I have my work cut out for me <3
But with that said, I am still VERY happy with what I have done, and where I am at. VERY VERY happy. I am good. I have a healthy HAPPY heart.
On a very bright side note, I was at the grocery store yesterday morning, and a stranger ( male) came up to me and said " I just have to tell you, you are beautiful " I said " thank you very much, that is so sweet" he said " no need to thank me for telling the truth " when he walked away, another man who was standing there and overheard it all said " Its true" Thank you BOTH , strange men at the grocery store. I Heart You ......
Speaking of Heart you. I leave you with a picture from Saturday night and my dinner that I made for my husband for our Valentines Day celebration .
I did something good for myself today. I got TANKED. I wanted to know, once and for all , what my body fat % really was. Because of my loose skin, I can not do the pinch test, it wouldnt be accurate. and the thing that you squeeze at the gym ,isnt all that accurate either. ( Hmm, but mine wasnt too far off) but still. I wanted to have the most accurate testing available to me. I was hoping for 20% see chart :
Body Fat Percentage Categories
Classification Women (% fat) Men (% fat)
Essential Fat 10-12% 2-4%
Athletes 14-20% 6-13%
Fitness 21-24% 14-17%
Acceptable 25-31% 18-25%
Obese 32%+ 25%+
the first % is woman, second % is male. as I said, I wanted 20% I got 23% . As you can see from the chart above, I am considered "fitness status" Should be fabulous, I should be jumping for joy, but knowing that I wanted "athlete status" I am not jumping for joy. I need to lose 6 pounds of fat to be where I want to be.
I have my work cut out for me <3
But with that said, I am still VERY happy with what I have done, and where I am at. VERY VERY happy. I am good. I have a healthy HAPPY heart.
On a very bright side note, I was at the grocery store yesterday morning, and a stranger ( male) came up to me and said " I just have to tell you, you are beautiful " I said " thank you very much, that is so sweet" he said " no need to thank me for telling the truth " when he walked away, another man who was standing there and overheard it all said " Its true" Thank you BOTH , strange men at the grocery store. I Heart You ......
Speaking of Heart you. I leave you with a picture from Saturday night and my dinner that I made for my husband for our Valentines Day celebration .
Sunday, February 6, 2011
I love being little
Little. Never , EVAH, ( said in my best Boston Accent) did I evah think I would be little. And when I say little, I mean for me. cause I know that by no means am I little, there are tiny people out there( my good friend Blair, is tiny, super cute and adorable and I love her regardless ) but I am tiny, for my once size 28 , 330 pound body, this size 6, 143 pound person is tiny. And I love it. I love the way I look in clothes, ( naked, not so much, but that is a whole 'nother story) I love my tiny shoulders. I love my little fingers, never have I ever had little fingers. I have bones, I can see and feel.
If ever I questioned if I want to work out 4 or more times a week for the rest of my forevah, I just need to look in the mirror and I will be reminded that Yes, I in fact do. Cause I love the way I feel, I love the way I look, I love that I can do anything I set my mind to ( 50, on my toe consecutive pushups, here I come) , I love my life. a little over 2 years ago I dont think I could have said, I love my life. How sad is that???
Keep doing what your doing, you will love your results, you will love feeling better and you will love seeing what each day brings you. You will just love you. And there is nothing better . You will love everyone and everything more when you love yourself. That is a fact.
If ever I questioned if I want to work out 4 or more times a week for the rest of my forevah, I just need to look in the mirror and I will be reminded that Yes, I in fact do. Cause I love the way I feel, I love the way I look, I love that I can do anything I set my mind to ( 50, on my toe consecutive pushups, here I come) , I love my life. a little over 2 years ago I dont think I could have said, I love my life. How sad is that???
Keep doing what your doing, you will love your results, you will love feeling better and you will love seeing what each day brings you. You will just love you. And there is nothing better . You will love everyone and everything more when you love yourself. That is a fact.
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