Step Challenge Week #5

Well week 5 of the challenge is over. Our remaining challengers are hanging in there with me. So thank you all. To the ones that couldn't I still love ya and keep moving your butts lol.

What I have so far:

spunkysuzi - 10924 steps week #1, 10840 steps week #2, 10712 week #3, 12403 week #4 and 9092 week #5. Suzi you are still doing terrific. Sounds like you've made progress on your cleaning and organizing, way to go. I need to take lessons all the way around from you *smile*.

Sandra - 10823 steps week #1, 8685 steps week #2, 8037 steps week #3, 10125 steps week #4 and 10515 steps week #5. Sandra did take her pedometer with her on vacation, so great job Sandra. Looks like you've had a busy few weeks.

Gofer - 5152 steps week #1, 5954 week #2, 5236 week #3, 8109 week #4, 4890 week #5. Looks like you've been getting in plenty of exercise. Keep up the treat work. Glad you and hubby and the doggies got to go for a walk on Friday.

Single Sassy and Saved - 14375 steps week #1, 12492 week #2, 15781 week #3, 16424 week #4, 13201 week #5. I didn't get to watch your video blog from this week and can't watch it here at work so I don't know how crazy things have been but hope they calm down for you soon. Keep up the great work with everything.

The TOPS Lady - 7998 steps week #1, 8514 week #2, 7745 week #3, 8027 week #4, 6605 week #5. Amy, sorry to hear your tooth is still bothering you hope it gets well soon. Good for you for getting in your steps in spite of it all. It sounds like you and I need a weekend some where tropical so we can start feeling less funky. Hang in there.

Dutch - 6697 steps week #1, 9623 week #2, 8235 week #4, 8462 week #5. Hope you're doing ok this week haven't seen a post from ya on your blog. Hopefully you're having less teenage drama.

Me - 6318 week #1, 6330 week #2, 5629 for week #3, 5099 week #4. I haven't tallied my number this week will do so when I get home. I'm guessing my numbers are about the same don't feel like I've walked more this week.

Well I have been focusing on my 5k this week. I've gotten in several good runs. Problem is my feet are starting to show some issues. I now have a black toe and a big bruise on the side of my foot. Any suggestions people?


On Sunday I was so proud of myself I actually ran my whole favorite road. I was determined to do the whole thing. On the way up the big hill I was moving at a pace I'm sure Kevin would consider a slow walk lol but I was still in jog mode so I'm counting it even if I was SLOOOOOWWWWW. When I reached the end of the road I really did want to throw my arms in the air like Rocky lol. I was so happy with myself.

Saturday I went to Baltimore to see my mom and oldest sister. We had a good visit I thought but I'll admit it left me so full of anxiety by the time I got home at 8pm I ran off to the gym for a 2 hour workout. I've decided the reason I get that way is because they both seem to be in denial about so many things. I don't want my visits to turn into arguments so I just do my best to keep my mouth shut which I think is tougher for me now. But it just is what it is and I have to just let it go.


With my sister she had gastric bypass I think it was 4 yrs ago. She has gained back a lot of the 120 lbs she lost initially. She wants to blame it on everything and everyone but herself. I think she does have some health issues that make it tough to exercise but I also think she's in denial about it. We talked a long time on the phone about it all. I finally said to her "you don't keep weight on by not eating". I mean that's just the truth. I can remember myself being that way "Oh I don't eat that much" what I was really saying was I don't eat that much in front of other people. I think too most of my weight was put on by eating sweets. I would eat a normal portioned meal and then have a pint of ice cream (1200 calories). I also know I was a grazer, that I would eat say 2 slices of pizza at dinner time and then go back a hour later eat another piece, a hour after that another.


Anyway, I felt like she was asking for my advice yet then excusing everything I was saying. I also talked about therapy and dealing with childhood stuff and just feelings in general. My sister has always been pretty full of anger. But she just said she had dealt with everything that she didn't need therapy.


But the bottom line really is we keep our weight on for a reason. We don't lose it for a reason. It isn't just about liking food. It's about eating out of emotions. It is her life though and maybe at some point she will figure it out for herself. I know I still have my issues so I know it's not something easy to over come. The first thing really is realizing you have a problem though and taking ownership of it 100%.

So after the gym I also found myself having a few drinks. I've noticed I've been drinking more than usual on the weekends. Usually I will allow myself a drink or two and just one night on the weekend. But the past month or so I've found myself having 1 or 2 or even 3 on both nights of the weekend. Of course these are empty calories I don't need. Anyway, now I'm aware and hopefully I'm going to nip it quick. I can remember last year getting on Mike about that same thing.


On Wednesday one of the other ladies lead the meeting. She did it on why and how she joined TOPS. It was such a good meeting. She told what she learned from each person and gave us all tips each other had given her. It was really heart felt and made me realize that though one person might not like how we do things the people that come back week after week do. I also lost a lb so I was happy about that. Not sure how I will do tomorrow but really I'm in my window again and that's good for me.


I emailed with one of the ladies I met at the Dr. Oz show today and I think we are going to try to hook up on Friday for a double date. I'm very excited about seeing her again. She has lost 340 lbs. She's very inspirational and runs a wellness company and I'm hoping her and her bf will help inspire Mike a little. I'm also very interested in her plastic surgeon. She said his prices are much less than what I was quoted. So I might be going to DC to check it out.


My eating has been more this week so I'm thinking the scale might jump up a bit but I have been exercising well and drinking plenty of water. I'm hoping maybe I will just stay the same.


Oh, I went to the doctors on Friday because she called about my scan and wanted me to come in. Well it doesn't seem like there is much going on that I already didn't know. My right kidney is smaller than my left which I did know. I don't have a hernia and the 2 small kidney stones I had have grown a little. But I don't think enough to cause concern. I still have the appt with the urologist next month so hopefully he can tell me something.

Oh and I asked my doctor for a new goal weight slip since the scale has been down more on some days. Well she told me she didn't want me losing anymore weight. She thinks its just loose skin left now and feels I'm were I need to be. Plus she said if I do get the extra removed it will take many lbs with it. So that made me feel better and maybe I am where I need to be. It's all a mind game.


Don't think I talked about it but Kevin has joined the Navy for 8 yrs. He doesn't leave for boot camp till January either so that has put a big kink in my summer plans. I had hoped to send Nicholas and Marie to Mike's mom's for a few weeks and now we will still have Kevin here to watch over. So I'm not sure what to do. I do think Mike and I need some time away. I'll have to try to figure something out.

I made it to the gym last night. My dentist was there which was kind of weird. I have seen his wife for awhile now but didn't know she was his wife. Anyway even weirder she's a member of TOPS so she just talked and talked lol. Seems down here everyone is connected some how.

Well I started this yesterday so better post it.

Till next time...