Before and After Pictures

While I believe my body will always be in a state of change. The bulk of the weight loss is done. I am down to taking off the last few pounds of fat, piling on some muscle and lamenting the leftover skin.

Some days, like everyone, I struggle to eat right or be truly motivated for my cardio. Usually on those days I am also deflated by the fact that - though I have been busting my butt (literally) for the past almost 21 months - I still do not look like a model.

Now common sense girl knows better. I will never look like a model, my body simply isn't made to be that willowy, lightly muscled waif thing. 9.9 out of every 10 days, I am glad. Hell, I like my breasts and my curves. It's taken me a long time to come to respect them and now that I do, I don't want to give them up. It's just every once in a while I get down on myself and think I have not come far enough.

That's why I am glad, when I was looking for inspiration on Sunday, I bumped across Jessica's blog. On there is a software tool that allows you to put in your before and after weight and get computer generated pictures. It even allows you to adjust hair, skin, nose size and more so it better resembles you.

Since I don't really have actual before and after pics, much to everyone's disdain (including mine) this is a nice alternative. Besides, you wouldn't have caught me dead in a swimsuit when I actually weighed 260 pounds!

So here you go - me at 260 in July 2006 and me now at 150 in 2008.






You can do yours at Prevention Magazine.

From now on, when I think I need to be more perfect, I will look at this post as a reminder of how far I have come and give respect where it is due.

Yours in (mental) health, Kate

From the beginning...

Monday's tip: Read everything, take only what you need.

Everyone always asks how I know so much about weight loss and exercise. Like every obese person I have voraciously read everything on the subject I can get my hands on. Some of it has stood the test of time and is useful. Some of it was total crap and I knew it when I read it or I learned from trying to put it into action.

To this day, I do just exactly that, I read. I also listen and then I act. If something sounds suspicious, I look into it further. These days I never try anything that I think lacks common sense. (When I was 25 however...)

I make a point of learning something new every day about the world. I also make a point of learning something new everyday about health and nutrition. It has helped lead me down a road of empowerment and well-being that, before, I had only imagined myself on.

Yours in health, Kate

Sunday Inspiration - 4/6/08

It's Sunday and as usual, I have been busier than I probably should be. (Something about this being a day of rest...)

Yesterday I ran the route for the AIDS Run/Walk. I wanted to try it to see if I would survive well enough next week to make an appearance an hour later at Hy-Vee Hall. I did. In fact, I ran it in 34 minutes flat! The 34 is impressive for three reasons: 1. Last fall on an almost completely flat course I ran 36:19; 2. I have run 5Ks on the treadmill recently at 34:40 and 34:20, and I only threw in a few inclines; 3. The time is astounding because there were hills! Not little inclines on the treadmill, honest to God Iowa mountains!

Now, before anyone calls me on that, of course I am exaggerating on the 'mountains'. But damn, there was one hill I didn't even attempt to run, I simply walked it. Overall, it was an amazing challenge. I am glad I did it. And barring rain or snow, I'll do it again next weekend.

The other thing about Sunday around here is inspiration...

I went looking for inspiration and I have found it for you. Her name is Jessica and she has lost 140 pounds over the past 6 years. She has done it the right way - eating right and exercising. She is as adamant against 'magic pills' and surgery as I am. She agrees that it is a lifestyle change that makes for permanent weight loss and nothing else.

Here you can check out Jessica's Blog.

On Tuesday I will show you my version of computer generated 'before' and 'after' pics inspired by the ones on her page. While I do not believe I am done with my body yet, the pics really woke me up AND made me happy with where I am.

Yours in health, Kate

So Proud of My Boy

Yes, I said my boy. My brother Casey hates that. But, Caelen is the closest I will ever have to a son, so I claim him when I can. Besides, I'm not confused, I know my uterus was not directly involved.

However, I also know that for three years we were almost constant companions and I was able to cultivate a relationship I do not ever want to give up. He is now and always will be - my best guy. No man will ever hold sway over my heart like he does and I like it that way.

That said, Caelen is a source of constant pride for me. From the fact that he is simply whip-smart to his beyond his years reading ability to his sense of humor. Now his dad and step-mom Annette have him doing a great physical activity that also teaches discipline and he's awesome at it. (My blog, my brag.)

He really enjoys taekwondo and it's fantastic to teach kids that moving and doing are much cooler than sitting around. (Unless there is a book in your hand.)

Here's a pic of Caelen with his new uniform he earned from his parents for being good in class and earning... drum roll... his first degree yellow belt! Yep, that's what you see there, yellow!



I am so pumped. Now I just need to get my butt to one of his classes to watch him as he works toward another notch on that belt.

In the mean time I will do what I always do, love him and let him know how proud I am of him. Because, despite criticism, I do NOT believe you can do that too much for any child.

Yours in health, Kate

Sometimes "oops" just isn't enough

This picture is to represent what stupid looks like. See it's me and today I am feeling uber-stupid.

They came to me at work last week and said, "Hey, can you help us out and do a remote at the Boomer Expo on April 12th?" I said, "Sure." I knew the date sounded familiar, but I let it go.

Then it hit me - that's the day of the AIDS Run/Walk! O.k., I think. I don't have to be at the remote until 10:45. The race begins at 9, I can be done, showered and at Hy-Vee Hall by 10:45.

Then yesterday I was editing my interview with Rhea from the AIDS Project of Central Iowa and I hear her say, "...and the race begins at 10 a.m.". Uh, what? Rewind. "...at 10 a.m." Crap, that's what I thought I heard.

Nope, definitely can't run 3.1 miles, shower and be at Hy-Vee Hall by 10:45 a.m. Double crap!

So, I have concocted a plan and cleared it with Rhea. I am running the race at 9 a.m. She says the route markers will be up, but no barricades and my timing chip won't work. I let her know I would run on the sidewalks if necessary and I am not worried about professional timing. I'll just use my handy-dandy Timex. The timing is for me, not to compete, because believe me - I am no competition for anyone, especially on hills.

She said that would be fine, thank God. I have been training, though not on hills as much as I should, so I really want to do this. Plus, I have a couple of people that are doing it because of me, so I don't want to let them down. Now, I have to tell them my 'plan'. (And they don't even know there's a problem. Hi, Annette. {sheepish grin})

Of course the moral of the story is... look at your damn schedule, so you don't have to look stupid - see picture above if you have questions.

By the way, if you want to be a last minute entrant in the AIDS Run/Walk follow that link.

Yours in unbridled insanity, um, er, health, Kate

P.S. - That picture is from my brother Gordon's b-day party, so the man arm you see is him, not some hot romantic interest. (Double damn.)

Doing the Splits

No, this is not a post on pulling my groin. If only I were limber enough to do that amazing Shawn Johnson move. Alas, this is a post about putting your back behind 'making time'.

The number one excuse used for skipping exercise is that people "don't have enough time". Well, I am here to call you out. The truth is, if you are at an unhealthy weight or have a penchant for pizza, you have to MAKE time. My point, if you are overweight or eat junk, your body needs help staying healthy and viable. Exercise is the easiest way to have that happen. (We'll address the word 'easy' on another post.)

I will give you two examples of 'making time' to be healthy.

Mine - Yesterday I had to make an appearance for work. Then I was going to have an hour of dead time and follow that up with a trip to the doctor. I realized I was not going to be able to put in my full workout. (Because it would have me being too active too late in the day and I need my rest. Sleep is very important, more on that in yet another post.)

I couldn't do it all before the appointment either. So, I split it up. I did my cardio between the appearance and the doctor. After the doctor I went back for my weights. I got it all in, without pulling a groin muscle.

My guy friend - He has no time before work, because of kids. He has no time after work, you guessed it, because of kids. That leaves the work day and that's exactly what he does - he works out during business hours.

Sometimes it's stairs twice a day during those magic 15 minutes breaks that draw far too many to the junk food machines. Sometimes he uses those as time for abs or weights he keeps in his office. He just shuts the door and goes at it. On those days, he uses his lunch hour to run or heads to the gym down the street for their 30 minute express cardio class, meant for people like him.

Then he and his wife share duties on Saturday and Sunday. Each gets to take two hours one of those days to do something physical, while the other watches the kids.

Now, don't get the wrong impression, he eats. He's a big guy, 6' 3", he has to eat. He just keeps easy, eat at your desk between calls, foods in his office. He still manages to easily take his (fit man only) 2500 calories a day.

So, you see, you do have time. It's just a matter of whether you are willing to make you a priority in your own life. I guarantee you, if you don't, your body will force you. Illness is bread in inactivity.

Yours in fitness, Kate

Lunch with an old friend

I met up with my friend Brendan today. He is one of my all time favorite people. He's one of my guy friends who is happily married, intelligent as hell and of course sexy. I don't specifically want him, but if I could clone him, (or my friend Ben) I would do it in a heart beat.

Brendan always energizes me. We have amazing discussions about life and politics. Today we had one about health, food and fitness. Brendan is very versed in what you should and shouldn't put in your body and why. He's raising his kids to be that way as well, which I really respect.

He and I haven't really talked since I lost the weight. So he was curious, as everyone always is, about how I did it. I told him - slowly making changes that are a lifestyle and forever. I will not go back and no one can make me. (But me.) And I just won't.

Brendan was great and supportive and impressed. I was flattered, appreciative and loved my lunch more than usual. Old friends are the best friends. (Especially for your ego.)

Yours in (mental) health, Kate