Sometimes I even surprise MYSELF

It is astronomical the things that I have learned in the past 6 months. Not only about getting healthy, but about myself as well.

I have learned that even when I think I can't....I CAN!

I have learned that even when I don't want to....I WILL!

I have learned that even when I think I will fail...I WON'T.

Last week was my son Micheal's 14th Birthday. Every year we let the kids pick where they want to eat dinner, and everyone is invited to tag along, dutch of course. This year Micheal wanted to go back to Biloxi and dine on those yummy crabs that we enjoyed a few months back. So we all piled up and headed that way.

Now normally at a buffet, it's balls to the wall, no holds bar lemmeeatasmuchasIcanbecauseIpaidforit. Over the course of these past few months, I have totally changed my out look on buffets. Yes, I paid for it, But I am learning it doesn't PAY for me to eat at them...I just don't eat enough.

Anways, after we got there everyone headed up to fix there plates, and I usually go last. I stay at the table with purses and make sure everyone gets their drinks and stuff. So when It was my turn I came back and sat down. It didn't even dawn on me what I had on my plate, until some one said, 'We all know who is healthy at this table'.

Well imagine my surprise when I look up and everyone is looking at me! That's when I really noticed what I had on my plate, steamed cabbage, a broccoli stir fry, some grilled shrimp, and a beautiful squash melody. And it wasn't piled high the the ceiling either. Just a taste of each thing. It wasn't that I was guilted into making my plate this way, for fear that I knew everyone would be watching. It was just NATURAL.
Yeah I know! I am still dumbfounded! I did allow myself dessert because I wanted it. I came back with a dessert plate (Normally I would use a dinner plate and try one of everything). I came back to the table with 4 different desserts. First was a half of what looked like a praline (its sugar and pecans for you non southern folks out there). I ate that. It was quite tasty. The second was a brownie, took one bite and it wasn't very good. Third was a bite size pecan pie. The shell was really hard and I couldn't bite into. So that went to waste. Lastly was another pecan bar looking thingy. I picked all the big pecans off the top and the rest, well you get the picture. And you know what? That's all I wanted. I wasn't even tempted to dive in head first into the chocolate fountain that I could see from our table. (well I was..but not for the reason you think).

After dinner was over I felt amazing! I was fully satisfied and not over stuffed. The way NORMAL people feel after a meal. Now there is a scary thought...ME normal!

Of course I had to snap some pics in front of the the very pretty fall decor of the casino. And what I like about this pic the most, it doesn't look like I am big enough to eat him anymore! Of course his eyes are closed. !#$%&* his eyes are ALWAYS closed in good photos!
Yesterday started my 3 week of working this thing out on my own. I think I have come a long way. I used to really not want to go to the gym, to the point where I pretty much didn't go. Or I would go, and not give it my all. Which is almost as bad as not going to be really honest. Now, most of the time I DO want to go. Well let me rephrases that, I don't reallllllllllllly want to. But I do anyways. I know how many calories I want to burn and I get my ass in there and DO it.
Last night was the same thing. I didn't really want to go, but I went of course. I am enjoying the dreadmill once again. I have pushed past being in my head for the most part. The TV really has helped me. I am now working on my stride and pace. Yesterday I did not lower the pace under 3.0 mph. I know that isn't very fast for YOU, but for me its a hell of a lot faster than I normally walk.

I walked for 41 minutes for a total of 2 miles. I had a good pace and I sprinted 4 times to speed up my heart rate. I have noticed that my sprints are getting faster too. I am now sprinting at 5.2 to 5.4 mph for 60 to 90 seconds. If I could figure out the breathing part, I could go for a little longer I just know it.

After that I moved to the elliptical machine. This machine has been taunting me since I joined the gym. I see all these girls going to town, including my friend Anna, and it makes me so jealous! I have tried it in the past and was only to squeeze out about 3 minutes (and even at 3 minutes I might be fluffing the store a bit). Well I climbed on this beast and started slow, first I made it to 3 minutes, then 7, then 10, at 18 minutes I thought I would give in, but NOPE, not today boys and girls I went the full 20 minutes I set out to do!!!
Let me tell you how freaking proud I was of ME! After I snapped these snazzy pics, I climbed off that beast and wobbled the the parking lot, where I cried! Oh yeah, but it wasn't Weepy Me that was crying. It was I AM A FREAKING ROCK STAR me! After I updated my FB status, texted my girls and drank my liter of water I drove home, with a feeling like no other. I CAN DO THIS. I AM DOING THIS.

You still have time to enter into my giveaway for some yummy Mixed Berry Green Tea. Only two entries so far. Your chances are freaking GOOD! LOL