235ish

Officially, I checked into the Pro Club 235 times in 2010. This includes all locations – Seattle, Bellevue and my favorite, the Performance Center.

I say "235ish" because the system doesn't differentiate from the times I've checked in for random 20/20 appointments or to pick up lunch or run some other errand. I figure that's maybe 20 or so times, so really, my total workout check-ins is likely closer to 200.

But that isn't the whole picture. I traveled a lot between February and June, plus from mid-February until mid-May, spent every Saturday I was home with my marathon training group. My real workout number is higher, closer to around 300. It really doesn't matter where I am, at home, halfway around the world, a hotel or friends' house - the reality is that I spend 6 days a week working out in some capacity.

Am I addicted? Nah…

This is a test.

Because it's Christmas Day, and I care, I thought that I'd leave you with a few foodie pics.

First, from Momfuku when I was in New York in November: apple pie cake truffles. These don't look like much, but were insanely delicious. It was like a ball of cheesecake and apple pie and cake all rolled into two bites. I loved these much, I emailed the restaurant for the recipe. No dice. "Maybe when our new cookbook comes out next year."

And second, day 1 of the two-month limoncello making process. Fairly simple, steep vodka and lemon zest in a cool, dark place for several weeks. Strain, add simple syrup and let mature in the freezer for a few more weeks. It turned into limoncello slushy (all about proportions), but was still very, very drinkable. A week ago, I brought the finished product into work for a holiday party, where disaster struck. The cheap Rubbermaid container slipped out of my hand while I was carrying it into the kitchen, hit the floor, the top came off and part of the container busted off…limoncello was all over the carpet, splashed on the wall. I managed to save about a cup, which we enjoyed. The hallway still smells like limoncello. And no, I didn't call facilities; the building is going to be gutted in a few weeks, so I figured it was my farewell gift to the spirit of the building 4.

Dear Santa -

All I really want for Christmas is some healing magic for that torn tendon in my right foot. I have some runs on my calendar - Vancouver half in May, Seattle Rock & Roll full in June, Ragnar in July, maybe the Medoc full in September, plus boot camp and a running club to join - and really, really want to be healthy.

The cortisone shots aren't working (and yes, I know, those box jumps and one legged hops in sports conditioning may not be optimal healing-promoting exercises), so maybe the acupuncture will help? I'd really like to avoid the boot, and even more than that, really, really want to avoid going under the knife.

So Santa, can you help? I promise to leave cookies and a spritz out for you.

thanks,
schelley

And I'm back.

Technical issues sort of solved. Thank you Richard!

Most importantly, mentally, I think I'm ready to start blogging again.

Here we go!

The Goal

I will always remember January 14, the day I reached my official goal weight. I weighed myself after working out, saw my number pop up and immediately broke out in a big smile. My only regret is that I was at the Seattle club, and if I'd been with my boot camp/sports conditioning friends at Willows, well, I would have announced the news very loudly.

Of course, once I got home, I told others. I texted Pete: "[goal weight], bitch". And updated my Facebook status: "I have reached my goal!!!!!! I was 12 years old when I last weighed today's weight...if you knew me then, you have an idea of what I look like now, only with better hair, a better rack and much better attitude :)". Tracy and Char snapped a few pictures and I posted pics to accompany the status update (which you can see below). The comments and notes in Facebook and in real life from friends were truly amazing - tons of congratulations and so many kind, wonderful, nice and encouraging words.

And in one of those wonderful coincidences, I was headed to the Herb Farm that evening! Really, the most perfect way EVER for a foodie to celebrate something as momentous as reaching my goal weight after months of hard work. Yes, a few champagne glasses were clinked, truffles were savored and wine was enjoyed (never fear, I'll write more in another posting).

So, some numbers to share:

• Total weight lost: From my highest weight (in May), 48 pounds, and from the start of the program, 40 pounds.


• Time: I started 20/20 on July 8. I'll "officially" finish on Feb 1. Although, I'll never really finish.


• Size: I shrunk from a 16/XL to an 8/medium. Sometimes, I wear a small!


• Clothing Donations: 8 grocery bags have already been donated, five more are filled and need to be sorted, and I still have two drawers of clothes to sort, which will probably fill at least 1 or 2 more bags.


• Running: I shaved about 2 minutes off of my (comfortable) mile run time, going from about 11:30 to 9:30. I can't quite tell you how much my endurance has shot up, but at this point, a 6 mile run is very, very doable. When boot camp starts up again in April, I'm planning to run with the alphas and bravos (the faster running groups, versus the slower charlie group).

And some favorite quotes/moments along the way:

• "Schelley, you're in great shape. I can tell because you're not sweating enough." - Billy, my sports conditioning instructor. When class ended, I headed out for a 4 mile run.


• "I kept trying to tempt her. But she always refused. It didn't matter, I was going to take it away anyways." - The always encouraging Pete. But when I really needed the treat, he made sure I got some, and always, always let me take a drink of whatever he was drinking.


• "I miss the old Schelley, the one who drank." - many, many people


• "You are an athlete now." - Matt, my personal trainer


• "Schelley, you are pure muscle." - My Aunt Jan, while hiking behind me


• "Um, every time I see you, you shrink." - many, many people


• "You are an inspiration!" - many, many people. And if you know me, "inspiring" is not the adjective most likely to be used to describe me. But I'll go with it.

Now, the really, really hard part starts: maintain, maintain, maintain, or in other words, keep the weight off. The long-term statistics are scary. About half of 20/20 alum regain the weight. Does this number seem low? Actually, it's incredibly impressive - 95% of Weight Watchers/Diet Center/insert name of weight loss program participants regain the weight. The road to reach my goal weight has been tough...the road to maintain it is even tougher. The good news is that the longer I maintain my weight, the easier it gets. And by "longer", I mean years.

I have put plans in place. I'll work out with my trainer weekly. Sports Conditioning in the winter and Boot Camp in the summer are a fundamental part of my life, and luckily, 11 years of making it to the gym multiple times a week means that any sort of slacking with exercise will be difficult. I'll continue checking in with my nutritionist quarterly. I have monthly check-in questions for myself. I'm planning to do some half marathon/marathons, and know that if I want to continue running and pushing myself, I can't gain the weight. Plus, most of the size 16 clothes are gone. If I gain, I have nothing to wear, and replacing an entire wardrobe is not cheap.