Friday, June 4, 2010

How I did it!

I've lost 50 lbs. since October 2008!  It feels fabulous.  I have had so many people ask me how I did it.  So I decided to write it out.  I was born plump and have never been thin.  I've been about 20 lbs. overweight most of my life, and never athletic.  In 2003 Mike was diognosed with cancer and I gained and additional 30 lbs.  I was over 180 lbs. and having to buy clothes in size 16.

First and formost in becoming healthy is motivation.  In the fall of 2008 I was working on a project of scanning over 3200 family photographs to CDs to give to my children for Christmas.  All I could do was think how out of control I was and I wanted to get back to my normal size 12 and 145/150 lbs.  Then Taina asked me to run London's Run (1/2 marathon) with her and April in January 2009.  I just laughed at her.  I couldn't even run a 1/2 a block without getting winded.  She said it can't hurt to try. Well something inside me said, I'll just show her how out of condition I am, and that it's not possible.  But I did start to walk.  I mapped out a 2 mile route in our neighborhood and started walking every night.  (Having all your favorite energizing music in a tiny shuffle is a key factor)  It only took a couple of weeks till I felt like running.  But I could only run for about 3 or 4 houses at a time.  One night I tripped and sevearly hurt my already arthritic knee.  It was so painful I had to stop running.  I hobbled around for months.  Here was my excuse for showing it wasn't possible at my age to get healthy and run a 1/2 marathon!  I also came down with 4 viral flues that fall/winter.  It seemed like I was getting sick about every 6 weeks.  But in January 2009 I went to see a recommended Chiropractor.  He helped me understand that my knee problems were caused by my out of condition (extreemly large) hips.  He gave me several exercises and suggested I wear knee and feet supports.  It made all the difference.  After 6 months I didn't need the knee supports 24 hours a day, only when I ran.  The knee exercises were painful for about 10 months, but I now have full range of mothion.  I also started using Nancy's jiggle machine that stimulates all your body miscles in just 15 minutes.  My 2 mile walk/run became 3 miles.  I didn't like the ups and downs of all the driveways, so I started running on the major streets.  For safety reasons I bribed Chay to go with me every night and he and his friends would scateboard, scooter, rollerblade, or bike while I increased in speed.  I had goals each time to run just a little longer.  Kimo and his family came to visit for spring break in March.  I shocked myself and everyone when I ran the entire 3 miles without stopping!!!!  It felt like a miracle.  That was the first time I thought it could be possible to actually run a 1/2 marathon.  I have been running at least 3 miles almost every day since, and I actually enjoy it.  When summer and the heat came, I realized that it was more difficult to run when the temperature was over 90.  So I started to swim through the summer at Nancy's house instead.  I didn't want to stop swimming when the weather cooled down.  So I joined the  Pure Fitness Gym in the fall of 2009.  All I wanted to do was keep swimming.  But I found myself getting advice from a trainer and using the equipment to my advantage.  I actually got rid of my very wagglie grandma arms.  I now have muscle instead.  In April I ran the Pat Tillman run of 4.2 miles and it was really fun and easier than I thought it would be.  There were 20,000 runners.  900 were women of my age and I came in at #173.  That is pretty respectable!  The most I've run is 7 miles and my goal is London's Run in January 2011.  I am now addicted to the natural high you get from exercise.  I can't even imagine stopping.  It feels GREAT!

The other main factor in becoming healthy is (I don't want to say diet) NUTRITION.  I started out by making a goal of not eating "seconds".  Then it became smaller portions of whatever I wanted to eat.  I remember being excited when I threw away the second taco from Jack in the Box because I was satisfied with one.  It very much surprised me how much my appetite naturally subsided when I became consistantly active.  I stopped wanting to eat just because others were eating and it was available.  When I would fill up with nutritious food my appetite for unhealthy things was just gone!  I didn't even have to work at it.  I also eat every 2 to 3 hours.  Once I went 4 hours.  I got so cranky and binged.  The key is to never get too hungry.  Constantly fill up with the good and you won't want the bad.  By April/May of 2009  I had met my goal of feeling good and being back to a size 12 and I was 164 lbs.  People started to notice and asked what I was doing.  But that is where I stayed for the longest time, doing all the same things.  I still wanted to be 145 lbs again but it wasn't happening.  April gave me excellent advice.  She said your not eating enough protein.  You need over 100 grams a day.  I told her that was impossible.  I couldn't eat that much in a day.  But she encouraged me, and I began searching for protein in every meal.  Chicken, turkey, ham, tuna, peanut butter, nuts, beans, eggs ( I love eggs!), and many veges and grains that have protein.  I also love tomatoes and eat them every day.  I made sure if there was anything that called for lettuce I had spinach. I feel bad for those who don't like fruits and veges.  I crave them.  I eat bananas, blueberries, strawberries, greenbeans, peas, carrots daily and any others that are available.  Thank heaven for Superstition Ranch Market that makes it affordable to eat an abundance of it.   I only eat the whole grain flat round bread now.  It's so delicious, full of protein, and I like it toasted with any sandwich or burger.  Well after months of staying at 164, the pounds started coming off again from the added protein.  The problem was I started to get too skinny (on my top half only, of course!).  You could count my ribs without any problem.  It was not the outcome I wanted.  My trainer said when you work out often you need additional protein other than your meals.  So I started, in addition to my many meals and snacks everyday, to also have protein shakes and bars after every workout.  After a long workout I have a double shake of 52 grams of protein, after just a swim with Ashley I have a 30 gram bar, and every breakfast a 26 grams is included.  I have never eaten so much in my life.  If any of this had included starvation, I would not have lasted.  I can't go to bed on an empty stomach.  But I also don't want to eat anything too filling or hard to digest.  So I started drinking kefir every night.  It is full of needed pro-biotics and comes and a variety of flavors.  The calcium also helps me fall asleep.  I love to eat and I love good tasting food.  Two things I am addicted to and will never give up is CHOCOLATE, and I can't sit through a movie without popcorn.  I eat chocolate almost every day.  It might only be one small piece, but I enjoy it.  And I eat an entire bag of popcorn at the least once a week at the movies.  Mike and I still eat out often.  We usually split an entree.  We eat whatever we want only in a smaller protion.  I honestly believe that the Lord put a variety of delicious food on this earth for us to enjoy and we should never deprive ourselves, but we shouldn't abuse it either.  I have always believed in the Prayer Diet.  If you can honestly and sincerely ask the Lord to bless it for your nourishment and health, you can eat it.  Think of all the food you have eaten that was not blessed and what IT has done to you!

I now weigh 127 lbs.  I have no desire to loose any more.  But I still have a goal of strengthening and firming areas that have never in my life been strong.  I wouldn't even mind gaining a little as long as it is muscle.  Besides, I can't afford to buy another wardrobe.  When I got to size 12 I bought clothes, then size 10 and 8, and now I'm a size 6!  I still can't wrap my brain around that.  In my brain I'm a 12.  I've been that for over 40 years.  It's hard to comprehend.  But it's fun!  I can guarantee it's alot easier to fine cute things in smaller sizes.  I'm an avid Savers shopper.  And clearance racks are my friends.

I am so appreciative for all those who have encouraged and inspired me to good health.  Mike has always encouraged me and helped me find the time to do it.  He has never made me feel guilty about the hours it takes.  He also doesn't mind the investment in healthier food.  I'm always happy when I see some of it rubbing off on him.  April's advice and encouragement has been inspirational.  She is such a good example of enjoying a healthy lifestyle.  Thanks to Taina for believing I could do it.  And Nancy for opening her home and pool to me with the enjoyment of our powerful conversations.  Even though I had to bribe Chay to be with me, I could not have done it without him.  He went with me for almost 9 months without complaint.  When I couldn't breathe and I thought my heart would burst, it was Chay that would say, don't stop mom, you can do it, just a little bit more!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Kimo's Graduation

We are so proud of Kimo as he has completed his Bachelors degree in Engineering at Boise State University on Saturday May 15, 2010.
Many family and friends celebrated with Kimo and Heather as they finished this journey.
Heather has two more years in her civil engineering degree program and Kimo decided to complete his Masters Degree in Engineering in the next two years. We will have a double celebration in 2012 as we return to Boise to celebrate more graduation ceremonies
Kimo showed us his lab where he works on research as part of his degree program and job. Heather showed us her lab as well and we are so proud of these two as they try to make the world a better place to live in with all of their research and projects.
Kimo is one of the leading experts in the field of metal memory research using Nickle, manganese and Gallium metals and has written several papers on the subject.
We celebrated graduation day with a party in Kimo and Heathers back yard with family and friends as we sat around the campfire, ate good food and beverages, and laughed at lot.
We love you Kimo and Heather, keep pursuing this worthwhile goal of education.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Chay

Chay has been trying to be taller than me for years. Finally last year he did it. He was 5'9"! Well this year he out did himself and he is over 6 feet! I can't really say what he is to date because he is still growing everyday. He's a great kid and he makes sure life is never boring. He loves hanging out with friends, playing video games, performing, and eating pie with Neal! Even though he is busy doing so many things he even still likes hanging out with his parents and doing regular stuff with us.

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Sunday, November 29, 2009

THANKSGIVING

I was so excited April and her family were coming for Thanksgiving. It started out great, getting all the food ready, etc... April and I even did the Turkey Trot our Stake does every Thanksgiving morning. Dinner was great and everyone came to our house this year, My Mom, Susan, Nancy, Trudy, Cory, Taina, and their families all came. It was a full house. I went down hill soon after and we didn't even do our traditional going to the movies. By the next day I was as sick as could be and was so mad I had to miss out on everything. But an early Christmas miracle happened. Mike surprised me by putting up all the decorations by himself! He even did a great job. I was shocked to say the least. I was glad that April went to visit friends and Steve's family so their trip was still fun. And of course their were several games of Wilson Rummy. So all in all there is alot to be thankful for this year!
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Sunday, November 1, 2009

HALLOWEEN

Posted by PicasaThanks to our neice Bree-N we all look forward to our annual Davies Halloween Bash. She does such an amazing job starting with the super cute invitations, great food,whimsical decorations, crazy party games, coveted prizes, and lots of spooky good fun!

It's game time!

Posted by PicasaI don't know where she comes up with her game ideas, but they are always unique and alot of fun. We never know what to expect! I think she just enjoys watching us make fools of ourselves.
Posted by PicasaOur neighborhood knows how to celebrate Halloween. We have a carnival and everything is free! There are at least 20 games, small rides for the little ones, a haunted garage, live music and dancing, with dinner and treats. Everything is volunteer and about 1,000 attended this year. Families dress up and it's alot of fun. We also like to sit outside while handing out candy because we live in fabulously warm Arizona. And even though it is perfect weather, having a little fire to warm your hands is really nice!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Disneyland 2009

We took off to Disneyland for October Break. It really is the best time of year to go. The weather was ideal and the lines were not bad at all. We went on everything several times. We even saw quite a few people we knew from Arizona. We never tire of the happiest place on earth!!!!!
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Saturday, October 10, 2009

Monday, September 21, 2009

Movie Reviews by Laurie

Thank you April for setting up my new blog! I'm so excited to have this opportunity to share with my family and friends what I love, THE MOVIES! Just click on the link and I will have weekly updates.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Mike's Birthday!


Age doesn't matter, Mike still has high hopes for his birthday wish! And Owen is certainly a gift.Posted by Picasa

Monday, July 27, 2009

A CENTURY TO REMEMBER!

Well our trip to the Wilson Reunion started out with a BANG! Twenty miles outside of Flagstaff our radiator cracked. Here is our tow truck. Mike and the girls rode in the truck.

Chay and Laurie rode backwards with the car on the tow truck. It was a memory all right!

So we rented a car and left ours to be repaired.


It took us 15 hours to get to Park City. Thank heaven the kids were pleasant to travel with!

We stayed at the Westgate resort in Park City. It was beautiful but built like a maze. You needed a map to get to anywhere.
Olympic village was a blast. We did two ziplines and the alpine slides!
Laurie, Chay, Joy, and Kimo

Chay
Steve & Mason
April & Mailee
Kimo & Joy

Joy, Chay, and Laurie at the top of the longest zipline.
Getting strapped in! The ride was fabulous.





Here is the real reason for the trip. Grandma, 100 years old and counting!
Taina, Grandma, and April

Grandma with Caleb. 100 year age difference!

Grandma with her sister Helen. They are soooooo cute together!

Sisters, 4 generations apart

Sisters, a bond that never ends.

Grandma with her birthday cake.
April with Josie. We want to send a HUGE shout out to Josie to say thank you for all you did to organize this reunion. She put in so much time and energy to make it such a memorable success! We all know there were some headaches involved. Thank you for dealing with them for everyone. We appreciate all you have done!

Taina put together a great-great grandchildren & great grandchildren collage.




Mason, Lilly, Mike, Laurie, and Joy
Joy

Lilly

MaiLee
MaiLee, Lilly, & Mike

Chay & Kimo
Joy, Mason, Lilly, & Kimo

Mason & Chay

April, MaiLee, Taina, & Chris
We even had fun in the elevators. I can't count how many time were in them. We were always cramming in to go somewhere.

Shopping with Kimo and Chay is always an adventure!

Our whole gang

Chay, Mike & Laurie

Joy, Heather, Lilly, and Kimo

MaiLee, April, and Mason

Michelle, Caleb, Owen, and Cory

Taina and Chris