5-28-10 My dad was in MN

It has been SOOO nice having my dad here in Minnesota! We had seen him and my wonderful step-mom Glenda when we were in Arizona in March. But now... they are on their own road trip with their truck and camper.

I am still feeling great! I have now lost 139 lbs! That is 90 since December, for the total of 139. I am doing better with my fluid intake also. Trying to keep myself hydrated. I have gone back to a couple of my protein shakes so I can count that as part of my fluids. I have very little dizziness now, so that is nice!

I have started going to the fitness center here in town. The Anytime Fitness. I was using my treadmill and bike here at home.... but I can do so much more at the fitness center, strength training, able to tone up a bit more. The weight has been coming off slowly but surely... and the body is just toning up a little at a time, but I just feel so good!

I have checked my blood sugars a few times, and pleasingly.... the numbers always range between 80-90.

The weather has been SOOO nice now here in Minnesota! I am SO ready for the summer. It has been pretty nice... being able to work outdoors... working in my flower beds again. I haven't really done any of that for about 3 years now! So nice to be back amongst the living! Also... able to be out and about with the kids. I had gotten so if we had plans and activities in the evenings, then I would have needed to sleep more during the day, just to keep going for the evening. Also I am able to do more here in the house. Today, I tore apart Ben's room... moving the furniture, vacuuming, etc. Yes, I am tired tonight, but it does feel SO good to be ABLE to do it! Also... it was about 85 degrees today, and I didn't even have the air-conditioner on!!! I had the windows open, letting the breeze blow through the house!

My kids will be out of school on June 3rd. So, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week, then they are home for the summer! Well.... home... but we have lots of activities already planned! They are in baseball right now... then a summer basketball program, and swimming, etc!

Well my wonderful team.... I want to let you all know once again... just how much I appreciate your support, your advice, your encouragement, your calls and emails, etc!!! They truly means everything to me!!!
All for tonight.... hope each of you are doing well, and enjoying the absolutely beautiful weather!!!
Love to all... Eydie

5-17-10 Week 23 pix

Wow.... now 23 weeks have passed since surgery! That is 5 months!!! Since my surgery I have lost 88 lbs, for a total of 137 lbs lost! It is kind of a strange feeling at times! Is it really me? Have I really done this? Have I actually had surgery? Just still very new emotions! I have to tell a little story here. I was at Walmart yesterday, pushing my cart, and I walked by a full length mirror. Fine, but.... the weird part was, I didn't recognize myself, I thought it was someone else! "Oh, I think I know that lady" Yikes... like I said... weird!!! I will have to say, I am enjoying buying clothes again. I am only buying a few things at the thrift stores so far, as I am still losing, but... I can just walk in and find something off of a regular rack!!! I am now wearing a regular Large! Yes.... there are no X's in front of the Large either!! Just a plain large size! How fun is that??? So... yesterday when at Walmart, they were selling off their winter stuff... sweatpants, sweatshirts, etc. So I did buy a pair of purple sweatpants... in a size medium!!! Yes... getting ready for next fall. I didn't notice, but I think the only color they had was the purple... like I said, I didn't notice any other colors! =) They were really nice ones and only $3.00.

I have spent quite a bit of time outside now.... working in my flower beds. I have neglected them terribly the last 3 years, just wasn't able to dig around in there... hard to bend over too. So it's fun to be out, and even getting a great tan now! =)

Well.... all for tonight my dear support system!!! Thank you so much for your continued encouragement!!! It does mean SOOOO much to me!
Love to all.... Eydie

5-16-10 Sunday

We had company here from Oklahoma! My Auntie Marlys, and Uncle Bill! So nice to have them here overnight... a special visit!!! This picture right above is of Bill and Marlys with my 2 kids.. Shelby, and Benjamin is kneeling in front.

I am still feeling very good... things really seem to be leveling off. I haven't had very many dizzy spells lately so that is good. They think it is dehydration issues! My body just needs more fluids to survive! So I have gone back to having a couple of my protein shakes. One at breakfast, and then sometimes later in the day. As long as it is liquid, then I can count it as part of my fluid intake for the day. My blood pressure was running a little low, and after quite a few tests... they found all was normal enough (for me anyway) so that was good. Just need to keep pumping in the liquids! So, water, Powerade Zero, G2, Lifewaters, and Crystal Lights are pretty much staples with me at all times!

Eating is going very well too. I can eat pretty much all foods now.... meaning I can eat a steak, raw veggies, etc. No... that does NOT include Mountain Dew... candy, chips, cookies, etc!!!! I eat Protein (turkey, chicken, cottage cheese, tuna,etc) and Produce (fruits and veggies) strawberries, cantaloupe, raspberries, broccoli, cauliflower,cucumbers, etc. Have you ever tried the Greek Yogurts??? Oh.. they are SO good!!! They are a little higher in proteins, so that is always good too. I have tried the strawberry and blueberry ones, and they are very creamy... very, very good! I have tried the plain greek yogurt as well... then added some ranch seasoning... and it makes a wonderful dip... for the veggies!

Well... I am still losing weight. I have now lost a total of 137 lbs! I am doing lots of exercising now too. Walking, stationary bike, and toning exercises for strength!

Well.... hope this is finding each one of you enjoying the beautiful weather!!! I think spring is finally here to stay... even here in Northern Minnesota!!
Love to all... Eydie

5-8-10 I'm back

Yes.... it feels good to get back to my computer here. We've been off-line since Tuesday, the 4th. I have been able to access my emails and facebook through my cell phone, but haven't been able to get to my blog here! Still feeling fabulous. Have now lost -133 lbs!

I have noticed a few days ago, that I have been quite emotional at times. Not sad days, but almost... don't even know the word to use.
It is starting to sink in that I have lost over 130 lb now! I now wear a size large! I was thinking that I would end up wearing a large, but will most likely wear a medium. But for now... I wear a large ~ I just can't hardly take that in!! I am feeling so incredible and I just want to shout from the roof tops.. to tell everyone about what I am doing so they too, can be healthier in their lives!

I am also just amazed at my support! Yes, I know I had lots of friends but... the phone calls, cards, emails, etc... that come in so personal.... I am just overwhelmed and then in town, people I don't really even know, but have seen at the stores for years, will now stop me and tell me how good I look.... how healthy I look now!Ok.. this is what I mean... emotional.. I now have tears streaming down my face... not sad... just amazed... happy tears!

I want so badly to help others to feel their best too! But for now... so thankful for each one of you, for your incredible support! I love you all!

Tomorrow is Mother's Day! Oh yeah... such a precious day for me! I have 2 children who are my complete life! I love the home-made cards that they made at school for me! They also brought home little flowers that they have planted a month ago, and are now sprouting!

Well... all for tonight... hope you all have a wonderful day tomorrow! Happy Mother's Day to each one of you too!

Love always... Eydie

Summer 2009 Bike Ride

These pictures were taken last year, summer of 2009. I have a 3 wheel bike, and we were able to go riding a couple of times, not far, but was nice to go. I am SOOO looking forward to riding farther, and easier this year! My kids think I need a different bike? Will see! Just can't wait to go!
More later.... love to all... Eydie =)

4-25-10 week 20 pix

Good afternoon my Dear Friends and Family!!! Here we are enjoying the April showers! Yes, we've had just the most beautiful days, and now yesterday and today some rain, nice gentle showers, but so nice... you can just see the grass greening up, and the flowers are sprouting up, and the trees are budding, the fresh new green leaves about to burst! Ahhh, the joys of spring here in Northern Minnesota! One of the things I am SO excited about, is getting my bike out again. This summer, I will be able to ride it SO much better. I had gotten one of those 3 wheel bikes, and we had gone a couple times last year, but I was only able to ride a little ways. In fact... I have a picture that was taken then, I will see if I can post it here. Ok... that didn't work, so will post the picture of our bike trip in another post.

Anyway, I am now -130 pounds lighter! (-81 since surgery December 7, 2009 - 20 weeks ago)YaHoo!!! I just can't wait now until my weight loss and my actual weight meet! To actually lose a whole person! Kind of a neat thought!!! I am enjoying so many new moments. Things I just don't think of everyday, but then have a "WOW" moment! I was at the clinic last week. After I got registered in, I was headed for the elevator, then realized, I've NEVER taken the stairs in the new building (built last year).... now I could probably do it with no problem! So, up I went... YES!!!! Then back down when I was done with my appointment! So now just will use the stairs! Another "moment" I had last week. The kids had an activity, I was standing chatting with some other parents, no place to sit, then a while later I realized I had been standing there for about a half hour!!! Any other time, I would have had to go back to my van to sit down because I wouldn't have been able to stand for that long!!! Oh yeah, this is just so great! So many great things, but... one that I am SO pleased with? Not only for myself, but for others. So many have written that I have helped inspire them to eat healthier, or to exercise, etc. Oh I just am so thrilled. If I can help even one person to be healthier... how awesome is that?!?!? So, I have been working on another project, along this line. I have been in the process of creating a health newsletter on-line. It is to share some thoughts, ideas, information, tips. etc on the things I have learned through reading,classes and experience. So, I have my newsletter here, a work in progress and I have titled it "HOPE".

H = Health
O = Optimism
P = Perseverance
E = Energy/Exercise

Our news these days are SO full of dramatic things, discouraging stories, things that bring us down. I want to have a place where others can be up-lifted, and inspired, bring a smile into their days! I include healthy recipes too. So please feel free to check this newsletter out as well.

http://hope4younewsletter.wordpress.com

Well everyone.... I hope you are enjoying the spring time too!

Here is a thought: There is no danger of developing eyestrain from looking on the bright side of things.

Love to all... Eydie

4-20-10 Tuesday

Ahhhh.... such a fabulous day! Our temperature was all the way to 71 degrees!!! Can we actually think it's summer time in Minnesota??? Everyone is getting into the planting mode. We just want to see the bright green sprouts appearing! We hardly dare to though, as we can still get snow and frost in May! Oh well... we sure are enjoying these wonderful days!

I have lost yet another pound! Slow and steady! I am now at -78 since surgery... for a total now of -127.

I want to include a little saying here that I found, and it goes along with our sunshine!

"It's the Songs you sing and the Smiles you wear that make the Sunshine everywhere."

Have a wonderful day!
Love, Eydie =)