Week 24 - Back from vacation in NYC

So I noticed a few things while I was on vacation in NYC....

Guys are flirting with me now.... people are nicer to me now that I have lost weight.... and all people want to socialize with eating and drinking.

SIGH....

So a few bad food choices happened... but that isn't going to get me down.  I happened upon the "Big Apple" during the hottest heat wave in 60+ years!  I walked tons... very proud of myself.  I didn't take one single taxi the whole time.  I even skimped on subways too!!

Get this!  I toured the Empire State Building.  The elevator takes you to the 80th floor where you wait in a cue to go onto the observation deck via elevator for the last 6 floors.  I didn't want to wait in line for an hour - so I asked if I could take the stairs.  You read it correctly... I ASKED to take the STAIRS - up 6 flights.  I did it... (panted a little bit for the last flight) but I was so proud of myself.  It was a beautiful view!

I even took the first 6 flights back down before catching the elevator again :)

I can't get over the changes I'm seeing.  My shoe size has changed, my ring size has changed... and I was finally able to shop at H & M for clothing for the first time in my life... buying a size 12.  I also went to another store and bought an XL in juniors clothing  :)

So yes - you can assume I shopped my way through NYC versus eating my way through NYC!

Here is a before and after update from NYC:

Week 8 Post Op - Signing Up for New Challenges!

So I'm down a bit more 239.6.  Yep - You read it right!  I'm finally in the 230's!!!  I also posted another progress pic.

This past week was pretty good.  I've been expireminting with food.  I'm still not a great cook.  I went to my WLS Hospital support group yesterday.  They had a chef there to teach us how to cook better for ourselves.  I'm feeling a bit motivated - so Turkey Meatloaf and Asian Lettuce Wraps - Here I come!  LOL.

Mini-victory:  I discovered I can put on my smallest pair of jeans that I have worn in my adult life :)  I have a bit of a muffin top in them - but.... they still button and I can breathe in them!

Also - I felt like I needed another challenge... a goal of sorts.  So I signed up for my first 5k that I intend on RUNNING.  I've walked a 5K - but never RUN one before.  So I figured I had better make it an awesome one.  So I signed up for Beachpalooza in Galveston, TX on September 23rd.  If you aren't familiar with this - it is a crazy 5K race on the beach with a 10 stop obstacle course built into it. You can find out more about it here:  http://beachpalooza.com/.

I've been walking a few miles a day to slowly get started in training.  I've been posting to facebook to hold myself accountable.  I am finding that this helps - because if I miss a day - I have friends asking me where was my workout :)

OK - thanks for reading this week.  I hope all finds you well on your weight loss journey.