May the King of Pop R.I.P.
Michael Jackson - King of Pop
MY SPEECH IS BELOW THIS POST…I’m still in shock that Michael Jackson is gone! I was a huge fan in the 80’s, I’m talking, posters on the wall that I use to talk to, and hide my change behind. I had a belt with his face on it, that I treated like gold! Well… I digress. Today, I was asked to speak at “Healthy Happy Hour” about losing weight and living an active lifestyle. We dined on turkey lasagna made with whole wheat noodles, veggies and dip, and fruit kabobs for dessert. We did line dances and yoga stretches. Then, they introduced me to the crowd of about 20 or so as an expert! I’m by no means an expert, but it was nice to hear the applause as I told them my story. Well here’s my speech, but I must tell you that my big little sister said I was “Ghetto” for adding a special shout out to Michael Jackson at the end of my speech LOL!….
MY SPEECH…
- Hi, My name is “Carli”, I’ve pretty much struggled with my weight since adolescence. In June of last year, I joined the Weight Management program at Washington University. Since that time, I’ve lost 50 lbs and made many drastic lifestyle changes. Before I joined the WM program, a typically days meals would probably consist of a breakfast sandwich, hash browns and orange juice, lunch of chicken fingers and fries and soda, donut sticks for an afternoon snack, and a double cheeseburger meal with a soda, and usually dessert with dinner. Before loosing the weight, I would get out of breath doing everyday activities. I got out of breath putting on shoes, walking up a flight stairs, and even getting out the car. It was a miserable way to live life, that’s when I knew something had to be done, so I joined the WM Program. The 1st 20 weeks of the program are very strict. I thought that I would most certainly die when the dietitian said Mountain Dew would not be a part of my new food regimen. A typical day’s food turned into a High Protein Shake
for breakfast, a salad for lunch, a Protein Bar
for snack and a healthy choice frozen meal for dinner. I stuck this meal plan about 90% of the time. In the beginning, I slowly became more physically active by joining the Wash U “On the Move” program, an exercise program designed specifically for overweight individuals. After Stage 1 of the program ended, and new foods were added to my meal plan, and I stopped loosing weight. I realized I had to get even more active and dedicated to my weight loss. I started a blog online called www.runningintoshape.com. I used my blog as a journal to track my ups and downs as I trained for several months and ran my 1st 5K in April of this year. I never thought in a million years I would be able to jog for 3 miles. I felt like I could do anything! Often times at work, my co-worker and I will walk a mile around downtown on our lunch break, and I consistently work out at least 3 times a week in the gym or jog in the park. In May, Kay Quinn from Channel 5 interviewed me as someone who participated in a Wash U program, and lost weight and changed my lifestyle. After half of St. Louis saw me on TV, and told me how my story inspired them, it was only then that I actually was able to see my accomplishments. I walked the Komen 5K Race for the cure with co-workers a couple weeks ago, it was a great feeling when I reflected on the fact that this time last year I wasn’t even able to walk from the parking garage to the Weight Mangement clinic without huffing and puffing and complaining about the distance. Currently, I’m still blogging and training for my 3rd 5K. I will be running in the All Star race next month, My is goal to beat my time from my 1st race. I’m still adjusting to people calling me skinny, and telling me, I inspire them to work out. People constantly ask me, “how’d you do it?”, my response is “the only way you can, eat less and move more!” My advice to you would be to find a long term Weight Management program that works for you, find new fun ways to get active, surround yourself with positive people who support your goals, and accept that sometimes you just might eat a donut!. I still have many pounds to go to get to my healthy happy weight, but with the continued support of my family and friends, I know that I can do it! As difficult as it may seem, Just remember the basics, “Eat less and Move more!”
Today was my Big Race Day.
Today could not have been better; it started off with a free tax day massage in Keiner Plaza downtown, and ended with a 5K run!
I worked out on vacation, not only did I work out on vacation, I got up and left the cozy condo early in the morning to go jogging.
READ AT YOUR OWN RISK! - Okay, so you know that I missed my workout yesterday, I have dinner plans tonight, so I had no other choice but to make up for it this morning. Yes, Morning, Even the dog was still asleep when I got up. But I had to coach my self, “The gym is literally 2 blocks away, I have no excuses, and I laid out my clothes last night.” I brushed my teeth, and Cliniqued my face and off I went. It was so foreign, I honestly do not think I ever woke up early just to go work out. Anyway I decided to do the treadmill, everything started off fine, I worked up a great sweat, and accidently hit the emergency stop button… so I started over and the Nike iPod lady says “Workout Paused” and the music stopped…did I ask it to pause? NO!, so I say fine, I’ll just do the music only, I don’t need her. Then I mistakenly hit the stop button again, I give it one more try, and about 15 minutes in, I accidently hit it yet again. I was beyond frustrated, then came the bubble guts. Uh oh, should I have eaten something 1st? , should I have actually taken time to wake up before running?, my body was so confused. Fast forward 10 minutes, and I’m picking toilet paper off my sweaty thunder thighs…gross I know. But you know what, I said I’m here and I’m here to get ready for my race, so I went up to the track and did another 20 minutes of jogging. I went home and took the best shower ever!
I had to sacrifice my run this evening to go work on the podcast for my learning to running website (There’s a rough draft up, but it’s still under construction). I was supposed to get up this morning, and go run, but the giant blizzard like snowflakes in April scared me. 
