Two pounds.....seriously???

July and August were very interesting months for me. Good, bad, ugly, awesome...etc ,etc. I experienced many different things yet learned SO very much about myself. I am going to try and keep this brief as I would love to go to bed as soon as possible...haha..yeah...right!

Next to December, July is my favorite month. July 4th and 24th are full of fun and excitement with family and friends. July was spent with friends and I FINALLY was able to see the fireworks at Sugarhouse Park which brings in thousands of people. I can't say it was the best display I have ever seen but it completed my July 4th celebrations as did the couple that sat a little ways from us and made out the whole time....isn't America great?!?!

July 24th for those of you who aren't of my faith is when Brigham Young came to the Salt Lake City valley. It's a state holiday and again, time to spend with those I love. I went home to the traditional July 24th pancake breakfast. I know...it's just pancakes and I really can't eat them, but being there with old friends and family is what it's about. (WOW...could I be more sentimental?) The family did the parade thing and then went back to the house to prepare a barbecue. Good times, as usual, were had.

That following Monday I went on a date. Yes, a date. The long and short of it was that he was leaving town the next day to go back home. We had a great time and things went very well....but not well enough for future. Either way, I had fun.

My nephew got married.....nephew you ask? Yes, nephew. Now if that doesn't make me feel old and a little bit weird. It's all good. I'm thinking someday I'll be used to these kids getting married. Someday...

This past Saturday, I went to my first University of Utah football game. You'd think after living a couple of blocks from the stadium I would have been to one by now. But no. My friend Rosemary works at the University and was able to get tickets for us. It was their first home game and they killed UNLV 42-21. It was a blast. Hopefully we'll be able to go to some more games.

So an update on my weight loss...it's been interesting to say the least. My last adjustment to my band was in April. Between then and two weeks ago, I had lost about 20 lbs according to my chart. Sounds great, right? BUT, I had just gone in 6 weeks prior to this visit and weighed myself on their scale because it is the only one that I trust. In those six weeks, I had gained 2 lbs. Now, I know that doesn't sound like a big deal and in the whole scheme of things, it isn't. But, it lit something in me that I had forgotten about. It woke me up. I can see how people can have this major, life altering surgery and be on a good path and then lose sight of what it is they are to do. This is FOREVER! Not a month, not a year and not 10 years. It is forever. There has been a part of me that has been resisting it and justifying MANY unhealthy choices....pushing the limits if you will. After that doctor's visit, I went home to Cedar for a long Labor Day weekend. That Saturday, I decided to go for a long brisk walk to the track at the University. I made the decision to do some running. Now, the only problem with this is that I don't run. Don't like it. Never have. HATED it in fact. It was always a form of punishment from mean P.E. teachers that loved to watch their students try and do the mile in under 30 minutes. (I guess that is one of the explanations as to why I ended up where I ended up.) Well, I decided to walk the curves of the track and run the straights. In total, I ran 1/2 a mile. That doesn't sound like a lot but to someone that loathes running, I felt really good about it. I've been really good about my food intake. I have portioned it all out and weighed it so no more guessing. After doing that, I realized how much more I was eating. Not good! Anyway, I got back from being home and a week and a couple of days after my adjustment, I decided to go back to the doctor to see if those 8 days of being more disciplined did anything. UH...you could say so. SIX POUNDS LOST! Totally crazy! I was so stoked. My goal from the beginning was to be at my half way point in my weight loss by my one year date because they said it takes two years. So, I figured half of my goal by Thanksgiving 2009. Well, I am only 6 lbs away from my half way goal and I have a little over two months to be to that point. Isn't that crazy?? My total weight loss is 69 lbs. I know....my jaw dropped on the ground too! For being overweight for a majority of my life, this is a place I never thought I would be. I think the major realization that really isn't a new one but has come to the forefront, is that God has given me this one body. I had better be good to it and treat it with respect. What an amazing gift! I am so appreciative of the support from everyone. I honestly couldn't do it without you and I mean that. I am truly blessed.