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Thursday, August 27, 2009
Quotes
The reason I started this blog…
"For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - Real Life.
But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid.
At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.
This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness.
Happiness is the way.
So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination!"
Souza
“This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to control your own life. No one else can do it for you. Take the power to make your life happy.”
About Me
Losing weight isn't easy, but it is possible. And in April of 2009, I learned that reaching my personal weight-loss goal was possible too. In just under two years, I reached lifetime and discovered a new and exciting life.
Even at my heaviest weight, I was a people person. I have always been outgoing and confident, but the confidence I felt at my goal weight was a different kind of confidence. Instead of just being everyone's likable friend, I began to like myself too.
One of the defining moments of my life occurred when I decided to take part in a 3-day breast cancer race. I started exercising 5 days per week, curbed my eating and worked out with a trainer at the gym, but I wasn't losing weight. I didn't know what I was doing wrong. So after a frustrating and embarrassing moment on a spin bike, I decided I had to change.
I went home and started surfing the web for answers, and everything pointed to Weight Watchers. The following Monday I walked into my first meeting, and it was the beginning of a new life for me. I lost 140 pounds, and I stopped looking at life through the eyes of a heavy girl and started living like a confident and athletic woman.
I didn't struggle as much to reach my goal as I have to keep it off. It's so easy to say "I'll go to the gym tomorrow" or "I'll start eating better Monday." And after gaining about 40 of the 140, I've decided it's time to get serious again. I've worked too hard and loved living too much to return to my prior self. I'm proud of myself for maintaining my 100 pound loss over the last year, but I know I can do better. I know how incredible it feels to wear a sleeveless sundress or to complete a triathlon in 2 hours and 2 minutes. And I am determined to move forward not backwards.
This is my life, and I know that I have what it takes to make it a great one. So I will no longer focus on tomorrow or yesterday. Instead I will concentrate on today, now…I forgive myself for the the mistakes I've made, and I'm ready to look forward.
Eleanor Roosevelt said "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams," and my dream to be a healthy, confident me has already come true. I know I can do it because I've already done it. I know exactly what I'm capable of, and once again, I am ready to be the best version of myself.
Even at my heaviest weight, I was a people person. I have always been outgoing and confident, but the confidence I felt at my goal weight was a different kind of confidence. Instead of just being everyone's likable friend, I began to like myself too.
One of the defining moments of my life occurred when I decided to take part in a 3-day breast cancer race. I started exercising 5 days per week, curbed my eating and worked out with a trainer at the gym, but I wasn't losing weight. I didn't know what I was doing wrong. So after a frustrating and embarrassing moment on a spin bike, I decided I had to change.
I went home and started surfing the web for answers, and everything pointed to Weight Watchers. The following Monday I walked into my first meeting, and it was the beginning of a new life for me. I lost 140 pounds, and I stopped looking at life through the eyes of a heavy girl and started living like a confident and athletic woman.
I didn't struggle as much to reach my goal as I have to keep it off. It's so easy to say "I'll go to the gym tomorrow" or "I'll start eating better Monday." And after gaining about 40 of the 140, I've decided it's time to get serious again. I've worked too hard and loved living too much to return to my prior self. I'm proud of myself for maintaining my 100 pound loss over the last year, but I know I can do better. I know how incredible it feels to wear a sleeveless sundress or to complete a triathlon in 2 hours and 2 minutes. And I am determined to move forward not backwards.
This is my life, and I know that I have what it takes to make it a great one. So I will no longer focus on tomorrow or yesterday. Instead I will concentrate on today, now…I forgive myself for the the mistakes I've made, and I'm ready to look forward.
Eleanor Roosevelt said "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams," and my dream to be a healthy, confident me has already come true. I know I can do it because I've already done it. I know exactly what I'm capable of, and once again, I am ready to be the best version of myself.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Yesterday was a NEW day!
I wrote yesterday’s blog on Monday night and posted it yesterday morning. I was very WORRIED that I would lose my resolve as I slept on Monday night, but that was NOT the case! Even though I didn’t get up as early as I would have like yesterday morning so that I could head to the grocery store before work, I didn’t let that derail me. I also wasn’t going to let it be an excuse as to why I couldn’t start RIGHT THEN!
Things I did RIGHT:
1. Grabbed a brand new 3 Month Journal from my stash
2. Had Cream of Wheat for Breakfast
3. Drank TONS of water!
4. Grocery Shopping at lunch
5. Yummy lunch which included a Sandwich Thin and a Spicy Black Bean Patty
6. I had a snack before I went to hang out with the Girls
7. Grilled Chicken and Veggies at Dinner
8. I didn’t buy that Coach purse at the outlet that I REALLY wanted!
9. I didn’t partake in the fried mushrooms that were ordered!
10.Had a good time with my girls and didn’t feel like I was missing out on ANYTHING!
Thank you guys for the messages, emails and texts…it really does help to know that I have such a great support system. It also feels great to be a part of someone else’s support system! We are all in this together and we can do it!
Tonight is going to be a “WICKED”LY good time! I can’t WAIT! Suzi…we are going to have such a great time!
The quote on today’s page of my journal:
“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” Dale Carnegie
Things I did RIGHT:
1. Grabbed a brand new 3 Month Journal from my stash
2. Had Cream of Wheat for Breakfast
3. Drank TONS of water!
4. Grocery Shopping at lunch
5. Yummy lunch which included a Sandwich Thin and a Spicy Black Bean Patty
6. I had a snack before I went to hang out with the Girls
7. Grilled Chicken and Veggies at Dinner
8. I didn’t buy that Coach purse at the outlet that I REALLY wanted!
9. I didn’t partake in the fried mushrooms that were ordered!
10.Had a good time with my girls and didn’t feel like I was missing out on ANYTHING!
Thank you guys for the messages, emails and texts…it really does help to know that I have such a great support system. It also feels great to be a part of someone else’s support system! We are all in this together and we can do it!
Tonight is going to be a “WICKED”LY good time! I can’t WAIT! Suzi…we are going to have such a great time!
The quote on today’s page of my journal:
“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” Dale Carnegie
Monday, August 24, 2009
It all starts with Today!
" It is not about what caused you to fall flat on your back that defines you; it is what you do to get back up on your feet."
For at least the last month I have beat myself up. Up one side and down the other and I just can’t take it anymore. Every morning I tell myself today is the day. I am going to get back on plan and everyday by the time lunch arrives I am done with it for the day! I can’t keep doing this and expecting that all the weight I lost is going to stay off. It just isn’t. And if I was going to tell the truth…I would have to admit that I have gained at least 20 of those pounds back.
Why would I do that to myself? I worked SO hard for 2 years and in the last 4 or so months I have let it all fall away. Everything I thought I had learned, all the self control I thought I had…gone, just like that! How did those old habits come back so fast?
I don’t know if I will ever know the answer to why it happened…what I do know is that I am the ONLY one that can change it. And I really have to start that TODAY! RIGHT NOW, RIGHT THIS MOMENT. And I have to think about it every time I put anything into my mouth, until I get it under control again. Until it becomes my habit again.
There you have it folks…the good, the bad and the ugly! I struggle everyday and I don’t always know how to reach out and say that I need help, but again…today that changes! I need your help! Feel free to send emails, texts, facebook messages to check on me. Help me keep myself accountable! If you need an accountability partner PLEASE shoot me an email. I am going to keep track of what goes into my mouth. I have done this before and I have to do it again and get back to where I was and then get to the finish line.
I am NOT a QUITTER!
Things I know:
1. Vacation is OVER!
2. I am over the dude!
3. Things are getting better in my world EVERYDAY!
4. I truly feel YUCKY!
5. I need to get off my ass and get back on plan!
6. I have a great support system!
7. I need to STOP making excuses!
8. I have proven to myself that I can DO THIS!
9. Being accountable helps me succeed!
10. Today is the day for my WLJ to get back on track!
The plan:
1. WW 101!
2. TRACK EVERYDAY!
3. In the beginning…eat only food that I make. Stop eating out!
4. PLAN AHEAD!
5. Exercise!
6. I WILL WEIGH IN…NO EXCUSES on September 14th. That gives me 3 weeks of behaving to not have such sticker shock!
7. WW meeting EVERYWEEK!
8. NO drinking until I am back at goal!
9. Get my apartment back in order
10. Reach out when I need help or encouragement!
Everything in life is about taking that first step...here is to my first step back in the right direction. Thanks for being a part of my journey!
For at least the last month I have beat myself up. Up one side and down the other and I just can’t take it anymore. Every morning I tell myself today is the day. I am going to get back on plan and everyday by the time lunch arrives I am done with it for the day! I can’t keep doing this and expecting that all the weight I lost is going to stay off. It just isn’t. And if I was going to tell the truth…I would have to admit that I have gained at least 20 of those pounds back.
Why would I do that to myself? I worked SO hard for 2 years and in the last 4 or so months I have let it all fall away. Everything I thought I had learned, all the self control I thought I had…gone, just like that! How did those old habits come back so fast?
I don’t know if I will ever know the answer to why it happened…what I do know is that I am the ONLY one that can change it. And I really have to start that TODAY! RIGHT NOW, RIGHT THIS MOMENT. And I have to think about it every time I put anything into my mouth, until I get it under control again. Until it becomes my habit again.
There you have it folks…the good, the bad and the ugly! I struggle everyday and I don’t always know how to reach out and say that I need help, but again…today that changes! I need your help! Feel free to send emails, texts, facebook messages to check on me. Help me keep myself accountable! If you need an accountability partner PLEASE shoot me an email. I am going to keep track of what goes into my mouth. I have done this before and I have to do it again and get back to where I was and then get to the finish line.
I am NOT a QUITTER!
Things I know:
1. Vacation is OVER!
2. I am over the dude!
3. Things are getting better in my world EVERYDAY!
4. I truly feel YUCKY!
5. I need to get off my ass and get back on plan!
6. I have a great support system!
7. I need to STOP making excuses!
8. I have proven to myself that I can DO THIS!
9. Being accountable helps me succeed!
10. Today is the day for my WLJ to get back on track!
The plan:
1. WW 101!
2. TRACK EVERYDAY!
3. In the beginning…eat only food that I make. Stop eating out!
4. PLAN AHEAD!
5. Exercise!
6. I WILL WEIGH IN…NO EXCUSES on September 14th. That gives me 3 weeks of behaving to not have such sticker shock!
7. WW meeting EVERYWEEK!
8. NO drinking until I am back at goal!
9. Get my apartment back in order
10. Reach out when I need help or encouragement!
Everything in life is about taking that first step...here is to my first step back in the right direction. Thanks for being a part of my journey!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
NYC Day 2
So day 2 in NYC…woke up to a cloudy rainy day…but that didn’t stop me! I got up and watched the news and planned my attack for the day! I took out the map again and decided that I would catch a subway near Leslie’s place and head down to the Financial District.
I had never been to that area of NYC before…well other than where the Towers used to be. So I headed down Houston to Broadway…and when I got to Broadway I decided to just walk instead of taking the Subway. That is one busy street. Lots of stores and people. Then I hit Canal street… but I refrained from going to check it out and stayed on course. So I walked through the financial district and then to Pier 11…
I bought a roundtrip ferry ticket to Hoboken, NJ…why you might ask? Because I wanted to go to Carlos’ Bakery so that I could meet Buddy from Cake Boss. I love that SHOW! Well…I made it to the Bakery…and there might have been a cannoli purchased, but I didn’t get to meet Buddy. He was in the city that day! I did however wait to eat said cannoli until I was safely back on the ferry and I couldn’t go get another one :)
I choose the long way on the ferry so that I could see more of the city! So I got back to Pier 11 and then strolled along to the Brooklyn Bridge. I have always wanted to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge…and this time I made sure that no matter how tired I thought I was, I was doing it! It was BEAUTIFUL…even on a rainy day!
After the Brooklyn Bridge I made my way through Chinatown back to Leslie’s place. Where I proceeded to take a nap! Leslie came home and we ordered Indian! It was YUMMY! This night was an early night…I was exhausted!
I had never been to that area of NYC before…well other than where the Towers used to be. So I headed down Houston to Broadway…and when I got to Broadway I decided to just walk instead of taking the Subway. That is one busy street. Lots of stores and people. Then I hit Canal street… but I refrained from going to check it out and stayed on course. So I walked through the financial district and then to Pier 11…
I bought a roundtrip ferry ticket to Hoboken, NJ…why you might ask? Because I wanted to go to Carlos’ Bakery so that I could meet Buddy from Cake Boss. I love that SHOW! Well…I made it to the Bakery…and there might have been a cannoli purchased, but I didn’t get to meet Buddy. He was in the city that day! I did however wait to eat said cannoli until I was safely back on the ferry and I couldn’t go get another one :)
I choose the long way on the ferry so that I could see more of the city! So I got back to Pier 11 and then strolled along to the Brooklyn Bridge. I have always wanted to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge…and this time I made sure that no matter how tired I thought I was, I was doing it! It was BEAUTIFUL…even on a rainy day!
After the Brooklyn Bridge I made my way through Chinatown back to Leslie’s place. Where I proceeded to take a nap! Leslie came home and we ordered Indian! It was YUMMY! This night was an early night…I was exhausted!
New York City Day 1
After my time in Chicago I hopped on a plane and headed for NYC! As soon as I got off the plane I grabbed my massive suitcase and hopped in a cab and headed for some Sushi with the girls!
It was AWESOME to get to meet Leslie in person…we have been online buddies for so long! She was gracious enough to give me a place to stay while I visited the city. THANK YOU LESLIE! I also got to meet a new comer to the message boards…Jamie! She was so nice and sweet! Michele was also there…but we go WAY back ;) The sushi and the company were GREAT!
So on Wednesday I got up and moving and still wasn’t feeling 100% from my double ear infection…probably because of the flight! But either way I was in NYC and I wasn’t going to lay around. So I got up and started checking out the map that Leslie had let me borrow. I decided to walk over to Washington Square Park because I had never been there and I had always wanted to see it!
After Washington Square I looked at the map and saw that the Flatiron building wasn’t too far away…so I walked over there…enjoying the sights and sounds along the way. That building is really cool…so I enjoyed the fact that there was a park nearby and I sat down and enjoyed the building and its surroundings!
Trusty map told me that Times Square wasn’t that far away…so I headed over there to enjoy the hustle and bustle! And I also wanted to send my mom Teresa a HAPPY BIRTHDAY message NYC style! (On the way over to Times Square I had to stop into a pharmacy and grab a knee brace…my knee was still not too happy from the 3-Day!)
After spending some time sipping a Frap from Starbucks in Times Square I headed to the nearby Subway and took a train to the furthest end of Central Park…and then I walked all through Central Park. I have always wanted to do this and I have never had the time to do it properly! I saw Belvedere Castle, The Alice in Wonderland Sculpture, The Bethesda Fountain, The Jackie O Reservoir, and nature at its finest! It wasn’t the prettiest of days…but I put on my little rain jacket and enjoyed the day!
After Central Park, before the skies dumped the rain…I ducked into FAO Schwartz and played like a kid for a few minutes!
Took a stroll down 5th Ave into Rockefeller Plaza and then found a Cosi (my favorite East Coast chain) before I got on the subway to head back downtown to Leslie’s Place…we had plans for the night! We went and saw a show…Alter Boyz! HILARIOUS!! Afterwards we met a couple of guys from the show and of course…in true Janna fashion we had to get a picture!
Leslie then took me to dinner at an AWESOME Burmese restaurant…Green Tea Leaf Salad…YUM! Thanks Leslie for introducing me to that…it was YUMMY!
I have no idea how much I walked that day. I was just very grateful that I could walk and enjoy the city…Needless to say…I was asleep very soon after my head hit the pillow! It wound up being a VERY busy day!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Dawn & Susie
Ok…so I thought I would be SO good about blogging while I was away living a grand adventure! I started out well, but then slacked off! So over the next couple of days I will get you caught up on the vacation and then work on keeping things up to date! That is the goal!
Chicago…
Well you know about the 3-day…the thing you might not know is that 2 VERY dear friends of mine live in Illinois. In fact I go up to the Chicago area often to see them because I just love them SO much! They are Susie and Dawn. Dawn is one of the amazing people I walk for! She is a Breast Cancer survivor…along with her mom and sister!
Well Dawn, Susie, Susie’s mom and Susie’s girls Haley and Christi, came to see me at closing ceremonies! It was SO great to see them! I was exhausted and in such pain but when I saw them…it all went away! It was just as good as having family there!
After ceremonies we all made our way to our hotel and then they kindly let me shower and clean up and we went out to dinner. And while it was a fiasco to find a place to have dinner…we had a good time!
The next morning we got up had breakfast and walked around…I know…after 60 miles…I could still walk…IT WAS AMAZING! The weather was beautiful and we strolled along Michigan Ave towards Millennium Park. We didn’t have much time but we fit it all in as best we could! Susie and her gang caught the train back out to their car and soon after Dawn caught a cab to take her to her train back home!
I love these women more than they could ever KNOW! I really appreciate their effort to come and see me and spend time with me…I loved every moment…even if I was tired and weary!
THANKS AGAIN LADIES for sharing this experience with me!! I LOVE YOU!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Happy Birthday Teresa!
Just wanted to say Happy Birthday to a very special person in my life! She might not have given birth to me, but she is a great mom to me! Teresa I hope you had a wonderful day filled with wonderful things because you are one of the BEST people I know!
Thank you for always loving me!
Monday, August 10, 2009
My 3-Day Experience
For me I know that I could never put into words everything I see, hear and feel during the 3-Day...I can only give you glimpses and pictures to try and paint a picture. If you ever have the chance to be a part whether it is to walk, crew or just cheer them on...DO IT! Thank you for being a part of my journey...I can't wait until October to start the walk with 5 friends that have never done it before...it will be exciting to see it through their eyes! But for now...through my eyes-
Dawn and Elizabeth for being my inspiration to walk year after year. Even though I hate that people I know went through it…it makes it mean SO much more to me personally!
***DAWN & I at closing ceremonies***
Even though opening ceremony seems to be a repeat…it never fails to give me goose bumps! I love the energy when the walk starts...everyone pumped, pink and ready to tackle the 60 miles!
Seeing all the people that come out to support us…it is AMAZING! They give up part of their day or DAYS to come out and cheer us on and help us get through!
***These ladies were EVERYWHERE...they were AWESOME!***
The crew…from the people that help us cross the streets to the people that wrap our nasty sweaty bodies and take care of yucky blisters, to the people that get our food ready…they are amazing and selfless and it renews any lost faith one might have in human kind!
***SAFETY***
No matter how tired or how bad people hurt…they cheer each other on and always give a smile! We were in this together!
Friends, new and old…making new friends is AWESOME! There is a rhyme and reason to everything that happens…and out of tough situations comes new friendships! I made a new friend for life…just like I did in Dallas! I love you Lindsay…and I LOVE YOU Gloria!
***Janna & Lindsay***
Walking with and for Laurie was an amazing HONOR! Thank you for all your courage and strength Laurie. It was SO much fun to hang out with you and Donny this weekend…Want to go get some Ice Cream? Thank you for my POM POMS…they were a HIT!
***Dusty, Janna & Laurie***
My family and friends who gave me UNLIMITED support via phone calls, cards delivered at camp, texts and facebook posts…you will never EVER know how much that means to hear from you guys! It was so much fun to post pictures via the Blackberry all during the walk…it helped keep the mind off the pain and mileage!
Big Willie Wacker…for being a catalyst to great conversations with strangers!
Mt Prospect has the BEST Police and Fire Department…along with the best citizens. AMAZING AMAZING support. Very hard to put into words how much it meant! There was not a ¼ of a mile that would go by that you didn’t have someone standing there cheering you on. From decorated houses, radios left on the porch to entertain us, ice chests left on the lawn with drinks, candy, food, popsicles…you name it…we GOT IT! We could NEVER tell them enough how GREAT they are!
Every time I have visited Chicago I have ALWAYS wanted to walk or bike along the lake…let me tell you, I got that out of my system this weekend. I am pretty sure at least 10 miles on Sunday were along the lake…it was BEAUTIFUL and I can now check that off my list of things to do!
The flowers and green grass…things are SO green and beautiful up here! Might be because they actually get rain and don’t have temperatures that stay in the 100 degree area for very long!
Dyfan-this man is the real Energizer Bunny…he keeps going and going! Anything we need or want…he gets us! He just plain ROCKS! THANK YOU DYFAN! And who could forget Hunter…who comes out and cheers us on!
Smiles from Eleanor…Gloria’s little girl! The reason that Gloria walks!
The quotes that make you smile and make you think…usually posted on the outside or inside of the WONDERFUL blue port-o-potties that make up every stop along the way!
The signs along the way that remind you why you are there!
The “oppressive” heat…which while it didn’t bother the Texans…was a source of many laughs along the way…including with the ABC anchor that interviewed me about it on Day 3!
Dusty…because I can never say thank you enough! You helped me change my life and I could never repay you for that…but I can ALWAYS walk with your or take on any other crazy journey you find for us!
Being a part of watching the last walker get to camp on Day 2. That day is SO hard on you and you are so tired and it seems like it will never end! Cheering them in and giving them high fives was an amazing experience that I am glad I got to be a part of!
The music…I always LOVE the music they play at camp and at both ceremonies…and even along the route. Apparently the really decided to show the love for MJ…he was EVERYWHERE this weekend.
Walking along the shore and into Soldier Field was SO COOL! I actually forgot for awhile how tired and achy my body was.
Closing Ceremonies...to honor the crew and survivors...AMAZING and EMOTIONAL!
My TEAM...From Deep in the Heart of Texas! I love you guys!
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