By the grace of God, have overcome depression. For the first time in many years, am looking forward to the adventures of a new year, not just "struggling through another year". But in this process, have gained considerable amount of weight. 8 years ago, when I 1st began working in the demented/Alzheimer's unit, I was thin. Looking back, this was purely due to the fact that I was younger, had a higher metabolism rate, and ate poorly due to my "self-imposed anxiety level". Over time, I began to live and eat in conjunction with my already overweight staff. In time, I became a "family member" with my staff, and learned their eating habits. Slowly, I went from thin to overweight (tho not yet, obese, as some of my staff). Only recently, upon review of vacation pics and the on-going jokes of when the "twins" were due. Have now developed quite a "beer-belly", or as oldest drt states, a "good-luck Buddha-belly" (that sounds so much nicer, but in itself, describes the shape I'm in!). Call it vain, but am horrified at what I have become. I have a bow-flex, gathering cobwebs; no motivation to use it. Suddenly, as I was drinking a beer and watching TV, ran across an "infomercial". What struck me as impressive was it's logical sense of , not only diet and exercise, but it's incorporation of yoga and "science". Am a nurse, am intelligent,I know the facts and got to this "lazy, overweight situation" anyway. It was my own doing; to undo it - I needed to look at my self and see just Why I had let myself get in this shape. I needed direction in my most personal and private life. After overcoming depression, I was left standing on the edge of the precipice. I could now see the dark hole i had climbed out of, but was "lost" as to where to go next. Temporarily wandered around the edge of the precipice, at times, almost falling back in. Then it hit me upside the head. If I can get fit in the next 9 months, not only will I look "good" in vacation pics (call me vain, but is my motivation)but I could also inspire my staff to get fit. And with a fit staff, could again get my residents dancing to the music (had to stop doing that, as apparently it created a "fire hazard" by "state regulations").Anyway, I blog this to give myself self-encouragement. If vanity is sinful, then call me vain & sinful for the attempt. I WANT a 6-pack abdomen with defined pecs; and if I succeed, i have ideas how to motivate not only my staff, but also, my elderly confused.
Am 5'6", tipping scales near 180 pounds (I have a small frame, should only be 150 pounds at best).Not yet ready to do the "before" pic here, but feel free to ask / ride my ass, as to how I'm progressing. Hopefully in a few months I can actually show all who reads this, that i actually did do it.