Final day

We are down to the final day. The final weigh out is in the morning. This has been an exciting and hard time. I am really sad it is over. I have learned so much about what i am capable of when you set your mind to it. Thanks to my awesome trainer Leah, she taught be determination and that i can do it. She always pushed us to the max and the whole time kept encouraging us to go on. It makes you want to do better each and every work out. Socooro is an inspiration, she never quits. I have enjoyed the work outs with her. What an amazing person.
I am determined to continue with this program long after it is over. I love how i feel. My grandkids are now trying to keep up with me instead of me keeping up with them. I challenge them to race me when we go on walks. I am not tired after watching them. It makes me really enjoy life more to feel healthy. Not to mention i do not stress every morining about what to wear because my clothes were tight. They are not tight anymore. I love going to my closet and finding different outfits. It's like getting a new wardrobe without spending the money.
I need to thank everyone involved in doing this program. Intermountain Health Care and Utah Valley for giving us this oportunity, Janet for setting this all up, Traci for her encouraging words and keeping track of all of us, Mindy for her great lessons on nutrition, Marlene for coming and talking to us about life changes, Mike for his great cooking class, All the other participants in the program they are such an inspiration and last but not at all least Leah for the wonderful person she is and all the hard work she did for us. She helped me make such a difference in my life and she will be someone that i will never forget.
Well off to bed the final weigh out comes early.

Month to Go

We are down to our last month. I really hate to see this end. I have learned so much and feel healthier than i have in years. I use to stress at night of what to wear to work the next day cause nothing fit, but not anymore. I can now fit into anything in my closet. It's like having a whole new outfit.
I have tried new low fat or fat free recipes. I like creating my own versions of recipes. I recently discovered using Zucchini and Yellow squash to make noodles. This helps cut down on carbs. Mindy has really opened my eyes on how i am eating and what to look for in foods. I still need to get a little better on my eating habits but have already come along way.  Traci always has encouraging words when i send her my weekly update and i feel i should have done better.
I was never one to exercise, that was always my sister. I now find myself looking forward to going to the Wellness center and getting a workout in. I have found that i do alot better at night (never have been a morning person). Leah has been a great trainer. She has showed me alot of things i can do at home also. We have gone to the Provo High track and did workouts there and tonight she had Socorro and myself meet at the Rec. Center and did lap swimming. That was alot harder than i thought it would be. I have swam since i was a kid but not this way. I really did enjoy it. Socorro is an amazing person, i wish i had a pinkies worth of her talent. She has come up with great recipes for our diets. She never quits, quite an inspiration. Leah is always encouraging us and lets us know we can reach our goal. I was very lucky to have her for my trainer.
Even though this program will end in a month it is still the beginning and i want to continue this for as long as possible. Thank You Utah Valley Regional and all the staff involved in the 100 Day Healthy Heart Challenge for giving me the opportunity to improve the rest of my life.

66 Days In 34 More to Go

It's been a while since my last post. My Mother lost her fight with Congestive Heart Failure and passed away on July 27th. It was a blessing and a sorrow. I will miss her greatly.
I have done real well on keeping in my calories. My exercising has been sporadic but I always try to fit in at least 3 to 4 days a week. Now I have more time i need to up my training and make sure I am eating better calories.
Yesterday Leah our trainer took Socorro and myself to water aerobics. It was a blast, I forgot how much I missed the water. I have refused for 2 years to get into a swimming suit. After the aerobics was over of course we had to go down the slide and then I needed to see if I still knew how to dive. Yep I do. I came home and told my husband that I'm going at least once a week to the pool.
I have really enjoyed all the nutrition information we are learning from Mindy. Socorro has come up with great low fat recipes. Now I just need to incorporate them more into my daily eating.
The exercising has been a great stress relief and i have found myself at the Wellness Center many evenings instead of sitting in front of the TV after my husband goes to bed. I still have a ways to go but that will be something to work on in the next 34 days.
Looking forward to last push for success in the 100 Day Heart Challenge. Thank You Utah valley for allowing me to a part of this. I feel great!!!!

One Month

Well I have made it one month. I have really enjoyed the exercising, this is what i thought i would struggle the most with. I am not saying it has been easy, Leah has really pushed me to improve each time. I have started looking forward to the times i get to go and exercise. With an app on my phone and computer i have tracked my food and it has been easy staying within my calories (with the exception of July 4th, who could resist all that food). I look at the labels alot more when shopping and have found alternatives to take recipes i normally use and make them healthier.

The best part of all this is putting on a pair of pants that i have not fit into for months, that was awesome. It makes you even more determined to continue and work harder. I found i have alot more energy to chase around my grandkids and enjoy running around with them.

As i have the privilege to take care of my mom in her last few days, weeks?? on this earth, it makes me appreciate the health i have and i am determined to get the most of my life in the healthiest way possible. I am so glad i have the opportunity to be apart of the 100 Day Heart Challenge and i am determined to make the most of it.

Well back to getting healthy

I Made It!!

 After applying everytime they did the employee 100 Heart Challenge I was chosen to participate.  I have normally been active most of my life. I love the outdoors and have raised my kids in the mountains either hiking, camping or just out shooting the guns.The last year i have noticed my activity was slowing down and i did not get out as much as i used too. I needed something to help me get the drive to get in shape.

The first week that the heart challenge started my Mom was put in the hospital and found out that she has CHF. She has had other heart problems, that was part of my reason to want to be in the 100 Day Heart Challenge.  We now have my Mom home on hospice and its a wait and see game. She will be my inspiration on getting healthy and to take care of myself.  This is for you Mom!

I had my husband join the Wellness center so togehter we can exercise and both get healthier, after all if he wants to keep up with me when i get in shape he better get in shape also. We have very active grandkids and it takes alot to keep up. I want to be the Nana that always runs and plays with them.

I did'nt relize how hard this challenge would be. I have a fantastic trainer Leah, as she is driving you to the extreme she is encouraging you to keep going. The nutrition classes are so helpful in making choices of what to eat. I see all the participants in this challenge trying so hard and that makes me want to do better. They are a great group. So off to do more exercising. See you in the next post.