Hey Ho! Let's Go!

About a year ago, at the youthful age of 38, I stepped on a scale.  The digital read-out blinked out the numbers "263".  Today, at the youthful age of 39, the digital read-out of the same scale, blinked out the numbers "186".  I accomplished my goal for the holidays and made it through without gaining weight (I lost three pounds, but I gained them back) but my net weight at Thanksgiving maintained until the new year.  My waist is under 30 inches and I went from a G cup to a DD.

Now it's time to kick some ass and knock the rest out, until I reach my goal of 155.    Piece of cake, because I know it works.  It's basic science, if you eat a certain amount of calories and stay active, the excess fat has to come off.  It cannot defy science, fat is not that smart.  It doesn't even have a brain.

So here's a little January pep talk:  Get started!!!!  WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

The obvious benefit is that you will feel so much better.  I have endless amounts of energy.  I've become one of those people that I used get annoyed with.  I never stop moving.  I come home after working an eight hour shift (and I have very physical job), I clean, go to the beach, bake bread and cookies and workout.    It's ironic that my hobby is baking, but that's another story.

And there are so many unforeseen benefits that I never thought of (slapping my forehead with my open palm) :

1.  A purse strap actually stays on my shoulder.
2.  I can find cool clothes my size at the thrift stores.
3.  I don't have to pay over $50 for a bra that fits.
4.  I don't even have to buy clothes because my sister's fit me now (Hee Hee)!
5.  I pay less for food because smaller portions actually fill me up.
6.  I can put on my socks standing on one leg.



Alright, I've sat here long enough, writing this.  Gotta get moving now!

Why did you lose 80 pounds?

Because I want to be able to do things like this:

Two Years of Surfing

I made this movie for my son's teacher because she's never seen Javy surf. Javy has now been surfing for two years.  The music is "Free" by Donavon Frankenreiter with Jack Johnson.  

A Couple of Movie Recommendations!

     First, I just want to recommend the documentary, "The Horse Boy" to everyone, whether you know a person with disabilities or not.  Even if you don't know someone, there's a great chance that you will meet a person with disabilities and this movie gives a neat perspective from the vantage point of the parents.  Its actually about a boy with autism, but I can totally relate with his parents.

     One of the points that it brings up is the fact that autism is becoming more and more common and we need to find a place for everyone in our society.  I love that.  No more hiding them away in an institution.  We should embrace their differences and see their value.  And I have proof that everyone, no matter their abilities, has a place in society.

  

     The picture above is a card that Javy's class made for him for his birthday.  The teacher gave them the heart cut outs and told them to write whatever they wanted for Javy.  These kids are physically able,  but have other issues that cause them to be in a Special Education classroom.  Javy's teacher explained to me that the student who wrote that Javy taught him how to smile, literally never smiled but he lights up with Javy.  Another student wouldn't write their letters, but when asked to write for Javy, began writing.  I like to think that maybe because they met Javy, these kids will overcome their adversities and be able to follow their dreams.  Javy can't walk or talk, like most people, but he does have a way of inspiring people.  

     The other movie I want to recommend is "Step into Liquid".  This movie explained something to me that I had no way of understanding, why surfers are the way they are.  It made me realize why Javy lights up when he is surfing.  It doesn't matter that he can't do it by himself or stand up by himself, just the whole experience has him stoked.  

     Originally, I said that I wanted to lose weight and be healthy so that I could surf with Javy.  I realize now that is not really my dream and Javy doesn't really need me there.  He's got the bug, with or without me.  That is pretty cool.  

     Javy still has taught me how to surf, though, metaphorically speaking. I've overcome a lot of my fears and learned to ride whatever comes my way. 

 "I'm not afraid to die.  I'm not afraid to live."- U2

Perspective....

A thought occurred to me.  I have a lost 77 pounds, so far, since last January.  Javy is about 75 pounds, therefore, I have lost one Javy-sized person.  Just to put this in perspective, here is a photo montage:

This is me plus one Javy

This is me plus two Javies!

This is me plus one Javy!

The magical ipad!

I decided to merge both my blogs.  The truth is that I am a member of Javyland and there's no reason for me to have a separate blog just about me.  All of my goals and aspirations are because of Javy.  So there you go.......

Javy got his iPad.  I'm not sure if I've ranted about this before, last year, Javy's speech therapist started using an iPad at school for communication.  Instead of Javy using a picture board to make decisions, he can use an iPad.  It's actually perfect for him.  They're not as cumbersome as most Assistive Devices that have small buttons to push.  He can swipe and touch, no matter how tight his hands are.  But the problem is that the school won't let him bring it home.  But its for communication,  you say.  I felt like it needed to be used consistently, at home and school.  This was a great worry of mine for a few months.

It just so happens that someone who happens to work for Hawaiian Airlines, asked me how Javy was doing.  She has known Javy since we moved to Kauai, because we fly out so much going to doctors on Oahu.  I guess, since this was the foremost worry in my head, the conversation turned to the subject iPads and me ranting about the school not letting him take it home.  I explained how I was trying to save for one, even collecting cans and bottles that I find on the road while I walk my dog.  It was almost like I was praying-my heart bursting, laying out my greatest desire.  Work distracted us and we went about our business.

Later, that day, this dear person approached me and said that a few of the ladies who work together for Hawaiian Airlines would like to buy Javy an iPad.  I started to cry, it was such an unexpected blessing. I never imagined, coming to work that morning that such a great relief could happen,  just talking to a friend.  So they did, they bought Javy an iPad.

IPads are really an amazing piece of technology.  Javy responds to it, instantly.  He has been able to tell me what he's wanted when he's fussy and I can't figure out what is going on.  He can also read stories by himself.  Well, he's not reading it, but he can touch the screen and the iPad magical voice reads it to him.

Also, I found this app called Pictello.  I can create picture stories for him.   I think that this is really good for stimulating his mind.  I plan on making stories of everything.  I'm working on one of all of his friends and family.  More than that, this app will relieve another worry of mine.  This may seem silly to some, but I often think what if something happened to everyone who really knows Javy.  I mean truly knows how to read Javy, knows how really funny and lovable he is.  What he likes, doesn't like.  What his faces mean.  This app can create a legacy for Javy to carry on in the future without me.  Hey, I'm not trying to be depressing, it's a reality of life.  Think about it, most people are able to communicate their history and heritage.  Javy won't be able to and I will not be around forever to do it.  I want everyone to know how wonderful he is and not to take him for granted.

Thank you to the ladies at Hawaiian Airlines and thank you, Steve Jobs!  May you rest in peace.  

Lesson #3: Hold your head high!

Try this!  Whatever you're doing- laundry, cooking supper, walking through the grocery story, hold your shoulders back with back straight and saunter, with your hips swinging and your head held high.  Don't worry about people watching you or if you look like a fool.  It feels good, doesn't it.

Whatever Javy does, he has no shame.  He doesn't care what people around him think.  If he thinks something is funny then he will let out a deep belly laugh, even if its at the most inappropriate moment ever. He enjoys life and if he's not then he doesn't hesitate to let someone know, until he's happy, again.      In order, to accomplish anything, Javy has to work really hard, whether its pushing himself up to standing, crawling across the floor.  To move his body, he has to overcome a lot of muscle tone but I've never seen him look embarrassed or ashamed, once.

I made two personal benchmarks in July.  First, I made it to under 200 pounds.  And I ran for 30 minutes straight.  I don't feel like I could have made these benchmarks if I cared what other people think about me.  When you start making transformations in your self, everyone is watching you.  "They" wonder what you're eating and what you're doing.  I believe most have genuine interest, sometimes, perhaps, some aren't so respectful.  It's funny but as soon as I started eating a little healthier, a lot of people automatically started making comments, like ewwww, brown rice, why are you eating brown rice.  Or just a salad, that's all your eating.  I just simply had to blow it off and remember-this is personal, it's not about them.  All I can do is hold my head up high and say, "Yes, brown rice, it's awesome!"

As far as running and exercising are concerned, its tough.  First of all, I really don't have proper exercise wear.  I have a pair of Sketcher's that I got cheap at Ross and baggy shorts and shirts.  I live in Hawaii and I see a lot of people running and walking in my neighborhood.  There's some pretty good looking people-the girls wearing their cute little sports bras and the guys with their nice tank tops and all muscles.  I started running in June and I had already lost a lot of weight, but I still have to wear two bras just to keep from giving myself two black eyes.  In fact, everything jiggles-thighs, arms, belly.  But I know that the only way to stop them from wiggling is to move.  It's the only way.

So besides surfing, which I still feel scared to do, I'm gonna add two more personal benchmarks.  I'm going to run the Kauai marathon (next year, because I can't afford the fees for this year) and wear a bikini by next summer.