THE WAGON DOES EXIST AND I FELL OFF OF IT!

I think it was about a year ago that I was actively participating in Zumba classes and ended up injuring my back.  I promptly went to the chiropractor and he successfully treated me.  After that series of treatments ended, I should have returned to Zumba but didn't.  I not only let my time paid lapse, but I also sold off the three months that I had coming to me.  

Every now and again, I would take a small walk, and on Grandparents Day in September, I gathered my flock and asked them to join me at Tarantula Hill in Thousand Oaks.  That day was the last time I did any exercise at all. 

Within this one-year sabbatical, I found myself dirt poor.  This came from conducting mystery shops that required me to pay for items ahead of time before being reimbursed two to sometimes three months later.  I also experienced a disappointing relationship, and the last straw was when my mom was hospitalized after yet another stroke.  I strongly feel that all of these things caused me stress, but I didn't realize it at the time.  In dealing with it, I ate all the wrong things a lot of the time.  At one point, however, I was doing so well that my primary doctor took me off of one of my blood pressure medications.  Sadly, a few months later, I was back on it.  

In the one year that has flown by, I have noticed the unwavering support from friends who not only support me but also keep me in check with the food items I post on Facebook.  I have also noticed my flagging enthusiasm and lack of goal setting and keeping.  

So what has made me come back after such a long absence?  I started a new temporary assignment working at Wellpoint.  I also realized that working full time with a company that has strict attendance guidelines would not allow me to go see my lap band doctor in Marina Del Rey.  

In the interview, the Wellpoint reps talked about how they liked their potlucks and asked whether that was something I would enjoy.  I then came to the first day of class.  Not only do they like their potlucks, but it was also mentioned that between our sit-down job and all this food around us, people who work there gain an average of 40 pounds.  Believe it or not, in the two short weeks I have been in class, the temporary agency has brought in two boxes of donuts (and that was the first day!), we have had two potlucks, and our future supervisors brought pizza for the department the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.  

If this is the way my new assignment will be, I really have to get my priorities back in check.  I not only have participated in the potlucks by bringing a dish, but I also have participated by eating…and eating…and eating.  

Yesterday, I decided to look into Zumba classes again.  This time, however, I will find something closer to home here in Thousand Oaks.  I emailed one of the instructors and she wrote back saying that she will start two new classes at the Goebel Senior Center this coming January.  

I am really excited to start up again.  I hope that these classes will encourage me to watch what I eat, and, of course, get back into shape.

Weight and Measurements Chart
Immediate Goal:  195
Ultimate Goal:  150
Date	Weight	+ / -	Bust	Waist	Hips	Thigh	BMI
Pre-Surgery	295		53	48	59	25
6/1/2011	290	5	53	48	59	--	49.9
6/15/2011	277	13	52	48.5	61.5	--	47.5
7/21/2011	268.5	8.5	51	46	58.5	24.5	46.1
9/1/2011	257.5	11	49	46	56	25	44.2
10/13/2011	254	3.5	47.5	45	53	23	43.6
11/22/2011	242.3	11.7	48	44	52	23.5	41.6
1/11/2012	238.3	4	48	43	51	24	40.9
2/23/2012	233.5	4.8	46.5	43	50	24	40.1
4/5/2012	229.9	3.6	46.5	42	48.5	24.5	39.4
5/17/2012	233	-3.1	47	41	49	25	40
6/28/2012	233.3	-0.3					40
7/26/2012	237	-3.7					40.7
9/11/2012	232.4	4.6					39.9
11/2/2012	231.9	0.5					39.8
Total Pounds:	62.6		6	7	10	0
Total Inches:	23