The Turkey and All it's Friends...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Two days ago, (actually Thanksgiving) I woke up early and ran the Naperville Turkey Trot 5k! I ran it in 38 minutes and 50 seconds! Thats an improvement from my last 5k by 5 minutes and 56 seconds! And, since  I have been working and rehearsing for my upcoming play, I havent been running! I was so,so happy to have made this improvement on top of running the first mile without stoping!

It was freezing (thankfully not snowing!) but totally worth it! I knew it would be cold so I went to the Nike sotre the night before the run and bought a new hat and gloves! And my friend Kevin ran the race with me too...well he ran ahead of me, but it was nice starting the race out together!

It's so weird to look back and think that a year ago at this time I was in no condition to be running, let alone not having the will power or motivation to even attempt to. It is a huge accomplishment for me to have even participated in this race. And even more encouraging to know that I am only about 2 minutes and 40 seconds away from having a 10 minute mile (which I havent done since 2003)!

After the race I felt so energized I could have kept going! But instead I went home to make my first Thanksgiving dinner! It was great! And took most of the reciepes from the Weight Watchers website! We had everything! Although my favorite was the 3pt pumpkin pie! :)

Once we finished dinner unfortunatly I had to go to bed to get in a few zzz's before the big "Midnight Madness" Sale at the mall I work in. I took a 3 hour nap before beginning my long night 9pm - 9am. One day I will no longer have to work retail and I will never have to be an abused labour ever again (a girl can dream cant she?).  

Looking ahead to this next week, I am excited and nervous for all of the events that will be happening throughout this week. First off, I doubt if I will have any gym time this week because I have dress rehearsal for my upcoming show everyday. Secondly, Weight Watchers is changing their entire point system. And thirdly, I do have 3 shows this weekend. On top of that I have to work, and I have family coming into town. Bah, what a week. Like I said though, I am very excited, just have to take it one step at a time so I fight the nervousness.

Happy Birthday to ME!

Every year around this time I take a few moments out to reflect on the past year and to dream for the year to come. I take a day and thank the Lord for keeping me safe and for blessing me. And this year seems to have brought about the most change in quite some time!

On November18, 2009, just two days before my birthday, I was T-Boned. This seemingly freak accident began a sequence of life altering, God moments. The following month to two months brought about changes that would not only affect my immediate future, but the years to come as well.

Last December I had the opportunity to attend a conference in Kansas City. Knowing I was bound for this event in only a matter of days, I decided to talk to God. As I stood in my bathroom, I told God that He could have all of me; that He could do whatever needed to be done. That is always a dangerous prayer to pray. God always listens, and boy did He answer.

During the conference my life was changed on the inside, sparking a wave of change on the outside. January hen rolled around quickly and I started thinking that if my insides are going to change, so should my outsides. That’s when I began researching the Lap Band procedure. Thankfully my doctor suggested a different route.

So on February 9, 2010, I officially joined Weight Watchers. I also officially began my weight loss journey, as well as the journey to self discovery.

Here is a picture of my 22nd Birthday....

 Here is a picture of my 23rd Birthday....

    

What a difference just one year can make! :)

I have discovered so much about myself on this journey I have been on and I am thrilled to continue down this path I am on. There is never a dull moment and it seems the more I am challenged the more I am able to learn and grown in every aspect of life.

A few nights ago I took a poll on my Weight Watchers Bulletin Board about what type of cake I should make...and the over whelming choice was to make a cake that was home and not quite so WW friendly point wise. So I decided to make this.....

It was amazing and worth every point! And I only had one normal size piece! :) I only wish you could have seen and tasted this bad boy in person! Even better.....

Also I would just like to take a quick moment to say thank you for all of your support and encouragement throughout this journey. Without you on my support team this could be a very difficult accomplishment. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Picture This....

....The moment has arrived. One that I have anxtiously awaiting for months now. A day that I will remember as one of the greatest milestones in my life.

I slip out of my shoes, and step up to the scale. I jump up quickly, overwhelmed by excitment, happiness, pride, and gratefullness. This is it! I have prepared for it, I have worked hard for it, and now its time.

The receptionist reads the numbers, 1-7-4. 174. ONE SEVENTY FOUR!!

I scream with excitment, and everyone turns to look. I did it! I DID IT! I reached my goal weight! I, Heather Dabrowski, have reached my goal weight!

When I close my eyes, I can see it, I can feel it, I can almost reach out and touch it. Oh how I anticipate that day with such longing. Everything within me wants to see this dream become a reality, and I'm only 33 pounds away from holding that acomplishment in my hands!

After I step off the scale, and do my happy dance of course, I may just find a roof top to shout it from! :)

No, in all seriousness, I will be so happy I'm sure I might bust! The first thing I will do after hitting goal will more than likely be to purchase an entire new waredrobe! Then probably go back to work and continue on this healthly road I'm traveling, because it doesnt stop there.

Change

At the start of my weight loss journey I was weak, obese and held a poor, skewed vision of who I was. Now, only nine months later, I have lost 66 pounds and have gained so much more. With only a little over 30 pounds to lose, I am well on my way to achieving my weight loss goal. As well as becoming a more confident, healthier version of me.

As I retrace the steps of my weight loss journey, one major change that has occurred is my belief in myself. The belief that not only can I lose the weight that has for so long hindered me, but the belief that I am worth making the change. And once that far off dream became a reality I became a passionate fighter, determined to conquer anything that stood in the way of obtaining the ultimate goal; change.

Change that for many years had been knocking at my door, but I had shunned. Change that would make me a stronger woman. Change that would not only affect me and my own world, but a change that would inspire many in the world around me.

Joining Weight Watchers ® was not an attempt to put a band-aide over what was broken, but an opportunity to heal what had been shattered for so long. An opportunity that has led to many seemingly small changes that have led to one major difference. An opportunity to regain control of my destiny.

Content

Its been sometime since I've posted a blog about whats been going on.....

.....For like a month now I've been off track; not counting points, not making healthy choices, not getting in my exercise routine. And I cannot seem to get back on track. I've tried and been okay for a few days, making good choices and tracking....but then, I'm not sure what happens and I give up. I eat like a crazy person. Candy, pizza, McDonalds, a little of this, a little of that....I cant seem to stop!

At least this weekend I got in a little bit of exercise. Not much, but at least it was something. Ran a little Saturday and Sunday and took a walk on Saturday with my doggie. I hope that I can keep it up through out the week.

Last week I stayed on track enough to lose 3 point something pounds, but it was sheer luck. I'm hoping that this week I will be lucky enough to lose 1 pound. So much for reaching my goal of 75 pounds lost by my birthday (only 19 days away). That would mean I would have to lose 9 pounds in a little of 2 weeks! Yeah right!! I guess I shouldnt hold my breath.....

.....I dont know if its so much a lack of motivation, as a decrease in desire. Maybe I am just content with where I am, and how far I've come.