Simulataneous "fix" of my GAD and SAD...

For two days in a row, the last two days of August mind you, I've been forced by the low temperatures to reconsider my standard summer footwear. Flip-flops. Not "thongs" - that would be an entirely different article of apparel. This sudden change in weather pattern, including 50 degree weather, hail that covered my grass, looking too much like an early snow, really messes up my mojo. Even more so then it already was......
You see...for much of the Fall/Winter/Spring of 2009-2010, my "give-a-damn" has been broken. If I think long enough about it, I can probably trace the exact moment that my GAD expired. I'm pretty sure it was at 3:29 into my first olympic triathlon....when I crossed the finish line. I'd done it! At 39 (one month before turning 40), I completed my year-long goal of completing a triathlon. Notice I used the term "complete" in lieu of "compete". If you don't know, they are entirely different words. I earned and deserved a self-inflicted rest period of exactly 6 months, give or take (mostly give) 3 additional months. In about March or April, I had temporarily found my GAD, after the cloudy, over-cast, inversion-filled skies of the Wasatch Front had made their way to depress people in a different geographic location. And then I remembered......not only do I suffer from a broken GAD, but I apparently temporarily forgot I also suffer from SAD. Seriously.....it's a real thing. "Season Affective Disorder". It basically gives me a medical excuse to hate winter and be a bitch during any of the seasonally cold months, particularly at home to the people who I love most. It makes me want to cry at the silliest little things, makes me yell (almost) like a Real Housewife of New Jersey (which is funny only to those of you know I am FROM New Jersey), and I'm not even going to go into how it seriously messes with my libido (sorry, honey.....now the world knows - well, at least all 4 people who actually read this blog anyway).

Interestingly enough, the GAD and SAD have both been helped by a social experiment powered thru FaceBook. In an effort to be accountable to more than the growing numerical size of my pants, I decided to send out a call for people who wanted to make a physical change to their bodies and to help me, in turn, fix mine. Let's face it, gaining weight can't be treated with a broken GAD, and I need to put a stop to both the GAD and the SAD. I remember all too clearly what 220 lbs of Stacy looks like - it ain't pretty - and I definitely don't want to go back to a Size 20. So, a group of 27 of my FB peeps and some of their peeps have banned together and formed a group called Tru Body Challenge. We share the same goal of wanting to change the status quo that we've each been experiencing, be accountable to one another, and help each other along the way. We range from just under 280 lbs to 124 lbs. Our goals include running a 5K (which some of us are doing together in October), decreasing body fat percentages, losing the "baby" tummy (even though some of the "babies" are in junior high), setting up a regular exercise regime, establishing a nutritional diet, being able to tie one's own shoes.....you get it. We represent Utah, Idaho, Alaska, Nebraska, Colorado, West Virginia, New Jersey, and Alberta, Canada (without me looking at our info).

Well, I can't even begin to tell you how, after less than one week, this "little" group of mine has accomplished "big" things. No, we haven't gone from a combined 4,700 lbs to 2,000. We haven't lost 8 dress sizes. Probably, no one has lost more than a pound or 2 (not that they'd know, because I'm certain none have gotten on the scale after me telling them to shove it in the closet). But, most everyone has stepped out of their comfort zone, offered advice or encouragement, posted a tip that has worked for them, shared a link of helpful information, and put themselves out there to be accountable to someone else. This group of people, both the men and the women, have inspired me and helped me to see the potential in not only each one of them, but myself too. We can do this! And we are experiencing it together.

Thank you, Team Tru, for helping to fix my GAD. My SAD isn't fixed yet, but I know it will be by the time I'm trying to dig out of my garage with 12+inches of snow behind me. Well....you and my beautiful HONDA Pilot with 4WD. You have been like the magic pill I've been waiting for and EVERYONE wants to get their hands on! I am so lucky to have each one of you and am so proud that you are taking this journey with me!



Now....to focus on finding just the right "magic" pill for my SAD!

90-Day Challenge Body Transformation

Oh, look! I can finally do something with the blog account I opened 3 years ago! YIPEE!

OK. So, today is the first day of the rest of my life. I type this while multi-tasking.....working, typing, thinking, and polishing off what will be my last bag of peanutbutter M&Ms. At least for 90 days.

Earlier this summer, I competed in my 2nd Olympic distance triathalon. Some people think that's a great accomplishment. To me, the most miraculous thing about it was that I weighed 20 lbs more this summer than last summer and I somehow still managed to finish it. Barely! If it weren't for Team "Lynne's Ladies" and my hubby, I am pretty sure I would still be out there somewhere in BFE, Idaho, bitching that my feet and toes were numb. Last year, I was in awe at all the large and in charge ladies representing fat women everywhere in the sport of triathlon. This year, I was that lady. Humiliating.......and I'm done with being humiliated.

So, I extended a challenge to all my FaceBook peeps to join me in a 90-Day Body Transformation Challenge. I've been there, done that... I know the mathematical formula of calories in vs. calories out. I know that my body needs to be fueled, not fed. I know that white bread, white pasta, and white chocolate chunk cookies are not good complex carbohydrates. And, I know that my body needs to wake up at the same time every morning (4:20 am to be exact), to get in my full workout routine and be home before my kids wake up to go to school. I know that formula is what keeps me feeling great, gives me plenty of energy, allows me to yield off seasonal depression from September thru February, and keeps me in a comfortable size 8. I have, after all, successfully lost 60 lbs. without pills, heroin, surgery, or otherwise "quickie" ways to weightloss. I have also successfully gained back a third of that by doing all the things I know NOT to do. So, now I'm in an uncomfortable size 10, quickly approaching a button pop and a size 12. What's after 12? Yup.....back to size 20, which is where I started in September of 2008. I'm not going back.......I won't be defeated by my own fat and gluttonous desire for Cold Stone Coffee ice cream with 2 Peanut Butter Cups and a cup of carmel goodness.........oh, sorry....I digress!

Back to the challenge. 90 days. I am accountable to the no less than 20 people who told me they'd do it with me. And, they are accountable. We are taking a "pay-it-forward" approach to our challenge. If I pick YOU to join the challenge, YOU have to pick 3 people and share our program with them. And in 90 days, hopefully they will pick another 3 people each and share the gift of taking control of one's own life. 90 days....it could change us all!

Want to join our group? Email or FaceBook me and I'll send you the email invitation. Stay posted for workouts, healthy recipes, success shout-outs, and more! 90 days........what will you do with the next 90 days of your life? Suck it up, buttercup and Live IT!