Wow ...it's week 4 already!

When I arrived four Sunday's ago - I remember feeling a bit apprehensive about what lay before me. Having now completed three weeks here - I can actually say that I am feeling pretty good. I recognise that I'm carrying a lot of extra weight, but am beginning to move better than I have in a long time.

On Friday evening the group that was getting ready to "graduate" held a dance in the gym - they put a lot of effort into it - they created music CD's with music of today and yesteryear's. They even decorated the gym with disco banners! It was great fun and I danced up a storm :-). I had fun dancing and acting up to the music like I used to do years ago. Granted I wasn't able to shake all the way down to the ground ...but I did manage to make it halfway! The next morning when I walked into the dining room - I received all sorts of compliments about my dance moves :-) Guess I still got it (hehehehe).

I had a great work out on Saturday - with an hour on the treadmill and then my strength training workout. I incorporated all of the changes, including the stretches, that the personal trainer gave me when we worked together on Thursday. I got really excited, because one of the stretches involves putting my leg up on the bench and bending forward to grasp my foot to pull it towards me. A few weeks ago, I could not get anywhere near my foot - on Thursday, I was close - but not there completely ....and on Saturday - I was actually able to grab the top of my sneaker and bring it towards me. WOOHOO!!!!

I accidentally missed breakfast this morning and discovered that when you're on a fixed calorie day, missing a meal is not good! By the time lunch came, I was starving. Lunch was tasty but, without the buffer of breakfast, it didn't quite fill the void.

After lunch two of us headed to a NIA class off campus. It was a great class, I was a little apprehensive about going to a regular class off campus - and discovered that I was able to keep up with the class. Looking around the room, there were women of all ages and it was absolutely wonderful. My friend and I have decided that we will work towards attaining our white belt in NIA later this year. It's something that I want to keep on doing after I leave here - so want to get good enough that I can do it on my own and perhaps one day introduce it to Bermuda.

Today was certainly a test regarding food cravings for our group - we've all been very good since we arrived - dinner tonight was OK - but I found that the void of missing breakfast was taking it's toll. I ate my dinner slowly - with the hope that I could trick my stomach into feeling full .... but found that I was still hungry. It's also our week to dine off campus - and to prepare we have to review the restaurant's menu and make healthy choices in advance.

Looking at restaurant menus when you're hungry is perhaps not the smartest thing to do. All that appealed to me was the appetizers and desserts! Before you know it, someone had their iPhone out and was searching for the closest Dairy Queen (7.25 miles away)! We were all salivating and finding creative ways to justify heading out - when as if from nowhere the head of the dining room came by to ask how things were going. I explained that I was still hungry as I had missed breakfast and that we were contemplating heading off campus. He offered to give me a banana and some cereal - the entire table turned their attention to me ...and while a bowl of raisin bran did not have the same appeal as a DQ Peanut Buster Parfait or the new waffle bowl hot fudge brownie sundae (they keep advertising)- I opted for the cereal. :-)

Tonight I sat down to do the "homework" that I was assigned from by Rebecca (my Gyrokinesis teacher). We're gong to do some work that centers around movement and music. I'm not quite sure what it entails -our first session is tomorrow after lunch. She asked me to do something on what letting go would look like. When she told me, I asked if it had to be in writing or could I do art. She confirmed that I could use any medium that I wanted to express myself - so I opted to use the art kit that Katrine got me. (thanks sweetie :-)) I created two pictures - I'm not sure what she'll do with it - so am very curious about tomorrow.

I'll update the gift tracker tomorrow - I'm still taking baby steps towards achieving my goal - whether I am able to provide Structure House with the full donation before I leave is debatable. I have pledged the first 50 pounds to Structure House and I'll honor my pledge even if it is completed after I leave. Then I'll have to start thinking about where I'll donate my next 50 pounds!

When I first started doing this, I didn't know what it would be like to write about my experience in a public forum. I am discovering that expressing my thoughts in this forum helps me to keep focused as well as provide a means to keep in touch with friends and family. I enjoy hearing from everyone and hearing about what's happening in your lives.

It helps me to remember that I have a lot to be thankful for! Here's to a great week everyone! :-)

Lots of love,

Norma