I'm Normal!

First 2012 trail wildflower sighting - March 1, 2012

Meigs Mountain Trail - GSMNP

I am not, nor will ever claim to be, the world's greatest photographer.  I take pictures more for the purpose of recording life than anything else.  But I do enjoy my hiking and travel pictures and appreciate the feedback you give me regarding those I choose for blog posts.  I confess that sometimes I labor over the picture more than the writing itself.  But today's picture was a given, even though it is by no means an award-winning photo.  Why, you say??  Because it represents my very first Smokies wildflower spotting of 2012.  I spotted it with mixed feelings! Smokies wildflower season is spectacular.  There is no doubt about that.  But with it comes more limited views, snakes, bears, gnats, mosquitos and lots of tourists!  It ends my comfort level with solo hiking and that, I truly miss!  Because of our extremely unseasonable weather this year, this wildflower was spotted at least two weeks early, but it is usually the first bloomer.  I'm fairly certain it's Bloodroot, but again, not an expert identifier.  Really doesn't matter to me, I just want to appreciate its beauty!

You will know when Mr. B reads the title of this post as you will hear him laughing from wherever you are!  Normal is not a word that has ever been used to describe me, but this past Friday morning, I became "normal" once again.  For the first time since October 24, 2010 (I love keeping good records), my weight fell into the "normal" BMI category!  I have been "overweight" on some level every day since then.  Thankfully, never "obese," but always overweight!  Although I think these BMI categories should ALWAYS leave room for individual interpretation, I also believe they can be a very helpful and accurate "benchmark" guideline.  My friend, Debby, wrote a very insightful post recently reflecting the cut-and-dried response to the BMI numbers we often see from "experts" who inform us of what we should weight knowing little or nothing about our history, health or otherwise.    I totally agree with what she said.  My goal is to lose 14 more pounds which will leave me slightly above the mid-point of "normal" according to the BMI charts.  However, I know my body and my overall health status.   I know my history and I know what is reasonable and sustainable.  No CHART can dictate those things to me.  But for today, I am just happy to be NORMAL!

My February stats were not what I'd hoped them to be, but that's o.k.  I've lost 19.4 pounds since October 25, 2011 which was my highest weight this go round.  That's an average of 4-5 pounds lost each month and with only 14 pounds left to lose, the rate of loss will slow down.  Obviously, the bulk of that was lost during Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 of the 17 DD, but as I've settled into a comfortable routine with the Cycles, I've found that steady loss does continue, it just slows down significantly.  And I'm here to tell you EMPHATICALLY that this is totally o.k.  The lack of cravings, the satisfaction with what I'm eating, the energy level that just doesn't quit and the joy of having found something that works more than compensates for a quick path to goal.  I will get there and more importantly, I WILL STAY THERE!!

Here are my February statistics!

Weight Lost in February - 1.8 pounds

 

Miles Hiked in February - 48.4 (2012 total - 95.6)

Average Weekly Steps - 12408  (this is total steps for week divided by 7)

 

Remember my New Year's mantra?  It has become so meaningful to me that I plan to share it with you at the beginning of every month during 2012.  

In 2012, I will:

Look for a SURPRISE in every day.

EXPECT steady results from a healthy eating plan and efforts to have a normal relationship with food.

RECEIVE love, friendship, gifts and kindness without question from those who choose to give it to me.

Embrace JOY with every thread of my being.

CELEBRATE my own successes as jubilantly as I celebrate those of others.

SHARE my life, my time, my money and my possessions in creative ways that are new and extravagant.

 

If you missed the background behind this mantra of mine, here's a link to my first post of 2012.  Like the 17-Day Diet, my mantra has become such a part of each day that I find my brain checking off whether or not I've experienced each aspect at some point during that day.  But mostly, I love the surprises!!

In addition to loving the surprises, during February, I made it a priority to CELEBRATE my own successes as jubilantly as I celebrated the successes of others.  Because you know what?   Right now, I've got LOTS to celebrate.  I've waited a long time and shed lots of tears just wanting to be NORMAL!!

What one word would your spouse, significant other or best friend use to describe you?  

Would it be NORMAL??