All About Me

Ok, so I'm a little behind the times and I finally decided to start my very 1st Blog.

Why did it take so long, you ask?

Well, I didn't think I had anything interesting to share and I didn't really think I had the time to dedicate to it.  But as I continue to Facebook and talk to people, I realize maybe I should share more.  It could be therapeutic for me and it might just help someone else.

So here it goes...

I'm 38 years old, a wife and stay-at-home mother of two girls, one in a million, right?  My 4 year old, Sophia was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (aka Juvenile Diabetes) at the age of 21 months.  At the time of her diagnosis I worked full time, and was about 10 weeks pregnant with our second daughter, Scarlett.  After the birth of Scarlett in October 2009, we decided it would be best for me to stay home with the children to provide the best care for Sophia and manage her Diabetes personally.  It all sounded like a dream come true, you know "retiring" at 36.  I thought I hit the jackpot.

I imagined waking up every morning, preparing breakfast for the munchkins, and sitting on the couch with my warm cup of coffee watching the Today Show.  Then leisurely getting dressed and maybe go to a park or have a picnic.  In the afternoon I imagined the girls taking a long nap while I caught up on some chores, or played around on the computer or maybe even take a nap myself.  Then I would prepare a delicious dinner ready for my husband when he came home from work and we would all sit at the table and have a wonderful family dinner.  Then baths, story, and bedtime for the kiddos and couple time for Michael and me.

HA HA HA HA....  The joke was on ME!  So while I still strive for the Cleaver Household, it is far from reality.

In the beginning, it took everything I had to make it through a day without crying or just wanting to run away.  Taking care of an infant is hard enough, but add in the rigorous care it takes to manage Type 1 Diabetes let alone for a two year old, it can be more than you think you could ever do.  My entire day was just feed the kids, clean the poop, check the blood sugar, inject the insulin, console the crying, feed the kids, clean the poop, check the blood sugar, inject the insulin, console the crying, feed the husband and the kids, ...  you get the picture right?  It was a vicious loop.

So, I titled this "All About Me"  right?  Well, that was just it...  There was no "Me".  There was Sophia, Scarlett, and Michael, but where was I?  Who was I?  What am I?  It has taken me a long time to figure that out and I am still working on it.

Fast forward to Scarlett's 1st Birthday, October 2010.  I found myself a good 50 lbs overweight, miserable, and tired all the time.  I knew I had to do something but wasn't sure what.

I had always been a pretty active person.  I loved to exercise but who has time for that?  Let alone the money for a gym membership when we were down to only one income.  I knew I could start Weight Watchers again so that might work.

Weight watchers worked a little but I missed exercise.  I pondered for a while and I finally convinced my husband it had to be done.  I joined the YMCA and started working out again.  It was great.  The kids seemed to love it there too and I could have some "me" time.  It was a win-win situation and Mommy began to smile again.

So a few months in, January 2011 I was convinced to join the Triathlon Club at the YMCA.  I chuckled and thought there was no way I could do it, but it wouldn't hurt to try, or shall I say "Tri"...

During the first practice I discovered I couldn't run more that 1/4 mile without having to stop and catch my breath.  I discovered I had no idea how to swim and was terrified of lakes.  As far as biking I knew that would be easy, but boy was I slow.

So, that being said I needed a goal.  I signed up for a "Super Sprint" Triathlon in March 2011.  Thats 250 meter swim (in a lake), 7 mile bike, and a 2 mile run.  Then I also signed up for a "Sprint" Triathlon in May.  Thats a 750 meter swim, 12 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run.

I went to every practice and by March, I felt ready.  Day of the race, not so much.  The butterflies were intense and I had my doubts but I had to do it.  So... I dog paddled the 250 meters, I walked my bike up the first hill, and I walked about 1/3 of the run portion.  BUT....  I DID IT!!!  I crossed that finish line and I was hooked.

By the time May came around, I felt even better and I swam the 750 meters (no dog paddling), I biked the whole 12 miles, and I ran the entire 3.1 miles.  WOW.  I couldn't believe how far I had come.  Now I am ready to move up in the world and am working toward my 1st Half Marathon in November 2011.  From there, I plan to do a 100 mile bike ride in July 2012 to raise money for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) and compete in a Half Ironman in September 2013.

That sums up my physical activity, but there is more...

You see, I am still 35 lbs overweight.  I know I am in pretty good shape physiologically but my appearance still needs some work.  I found myself over the last year trying everything I could to lose those pounds but I couldn't really stick to anything for long.  I knew I had to eat to train as hard as I do but how do you do that and still lose weight?  I finally realized I needed a professional.  No more magazine articles, or websites, or IPhone apps.  I needed a Nutritionist/Dietician to set me straight.

So I met with one.  I asked my regular physician to refer me and she did.  It took one session and I finally got it! While I heard the same thing over and over, I didn't believe it until now.  I was not eating enough.  I tried to manage on 1200-1400 calories per day.  But that was all I tracked.  What I was told is that I not only need 1800 calories per day but I also needed 80 grams of protein and 25 grams of fiber.  Oh and I HAVE to starting eating more fresh fruits and vegetables every day.  5 servings at least.

Now my path is paved and I am off and running or rather Tri-ing.

Oh and the answers...
Where am I?  First and foremost (but the others are really close behind ;)
Who was I?  I am a Amy, a strong, confident, smart, woman
What am I?   I am a force to be reckoned with. I am a Triathlete, a wife, a mother, and hopefully an       inspiration to others.

To sum it up, I am starting this blog for a few reasons.  First to chronicle my weight loss journey and to share with others what I am doing to help spread the knowledge that you have to eat to lose weight.  Second to help anyone who is sedentary to get moving and have fun with it.  Lastly to share the daily life of managing Type 1 diabetes for a child and to spread awareness of the disease.

I hope you enjoy but most of all I hope you join me and remember all you have to do is "Tri".