Wow!

So life is crazy!  Where have I been?  Well..

My friends threw me an amazing bridal shower!

I had a ridiculously fun bachelorette party.

I married the love of my life!

Had an amazing honeymoon in Maui!

Best week of my life!

Love my hubs!

Ran my first half marathon!

AND finished the two classes I took this semester.  No pics of that!

     It's been a very fun, very busy few months. Looking forward to settling into married life, and finishing off this school year!  Summer!  I'm coming for you!

So much happening!

I've always been one to have a jam-packed schedule.  In high school, I was in a zillion clubs and after school activities.  I worked full time while going to college.  Now, I've set myself up for an interesting few months.

I'm working, of course, doing the teacher thing, and I'm one of the yearbook club sponsors.  This is the time of year for yearbook to be in full swing!

I just started taking classes again - because being an awesome teacher is important to me!  I'm taking 6 credits this semester.  One is a traditional, meet in the classroom type of class, and the other is online.  Both have pretty heavy workloads.

I've hit my goal weight, but sticking with the activities and routines that got me here. That includes weekly boot camps, kickboxing, and yoga sessions.

I'm also scheduled to run a half-marathon on my 32nd birthday - May 7th.  Training has begun.. mostly.  More on that in a bit.

In the Most. Exciting. News. Ever! I am marrying the love of my life on April 16.  Ummm... 2011.  As in.. 76 days. Yes, I am certifiable. On Christmas, Mike promised my parents we would get married this year.  April 16th is the first Saturday of my Spring Break - which of course leaves the next week open for an aaaaaaamazing honeymoon. :)

Mike and I are both extremely laid back, and we very rarely fight. So, as wedding planning reached a fever pitch - it was surprising that we were arguing more and more.  We weren't even speaking to each other for a few days.  Yikes! We both made some compromises - so our wedding is going to be very small.  Immediate family only.  I am a little disappointed, because I have fabulous girlfriends that are a huge part of my life.. but starting a marriage on the right note is important to me.  I'm adjusting to the idea. :)

"There are no small marriages, only small weddings."  I just made that up.  Small does not equal any less amazing though.  I went dress shopping and to lunch with my ladies last weekend, and ordered a BEAUTIFUL dress that I never ever would have picked out 70+ pounds ago.  Sexy!  Mike better watch out!  I have some special things planned, so I know that the day will be one that we look back on with happiness for years to come.

The stress and my amount of busy are impacting my appetite.. as in - I have none.  My goal weight was pretty close to the low end of healthy weights for me - and I lost 3 more pounds this week.  My plan? MORE CHEESE! Hahaha.

Quick note.. half mary training not going so well.  Lots of snow and ice outside (I won't even get into the freezing cold temps!) have made it impossible to get outside, and I am not just a treadmill girl.  I have an attention span comprable to that of a ladybug.  Example:  My bank card was missing for 3 days.  I found it last night in a bag of chips.  I'm not stressing tooo much about it yet.  I'm doing the best I can!

So - work, school, wedding, half!  It's going to be an interesting Spring!

Are you like me - one who thrives off of being ultra busy?  Or are you better off with spread out excitement?

The soon to be Mr. and Mrs.!

My Family Gets It...

Jacket, socks, shoes, Under Armour, Garmin.. my family GETS IT.

Naturally I had to run last night to test all of this out.  My fiancé said "Call me if you get cold and need a pick up."  Later, he told me he was happy I had a hobby that made me so happy and healthy.

What a year it has been!

Merry Christmas or happy Chinese food and movie day to you!

Running through fields of snow...

I've been very open to trying new things this year, but I had mixed feelings about the Rudolph XC 5k I was registered to run yesterday.  We got snow on Thursday and it was cooooold!  I'm so glad I went, because I had a blast!

Running through fields of snow..  laughing all the way!

Definitely my first race where I had to be on the lookout for (rein)deer poo! I also had trouble with the hallow heel of my Mizuno filling up with snow - by the end of the race it felt like I was running in heels.  Something to think about before my next XC race!

Post-race pose with Santa

A great way to end my 2010 racing!  Looking forward to setting and reaching more goals in 2011!

Field Trip!

These were my favorite jeans at one time!

The incredibly patient and understanding Alan Ali from Sweating Until Happy asked me many, many moons ago to write a guest post for his blog.  After months (yeah.. really... no, I'm not proud!) I wrote about the my weight loss journey!  So, give me your permission slip, grab your lunch box, and head on over to read my story!

Jingle Bell Run RR

Miserableness, be gone! Warming up by the fire in my Hero Hat, post race!

Honestly, I was probably due for a not-so-great race.  Was I mentally prepared for a not-so-great race?

Absolutely not.

I was really excited to run the Jingle Bell Run, which benefits the Arthritis Foundation. Most of my excitement came from being diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at age 6, and the support my family and I received from the Arthritis Foundation. This felt like giving back! This was giving back!  I excitedly set up a fundraising webpage, met my goal, and planned matching t-shirts with my favorite running buddy. My 5k PR is 31:17, and this was my last chance to try to get to 30:xx before 2011. I've been faster every time, so this will be easy, right? HA!

I self destructed before mile 1.  This race was HUGE compared to others I've run. My largest has been 200-300 participants. This had over 800.  I did not realize the effect this would have on everything. Instead of focusing on my pace, breathing, and then getting myself into a groove enjoying the scenery, I spent the first half of the race dodging, shifting, trying to move around people, and trying to move out of other people's way. I'm guessing this used up a lot more energy than I am used to.

As I bobbed and weaved through the (very friendly!) crowd, I started playing with the thought of taking a break from running. I could take a break and start again in the Spring, right?  What?  I love to run! I've never even once considered stopping. I was feeling miserable, and setting up a nice pity party for myself.

Before mile 2, I got a side stitch.  That's usually a sign that I'm going waaaaaaay too fast.  I checked my pace - nope.  11:07, slower than usual and much slower than what I wanted it to be.  I slowed my pace even more, hoping the stitch would go away.

Before the race, I was told this was a pretty flat course, adding to my hopes of a PR.  Not even close.We ran a paved trail around a lake, and it was hilly! Really hilly.  Colorado mountains hilly.  Overstating things there a bit, but hills - not my strength (I'm working on it!) and especially not when they roll one after another. I was starting to feel kind of crappy, so I started walking. Got rid of the cramp, got my breathing under control. Started running again.

This is my first winter running, and I'm still mastering how to dress.  The temps were in the 30's.  Before the race I was freezing, then I got really hot, then freezing again.  I'm not one of those people that handles cold very well, so I continued feeling miserable. I could not get my breathing under control.  I was tired. I started walking again, and I must have looked pretty bad because people were slowing down to ask if I was okay.

When I knew the finish was near, I picked it back up.  I fell in with a really nice couple, and told them about my diagnosis, and that I was obese a year ago. So, 25 years ago, I had trouble walking, using my hands.. A year ago I was OBESE. I was well over 200 pounds.  Here I am, in remission, down almost 70 pounds - why am I so miserable? Every race won't be a PR.  Some races might flat out suck! I'm out here on a cold December morning GETTING IT DONE!

My official time was 36:37. My GPS says 35:41.  Not even close to my 30 minute goal, and my slowest 5k time ever, but respectable.

Post race, I got a Hero Hat (felt special!) Arthritis isn't one of those sexy diseases with catchy sayings and cute ribbons. When you are 6 with RA, you are kind of a freak. I liked the hat, even though the teenage volunteer looked skeptical when I claimed mine. "You have arthritis?" Yeah.. I'm used to that! Got some water, an apple and some cheese, but skipped the free Starbucks line.  It was too long, even though it smelled amazing!  Warmed up by an outdoor fireplace, which felt HEAVENLY!

I was really bothered by this race for the rest of the day.  I was able to narrow down a few things that went wrong.

1. I lost 2 pounds this week, which at this stage for me is a lot.  I am have found that I am more tired and have difficulty with harder workouts after a big weight loss week.  Not enough fuel, I guess. (Weight loss is almost done, this shouldn't be an issue in the future)

2. I did not eat a good breakfast.  I usually eat Whole Wheat Cream of Wheat and 2 cups of coffee.  I had a banana and one cup. My body did not appreciate that. (Easiest to fix.  Eat breakfast, silly.)

3. I was unprepared for the crowd size.  One of those things you learn by doing! (Lesson learned)

4. I was unprepared for the course.  I did not mentally prepare myself for hills... constant... hills... (Be more mentally flexible - not one of my strong points!)

5. I don't like the cold. (Move to Hawaii!)

I have one more race on December 18, which is a cross country race. Not sure what to expect there, so my goal is to complete it and have fun!  Thinking of running a half marathon on my birthday in May, so I won't be taking that break I was thinking of during the race after all! :)

Have you had one of these races?  Gone in with high hopes, but ended up just being happy to finish?  Were you able to pin down why things went wrong?  Share with me please!  I'm learning!

My Christmas Fit List

Inspired by Kat from Kat Does Diets I am sharing my Christmas Fit List. These items are from my Amazon wish list, making it very easy for people in my life (cough cough) to get my exactly the right thing!

New shoes!

Sexy insoles!

Garmin 305!

Arm warmers!

Stocking stuffer

Socks!

"Will run for margaritas"

Keep those ears toasty!

What's on yours?

Weight loss... in pictures!

A picture is worth a thousand words. Here's a few thou for ya!

Before. Obviously.  Size 22.  June 2008

After! Size 6, post reindeer race 11/10! 65 pounds gone!

Nice little side by side comparison after 45 pound loss.

If I'm funny.. no one will notice that I'm fat.

Donated this swimsuit yesterday!  Isn't that an oddly placed roll?
It's gone!

He has ALWAYS made me feel beautiful, no matter my size!

Size 12, getting there!  I felt so good about myself when this was taken!
June 2010

Size 10/12, midsummer 2010

Size 10 jeans! August 2010

Size 8/10, October 2010.  Never would I EVER have worn leggings!

New me.. so happy!

Thankful

2010 was a difficult year.

That is probably the understatement of the century.

However, instead of wallowing in the badness - I rose above! I'm really proud to be able to look back and see how I've been able to find healthy, productive ways to deal.

My beloved grandfather passed away in February.  Exactly one month later, my fiancés father was found dead in his home. He was only 58, and it was completely unexpected.  I'm so proud that I was strong for Mike and his 18 year old sister, while being able to support my mother (she had a really difficult time with my grandfather's passing.)  I'm amazed that I was able to deal with the police, medical examiners, out of town family, make funeral arrangements. That seems like something for REAL adults to do - I'm not one of them yet!

We also lost Mike's mom's twin... at this point the losses just seem like rubbing salt into a very raw wound.

That series of events through MANY things into my life into a tailspin.  Some are really personal, and not blog fodder, but know that March, April, May, June, and July were ugly, ugly times. We made our engagement official in May (yay!) and that little ray of sunshine helped to get me through.

I was very unhappy in my previous job (as earlier postings show), but instead of feeling bad for myself (well... I did that a bit too) I made moves.  Changed to a new school in a new city teaching a new grade.  I was TERRIFIED, but I did it!

In the midst of all of this - I lost 65 pounds.  I am a runner, and I think that is definitely part of what has kept me sane.  The alone time with nature, time to think, time to process has really helped.  I'm reaching goals, reaching them, and setting new ones. I always wanted to be a runner - and now I am one!  I've stepped out of my box to try new activities like boot camp, Zumba, and kickboxing.  I got up on a rainy Thanksgiving morning to run a 5k?  WHO AM I?

I am Bonnie! I am strong - physically and emotionally. This year (the past 7 years, really) has been so hard, but my growth has been nothing short of phenomenal. I know of at least two other people that have undertaken weight loss journeys thanks to my example.

 I think about my grandfather, and I hope I make him proud. I think of Mike's dad, and I hope he sees me taking care of his children.

I know 2011 will bring more joy and more pain.  I'm not scared.  I'm ready for what comes my way, and I know where to turn for support when I need it.  And of course, I will keep running!