Day 228 - Sunday is better

Well, Sunday is only half way through but already I feel in a much more stable frame of mind. Had a good lie in and then went for a run with my friend Shelley. She hasn't been running for about 6 weeks due to being really busy at work and having a dodgy knee so, where she

normally forges ahead, I was right behind her and not puffing and panting either. I could have gone faster to be honest but there is no point in putting her under pressure so I took it steady.

It was a good long run - about an hour - which took us through some gorgeous countryside near Castleton. it also took us through a giant cement works on the way back - talk about from the the sublime to the ridiculous!! Still, people need Fluorspar (apparently!) so the cement works stays put in the middle of the Peak Park and many people are happy for the jobs round here believe me!).

I have been walking and running and exercising with Shelley for years and have always done my best to keep up and not hold her back but have always been the fatter, less fit friend. That didn't matter because what I lacked in speed, I made up for in determination so I actually got us out there exercising. Now though, it is nice to be on an equal footing with her. Sometimes faster, sometimes slower but able to keep up and do everything if not more.

As of this morning, we weigh the same on our scales, 10 stone 10lbs (that's not my LL weight, but my morning home scales weight which I go by more and more now). She's taller than me but has a lighter build and skinnier legs . I can't believe it really which is why I made Martin take the picture of us before we set out. I wanted to "see" for real the fact that I am, effectively, the same size as Shelley. To persuade my mind that I am slim. Sometimes you need proof because it still doesn't really feel like that in my head.

I remember back in March on St Patrick's day, Shelley and I went for a really good run and I posted pictures of me running. I had a lovely day and was beginning to really feel the progress. It was Day 65, I had lost over 50lbs and I was feeling great!! This is what I posted:

"I thought I had better prove that I do actually do all the running I talk about on the blog! I met up with Shelley at 10 yesterday (Saturday) and we set off up a massive hill! Nightmare - still, we got to the top then hit the fields and from then on had a lovely run. It was great being off the roads so Shelagh could flit betwen us and smell the smells in her doggie way. It's also good seeing new views of the Valley I live in although hopefully one day they won't all have my friend's backside in them (the views that is!). As you can see, she is a bit of a leggy girl so I don't keep up with her but I don't lag too far behind. On the upside I have way more willpower than Shelley so it is me who makes us get out there in the first place!
Anyway, the last photo is of me is running up Shelley's drive and I was well and truly knackered by then after about 4 very hilly and muddy miles!"

Times have REALLY changed. Hills don;t faze me, I'm not knackered at all even after a much longer and hillier run than that one (we don;t even do that one any more unless we're pushed for time as it is too short!). I was so happy back then but now I'm there, I've done it - what I set out to achieve has been achieved. I've reached my goal. Obviously, it's only the first part of the journey and I have still to manage my weight for the rest of my life but I can truly say that I've reached my target now even though I'd still like to shift the last couple of lbs. They're just technicalities - I'm slim now and that's what I've dreamed of for years, if not my entire life.

I can't really type now as my eyes are full of tears and I'm blubbing like a good 'un but it's great feeling. It's just sort of hit me - maybe because I've taken my foot off the accelerator today so I've been able to process what's happened to me and my body over the last few weeks.

So - no rest for the wicked. I'm going to get out in the garden for an hour or so then do some chores and car boot sorting (for NEXT week) and then hopefully get out and about in the Valley for a big night out. I was out last night and had a good time but it was quite quiet. I was also being hit on a bit which was flattering but a bit of a pain. My usual chums weren't around so I felt a bit "exposed" as a single woman even though there were loads of people I know - they weren't good friends, just pub mates, if you know what I mean.

Have a great day everyone. Thanks for sharing my big emotional moment with me. I feel that the ceiling should have opened up and a load of balloons shold have dropped down or something - like when Homer Simpson got his perfect 300 at the bowling alley!!