Hello there fellow lily pad dwellers! It's been a long time since I've let you know what happened with the CHLI contest. First I entered, then I was one of thirty five finalists, and then they called us to come in for a second interview and bring a friend who would speak on our behalf. Little did we know that that was the night of the announcement of the winners, and I was one of them! I had lots of mixed emotions. It was exciting to think that I had won such a valuable prize, never having won anything in my life--OK some awards for scholarship and stuff--but that was not a game of chance. This had a different feel to it and I never had a clue that I could be counted in. First of all because of age, and then because I just figured I wasn't the type they were looking for. But there it was, there I was, being served champagne, being photographed, being congratulated and being in total disbelief. My BFF was there to see all of the excitement and to take part. She is one of the pillars of my support. The handed out packets of agreements that we had to sign and return, and that were filled with information and rules and regs. It was all a lot to take in. We know the program would begin April 1, and had to have all the materials in by Mar 29. After some questions, I turned in all the paperwork, and waited. I got an email with instructions to show up this morning at 7:30am for a resting basal metabolism, a body composition analysis, and blood work.
What I have decided to do is to take you along with me on the ride that I began this morning. I promise not to let you hang out in the dark, so that if you want to go along on the ride, and try to do your best to get fit along with me (lose weight and exercise and learn how to be your best) you can join in. I hope that you will, and that you will let me know what is working for you.
So we'll begin with what happened today, the first day. I was up early and instructed not to eat or drink so that I could have fasting levels on my blood tests. I showed up and was taken for the first test, the resting basal metabolism. I had to have a nose clip and breathe into a tube, and I think that I panicked a little, and was breathing too shallowly for it to register. I relaxed and they redid the test, and it worked. Then it was off to the medical facility for blood work and a urinalysis, and the Bod Pod. They took a lot of blood, but what a medical facility they have right there at the Four Seasons Hotel. It is beautiful and new of course, but there is a serene atmosphere, and the staff couldn't be nicer. Everyone is so helpful and pleasant. Then we went to the Bod Pod. This does a body composition analysis. They used to do this by dunking you into a tank of water, and seeing how much water you displace. The BodPod is a white egg-shaped affair that you sit inside of for one minute and it analyzes how much air you displace. You have to be wearing something that conforms to the body. I just stayed in my underwear. No jewelry, and you have to cover your hair with a cap. It was very space age.
I am so impressed with the care that is being taken. When embarking on any lifestyle change, it is really important not only to get a baseline, but to be assured that your health is such as will tolerate drastic change. Height and weight were taken. Funny, I used to be spooked by getting on a scale, but I am past that. I just stepped on this morning knowing that I would be seeing much smaller numbers as I go along over six months in this program. Mike, the fitness guru, suggested a good way to begin is just to add little changes that will help get us more fit. Take the stairs when you can, for example. Also, it is important to use language that is positive in nature about what you are doing. Not 'I hope I will', but 'I will'.
Well,my next encounter with CHLI is next Friday when I will appear for my full physical, be seen by a doctor on the premesis, have a nutrition consult, a fitness consult, a lifestyle consult, and even lunch served on the premesis. They emailed the menus and we have to make a choice of lunch ahead of time. Also, I will have to keep a food log for three days and turn it in 3-5 days ahead of my appointment next Friday, so that means that I should start tomorrow. I't great to keep a food log, it makes you aware of everything you put into your mouth. I was doing better last week when my mantra was "no bread, no sweets" and I felt so in control Passover has kind of dashed that, but it won't be long until no bread no sweets becomes more of a reality.
So if you want to get slim along with me, see your doctor, weigh in to have a baseline, and start keeping a food log. Start adding a little to the amount you walk every day, take the stairs, whatever little additions you can do to help use up the calories. Also, it might help to establish a goal. For some people, having the final goal is too scary, so make some short term ones, ten pound this month, or 20 pounds by my birthday, or whatever feels good to you. And remember, that overeating is just your drug of choice, what are avoiding by using food. Geneen Roth has a new book out on just this subject, she has been writing about weight for years. It sounds helpful. I am going to get it. Soon, lots of us will be hopping lightly around the pond. Hope to see you there.

Well, since I have no fans yet, I am writing this for the sake of continuity. Last week, I am happy to say, I got another of those happy phone calls. Come back to the CHLI for a second and I am assuming a final interview. Agian, not tennis shoes, so I am assuming that they are not going to test my agility or how many times I can run around the grounds. The dress is again business casual, there are fewer invitees this time, and as I recall, the date of decision was supposed to be March 18. The allotted time is 2 hours this time and I have to be there at 5pm. I am debating whethere I should be wearing green this time, as one of the interviewers mentioned that he thought I would be wearing green that time. It is not really my very best color, But I happen to have a shirt in that color. I am feeling pretty excited about this whole process, and yet am calm. I realize that my schedule will change drastically if I am chosen, as I will have to appear there a minimum of three times a week. However, to take six months and just concentrate on me, on what is good for me, and to learn some things about how best to do that is very appealing.
The possibility of being included in this experiment is very exciting. I have never before really concentrated on me, what is good for me and having some help with that. I guess pregnancy comes the closest to such self awareness and self care, but is it really self, or is it all for the baby?As I recall, it was not the self that was the important part, unlike this experiment. It was the self as a vessel for something else. I worry that it is too selfish to do this, but I have no one depending on me. My children are grown, my husband is self sufficient, and I keep saying that I want it to be my turn. I have to really mean it. I think I do.
I imagine what it will be like to dance again, and to feel light, and to be able to wear the clothes I really love instead of what might look good for the moment. I keep feeling that this is a great chance for me to really do it, and I hope that even if I don't get chosen, I will be able to stay with what I have learned and to make a better stab, one that will really stick for the long haul. I have realized that most of my eating is pretty good. I realize that I have two real enemies, and they are sweets and bread. I just adore bread in any form, and of course that includes whatever tops them like butter and such. I stopped eating bread and sweets last week, and it is amazing how aware it has made me of all the other things that I put in my mouth. When I am in control of what I am putting in my mouth, I feel happier.
So here is to aware eating, aware exercise, and hopefully making a personal transformation with the help of the CHLI. It is a heavenly place, the surroundings are gorgeous, everyone smiles, there has been so much attention to detail, to serving every part of one, the eyes with the exquisite surroundings, the ears, with the sound of gently falling falling water, the sense of smell with all of the flowers and orchids, and the on and on. What an interesting next six months we could have learing all about how to take better care of ourselves, because if I am chosen, I would love to share all I learn.