Team Challenge - take 3

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Meds via syringe
And Scooby Doo band-aids.  They help, too.

For those that have been reading (or know me in person) you probably know that I've been training with Team Challenge (the fundraising arm of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America) since 2012 when I ran my first half marathon.  I am, again, training with Team Challenge and I thought I'd take a minute to remind you why.  For one reason, I have Crohn's disease.  I was diagnosed in 2005 and have spent my fair share of time battling this disease.  What may seem like tummy troubles to some can present as crippling abdominal pain, diarrhea that would make you blush, fevers/chills that force you to change clothes frequently not to mention fatigue that makes you want to sleep for weeks -- if only you weren't changing your clothes so frequently from the fevers/chills!  

After I was diagnosed I was put on so many different kinds of medications trying to find the right combination to put the disease into remission.  Taking pills by the handful multiple times a day wasn't working.  I was put on high doses of steroids.  That would work for awhile but the side effects of the steroids were almost worse than the disease.  Many times I would still end up in the hospital unable to manage the symptoms.  

And so I run.  And I beg you to help me because as part of my training I am raising money for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.  I am running not one but TWO half marathons with Team Challenge this year.  In June I am going to attack the Chicago 13.1 course that kicked my butt last year and in July I'm going to party from Napa to Sonoma while running another half marathon.  That's 26.2 miles!!  I hope you'll help and support me by making a donation.  Every dollar counts and is 100% tax deductible since CCFA is a 501(c)3 charity.

Donations can be made here: http://www.active.com/donate/napaIL14/ILJMcElro1

Success Events

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Diane, Terry & me
In total we've lost 430 pounds!
photo courtesy of Martha

Last Friday I weighed in and sat in on my "meeting as a member" (vs. working a meeting) and was thrilled to be back in my goal weight range.  I'd gained some weight after I stopped training last fall and it has taken me awhile to lose those 10 pounds.  I'm barely back in the +/- range but I'm hopeful that I'll now be able to maintain.  I thought the timing was particularly appropriate because Saturday was our Success Stories event at Weight Watchers.  I was thrilled and honored to be a part of this fantastic day.  We had four members speak to the group about weight loss, their a-ha moments and maintenance.  It was inspiring and motivating to listen to their stories and see the similarities in our respective journeys.

Helene, a friend from our Tuesday night group, who recently hit her goal weight asked Diane (who lost over 100 pounds and is definitely a constant inspiration to me) and I whether maintenance gets easier.  Diane said that she asked Karen, our leader, that question awhile ago and Karen said no.  Which makes me think of one of the quotes that Karen said to us a long time ago.

Losing Weight is Hard.
Maintenance is Hard.
Staying the Same is Hard.
Choose Your Hard.

While I have struggled with maintenance I think that when I accept how I have to eat and how active I know that I have to be that this part of the journey just feels a little easier.  I think if you find new things that you love and focus on them rather than focusing on the things that you don't have anymore it feels easier.

What new loves make your journey easier?