I WON!!!! I WON!!!!

This win has absolutely nothing to do with crafting or DTs or paper creations, BUT rather with Life After Breast Cancer and the quality of LIFE in general!!!! Gosh, I have to share with all of my FOLLOWERS something that I am very proud of and an anecdote to let you all know that there is LIFE after breast cancer. For those of you who have followed me through all of my rehab after surgeries, chemo, and radiation and enough steroids to choke a Clydesdale horse, I just have to share my latest excitement.

In December 2012 at my regular follow-up at the Cancer Center, I was told that it was time for me to add much more cardio and bodywork to my regimen, to continue to get the remainder of the poisons out of my body. After chemo it is typically more than a year before bones and body are ready for anything strenuous...so I was READY!!!!! My next follow-up was now at 6 months...woooohooooo!!!! In addition to all of the cancer hooplah, I also had experienced a very painful torn rotator cuff which meant more steroids. Jacque was puffed up to the point that I didn't even recognize myself...hahahah

So in January of this year I was ready for a new----back to the original ME---prior to breast cancer!!! I went back to the Fitness Fusion Gym in Hendersonville and talked with most knowledgeable, understanding, and caring personal trainer in this universe, Jennifer Sargeant-Byrd, who suggested that I begin with the exceptionally fun cardio program of Zumba. I asked, "What in the heck is Zumba???" But on January 7, I began my Zumba adventure with the multi-talented and inspirational LaRonda Dupuis and I can honestly say that from that very first class I was addicted to shaking my tailfeathers, although quite slowly at first....haha..I claimed the back row as my very own so that nobody could check out the oldest member of the class and see how slowly her tailfeathers moved....Big smile!!!!

The members at Fitness Fusion were all invited to participate in a 2 month CHALLENGE, from April 15 - June 15, based upon inches/pounds lost as well as a complete formula developed by Jen and Lo to determine complete body improvement. Like a lunatic, I joined in and paid the entrance fee and knew that this was my opportunity to take the challenge VERY seriously. I would attend EVERY Zumba class that a body could endure!! I would take on 2 hours of personal training each week with Jen, the toughest trainer alive (Quasimodo and drill instructor all rolled into one...hahahahah) and 2 hours of toning with Lo (who was not much easier, believe me)!! I would attend every 3 hour Zumba party in the area!! I would take an active part in Master Classes!! I would participate in Core classes!! I would give up sugar and libations for 2 months!!!! AND I WOULD WIN!!!!!

NOTE: In May I went back to the Cancer Center for the next follow-up and I had lost 18.5 pounds since January so something was working....Yippppeeeee!! My cancer markers were fine and dandy, my Vitamin D level was great...and all of those other tests were wonderful as well. Needless to say I remain the Poster Child at the Cancer Center....SMILES!!!!!!!

Back to the Challenge....at final weigh-in and measuring (with a lot of nervousness and trepidation, I might add) I had lost 17 pounds in the 2 months (a total loss of almost 30 pounds since January!!!!) My body fat had decreased significantly, muscle mass increased, visceral fat decreased, and I lost 6.5 inches around my waist....AND the metabolic age for this OLD 66 year old woman is now at 37 years!!! Woooohoooooo!!! And that means that now I am shaking my tailfeathers so fast and furiously that who knows what the future holds...hahahahahah

 

and YESSSSSSSSSS, I WON THE CHALLENGE!!!!! I feel healthier than I have in a very long time and YES there is a life after breast cancer!!!! Hugs to all of you for your continuing support of me...and a special thank you to the best Zumba Instructor in the world, LaRonda Dupuis...and to the most incredible personal trainer anywhere, Jennifer Sargent-Byrd!! I love you both and appreciate so much what you both have done for me!!!! Now, you can both be a little easier on me.....wink wink!!!