Mali-booyah!!

Today is my last day of work until May.  And it’s a half day.  How crazy is that?  So much to do and I’m at T-48 hours.  Tonight I look forward to one last hoorah with my dear friends.  Tomorrow I will finalize my massive packing project.  Sunday I’m out of here bright and early.  Actually, it’s just early.  It won’t be bright.  There will be no sun or chirping birds when I leave for the airport at 4 am.  I’m pretty sure I won’t sleep a wink Saturday night so it doesn’t really matter how early I have to fly out.  I am looking forward to being able to see my Uncle Norm (the handsome fellow below) and his family during my three over layover in Dallas.  Then it’s off to La La Land where I will try not to convince the limo driver to go through In-N-Out Burger on the way to the resort.  Just kidding…kind of.  Sunday will be orientation at the resort and settling in to my room.  Although my workout will begin Sunday morning while dragging around my 200 pounds of luggage.  Ok, it’s not 200 but it feels like it and is already slightly over the 50 pound max.  That’s without my shoes or any toiletry items in it.  I’m going to have to go all Houdini to make this work with no extra baggage fees. 

Want to thank everyone again for reading this and sending so much love and support.  The moment we’ve all (or atleast I) have been waiting for is finally upon us. I can’t wait to get to the resort and start kicking my own butt all over the place.  What a glorious month it shall be.  I will write as often as I can once I get to Mali-booyah!! Have a wonderful weekend.  Lyndee out. 

Losing it with Lyndee contest!!!

Listen up!  Two of mine and Molly's favorite things.  Some friendly competition and free prizes rolled into one!  I've had a lot of people say they want to lose weight "with" me while I'm at Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge.  Here is your chance! Join me and Aspen Athletic Club for an amazing contest to win 3 FREE months of gym membership, tanning and 2 free personal training sessions with our amazing personal trainer, Scott!!! Even if you're not in the Des Moines area, we would love for you to join the contest.  See details on the flyer and I promise to find a fun prize for you.  :) Let's see how many pounds we can all lose together in April!!!

Tuesday with Boss & Molly

It’s Tuesday, which means I train at Aspen with Molly and Scott.  This is something I look forward to every week but today it’s a little bitter sweet.  Today will be my last day training with them until May.  After two years together a month without them seems like a really long time.  I know it’s totally worth it and I wouldn’t trade this trip for anything but I will be a little sad tonight hugging Scott goodbye.  I’m just trying to keep my eye on the prize and remind myself how much stronger and lighter I will be when I return for my weekly butt whooping’s.  And that I will be in one-derland and mentally I will be a badass and believing in myself like never before.  Plus, I have to admit it is a little bit fun to think of the workouts Scott will dream up for Molly while I’m gone.  I know he’s going to continue to push her and that’s awesome.  She will rock out that triathlon on May 5^th!

I found out this weekend that my 10:12 brother Monk, who is the Year of You March winner, is going to stay at BL Resort an extra week.  I’m looking forward to finally meeting him in person and hearing about his month in Malibu.  I’m sure he will have lots of tips and wonderful insight to make my April at the resort even more wonderful.  It will be nice to have a companion there for a few days while I settle in and get this party started.

I feel a little overwhelmed with everything I need to get done in the next five days.  Lots of packing and goodbyes and mental preparation but I’m positive everything will come together just fine.  Just a fair warning if I seem like a bit of a spaz before I leave though.  There is a lot on this scrambled brain right now. 

I’ve had a lot of people tell me they are going to work on losing weight “with me” while I’m gone in April.  I think that is an excellent idea.  If you’re interested on doing the same, keep an eye on mine and Molly’s facebook page (Send Lyndee & Molly to Biggest Loser Season 10) in the next few days and we will have some information for a little “Losing It With Lyndee” contest.  We may even be able to find a prize for the winner.  Woot! 

Bon voyage

Happy Monday morning! It’s a bit of a dreary day here in Des Moines but that’s ok.  It is March for goodness sake.  I had such an excellent time at home this weekend with the family.  I couldn’t have asked for anything more.  Well, I could’ve done without that $168 speeding ticket on the way back to Des Moines but alas, I digress. Friday I got to spend time with Miranda and my Jake-man.  He and Sissy gave me a beautiful topaz necklace to wear while I’m gone.  Topaz symbolizes strength, courage and wisdom.  It’s perfect and I will cherish it always.  Friday night fish fry at Uncle Mark’s with the awesome people of Hesper.  Saturday was wedding stuff with my sister and Saturday night my parents hosted almost 70 people at their house to say goodbye to me.  It was perfect.  I even received a few surprise visitors that made long drives to bid me farewell and made me weep like a willow.  So much love and support surrounding me.  I will pack it with me and take it along to BLR for the days I’m getting my butt kicked all over the place.  There was so much food at Mom’s it was ridiculous! Yeah, I took pictures to show you.  The pictures are from later in the night when some stuff had been polished off or put away but you can still see that there were copious amounts of goodies.  I did really well resisting most of the temptations and was proud of myself.  It was a good test to see that I can continue doing that when I return. This week will be busy with packing, wrapping up projects at work and saying my goodbyes. I have a feeling the next six days are going to fly by.  But I can’t wait!! It’s go time and I’m so ready.

Homeward bound

Happy Friday!!  I’m bouncing off the walls over here. Cannot wait to go home this weekend for my bon voyage with the family.  It will be such a busy weekend.  Get to see my nephews, Jake and Gable today!! Tonight we're having a fish fry at Uncle Mark’s with the family.  Tomorrow morning is wedding stuff with sissy, spending the day with her and my cousin Miranda to celebrate their birthdays, big going away party at Mom & Dad’s with all the Underbakke and Hageman clans.  Sunday we are having Easter dinner and then I will head back to Des Moines.  I can’t wait! And at some point, I need to get in a few workouts over the weekend as I know the food temptation will be off the charts.  The next few days are going to fly by and be super emotional but it will be wonderful to see everyone before I leave for Malibu.  

Girl power

People often ask me about strength.  Strength training, mainly.  What exercises should they do?  How much can Molly and I lift?  What’s a good weight to use for dumbbells?  And the list goes on.  Physically, I am so much stronger than I was two years ago, which is cool.  Mentally, I’m getting stronger every day.  That has been my drawback on this journey.  Not feeling weak physically, but mentally.  Not thinking I could do certain things and not having faith in myself.  I’m working on getting my mind to match my body and I am certain when I do, I will truly be a force to be reckoned with.  Other people often tell me they think I am strong.  I’m still working on believing them.  It made me think though, how lucky I am that I have been surrounded by incredibly strong women my entire life.  My grandmothers, mother and sister are amazing.  No matter what life hands their way they keep going and do it with grace and dignity…always.  Growing up I never appreciated or could fully comprehend how strong and beautiful these women were.  Sure, I loved them and they were my heroes but now that I’m a grown woman, I have a much better understanding of what they not only endured, by triumphed over. What they have sacrificed for their families, how they’ve worked to better the world around them and that they were the best role models a girl could ever ask for, and they didn’t even know it.  I didn’t need She-ra or Wonderwoman to look up to. I was raised in the presence of greatness which leads me to believe that a little bit of that probably did rub off on me…and that is awesome. And for the days that they forget their strength, I will be here to remind them. 

Hagebakke Forever

My cousin Ryan sent me a message the other day saying he was doing a project on obesity for school.  He asked if he could interview me for the paper.  I was really touched that he thought of me and said I would help out with whatever I could.  Yesterday he sent me the questions and one of them really stuck out for me.  It required a lot of thought and honesty.  He asked what motivated me to get healthier.  I didn’t have an “aha moment” like so many other people do.  My pants didn’t rip out in public.  No one pointed and laughed at me when I was trying to sit in a small chair.  I wasn’t disgusted by pictures of me or the size of clothes I wore.  I didn’t have a single huge moment where reality slapped me in the face and made me decide to change my life.  To be honest, I never realized just how fat or unhappy I was.  I know that probably sounds weird since it was obvious to anyone that looked at me but Denial is a wonderful city of which I could be mayor.  What motivated me was a mixture of things.  First, there is the Underbakke curse of 36.  My Dad’s family has all had heart problems around that age.   Fit or not, it’s in our genes and it cannot be escaped.  It’s a scary thought to know that heart disease plagues my family and I was closing in on the age of 36 at a rapid pace.  I didn’t want to go through quadruple bypass like my Dad.  I didn’t want my family to have to worry or feel that pain.  I remember when we walked into the room in Rochester after my dad came out of surgery.  It was the scariest thing I have ever encountered.  I remember wanting to jump into bed with him and hold him with all my might because I was so afraid he was going to die.  Seeing the toughest guy you know white as the sheets he was laying on with tubes of blood pumping from his body was terrible.  He looked like he was almost dead and that was terrifying.  But for some reason, it was not powerful enough for me to take control of my life at that point.  Sure, I started being a little more active and more conscious of what I ate but it wasn’t enough.

Then I had to have part of my cervix removed because I had pre-cancerous cells.  The procedure sucked because they didn’t numb me appropriately, I was there alone and they ended up taking more than they thought they would have to.  The doctor told me, because of the procedure, if I stayed as heavy as I was, that I would have problems carrying a child full-term.  This broke my heart.  I so desperately want to have a child and knowing that I was too fat just crushed me.  Not to mention the other complications my weight would present during pregnancy.  Or that I wouldn’t be able to be an active or healthy mother if I was ever blessed with a baby.  Again, I became a little more serious about getting healthy but nothing had really clicked yet.  I would lose five pounds and gain back seven.  Lose four and gain back two.  I was trying but I wasn’t dedicated or motivated enough…yet. 

On August 13^th, 2009 I received a phone call from my mom that would change my life forever.  I remember hitting my knees and gasping for air and wondering if I would ever be able to stand up again.  It was like being sucker punched by a 700 pound man.  I heard the words “Kirk is dead” and the rest of the conversation escapes me.  My cousin, a few months shy of his 26^th birthday, had killed himself.  Life would never be the same for our family again.  The pain and heartache was unfathomable.  I still think about him every single day and it’s been 2 ½ years.  I cry for him all the time.  I hurt because our family is missing a piece of what made them complete.  It was while trying to mourn the loss of Kirk that I realized I was wasting my life.  That I had so many blessings around me that I was taking for granted.  That I had so much inside me that I could offer the world and I needed to stop hiding behind a few hundred pounds and enjoy my life to the fullest.  Most importantly, I never wanted to put my family through the torture and pain of burying me from an early and preventable death.  I refused to do that to them and I knew I had to change.  I had spent years going through the motions of life and feeling empty inside.  This was my chance to find myself and make a better life.  This was my chance to let Kirk know that I was paying attention every time the butterfly landed near me.  I know he is always watching and that I am finally doing something that makes him proud.  Because I’m a Hagebakke forever and we kick ass.  Yes, that’s what we do.  And that's what I've been doing for the last two years and will continue to do until I hit my goal weight.  Some days are easier than others but I never stop trying...that's the Hagebakke in me.   

 

Time

The number one excuse I hear for why people don’t workout?  You guessed it.  They don’t have time.  I have to disagree with that statement.  Everyone has time.  We each get 24 hours a day.  It’s how you spend that time that is up to you.  Many people have busy schedules, multiple jobs, children and other obligations but still find time to exercise.  It’s often the people that tell me they don’t have time who can also tell me about the three hours of television they watched the night before and recall all the glorious moments of “The Bachelor” or the entire HDTV line up.  Sure, you now know what not to do if you want a lasting relationship or want to fix up your house…but will you be around to enjoy those things?  I’m not saying give up television or reading or whatever hobby you have.  We all need time to relax.  But make exercise a priority.  Just 30 minutes a day.  I guarantee you will feel better, have more energy and not lose any sleep over missing an episode of “Man versus Food”.  If so, you can always record it on the DVR.  Or better yet, if you have exercise equipment such as a stepper, treadmill or elliptical at home, do it while you are watching tv or playing on your ipad or kindle.  Or just walk in place or dance while you are watching.  Sounds silly but it will do the trick!  Yes, it may take a little shuffling to work a trip to the gym or a bike ride into your schedule, but I promise you it will be worth it!  I’ve seen this saying a lot lately and it is so true; A year from now you will wish you had started today.  What are you waiting for?  Make the time for yourself.  Make your health a priority.  Get up, get started and get moving!! Time doesn’t wait for anyone so why would you wait for time to take care of you?  

Moving on

Life is a constant forward motion. It has to be if you want to stay sane.  Roll with the punches, I say.  Like a fat kid chasing a donut down a hill, I find I’m getting very good at rolling with what life throws me.  But this doesn’t mean sometimes you can’t glance back at the past and be reminded of how far you have come.  I spent the weekend packing up our house for the upcoming move.  My husband and I stood in the garage looking at boxes and tubs full of pictures that I have collected since the 1990’s.  Oh the joy of seeing the faces of friends I miss dearly.  What a different time and place I was in there.  I have come a long way and I’m sure everyone around me is grateful for that.  Like the print I designed below says…”happy to discover that a long line of failures has made me into someone quite exceptional”.  I truly believe this. I do no regret things I’ve done in my past...even the really stupid stuff.  Without them I wouldn’t be the Lyndee I am today.  It was also pretty wacky to look at the face staring back at me from those pictures.  Sure, we all look a little older over the years but OH.MY.GOD I can’t even believe I looked like that. I don’t remember looking in the mirror and seeing a head the size of a basketball and sixteen chins.  It’s quite eye opening.  But it’s also awesome to know that I will never be the woman again.  I rather like having one chin and being able to see that I do indeed have a collar bone! Check out these pics!  One is my UNI student ID.  Another is Molly and I, the Halloween before we started our journey.  Wow!      

My old pal the pool

Went swimming last night for the first time in forever.  I think I’ve made three appearances at the pool since the LeMars Triathlon last year.  Yikes! Man, did I feel that. I only did 600 meters and I was slow and struggling.  I really had to focus on my breathing and timing.  I forgot how much I love it though.  Makes me anxious to get back into the swimming soon.  Once I return from Biggest Loser Resort I will need to start my triathlon training ASAP.  September will be here before I know it and I may pick up another one or two prior to LeMars.  I will be able to work on my swimming and running while I’m in Malibu but not sure about the biking part.  I’m sure there is a spin class or a bike in the cardio area I could use but it’s not the same as logging road miles.  Excited to get back into the groove of the tri training and have another goal.  Last year the goal was to complete it in under 2 hours.  This year I plan to destroy that time and make a new personal best that I can be proud of.  Every pound I lose and every minute I train will help so much!  Bring on the swim, bike, run!  

Alerts

A lot of people have been asking me how to follow or be alerted when I add a blog post...so I added the email address widget above.  You can go in, put your email and hit subscribe.  This should alert you every time I make an update.  Hopefully it works.  Fingers crossed. :)  Let me know if there are any issues!

Who knew?

I may be short but I have big feet.  Size 10.  Weird combo, right?  Last night after our workout, Molly and I went shopping to find me some hiking/trail running shoes.  Doesn’t sound too tough but it was. I had done my research online and quickly ruled out hiking boots as they were super expensive and seemed like a clunky option for 8 mile hikes through the mountains and beaches of California.  I did find stores that offered trail running shoes that were in the right price range.  There weren’t a lot of choices but some looked to be a good match…until we got to the stores and realized that they didn’t carry many in stock. They could be ordered online and delivered in 10-14 days.  Well, I leave in 24 days and I need some time to “break them in”.  The other problem?  Not a lot of size 10’s are sitting in boxes in the store.  It was frustrating to say the least!  But alas, we found some Nike Air trail runners that I think will work just perfectly.  They are pretty bad ass, if I do say so myself.  We were so excited to find shoes that worked, we treated ourselves to some frozen yogurt at Orange Leaf to celebrate.  Yummy! 

Also, I want to say thank you to everyone that has been sending me such wonderful emails and encouragement.  Co-workers, other employees of The Principal that I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting and my family.  I couldn’t be more blessed!  Seriously, look at some of the amazing things people are writing me! I won’t put all of them in here but these are a few snippets that really touched my heart. 

“First off – CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   What great accomplishments you have made!!!  I really needed to read this – especially your comment about being as busy as the next person as that is my #1 excuse.  I’m too busy – when could I possibly ever exercise??  I have wanted to walk at lunch but didn’t figure it would do any good.  I think Monday will be day 1.  So thank you for sharing your story and have a great time at the ranch!!”

“You’ve inspired and will continue to inspire a lot of people to change their own destiny!!  AWESOME work. Can’t wait to read your blog while you’re out in Malibu!!”

“Kudos to you on your journey to being the healthiest, best you can be!  Your current pic is already incredibly beautiful…so I can only imagine the heads you will be turning at your sister’s wedding.  Enjoy your time at the ranch.  You are an inspiration whether someone needs to lose 10 or 100 pounds!”

“Amazing, truly amazing and motivating. I’m going back to the gym today for the first time in a while, so I will keep your story in mind!”

“Wow, I was so impressed with your story today on the Principal home page.  I can totally relate to your struggle..as I am battling trying to lose weight…but have joined weight watchers and am starting to exercise, but it is really hard!  I loved that you shared your story, it was very inspiring. “

“Looking at the two photos of you—it does not look like the same person!!! You look great!!!!! I hope that a lot of people read your story and truly get inspired, I know I am!!”

“Lyndee......Congratulations and Thank you for all you are doing for yourself to be a healthier person.  You are a role model for me on how I look at life.......positive and determined to enjoy every minute I am given as I strive to be the best person I can be!  I am still working on it, but know we are all big winners, because we have each other to rely on!“

“While you may not know who I am but like others I send this email in support of your journey.  I am very proud that you have accomplished some of your goals and that you have embarked on great things as well.  While some people start the journey and then give up, you have decided to continue and never give up.  While I am sure it was very hard and not an easy task, I wanted to personally let you know that I am very proud of you, although you don’t know who I am.  I hope you continue to set your mind and goals and keep accomplishing them.  And again great job on your great accomplishment and greater accomplishments that are in store for you.”

“Oh my gosh this brought tears to my eyes!  I’M SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!  You are AMAZING! – I’m glad everyone else in the world is learning this about you and Molly as well!!” 

Pain is temporary, pride is forever

I grew up in a wrestling family.  A reoccurring theme was “pain is temporary, pride is forever”.  I’ve had to remind myself that a lot this week and feel it will be valuable while I’m in Malibu.   After the 12 hour fitness challenge to benefit Cops Against Cancer, I can honestly say, my upper body has never been so sore.  You would think after all this time training with Scott and the workouts I go through weekly, this wouldn’t have been such a killer.  But it was.  Why?  No, I’m not a big wimp!  It’s because my resistance workouts are usually 1-2 hours.  And it’s never pure shoulders.  It’s usually full body.  So 12 hours of shoulder torture has led me to a hell this week which found me wincing in pain when trying to put on my jacket, crying and contorting while trying to wash my hair and barely being able to lift my purse.  I couldn’t even run on the treadmill last night because my chest hurt so badly.  Feeling like I’ve torn my tendons and muscles into shreds does not make a happy Lyndee.  I was already crabby after a crappy weigh-in and last night it was all adding up for a really bad combination.  

I had requested a lower body workout.  Scott did what Scott does best and put us through a normal workout that worked multiple areas.  He was an angel and let me use a lighter than normal medicine ball for slams, wall throws, squats and lunges though.  He’s a peach like that.  He could tell that I was frustrated and hurting.  He told me I would appreciate this when I was in Malibu doing hours upon hours of workouts, sore and frustrated and wanting to quit.  As always, he’s right.  I made it through the workout.  Even tried to push myself a little harder through the pain because it IS temporary!  And what I’m doing here with Scott and Molly, as well as what I’ll be doing in Malibu, gives me a pride that gets me through every day.  I won’t be able to quit or whine or get special treatment while I’m at BLR.  So why would Scott let me get away with that last night?  Easy.  He wouldn’t.  And that’s why I adore that man.  

Unexpected Guest

Last night I had a surprise visit from reality.  A simple phone call from my five year old nephew, Jake, telling me how much he is going to miss me, he loves me and hopes I come back from Biggest Loser.  He says in his sweet little voice, “can’t you come over and see me?”  If only he wasn’t three hours away, I probably would’ve drove over, hugged him with all my might and cuddle with him while he slept the night away.  I have been so caught up in excitement for my trip.  It brings me deep joy every time it crosses my mind, which is pretty much non-stop.  But last night I got a bit teary-eyed talking to my little man and thinking just how much I am going to miss my family while I’m gone. My step-son will be having a birthday, everyone will gather to celebrate Easter and there are the daily things that bring me joy such as a hug, a kiss or a smile.  Those are the things I will miss the most while I’m gone. 

He was really excited when I talked about skyping with him while I'm gone.  I think that will be so amazing. I can talk to my nephews and nieces, step-kids, family and friends and see the faces I love so much and hear their voices.  Modern technology rocks my socks off.  Now, if I can just figure out how to use it all in my old age.  

So although time and money are tight for the next 26 days, I promised Jake I would come home and see him before I leave.  The next two weeks will be spent packing and moving out of our house so the soonest I can get to my hometown will be the 23^rd.  Just one week before my departure.  I’m going to head home and cram in all the possible family time I can.  I hope they are all prepared to have the crap hugged out of them for those few days.  I will pack those hugs and smiles in my heart and take them with me to Malibu.  The days when I feel defeated and exhausted and wonder if I can go on, I will have them there with me and I know I will find the power to keep fighting.  When I return, I will be a stronger, healthier and happier Lyndee that will be around for many more years to come.  And hopefully be an example to them that they can do anything they set their mind too.  I am more than willing to sacrifice one month for that. And yes, Jake, I promise I will come back from Biggest Loser.  April 29th will be here before we know it.    

That was awesome!

Saturday I participated in a charity event to help raise money for the Cops Against Cancer organization.  My team rocked!  Thank you so much to Jen, Jennie, Tosha, Robert and Biggest Loser Bernie for being the best team ever! We had so much fun.  Even if none of us can move our arms today after hundreds of push-ups, crunches, planks, roman chair lifts, dips and pull-ups. I can’t wait to win it all next year.   

Doing the happy Friday dance

Happy Friday!! Countdown clicker says 30 days to Malibu.  Woo hoo! Who’s excited?  This gal!

Everyone knows that I love my job at the Principal.  I truly believe I work for one of the greatest companies in the world and I couldn’t be more proud to be part of the Principal family.  I have the best group of co-workers in RIS Communications that a girl could ever ask for. This morning there was an “Inside the spotlight” article about me featured on our intranet.  It’s still weird for me to read articles about myself, just for the record.  I feel proud and embarrassed and many emotions all rolled into one.  Anyway, they have this story up today and I’ve already gotten a couple of emails from other Principal employees that I do not know/never met encouraging me, telling me they are proud of me, that I’m an inspiration…it’s a bit bananas.  What a great reminder that I have come a long way and there is nothing that can stop me from achieving my goals.  And maybe, just maybe, I can have a small part in motivating someone else to save their own life…I couldn’t ask for anything more than that. 

Tomorrow is the Cops Against Cancer 12 hour Fitness Challenge!  If you’re in the Des Moines area come out to 2^nd Wind in Clive to cheer on Team Motivate, Dominate, Destroy and meet several former Biggest Loser contestants.  It’s going to be a rocking good time!

http://www.copsagainstcancer.org/Fitness-Challenge.html

It’s official…I’m on a fast track to Midgetville

The average American woman is 5 foot 4 inches.  I don’t like to be average in any regard.  It’s never really been my style.  I’ve always been 5’7”-ish.  A few times in volleyball in high school I’m pretty sure I was listed as 5 foot 7 and a ½.  I was cool with that.  Although I always felt jealous of my mom and sister and their long legs that needed tall jeans and the fact that they had an inch or two on me.  If I could’ve had a say in my birth blueprint, I definitely would’ve been six foot on the nose.  My family and Molly like to tease me about being short because they know it drives me crazy.  I like to fight back with the fact that they are all just freakishly tall.  My mom’s side of the family are seriously like German giants.  See picture below.  The two boys are my “little” cousins that are still in high school.  Six foot five or some crap like that when they were 12.  I mean, come on!  Throw me a bone here. 

Well, yesterday my short complex was put in a tailspin.  I went to the doctor and when she measured my height, the nurse says, “okay, five-five-and-a-half.”  I freeze.  Excuse me?  She reads back 66 ½ inches.  I smile, tell her I’m five seven and make her try again.  Alas, it reads the same.  And this is with tennis shoes on!  The room seriously started spinning.  I couldn’t believe it.  This was the worst news ever! I’ve shrunk 2 inches!  Ok, not the worst ever! I mean, I was there to make sure that I don’t have lupus so that would’ve been way worse but still, this was a serious blow to my ego.  I mean, I’m down 90 pounds and 50 some inches around.  I never took into account I was two inches shorter as well.  Maybe their tall meter measuring device was wrong?  A girl can hope and I will call for a rematch next time I’m around a tape measure. 

Things I always had going for me growing up even though I was fat?  I was tall, blonde and had beautiful blue eyes.  At age 35 I’m short, brunette and have terrible night vision in those baby blues.  *Sigh*  This morning when I got out of the shower I realized it’s okay.  I’m still taller than the average woman.  Way taller than a gymnast or jockey.  And I will always tower over my little Norwegian aunts on my dad’s side of the family. And I guess, just like my weight, height is just a number on a different scale.  It doesn’t define me.  No matter how many inches vertical I am, all I can do is stand tall and proud.  That’s right, my name’s Lyndee and I’m five-five-and-a-half. Boom goes the dynamite!