ONE POUND OF FAT!!

Hello, do you know me? 
  
If you don’t you should. 
  
I’m a pound of fat, and I’m the happiest pound of fat that you would ever want to meet. Want to know why? It’s because no one ever wants to lose me; I’m Only One Pound, just a pound. Everyone wants to lose three pounds, five pounds or fifteen pounds, but never only one, so I just stick around and happily keep you fat. Then I add to myself ever so slyly so that you never seem to notice it, that is until I’ve grown to ten, twenty or even more pounds in weight. 
  
Yes, it’s fun being Only One Pound of fat, left to do as I please. So, when you weigh in, keep right on saying “Oh, I only lost one pound.” (as if that were such a terrible thing!) For you see, if you do this you’ll encourage others to keep me around because they will think I’m not worth losing. And I love being around you - your arms, your legs, your chin, your hips and every part of you. Happy Days!! 
  
After all, I’m Only One Pound of fat!!!

Time Flies in October

WOW I can't believe I have't blogged since Oct 7th.  I kept thinking I would blog tomorrow.  I hate when I do that.  
So not a lot has been happening.  I made a trip to CA and did better than I expected to at eating.  I'm only getting to the gym about twice a week so I need to pick it up.  I've been slacking on my Gazelle too.   I was doing really well at counting calories and then slipped up and here it's been almost two weeks since I logged calories and food.  So I guess you can see I have slacked off a bit in all areas but I'm headed right back to it.    


So, I would really like to take a few more pounds off by the end of the month since I will be heading to Lodi to visit Cathy and we are soooooo bad for each other.  We have planned on working on our eating and exercise while we are together but we always seem to enjoy ourselves with food and eating out.  This time I'm hoping we can help each other in our goal to eat less and move more.  


Watch out Cathy, here I come!! 


Good luck ladies on the final run in October.   

Oct Week 2

Hi girls!!  Not such a bad week.  I have made it to my 179 mark and vow never to see the 180's again!  I have actually started counting calories.  I HATE IT!!  What a pain in the butt!  I made a stew today and had to look up all the ingredients.  I hate the fact that if all your eating is a salad you still have to figure out how many calories in the ingredients.  I guess that is really the only way you know what your eating.  I just always figured veggies were free but they actually have calories.  Dang.    With the healthy eating I have been able to keep my cravings in check.  Marty has been keeping his food in his own plate and not offering me potato chips and ice cream.  He even said my Salmon dinner last night was really good.  


My Gazelle is together.  I tried it out for a whole 10 minutes last night but plan on watching a little tv tonight while working out.  I tried it in socks and the grid on the foot pads hurt my foot so I'll have to wear shoes.  


So I plan on getting really good at counting calories and making good food choices.  
Drinking my 80oz's of water.
Riding my Gazelle daily
Think positive thoughts (what you say to yourself matters)
Do some tapping (EFT) each day.  (explained below)


At my last class at the YMCA a Psychologist came and talked to us about having our mind chatter be of good thoughts and showed us a technique for relaxation and stress relief.  It is called Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)  It is a series of finger tapping on different points on your face and hands and some focusing.  They use it on men with PTSD from the war.  If you think you want me to post process here let me know and I will.


Do have a great week everyone.  Off to dinner.  
        

Oct Weight

Hi Ladies - FINALLY SOME PROGRESS


I'm starting October 3 pounds down.  Yippy!!  I know I will get to the 170's this month.  I'm feeling much better about how I'm dealing with food.  This last week I have done a lot of pondering about when and why and what I eat.  I noticed my husband keeps putting stuff on my plate and I do the same to him.  We are actually trying to be caring and giving and taking care of each other but in fact that is not at all what we are doing.  I finally had to blow up at him and he realized how he was hindering my efforts.  It's ok if I take something out of his plate and eat it but he better not put it on my plate. haha  Anyway I think he is finally on board.  His M&M's are stored in his truck not the pantry anymore.  My new diet with the YMCA is working well for me. I am journaling what I eat but not counting calories yet.   It is all journaling and about spreading your protein out throughout the day, limiting your grains to 2 cups a day and eating lots of Veggies and fruits.  You also have a snack between breakfast and dinner and bed so you are eating about every 2 hours.  It seems to be keeping my cravings at bay.  The exercise part isn't going as well.  I went to the Dr yesterday about the foot pain I have had for 2 months since I rammed my foot into a cement ledge.  I have inflammation and a neuroma in the joint of my third toe.  Started Prednisone today for a week.  Dr. says it may make me irritable and hungry.  Just what I already am.  She put a pad on my orthodic with a cut out for my third toe to give my toe more room and not have to bend as much as the other toes.  I go back in a month if it's not gone.  Anyway walking is irritating to it so I will be doing more of the elliptical and my new Gazelle.  Also doing weights at the gym and want to start a stretching class.


So my goals are:
Keep up with a minimum of 80oz's of water a day.
Stay with the diet guidelines
Continue logging food intake
Start counting calories
Exercise minimum 3 days a week


I tried a recipe for Ranch dressing that is good.  
For amounts use the amounts for the package dressing mix 
Instead of the buttermilk or mayo use cottage cheese (light of course)
That is all it is, powder dressing mix and cottage cheese blended and blended and blended until smooth and creamy.
I added about 1/4 milk to make it runnier for salad.


A bottle of light Ranch is more than 1100 calories 
A bottle of this is around 400 calories.


Next time I want to try yogurt instead of cottage cheese.  


I had a birthday yesterday and feel like this will be a good year for me.  I am going to be nicer to me and my body.  I am going to love me more.


Have a wonderful week girls.  Would love to hear from you.


  

   

Another Year :)

Just wanted to write a quick note since I will be taking off for the coast for a few days.  We bought a used 5th wheel trailer so we could spend some time at the ocean.  We bought it just in time to try it out for our 39th anniversary.  WOW  
I have been doing great UNTIL I GET AROUND DESSERT THAT I DIDN'T PLAN ON BEING THERE.
I went to a baby shower planning on leaving early and I thought I would miss the dessert.  Guess what!  Who would think they would do dessert first!  I just don't have the will power to say no when it's in my face and it is homemade and looks soooooo good.  Other than that I have been eating my veggies and fruits and grains and lots of water.  So enough of that - it's over and better luck next time.  
Sure hope I do ok camping.  I will be hiking and playing on the beach so I should get a bit of exercise.  I love to run on the beach.  
Thursday I went to the YMCA and went to a class on brain health then everyone goes for a walk.  I walked at a pretty good pace and did 2.5 miles.  I was very happy with that because my foot is giving me a lot of trouble.  Today hurts to walk at all.  I made an appointment with the podiatrist for next Thursday.
Anyway,  Everyone have a great weekend - I will   

12 Steps

Not a lot to say about how I have been doing with eating and exercising.  Not too bad on the eating and I actually got to the gym and did the elliptical machine and some weight lifting machines.  That was only one day though.

The big news I have to talk about is my new class.  I am taking a class called "He Did Deliver Me From Bondage" which combines the AA 12 step program and the Book of Mormon to start dealing with my OCD and self destructing behavior issues from the inside out instead of the outside only.  This class involves weekly meetings for discussions (with other women only) and daily reading scriptures along with journaling.  I hate to read because I never understand or remember anything I have just read.  One of the first things I had to read was about "Capturing" which is really getting hold of something and making it your own. Its more than underlining or making note of the single thoughts that stand out to you.....  That is just identifying what you want to capture.  You must copy the quotes or write the thoughts down.  That still doesn't make it your own.  There is a 3rd and final step.  Otherwise you are just a collector of thoughts.  The 3rd step is to write all that comes into your mind about the thought or quote you previously copied.  How did it connect with you?  Why was it important to you? What does it say to you?  How does it apply to your life?  This is capturing.

This is probably not new to you guys.  Especially those that have gone to college have probably done this.  It is new to me and I think it may actually help me maybe learn to like reading. (I hope)  I am excited about this class in hope of taking control of my mind and thoughts and thus my body and actions.
Hope I haven't rambled on too much.

I am also going to join a "Healthy Living Challenge" through our YMCA.  It is a program with Weekly weigh in and accountability, food journal, weekly meetings with coaches, exercise accountability.  This class starts next Tuesday.

This is going to keep me way busier than I have been in a long time.  Both classes require daily effort and I will have to get on the ball if I want to succeed.  I DO WANT TO SUCCEED!!!!

With these two classes and the requirements that come with them I should be getting my Physical and Spiritual well being on a whole new level.

So my goals right now are to get involved with following the requirements of these classes and enjoy doing it.
Continue drinking lots of water!
Blog, Blog, Blog
 
 
 
  

Remember

Hi ladies, can't believe this week is gone already.  There are a few of you we haven't heard from this week.  Would love to know whats on your mind or happening in your day. 

Today is a big one - 9/11  Who could forget.  Peoples lives were changed forever. 


This week I have been beating myself up for being such a wimp and succumbing to every little bad behavior I'm wanting to avoid.  Then I think of how trivial this is.  I am so happy to be alive and live in this country.  To be able to do what I want, and not do what I don't want to.  To worship how and when I chose to.  To have all the food thats necessary and more than anyone could want right at my fingertips.  To have my family all happy, healthy and prosperous.  I know I want to be thinner but thats not so important that I should let it bring me down.  I let it get to me then I don't want to get out of bed, I eat anything in sight, and I won't get out there and move my butt.  And of course that is exactly what I shouldn't be doing.  It's crazy.


So I am going to work on putting things in perspective and enjoying my life.  I want to try to keep my frame of mind in a positive mode so I can stay out of the dumps.  Then I might be able to control my obsessive compulsive tendencies to eat sleep and be lazy (all in a big way).  


I have done really well with the water intake.  I haven't actually been keeping track as much as I want to so this week I plan on doing that to.  


I am thinking about joining the YMCA group that is like the biggest loser.  They have weekly weigh ins and meetings to discuss food etc.  You keep a food diary etc.  I'm kinda afraid (of what I don't know) but I think this may be what I need to get me to the gym and meet a few women that I can work out with.  It starts 9/22 


Wish me luck.  I will take determination that I haven't been able to find lately.  


Have a great day and week and remember how lucky we all are.



     

** ** WATER CHALLENGE ** **

I know here I go again.  I'm always nagging about water.  I figured we are starting fresh with this blog and getting all our ducks in a row, what better time than to talk about the importance of lots of water again.  

So we have been challenged to "COMMIT", SET GOALS, and now DRINK WATER!!

How much water am I talking about?  You've all heard the Eight 8 oz glasses a day, well, that is for the average person.  . A good guide for daily intake is to drink 1 ounce of water for every 2 pounds of body weight. A 200 pound person should be drinking around 100 ounces (12.5 cups) of water in order to gain the benefits of increased energy and metabolism.  When exercising a bit more water should be included to account for water loss from sweating. Drinking water before, during and after exercise will keep energy levels high and help recovery after your workout.

WHY????????????????????

Water makes your metabolism burn calories 3% faster.

Drinking water is important if you're trying to lose weight, some studies have shown that thirst and hunger sensations are triggered together. If there is a slight dehydration the thirst mechanism may be mistaken for hunger and one may eat when the body is actually craving fluid. As most food contains some water, if one doesn't drink much they may be subconsciously driven to eat more to gain the necessary water supply however, you also gain the undesired effects of increased calorie consumption. Drinking more water can help to prevent overeating and benefit weight loss.

Start your day with a glass of water and try to pick three or four times a day when you can have a big glass of water, and then sip in between.  A glass of water before meals will help you not eat as much.   Don't let yourself get thirsty. If you feel thirsty, you're already becoming dehydrated. Drink when you're not thirsty yet.   You will get used to it and start enjoying water.

It's probably a good idea to stop drinking water a good three hours before you go to bed. You know why.

During the first few days of drinking more water than your body is accustomed to, you're running to the bathroom constantly. This can be very discouraging, and it can certainly interfere with an otherwise normal day at work. It seems that the water is coming out just as fast as it's going in, and many people decide that their new hydration habit is fruitless.

Do take heed , though. What is really happening is that your body is flushing itself of the water it has been storing throughout all those years of "survival mode". It takes a while, but this is a beautiful thing happening to you. As you continue to give your body all the water it could ask for, it gets rid of what it doesn't need. It gets rid of the water it was holding onto in your ankles and your hips and thighs, maybe even around your belly. You are excreting much more than you realize. Your body figures it doesn't need to save these stores anymore; it's trusting that the water will keep coming, and if it does, eventually, the flushing (of both the body and the potty) will cease, allowing the human to return to a normal life. It's true. This is called the "breakthrough point."

Health benefits of drinking water

·         regulate appetite

·         increase metabolism

·         boost energy levels

·         less water retention

·         alleviate some headaches

·         help reduce blood pressure

·         help reduce high cholesterol

·         ease joint pain

·         decrease in risk of some cancers

·         less chance developing kidney stones

·         release toxic waste products

·         improves skin

Cautions to consider

One potential but rare side effect of fluid intake can be hypoatremia in which electrolytes become imbalanced.  Try having SMART water when your exercising. 

There is a ton more information on the benefits of drinking lots of water while dieting (and as a lifelong change) but I think I'm done for the night.  

I love you gals and wish you lots of luck and success this week.   

September Weigh-in

Hi guys, I was hoping to blog much sooner than this but I'm having trouble just wanting to talk about it I guess.  I'm weighing in at 185.6 which is only a few ounces up from a week ago but with my last blog I was feeling optimistic and starting to get enthused and wanting to commit and everything but since then I have been in a slump.  I have had a problem with what I guess could be considered binging in the evening.  It comes over me as soon as I finish dinner.  I want something and it doesn't go away.  I know I'm not hungry, I just ate.  I think it's me fighting myself against this diet thing.  So, I've been doing a lot of thinking.  Sometimes I sit and play computer games and I thought how easily I could just go walk for 20 minutes instead of the stupid games.  I know when I'm getting some exercise my mood is better and I am more in control but It is so hard to get this started again.  I just have to get up and do it.  I know.  I haven't been sleeping very well lately so maybe that has something to do with it.  


I am glad to hear everyone blogging.  I tried to comment on Cathy's but I couldn't.  Anyone else having that problem.  Please try to send her a comment.  I had a nice salad lunch with Cheryl today and she is wanting to keep in the program and have me set her up with a blog.  I will go over to her place soon and get her going.  Hopefully you'll be able to comment on her site.  


Sure sorry Cathy is having so much physical troubles.  It makes it that much harder but let me tell you the last time I saw you, your weight loss showed and your picture on the motor cycle  look so much better than mine.  I hate being fat.  


So don't worry gals, I will get the enthusiasm going again I promise.  I refuse to be fat the rest of my life!  


I will be doing the challenge this Sunday so hopefully I can get my mood in the right place.  


Have a great vacations (AGAIN) Annie & Drew.  haha 

Thought on Commitment

Just thought I would forward this on.  It points out again how important commitment is to our success in this journey.  :)

The most important single factor in individual success is COMMITMENT. Commitment ignites action. To commit is to pledge yourself to a certain purpose or line of conduct. It also means practicing your beliefs consistently. There are, therefore, two fundamental conditions for commitment. The first is having a sound set of beliefs. There is an old saying that goes, "Stand for something or you'll fall for anything." The second is faithful adherence to those beliefs with your behavior. Possibly the best description of commitment is "persistence with a purpose".

Cindi's weekly post

Getting started blogging again is just like everything else.  You just gotta jump in and do it.  I meant to get my blog in yesterday.  I'm shooting for an every Wednesday blog.  

Annie's comments on commitment really hit home.  It made me realize I was just hap hazardly making goals and wishes but not really doing anything about it and not making any commitments to myself at all.  I know I want to be thinner and I know some of the steps I need to take to get there but I just keep thinking I will get with it tomorrow or the next day.  I make a few good choices here and there and a few bad choices here and there and pretty much just stay right where I'm at.  I've decided this is a miserable way to be because I'm not reaping the benefits of the life changes I want to make and I'm not getting to do the total opposite either.  I've been hanging in the middle.  I know I felt better when I was getting to the gym (physically and emotionally).  I know I feel better when I eat light and stay away from white flour and sugar.  I know I just feel depressed when I'm not doing anything about my unhealthy predicament.  So here and now I need to commit to myself and to my dear friends (you girls) that I am going to do something about it.

My commitment:

I am going to lose 10 pounds.  When that is gone I will start with another 10 and so on.

I am no longer wishing to lose weight.  I am going to set myself up for success by making a plan and trying my best to stick to it.  

I will drink at least 64oz of water a day

I will eat only whole wheat breads and keep that to a minimum

I will grocery shop with my health in mind.  No junk in the basket - Lots of fruit and veggies

Stay away from sugar.

If a snack is needed in the evening only snack on something healthy and/or light.  Optimally drink tea instead.

The biggy:  Get moving.  Plan on doing something physical minimum 5 days a week.  

Get to the gym on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

BLOG EVERY WEEK to keep motivated and help my sista's on their journey.

Love you guys and good luck!

cindi  

     

I'M BACK

OK here we go!!  


Time to get back into the grove of blogging.  I got Cathy all set up although it will take her some getting used to.  I'm glad to get going again.  I know it helps to put my thoughts down on paper(here) and it should help me become more accountable to myself again.  


I am assuming we are still having a Wednesday weigh in and everyone should try to blog once a week and comment as much as possible.  We all need the communication.  


I hope to set Cheryl up this week or maybe next week with a blog.  She is on the mend and about ready to hit the pavement. 


So hello to everyone and good luck.  I will post again on Wednesday but for now  -  ta ta 

MIA

WOW I didn't realize I've gone three weeks without blogging. What a bad girl. I think I'm holding my own. A few slip ups here and there but haven't felt like binging. Still eating most of the right things just too much of it. We will see come Monday.

I was pleasantly surprised when I tried cooking Buffalo. It was actually good!! I made a Buffalo roast with carrots. It was tender and had absolutely no wild taste. It is sooo much better for you than beef or even chicken. It has less fat, calories, and cholesterol than chicken or beef. Try it you might like it.

Good luck next week everyone.

Backwards :(

Congratulations to the winners!! I knew this month was a bad one but I was hoping to stay the same but I gained 2 lbs, yet grateful I didn't gain 4lbs. That would have been terrible. I am going to get back on track this month and get that exercise in more consistently. This last month it seemed as though I was hungry all all all the time, especially at night. I think it was stress eating with the car being stolen and all. It felt more like an addiction kind of thing where you really need a fix. Well, I overcame 28 years of smoking I guess I can overcome 57 years of eating. haha

So here we go. . . . . . Lets kick butt in April!!

March is gone???? Oh No!!

If you were following Fiddlegoat Pamella's blog she was having trouble with everyone getting redirected and not able to get to her page. Her new blog is at http://fiddlegoatsfiddle.blogspot.com/ She still needs your support so change your links. Thanks

Now on to my blog:

The weather is dreary and that always has an impact on my enthusiasm. Good excuse right? I think I am holding my own but not getting any momentum. I still don't have a car so I'm not getting to the gym and that seems to be the only way I make myself exercise when it's not nice outside. So everyone, keep up the good work and I'm right behind you I hope. I thought I would make the 170's in March but with the weigh in next week I don't think I will be getting there. Hoping for no gain once again.

Good Luck everyone and keep on truckin!!

Times are TOUGH

Well, my mind is all wrapped up in other things right now and I can't seem to get a hold of myself and feel enthused about my progress or get any ambition to do what I know I need to do to stay away from eating everything in site.

We took a few days and went to SF to visit Annie and Drew before they left to Thailand. We had a great time BUT and thats a BIG BUT when we went to load the car to leave the car was gone. Keep in mind I totaled my 2005 Honda 8 months ago. Our car was stolen out of a locked private underground parking garage!! Now I'll never get Marty to SF again. Since we were traveling we had a lot of stuff in our car. My nephew was moving back to CA from OR so we had a load of his stuff in the trunk. All GONE!! The police said they often retrieve a stolen car within the first 2 hours after it hits the hot list. We are now in our 4th day and no car. Luckily Annie and Drew were headed abroad to we borrowed her car to get us back to Oregon.

One of the things that upsets me most is I won't have a car to run me to the gym. Annie put her car on non-op for while they were gone.

I have been feeling sorry for myself and thus giving into my desires like ice cream before bed. Bad Bad Bad.

So here I am again trying to build myself up to taking care of myself again when I don't want to. Can I just go back to bed???

After weigh in crash .... :(

OK, so I was really happy with a 4 pound loss so what do I do ... ... ... ....

eat! celebrate! I'm soooo stupid!

My husband and I went to an early dinner and there special was my absolute favorite RIBS. I fell for it. I have a little trouble when it comes to passing up a good deal. I'm one of those people that wants to up size my meal because its a good deal not because I'm extra hungry. Anyway, It seems when I really slip up I have a terrible time with cravings for a few days. Needless to say today was hard. I didn't get to the gym cause I had to wait around the house for people. Tomorrow - day of rest - hopefully Monday I will hit it with gangbusters. I really would like to lose 8.5 pounds and skip the 170's all together. Wouldn't that be cool.

So my goal this month.

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise

Water, Water, Water

Veggies, Veggies, Veggies

On to March everyone - Good Luck and happy losing!!

It's me again - finally!!

Wow, I can't believe how fast the time goes by. It's already time to weigh in. I'm nervous and excited. I've had some ups and down this month as usual but I think I should produce a loss on Friday. I'm hitting the club for workouts. I seem to like the elliptical machines the best. The treadmill really hurts my ankles and knees and the elliptical is much softer on them. I really enjoy the weight room. Here I am 58 years old and until this last year I had never stepped into a weight room and done any weight machines. Boy was I missing out. If I had been introduced to them at a young age I probably wouldn't look like this now. Ha - just imagining it. Excuses, Excuses.

Could not believe it!!!!!!!! I was at Costco and thought I would pick something healthier to eat rather than their pizza or hot dogs. I went with the Turkey Wrap. I asked if I could have it without mayo and they said they can't do special orders. DARN!! So I asked how many calories in it and she said it is one of the leaders in high calories. I was blown away. I thought sure that bad stuff would have more calories. It had over 800 calories and the chicken cezer (sp) salad had almost as many. WOW crazy not fare. The pizza was one of the least. Go Figure!!

Well, my husband is calling me to go on a walk so chat again soon. May have something exciting to say tomorrow.

Home again

WOW - I'm sure I have gained the couple pounds I lost plus added a few more. I really better get working this week. I spend the last 2 weeks or so in CA visiting family. What fun!!!! While I was there I stayed in a few different places and none of them seemed to have fruit and vegetables being served. We did a lot of going out to eat and basically celebrating with food. Well, I'm not strong enough to turn it down so here I am starting over. Thats ok, I think I had to quit smoking about 1,000 times before I made if permanent. I hope everyone is having success! If not, follow me and get back at it.

Boy do I have a lot of reading to do to catch up on everyone's blogs. I'm sure that will get me motivated again.

Checking In

OK, so things haven't been going as planned. Gotta get back on to my set of goals. I haven't gotten back to the club yet and I'm terrible about doing exercise at home. I will go walking but that's about it. I had put my membership on hold while I went to CA to take care of my Sister and it doesn't go back into effect until 2/15. I will be in CA again next week and returning on 2/16 so the 17th my drop dead deadline for returning to the club. No more procrastinating. I know when I am exercising it is much easier to stay on my water and healthy eating plan. I do have more energy and I'm not so down. I am excited to get back at it.

Weigh in is tomorrow and I'm sure I haven't done well but I will be happy if I have lost instead of gained with as on and off as I have been this month. (More off than on)

Good luck everyone!! You are all an inspiration to me and tomorrow should be very exciting. :)

Whats coming up?

OK, In order to be healthy I decided I needed to get caught up on a few things besides just focusing on my weight. I sat down with a phone and made appointments. I made appointments for my mammogram, eye exam, physical and bereavement counseling. I feel really good about this. I want to focus on the whole me.

This week I am headed back to the gym. It is so hard to start back up when you haven't done it for several months. I know I will love it once I get going but that first visit is hard for me. Can't make it in until Wednesday so Wednesday is my goal.

I'm thinking a scale just might be easier to figure portions. I may just have to get one. I'm also thinking a pedometer should be on my shopping list.

Have a great week girls.

The Skinny In Me

Came across a few quotes I just had to relay. I got my food diary started today. Pat on the back.

Quote #1

Inside me lives a skinny woman crying to get out but I can usually shut her up with cookies.

Friday is cookie day at our bank. They give you a free cookie when you come in. The cookies are the big bakery kind and you get to choose from Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Raisin. Well of course yesterday I had to go to the bank. Guess What!! I got a chocolate chip cookie and took it home to my husband. Another pat on the back. :)

Quote # 2

If you can't be a good example - then you'll just have to be a horrible warning.

I'm hoping to fall in the good example group.

Night All :)

I'm here really I am!!!

Wow I guess I really let the time slip away. I haven't blogged since the 11th. So here goes.

I finally feel better. Got some antibiotic for my ear infection and sinus infection and feeling a bit more myself. I know Excuses, Excuses. I have way too many of them. Guess that should be a new goal; quit making so many excuses.

Hopefully feeling better will get me more motivated to get out of bed and get my butt moving. I haven't started working out to the videos yet like I planned but I have been getting out for a walk each day. Granted I need to make my walks longer but getting out is a start.

Haven't started my food journal but have been watching much more closely what I am eating and how much. Gonna try some of the suggestions I read about like saving 1/2 my meal for later. I really enjoy reading the blogs and all the positive remarks.

Oopps, I forgot my husband took me out to breakfast yesterday. I love to go out to breakfast. I need a lot more practice with control and restraint. I ordered like I usually do, eggs, bacon and french toast. All these years food has always been a reward, or used for a special event. I haven't quit grasped the idea that I can enjoy something that is good for me too. You don't want to spend your money on something you don't like as much as something you do. I have also grown up eating what is on my plate. No exceptions. In fact my sister and I would finish off everything that was left when we cleared the table after dinner. OMG I catch myself doing that now.

So, this week I will have to step it up a notch. Next week I plan on stepping it up two notches. Sorry, if it seems like I'm taking baby steps but I feel like I'm moving in the right direction now.

Keep up the great job everyone!!

My GOALS

Goals, Goals, Goals......

Ok I started setting some goals and emailed them to my daughter Annie. This is sort of what they looked like:

Eat smaller portions

Exercise to video's

Walk

Write in my blog

She didn't like that at all and said I needed specific goals. She's right, that was a lame start. So here is some real goals I have set for myself.

1. Get out of bed by 10:00 every morning. Don't laugh thats not easy.

2. Start taking vitamins daily again.

3. Drink WATER all day long.

4. Push fruits, Veggies and Salads.

5. Eat smaller portions..... NO Seconds!! NO large plates!!

6. Eat no more than once slice of bread daily.

7. Fruit, veggies, or hot herbal tea are allowed after 9:00. NO ICE CREAM! NO CHIPS!

8. Walk with Marty 3 days a week.

9. Do 1/2 hour exercise videos 3 days a week.

10. Write in blog weekly. Read daily!!

11. Give thanks for all my blessings :)

I do plan on updating and making these goals a little harder down the road. I also plan on starting at the club again soon.

I have a long term goal of losing 50 lbs but would be perfectly happy with 20 for this 6 month competition. Actually I would be more than thrilled with 20.

Thanks for everyones support, I'm sure I couldn't do it without you.

cindi