All rested up...

So I got some much needed rest this past weekend. We sat in the spa around the pool and just relaxed. Did a lot of exercising, treadmill, elliptical and bike. We were going to take a Zumba class but it was cancelled. We also got into the pool and did exercises in there. It was wonderful. When I got home yesterday I was able to get filing done. We have been slacking in that area and haven't filed correctly for YEARS. So I organized it all and got rid of stuff that we no longer needed, it all got shredded. I also was able to clean A's closet. She had clothes all over and a ton of other items and her closet doors would never close, that has been organized. It felt good to get things done off my "to-do" list.

As for the way I'm feeling, it's still a very positive attitude I have and I'm feeling wonderful. I look forward to exercising, my food portions have been what they should, all things that I've lacked in the past years. It's a good feeling to be taking ownership of my actions once again. It's good to be taking "me" time and I really realize how important it is for me to take that time so that I can feel whole and be a better mom, wife and friend. Funny how it all ties together.

A Pound

A pound equals:
- 4 sticks of butter
-a loaf of bread
- 512 M&M's
- The amount of weight I lost this week
That's right, I lost my first pound of 2010 and it feels great. I'm jazzed about it because it's the first step in the right direction. I've eaten healthy this week, I've exercised very good and the reward is a loss on the scale. J lost a pound this week too but he's not as happy, he thinks he should lose more but I know better. I know that a pound or 2 is what you should lose a week. That's the healthy recommendation and that's what I did last time I really focused on WW. Each pound I lose I visualize the 4 sticks of butter that were somewhere on my body and they are now gone....gone forever!

Last night my friend Andrea came over to workout. We're making it an weekly Tuesday event. I did 30 min on the elliptical and 30 min on the treadmill and then some really good stretching. It felt great and it was nice to have a work out partner. She'll be training with me for the 1/2 marathon in May. I just hope that I can inspire both Andrea and Ann the way that Karen inspired me to run.

Feeling really good!

This weekend the Christmas decorations finally did come down. I dusted, cleaned, vacuumed and rearranged some items in the house. It does seem like my house is larger now that the trees and such are down, but yet it feels a little empty.

Yesterday I ran on the treadmill and it felt good. I felt strong and enjoyed the run itself. So much so that I can't wait until my run tonight. I feel myself becoming stronger and it reminds me of my first 1/2 marathon training...slowly you could feel yourself getting stronger and more confident. I have been feeling more positive and stronger just in the week that I've been tracking my food too. This weekend was good even though I was at home. I didn't snack mindlessly or feel bored and went to go just eat. It was a small victory that really does wonders for my confidence.

Speaking of confidence....I'm wondering why I let mine go....After Napa I was on such a high and my confidence was high, like I could conquer anything but slowly it left me. Not sure why or how but as I slowly work to rebuild that I will work hard to not let it go this time around. Life is filled with hills and valleys and no matter what I have amazing people around me that believe in me and stand by me and there is no reason I shouldn't believe in myself.

Faced the scale....

Last night my new Biggest Loser scale showed up at my door....a day I've been excited about and dreading. So this morning I faced the scale. I knew I wasn't going to like the number but I had to be honest and face the music. I got on the scale and it was a number I didn't want to see but truthfully my emotions didn't get the best of me. I figured, it's a number and I'm looking to decrease that number and if I continue tracking what I eat and exercising I will do just that. I feel good to be recommitted and this time feels like when I first started Weight Watchers. It took me 9 months to get to goal weight then, so I know that this will be the same, perhaps a little quicker with the marathon training that I will be doing. But either way I know I am doing something good for myself and I'm NOT feeling guilty about it.

J is doing a biggest loser contest at work and he made a comment last night that made me chuckle, we are headed to a poker party and there are always snacks and such, he said he's not going to eat all day so he can have room and not over eat LOL. I know that's not the best approach but planning is. It will be fruits and veggies for lunch tomorrow in preparation to eat some goodies. Then I will LOG IT ALL. If I'm over my points then that's OK, being honest is what's important and that's what I haven't been doing lately.

Nothing much else going on, I'm getting all the Christmas decorations down today no matter what!!! I should have done it yesterday but we played a family game so that was more fun.

Rumors....

Yet again there are rumors of people being let go here at work next week....I'm really trying to ignore it and not worry about it yet in the back of my mind I'm just a smidge worried. But I do know, what ever happens will happen and God has a better plan for me.

So far so good on the goals, I've been working out each day and following the points. It feels good. I did take a break from the work out yesterday as I had a ton of running around to do and then teach religion and by the time I got home it was 8. I had to return a call and I had a splitting headache. But I also felt that I needed a break to give my body a rest. So I'll be back on track tonight.

Plans are made for my annual get away with my friend Shelly. We'll be headed out next Friday to stay at the Abbey Resort and Spa. I won't have any spa services done but just being in their spa area is so relaxing. They have a wonderful pool area, great work out facility and classes that we can join in on. They have a zumba class that we are going to try and I'm excited. I just really need to recharge. Then 2 weeks after that I have plans to meet up with some of my favorite weight watcher pals in the Dells. These woman have helped me with my weight lose journey and I'm looking forward to reconnecting with my girls. Hopefully will gain some needed inspiration. But most of all I'm looking forward to some laughs and fun.

Taking ownership.......

So I'm taking ownership of myself and my goals. So far, I've kept track of my food on the WW site, I'm very pleased to report. I'm getting in my water in take, I've signed up for the second 1/2 marathon and I've worked out each day of the New Year thus far.

The second 1/2 marathon in the USAF (United States Air Force) I was invited to stay with a friend. It is in September in Ohio. I'm excited....I read briefly on the website that they have fly overs and lots of fun activities. My friend's husband will participate in the full marathon.

After I worked out today, I saw myself and the way that I fit in some of my workout clothes and I can't believe I let myself go...I won't let this detour me from my current efforts and I keep reminding myself that it took how long to come on, the weight isn't just going to fly off immediately. I just wish that this struggle wasn't so hard and that I had confidence in myself to know that I WILL SUCCEED this time around. I feel good and all.....but that's today, I hope that with my mood swings that it doesn't change.

Thanks for the positive feedback to my readers...actually it made me happy that some people are reading, it gives me a little motivation and helps keep me honest.

I hope you all are having a good new year and you are having success in your own goals!

New Year...New me

So we rang in 2010, E was sick in the morning (second year in a row he has been throwing up on New Year's Eve) but then felt better later in the day. I started not feeling too well later in the evening and went to bed around 11:30. We were home just us as a family watching movies and eating crab and shrimp. It was nice to just be together and not rush anywhere. Although I do have to say it was a little lonely...perhaps next year I'll actually try to plan something.

On New Year's Eve the 5k Run into the New Year took place...I completed the run just happy to be back in the running saddle. I really want to commit to being healthier and happier this year. I've already signed up for my 1/2 in May and I'm going to look online for training programs to follow. Although I may just stick with my training from Napa, we'll see what I find.

Goals for this year...-Complete 2 1/2 marathons
-travel to Germany
-Be truthful about my weight and actually get on the scale (I bought a new one that's being shipped, it tells me my BMI, Hydration level and muscle mass).
-Not be guilty about taking "me" time
-Find out what I'm good at to see if a job change could be in my future
-Recommit to Weight Watchers and tracking my food.
-Spending more time with those I hold close to me
-Lose 10-15 pounds (all depending what the scale actually says)
-Be thankful for each and every day and to all those I hold near and dear to me.

All good goals and I hope to stay on track.

Happy New Year to all!!!