I have found "Plant your own garden" a great way to live my dreams.  Whether piano accomplishments or strides for better health.  No one will give out 'atta girls' when you are doing something they would like to do!  I was told that was called a form of envy; not the biblical envy, just envy light I guess.  I am looking forward to Saturday's weigh-in because I've settled into a healthy eating plan that I can sustain long-term.  And that was my goal from the beginning.  I needed motivation, needed to regain self-control.  I heard if you do something for 90 days you will create a habit.  Let the next months prove that out.    See you Saturday.

WOW...Feb. 20th already.  Not much time to waste until the weigh-in next Saturday.  I have to report I took Jasper, my dog, for a walk.  The first time in two years.  The fact that my ankle (even though I wore my foot brace) is still sore two days later, I did it.  The foot doctor said my best exercise was a recumbent (SP!) bike but my back gives me h - e - double hockey sticks then too.  I'm so tired of pain I prefer chair exercises for now.  They work for me.  No, I not lining up excuses as to why I didn't lose weight - - I feel that I have.  It's all the changes and decisions I've made since that first meeting Jan. 31 that I'm proudest of.  I sign off today with a laugh:  "Can't wait for tomorrow - - I get better looking every day"! 

YES!  Day 20 and I'm still aware of what I'm eating and drinking!  There's always that little nagging fear in the back of my mind that I'm going to chuck this since past behaviors are hard to overcome for me.  I quote Dr. Phil "the best predictor of present behavior is past behavior."   But I refuse to give up hope.   I mentioned hope to one of my friends and she said she had a saying written down somewhere in her office that said "we can live x number of days without water, and x number of days without food but we can't live one moment without hope" and I'm a believer in that.   I think these first twenty days of TRYING TO CHANGE MY POOR HABITS AND CHOICES is becoming a routine - can it be this could become a habit? A real way of life?  A permanent part of me?

 

I'm looking forward to weighing in and that's just not like me. 

Happy Valentine's Day.  No candy received and no candy given.  That was our gift to each other.  I did get a beautiful tear-jerker of a card which I appreciated most of all. 

 

I'm still working under the premise that I will be the only one who won't lose weight and no I'm not going to weigh myself.  Fear will keep me at least at 90% on target.  Can't be perfect and I'm not even shooting for perfection.  Just want to make a slow go of it.  Jaime at Slim N Fit said 'two pounds a week.'  Sounds too slow for an impatient person like me however, if I gained two pounds a week I would be devistated.  Losing two pounds a week I would be elated.   Luv 2 all ..  hang in there!

Still on track and planning a full day of things I like to do like sewing.  Bought some beautiful material ON SALE and can't wait to start making it into curtains.  It's the little pleasures in life that keep me going.  I find I'm filling my days with activity instead of watching TV so much.  I love old movies, new movies, TV period but I've always said it steals my brain.  My biggest motivator is still fearing I'll be the only one in Lighten Up that hasn't lost weight and I am not jumping on the scale to find out.  I'll find in at the February weigh-in.    Blessing to all....

Ooops!  My day count was off yesterday, and so was my perception.  My feeling that if you see something that needs to be done or could be made better  - do it!  Don't put it onto someone else if you have the where-with-all to fix or improve it.  Boy was I ever wrong and I got the wheels knocked off my wagon.  I went boldly ahead with a plan and found out I didn't go through the PROPER channels.  I really do understand  my mistake now however, the feeling that I never want to do another thing to help is overwhelming me.  It took over my insides after the incident even though I put on a brave, everything's alright face.  I was so relieved when that meeting was over but it left me in a fog greater than the one we had on Monday!  I was very anxious all day yesterday and it won't go away.   How did I cope?  Take a guess.  Today I feel lower than whale-droppings.  Not self-pity but just plain 'unfit for human consumption.'  Has anyone else ever felt like this? 

I like knowing it's day 11 and I'm STILL ON TRACK - - not perfect - - but not giving up!  I think the fear that I may be the only person in the group that 'stays the same' at weigh-in is the motivator.   I would hate 'what others would think' but most of all I would disappoint myself.  Being a quitter is easy...this is hard so it must be right! 

 

Proverbs 6:9 is about laziness.  Good stuff those Proverbs.  I read - I memorize - but do I apply to my daily life? Isn't that talking the talk but not walking the walk?  Same with the healthy trek we folks in 'Lighten Up 2011' are taking.  180 days of putting our health first which will turn into a lifestyle.  That's what I'm shooting for.

 

Devotions, piano practice, exercise - I did 20 minutes on bike yesterday at the senior center:  YEA!  Up from  2.  Add healthy eating and you have my game plan.  I am so thankful and grateful 'Lighten Up' got my attention. 

 

By the way, my brewery's stock has dropped considerably in the last 11 days and I think it might be my fault.  Sorry Mr. Miller but I have to admit I feel a lot better and Walt doesn't have to empty the recycle bin as often.

 

 

Saw Hannah yesterday at Slim & Fit for some great advice.  Help me with getting more carbs in and choice of exercise.  Even gave me some great snack hints since my blood sugar fluctuates and I should schedule snacks between meals.  Can you believe that!  Telling me to eat...  

 

Thursday and Friday were so busy I hardly had time to put my feet up which is essential for me.  I have such foot discomfort from just the little exercise I've been able to do so far.  Hannah also suggested I exercise, RIGHT NOW, every other day. What a relief. 

 

I'm still fighting myself in finding the motivation to do something challenging but rewarding:  More practice on my piano.  I take lessons and must practice.  I procrastinate something alwful!  Any suggestions? 

 

I faced my first challenge last night when I went to 'game night' at our church.  Lots of snacks and a real opportunity to make lousy choices.  I did very well.  If I ate after my meal it was a raw veggie and not a salty snack.   I think that's called progress - or baby steps.    

 

Tonight we face another challenge:  Our first party in a bar.  I do like my beer!  I'll survive one moment at a time..      Luv 2 all...

Good Morning.  Wanted to check in 'cause Thursdays are sooooo busy for me.  Didn't work out for two days due to scared of the snow.  Never bothered me when I was younger but now - - I stay home.  It was being recommended anyway!  I am going to venture out this morning because I have to go to the church.

 

Can't believe I'm feeling so GOOD compared to just a few days ago.  I asked for prayers - boy!!   I'm getting them.  Thanks again to everyone I am so grateful.    luv 2 u

Mid-afternoon on an icy, snowy, cold day.  My husband brought in a slap of ice he chipped from our driveway.  It really was an inch thick.  Still snowing and driveway is covered again.  Sounds like Ohio in February to me!  Happy Groundhog's Day.

 

Last night I had sudden pain in my jaw.   I tried to move it back and forth and it cracked.  The crack heard 'round the room.  It left me with a very sore - - unable to chew jaw and soreness in my face and ear.  This morning it is still uncomfortable.  Why am I telling you this?  Anyone who's ever counted calories hopes illness or injury will result in weight loss.  Never enjoyed being ill or being in pain but..  Wow!  I don't know whether to call the doctor or celebrate.  Can anyone else relate?

 

Thanks to everyone who became a follower of my blog.  I appreciate support and prayers.

It's only Wednesday!  An hour is an hour but time seems to be moving so slowly this week.  Can it be getting healthier makes the day longer?  I'm certainly no a fan of time speeding up since I know time flies between birthdays.  However, it also flies when you're having fun.

 

I noticed my outlook is softer this morning and my fist has unclenched a bit.  I'm settling into the life changes I've made since January 29th.  I refused to have a 'final banquet' that I usually celebrated before starting reducing calories.  Progress!    

I'm white-knuckled, angry, mean and inactive.  Left to my own choosing I fail to make myself get out of my recliner and do the things I love.  What's that all about?  No one needs to appreciate my sewing, I do it for a church mission.  No one needs to applaud my piano skills, I'm taking lessons again because I've wanted to play all my life.  Both these activities can take hours of idleness out of my day. I really LOVE doing them and don't need recognition for my efforts.  Or secretly, do I?  Getting healthier is 24/7!   What is holding me back?  Could it be my belief in me?  I'm so hard-wired to fail that I shoot myself in the foot all the time.   I did reach out to trusted friends and asked for prayers and I reaching out to the Lighten Up 2011 group with all my heart. 

 

I have always been a collector of quotes, sayings and life lessons etc.  I love profound statements.  I have lots of little cut outs from publications pasted on pics, and saved in a books.  My current collection has lots of 'stuff' I've found in theN-H and helpful, healthy hints I've gotten from others.  This one applies to me:  HARD AND RIGHT ARE THE SAME THING!  And sustained enthusiasm is HARD.  This is going to take ambition, drive, accountability, tireless effort and hard work.  (Got that one from N-H on 5-31-08.)  I'm adding luck (anyone got a rabbit's foot) and most importantly prayer.   

 

 "Feast at life's table instead of settling for the crumbs on the floor!"  N-H 1-7-05

 

Note to all:  I am the world's worst speller and my spell check is in French and I don't know how to change it.  Believe me I've tried.