I am at 33 pounds!  I am feeling great.  I am down 4 dress sizes, so my body has really changed shape too!!

I continue using Weight Watchers strategies for my diet.  The holidays were a challenge…oh heck, each day poses a challenge of sorts.  It has become habit, however, to choose healthy snacks and meal choices.  I find myself craving fresh fruit and veggies if I have had a week without much of them.  I even order fresh side salads when I go out to eat to get my servings in. 

I have been trying all types of exercise at the Y.  I am still doing Body Pump three times a week and have been experimenting with various types of aerobic workouts.  I have done some Turbo Kick which is really fun.  I have been told to try a different instructor who teaches at a more realistic pace.  The gal I have had is REALLY fast and, although I don’t expect them to slow down for me, she makes it virtually impossible to learn the steps.  I hear there are few teachers who have a little easier method,so I am hoping to take a class from them soon. 

I have also tried Group Cycle which is an awesome workout!!  Loved that class.  It’s a little tougher to get into my schedule, but I am hoping to find a regular day for taking it. 

Still really enjoy Body Vive.  Jenny is an awesome teacher.  We have a blast in her class and it really makes the workout a fun experience! 

I continue to believe that joining the YMCA has been a life changing experience.  Not only has it changed my body, but my mind and even my soul.  It has helped to release a part of me I had forgotten was there.  The sweat, movement, adrenaline….all of it!!  My life is different!  I am grateful beyond belief! 

Well, the 50th b-day is this Friday!  While I won’t make the 50 pound goal by that date, I am thrilled with my progress!  I am still aiming for the 50 pound weight loss.  My journey will not end on February 5!  It continues full force…with passion!  A new friend of mine, Sue, said that I should use “Fit by Fifty”!!  I love it and I AM!!!   

Thanks for coming along!!!

The Y has become a very important part of my life!  I find that it is good for more than just my body!  I can’t really explain it, but it nurtures my mind and soul too!  I have made some wonderful friends since I’ve started and re-connected with old friends as well.  That part has been a blessing! 

Working out seems to free my mind somehow.  It clears out the clutter, helps me take a deep, internal breath!!  I’m seeing my body change and feeling my mind and spirit change too! 

I seemed to have tapped into will power too.  I think the working out actually helps me to utilize my will power.  Sounds crazy or kind of counter-intuitive, I know, but the more I work out the more motivated I am to continue watching my diet.  I went to the annual sisters-in-law cookie bake yesterday.  Had a great time hanging with the ladies, helping with the cookies, but I didn’t eat or take a single cookie.  I found out I can still have lots of fun WITHOUT the eating part!!  They don’t go hand in hand!    I was proud of my will power and relieved that I could “pass” and not seem like a party pooper!! 

Loving my new lifestyle!!  I am grateful!  Thanks for coming along!

I’m still on a very strict exercise regiment.  I’m loving that part.  I have made some great friends too, which is a blessed side affect from working out.  How wonderful it is to go and workout with new friends.  And old too…RH, Bri and Heidi are there, as always, for me!!  It’s awesome!

Still on track with my WW style diet.  Eating much healthier and watching my calorie (points).  Continuing to find meal ideas thanks to WW magazine and WW cookbook.  I have had the chance to try some great recipes (a couple for steak in particular) that are really good and easy!  You know me…love easy!

I know I have not been keeping up with my posts…I will try to post more frequently so I can share more detailed info vs. a “catch up” post.  What a crazy, unexpected, wonderful journey!  Thanks for coming along!!

I am headed for the doctor today to check out my lungs.  According to nurse lines I have chatted with, I might have H1N1.  It’s ok.  I don’t feel in a panic about it at all.

The whole flu thing has really put a dent in my diet and workout plan.  “The best laid plans”….right?  I haven’t gone to the gym…missed two workouts.  Makes me really sad.  At first, I actually felt a kind of panic about it.  That is not too good.  I have been telling myself that I will be a lot better off, in the long run, if I let myself get better.  Could be down for longer if I don’t.  I also know that working out has become a passion for me and I am not about to let a little bump in the road get in the way of that.  So…I have calmed down, for the most part, and am concentrating on getting better.

I have been trying to stick to plan when it comes to eating.  Hasn’t been really hard since I haven’t felt like eating much.  There have been a few times that I just felt like eating whatever I could, just to eat.  Hasn’t gotten out of hand.

Basically missed Halloween altogether.  Really didn’t feel good…Pretty disappointing.  I was able to stay away from the candy, so that is a bright point.

Kind of a downer post today…sorry.  I know things will turn around.  I feel positive.  Gonna take my time, get better and get back in the saddle!!  Thru it all, thank you for all your support…thanks for coming along.

Still working on my points…it’s tough on weekends.  We had Practice Thanksgiving yesterday.  LOTS of good food.  I took very small portions of each dish..still left some on my plate.  Good, but it was not the focus this year.  I think that is ok.  Want to concentrate on the people.  We had beautiful pies!!!  I passed on those…just didn’t even want to go there.  I know I could have had a small piece, but I had the will power and just made up my mind to go with it.  There was some yummy jello there, so I had a little additional jello when people were eating their pie.  It was sweet and satisfying.

The new releases for both Body Pump and Body Vive are out.  Awesome!  The Body Pump release is tough!  I have been going with heavier weights on some reps now tho, so it feels good to see the progress.  Also, seeing my muscles develop and change is fun!  The Body Vive new release is great too!!  Super fun music..more rock and roll!!  Tough workout tho…I think…got my heart rate up into my threshold zone several time…FUN way to burn calories…Fridays are big workout days.  I try to do both Pump and Vive.  It’s a challenge, but really fun.  Almost 1,000 calories too…nice side benefit.

Quite a journey…thanks for coming along!!

I have learned (and I think I knew before) that weight can fluctuate two and even three pounds throughout the day.  Water, recent meals, etc., etc.  all play a part.

I’m most concerned about my psychy…feeling down or like giving up when I don’t see scale movement.  Time to adjust my attitude.  Take a deep breathe and feel so happy for the progress, for feeling better, for seeing changes in my body and knowing that this is for the long haul.  This is for a healthier life!!

Ron was so sweet about my frustration and told me a story about our favorite priest, Father Roderick.  It was a story about Fr. running in a marathon and a lesson about not giving up!!  It was so sweet and he really made a good point!  So, I’m on a mission to revamp my attitude.  With great support from all of you, I know I can leap this hurdle and keep moving on…thanks for coming along!!

Watching my body change.  I few muscles showing!!    A few bones showing!!    Gotta love it!  Makes the whole process worthwhile.  Feelin’ darn right “shapely”!!  hehehe…that feels sooooo good!! 

Still eating right…keeping my points in line.  Learning to work around eating out, etc.  Feeling good!  Thanks for coming along!

Very STRESSFUL day yesterday…it was tough to stay on track.  Started out the day with conflict at work and had almost all my low point snacks eaten by 11:00 a.m.  My inner “emotional eater” set in.  I made it though.  I kept reminding myself that nothing was worth going off track and that I would feel worse if I let it all go.  Made it!!  And went to a great BP class and worked off some of the stress.  I actually found myself fighting the stress while I was feeling the burn!

Made a stir fry for dinner.  Turned out pretty good.  I think I put too many sugar snap peas in..    Maybe it was just because I didn’t have a chance to cook them until they got softer…oh well, used peppers too and chicken.  Served it on brown rice…it was good!!

Makin it…still holding my own…thanks for coming along!

While Ron was out of town I didn’t have much fresh food in the house.  No fruit or veggies.  Too much for just me, ya know?  So, I have been shopping the last couple of days and have gone a little WILD with the fresh fruits and vegetables!!    Everything has looked so good!!

I have been laughing with friends that I am really just learning for the first time about fruit and veggies “in season”.  Who knew?!!    I guess I have always just had apples and bananas settled for soggy fruit if I got it.  Now that I am fresh produce savvy, I am learning how great things taste when the are actually in season!!!  OK, better late than never!! 

The Y is still going really good.  Moved a little slow yesterday after 2 classes.  Body Pump and then Body Vive!  Whew…900 calories!!    Great workouts.  I’m not as great at getting my heart-rate up, so these classes really help me do that.  I have been so glad I got the heart monitor.  Helpful to know when I am in the “zone” and rewarding to look at the summary and see the hard work pays off.  Really having fun…really feeling healthier!!

I feel so lucky to have great friends who are supportive!!  Actually really excited for me.  My “card” girls, my “Y” girls, and my “Byerly’s” girls….I am blessed…You are fantastic!!

Thanks to all…thanks for coming along!!

Was feeling a little under the weather yesterday.  Just kind of sluggish.  My stomach seemed to cramp up a little when I ate.   Stayed home from work and got some extra rest.  Feel better now…a little tired still.  Might be the rainy weather too, haven’t seen the sun for several days.  Gray tough!

I went to Body Pump last night…I was feeling better and wanted to stay on schedule.  Went well.  Wow, I’m a little sore today!!    I didn’t get my heart rate up as much, but I just wanted to take it easier since I haven’t been feeling that well.  I think it was still a good workout…297 calories.  Every bit helps, right?!  I’m happy with that!! 

P.S. Down 14 pounds!!  Woot!!