Hi Happy People!

Well the holidays just passed, and I'm sure that there were some folks out there who over did it just a bit. I originally planned to set some sort of intention for my holiday eating habits so that I would be able to enjoy myself yet stay on my diet. However, then I realized that there are only two times of the year where I really feel good about eating the things that I love (Thanksgiving and Christmas), so I don't really have any desire to alter that. Now b/c my eating habits have improved over time, then I am able to enjoy myself w/o stuffing myself. I did follow the typical guidelines (like eat a light lunch before dinner and take moderate portions). However, I am very pleased to have been able to indulge in a bit if everything that was prepared. I think it's worth the time spent at the gym.

Speaking of the gym, that place was packed this weekend. Folks are in there trying hard to make up for holiday eating. I went on Thursday (Thanksgiving day), Saturday and Sunday, and it was pretty crowded each day. At least I'm in good company these days. I'm trying hard to commit myself to getting to the gym 4 times a week. It is sooooooooooooo hard right now. I am pretty good with getting there Saturday and Sunday. For the most part finding the time to get there 2 days during the week isn't horrible...it's just that btwn fatigue and last minute work events, my evenings seem to disappear. I'm going to try my best to get there Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Busy season should be ending in 3 weeks, so then I'm back to 40 hrs and plenty of time in my evenings. I am hoping that makes all the difference in the world.

I have been doing a good job at taking breakfast and lunch to work :-). Seriously, it is so very helpful in maintaining a healthy diet. I still have to fight the urge to snack on the many goodies that get passed around. However, at least I know that breakfast, lunch and afternoon shack are all healthy and calorie/fat efficient. Plus, I'm saving $$, and this is, of course, the most important part.

So right now my goals are hitting the gym 4 times a week...and I'm thinking of adding in the goal of losing 5 more pounds. Here is my thinking...I think that I look good, but there are definitely some areas that are still large and in charge. However, the most important thing is to control my snacking. Right now I feel like I am eating whatever I want b/c I know that I am going to the gym. I think that the incentive of actually losing weight, which I know requires good diet AND exercise might help me to pull it in. Ultimately, if I lose weight, then that's cool, but so long as I am working out and eating right, then I will be happy.

Finally, I just want to take a moment to thank everyone who has been helping and supporting me. I love you guys, and I definitely wouldn't be where I am without you. Thanks again!

Couple of things...

I went to the gym for the 1st time yesterday. It is fabulous! It really is beautiful inside w/state of the art equipment. I got an hour workout in yesterday (30 mins on the eliptical, and 30 mins of weights and abs). I also took a yoga class this morning, which was pretty good, and I am planning to pack a gym bag for the work week. Hopefully I can get in there a couple of times after work.
Additionally, my conscience has been pushing me to weigh myself. I hadn't b/c I don't own a scale, however...when I went to the gym, I did indeed hop on the scale that was there. I was pleasantly surprised to see that I weighed in at 171 lbs. I know that my diet and exercise haven't been that great over the last 2 months, so I was really happy to see that I haven't completely undone the work that I did over the past year or so. Now I can pick back up where I left off, and keep moving forward.
Ok...so the real reason that I am posting this morning is b/c I have some picks that I want to show you guys. Last night I wore a dress that I haven't worn in about 2 years. You all try to guess which are the before and after pics.

God is soooooooooooooooo good. Let the church say 'yay-men'!

So yesterday I went to a work function and ate sooooo much food. In general, I've been feeling pretty bad. I've been too tired to exercise. I've had no fresh food in the house, so I haven't been eating well. I woke up this morning feeling sooooooooooo depressed. I was really hating myself for having no will power. I just wanted to kick myself for sucking so bad.

In the midst of all of this, I got curious as to when my new gym was gonna open since they were running behind schedule. So I decided to give them a call this morning to find out what the new estimated date is...and guess what...IT WAS YESTERDAY. THE GYM IS OPEN NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You have no idea what this does for my motivation. I mean when I was feeling my worst in a long time, I have a sudden burst of new hope. I am sooooo excited, and I will be there tomorrow morning with bells on. Yayyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok last hooray of the day. This week I wore a suit that I purchased about 3 yrs ago. I had stopped wearing it b/c the pants were too tight, and it was no longer flatering. Well this week it fit perfectly...better than when I 1st bought it. That made me happy.