Time to get back to it!

The holidays are over and the new year has begun. It is now time to resume my efforts to lose another 10 to 15 pounds. I find my biggest problem is getting back to a routine. Walking several days a week and working out a few days a week just hasn't happened. I've thought about it, but it seems to stop there. I suddenly find myself thinking of projects to work on.

The really good news is that somehow I made it through the holidays in very good shape. Neither Larry nor I put on any weight!!! That was the result I hoped for, but I didn't really expect it. I haven't measured myself yet, but again I don't expect any change there, either. It's possible I could find a slight increase in muscle area since I haven't been working out, but I had another suprise there today as well.

When I was dressing for church I put on a light blue sweater and without thinking, pulled out my navy slacks. I was dressed and heading out the door before it hit me. I had tried to wear the same outfit before Christmas but I couldn't button the waistband. This morning--no problem!!!

Last year my New Year's goal was to lose 25 pounds. I didn't make it, but I did the most important thing. I started. And I got almost two-thirds of the way there. So this year I hope to end the year at 125 pounds. That means I need to lose about 13 pounds... AND KEEP IT THERE.

Time to start working out. I'll keep you posted.

Waiting for January

Baby Steps. I stepped on the scale yesterday and it registered the number I've been waiting for. I tried it 3 times and each time it came back the same. YES! Progress. However, since I weigh myself everyday, and weight just naturally fluctuates, I never accept the verdict until I see it 3 days in a row. Today it was a half pound up. I can live with that.
The reality is, that until the holiday season is past, my kids have come and gone, and I've resumed what could be considered a reasonable diet, exercise, and weight loss regime, I'm not pushing for progress.
For that reason, I won't be posting anything here for the next 2 weeks. I'm allowing myself time off. I'll still watch what I eat most days, and walk as much as the weather permits, but I'd rather enjoy my family than exercise. If I can hold steady for 2 weeks, I'll be happy. Soooo.....
See you in January!
Happy Holidays!

Running in Place

It's the holiday season. That's a fact I can't ignore. Tonight I'm going to my 3rd holiday party, and the scales haven't budged. Actually, they have. I bounce between 137 and 139. Mostly it sits at 138. It's been that way since early November. It's annoying. If I allowed myself to think about it I would be totally depressed!

When I was sharing my woes with a friend she said, "Losing weight during the holidays? Really? I think maintaining it is an accomplishment." I started thinking about that, and realized she is right. I really want to lose 5 more pounds before Christmas, but that's because my kids are coming. The truth is, they will be impressed with what I've already lost. If I can just get past New Years without regaining anything I will have conquered the holiday season.

New focus? Not really. Same plan, same hopes, but I will accept the reality. I will stick to the meals I've been eating during the day. I will continue to workout. I will walk even when it's cold and snowy...but probably not cold and windy. That wind really bites! I will go to parties and do my best to watch how much I eat and drink. I will try to pick only the diet friendly stuff.

But I will NOT drag myself down when I goof and over indulge. I will hug myself when I do well, and kick myself in the butt when I screw up. I will continue to weigh myself and measure myself. To do anything else would be to give up and that is the biggest NOT in my list. I WILL NOT GIVE UP ON MYSELF.