Toothache Update!

So my dentist had jury duty, that would be my luck right?  I went in at 11:15am yesterday for an Xray of the awful tooth giving me this unbearable pain.  He would see them once he got out of jury duty and they would call.

I am not sure how, but somehow I made it through the day at work, it was not EASY!  I left work at 4:30 and came home and crawled into bed.  I had been taken the antobiotic they gave me and still was in horrible pain.  I was crying, Alan felt bad.  He told me to take more tylenol, which I did.  Then the dentist office called.

He would have me come in at 10:ooam tomorrow (which is today), WHAT tomorrow, I have 16 more hours of hell!  Really?  How on earth was I going to make it for 16 hours more, I had no idea.

It was a long night, I was up on and off most of it!  I watched reruns of "Family Jewels" and tried to get some comfort from the god awful pain in my head.  I finally fell asleep around 3am and woke up just as normal at 4am.  Lovely, WICKED is tonight and I am tired.

I am ready to have this tooth fixed!  I now have great empathy for those who suffer with their teeth.  I have been blessed with great teeth all of my life, so this is so foreign to me.  I must admit I am scared to death of what is going to happen in less than 4 hours.  But I am ready!

Then I have to get ready for WICKED!  I still have no shoes to wear, I need some panty hose.  (God I hate those things) Perhaps after losing another 50 pounds they will not be so bad, but I doubt it!  

More later!

Toothache!!!

I have never had any problems with my teeth!  I have only had them cleaned and my wisdom teeth removed when Nichole was 1 week old!  I also have one slightly chipped tooth that happened on a popcorn kernel about 8 years ago.  That tooth has done fine.  I had my 6 month check up and cleaning right before BOOBS and everything was great!  

Well on Saturday during Cole's party my bottom right second molar began aching.  I thought nothing of it at first, this area has been sensitive to cold and hot since I chipped the tooth in front of it 8 years ago.  It persistently has gotten worse.  I called the dentist yesterday and am going in this morning.

I am in pain, I am such a wimp.  I hate pain, and this is awful, the whole side of my head hurts.  I did not sleep well, and WICKED is tomorrow night!  This blows, I really need this thing fixed today!

I have no idea what to expect, Alan does, we have put three automobiles into his mouth since being married.  LOL, slight exaggeration there but truly, he has had multiple crowns, root canals and even extractions since we married 32 years ago.  He did not have fluoride in the water growing up in England and all of his siblings suffer from really not great teeth.

So I have been out of the gym, and in bed when I get home from work because it hurts so damn bad.  I am mad that I cannot workout, but when I am in pain I just can't.  Seems like a lame excuse to me, but it is all I got.


I guess the only good thing is that I do not want to eat anything, so that will be a good thing I suppose.


I am scared to death of being stuck in my gum with a freaking needle, and I am even more scared of a loud drill.  Pray that I do not cuss out my dentist today please!!

Measurements!

So here it is, Nichole and I measured on Friday night.  We measure the 7th of each month.  I must admit I dread this, I just do.  You all know why, you have been there.  You know how it feels to want to see decreases anywhere you can get them.  Sometimes we do not get what we want.  (smile)

So anyway it was not as horrible as I thought it might be.  



Neck  8/7/2011   16        10/7/2011    15.25      -.75
Bust   8/7/2011   48        10/7/2011       47        -1.00
Bicep 8/7/2011    14.50  10/7/2011           14        -.50
Thigh 8/7/2011    23       10/7/2011       21        -2.00
Waist  8/7/2011    46      10/7/2011    44.75    -1.25
Hips   8/7/2011     57      10/7/2011     53.75   -3.25
Calf    8/7/2011     16       10/7/2011       15       -1.00


TOTAL  Inches lost  =   9.75 inches


My current weight is 241.8 pounds!   My highest known weight was 295 at start of liquids.  My surgery day weight was 278!  I am 5'7" tall. 

I am just glad to see some changes taking place.  I can feel them dramatically in my clothes as I am getting into clothes that I have not seen in nearly two years.

I have a long way to go yet but I am inching ever closer to that 220 that I cannot wait to get to.  That is my next mile marker in my Journey!

Cole's Birthday was so much fun!

Cole's Mario Cake

We had an amazing time at Cole's birthday party!  The cake was a huge hit and everyone loved my made from scratch mushroom cupcakes.  I used ice cream cones that were suppose  to represent the tubes from the Supermario Bros game.  Cole loved it and we did not cut the cake yet!  He gets to enjoy it a little while first.

 Hard to believe five years has gone by since he was born.  He was 6 weeks premature.  

Adam and Cole 1st day of school 2011

Now he is so grown up!  Even with the Autism, he is such an amazing little boy.  Truly the light of our lives.


When he tells me he loves me and hugs and kisses me, it is PRICELESS!


Happy Birthday my little man!  

OMG - Size 16 Jeans for real!

Can I tell you how "stoked" I am about this one!  I have wanted to get back into these jeans since I gained all the weight back.  I have been waiting.  I even had them hanging up in my closet where I could see them each and every day.  An incentive you know!  Hey this works well for me!

Well, we have jean day the first Friday of every month at work!  So I thought you know, I am just going to see.  I tried them on before Chicago and I could get them on but felt like a sardine in a can in them.

This morning I put them on, and they pulled right on and low and behold they zipped right up.  I can breath just fine.  I also put on one of my "old" favorite tops I used to wear.  It is a "junior" large.  It fit and I am comfortable in it!

Finally, feeling like my old self once again.  Tonight is "take our measurements night"!  Nichole and I are measuring on the 7th of every month.  Last month was not much change from the month before.  We shall see about tonight!

Tomorrow is Cole's birthday party at 3pm.  I am so excited to see his cake.  My lady called me and told me it is going to be amazing!  I promise to post lots of pictures.  Super Mario it is!

I have a very busy week ahead, with Wicked on Wednesday night, and homework and work.  I am loving life, who would of guessed right?

The Trainer From HELL!!!

Ok so last night at 7:00pm was Nichole and my first appointment with a trainer at our gym.  Now mind you, I have dealt with these types before, you know.  The young, hot, and muscular males, who look fantastic in workout shorts.  Well let me tell you something.  This boy was a pain in the ass.


I have told you I hate working out on machines, any kind of machine.  It is boring, it is not rewarding to me in the least little bit.  I would rather be dipped into a vat of hot butter.  Or have my eyes poked out.  So the first thing he does is have us get our own personal mats and I am thinking wait a minute, I thought this was suppose to be on the machines.  There was a gentleman and his wife who also were there with us.  They were in their 60's.  So he looks at me and says "give me 20 push ups" of course I just laughed at him.  Right, like I can do push ups.  But you see, Travis ( this was his name) - was not kidding.  He said it again, "give me 20 push ups".  I proceeded to explain to him, about my knees and putting weight on them while kneeling, and he said hold on and went and got me a thick piece of foam, and said "we will put a Kabosh on the excuses right now" and I was like good lord.  So I began doing push ups on my knees, and I after the third one, I wanted to drop kick him across the gym.  But I didn't.  I just kept plugging away, and finally I finished the 20th one.  He said now see, You CAN do push ups, so do not ever tell me again you can't!

From here we went to the push up machine.  This is the machine that simulates the same muscle movements and resistance as doing them the good ole conventional way.  He had me sit on the bench and then proceeded to tell Nichole and the couple to do "jumping jacks" until I finished.  Now mind you, I knew these people wanted to kill me, because I was sorta slow at doing these.  Travis kept telling me that my form was perfect and that I was doing very well!  All the while my body wanted to grab him around the neck and strangle him.

From here we went back to the mats and he had us grab free weights and do bicep curls.  I had to use 10 pound weights and I just gave him my rolling eyes and he smiled and said you can do this.  Sure HE can do them easy, but I am fat, out of shape, and well I just plain have no upper body strength.  I was able to do them though, and it was not as bad as I had originally thought.  Then he had us work on the bands.  These are elastic bands, that you use in place of the free weights.  These are hard and even with all of my swimming that I have been doing, I feel like a weakling.

From here we moved to the leg press machine, and he of course chose me to go first.  He had me do 100 pounds, slave driver that he is.  Then he looked at the other three and said you will do squats while she is working the machine.  When she stops you will hold your squat til she exits the machine.  I saw the glare in the others eyes.  They were like Kristin you better not be as "fricking" slow as you were before kind of look.  So I began, and I thought my thighs would catch on fire from the intense burn.  I told him how hot they were, and he said GREAT that is what I want.  Damn him, who does he think he is Bob from Biggest Loser?

 When I was finished, I had to do the squats and he kept telling me to push my butt out farther.  I was like you know, my butt is huge and I really do not have to push it out very far for it to be OUT ya know!  Then skinny minnie, the lady, looks at me and says I am 60 years old if I can do this so can you, and I proceeded to remind her that I am 100+ pounds heavier than her.  So when I do these squats it is far more difficult than her......right?

 All in all, it was not that bad really.  I was winded and exhausted at the end but, I did feel like I had gotten a work out.  So next Monday is my second session.  This time we are going to work the core.  Travis said be ready you will be doing some sit ups!!!!!  I wonder if he means lying on the couch and sitting up?  Ya think?  I doubt it too.  Oh well, at least he gave me permission to "give him the bird!"

Will keep you posted on Travis!

Wicked is next on the agenda!

Ok, in one week Nichole and I will put on our really fancy dresses and head out to the Theater to see a musical.  WICKED is coming!  I am so pumped for this show.  I love the story and I love musicals.  I certainly have a lot going on this month.  But this is the next big outing on my agenda.

I wanted this to be special for Nichole.  She and I went to Phantom together and made it a night on the town.  Just as if we were actually on Broadway.  So next Wednesday night at 7:30pm I will be finally seeing this show, that I have longed to see.


I promise to let you know my review, not that I can promise to not be biased.  

It is ok to ask for help!

There’s nothing noble about suffering in silence. People often treat their own weight loss as a socially-foul affliction, to be hidden away with more secrecy than Donald Trump’s ATM number. 

But if you’re serious about getting some serious results this time – and keeping those results – it’s time to come out of quarantine and let someone in on the secret.

You might feel you have good reason to be reluctant to invite someone to help with your weight loss. Perhaps you feel too shy, embarrassed, or insecure. You might feel like you’re imposing. But most people would be more than willing to help, and there is no shame in asking. After all, you’re taking charge of your life, striving toward an important goal, and working hard to improve yourself. Rather than feeling sorry for yourself, you’re doing something about it. You have a lot to be proud of. If anything, you’d be doing them a favor by asking them to jump on the healthy living bandwagon! 

Involving others can drive you to your destination in record time, and it can make the ride as fun as a college road trip. You could have someone by your side, facing challenges with you. When one succeeds, you both succeed; when one stumbles, you both look for ways to bounce back. You strive, survive and celebrate together. Is there a more rewarding way to lose weight?

Plus, involving others is just darned effective. A University of Pittsburgh study showed that dieters who had just one other person check in on their progress lost twice as much weight as those who didn’t have help. As the researchers said, “social support adds accountability.”

Weight loss is already tough enough – why make it tougher on yourself? Why not take advantage of every opportunity to boost your odds of hitting your goal? Involving others may be the best chance you’ll get to do exactly that.

Help can come from many places in many forms: 

Spouse (?!!)
That’s right, the most effective weight loss partner might be sitting right next to you on the couch. Most people cringe at the idea of dieting along with a spouse. But the fact is that couples going through a fitness program together are 5 times more likely to stick with it than if they tried it alone, according to an Indiana University study. A lot of self-esteem and vulnerability are in play, but weight loss can be a positive experience and bring couples closer together. For many, it’s a caring way to accomplish something as a couple. 

 

Fitness Buddy
Fitness buddies are two or more people who commit to helping each other reach consistent goals with friendly encouragement and regular contact. The right fitness buddy can keep you upbeat when you’re feeling down, keep you motivated when you’re tempted to slack, and keep you focused on the prize. 

 

Groups & Teams
Help can be found beyond your collection of closest friends. Finding or joining an active and supportive group or team can do wonders for your consistency and confidence. Walking clubs, exercise classes, and community centers are full of people who know that social fitness is just as rewarding as it is fun. 

The best help is right here in blogland in my humble opinion.  There are so many successful women who are making the changes and making them stick!  Find someone you connect with, pick their brains, ask them questions, I know they will support you anyway they can.  I just spent three days with these women and trust me they are willing to pass on the tips they have learned.  They want to see others be just as successful as they are.

We all need help now and again!  Don't wait -  ask for it now......before the weight comes back on or the stress causes you to eat the whole damn bag of chips or cookies!

Nichole is my workout buddy and without her I would not be doing nearly as well working out everyday!  She pushes me when I would rather stay home after my 14 hour day at work!  She tells me to do five more laps in the pool when I want to crawl out and sit in the hot tub!  She tells me how great I am doing, but that I need to do better!  She is my rock.  Having someone to confide in, ask questions of, and just plain be with is a key to reaching your ultimate weight loss goals.

They will not usually magically appear in your lap however, you have to search them out! 

My BOOB Sisters!

This was our dinner on Saturday night!  What an amazing group of women!

Back from BOOBS and Missing Everyone!

I got home last night at 6pm and I have to tell everyone, I had the most amazing time.  If you did not go to BOOBS this year, begin to make your plans to be able to do it next year.  You will not be disappointed.  This was my first year attending and I am so glad I went.  To finally, meet the women who inspire me each and every day to keep going and never ever give up was the most incredible experience for me.

I know some of you will probably wonder what it was like to meet people and spend time with them, when you really do not know them.  Let me tell you the nerves that I felt in the beginning, vanished that first night by the pool, when those of us who arrived first had an informal meet and greet.  These women do not judge, they do not make assumptions, they are down to earth, they are right there with you.  Even those in maintenance and who look stunning, were down to earth and full of charm and grace!  They were quick to answer questions, give tips, and help any way they could with whatever you needed.  Believe you me I bended a few of their ears.

I want to say this about these women I came to know:

• Thank you to the planners who made this weekend possible.  Stephanie ( she is even more wonderful in person), Drazil ( not at all what I had pictured her to be but what a surprise!  She is funny, sweet and lots of fun there is nussing she would not do for ya, Deb ( so down to earth felt like I knew her all my life), Linda (she is really great! She made me feel welcome immediately), Joey (WOW is she beautiful and funny and just plain terrific),  Jen (Besides being talented, have ya seen her blogs, sheesh she is sweet and beautiful to boot)and Kerri without them none of this would be possible.  These women go above and beyond for each and everyone of us.  They make you feel so welcome right from the get go. They work so freaking hard for each of us.  I was amazed at all they had done to assure a good time was had by all.  The hotel was fantastic, the food was perfect, and the fun well, it was incredible!
• Thank you to Catherine for coming!!  Finally getting to meet the woman who is directly responsible for me blogging and getting my head back into my band, was totally amazing.  She is everything that I thought she would be and more.  She is beautiful (like we already knew), she is kind and gentle and she oozes commitment and motivation by just being with her. I wish I lived closer to her I would seek her out regularly for a dose of Catherine is like nothing else!
• To Maria and Grace I love you both, you were wonderful to accept me into your room at nearly the last minute.  Thank you for a great weekend, it worked out so well.  You both are wonderful human beings, and incredible at working your bands as well.  You made me smile so much and made me feel so welcome. Two beautiful women who I am so thankful I have come to know and call friends!!!
• Karin what can I say, I so wanted to meet this woman as well.  I actually did and I got to spend time with her.  My only regret is that we live so far apart, I love her.  She is wonderful and fun and all rolled into a beautiful package.  I have to say a real "firecracker"!  I can see why she motivates as well as she does.  I love you lady!!
• Lynda is also just as amazing and she is so beautiful!  She is everything that her blog portrays.  If you are not following her get your butt over there and introduce yourself.  You will not regret it.
• Jacquie what can I say about her other than, I am so glad I got to spend time with her as well.  She is a woman who is beautiful and I love her accent so sexy!  Wish we were closer as well.
• Carmen WOW!  Beautiful, fun, great sense of humor and she is rocking her band too.  She looks fabulous and she is so down to earth.  I am so going to miss her!
• Barbara is amazing she has earned every single pound that she lost.  She looks so wonderful and she made us all laugh, and feel so at ease.  We had amazing nights with her, you party animal darlin.  
• Tessie Rose I love you!  She is fabulous and beautiful and I have to tell you sweetie, I will never ever forget the story about your BOOBS!!!!  This southern lady has charm, a great sense of humor and just plain fun is her middle name.
• Jen is amazing as well, and funny!  She has so much energy and thank you goes out to you darlin for putting together the Sisterhood Clothing exchange.  That was a wonderful thing to experience as well.  
• Angie is everything her blog expresses.  She is confidant and beautiful, and her smile just engulfs you!  Whenever I was in the room with her, that smile just made you want to hug her! She too was nervous about meeting everyone but she made US all feel so welcome and wonderful.  I just loved her.
• Brandi thank you for giving me a terrific Drag Show experience.  I will never forget your electric boobs!  HaHaHa.  She is fun ladies, if you have not gotten to know her you need to!
• Justine is my new best friend!  I just love her.  Thanks sweets for bringing me my  "Flake"  Alan and Nichole thank you!  She is the kindest and most lovely of ladies and she looks freaking amazing!  
• Dawnya I love you girlfriend.  You are better in person I just wanted to hug you all day long.  She gives the best hugs.  You made our evenings fun and a blast!
• Ronnie you sweet thing, so quiet and reserved in person who would have known.  I think you were in hiding truly.  I was so happy to meet you.  You are truly a beauty and everything I had hoped you would be.
• Angela another reason I am here, and went to BOOBS!  ladies she is amazing as well, she looks even better in person.  She is so down to earth and fun.  I thought she would be hard to approach perhaps, but no not at all.  She is everything her blog portrays her as.  She is the real deal!
• Fluffy OMG!  OMG!  All I can say is she is more beautiful than you can even imagine and she has made that commitment to her band, and it is evident when you meet her.  She is also easy to get to know, and wonderful and I love her!
• Jessica you made my weekend.  Getting to know you was a highlight of the weekend.  You have made the journey and you have done it in style!  She is beautiful and together and fashionable and she wears her band well.  I love you and am so happy I got to talk to you and spend time with you.
• Krystal was so much fun meeting in person.  She is a terrific person and I am so glad we got to know each other better.  If you have not found her blog yet, please step on over to this Gummie Worms hideout and get to know her, you will not be sorry!
• Stephanie is marvelous and I so loved getting to know you better.  I am glad we got time for dessert that was so much fun!
• Darlin1 also made my weekend special.  She is a great lady who is working so hard on her journey and is so committed!  It was wonderful to meet her and get to know her better!
• Amanda is a real sweetheart!  I loved meeting her as well, she is so much fun I wish we lived closer.  She also knew and understood my nerves in meeting Catherine.  It was great to not be alone in my crazy groupie emotional mentality in that moment. 
• READ  she is great!  I loved her red hair and her smile is infectious!  She made me laugh during the drag show, she is loads of fun and so fresh and real! A true pleasure in meeting her.

I had a great time and am glad that I went.  I so miss you all already, and I cannot wait til next year!  A vacation with these women is truly worth every dime spent!

On the weight loss front, I did not gain an ounce, I lost 1.6 pounds and this is amazing since I drank more than I have put together in the last year!  LOL.


I am anxious to get back to it and work my "bloomin arse!"

I Have Arrived.......Let the partying commence!

I woke at 3:45am as usual.  See I am an early bird cause I work at 5am.  Any hoo, I drove the 45 minutes to the train and boarded the 20 minutes late train for Chicago, figures it would not be on time.  The train ride was only 2 1/2 hours and it was fabulous so relaxing.  I even read some of Wicked.  I need to get that done before the 12th!  Oh well, I caught a cab from Union Station and my driver was fabulous.  A Muslim woman who was friendly, and a good driver to boot!  She delivered me safely to the hotel and I am happy to report that I am in my room.  It is not raining here, it is overcast and actually kind of nice.  It did rain earlier though.

Boobs 2.o has begun.  I am anxious for everyone to start arriving.  I am going to go hunt down some lunch, and do some shopping I think.  I then may even attempt to swim a few laps before the meet and greet at 4pm.

I am looking forward to a fabulous few days with these amazing women.

To those who could not be here, we will miss you and I am sure you will get plenty of updates!  LOL

 

I am in a fitness challenge Yeap Sure Am!!!!!

Healthy Loser Gal  has created a wonderful challenge!  Head over and check it out.  I have signed up because I believe that this will keep me honest for the next three months, and help me to reach my goal I have for myself by Christmas!

So here are my goals for this challenge:

1.  Swim a minimum of 5 days a week: Increase my time to 60 minutes.

2.  Drink at least 65 ounces of water every day.

3.  I will do strength training at least twice a week.  (I hate machines).  This will be a challenge.

I am thrilled to have this to focus on.  I have averaged 2.75 pounds a week loss since my fill on July 5th.  I hope to continue this movement with being accountable in this challenge.  Chicago will not be an issue for me, as I have excellent restriction and overeating isn't an issue.  Healthy choices are getting easier and easier for me every day.

Head on over and check on the challenge, the prizes are really very nice!

10 ways to find time to exercise

What is the number one excuse or reason you have for not working out?  Lack of time!  Sure we are all busy, with handling multiple priorities and rushing around from here to yonder each and every day.  However, I promise that no matter how busy you are, someone even busier than you are is working out right now.  If you look closer, you will discover that you do have the time to work out - and that you deserve to USE THAT TIME FOR YOURSELF!

Squeezing in just a few minutes of physical exercise a day has huge benefits on your health, gives you energy and perks up your mood. In fact, a new study published by The Lancet found that if inactive people increased their physical activity by just 15 minutes per day, they could reduce their risk of death by 14% and increase their life expectancy by three years.  Also please remember that working out does not have to be in a gym or last an hour.   10 minutes bursts of exercise over the course of the day can add up to big fitness and health gains too.

So you still are not convinced that you have the time to exercise?  Here are some pointers on how to fit in exercise into your busy, hectic life.

• Wake up earlier - sleep is definitely important to overall health and weight loss, but could you hit the sheets just 30 minutes earlier, so that you could get up and exercise just 30 minutes before you begin your day?  Working out in the morning has definite benefits including regulating your appetite, boosting energy and probably the most beneficial thing is that your exercise is check off for that day 1st thing!  Because really, how often have you had the best intentions to make that workout in the evening, but been held up at the office, or something come up with the kids, or find yourself too exhausted after the stress of the day!  By working out 1st thing in the morning your time problem is solved.

• Cut down on media - For just a few days log how much time you spend watching TV, on the Internet, checking email, playing video games.  You might be surprised at how much time is eaten up by these activities these days.  You might be surprised how much time is spent on Angry Birds or Facebook.  Just a few minutes here or there can add up to a whole hour or more each day.  Cut out just some of that screen time an Viola you have workout time for 10 - 15 minutes even on the busiest of days.

•  Be an Active TV watcher - don't just sit on the sofa,  do some jumping jacks at the commercials, sit on stability ball and do some crunches or just dance, move try not to sit for more than 20 minutes at a time. 

• Try an active commute - if you can bike to work, or walk to the store, take the bus - walk to the bus stop,  if you do take the bus, get off a stop or two before you need to and walk the rest of the way.  If you drive to work park as far away as you can and walk.

•  Make it part of your routine - one reason it is so hard to fit into our busy schedules is because we are not used to doing it.  Heck, it takes time to brush your teeth in the morning but you do it don't you?  You brush your teeth because it is important to your overall health and it has become second nature.  Try this with exercise, make it routine, whether it is walking your dog, yoga, running, walking or Zumba and my favorite swimming.  Make it a tradition, like hitting the Starbucks each morning, or showering.  When you incorporate it into your daily routine like hygiene you take the process away from willpower and make it habit.   

• Mix socializing with working out - plan events with family and friends that get you moving.  Go for a hike, play a game of tag football, make a date on the treadmill.

• Turn chores into exercise. While cleaning might not be the most fun activity, it's something we all have to do, and it can definitely be a workout if you want it to be. Set a kitchen timer for 20 minutes and see how much of the house you can clean. Try to be as efficient and quick-paced as possible, and I guarantee you'll work up a sweat. If you're doing lighter housework that is harder to get your heart rate up (like laundry or organizing), throw in some lunges or push-ups every few minutes to start feeling the burn!

• Schedule an appointment. If you had scheduled a doctor's appointment, you wouldn't miss it would you? How about that important business meeting? Of course not. Working out is actually as important as going to the doctor or any other obligation that you prioritize, because it helps you perform better as a worker, parent, student or volunteer, and keeps you in tip-top shape. So whether it's scheduling in an hour to go to that group exercise class, investing in personal training sessions or even making a date with yourself to do that workout DVD over your lunch break, write it in pen in your calendar and treat it like any other appointment you can't miss!

• Find an activity you love. Think of your favorite hobby or pastime. Do you have trouble finding time to do it? Most likely, you make time for it because you enjoy it so much. It's the things we don't enjoy that we put off and don't feel bad about missing. That's why it's best to choose a physical activity that you actually enjoy and look forward to. Not only are you more likely to do it, but it also adds more fun into your life. And we all could use some more fun in our busy lives, right?

• Say no. If you've gone through this entire list of tips and don't think a single one will work in your life, then it's time to look at your priorities and responsibilities. Do you really have to bake cookies for that fundraiser? Babysit for your sister? Take on that extra project at work? Attend that wedding shower of your second cousin? Remember that there's nothing wrong in saying no.Yes we all have obligation to others, but do not forget about your OBLIGATION to YOURSELF to take care of your body and your health.

Remember, exercise gives you energy and keeps you healthy to keep going in that busy life of yours! So don't think of exercise as another to-do to squeeze in on your already busy schedule. Instead, think of it as maintenance for your health and a way to de-stress and do something for you!

Weather in the Windy City

Update Ladies:

The weather for Thursday is chance of showers, High of 71 and a low of 52.


Friday the High is 58 and partly cloudy and the Low is 43.  (Might be a bit nipply at night)

Saturday the High is 57 and Sunny and the Low is 43.  

Sunday the High is 62 and Sunny and the Low is 49.

I just wanted everyone to be mindful that when the weather in the city is in the 50's it is really chilly because of the wind coming off of the Lake.

So make sure you bring some warm clothes and rain gear!

Monday Mayhem

So it is Monday.  I realize this, I do, but for crying out loud people I have a birthday party to organize and a dinner to make, packing for Chicago and a Midterm to take before I hop on that little o'le train to Chicago on Thursday.  I am at work and we are swamped today.  I have no patience.  I am much better at balancing my life than I was lets say a year ago.  I am really working on not letting stress get to me.

After the battle this past year with my stomach ulcers, I had five of them diagnosed the end of June! They were confirmed healed the end of August.  I vow to never let "shit" work on me like that again.  LOL  with that being said, I have to get my butt in gear! 

I worked out over the weekend, and feel great about that.  I refuse to let anything get in my way of swimming right now.  In fact I will be swimming in Chicago.  I feel guilty if for any reason I cannot workout each and every day.  I am trying to take one day off a week, and I still feel bad when I do.

 Come Thursday morning I will be boarding my train, and leaving this mayhem behind me.  That part feels nice.

I got Nichole's birthday party plans all done, I just have to pick up her big present that has been on layaway.  Then I have to wrap everything and cook dinner for her on Wednesday.  I have a few people coming by it should be a nice evening with the boys for her.  Adam would be furious if we missed her birthday, as he should be.Cole will enjoy the candles, the other part not so much!

She want's cupcakes for her birthday cake so I will be making these on Wed afternoon.  I have taken the afternoon off!  I have a Dr appointment in the morning to have a skin tag removed, so all in all a real busy couple of days.


On the weight loss front, all is going well.  I am past 50 pounds down now and am well on my way.  I keep reminding myself each day that each pound matters, and to not discount them.  I am so thankful each and every day for the friends I have made here and all of your support.  Without you, this journey would not be as fun!

Finally FIFTY!

Looks like I made it, today I am down officially 50 pounds since my banding!  Hard to believe that I let myself put all of these pounds back on.  So hard to take back off!  I will advise anyone who reads my blog to NOT do what I did.

I am thrilled that I did it before Chicago, although I was hoping to be at 223, I knew this was unrealistic!  That is the weight that I got down to before I began my accent back up the scale.

I will never never ever see those numbers again, I now live by the BAND commandments!

Sliders, and things that easily pass through my band must be limited or completely banished from my daily life.


I feel great today!

Thank God For Fridays!

I cannot believe Friday has arrived.  It has been a bear of a week at work.  I am growing tired of my 12 hour days.  I will stop working the 4 10's at the end of October, and I will be glad I think.  It has been nice having Tuesday's off through the summer, but in all reality when I have mandatory OT that is required of me, that is hard to get into in just 4 days time.

I should not whine I at least have a very stable job.  School is going well, I have to get all of my homework and Midterms done before I leave for Chicago!  This is going to take some maneuvering on my part.  I emailed my professors and they have agreed to allow me to work ahead so I will be busting my butt these next few days.

The best of Chicago?  You dare ask?  well of course it will be:

Can you tell that I am freaking excited about this trip?


I mean really what is not to be excited about, I get to meet some of the most successful, amazing, talented, funny women I have come across in my nearly 50 years!


We have so much in common, and come from so many diverse backgrounds.  It will certainly be a few days of memories and education.

 I have to pack and I am going to pack light I believe, so I can have room for packages and some stuff for the Sisterhood!

You do not have to worry about me doing this with y'all I hate heights.  So you can all tell me about it!

So my weekend will be spent studying, working out, packing and perhaps finishing "WICKED" since I am going to see it with Nichole on the 12th of October!

I have a busy next month  ahead but I am so looking forward to it all, as well as my downward trek toward "Onderland"!