Joan the Weight Pilot

It has been forever since I have been here.

2011-05-29T10:12:00.000-04:00

What a few months I have had. Had to have a hip redone that I first had replace back in 2008. That surgery was April 25, 2011. I can only say a redo is much worse than the original surgery, and here is it Memorial Day weekend, and I am still on the walker, and won't be off of it until I go back to see the surgeon the middle of June.

My weight loss journey has been going really well, and I had gotten myself off sugar and had been on plan, with planning, measuring, weighing and portion control for almost 2 full months. But, then it happened, I fell off the wagon and even though it was just one day, I feel hard. Good news is I have regrouped and yesterday was an excellent eating day.

Right now exercise is 30 minutes on the stationery bike, doctor said, do it. It does take me two tries to get my 30 minutes, I am doing 15 minutes twice per day. AT least I am doing something.

We have gotten a new leader at our Saturday morning group. I have not met her yet, but plan on giving her a chance to show me what kind of leader she will become. I have already gotten emails from others...and the woman has only been the leader for two weeks....they are ready to jump ship and look for a new meeting.

I think our old leader was ready for a change, and WW's and the cooperate office made it happen. Whether it was her choice or not.

That is pretty much the update. Hot weather has finally made it to Kentucky.

02-21-2011.....Monday

2011-02-21T04:43:00.001-05:00

So many time I hear people tell me what they can't do, but very seldom do they tell me what they can do. So I have to wonder.....can they do anything?

02-20-2011....Sunday

2011-02-20T04:49:00.003-05:00

I have often wondered how some people think that being rude is the way to do things. A person that I know, and I have to admit I do not know what her private life is like, nor do I need to know. However, she does deal with the public, and with the public that I have seen her deal with she is very cold and comes off as a smart ass many times. This is someone offering a service, but I have to wonder, ''when did customer service'' go by the wayside. When did treating people as you would like to be treated get lost in everyday life.

Things to ponder and things to think about.

02-19-2011.....Saturday

2011-02-19T13:45:00.000-05:00

Today someone at our meeting came up to me and thanked me for caring enough to email and ask them where they were last week. It seems this person was ready to throw in the towel and give up on herself, but all she needed was someone to notice that she was missing and to tell her she was missed.

You were missed. How powerful those three little words can be.

02-18-2010....Friday

2011-02-18T04:47:00.003-05:00

I have no doubt at all, that I am the world's worst blogger. This is why I have fallen so behind in updating and such. So this morning I thought I'd come by and try my best to remedy this. So here goes.

Several months ago I seemed to have gotten on the Struggle Bus and taken it over where my weight loss journey is concerned. Last year at this time I was recovering from a hip replacement, my second one in two years. Things were moving alone, then in May I began to have pain in my left hip, the one I had done in 2008. So went back to the doctor, had a bone scan done, an MRI, nothing showed up. So I began to think, ''this is just all in my head." So I continued to go to the gym five days a week, but still I was not able to hold out on the elliptical as I have been able to do before. So I ended up slacking off on my exercise. Even just walking was not an option due to I have this place on the top of my foot that burns and stings, and other than Arthritis I have no idea what that problem is from. So long story short, I have been struggling, but who doesn't struggle at some point and time. For me, this had helped to replace 16 pounds back on me that I so don't need. Pushing me over my goal weight by six pounds. So fast forward to right now. I have found out the hip does have a problem, its coming lose from the socket. Have no idea why this is, but it has also formed cyst there as well. So surgery is in my future yet again. Now I need, and want the problem fixed, I just did not know it was going to be such a drastic thing....surgery...again. So many questions I have for my Orthopedic doctor, one of the main ones is....I have two other replaced joints, is this going to happen to those as well???

But even with the weight gain, and frustration of all of this, I have not given up. I am back on track and in the past two weeks have lost 11 pounds, all without stepping foot in the gym, I do my daily stuff, which at times can be overwhelming, but being a full time caregiver, you do not get time off just because your in pain. Which at times is good that way I am not thinking of the pain, I'm just doing what has to be done.

So all in all, life is a challenge, but come on, whose life is not a challenge? We all have something or many somethings in our lives that cause us challenges, the main thing is to never give up. We have to just forge forward.

02-01-2011...Tuesday

2011-02-01T03:25:00.001-05:00

Over the years I have found trying to be perfect at just about anything is a waste of time. However doing something well 80% of the time and leaving 20% for screw ups, may work better.

No matter how old we get, we still need to be open for new ways on doing things. Whether it is on our weight loss journey, our relationships or life just in general.

01-31-2011.....Monday

2011-01-31T03:48:00.001-05:00

Insanity is doing the same thing the same way, but expecting a different result.

Recently I read that quote, and realized how true it really is. A friend of mine that I go to Weight Watchers with, helped me to see, that with this new WW program it is like the old one. Does not matter if I do stay within my points plus plan if I am still eating the franken foods I am still going to be struggling with the Yo Yo way of life.

Its not rocket Science as we say so often, it is all about making better choices. Do our bodies really need that entire box of Russell Stovers? I really don't think so, but a piece or two now and then won't hurt, but the secret to this is ''now and then" not every single day and maybe half a box instead of two pieces.

Yes, this is not hard, but we try to make it difficult.

1=30-2011......Sunday

2011-01-30T03:58:00.002-05:00

We are just about done with the month of January. January always seems like such a long month to me and I think it has to do with we are done with the festivities, the Christmas decorations are put away and life begins to get back to what it was. A bit boring. Good news is this will just put us closer to Spring time arriving.

I did much better last week with my food choices. Exercise is still not there, and I go in this Tuesday for my CAT Scan and Ultrasound on my hip. I am glad that no problems have been found, but I am not happy that I still have no clue why I am having all this pain. Just does not make sense.

Of course this is a small problem compared to the things other people have to deal with. My goal for this week is to stay focused and stay on track and not to dip into the 49 bonus points anymore. I made quite the dent in them yesterday.

If anyone comes by welcome, and hope your day will be a good one.

01-23-2011....Monday

2011-01-24T03:56:00.002-05:00

Every time I tell myself I am going to be better at my blogging, I seem to fall even further behind. This has been a very busy few weeks, and I have been dealing with hip pain, so that has kept me from the gym, as well as the cold and snow. But, after our Weight Watchers meeting on Saturday, I knew that everything I was saying was nothing but an excuse. Sure I can't make it to the gym, but I really think the thing that has made me gain the weight is the boxes of candy I have consumed. This is what a compulsive person does when they have no clue what to do...they eat themselves into a stupor.

Good news is, my eating is now on track. I'm tracking every morsel that enters my mouth. I've had to pay at our meeting for the past 3 weeks, and since we only have one more weigh in for this month, and that is this Saturday, I really want to be back at goal. If I work hard and watch every thing, get my water drinking in, I should do alright.

Its not the end of the world, but a new beginning.

01-12-2011....Wednesday

2011-01-12T03:36:00.001-05:00

I was reading an article the other day about how sometimes we get more support from total strangers than we do from those that are actually closer to us. We all have people that are not blood relatives that are as close or at times even closer than some of our family members.

There are times in our lives that when we make changes, we will share it with a friend way before we mention it to a family member, this happens especially when it comes to losing weight. So many times we have tried and failed at any number of weight loss plans and our family can have the look of, ''here she/he goes again," on their faces. But, if we share our hopes and dreams with our friends, they at times can be much supportive.

I have to admit Bob is very supportive of my goals, and he is the first one to tell me when I am driving the Struggle Bus, ''you will get past this." Then I have my Weight Watcher family, when I am struggling you all have always been there to help push me in the right direction. This I call a blessing.

So if your family is full of encouragement, and are not telling you, ''you just need a cheeseburger," then thank them, just as I am thanking all of you today. If your family Is not, then take some time today and let them know how much you need them to be there for you through this journey. Sometimes just by sharing what we need, we may well find the support will soon follow.

The thing we do have to remember is our friends and family are not mind readers, so we have a part to play in making our wishes known.

01-10-2011....Monday

2011-01-10T04:03:00.000-05:00

Have you looked in the mirror lately? Are you noticing any changes. Have you changed physically? Are you standing a little taller or maybe carry yourself a bit differently?

Maybe you have gotten used to wearing lose, baggy clothes or standing behind others in photographs, or even avoiding the camera at all cost. Is this you? Or was this you?

I have to admit, even at my heaviest I never was camera shy. I know, no one is surprised there. But too look back at those earlier pictures and now to look at the present day pictures, for me it is a real transformation. So I say NO MORE HIDING!!! No more being a wallflower, its time to come out of hibernation and show off all your hard work. What better time to shine than during the cold, gray Winter months.

Shine as if it were the first day of Spring.

New Year's Eve 2010

2010-12-31T03:38:00.001-05:00

Happy New Years Eve. How time seems to be flying by so quickly. I always love for the new year to begin, not that the old year was a bad one, but I just love looking forward.

Yesterday I took in a WW meeting at another place and had made my mind up I was getting on that scale. I did not have to since I am a lifetime member and had already weighed in once for the month of December. But, I also knew my eating had been off the charts as of late. So I got on the scale and had to pay my 12 dollars. I have to admit that is a very humbling thing to have to do. Sure I over the past year and a half had gotten cocky about doing the program. I knew it all, I had gotten away from tracking. My workout have not been as extreme as earlier this year, and part of that is due to the pain I have in my hip. However, I can still get in some type of activity.

So I am looking forward to the coming New Year, there will be new surprised, new disappointments and oh yeah, new challenges, but I will face them head on, and continue to work on my better health.

Wishing all a very safe, Happy, Healthy New Year.

December 28, 2010....Tuesday

2010-12-28T05:21:00.001-05:00

I keep putting it off and putting it off, but going to have to get myself into see the Orthopedic doctor. My hip I had done in 2008 has been giving me pain for several months. To the point that I cannot do my workouts at the gym. Thus, making my weigh go up. Now to be quite honest, my weight in not going up just because my workouts have backed off, there is that overeating that has also come into play.

Good news is I did 1 hour and 20 minutes (not at one time) on my Gazelle yesterday, and have two full days of better eating under my belt. Baby steps, sometimes that is what we have to do.

Day after Christmas 2010

2010-12-26T05:14:00.002-05:00

WOW!!!!! Another Christmas has come and gone, and I did what I have done on most Christmases and that was I ate way too much from October up to December 25. I had been hanging onto my goal weight by the very tips of my fingers, but alas, when we over indulge we end up having to pay the price. So when I weigh in for January 2011, I feel pretty darn sure I will be having to pay up. But you know I am okay with that due to my first thought was.....don't go back to a meeting until I have lost back to where I need to be....well anyone that reads this and has ever struggled with their weight, we all know that is the first nail in the coffin so to speak. So instead of repeating what I have done in years past. I will pull up those big girl panties, go with my 12 dollars in hand and face not only the scale but the look that I have heard about that our leader gives.

Christmas 2010

2010-12-25T03:42:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas.
So hard to believe it is Christmas Day already. For anyone that drops by I do wish you all a very Merry Christmas and prayers that this coming New Year will be filled with many blessings. I hope the goals you set for yourself in 2010, if they did not materialize then I hope 2011 will be the year you finally reach whatever goal you may have set for yourself.

Just always remember love and forgiveness is the two greatest gift we can give or receiver.

Merry Christmas.

12-13-2010.....Cold, Snowy Monday

2010-12-13T03:50:00.000-05:00

Have any of you ever noticed that when you began to make a more healthy lifestyle change it seemed to become threatening to those around us? Especially this time of year we are all hearing...on just this one time won't hurt. And, as a rule, we do give in due to we do not want to hurt anyone's feelings. We even tolerate rude comments, which by the people voicing the comment may not deem the rude at all, but here is one of my favorite one...she can't eat that, she's still on that diet kick.

We continue to spread ourselves too thin, agreeing to do things that we really and truly just do not want to do. Why are we afraid to say, ''no, just cannot fit that into my schedule today or tomorrow." Are we afraid people won't like us? We tend to always have that feeling of being overextended and running on empty. And we begin to take things as a personal attack. We all have at least one or two manipulators in our lives, could be an aging parent, could be a sibling, hey it could very well be our spouse, but we won't go there today.

And God forbid if we ever put our needs first. The few occasions we have done that, I would bet money the guilt came rolling in, so we could not enjoy the time.

If any of the things I have mentioned ring a bell, or the ole light bulb comes one, then you know what we have to do? Draw a line in the sand. We have to not only understand our own limits, but we have to let others know that , enough is enough.

A boundary is a limit we set. We have to do this to protect our relationships, our time, our health everything about ourselves. They are not brick walls to isolate us or alienate other, but messages that keep the unwelcome behaviors of other from invading our space.

So during this stressful time, maybe it is time to think about setting some boundaries just to act as a filter, permitting what's acceptable into our lives and keeping what's not out. Just remember, the first step to setting boundaries, is we must accept the idea that our wants and needs are not only important enough to define and defend, but are essential to our happiness.

We all need some boundaries, and its not something that can happen overnight, but I do believe it is something worth working on.

December 12, 2010.....Sunday

2010-12-12T05:39:00.000-05:00

Our Christmas party/open house was a great success...or at least in my eyes it was. Bob was able to see lots of his family and lots of my friends from WW showed up, even if it was just for a short while. I will admit I did eat lots of stuff that was not the best choices yesterday, but that is okay too. Everyone seemed to have a great time, its over and now back to doing what I am suppose to and that is taking care of myself.

December 9, 2010.....Thursday

2010-12-09T04:01:00.000-05:00

"Give yourself Praise."

Why is it we find it so hard to give ourselves a little praise. We have no problem giving others a high five and a pat on the back when they have had a good week, but when it comes to ourselves, we seem to be much more reserved.

Were we trained to be modest? I know our Mom always told us not to brag on ourselves, but with this weight loss journey, I think Mom may have been wrong. We need to give ourselves that praise for our achievements.

Oh the new WW program if you are now eating fruit instead of all those 100 calorie packs, then you need a pat on the back. If you are giving this new program a real ''college try'' then pat yourself on the back. Self-praise is important, more important than praise from others. Others are not always dependable. But we can always count on ourselves.

So how about today, maybe as soon as you finish reading this you begin your journey of self-commendation. Praise yourself for each pound lost, each time you made a more healthy food choice, each time you decided to park a little further away from the store doors. Praise yourself, watch yourself achieving as you go about your day. And give yourself a pat on the back ---you deserve it.

2010-12-05T05:34:00.001-05:00

other half of our little front porch. The wicker rocker will be brought in for the guest bedroom. We have a guest coming and they will need a place to ''rock."

Enjoy the pictures.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-05T05:33:00.000-05:00

half of our front porch, other half is next.

Santa in the kitchen.

2010-12-05T05:31:00.001-05:00

Santa is guarding the Gin bottles in the kitchen. Had to move him to another spot due to his eyes were ''twinkling'' way too much. :)

December 5, 2010....Sunday

2010-12-05T05:24:00.002-05:00

I cannot believe how long its been since the last time I made a Blog entry. So here goes.

Things are moving right alone here at the McAdams household. We are preparing for our annual Christmas Open house which will be next Saturday the 11th of December. Looking both forward and dreading it, which I think is pretty natural. But, I know it will all be fine.

Last Sunday Weight Watchers unveiled its new program. To me it makes more sense than anything they have done in a long time. Its how we should have been eating all alone, as one of my dear friends pointed out. Some people are taking to it fine, there are some still over thinking it, but I think if those ones trying to over think it will just sit back, read the material they will catch on.

The difference in the new program is now we take carbs into the mix and drop the calories. Now we figure our points by counting protein grams, carb grams, fat grams and fiber grams, with no cap on the fiber anymore. Oh a biggie as well...fruit is free as long as it fresh fruit. Some canned fruit only if its packed in its own juice or water.

I think if people just give it a chance they will like it.

Wednesday October 20, 2010

2010-10-20T04:01:00.001-04:00

Just cannot believe how quickly this year is going. It is beginning to get that Fall feel to the air. It is now getting dark at 7 p.m. instead of 9:30, and I am still waking up at my regular time, just not in that big of a rush to get up.

I am up to 11 miles on the stationary bike now, have a goal to do 11 miles each day this week,and today will be day #3. So will see how that goes. Wish I was as committed to my eating as I am to my exercise, but still holding my own, just having to white knuckle it at the moment.

To all that pass by, ''hang in there."

It has been a long time.

2010-10-17T04:53:00.002-04:00

I have so neglected my blog here lately, so thought I should come by and at least do an update.

I am struggling, but that is nothing really new. I am holding onto my goal weight each month, but only by the tips of my fingers. I have been reading about this gal on another forum I am a member of that is completely zero carb I am finding this to be so unnerving for some reason. If her picture is really how she looks then all I can say is WOW!!!!!!!!! But, I just don't know, as I hear so often at my Weight Watcher meeting, ''we didn't get this way from eating too many green beans." That is so true. My biggest carb downfall is the sweets and junk food that I love, love, love. As I told someone yesterday, ''I found out that candy corn does not count as a vegetable."

Also heard that WW is coming out with a new plan, now not sure what that plan maybe, but I certainly hope it is something new, and not just changing the name of something as they did when they went from ''core" to changing the name to ''filling foods", what a crock.

I am still hitting the gym, not getting in as much time as I once did due to they will not let them open the door or let us in until exactly 5 a.m., and I have to get home to take care of Bob, so that cuts me short. However, a few months back I purchased a Gazelle, it was used, the counter does not work on it, but hey it was 30 bucks, and I do that nearly everyday, for at least 30-45 minutes and that is alone with my gym time. Oh and since the last time I was here, I have begun to ride the bike. Something I have not been able to do since I had my knee replaced. Still cannot ride the recumbent type bike, but the other bike I have been peddling like a wild woman. I have also noticed that if I put too much resistance on then my knees hurt like the devil, so I go from some resistance to no resistance. The other day I did 11 miles on the bike, in 35 minutes, peddling like the Wicked Witch of the West on the Wizard of Oz movie.

So beginning today, I am going to work at getting myself off the sugar/junk stuff....yes again, I am going to be working at this. Lets face it....it is a never ending battle.

09-16-2010....Thursday

2010-09-16T03:49:00.002-04:00

I was just reading on line about Wyonna's Judd's losing 60 pounds. Now being a person that myself have struggled with my weight my entire life. I say good for Wy. However, some of the comments people were writing were just ugly and hurtful. So I had to ask myself, "do those that write these comments, are their lives so.......I cannot even come up with a word here.....but why on earth say such horrid things about someone you really don't even know." How can anyone judge another person until they have traveled that road and walked in that person's shoes.

I am not a ''Judd's" fan myself, but I think this woman has done an amazing job of losing 60 pounds. I will never understand why so many feel the need to tear someone else down, just to try and make themselves feel better about their own lives.

Sad society we live in today.

September 12, 2010....Sunday

2010-09-12T05:06:00.000-04:00

Snickers.....Then Sneakers.

Before we reach for that ''fun'' sized candy, here are a few of the candies, and how many minutes we would have to walk to burn off the calories. Hopefully, this will make us think before reaching into that bag or bowl.

M&M Fun size (plain).............70 calories.......29 minutes to burn it off.

Skittles Fun Size......................60 calories.......25 minutes to burn it off

Brach's Candy

Corn treat pak........................50 calories.......21 minutes to burn it off.

York Peppermint Pattie Mini.50 calories.......21 minutes to burn it off. Now this is for just 1, not 3.

Snickers Miniature................. 40 calories......17 minutes to burn it off. This is not even the fun size, this is the one that is about the diameter of a postage stamp.

Tootsie Roll midgee..............23 calories........10 minutes to burn it off.

So there we have it, compliments of this months Good Housekeeping magazine. Ask yourself....is it worth it??

September 03, 2010.........Friday

2010-09-03T04:00:00.001-04:00

I have to wonder from time to time....where is the time going and why is it moving so fast. I was reading another blog a while ago, and they were already thinking about what they wanted or would be doing in 2011. We have not even finished up 2010. So that got me to thinking....is this person going to chalk 2010 up as, the year I did not meet my goals, and from there wait until 2011 to begin again? If that is what the plan is...very bad idea, especially if it concerns better eating habits and more activity. Can you imagine how much damage a person could do to themselves if they decide to do nothing between now and the end of 2010. I don't know...does not sound like a good idea to me.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

2010-08-31T03:23:00.000-04:00

''When you make a mistake, don't look back at it long. Take the reason of the thing into your mind and then look forward. Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power.

Hugh White

Monday, August 30, 2010

2010-08-30T03:07:00.001-04:00

"That some achieve great success is proof to all that others can achieve it as well."

Abraham Lincoln

Have you ever looked at someone and thought, ''boy, this weight loss sure has come easy for them." Yeah, at some point and time we have all probably thought on that one. So there are two ways to look at those whom we think are successful--whether they are friends or those you hear of on the news. One is to feel a sense of unjustness or jealousy: "Why Not ME? Why can't I accomplish that?"

The more productive way is to realize that this person is living proof that success is attainable. If they can do it, so can I. It may well take some of us longer than it did those that have accomplished what they set out to do, but the thing to remember, is ''its okay to start over again.'' No one is keeping tabs on how many times we have to start over, if they are, then they really do need to get a life. :)

So today and everyday, look for those people who are successful and realize they are living proof that the same success is available to you. Cheer on everyone, and I feel we do that, and remember ''each of our journey's are different."

Today's Affirmation:

Each day I take a step toward success and am inspired by the successes of others.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

2010-08-29T03:35:00.002-04:00

Here we are ending the weekend, and I wonder how many of you are pretty much just like me in the sense you seem to be able to stay focused and able to make the right food and activity choices on the week days.

It has been my experience that if I treat my weekends like a week day, especially where food is the concern, then I have a much better outcome when its time to weigh in. So for me I am working at treating my weekends, just like every other day that I have to deal with food.

I am ready, prepared, and committed to small daily action. I greet this new day with enthusiastic expectation.

Friday, August 27, 2010

2010-08-27T03:14:00.001-04:00

I am observant and grateful for life's many gifts.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

2010-08-26T17:07:00.000-04:00

What a beautiful day we have had here in Louisville. I can actually feel Fall in the air. I love Fall, all those beautiful colors. And another changing season. Makes me want to make changes in myself. So maybe I will look at a new goal of some sort, maybe I will just look at the goals I set back in January and see which ones I have kept and which ones I have let slide by the wayside.

At times change is good. Out with the old and in with something new.

August 25, 2010....Wednesday

2010-08-25T04:22:00.000-04:00

Every day, in every way I am getting better and better.

I think we all need to look at our lives like this and if we don't think its true, then we need to work on our selves until it becomes true. Eating right, exercise, and removing those things from our lives, whether they are objects or negative people, we have to do the hard stuff to just survive.

August 24, 2010.....Tuesday

2010-08-24T03:24:00.001-04:00

Don’t be afraid to share your goals with family and friends. Having those closest to you in on your plans can mean daily, invaluable support and assistance. You may even find that they’re willing to modify their own lives, at least temporarily, to help out—giving up soft drinks or helping plan healthy meals, for example. What’s more, just the fact that you’ve confided in them is a powerful motivator for helping you remain consistent and persistent.

Avoid naysayers. For whatever reason, some folks just have the habit of belittling or ridiculing the goals of others, whether because they feel inadequate and threatened, or are simply mean! You‘re under no obligation to discuss your goals or action plan with anyone. If you know upfront that someone will be negative—or even if you discover it after the fact— steer conversation away from personal topics. Do not, I repeat DO NOT hang around a naysayer.

If someone close to you is unsupportive, either tune out the negativity or distance yourself from that person. If that person is your partner or lives in the same household, the problem’s a bit more complicated. As far as possible, try to understand the motivation behind the negativity; is the person critical of your particular goal or of goals in general? I don't think we can ever figure out why some people are just unsupportive.

Demonstrate encouragement for the goals your friends and family want to accomplish. Even better, come up with some common goals that you can work on together. There’s strength in numbers. The simple act of one person saying no to an unwanted dessert can spark someone else to think hard about whether they really want to indulge.

Remember the old adage that to make a friend you have to be a friend. Make your fitness friendships win-win situations by making sure to give something back.

Don’t expect one fitness buddy to be all things. Instead, enlist a diverse group of people who can share your various interests in small ways, whether swapping healthy recipes, exercising with enthusiasm, or confiding weight loss secrets. Not only will that keep you from relying too heavily on one resource, but it will expand your circle of friends and keep things fresh as well.

Fit your weight loss needs into your life in small and varied ways: a healthy pot-luck lunch with co-workers, an evening walk with your spouse, or a brief morning chat with your on line fitness buddies. You’ll be helping others while you help yourself.

Sharing your goals with others is a powerful step towards both clarifying and fulfilling them. Not only are you more likely to follow though once you’ve voiced them—you’re more likely to have fun along the way! This is a never ending journey, so having some fun alone the way is very important.

Today's affirmation:

I am ready, prepared, and committed to my actions today. I greet this new day with enthusiastic expectations.

Monday August 23, 2010

2010-08-23T04:25:00.001-04:00

A contract to get me and keep me back on track.

I, Joan McAdams , hereby agree and commit to take the following steps to improve my accountability to myself and increase my chances for weight loss success:

I will not let one small slip-up convince me that I'm stupid, worthless, or a lost cause. I will respect myself by refusing to engage in verbal self-abuse, and I will find positive ways to comfort and support myself when I’m having a hard time. Specifically, I will… (Make a list of concrete things you will do instead of beating up on yourself or deciding your problems are too big to handle.)
I will not sacrifice my own needs to make other people happy, or do for them what they can and should be doing for themselves. When there is a conflict between my exercise and eating plans and what other people want me to do, I will negotiate to find a reasonable solution that allows me to do what I need to do for myself.
I choose to be in charge of my own decisions and behavior. I will not talk, think, or act as if my partner, child, spouse, cravings, or subconscious made me do it. I will ask myself what’s most important to me at that moment and make my decision. If I don’t like the consequences, I will try something different the next time.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

2010-08-22T08:16:00.001-04:00

Today Bob and I are celebrating our 12th wedding Anniversary. It is a happy time. I was away for a few days recharing my own battery and it was wonderful. I was even looking forward to coming home, and Bob's middle son and his wife were here caring for Bob in my absence, and the house looked great when I got home.

Now I am fiddled around with watching the scale continue to climb, so have made my mind up, enough is enough, so back on track, and doing what I know is the right thing to do.

One thing I did this morning, was throw out the rest of the cake that was here. Also threw out the ice cream which I am happy to say, that I did have some cake yesterday, but I did not do any ice cream, and I want to keep it that way.

August 18, 2010......Wednesday

2010-08-18T03:12:00.001-04:00

Four words we need to remove from our vocabulary.

Should - implies obligation and you are resentful about doing this thing you "should" do. What you are really saying is I don't want to do this.

Never - If you say you will never do something it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. "I will never be thin!" If you say this you probably will not.

Successful - The problem with this word is we usually use it towards others but rarely ourselves.

Busy - For some reason life has become a contest and people take pride in showing and telling others how busy they are. This is not something to be proud of. Do what you want. Say no to what you don't want to do and quit telling everyone how busy you are.

August 13, 2010...Friday.

2010-08-13T04:04:00.002-04:00

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender."

Vince Lombardi

The world can be a beautiful place, full of possibilities and life. You can feel invincible and in control. But it's not always like that. The world can also be a stressful, upsetting, confidence-crushing place. At times, it seems like even something's as clear-cut as weight loss is harder than it really needs to be. Is it worth the trouble? Why am I banging my head against the wall? Is it really doing any good?

YOU'RE DARNED RIGHT IT IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When life and our minds are full of troubles, when things seem out of control, you've got to take control of what you can. When confidence is low, that's exactly when you need to be at your healthiest, your strongest, your most energetic. There's no better time to create your own little corner of sanity and positive feeling. The best way we can do this is to stick with those small daily weight loss goals.

We can be the hammer, making things happen, or we can be the nail that sits there and gets pummeled over and over. If you're starting to feel like a nail....and I must admit I have been...it's up to you/ME to keep my program moving forward. You/Me/WE, need to gather ourselves together, draw a line in the sand and refuse to give in to the doubts and temptation to give in or...dare I say....QUIT!!!

Here is a story that made lots of sense to me, its about a frog.

A frog, hopping around the farm, minding his own business, fell right into a pail half-filled with cream. Swimming frantically, he found the sides too steep and too high. Determined not to give up, he continued to struggle. He kicked and squirmed, kicked and squirmed until at last his churning had turned the cream into a block of butter--allowing him to hop right out. HE NEVER GAVE UP!!

Here's how our story and his intersect. IF he only saw the hopelessness of his situation and started feeling sorry for himself, he would have sunk to the bottom. But instead he kept kicking. He kicked not because he knew it would help him to escape, but because he was compelled to, he had no choice. He kicked because the alternative was no alternative at all.

From the frog's point of view, all he was doing was treading water (or cream), doing what he could in a bad situation. If you keep kicking....but not kicking yourself...even if it feels just seems like you're treading water, you're actually causing real change that will make a huge difference later on.

August 12, 2010......Thursday

2010-08-12T03:33:00.001-04:00

"Decisions determine your Direction and your Direction determines your Destiny."

Anonymous

When we wake up and decide to have a healthy breakfast that can set the stage for eating healthy throughout the day. However, other things can get in the way. So make sure you are prepared, have those snacks ready, have that meal plan printed out, and if you know your going to be late getting home, throw something in the crock pot so you won't be tempted to go through the drive through on the way home.

I like to begin my day with exercise. Even when I am doing it at home, I want to get up, get it done and get it out of the way. Then I can move on to other things.

So today, make a decision to what direction you want to be going in, and allow that direction to become your destiny.

My decision thus far....brush teeth, wash face, drink coffee.....head for gym.

August 11, 2010......Wednesday

2010-08-11T03:39:00.001-04:00

"Stop failure before it starts"
Julie Isphording, former Olympian

Some of us need to convince ourselves that there is enough time in the day to exercise, we could be on track to a great fitness program. For others, we get started but quickly lose momentum and give up. So I found 14 tips for starting and sticking with it. I thought maybe we all could find some of these tips to be helpful.

1. Throw away the bathing suit you wore in high school...and the memory too. Its' normal to have a mental image of yourself when you last exercised like a fiend. But, if that image is from high school you could be in big trouble. Even if it's from last year, forget it. Remember as little as possible of what you used to look like. Starting today make new memories.

2. Prepare. We already know you don't have the time, so write it down like an appointment every day. You wouldn't cancel an appointment, why would you cancel on yourself? Aren't we important too?

3. Start Slowly. Do much less than what you're capable of. Take a 20-minute walk if you're returning to exercise. You might feel like it's not enough, but it's a good start.

4. Get the family involved. Run (not in this weather) while the kids ride their bikes. Go to the local track or indoor track where it is air conditioned, take your spouse alone, make it a date thing, then celebrate with a little something special after your activity.

5. Where are your friends? Four words, four reasons--motivation, inspiration, determination, conversation. Surround yourself with friends who think positive and have a zest for life.

6. Put pain in perspective. When the going gets tough, remember that you have survived 600 carpools, 540 loads of laundry (maybe just this month), 41 extra activities for your kids, family get together, maybe another birthday. So what is a little muscle pain. :)

7. Allow yourself to slow down. You're driving this bus! For the first time today your in control.

8. Sign up for a race. It's a goal to strive for and add a little meaning to your everyday workout.

9. Run/walk in public. Be proud of your accomplishments. Take in all the sites and be an inspiration to others.

10. Just show up. Go to the gym, go to your weekly WW meetings. Once your there, it's hard not to say ''no, I can't do this," 98% of life is showing up.

11. Eat. Follow the healthy food guidelines and don't think, if I use less points, I will lose faster. It's not a race, no sense in putting extra pressure on yourself to lose your weight the fastest. Remember, slow is a good thing, when it comes to weight loss.

12. Understand your energy cycle. Just like in this hot weather we are having and our electricity hits a peak so does our own energy level. For me early mornings work best for my workouts. Try to get your activity in when you are feeling more energized and feeling good about yourself.

13. Wallow in your greatness. You can exercise to become a better exerciser, or you can exercise to become a better mother, father, spouse, teacher, or better friend---or you can become BETTER. Be proud of what you accomplishment.

14. Have Fun. Get back into your childlike spirit. Try to make workouts, ''playouts','' and then it seems like you have it made.

Don't give up on yourself. After all, its' never too late to be that healthy person that is lurking deep inside each and everyone of us.

Tuesday August 10, 2010

2010-08-10T04:15:00.002-04:00

I realize that a little change in actions or thoughts can shift my world for the better.

This also means ridding myself of negative people in my life. We all know them, those that think they know what is best for everyone, and what it really boils down to is this. We have worked very hard to lose the weight, to get ourselves in better health, and some people want to tell us ''we have changed." Well yeah, its called moving forward.

Rid yourself of these naysayers they will only do you harm, they are not our friends, no matter what they say.

Monday August 09, 2010

2010-08-09T03:26:00.002-04:00

I was given a book , and I have been reading ,and it has really hit home for me due to some things that have taken place in the past week. Nothing I can do about them, but as I read this, there was a challenge for us here, and it goes something like this.

Don't try this on a weekend, try this on a day that is ''representative" of your normal day. Here's how it works. Every two hours, take a five minute break and write down how much time (percentage-wise...a rough guess) you spent:

1. Thinking, fretting, or regretting the past.

2. Worrying or thinking about the future.

3. Worrying about something that is happening today, or something outside of your control.

4. Taking positive, forward action today or enjoying the moment.

Print that little challenge and tape it to your day planner or tracker on your next ''normal day'' so that you don't forget.

Why is this important? This simple "math problem'' equals the amount of contentment and happiness you are creating in your life. If you spend 80 percent of your walking hours on the top three items, you should only expect to reach 20 percent of your ''happiness level." If you spend 50 percent of your time on the top three items, you can reach 50 percent of your happiness level for that specific day.

When we wonder why we feel stressed, anxious, overwhelmed, depressed, or hopeless, this is a good practice to revisit. This ''calculation'' hold our answer. Make a concerted effort to re-direct yourself to making a positive, forward action when you catch yourself engaging in the top three thought patterns. Our goal should be to be taking positive, forward action at least 90 percent of the time.

Today's Affirmation:

I let go of the past, I am not anxious about tomorrow...instead. I trust in today, and enjoy today, living life to the fullest.

This may sound difficult and for something's I am sure it will be,but at least give it a try, what have you got to lose, but the worry and anxiety.

August 6, 2010....Friday

2010-08-06T04:24:00.000-04:00

Exercise: We cannot afford not too.

It is true, with the high cost of health care and prescription drugs these days we have to do all we can ourselves to stay as healthy as possible. So exercising and eating right are key. You could say, ''we have two doctor's our right foot and our left foot", so why not use those doctor's today and go for a walk.
Not sure where you live, but here in Kentucky its been really hot and miserable, so made sure you find a air conditioned place to walk and drink plenty of water.

August 4, 2010....Wednesday

2010-08-04T03:14:00.002-04:00

The other day at my weekly Weight Watchers meeting
someone made the comment to me, "I am within a
pound of being back at goal and not having to pay,
so why is it I will do everything to screw my success
up?" You know what I had not answer for her, why?
Cause I have done the same thing so many times myself.
Right now I am just hanging onto my goal weight by a
thread, and each Saturday I re-commit myself that this is
the week I will get it right. But low and behold, I grab
a seat on that ''Struggle Bus" and everything goes to hell
in a hand basket. Wonder why we put ourselves through
this. Do we feel unworthy? Have we lived with so much
negativity in our lives that we cannot think for a minute that
we are so undeserving? This is really a question for a shrink,
but something I really need to work on, due to I have my official
weigh in this Saturday, the one that counts for the month, so I
really need to ''remove head from butt."

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

2010-08-03T03:37:00.004-04:00

The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it,

but what they become of it.

--- John Ruskin

Reaching ones goal is an amazing feeling, but what we become
after that can be just as amazing.  Have we learned anything?  Are
we willing to share our knowledge of how we got to the point in life
that we told ourselves, ''enough is enough, I want and deserve to be
better to myself."

I have seen both the good and bad of reaching ones goal.   Sometimes
jealousy set in with other people, and sometimes we don't know what
we should do next.  So the turmoil is never over, but the good news is we
normally weight less, and wear smaller clothes.

Monday August 2, 2010

2010-08-02T03:30:00.002-04:00

There is only one thing more painful than learning from experience, and that is not learning from experience.
~Laurence J. Peter

Yesterday was my birthday, I am now 58 years old, honestly never thought about getting that old. So many things have happened in those years, some have been good, and all have had learning experiences. One thing I learned yesterday, when reaching out to a person that I though was a friend, someone closer than any real family could be. Is you just never know when that person will turn on you, and she chose yesterday to do just that, but then wants to tell me ''I was being honest." No there is a difference between being honest and just being plain old mean.

So another lesson that I keep learning and that is not a good idea to put your trust in people, some will let you down no matter how much they say they are your friend.

July 28, 2010....Wednesday

2010-07-28T07:41:00.001-04:00

I have been going back to the gym, nearly a week now...tomorrow will be a week....I did 45 minutes on the elliptical this morning and got the resistance at 7. So good news is, I am feeling much better, about many things.

I have also made plans to have a couple of days off in the middle of August.

Monday July 26, 2010

2010-07-26T04:07:00.002-04:00

A question to ponder.

What would your life be like if you gave yourself the kind of special attention you give to everyone else?

When I read the above question it sure got me to thinking about things, and I know if I do not look out for myself, then I am going to get left behind.

07-24-2010

2010-07-24T06:39:00.000-04:00

Today I will go to my WW meeting, cause that is what I do on Saturday's. I will also get myself back on track and get back down to that 10# cushion I had for over a year.

Friday July 22, 2010

2010-07-23T03:55:00.002-04:00

I know, I know its been forever since I was here blogging. But to be honest, I have just had way too much going on.

Bob (husband) was admitted to the hospital last Friday, a week ago, I brought him home this past Tuesday. I was at the hospital 24/7, and coming home around 3-4 a.m. to get a shower. My eating was so off track and the scale is showing just how bad I was. So having to really work hard at doing what I know needs to be done. As of yesterday I got myself back to the gym for the first time since mid April. I did do 30 minutes on the elliptical, thought I might die, but I did not, so that was good.

Something I have finally come to terms with, and I know the family here is not going to be all that happy about it, but you know they can just rub their unhappy spot and deal with it just as I have had to deal with things these past 12 years.

The thing I have come to terms with is, I cannot do it all, nor do I want to do it all anymore. I need time for me just as everyone else needs time for themselves. I have cheated myself and you know what, ''no one cares", no one ever asks, ''Joan, do you need a break, do you need sometime away?" Why do they not ask this? Because they know what a hard job it is taking care of Bob and they can't even scratch the surface of what I do, but God forbid they offer any assistance at all. But, they all need their time away. So I am taking a stand and that is to take care of me for a change.

06-28-2010.....Monday

2010-06-28T05:12:00.000-04:00

You can't be stuck if your not trying to get anywhere.

Not a week goes by that I do not hear someone telling me, ''this WW thing just does not work." "Why should I even bother, everyone tells me I will just put the weight back on."

The way I see it is, sure there is a chance I will put the weight back on, but it won't be due to the WW plan was not working, it will be due to ''Joan stopped working." Like the rest of the world, I can find 110 thousand or more people, places or things to blame my short coming on, but why bother doing that when in reality we all know there are times, ''we are our own worst enemies."

Are you really stuck, or are you pretending to do what really needs to be done? Each of us have the answer to that question.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

2010-06-27T03:37:00.001-04:00

You are the one in control. You own the instrument that controls your weight. It is not the food, and it is not the fork you eat with. It is the hand that picks up the fork.
Jean Nidetch, Weight Watcher Founder

Ever notice how some things you read just scream at you? This quote did just that for me.

06-22-2010..........Tuesday

2010-06-22T04:40:00.002-04:00

Okay I have used up all my excuses. I have blamed my poor proformance with diet and exercise on everything under the sun. So what has happen?? The scale is creeping up into the territory that I never, ever wanted to see again. So what do I do?? Do I continue to allow that to happen?? HELL NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What I do, do is get off my lazy butt and get in some exercise. So yesterday afternoon, I did a 15 minute walking video, this morning I did a 15 minute walking video, these 15 minutes are 1 mile each, but this morning I did the video with resistance bands.

Sure my back, hurts, but it still bends, sure my legs hurt, but at least I have legs, sure my feet hurt, but by damn I still have feet. So that is it for me, I'm getting back to the number on the scale that I like better than the one I have been seeing lately.

Its Kick Some Butt time, and MY Butt gets kicked first.

06-19-2010.....Sunday

2010-06-20T05:14:00.000-04:00

If you've started out in pursuit of your goal, and you've really tried with your heart and your soul, but somehow things got out of control...
KEEP GOING!
When you've tried your best to do what you should, and you thought this time that you surely would, but once again you didn't do so good...
KEEP GOING!
When you've worked to follow the healthy way and fought to win a victory each day, but one more time you went astray...
KEEP GOING!
When you've tried so hard to yourself to be true and do the things that you know you should do, but once again you failed to come through...
KEEP GOING!
When the road to success seems much too long, and each temptation was oh so strong, and once again you gave in to wrong...
KEEP GOING!
When you've told your friends what you planned to do and trusted them to help you through, but soon discovered it's up to YOU...
KEEP GOING!
When you know you must be physically fit, but your hope seems gone and you're stuck in a pit, that's not the time for you to QUIT...
KEEP GOING!
When the week seems long and successes few, and at weigh in time you're feeling blue, remember tomorrow is just for you...
KEEP GOING!
To keep going means a victory's been won, to keep going means a race well run, to keep going proves it can be done, so don't just sit there...
KEEP GOING!

(written by Dale Dauten as “START OVER”

06-17-2010.....Thursday

2010-06-17T04:17:00.002-04:00

I was with some of my WW girlfriends yesterday afternoon, and two things always come up when we are together....food, and what finally got our minds set to get us to our goal weight.

Everyone had a different answer to the question ''what got you motivated." But it really all boils down to pure DETERMINATION. Yes, it is that simple, we each wanted to get to our goal, more than we wanted that extra serving of whatever.

I have gotten to my goal I set for WW, but I still have a personal goal I want to get to, I tell myself I want to get to that personal goal, but I have not found the DETERMINATION just yet. It will come, and while I wait, I will continue to stay within my goal weight....actually a few pounds below my goal weight.

Wednesday...06-16-2010

2010-06-16T04:48:00.001-04:00

Last time I was by here, I was very frustrated with life in general. Being a full time caregiver, and trust me I know I am not the only one that does this, but there are times I just get so overwhelmed, and felt as if that is all anyone in the McAdams family cares about is my taking care of Bob. No one ever offers me time away, and I have to wonder, if these people need a break from their jobs that actually pay money, then why on earth would they not realize I need a break as well due to being stuck in the same place with the same person day in and day out. I find all this very interesting, and I'm sorry because they are ''men'' that excuse is just so worn out, its not even funny.

I had a hip replaced back in February, as soon as I came home, the one and only son that was here in town at that time scattered like a roach when the lights are turned on. No phone call at anytime asking if things were going okay, no offer of coming out to help a bit. I just still find all of this hard to understand.

However, Bob does not ask them to give me a break either, but I do understand his reason better then I understand theirs. Bob knows the care I give him, but he's never sure about what kind of care he will get from his sons. I never leave and am gone more than 1 hour at a time, does not matter if my errands will take longer, I call, check in, or even come back by the house to make sure alls well.

I don't need a pat on the back, but I do need some consideration, and I really don't think that is asking all that much.

Venting taking a pause for now.

The Grad.

2010-06-16T04:40:00.000-04:00

Not sure how great this picture will show up, but this was taken the afternoon of Coty's graduation. Ahhh, turning 18.

The outfit I have on, belonged to my Mother when she was still alive. Another goal I met was wearing that outfit to the graduation.

New improved Joan

2010-06-02T03:15:00.000-04:00

The day, June 6th,2009, I made it below goal.

Old Joan

2010-06-02T03:13:00.000-04:00

The day I joined Weight Watchers, weighing in at 272.2 pounds.

June 2, 2010....Wednesday

2010-06-02T03:12:00.000-04:00

"If one dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces, never be afraid to pick one of those pieces up and begin again." Flavia Weedn

We have all had dreams from time to time and those dreams do change as we get older. Being overweight from the time I was in second grade, it seemed the only dream I seem to ever have was ''wanting to be thin enough to wear the cute things my best friend Anna was wearing." Of course that never happened, did not matter how much I wished for that, or my Mother tried to make me want it bad enough to push myself away from the table. All through grade school, back then we had no such thing a middle school, and all through high school, I felt and wished ''I was one of the small girls." Well it didn't happen until 40 years later, but hey better late than never, and even though my dream had been broken many times into a zillion pieces, I did pick one of those pieces up, and very soon, as a matter of fact June 6th, I will be able to celebrate one full year being at or below my goal weight!!!!!

Our dreams are our wanting more for ourselves, and it took a long time, but I finally got what I wanted for myself. I should go look up my childhood friend Anna, and see how she is doing, wonder if she can still wear those ''cute'' dresses.

Back then I wanted to be able to wear the cute things, and it never happened, today I do this for my health, the smaller sized clothes are just....dare I say it....the cherry on top.

You have your dreams, and whatever they maybe, never, ever let anyone try to take those dreams from you.

May 27, 2010....Thursday

2010-05-27T04:00:00.002-04:00

Remember me?? I am the person that is suppose to be writing this blog. Well, the past few days/weeks just have not been the best, so I shall give you my tale of woe.

I have had some problems, mainly pain ever since my last hip replacement back in Feb. but its not been in the hip I had replaced, its been in my right knee area and I had that knee replaced two years ago this September, and pain in my left hip which was replaced two years ago this past April. So this week alone I have had a bone scan which showed no bone problems, and that is good, but I have also been having my feet hurting like mad, and the scanned my feet as well to find I have Arthritis in my feet, and really nothing can be done about that. Yesterday I had an MRI done on my lower back to see if maybe I have a pinched nerve. So with all this going on I have to confess my eating has not been the best in the world, in other words, I have been having my own little pity party, and no I have not invited anyone else to join in with me.

I am very tired, I am a full time caregiver for my husband, who even though I do love him very much, there are times I would really just love to walk away. No one steps up to say, ''hey, would you like a day off?" OH sure there are people here that could do that, in fact dear husband should himself be stepping up to the plate telling sons, ''the woman needs a break, and badly." However, the man does not want to deprive himself of the excellent care I give him for the hit and miss care he gets when I am not around.

I know I am not the only person that is a caregiver and I also know I am not the only person that feels this way, but good Lord, are highly educated people really so stupid that they cannot see when someone needs a break. I find it very odd that they can see the need somewhere else, but they sure as hell cannot see it right here under their noses. Makes me wonder when it is done for others if its just for show, and to make themselves feel good that they are doing something even if its not helping me out.

I have to admit, I have wondered how much longer I am going to be able to do this.

I know not a very uplifting blog today, but hell, this is just how I am feeling this morning, tired, trapped and seeing now way out.

May 17, 2010...Monday

2010-05-17T03:57:00.002-04:00

"Have a talk with yourself. Then have a lot more talks with yourself. Convince number one that you can succeed, and you will succeed. If you don't believe in yourself , why should anyone else?

Sometimes we just have to sit ourselves down and give ourselves a good talking too. I have been needing that lately due to I seem to have lost my MOJO for staying on program. I begin my day in good standing, but something happens between mid afternoon and time to go to bed, I just seem to lose it all, all the work I have put into staying on plan.

I let this be known in an email I sent out to my group yesterday, and one of the gals wrote back telling me, ''maybe you are exactly where your suppose to be, maybe, you have settled into being at maintenance and you really don't have to think so much about every single thing you do."'
Could that be possible, and if it is, when did it happen?

May 13, 2010....Thursday

2010-05-13T04:13:00.001-04:00

Every notice how people will flip and fludder from one idea on how to lose weight to another one. Am I crazy or what, but I would think to pick a plan and stick with that, do what you are suppose to do, then you will see the results. But running from one idea that worked for someone else, no matter how crazy it may sound, to the next fly by night thing, just does not make sense to me.

Pick a plan, make a plan and stick with it. Seems pretty easy to me.

May 11, 2010....Tuesday

2010-05-11T03:44:00.001-04:00

Shut out your past except that which will help you weather your tomorrow."

William Osler

Memory can be used for good or for evil. If we use our past as a source of learning, it’s worth remembering. If, however, all we do is mull over our mistakes and punish ourselves for our failures, it’s a waste of time. Rehashing or revisiting is such a waste of both time and energy. and can paralyze us into the fear of making another mistake. Which, of course, just makes this worse and practically guarantees future letdowns. The key to goal achievement is to pay more attention to the future than to the past. Have you ever noticed that the best athletes also have the shortest and most selective memories? Well at least before television and instant replay. Instead of dwelling on a missed shot or a flawed dive, they concentrate on making corrections and getting the next one right. It’s as if the failed attempt never happened. It’s forgotten and they don’t fear trying again. If we mess up, and who of us has not, work hard to leave it behind and concentrate on the possibilities yet to come. Tomorrow is much brighter when it’s not smeared with trying to remember all the mess ups we had yesterday.

We will all makes mistakes or misjudge something, but when that does happen we just need to try and learn something from it and move right on, ad always remembering, tomorrow we get a clean slate.

May 10, 2010...Monday

2010-05-10T04:12:00.001-04:00

" It is good to have an end to journey toward;but it is the journey that matter, in the end."

Make lifestyle and lifetime changes, that is the real goal to look toward.

May 09, 2010..Sunday...Happy Mothers Day

2010-05-09T05:17:00.000-04:00

If you think your beaten-you are. If you think you care not-you don't. If you'd like to win, but you think you can't-you won't.

Life battles don't always go to the one with the better plan. For more often than not, you will win. If only you think you can.

May 07, 2010...Friday

2010-05-07T03:51:00.001-04:00

Do you ever get frustrated? Because you think things are going too slowly on your weight loss journey? Many of us do and we don’t realize that we should be building a Foundation that will lead to success, and that does not happen overnight. We join or begin any weight loss journey with first and foremost in our minds, ''losing weight." But we need to look at other things as well, we need to work at building a strong Foundation, and that is a slow process in which we are constantly building and learning. It is extremely important to create a Foundation that will remain strong even in times of failure or crisis, and from time to time we all have felt like a failure and we all have had our own crisis to deal with. It is when we have used the tools we have been given that we get our Foundation ready, to withstand the setbacks that can be thrown at us.This takes time, its not going to happen overnight, just ask anyone who has been at goal for a month. You may have to remind yourself that failing is only failure if you quit…otherwise it is a learning opportunity. So, don’t worry if your journey seems to be in slow motion. Concentrate on building a solid foundation so when the time comes you will be able to withstand the storms of life.

May 6, 2010.....Thursday

2010-05-06T03:24:00.001-04:00

When you fail, or fall short, do you find it hard to get back up? If you do, you are completely normal. Many people use failure as an excuse to give up. It is important to understand that failure is a part of the growth process. Think about this example. How many times when the question has been asked, ''have you done Weight Watchers before" do we see dozens of hands go up. Too many times to count, but the good news is they were willing to give it another try. Everything around us has taken trail and error before it was gotten right. Look how far the computer has come.

Remember, there is no expiration date on our weight loss journey, and we will see people come and go, and more times than not the reason for that is, they thought they were cured. I think we all have days were we honestly don't think, we can eat one more salad, we can write down one more thing, we can go to the gym one more day, but you know what, we can and we will, and why? Because we may take a detour once in awhile, but we never ever lose our way.

May 2, 2010...Sunday

2010-05-02T03:42:00.000-04:00

Memory can be used for good or for evil. If you use your past as a source of learning, it’s worth remembering. If, however, all you do is mull over your mistakes and punish yourself for your failures, it’s a waste of time. Rehashing failure can paralyze you in mortal fear of making another mistake. Which, of course, just makes this worse and practically guarantees future letdowns. The key to goal achievement is to pay more attention to the future than to the past.

Have you ever noticed that the best athletes also have the shortest and most selective memories? Instead of dwelling on a missed shot or a flawed dive, they concentrate on making corrections and getting the next one right. It’s as if the failed attempt never happened. It’s forgotten and they don’t fear trying again. If you mess up, even in an epic, life-altering way, work hard to leave it behind and concentrate on the possibilities yet to come. Tomorrow is much brighter when it’s not smeared with a fixation on yesterday.

4-30-2010...Friday

2010-04-30T03:34:00.003-04:00

Have you ever wondered about people? I know I sure do. Everyone knows what a struggle I have always had with my weight, but for whatever reason, they feel the need if they want to bring me something, it has to be a food item. You know, bring me a book of stamps, a nice card, heck bring me a rock, but please people do not bring me food.

I have often wondered, if I had lung cancer from smoking too much, and let me add right here and now, never have smoked, and so glad that is a habit I did not pick up, but would these well meaning friends bring me packs of smokes? I would hope not, but you know I still have to wonder.

People never cease to amaze me.

04-29-2010...Thursday

2010-04-29T15:01:00.001-04:00

Have you ever noticed that there is always someone out there that think they know what is best for everyone.

Example....someone telling another person their weight loss plan will not work/last, while all alone this same person is flipping and fluttering from one thing to another, trying to find that ''magic pill." It is very confusing.

04-28-10.....Wednesday

2010-04-28T03:37:00.002-04:00

On Sunday I accomplished my 5K walk. I have been working toward that goal ever since it was mentioned at our Weight Watchers meeting a few weeks ago. I was pleased when our leader said we did not have to walk it as a group, mainly due to I am such a slow walker, it would have been embarrassing. But I did it on Sunday, walked the padded track at my gym, each round I made I felt more confident that ''I can actually do this." I am still walking a little bit higher off the ground, due to I never really thought I would accomplish this feat, but I DID!!!!!!!!!!!

04-25-2010.....Sunday

2010-04-25T03:51:00.002-04:00

There are days I just get so tired of all the complaining and excuses, and then I realize, that some people are just made that way. They seem to never see their own potential or worth, and no matter how much talking a person does, until the person doing the complaining and giving you the excuses nothing will change until that person is ready to make the change themselves.

So many times I hear, ''I can't" before the project is even started. To me that is giving up before you know if its something you can do or not. Its like weight loss, so many times the towel is thrown in just because someone had hit a plateau or had a bad day of eating. Instead of just working through the plateau, or saying, ''fine had a bad day, but tomorrow is a new day" they had rather stop and just wallow in the little pity party they are now throwing.

My question. Is this just people that don't know how to be happy, or is this people who chose to always look on the doom and gloom side of life?"
Just pondering that question today.

04-21-2010.....Wednesday.

2010-04-21T08:23:00.001-04:00

My goodness, this week is just zipping right by.

Things I have done that have been good for me.

1. On Tuesday got 2.5 miles in, still working toward that 5K
2. Have been on point, and tracking for 4 full days.
3. Have 4 days in at the gym as well.

''Desire Creates the Power." Love that quote.

04-17-2010...Sunday

2010-04-18T04:48:00.000-04:00

Today I am continuing my quest on the 5K training. My plan is go get to the gym, and do 2 miles today. No reason as far as I know that this plan cannot work.

I had my weigh in at Weight Watchers yesterday and found out, my flipping and fluttering with other plans was a stupid idea, and the scale proved that. I know what works for me, and I just have to learn not to allow what might work better for someone else entice me.

So this week, tracking, exercise, and staying focused. That is my plan and me and the little metal box will meet up again next Saturday.

04-16-2010....Friday

2010-04-16T03:43:00.002-04:00

Something intersting my husband said to me yesterday after I was telling him how thrilled I was that I did 2 miles around the track. His words to me were this....
''You got to start it before you finish it." I found this to be profound, it is so darn simple, but we as educated people tend to make things so much harder. So from now on that is going to be my new watch phrase.

If I don't begin how on earth can I ever expect to find an end. WoW!!! I married a smart man.

04-15-2010.......Thursday

2010-04-15T07:38:00.002-04:00

I actually made the right decision by taking yesterday off from the gym. Today I walked the track, and am training myself to do the 5K our Weight Watchers group has a plan for. Well Sunday, I did 1 miles, Tuesday I did a mile and a half, today....drum roll please............... I did 2 miles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Color me very pleased with being able to do that.

401-2010...Tuesday Evening

2010-04-14T19:23:00.001-04:00

I decided to let my feet and legs rest some today, and will get back to the gym tomorrow. I've already gotten 3 days in at the gym since I went on Sunday morning before Mass. So by today the ole body was saying....enough is enough. Now am I getting smarter or just tired of being in so much pain. I'd say its the latter.

04-13-2010....Tuesday

2010-04-13T03:47:00.002-04:00

As I mentioned on Sunday, I have gotten back to the gym. Yesterday I worked out in the pool, then went over to the mall and walked a mile over there. I'm taking all of this slow, but the important thing is, I am doing something.
I don't think sitting on my butt wringing my hands and saying, ''oh woe with me" is going to make me feel any better. Getting out and getting moving is one of the best medications there is, and its pretty much free.

My advice to anyone, not feeling good. Get out and get moving.

04-11-2010.....Sunday

2010-04-11T14:52:00.002-04:00

Loving this weather. My eating has been off and I know why, its due to I've not been able to exercise so no stress relief. This is all changing as of today, I went to the gym, walked the padded track and got 1 full miles in. I was so proud of myself. My feet hurt like the dickens after I was done, but that is okay too.

Tomorrow I am going to call a foot doctor, (I know they have a real name) cause I think I need special inserts made for my shoes. I think I am a combination flat foot and not so flat foot.
Also this week going to be checking with my chiropractor and seeing if he can do an adjustment where the sciatic nerve is located. So I have some plans, now just to follow through.

04-08-2010.....Thursday

2010-04-08T03:53:00.002-04:00

I am really falling behind on my blogging here. I wish I could say ''my life has just been so darn busy." But, I don't think my life has been any busier than normal. What is going on with me, is wondering and thinking, ''should I change eating plans?" Now don't get me wrong, I will never stop my Saturday Morning W.W. meetings, love that group way too much for that. In fact that would be like losing my right arm. But, I question myself too often. I know stick to the plan that is laid out and all will be fine. If only it were that easy. I have been toying with the idea of going low carb for awhile, then I have a low carb breakfast, and lunch, only to fall into something else by mid morning. The by mid afternoon, I go out and everything goes to ''hell in a hand basket."

I need to plan better. I need to stop worrying so much about everything I do, I need to stop questioning myself so much. I need to stick with what works and let that be that. Sounds easy enough to me.

04-04-2010....Easter Sunday

2010-04-04T04:56:00.002-04:00

Happy Easter Sunday to all that may drop by. Hard to believe its Easter all ready. In less than a month it will be Derby Day here in Kentucky. Time, she is moving right alone.

I had a super busy week last week, and was also sidelined with some hip/leg problems, so was not able to go to the gym, this due to the doctor telling me, ''no gym, take it easy." The hip/leg might be a little better, but still not where I want it to be, and that is pain free. I don't think that is too much to hope for.

Even though my week was not the best for exercising, I did stay on plan, and I was down 2.6 pounds. So slowly, I am getting back down to my pre-operation weight.

I have gone more low carb for awhile. I think the treats you are allowed on Weight Watchers, cause more of a problem for a sugar addicted person like myself than they do good. So I have had to look at things a bit differently and that is fine as well.

So we have a new day, and a new week upon us. Weather is getting nicer, and Spring is busting our all around, so get out and breath some of that fresh air and shake off the Winter.

04-02-2010....Good Friday

2010-04-02T05:04:00.000-04:00

It's been awhile. I have had some problems with my leg, but not the one I just had the surgery on. For whatever reason my left hip/leg has been giving me so much pain so I finally had to call and get in to see the Ortho doctor. Right now we are treating this as a Sciatic nerve that has gotten inflamed. However, if by next Tuesday things are not a lot better, then a bone scan will have to be done as well as an MRI. There could be a stress fracture that is not showing up on the x-ray.

Good news is, even though I have been told ''no gym'' until we find out the problem. My eating has been in check, and tomorrow is weight in day, Sunday is Easter Sunday. Time is really moving just way too fast.

03-28-10......Palm Sunday

2010-03-28T04:24:00.002-04:00

I am having the hardest time thinking Easter is next Sunday. I am very proud of myself that with all the chocolate bunnies, chocolate Easter eggs and such out there, I have not caved one single time. Trust me I know there is still time, but I have not even had the desire. This makes me wonder..."am I finally growing up?" Getting rid of the mentality of , ''I want it, I should have it." Whatever it is, I'm glad I have it right now.

I was down 2.2 pounds at yesterday's weigh in, that made me feel good, but I have a ways to go to get to my new goal I have set for myself. I have found maintaining is much harder than the actual weight loss.

So I have a plan, I am putting it to work for me, and since last Thursday was my last day for Physical Therapy, I have GOT TO push myself back to the gym on a regular basis. I have become lazy where the gym is concerned.

Another day, another adventure.

03-24-2010.....Wednesday

2010-03-24T07:17:00.001-04:00

Just heard on the news that we older women need to exercise for an entire hour just to maintain our weight. I don't know I just don't have a full hour all at one time, however.......I can break it up, but I want to lose a little more, so guess I will need more than an hour. AHHHH, its a never ending battle.

Oh another thing...The last Supper has been super sized....who would have thunk it??

03-23-2010......Tuesday

2010-03-23T07:45:00.001-04:00

Today I had to get out of my sweatpants that I have been wearing due to they were so much more comfortable than any other pants I own. So with an elastic waist its hard to tell when you have been overeating. So today, I tried on my ''skinny jeans'', and to my amazement and surprise, not only do they fit me fine, but they are just a little larger around the waist. So if elastic is your thing, and your weight loss is not going as you would like....put on the clothes that are honest with letting you know when you have been eating way too much.

03-21-2010...Sunday

2010-03-21T04:40:00.002-04:00

First full day of Spring today. So far here in Kentucky we are enjoying some nice weather, and I am so ready to open the doors and windows and let some fresh air in, but it is still just a little too soon to do that.

When Spring gets here I always think of Spring Cleaning. Yeah, I know, I'm weird, lol lol. But, here we have been shut up in the house, can't go outside without be bundled up so there is no skin showing. Now its time for some skin to begin to show, and time for me to get some Spring Cleaning done with my weight loss program.

Having surgery and not being able to be as active as I would like causes boredom to set in, then that causes the mindless eating to take place. So time to sit down get things down on paper, and have a plan. When Spring arrives, its as if the entire world is waking up from a very long nap, and I feel that way as well. Each day I find I can do something that just a few weeks ago or even a few days ago I could not do. For example..I can bend my right leg enough....surgery side.... to get my socks on without the sock putter oner. Now for me, that was a true accomplishment.

03-19-2010....Friday

2010-03-19T09:47:00.002-04:00

Guess you could call today ''Spring Eve", we are getting a beautiful day here in Kentucky, and I really hope my left hip.....not the one I had the recent replacement done on, but the other side. Has been giving me fits of pain. I am not sure if in PT, I did something wrong, or could it be that after PT, I do not seem to be able to come home and sit down and rest, I feel the need to keep going on.

So today, I am in a lot of pain, I hate taking the pain medication, but finally had to give in and take some, so I am really hoping by resting these next few days, and doing the stretches, that my PT guy gave me, that I can get whatever this is worked out.

Hope the day goes well for everyone.

03-17-2010...Happy St. Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T05:12:00.002-04:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Yesterday I had a bout with a stomach virus. Came on me very quickly, in fact I had even gone to the gym, came home got Bob up and ready for the day, made both our breakfast, and I had two bites of my oatmeal and bam, I was down for the count.

Today feeling great. I have PT this morning and things are back to normal. Hope anyone and everyone that does a drive by here today has a wonderful day, and remember, ''Stay Strong" on your weight loss journey.

03-15-2010....Monday

2010-03-15T05:27:00.002-04:00

Oh my its has been a few days since I have been here. So update is, I did 3 days of PT last week and 3 days at the gym. The thing I seem not to be able to get through my head is, I have to take it slow. I did 30 minutes (the most I've done since surgery) on the elliptical no resistance, no incline, I also did my stretching exercises. Well have no clue if it was the elliptical or the heel lift I am wearing in my left shoe to make me ''even''on both sides, but my left hip, not the hip I just had surgery on, was very unhappy over the weekend. So I did not go to the gym this morning and I also late yesterday afternoon changed the heel lifter and went back to the one that is more cushioned, and the back does feel better. So will talk with PT today, when I go see him.

I did go to my Weight Watchers meeting on Saturday, but I also knew my week had not been very good food wise, so I opted not to weigh in. Good news is, this week is already going better for me.

Hang in there everyone, don't slow down, and don't look back they may be gaining on you.

03-11-2010...Thursday

2010-03-11T04:16:00.002-05:00

It is really hard to believe, but today marks exactly one month since my hip replacement, and I am so close to being back to normal. I'm doing everything for Bob, this week I found I could even bend down enough to actually wash his feet and legs. Last week, I found I could step over the bathtub in the guest bathroom to take a shower in there, this week, I found I can sit down on the regular toilet in the guest bathroom, and not have to use Bob's handicapped toilet.

All these are small things, but for a person like me, they are major accomplishments. Now I just have to get my eating back on track.

03-10-2010...Wednesday

2010-03-10T04:41:00.002-05:00

There are so many things in a day and in life that tick me off. However, today I am ticked off with the way all these weight loss promises prey on the overweight person. I keep telling not only myself, but other people as well, ''there is not magic pill, you have to work, and work hard for the results you want." Ever notice that with these exercise machines they only use flat bellied people. Only exercise video I have ever seen that actually uses real overweight, even obese people is the Richard Simmons exercise videos.

I would love this to be easier, I would love to not even like sweets and all that carbage out there, but alas, I am not that way. I love food, and its not the healthy good stuff that I always reach for.

I guess I am a ''work in process."

03-09-2010....Tuesday

2010-03-09T03:30:00.002-05:00

Can you eat pizza on a fat loss program? Sure. Can you drink? Sure. Can you lie on the couch instead of working out? Sure. Your choice, your consequences. Remember this..."Bear in mind the single universal law of causality... there will be consequences from your actions, and you must be prepared to accept them."

When the above was given to me it really hit me and hard. Not that I did not already know there are consequences for our actions whether it is with our food choices or something else, but just seeing it in print made me stop and think.

03-08-2010....Monday

2010-03-08T04:16:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I had a ''whoo hooo'' moment. I went to the gym for the first time in about six weeks. Two weeks before my surgery the hip was giving me such pain, I just had to forego the gym thing. But, I had made myself a promise that even though right now I can't do what I normally would do at the gym, I would still go. I did get in 15 minutes on the elliptical, I did some stretches and exercises that my PT people have me doing at a ballet bar. It felt amazing to get a bit back into the swing of things. So I am up early this morning with plans of going to the gym again.

03-07-2010...Sunday

2010-03-07T05:02:00.000-05:00

Our weight loss journey is like a blueprint. So many things have to be on that blueprint and here are the ones this person listed for their journey, but I have changed the meaning to suit my life.

1. A Vision: Without a vision or an idea in your minds eye what you want to look like or maybe what outfit your trying to fit into. How will you know where your headed?

2. A Plan: We talk about this so much...plan, plan. If we do not prepare ourselves and have a written plan down, then we are going to be like fish out of water.

3. A Timeline: This was the only one I did disagree with, due to every time I tried to put a ''timeline'' on getting to goal, everything seemed to suffer. I think for some a timeline works great, but I am more into very short timeline, sometimes those are just ''one day at a time."

4. Motivation: Where would we be if we did not have something or someone motivating us each day. With the pretty weather we have had the last two days, let me tell you that sunshine has sure motivated me to want to get out and do some walking, and to get back to the gym.

I think, no, I know, the best motivation I receive is from each of you, and our weekly meetings, this has been what keeps me going.

5. Ask for HELP: If you are struggling, don't be afraid to just say, ''hey, I need some help here." It maybe nothing more than talking about what is going on right now, sometimes having a new set of eyes and ears to share these things with can help one to see where they are missing the mark.

6. Good Resources: One of the best things that Weight Watchers has done (in my opinion) for us in sometime has been the ''Weekly Reader." In the beginning, my thought was, ''oh another thing to put in my bag and forget about." Not true, great information, and a recipe each week, now come on all that is good stuff.

Also if you have the e-tools, which I love, you can find recipes, go to the message boards, read those success stories. Our meetings are the number 1 resource that was have.

7. Persistence: Whether its Weight Watchers or some other plan, you have to be persistent. You have to work at it each and everyday by planning your meals, and making time for your activity.

When you put all these things together I think if your goal is to be, ''Thin In 2010" will become a reality.

Today begins a new week, so let us all begin this new week with a blueprint for success.

03-06-2010....Saturday

2010-03-06T10:21:00.000-05:00

Today I went back to my Weight Watchers meeting, first time in a month, and I am happy to report, that with all I've been though I have gained on 1.4 pounds, so I am very happy about that.

Now just to be my butt back to the gym a few times a week. That will probably be my goal for this week. I'll keep you all posted.

Enjoy the day, here is Kentucky it is beautiful

03-05-2010....Friday

2010-03-05T07:26:00.001-05:00

Good Morning all, sorry I have not been by to post anything in the past few days, but mercy I have been so busy.

I am doing 3 days a week PT, at the Nazareth Home, and that is going well. Also...drum roll here......I am driving now!!!!!!!!!!!!! Color me happy. I went back to see the surgeon on Tuesday the 2nd, and was told, ''when you feel ready go for it." So when my friend drove me home I asked her to leave the van in the parking lot and I began practicing. Now due to being safe I am not driving across the Watterson Expressway just yet. I feel comfortable doing the short trips around the neighborhood, but I really think to wait on tackling the Watterson is a wise decision, and my friend is more than happy to drive me, and it is a great way for she and I to spend some time together.

My PT buy (Dustin) told me that if I was ready I could go back to the gym, and do my exercises on the ballet bar there when I am not doing PT with him. Well, I thought about getting up and getting there at 5 this morning, woke up in plenty of time, but have to admit, the bed was warm and I thought, I'll wait. lol lol. So see, I am just like most people the warm bed won out, lol lol.
I have 3 more weeks of PT, and yesterday was exactly 3 weeks since my hip replacement.

One thing I would like to add here, it is amazing what you find out about people when you are down, some actually like to kick you while your down. There are so many people out there that do wear the ''two faces'', oh how I do not like to deal with people like this, of course I was not surprised, but I was still disappointed.

Thanks again everyone for stopping by. Tomorrow I will return for my first Weight Watchers weigh in since my surgery, so hoping there will be no surprises there.

03-01-2010..Monday

2010-03-01T08:15:00.002-05:00

Good Morning all,
I cannot believe here we are in March already. This is why I wanted to get the hip replacement over and done with, so I could enjoy the Spring. Today I go for my out patient therapy, tomorrow will have therapy again plus my first visit back to the surgeon.

Yesterday, I ironed 17 shirts. I could not walk into the closet and look at all Bob's shirts on hangers and unironed. So that was my goal for yesterday and since I like to iron I was in hog heaven. lol lol.

That is it for now. Wishing all a great day.

02-26-2010....Friday

2010-02-26T14:32:00.001-05:00

Hey Everyone that drops by. I am home from the rehab place. My hip replacement was two week ago yesterday (Thursday) and I have to say I am doing great. Bob survived my being gone, but he was so thrilled when he saw me walk throught the door today. Still not able to drive, or bend very far, and will be going for out patient PT beginning next week.

Thanks everyone for your prayers, and well wishes, and hopefully I won't have to have anything else replaced for a long while.

02-10-2010.....Wednesday

2010-02-10T04:13:00.002-05:00

Only one more day to go and then I have my hip replaced. I have so missed not being able to go to the gym. I never ever thought I'd utter such words, lol lol.

I wish everyone all the best that drop by, and thanks for all your thoughts and prayers, but I feel my recover will be a speedy one, due to I am not one that likes sitting on the side line.

Thanks to all that stop in to visit.