Is it ever really "over"?

Is the weight loss journey ever really "over"? Is my goal weight really the end, or is it just the beginning?

I look at my obesity as an illness that I can "control" but will never be "cured" of. I will have to think about what I eat every single day of my life. My attitude about food HAS to change.

Tonight will be spent doing Alan's laundry and packing for the trip. I'm missing him already.....:(

Feeling good!

Okay, prepare yourselves....you may NEVER hear me say it again...

I am really liking working out.

I am enjoying my time in the gym. I didn't get to go on Monday and Tuesday because we were down to one car. Now that Alan's son has left to continue his military training, we have Alan's car back now. I'm planning to go daily through the week from 12-1 and mornings on the weekends.

Today I spent 25 minutes on the treadmill at 2.7 mph, with an incline of 3.5. I was really feeling it in my legs, and my heart was really pumping! Then I worked on my abs for 20 minutes, and spent 10-15 minutes stretching. I am feeling pretty good!

On Friday I'll finally meet Lisa, the friend from 3FC who told me about Slim and Tone. We've been chatting for a couple of weeks, and it will be good to put a name and a face together!

On the homefront: Alan leaves for a business trip to Ireland on Friday (28th) and will return on May 9th. He'll get to spend a few days on the front part and back part of the trip in England, where he will get to see his football team play. He's very excited about going, but says he is pretty depressed that I can't go too. It's just too short notice, plus the $980 plane ticket is out of our reach right now. So...I'll just stay home and do my thing. Luckily, I won't be totally alone, since we have moved in with our friends. I'll definitely miss Alan, though.....alot. I'm sure I'll be emotional from time to time. This is the longest we have been apart since we moved in together. Looks like I may have to get used to him traveling more than his last job. NOT what I wanted to hear........

In Control...

Lots of things going on the last few days. Here's a rundown:

--I joined the fitness club I tried out the other day. I went both Saturday and Sunday for extended workouts. I am sure feeling it in my muscles! I did the circuit, which includes 10 machines and 10 cardio stations. Then I hit the treadmill for 20 minutes, then did a 10 minute stretching session. I felt really good after doing it.

--We moved most of our essentials to Ken and Linda's house. We have a very nice room with lots of closet space and a nice bathroom. We are on one wing of the house and they are on the other. Right now we are working out household chores and meal schedules. We are so grateful to them for allowing us to be with them for a little while. We're enjoying their five dogs as well! Each of them have a distinctive personality and role in the pack.

--I am still packing up the rest of the apartment to take to storage. My computer will be moved tonight, along with Alan's work desk. The bedroom is big enough that we can have two work areas--one for Alan and one for me.

I've had a great on-plan weekend! I'm going to continue the streak!

Tried a new fitness club today...

There is a chain of fitness clubs called Slim and Tone. At first glance I thought "this is just like Curves". But once I went in there and did a workout, I thought "this is Curves on steroids!"

While Curves only has a walking/jogging board in between their machines, S&T has fun things, like steps, a thing for kickboxing, hand weights, that half a ball thingy on the floor (don't know what it's called), stability balls, stretch bands, etc. The club I went to also has an elliptical, a treadmill and a Gazelle. There are also other fun things there too, like stability balls, hoola hoops, boxing gloves, ab machines and other stuff. I definitely felt like I got a good workout.

I went during the lunch hour and believe it or not, I virtually had the whole place to myself. I had the instructor's attention one on one.

The cost to join is normally $74, but they are running a half off special. Monthly fees are $34 a month if you sign a year contract, or $44 for a month to month commitment.

The owners are a mother/daughter team. Both are very nice and helpful. I especially like the fact that the club has hours I can work around, including Saturday and Sunday mornings.

I have a week's free trial. I'm going to go as much as I can before I put my money down.

Google "Slim and Tone" for a link to it.

Interest and Commitment

This quote was on the Liquid Diet Discussion Board:

There's a difference between interest and commitment.
When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit.
When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results." Art Turock

False starts

Seems like that's all I've done the last month. The latest excuse--my birthday was this past Saturday. So of course, in true addict fashion, I decided that "Hey, it's MY birthday, and I don't want to be on no dang diet!" So Friday night it was apple martinis and cheeseburgers, Saturday it was a BBQ with more alcohol and lots of junk food. And of course, there was the better part of a triple chocolate birthday cake in there as well. The result: a five pound gain.

So WHY do I think that just because it's the anniversary of my birth, that all bets are off as far as my eating goes? Why am I having problems keeping my commitment to MYSELF? I have no problem keeping my word to others....why do I choose to value myself less than anyone??

So NOW.....what will I do about it?

1. Stick to the plan
2. Stick to the plan
3. Stick to the plan

The plan:
--following the New Lifestyle program to the letter
--drinking a minimum of 64 oz of water
--moving my body daily in some form or another

I am checking out the Slim and Tone club down the street from the office here. I want to see if it will be worth my $44 a month. From the looks of it, it will be.

www.slimandtonepalmbay.com

See what you think.....

Note to self....

DO NOT GO TO A BUFFET WHEN YOU ARE DIETING!!

Monday night Alan, Lin and I went to a buffet, kind of like a Golden Corral except locally owned. I started out well, only eating things on plan. But then I started getting a taste of this and a dab of that. Before long, I had five different desserts on my plate! I have zero self control when it comes to places like that. And have you noticed the enormous amount of obese people at buffets? I never really noticed it before. (I guess it's because I have always been one of them.

There IS a victory to report, however....last night with Ken and Linda suggested a Chinese buffet. Alan helped me stay on plan by suggesting a different place, since I have trouble with buffets. They were both very understanding (as they always are!), and we decided to go to Applebees instead, where I had a 6 oz steak and broiled shrimp with steamed veggies. It felt SO GOOD to be in control!!

He'll be home soon!

Alan has been away for the last two days in South Carolina for Jamie's military graduation. We've spoken on the phone quite a bit. He's had a great time visiting his son and taking photos of the base. But I sure have missed him! So glad he will be home very soon!

I spent $180 at Lane Bryant on new bras (that actually FIT and look good!), panties and a cute new top. I hadn't really intended to spend that much, but what the hell! I hardly ever spend like that!

I was measured for my bras last night. Imagine my shock when I found out that my bra size is NOT 44C like I thought, but a 44DD!! Who'd a thought!!!