Clean Eating & Exercising Consistently

I've been eating clean since Monday, and went to kettlebell class twice, as well as a "The Swing On-the-Minute" drill at home. Yesterday I was down 6 lbs! Or maybe it was 8, I can't remember exactly so I'll say 6.

I know that this is going to slow way down, but I'm not going to worry so much about the scale as about eating healthy, clean food and exercising consistently. The rest of it will fall into place on its own if I do that.

I had entered the swing drill (20 min.) into My Fitness Pal as a 300 calorie workout. I got my new Polar Heart Rate Monitor yesterday and wore it during the drill. Man, I was delusional! According to the HRM I only burned 107 CALORIES! I was delusional. 300 calories?!?!? UGH. I'm going to go to the gym and get a good 60 minutes of cardio in and see what the monitor says I've burnt vs. what the machines at the gym say. Should be interesting. And it will get me into the gym today too!

I'm looking forward to wearing it at kettlebell class on Monday and seeing what kind of burn I get there.

I made a lovely Qui-tatta on Friday. I put lots of broccoli in it, but not enough fresh vegetables. Husband makes a much better one! I used goat cheese in it...next time feta for a little more tang. But it was still delicious. And I've still got a serving of it left. I'm trying really hard to control the portions and eat in more "normal" quantities. I'm looking forward to Tracy coming back to Olympia. We hit it off so well, and it felt like we've known each other all our lives. I want to make her proud. I want to be like her.

Well, OK, maybe not THAT bad-ass! LOL

Summer Jump-Start

My "365 Days of Corpulent Compulsions" blog didn't last even 3 months. And I'm still nearly as fat as I was at the beginning of the year...maybe a few pounds less, but nothing close to where I could have been had I continued on the path.

I've gotten a got kick in the pants though, from someone who is one of the most motivating and encouraging people I know. She is an expert in her field, she looks amazing and is incredibly strong, but best of all, she's been exactly where I am, so she knows.

I discovered her through "Google" as she is a heavy hitter in her field, I became "virtual friends" with her through interactions on Facebook and email, and this past weekend, I was able to spend some real "face time" with her and I can now say that I consider her a dear friend and mentor. With her instruction, advice and support, I know that I can succeed in finally getting full control of my health and my fitness.

Have you guessed who she is yet? She is the great and powerful Tracy Reifkind! The last blog I posted, on March 1st, was about Tracy! If you know nothing of her, then google her!

Better yet, check out her blog: Tracy Reifkind's Training Food and Thought

Or find her on Facebook!

We had a totally amazing day (and half the night) together, first exploring the Farmer's Market in my town, then doing a swing workshop, then drinking wine and eating clams and laughing til our bellies hurt.

Unfortunately the heavens literally opened up before we could really get into the more advanced portion of the workshop, but everyone who was there absolutely loved it and can't wait until she comes back. She lit a whole bunch of fires in her time here, and it's only the beginning!

We hope to bring her back in late summer or early fall for another workshop...one that we can market and promote much better. Everyone who came wants to do it again, plus bring friends. And Tracy also is giving those who wanted the advanced training a "Rain Check". No pun intended in spite of the deluge that absolutely SOAKED them while they were trying to train.

I am freakishly afraid of being hit by lightening and I was watching from the porch - wimp that I am! They didn't let the rain stop them, but when the thunder and lightening cracked directly overhead, they ran for cover! It was seriously one of the most spectacular thunderstorms I can remember in my 53 years here in Washington!

So, as a summary, I've got a new shot of motivation, I quit Weight Watchers and am now tracking on "My Fitness Pal" (free!) and the money I was sending to Weight Watchers will be going to Pilates classes to complement my kettlebell workouts. When Tracy comes back here in a couple months, she is going to be GOBSMACKED (I LOVE that word!) when she sees the progress I will have made by then. BELIEVE IT.

Day 69: I Can. I Will. Watch me.

I have a goal.

I don't know when I will reach it, but I will.

I am going to earn my certification in kettlebells.

I will be able to be an HKC instructor should I choose, and I will be in the best shape of my life!

I've "talked" (via FB msgs) a few times to Tracy Reifkind, who is considered the "Queen of Swing" in the world of kettlebell. She is the most encouraging, the most motivating woman I've ever (not) met! I am doing some serious hero worship on her. LOL

Her husband, Mark Reifkind, is one of only 9 Master RKC Instructors in the U.S. That is the HIGHEST level. They have a gym in San Jose, how I wish I could go train with them a few times!

In 2004, Tracy started swinging kettlebells at age 42, and at 250 lbs. Since picking up a kettlebell, Tracy hasn't looked back. She is in amazing shape and kettlebells helped to erase every sign of her former obesity. Something Tracy wrote on her own blog in early 2008 really speaks to me and helps me forgive myself and believe in myself after struggling with my leg injury for the past year:

"Starting again is not the same as starting over. Every time we start again we don't lose the experience of our first steps, we bring them with us. We don't forget our beginning, we learn from it. And our beginning gave us the base to define where we are currently and where we need to go. I just need to keep moving forward. And if moving forward means healing, then recovery is not moving backwards...it's readjusting the speed of the journey....of the experience."


I will have my own story. And my own photos. And my HKC certification.

And an absolutely AMAZING back!

Day 51 - So Much for "Daily Blogging"

I would love to say that my not blogging for almost a month is because I've been so busy with work and fitness and healthy living and...and...and...

Alas, it's probably 85% because of my tendency to procrastinate and indulge my innate laziness. At this point in my life, I'll probably never change those tendencies, so I must embrace it, and celebrate when I *DO* actually follow through with something.

I have actually been doing really, really well on my healthy lifestyle...following the WW program for the most part, and exercising consistently. So far in February, I have exercised "on-purpose" 16 days out of 19. After today's workout it will be 17 days out of 20.

However...

I had a business trip last week, and was on the road for three days. First day I drove nearly 6 hours to get to my hotel. Water consumption way down, naturally, but I packed all my food and ate very healthy. I had forgotten my personal laptop, AND also forgotten the wifi card for my work laptop, but the hotel had wired internet access. I didn't sleep so great as the bed was uber-soft, so I was in the fitness room at the hotel at 4:30 a.m.! I was at a conference all day, and got LOTS of activity unloading and setting up, running back and forth, packing up and re-loading. The only internet I had was on my Kindle Fire - but at least I had that. Unfortunately, my WW online tools didn't work on the Kindle.

Then...the beginning of the end. The conference coordinator asked if I wanted to take a left over box lunch. Greedy bitch that I am, I took TWO! There were tangerines in them, so they were healthy, right? On my way to my next destination (almost 3 hours driving) I dove into the first box. OMG, it was a fantastic tuna salad on a cheesy kaiser roll. I wish I had savored it longer, but disordered eater that I am, I inhaled it. I had waited too long to eat, and had only a salad for lunch, so waiting too long was my FIRST mistake. My SECOND mistake was taking two boxes, and my THIRD mistake was diving into the second box. That one was vegetarian...and was hummus on a cheesy kaiser. It wasn't that great, but I STILL ate every crumb. Then I grabbed one of the gourmet brownies and ate most of it. OK...I was full now.

When I got to my hotel and settled in, I grabbed a quart of milk I'd packed...my cooler had been plugged in all day (it's powered via either electric outlet or cigarette lighter in vehicle!) and the milk was icy cold. What could be better with a quart of icy-cold milk than the other brownie, the tabbouleh salad and a couple of WW mini bars? FOURTH, FIFTH and SIXTH mistakes.

I decided to NOT get up early the next day (SEVENTH mistake) when I noticed how late it was...I had a meeting at 10 a.m. the next day in Seatac, which was another 2 hours plus drive, so I slept in until I absolutely had to get up and get out the door. I had my WW oatmeal, but also grabbed 6 sausage links from the hotel breakfast bar. EIGHTH mistake.

I ate a healthy "lunch" at my meeting...2 hard-boiled eggs, an apple, a babybel cheese and a couple of tangerines. Looking back, that was my NINTH mistake. Just too little food.

After I drove back to Olympia, I stopped to fill the tank on the motor pool car, and then went inside and got a 12" subway sandwich for $5.00. My TENTH mistake was eating it all by the time I got home from turning in the car. I ate it IN MY CAR and was done with it by the time I got home...maybe 20 minutes?

I pretty much ate nonstop after I got home...I ate some leftover spaghetti that Ken had made the night before (ELEVENTH mistake), I ate the Pork Lo Mein that I had packed with me on the trip but had not eaten (TWELFTH mistake), I ate several sugar-free puddings and a couple of frozen fruit bars...I don't know what else I ate, but it was in excess. And I was weighing in on Sunday morning.

I was going to go to Kettlebells class...I was home in plenty of time to do it, and I really needed to as I hadn't exercised on Friday...but I blew it off. (THIRTEENTH mistake).

Saturday, I again blew off exercising (FOURTEENTH mistake) but I ate pretty healthy. By now, I was so much in the red on my points (having gone through ALL my weekly points and ALL of the 52 activity points I'd earned over the week), but I lost track of by how much. It was very, very significant, and it showed at my WW meeting Sunday morning when I was UP 6.2 lbs. I GAINED 6.2 lbs.

I'm sure that much of it is due to not drinking nearly enough water...but I'm also sure that skipping two days of exercise and eating in such a disorderly way had more to do with it.

At least I'm back on track now. THIS time, I am not going to let an episode like the above throw me off my game for weeks or months. Lessons have been learned, and hopefully by my next trip next month, I will do much, much better.

Day 22 - Snowbound and Unwired

Well, I missed days 19 through 21 because of not having any internet at home! We got our power back (was off for about 55 hours), but we still have no internet, cable, cell phone or land line. I guess it could be much, much worse, but I am having serious withdrawal issues with not having internet or even phone at home!

I've spent at least 6 hours at Starbucks today, getting my online fix. That's kind of pathetic. I guess I won't chastise my kids again for being addicted to their technology. LOL!

I also gained 4.4 pounds this week. People have said I have a good excuse, having been snowed in and all...but it wasn't a reason, it was an excuse that I exploited to the max. I didn't exercise and I could've...shoveling snow if nothing else! I ate without a single thought to tracking or moderating. It was something I could have controlled and triumphed over and I chose not to.

So today I've wiped the slate yet again and I am going to have an AWESOME week. My leg has been really hurting, and I missed a week of PT, but I am not going to let that hold me back. I AM GOING TO HAVE A POWERFUL AND ON PLAN WEEK!!!

Day 18 - Record Snowfall!

Well, the epic snowstorm that was predicted arrived in full glory. I woke up to over a foot and a half of snow!

Needless to say, I didn't even try to go to work...I can't get out of my driveway let alone out of my neighborhood. Fortunately we kept our power, so I just enjoyed looking at the snow from the warmth of my house. I'm sure I'll be staying home tomorrow too. I'm now regretting that I took that week off between Christmas and New Years!

Sophie enjoyed the snow. A LOT!

She actually prefers wearing her coat...otherwise the snow balls up in her bib and her paws and her belly...she is a true Mountain Dog, the way she frolics in the snow is so much fun to watch! And she eats it like it's doggy-candy! Just grabs HUGE mouthfuls of it.

The snow is going to be around for awhile...hopefully it will be gone enough that I'll be able to go to work on Friday at least...but I'm not going to risk putting my car in the ditch if it's bad still. Supposed to be really ugly tonight and tomorrow with freezing rain.

Someone posted something on the WW board today that really threw me for a loop. (A binge on chocolate chip cookie loop.) I had posted about a neighbor whose beagle wandered off, and that I'd left the garage door open in case it wandered by here...and she posted: "try not to close the garage door on his head and kill him or anything. i hear that happens to animals at your house."

WTF??? WHY would she say something like that? My Morimoto got caught in the opener a couple months ago and it was a horribly tragic, heartbreaking accident and she posts THAT on my post? What an unbelievably mean-spirited thing to do. I would be willing to bet that she was a bully in school...either that or she was bullied and lashes out because of that.

I don't know what would cause someone to be like that, but she is not anyone I want to have anything at all to do with. Ever. If she goes to the Lake Tahoe WW GTG, I won't. I'd wish karma would come back and bite her, but I don't want to wish bad things on anyone. I just don't understand the twisted ways some people's minds work.

Day 17 - Waiting for the Epic Snowstorm

We're waiting for what is being predicted as the most significant snowfall in Puget Sound in 30 years. On top of the 8 or so inches we already have.

I hate snow. It should stay in the mountains where it belongs.

Day 16 - More snow and being housebound

I didn't leave the house today...and I doubt I'll be leaving it tomorrow either. I would like the snow a lot more if I didn't have to worry about getting to work in it. I guess I shouldn't have taken that week off between Christmas and New Years...I should've saved it for SNOW DAYS.

I did a kettlebell circuit workout. It was short but it kicked my booty. Wonder if I'll be feeling it tomorrow?

I almost forgot to post again too. I just don't know about this blogging for 365 days...rather, 366 days! I guess I'll just keep plugging along...

Day 15 - Snow , -3.7 lb, and Filet Mignon

I woke up this morning to about 2 inches of snow, and it still coming down hard. I was going back and forth on whether I wanted to brave the roads to make it to my WW meeting,and even called to make sure it wasn't canceled because of the weather. It was not, so I went. The roads weren't too bad, and hardly anyone was out that time of morning, so it was fine. I was the first one there, and we had probably half of the attendance we usually have.

And I'm so glad I went too, because I was down another 3.7 pounds! That's a total of 12.3 pounds in my first two weeks back on plan! WOOT! WOOT!

So today was Yumday...that's what I call Sundays because I use up a good chunk of my weekly points on Sunday - I seem to do better on the scale if I do that, then stick close to my daily allowance for the rest of the week.

Anyway, as part of my Yumday, I had a big baked potato with butter and sour cream and filet mignon. I overcooked the filet. It just wasn't point-worthy, so I gave half of it to Sophie. I cut it up in little pieces so she'd have to eat it slower...and hopefully savor it, but it was down the hatch so quick I doubt she even tasted it! LOL

I did Leslie Sansone's Walk-n-Kick for my exercise today...and my leg was REALLY hurting during and after. Clear down into the ankle/foot. Dang it.

Day 14 - Day of Rest

Today is my "Day of Rest". I didn't go to the gym or do much of anything else, just letting my body just rest and restore. Wait, I did run about 50 feet in the rain - dashing to my car. And it didn't kill me or even make me breathe hard!

My leg hasn't been bothering me today at all either, so I know that this is good.

Plus since I weigh in tomorrow morning, I don't want to do any exercising or weight training that could cause my body to hang on to a single extra ounce.

Weigh-in tomorrow. *gulp* I've exercised a LOT this week, and been doing pretty good on my diet...logging everything and that's the key right there. So I hope that I'll see a good number. But if not, oh well, I will next week!
I can't help but be anxious though...

Day 13 - Friday the 13th

I'm not at all superstitious, so today was just another day to me. But it's a bad year for people who suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia — the fear of Friday the 13th. Why? There are three this year, instead of the usual two. There was one in 2011.

That's not all. For the first time since 1984, those three Friday the 13ths — Jan. 13, April 13 and July 13 — are exactly 13 weeks apart. Three Friday the 13ths happen every few years. The last was in 2009, and the next is 2015. What's special about 2012 — and what won't occur again until 2040 — is that this is happening during a leap year.

On another note, I am sooooo glad I have a 3-day weekend too! Went to the gym this morning, took it fairly easy so my leg wouldn't flare up, but I did break a sweat! I don't remember if I did 20 minutes or 30 minutes on the elliptical, which strikes me as funny. I usually have every single second seared into my brain.

Day 12 - An Edict on the Job and a Pain in the Leg

The "powers that be" have decided that everyone in my section has to work 8-5. No more flexible hours. I have worked 7:30-4:00 forEVER, and I don't have any customer contact, but I'm included in this edict. I think it's stupid, but I guess I should be thankful that I have a job at all.

Oh well, I guess I can get up a little later, or stay at the gym a little later, or whatever. It will be nice in the morning, but it will NOT be nice come about 5:00. And an hour for lunch? WHAT will I do with an hour? 99% of the time I eat at my desk. Maybe I will need to find an exercise class to go to a couple times a week. Maybe Kettlebells! There's a 12:00 class for that 3 days a week. I need to get more training events scheduled so I don't have to be in the office at ALL! LOL

This morning was again uninspired at the gym, though I think I broke a little sweat. My leg is really being a pain...had more trigger-point physical therapy on it today. I only need to get one more day in, and then Saturday will be my rest day. This is getting so tedious...I will never, EVER again take a pain-free leg for granted.

Oh well, it could be worse. At least I can walk AND I can go to the gym, even if I'm not working as hard as I think I should be. Hopefully as the weight comes off it will get better and better. I'm putting my poor old body under so much stress with all this blubber...my poor legs! My poor feet! My poor back!

DAY 11 - Keeping on

My workout this morning was less than inspired...I barely broke a sweat. But it was because my leg (the one I injured) was not feeling great. I did a different move in pilates yesterday that caused it to "wake up". Had a good trigger point treatment on it after work though, so hopefully it will be fine tomorrow. I did still get 60 minutes in...20 elliptical, 20 stationary bike and 20 treadmill. We'll see how it goes in the morning, but I hope it will be fine.

Eating is going well...husband is off work so he is making whatever I want for dinner each day...WW-friendly, of course! And I usually have leftovers for lunch the next day.

OK, time to go to bed...alarm is going off in 8 hours, and I always have to read for at least an hour!

Day 10 - another blogging FAIL

I can't believe I forgot to blog again! I'm going to have to figure out how to make it AUTOMATIC...*sighs*

Still hanging in there and doing what I need to do. Will do a better update on Day 11's blog. sheeeesh

Day 9 - Another 50+ Point Day

I'm not sure if I have mentioned this yet, but I'm following the Weight Watchers Point Plus plan. I love it, and it works. Plus it's something I can follow the rest of my life without ever feeling deprived.

Anyway, yesterday I ate 55 points, today I ate 54. I'm eating more than I should, which right now is 37 a day, but it should be fine if I keep myself in check the rest of the week. Before I quit in October, (WHY did I quit?? WHY? WHY?) I would have what I called a "YumDay" on my weigh-in day which is Sunday. I would indulge in at least 1/2 my weeklies, and Monday could be a little higher too...and then the rest of the week I would stay as close as possible to my daily allowance. I expect I will be doing my program the same way this time.

I'm really racking up the activity points...I'm in a challenge to get 400 minutes of activity per week, and it's kicking my butt! I don't know that I will be able to keep this up long-term, but it's a great way to start off the year! I can't believe I'm almost a third of the way through the month already!

Day 8 - 1st Weigh-in - WOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

First weigh in since I "renewbified" on Jan 1 and got serious again with a healthy lifestyle! AND I WAS DOWN 8.6 POUNDS! I will TAKE it! I didn't track every single thing last Sunday (had a mini-binge) or on Friday (Happy Hour), but I *did* get up every single weekday and go to the gym for 60 minutes of cardio and I DID eat really healthy. All in all, it was a FABULOUS and successful week!

Today it was such a beautiful day here that husband and I took our dog out to the Chehalis Western Trail, an old railroad right-a-way that is now a very long and very popular walking/riding trail. It was a brisk one...no sauntering with 75 lbs of Bernese Mountain Dog on the other end of the leash!

My ankle (on my GOOD leg no less) was pretty darn sore by the time we finished. But I got in 60 minutes of brisk walking and I feel fine now.

I just couldn't believe all the piles of dog poop. Including the one husband stepped into. In spite of signs and available poo-bags. I really REALLY hate people who don't clean up after their dogs.

Husband carried a bag of poo for over a mile then we put it in the trunk until we got to a garbage can.

Day 7 - LATE - I'm SOOOO MAD!

Geeeesh, I intended to blog every day in 2012 and I can't even make it a week before I forget a day?

Oh well, there wasn't any workout either. Just lots of driving and snuggling of newborn baby goats. I'll post a REAL Day 8 blog when I get back from my WW meeting...leaving for it now~

Day 6 - Might be a Fermented Night!

Got up this morning at 4:50 - at the gym by 5:10! I did some upper body weight training (including the Gravitron - doesn't just the name of that intimidate the heck outta ya?) and 20 minutes each on Elliptical and Treadmill.

I've been really stingy with my points today because I'm meeting a friend at the wine bar after work! I'm sure we'll have a couple few flights each. But I've got 30 points left! 30!!! That's more than a whole bottle of wine. heheh. After the wine bar we're heading to her house where we just might imbibe a little more.

I'm excited because I haven't seen Lisa in a long time...we live in the same town and work blocks from each other, but we're both so busy that we just haven't managed to get together. Lots of laughs are in store for sure!

I won't be out late though...I have a huge box of goodies (a couple of Wii exercise games and clothes!) that a WW buddy shipped to me. How sweet is that??? I can't wait to go through it and try things on. She put scrubs that she's too small for in it too...as comfy as pajamas and I *can* wear them to the store! Yeah!

AND! AND! My Ugg slippers are there too! OMG, I can not WAIT to try them on!

Day 5 - Not Fun Yet, but Do-Able!

I'm so glad tomorrow is Friday. This getting up at 4:50 isn't fun yet (will it ever be??) but I think it's getting easier. But I've gotten more and more tired as the week goes by. I went to bed a little later than I would've liked last night, but still dragged my carcass out of bed when the alarm went off. Tomorrow will do again, then on Saturday I.WILL.SLEEP.IN and do an afternoon workout.

I've got some melatonin. I hope it works for me! I'm getting so tired of having to take Ambian to get to sleep, then too often waking up after an hour - wide awake. I wish I could get off the Ambian all together...so crossing fingers that the Melatonin will work! I read it can make your dreams more vivid too....YAY! I love dreaming...I don't have nightmares often, most of my dreams are extremely enjoyable!

I'm REALLY looking forward to weigh in on Sunday...I think I've had an excellent week so far. I'm going to hoard as many points as I can tomorrow because I'm going to the wine bar with a girlfriend after work, then to her house! I haven't seen her in months, so I'm really looking forward to spending some time catching up with her.

Sweet dreams....I hope!

Day 4: Keeping the Focus

Boring update today...I ate on plan (YAY!), I exercised (YAY!), I drank plenty of water (glug), and I'm about to go to bed with over 12k steps on the pedometer today.

I got up at 5 a.m. and went to the gym again before work...I took my Kindle with me, but it's not that much fun to read on the treadmill or elliptical. I only put in one contact so I can see the display on my MP3, I have to have one to drive, but can read better without them. Made it a little difficult to read the kindle. Then I walked out of the gym without it! Geeeesh. Guess I'll just stick to the MP3 player while I work out.

I also went to a meeting tonight with Laura, the Arbonne Regional Manager that is my upline. Her house is AMAZING. Probably 3 times the size of mine, easily. Her husband is an airline pilot, and she is very successful with her business, so I'm not surprised. Very, very nice woman, very much in love with Arbonne products. I'm excited about it too...I am so looking forward to getting my first order and using it. I want to have a couple of launch parties too so I can introduce my friends to it.

Hopefully will have more to say tomorrow - gotta hit the hay now as the alarm will be going off at 4:50!

Day 3: Great day until....

I was doing really good today until I got home...and found out that husband has been at the casino for 5 hours today. I hate hate hate hate casinos and gambling, ESPECIALLY when they suck in someone who has no control. like my husband. He says, "But I won a $700 jackpot!" Big effing deal! Casino always always ALWAYS wins and if you can't walk away when you win anything over $20, then I believe that there is a problem. He keeps thinking the next $20 or $30 or $100 he puts in the thing will be the next big jackpot.

So, in my anger and frustration, I cracked open the tropical rum singles. I've drank 3 of them, and not even a slight buzz. I have a sweet coating in my mouth - yuck. And I bet they're extremely costly in the WW points.

Well, tomorrow's another day. I'll get up and go to the gym, then sit at my desk at work and wonder if he's back at the casino. He's been off work since Christmas, and probably won't be getting a whole lot of hours for the rest of the winter, so of COURSE, he's throwing the effing money away at the casino. GRRRRRRRR

*deep cleansing breaths*

Day 2 - Starting out Strong

Day two already! Today started out strong - I got up and was at the gym by 5:30 a.m. even though I don't have to work today! I did 20 minutes on the treadmill, then 30 minutes on the elliptical, then another 10 minutes on the treadmill, then did some assisted pull-ups and triceps dips and stretching. It felt good.

I went early because I figure the gym will be packed later on...today is a state holiday and since I live in the state capital, I'm sure lots of people were sleeping in.

Yesterday wasn't as successful as I wish it had been. I didn't exercise, and I started eating out of control in the evening. I wasn't hungry, by NO means, so I don't know what I was trying to feed. Regardless, I tracked MOST of it...and am putting it behind me. I will do better today.

DAY 1: New Year - New Beginning - New Commitment

I've a new blog and I intend to blog each and every day. Even if I have nothing to say but "ugh". I had a lot of "ughs" in 2011, but it's over now. So what if I lost and gained 25 lbs in 2011? Twice.

It's out with the old and in with the new! I have a clean slate, a new start and I am NOT looking back. I intend for 2012 to be a much more productive year personally, physically and emotionally.

I am going to once again lose 25 lbs - TWICE - in this next year. But this time I'm not going to gain any of them back. I will end 2012 at least 50 lbs lighter than when I started it.

I went to my WW meeting today - I was surprised how few people there were there. I am a pound HEAVIER than when I joined in July. So I gained 26 lbs back since late October. I gave my 25 lb charm back each time I gained the lbs back, so I am going to be earning my 25 lb charm back for the THIRD TIME!

I've reset my weight settings and am starting once again at the beginning. I've taken a series of "before" pictures. Spandex, bikini top and everything. I've even posted them on this blog...and believing that I will never ever have a picture of me that looks like that again.

Here's to 365 days of Corpulent Compulsions - and here's hoping that my next set of pictures show a LOT of improvement.