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.