WOW. It’s been almost a month since I’ve been here! Gah! We’ve had lots going on, though. First, I want to bring you up to speed on the grand-daughter situation. The mom, our daughter, is in rehab! YEAH! Great big thank you Lord! That’s what we wanted was for her to get herself taken care of so she can be the mommy. We are not pursuing any kind of court document for visitation at this point since Ema is not being withheld from us. We plan to go to Pennsylvania on the weekedn of 08/22 and Labor day weekend. Our girls are going with us on Labor day weekend and we’re going to Niagra Falls, which is about 1 1/2 hours from Erie, PA. Our oldest DD has never been. So, thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. It appears this situation is taking care of itself.

I have been struggling with body image for a while and have not been taking good care of myself. Just when I get to the point of trying, something happens or I read something and I think, what the heck is the use. I’ll just eat what I want and die fat and happy. I found a Time magazine article that said that moderate, 2-3 times a week for 30 minutes, is not good enough anymore. That research by the University of Pittsburgh (Hey, wait a minute-it’s from Pittsburgh? Well, you know the darn yankee can’t be trusted. So I can throw it right out the window!)  :)   stated that in order for obese people to lose weight, they need an average of 55 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Again, I ask, why bother! I’m having trouble doing 30 minutes 3 days a week! But it did go on to say that, bottomline, the way to lose weight is to “embrace the weight loss program fully and finding a way around the daily obstacles to exercise”. Can I get an “AMEN, sistah!”

So, that’s what I’m working on; embracing the weight loss plan (moderation, low/no sugar, low carbs as they are my weakness) and finding ways to remove obstacles. My biggest obstacle is plain and simple just making time. I like to go in the morning but if I’m not in bed by 10:00 you can forgeddaboutit. So, here are new, revised goals. Please help keep me accountable. We have a vacation to San Diego planned for next summer and I want to be in good enough shape to really enjoy it; to be able to go to the beach and just have fun instead of worrying about how I look.

short term goals:

• get under 240 (I’m at 250 right now).
• Exercise at least three times a week (once being yoga)
• keep a food journal
• read a chapter in my Bible everyday
• accountability everyday
• keep my back straight (it at least looks like I’m losing weight when I do that! I schlump a lot).
• Lose ten pounds by my sister’s weekend in October

rewards: maybe a mani/pedi or new book or cd. Plus feeling great!

mid-term goals

• lose 20 pounds by Christmas
• increase exercise to 5 times a week (again, include some yoga and/or pilates)
• continue with food journal
• fast about once a month or so
• be under 200 by July 4, 2009

Rewards: some new clothes or perfume (I love perfume)

Long term goals

• lose 80 pounds
• exercise everyday but Sunday (day of rest and all) 
• become a certified yoga and/or pilates teacher
• maybe run a mini-marathon; that would be cool.

Reward: new wardrobe! (Oh, yeah).

I found a quote that I believe I will use as my new mantra. Here it is:

Victory is won not in miles but in inches. Win a little now, hold your ground and later, win a little more. Louis L’Amour

Tomorrow, I gain a little by exercising. Have a great day!