Djay- Lookin good! You did a wonderful job so far.

So, I LOVE amazon.com. I spent more money I probably shouldnt have but oh well. Probably something else I need to work on. I bought the oh so talked about 30 Day Shed, The biggest Loser Cook Book, and My Fitness Coach Wii game ( suppose to be better than the Jillian Michaels one). I only spent around $50 so I guess that wasnt bad being the wii game was almost $50 alone at Walmart. I figured they were things to help me get pumped for the new year.

Anyone have any good experiences with the 30DS or My Fitness Coach?

My 2009 goals:

Weight: reach goal of 115!

Exercise: get some exercise EVERY day (even if it's just walking). Start going to the school gym for some cardio.

Finances: stop buying so many *things* (video games, books, etc), buy budget-friendly foods when possible (which means more cooking and planning), and get out of this tiny bit of debt we're in.

Social: hang out with my classmates outside of school more often, try to meet some new friends.

Environmental: Buy more organic foods when I can afford them, take the bus or walk EVERY time it's possible, be more strict about recycling.

I took some before pictures just now after getting into my workout clothes... I'm feeling even more motivated now, lol.

Weight: 139.8

......

Hi and Happy NY's Eve, everyone! Well, dh and bil and I went hiking in Big Sur on Monday, yesterday I worked but made myself go to swim class after work and swam 2600 yards, today just getting ready to head out to the gym for a quick WO before the day gets away from me. Gonna keep it real tonight and not over-indulge, just going out with bil and a couple of friends to a local place a few blocks away to hear some music and have a little and then on the New Year, with even better results than last year's!!

So I haven't gotten a pic up yet of myself, but will try to later today. How am I gonna accomplish my goals? I have already put into practice some things last year, like a water filter and now drinking tons more water, and hardly any diet soft drinks. Also, I have cut down on the processed food A TON, just don't buy it, so not having it is the first win for me. That includes the diet granola bars and fat-free or lower carb/calorie stuff I used to try and depend on. I have really tried to eat more fruits and veggies, healthy yogurts and much more "home-made" foods with hopefully better ingredients without the additives and preservatives, etc. The biggest change is planning, on what to buy before going to the store, having a vague idea at least of what couple of major recipes or foods I want to make in the upcoming week, and just not mindlessly eating the same old familiar stuff I always did before. And always having stuff around to grab for a quick snack, like fruit or nuts or cheese or baby carrots, whatever, if I really need something like now!

My organization and purging is just a new thing to try and do when I have some spare time, before sitting down and reading or watching something (but after exercising for the day, hopefully). Can't say I do it everyday, but my goal is to devote at least 30 minutes twice/week to that goal. Saving $$? Well, that requires spending less, of course! Taking less vacations, or at least cheaper ones, spending less on eating out, spending less on everything/anything including clothes, gifts, household things, decor, whatever.

And keeping in touch more? Just requires more emails, and more phone calls/local visits in order to spend a few minutes with someone, sharing their world. I'm not good with cards, but I have tried to send a few more of those out this past year for special days and I will continue to do that as well, as in this tech age it is such a thrill (to me, at least) to get an actual card with a hand-written note by snail-mail anymore. So I am assuming it may be so for others, as well........

Gotta run before I lose the urge to get to the gym!!

Congratulations, Eny! I knew when I started reading your post where you were going with it, lol.

My 2009 Goals

My Major Goal is to avoid being diagnosed with Diabetes. I am already prediabetic.

Weight
SW 281, Goal Weight @ end of '09 221, this would be an average of at least 5 pounds each month, making it realistically.

Exercise
10 min a day, 6 days a week, which would be 3,120 minutes for the year,
10 min will be my minimum, so the days I do more than 10, the extra minutes won't get deducted.
I have MS, so I won't be hard on myself if I'm ill any day and can't do it. But it has to be that excuse, and not laziness. lol

Water
24 oz a day, every day except Sunday.
Will add 4 oz each month, so at the end of the year I will be up to 64 oz.

Size
I hope I can be in a size 18 or 20 by the end of the year, I really don't know how the sizes will run.

Inches, I have no clue, so for now, just smaller, lol.

Organization
I want to be well into some good Flylady habits by the end of the year. I want to be prepared for Christmas decorating by November 1st.

Physical Appearance
I have long hair, and I won't cut it, but I do want to experiment with some new styles.

I would like to find a part time at home job during 2009.

Spiritual: I have already started a Spiritual Blog, and will be studying and praying more in '09.

I would like to read more books in '09 and less tv.

I will post my before picture later this week.

Hi everyone! Wednesdays are my weigh in days & it seems I've lost 4 lbs. It's got to be those extra long workouts I've been doing. Plus all that holiday eating is over and done with. That puts me close to the original mini goal I had set for myself for my birthday. Maybe I should change that & work hard for the next 2 weeks to lose even more. It's a good start to a new year

hi~H A P P Y~N E W~Y E A R S~E V E~
Working on the organizational project. I am putting my pantry in neat, orderly fashion. I am some where between half and 3/4 done. Still have some odd and ends I don't exactly know where to put. It looks a lot better, but still have some work to do. I am happy with how it is going. My "to do" list is winding down for today. I need to get some exercise in today. The Grands are coming this evening for a girls night sleep over. My oldest DD is here until Sunday. I should be plenty busy for awhile. I will catch ya all later, just wanted to check in and say hello. Pat

Overall Goals for 2009

1. Work on my personal relationship with Christ
2. Study Hard and get A's in my last 6 classes.
3. Graduate!!! (May 16, 2009)
4.Enjoy my life, travel, spend time with family and friends without the what ifs and shoulda woulda coulda's
5. Make healthy, balanced choices(ie: exercise, food)
6. Reach my weight loss goal and maintain
7. Help my mother move out of her house
8. Take the LSAT and apply for Law School

Weight - I want to reach my goal weight of 150 lbs. and maintain that weight through 2009 and beyond.

Pants/Dress Size - Size 8-10 i dont really know what size that will be but i'm guessing that range is accurate

finances/budget - pay off all of these collections accounts and pay everything new on time and early. work on my credit.

organization (home vs work/school)- read assignments and do tasks early not last minute. keep my bedroom as clean as i keep the rest of my house. obtain a job in sports management or politics.

nutrition- make a conscious decision about everything i put into my body. eat balanced and healthy.

time with family/friends - spend more time with mom and grandma. know when to say no to friends.

water intake- drink half my bodyweight in water everyday

exercise / fitness level - at least 5 hours of exercise every week; complete couch to 5K; begin yoga for help with my balance and stretching out my body

pampering/relaxation - dont stretch myself too thin. spend quality time with friends and family

Measurements 12/31/08
Chest 38.5
Waist 32
Stomach (around belly button) 36.75
Hips 48.5
Rt Thigh 27.5
Left Thigh 26.5
Rt and Left Arm 13.25

My goals:
-Finish my CD.
-Finish Writing my Book.
-Lose 50 pounds
-Move out into an Apartment
-Earn more money for ^^^
-Advertise more for my Website

I may find other goals I want to accomplish throughout the year, but this is it for now.

I can't post a photo of myself yet, but as soon as I can I will do so. (For now just look at my avatar)

Weight- lose 5 pounds (min) per month totaling 60 pounds lost in 2009. I look forward to not having the back fat that I do.

Inches- not sure how my body will be since I have NEVER lost that much weight ever in my life, so I will note the changes as they happen, I am just too inexperienced to set a goal at this time.

Pants/Dress Size- Starting pants size is 18-20 (2X) and dress is 16-20 (1-2X) (I HATE vanity sizing, makes it so hard to be any actual size). Anyway, goal will be to hit size 12 (smallest at torrid) and see where I can go from there. I have curves (nice hips) so we'll see what happens in the pants department, same for dresses. I CANNOT WAIT to have a collection of cute, fun clothing. I have this awesome book called Frumpy to Foxy in 15 Minutes Flat and I want to buy every clothing staple they recommend in my new sizes (whatever they may be)

finances/budget- Pay off all our credit cards (going to get a huge jump when my husband's next pay check from an investment transfer comes in a couple of weeks) Put away $50-100 of every check we get paid right away to have an emergency fund. Never get into this much credit card debt ever again! Set a budget and stick to it. Buy birthday and Christmas presents throughout the year as I find them.

organization (home vs work/school)- Move into our friend's condo (March 1st set as the move in date for now) and organize everything the FIRST time it comes out of the boxes. With that goal of buying gifts early, having them wrapped and stored in a special cabinet in our near garage so we are totally prepared next year with everything!

nutrition- Replace soda with flavored water. Drink more water (keep a big bottle at my desk). Get the minimum of 5 fruit and veggie servings daily. Cut back on sugar and processed foods (elimination is the goal eventually). Eat out only once a month or only for celebratory times (birthday, etc). Take our lunch to work everyday. Minimize fastfood, evenually cutting out completely. Cook more at home and make premade meals for when I know we will be extra busy. Learn to really enjoy cooking and making healthy meals instead of seeing it as hard and a chore.

time with family/friends- this is a big one for us. We are planning on having a team party every month once we move into our new place, have close friends over once to twice a month, we see our family almost every week at church, but we need to make time to hang out with them, I am starting up a prayer/book group with some close girlfriends of mine. Making sure I call my friends who live far away at least once a month to stay in contact.

water intake- Drink at least 6 servings of water each day.

exercise / fitness level- My husband and I will be trying 8 Minutes in the morning together to jump start our morning. He will be jogging in the AM, we will be walking for 30 minutes on my lunch break everyday, and I will be walking at night. Possibly will join the fitness center at my alma mater (Biola) since we will be close and it averages out to $20.00 a month for BOTH of us for an entire year. Also want to get into strength training.

pampering/relaxation- Replace 2 hours of my mindless TV vegging out time with reading new books, my bible, journaling, getting massages from my awesome husband (he bought professional massage oils for me for Christmas! ), volunteer at my church or somewhere working with animals, something to pick up my spirits and not leave me in a position to just mindlessly eat out of habit or boredom. Pick up my guitar again and learn how to play it better. Go on a date night at least once a month with my hubby.

Also, not to be offensive or give to much information, but I am looking forward to A LOT more love making with my man. I was injured in December of 2007 for three weeks (threw out my back) and have been slowly recovering ever since. Being overweight does not help the issue. There are a lot of issues tied to this subject that we are working through, but I know that a HUGE part of is how tired I am and how bad I feel about my body. So yes, definitely looking forward to that

These photos are from a while ago but I pretty much look the same.

These are from a while ago as well, I will need to update but I wanted to get something close to accurate on here.
Starting weight: 230
Hips: 51.5
Bust: 49
Waist: 42



So excited! I do not have my 8 Minutes books yet but when they get here I will be fully ready, however I am ready to eat more veggies, fruits, and proteins, and to walk every day in some capacity.

Let's all look forward with excitment and eagerness to really see what we can do!

[QUOTE=fauxtini;2517943]Here's a recipe, heather!

Abby’s Spinach Salad

Faux - this sounds SO good! Although, i'd hav eto skip the cheese and I'm not big on vinigar, but the oil would be good!

What a GREAT idea! Getting rid of those tags before you get more! Keep working girl! It's making a difference!

I'm sorry to hear of your DH. That's SHI**Y!!! Stay strong hon.. and remember, running gives you a lot of time to think!

I 30DS!!! Mel MADE me get it! I Also spend WAY TOO MUCH on Amazon! It's insane!!!

See.. I told you those workouts were helping Oh also, I say stick w/ your original goal - it fells a TON better to surpass a set goal, then fall short of a revamped one!

I think that's an AWESOME goal - and thing to look forwad too! My DH has had some issues in the past as well. And being able to have that intimacy back in AMAZING!

Alright girls - tomorrow's the BIG DAY!!! It's the beginning of 2009! i'll post the first "official" mini challenge in the morning... G2009 - Love The Skin Your In! And to give you a hint... HIDE THE SCALE!

Oh I'm also reading into the whole weight gain/maintain/loss during pregnancy thing... It's such a different way of thinking! But If my OB says it's safe, and that I'm not "dieting" persay... then i guess it's ok. I'm just eating better, drinking a ton mroe water.. you know the stuff I should've been doing all along... I'll keep you all posted though!

Hi Everyone,

I just joined this website a couple of weeks ago, but I would like to join this thread and do the challenge with all of you. I currently do not have a picture to post, but I will borrow my sons camera and ask my husband to take my picture. I will also get my measurements to you soon.

My Goals for 2009.

Current weight 244. Would like to loose 74lbs. by the end of the year. Currently wear a size 22 and would like to be in a size 12.

Nutrition: Faithfully follow the WW program. And get all of my water in everyday. Make meals at home instead of eating out so much.

Financial: Keep to a financial budget and not buy things just because I want them, but because I need them. Get out of debt!

Spiritually: Have a closer walk with God.

Family: Be a better wife and mother. (Have no children of my own but we have guardianship of 3 foster children that we've had in our home for 14 months.) Decide if we will continue doing foster care or stop and take care of the kids we have.

For Me: Learn to love myself and love the skin I'm in no matter what size I am.

Exercise: To learn to love exercising and have a desire to do it each day.

Thanks for letting me join this thread.

In 2009, I want to:

~Reach my GW of 135
~Exercise at least 2x a week
~Walk at least 30 minutes, 4x a week
~Cut more sugar out of my diet
~Eat Organic as much as I can afford
~Move into an apartment
~Save money to ^^^^^
~Write every day
~Finish my first novel
~Start an indoor "garden"
~Expand my online business
~Create at least 2 new designs per week
~Paint/Draw once a month
~Practice Photography once a month
~Learn a new song (keyboard) once every 3 months



SW: 196 CW: 196 GW: 135

I'll post pictures later on tonight (if I can).

Goals: For 2009
1) To Weigh below my husbands weight (he weighs 189)
2) To reach my weight goal of 150
3) To Walk up to 2 hours a day 3 times a week.
4)To Get A BUNCH Of flower gardens made at my home.(I purchased a house 2007 with no flowers!) I love flowers~i planted some In the summer.
5)To wear clothes in the single digits.
6) To Get my teeth fixed.
7) To spend a few days alone with the hubby( we haven't had a sitter in proboly 3 to 4 years or longer)
I Will post my picture in my profile.( Do you want a pic of beginning weight of 259.9 or of Current of 234.2?)
Let me know and I will place it on my profile for ya.
THANKS!

I would like to add one more goal to 2009 and that is finish my Medical Transcription course and work from home.

here are the pictures that i said would be here later today.