Going with the momentum

Well, I was super successful last year in dropping 40 pounds. Then I decided to take a break over the Christmas holiday (the entire month), and I just couldn't get back into it like I was before. Then I started to go back to work, and that made most of my "me" time disappear. I have been spending lots of time contemplating my current situation, and I know I'm not happy with my weight (I'm happier than I was, but not satisfied yet), so I have to do something. Where could I find the time to exercise, and the energy and focus to stick to my diet?? I discovered that I like to do things that are hard and challenging, so I have committed to going to the gym after the kids go to bed at least 4 days a week, and sticking to my diet 90% I have shaped up my shopping habits, so I won't be tempted to bring home "snack" foods that turn into diet disasters (mini rice-cakes that are ok to eat a couple of handfulls of, but that I find myself eating by the bagfulls, etc.). I may not be thin by June, but I will be stronger and healthier than I was in January, and that's a great thing to work towards! Baby steps...

Can't wait to see you all!

I can't wait to see you all. Thank you so much for sending me the money for the cabin. We are going to have a great time. I hope you will all check out the list of activites I sent to you and let me know if you have other ideas. How is your weight loss going? We are on the home stretch now. For many of us however, we will continue our weight loss through this year and into next year. You still have time to lose weight. It's not too late. Cut out the soda, chips and candy and replace it with Vitamin water 10 (my new personal favorite) and baked tortilla chips or popcorn. We can do this together! See you in a month!

The Incredible Shrinking Tracy

Okay, I'm really not shrinking as fast as I would like but I have lost another four pounds and I am signing up for a 5K on Memorial day. I wanted to do a 5K before we had our reunion and I am excited to train for it. I just started running again. I have decided I like running (more like jogging at a really slow pace). I know I have to start slow and get some of this weight off me so I can go longer and farther. Anyway, I have been trying to work hard and have good weeks instead of bad weeks. How are you doing? Don't give up! We still have a month and a half! I am so excited to see everyone. I am going to be sending in the check soon for the vacation rental. As far as I know, it hasn't sold so we should be good. Love you all. Work hard and don't give up. We can do this thing together!!!!!

I am still in too, just a little late!

I haven't given up either! I did have a bad week last week when Eric was gone for 5 days. For some reason it's really hard for me to stay on track when I am out of my normal routine. But I am back on my diet, and I even (brace yourself) started walking again! I know, I am shocked too. Seriously the last time I exercised was a few days before I found out I was pregnant with Ellie. That was almost a year ago. I am embarrassed to admit that! Anyways, I started walking with Alison in the eveinings again and I love it! I love talking(gossiping) and getting some exercise at the same time. We have a walking path near my house that takes us by Walmart and Home Depot so we often pop in and get milk or go window shopping too. We go after the kids are in bed so I don't have to worry about them either. I feel so much better already, I honestly forgot how good it feels when you exercise, even something simple as walking. Exercise has always been my weakness, but I know it's going to be a really important part of my weight loss and health. So there you have it! Hope you guys are doing great, can't wait to see how everyone looks in June!

I'm Still In!

I'm still in and I am truckin'. The weightloss has been slow but I have been trying to exercise 5 days a week for an hour. I can feel myself getting stronger, I just need to loose the excess fat on top of my muscles. :) I have hit a plateau but I am hoping this week to break that. We still have the rest of March, all of April and all of May and part of June to lose those extra 25 lbs, so if you haven't lost a single pound.... You can still do it! Thanks for the encouragement Carole. We can do this together!

come on everyone!!

It's getting lonely here - have we all fallen off the bandwagon? I know it's a long haul, but we need each other!! I challenge everyone that's in this to put a post on here by the end of the week. You don't have to have lost (or gained, Cody & Dad) any weight, and you don't even have to be currently following your diet plan, but please post something!! We can only do this by helping each other, and if no-one writes what their troubles are, or their successes, how can we help each other? So that's it - you all have one week - let's see some posts, people!!

here's a new, awesome, totally free weight loss tool!!!!

Hey all, this one just occurred to me, so I tried it out, and it is amazing!! So, there I was, standing in the kitchen, contemplating which of the handfull of "bad" things in my cupboards to combine for a killer snack, when it occured to me that I wanted a huge spoonful of peanut butter mixed with some raisins and chocolate chips. Now, I know, this snack would put me under by about 400-500 calories, and I'm saying to myself "Don't do it!! Just walk away!!" But I can't make myself do it, so I think again to myself "why am I doing this, and how can I stop?" when it occurs to me to PRAY!! This has happened to me several times before, and I just brushed it off thinking, no that's just silly (It's amazing what we tell ourselves!), but this time I was just desperate enough to try it, and you know what? I said a simple, quick prayer, basically saying "please help me stop doing this," and I immediately lost my desire to mix that huge spoonful of PB with the huge mound of raisins and chocolate chips!!!! No kidding - I was able to walk away with just a cup of water in my hands, and I wanted to cry/laugh/dance/sigh with relief/hit myself for not doing it sooner!!!!!!

This has actually grown my testimony that God doesn't just care about the big things - He cares about everything, and most importantly our happiness. Please give this one a try!! Tammy and I were talking earlier about our struggles with weight, and we acknowledged that Satan has a real hold on us, because we came here for our bodies. They are a sacred gift, and he is jealous of us, so it makes sense that he is the one that is trying to make us destroy our bodies, and make them unhealthy. If you think about it that way, a diet is a great opportunity to grow your testimony, learn about the atonement (what other sin do you recommit more???), and grow closer to understanding God's love for you.

I hope I haven't made this too deep, and I know we should keep these post short and sweet, but I really wanted to share that, because I think prayer is the single tool that will work no matter what!! Let me know what you think :) I love you all, and good luck!