I am so happy the sunshine is out and the weather is warmer- I need the motivation to get another loss on the big red scale. My numbers are not dropping as I would have hope- I see from facebook - that a few of us are having the same issues-

I am bootcamping, biking, walking  up and down the steep hills of the Gridle Road pack (Radcliffe Rd) I am taking the stairs-

I am drinking water like it is going out of style- My clothes are fitting better, People are noticing, I am happy that I have lost, but I want to be like the commerical for AT&T... I want to be like the little girl  " We want more-- We want more"  I do want to see the numbers dropping more and more-

It will happen , I know that we hit plateaus from time to time- I have had enough of my plateau!!- so I am pushing forward, thinking postively and I have to modify my snacking-

 

Happy Mothers Day to all. I was going on a few mile walk until Mother Nature decided to throw some snow at me ! So now off to the ymca before a lunch out. This week I admit to struggling with old habits - stress wants to override my good food choices . I am way better than I was but not as good as I could be. So again my goal for this week is better food choices and better snacking. Drinking water is never an obstical, I change it that up - adding lemons, limes, oranges, cucumbers, mint or ginger. My biggest battle is right after work - getting up at 4:30 am and home to make dinner at 5 pm , I want snack and nibble while making dinner and I think I add more calories than I realize . I am on the right track , a few bumps along the way.

We had a wonderful walk in the Girdled Rd park.

A bit longer than I had thought it would be. We all managed to get up and down the stairs, hills and slopes. It was fun. The scenery that we have at this time of year and the beautiful parks are truly a gift. I would have never known about these parks if I had not joined this group.

I am so glad that some of us spending time together. Group participation is a nice thing. It is nice to see every ones triumphs and we can share in the set backs as well. I look forward to more shared dinners at Cabana's and some more hikes.

This week I also am going to spend more time on focusing on food choices.

 I still want to slip at night

I used to walk past anything in the kitchen and grab a nibble- not as much anymore,

somehow, I this little voice telling me- "That little taste is not needed", "those nibbles add up", "You are just eating out of habit not hunger"-

 I am very thankful my inner voice is stronger than my momentary temptation.

I finally got brave enough and I went to the back of my closet, pulled out a pair of jeans from my past-

and... they fit!! Nice, now I get to go shopping in my own closet. well, not exactly but I am sure that you understand what I mean.

I am even getting more motivation from this.

It is so nice feeling better, setting complitments, people noticing the change in my appearance and attitde.

I am glad the cutt off weigh in over,now we can focus on the next half. -- Let me refrase that .... I do not think of this as a contest but more of a way of living. I have set new goals... some for the contest, some for just me.

 

I go to yoga classes 1-2 times a week. I have to admit that I really have grown to appreciate these classes. I did start before I even entered into this Lighten up adventure.,I began in Oct 2012. This class is offered at my office building. I go to the 6 am or 7 am class.
For anyone who thinks yoga is for sissy's or that you don't get a work out, let me tell you,more days than not I leave that class drenched. I have seen my strength increase, my technique of breathing during class improve. Today for the first time I was able to hold the crow pose (see photo) so long I amazed myself !
I am thankful I have a great yoga instructor!

I spent some time reading everyone's blogs this weekend, It seems that we are realizing how fast April 27th is approaching.

At the last weigh in I did meet my 5%- But as Laura reminded me I had to maintain and not gain.

I think I am doing ok(my scale always reads a bit less than the BIG RED SCALE) .Since the l;ast weigh in,

I did have a few days in New York and then a few days with a flu - both of which played havick with my eating pattern and work out routine.

 I have this week to put everything back in balance.

I really have get great ideas from Ron on the Facebook page_ Thanks Ron!

I must say that this whole new Lighten up way of life is a nice addition to my world. My son Mason (17)who joined in making better decisions has lost 35lbs- He looks fabulous! and his attitude and confidence is so improved.

For myself, I have set a new goal to reach by my birthday May 28. I  have every intention to reach it.

I have just gotten my bike back from it's yearly tune-

Maple Highlands trail watch out- here I come- almost 18 from my driveway to the end in Middlefield and back.

 

 

Hi Laura,

Do you have a way to contact Jess at Lean Living?

I have been going to cardio and bootcamp and I won't be going tonight- I have the flu- I just thought it would be rude to just not show up

I just wanted to give her a heads up

Anna Peters