Sooo...here we have the 5th week. I am a little down on myself for last week - nutrition, food, etc. went well, but not the exercising. I caved into all my old excuses (reasons?) for not going and doing what I needed most. I am glad we are all doing this together. I am grateful for the support. This is such a wonderful opportunity to change my life style and eradicate my feeble excuses for not staying active and eating what is healthy. I grew up in a family where we were praised for cleaning our plates and taking second helpings. One of my mother's traditions is having candy dishes all over the house and the cookie jar was always stocked. Last Saturday I went to up to SLC to watch my 94 yr.old father while my mother went to get a perm and go grocery shopping. Sure enough, the candy dishes were loaded with various choices of chocolate. I naturally, wanting the be the good daughter, had a piece of each followed by 2 diet pepsis. WOW what a good lunch that was!!! I did so no to the pastries that my mom brought home. She called me a party pooper but I held my ground. Score one. I don't want to continue being a slave to my habits. The ladies at work are really supportive of me doing this and are watching me are carefully. Here's to everyone having a wonderful 5th week. See you tomorrow.

Week 4 - already!! My most difficult hurdle to over come is to make time for exercise on a routine basis. It is becoming easier. Last week I took walks (hills included) and felt I got a good cardio workout. Tonight I worked out at the wellness center and concentrated on strenthening. My goal is to workout 6 days this week-no matter what!

I am doing well with the food things, except for today when I got tired and frustrated at work and got the munchies. I am proud that I didn't go overboard. I kept food logs for five days last week. My son's girlfriend was able to use two of the days for one of her nutrition class projects. She has access to a computer program that analyses everything that you eat. I was pleasantly surprised that I am very close to my 1400 suggested caloric intake and just need to tweak carb and proteins a little. I don't look up calories, just eating healthier and watching my portions. I have rediscovered how much I love to cook. I love mixing a lot of colors together and using fresh herbs from my garden. My extended family is very supportive and trying to do some of the things I am working on.

I have lost weight and inches. Ya-hoo.

Third Week

We're over 1/2 through with the 3rd week. Wow. I am concentrating on my strength training this week. Heidi gave me some good exercises to do at home on an exercise ball. Never, ever thought I would be caught on one of these. Where I work, we refer to them as birthing balls. I spent a couple of hours preparing various foods to use the next few days. I find that if I don't have something prepared, I don't have the energy to cook when I get home from work. I am getting very good at keeping the food log. I missed this weeks nutrition class because I worked. This week's new food is tofu and cucumbers, both of which I haven't enjoyed or appreciated in the past.

I am getting great support from my family and my co-workers.

Second Week - better than the first

I have totally recommitted myself to this challenge. Last week was very difficult because I was so involved in other things that I couldn't work out or eat as healthy as I should. It is so good to meet the other ladies in the wellness for workouts. You are my inspiration. I started my food log a couple of days ago at work and then accidentally threw it into the shredder. Oops. I bought a small notebook today and will start over. I loved working with Heidi this morning and relearning how to use the exercise equipment. Seems like they move some of the equipment around and that confused me. It doesn't take much. I'm supposed to hike up to the Y tonight but that isn't going to happen because of the rain. I talk about this program at work and am getting a lot of support from everyone. They even invited me to participate in a triathalon in Sept. HaHa - I don't street bike nor do I swim. Yuba Lake - I don't think so.

I actually worked out last night after work. I definitely need to learn how to program the machines properly. I did get my heart rate up to my target. I feel I did fairly well on my diet log. I am certainly not use to the carb counting, etc. One of the biggest challenges I knew I would have was to find time for everything I have committed to doing. I am determined to set aside tomorrow and work up a menu plan for a month and then shop accordingly. Another thing to do is to stretch out after I work out. I had leg cramps all last night, quite annoying. I feel better this morning which is good because I will be at work until 2130 ( I teach a prenatal class after my regular shift). I enjoy reading your blogs. They give me so much to think about.

Wow, again sucessful in actually getting to here. Having never blogged or twittered, I am really out of my element; but, I'm doing this whole thing because I firmly believe that it's never too late unless you're dead. Most of my exercise since Wednesday has been partaicipating in Youth Conference with the Young Women from my ward and today I am really, really tired. I plan on working out after work tomorrow. I have been watching my eating habits and increasing my vegetable intake.