August 16th - we're so close to being done and I'm back to my typical thinking of how much weight can I lose in 3 weeks? I had a few weeks, in a row, that put me in a slump and back to bad habits; i.e," if I eat this now, I' ll be really good tomorrow!" I went to girls camp last week in July and did well. The week following I was sick and didn't exercise as much as I should. My number one problem (still) is making time for the activities. I was working 48 hr. weeks and would go home exhausted...any one for weights or elliptical???Not! I am also decaffeinating my body - almost totally off now, only an occasional diet coke at work. Still feeling that I need something to energize me.

My youngest son was called to active duty (he's a reservist) with the Marines and left the week before I went to camp. He is in CA getting additional training and then to Afganistan in Nov. I really miss him and worry about him alot. Enter the emotional eating demon. There is no one to cook for except myself (again).

I rediscovered the book "Eat great, lose weight". Lots of great receipes. Same advise that we've received from our nutrition classes. I am implementing the receipes. Made some of the receipes and took them to a baby shower for my daughter-in-law on Friday. They were a big hit, even with the guys. Saturday I went shopping at the Sunflower Market in Orem for the first time. I love that place. I don't think I can go completely vegetarian though. I am consuming a lot more fruits and veges, and really enjoy the whole grains except for perhaps the increase in gas! I do love a great steak occasionally.

My clothes are fitting a lot better. I HAD to buy smaller size levis. I don't see the change so much myself, but friends and family are commenting on how great I look. That is such a boost.
My current goal is to walk every day. I live in SE Provo, so. of BYU, so I walk straight up 900 east - destination the BYU Creamery - and back is 4.5 miles. No, I don't take money and I haven't gone into the icecream establishment. My plan is go go a little be further and make it 5 miles even a day. Right now it take me about 75 minutes roundtrip. It make me feel so good. Last year I had a lot of knee problems due to old and new injuries, and could hardly walk. We've come a long way baby!

I am staying with my main goal of completing this challenge and having it be the turning point in my life to live healthier and happier so I can be there for my children and grandchildren - 2 and one on the way within 2-3 weeks. I have the opportunity in my job to see really healthy people that live long lives (90's) and younger people that are walking time bombs with obesity and diabetes. I have been so grateful for this opportunity and for the example of everyone participating.

This is the 40th day of the challenge. I feel great! I am still not getting enough work-outs in but I am still seeing results. Clothes are getting loser. Two pair of my favorite levis keep falling down...oops. I am working 48 hr. weeks (4-12s) for a few weeks and I am starting to get just a little cranky. The exercising and eating right are helping me with the energy I need rather than one diet coke after another. I'm sorry I haven't been able to join in the group activities. I am not supposed to do high impact activities, i.e. jump roping and I haven't been on a bike since my 20's when I attempted to ride from SLC to Provo - I made it as far as Lehi.

My main reason for participating in this challenge is so I can change my lifestyle, once and for all. I was very active when I was younger, jogging, racquet ball, tennis, dancing, lots of dancing, backpacking; however, having children, moving all over the US, going back to school and now working fulltime have taken me away from the things I know I should do for myself so I can actually benefit my whole family by being healthier. My father is 94 and part of his daily routine was (is) eating oatmeal and grapefruit each morning and going on walks. His diet is still the same but unfortunately does not have the strength to go on walks any longer. I hope I can live as long as he and keep doing the things that will keep me healthy.

I look forward to the nutrition classes every Wed. I can so identify with the frustrations and problems we all have. I am glad all of the girls are so supportive and positive. Hooray for my trainer - Heidi. She meets me at 630 am even when she hasn't had any sleep due to noisey roommates - been there , done that. -- Here;s to the next 60 days!!!!

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.