Friday, January 29, 2010

Happy Birthday David!

David is 40 today!! I'm taking him out to dinner, but I'm not telling him where. I think he's going to like it! I gave him his special birthday shirt this morning. He's a good sport and put it on right away. It's a baseball-style shirt with the number 40 on it, and it says "Birthday Boy" on the back. :) Yeah, I'm silly like that! We've got fun stuff planned for tomorrow, and brunch on Sunday, so I think he's had a good birthday week. :)


Today two of my co-workers and I are going to fill in for our customer service team for about 4 hours. One of their colleagues passed away Tuesday (she had pancreatic cancer) and the services are this morning. So three of us who came from the customer service team here are going back to fill in so that the team can all go to the funeral. I'm not really looking forward to it, but it seemed like the right thing to do. I've got good friends over there, and I think they need to go and get some closure and say farewell to a good friend. I know it will be a tough day for them.


Dreary weather today, huh? I wish it wasn't so cold and rainy, but it won't be ruining the birthday fun! I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Already A Great Day!

I'm having another one of those days where God is making sure that I know I am loved and encouraged. I've had two separate people take the time to tell me I am looking great and to keep up the good work. I wonder if these people know when they take a moment to encourage me just how much of a difference it makes in my life? I think I need to take time to tell them. (One is a co-worker who is a very cool gal, and the other is a really nice security attendant here in my office building. Both are beautiful women with the most cheerful personalities!) I feel so honored that they take the time to notice my progress.

It's just one of those days where I woke up feeling strong. I got a good workout in at the gym this morning, and am ready to take on the day. I have school tonight, and then dinner with my friend Kim Hightower. She is the mastermind behind the whole 1/2 marathon idea. She's a friend from WAAAAYYY back in high school choir days, and we reconnected on Facebook. She has really been a big cheerleader for me, as she understands the struggles of weight loss. She's lost 120 pounds and now regularly runs marathons and leads a very active, healthy life. One of these days, someone will say the same about me! :) Anyhow, she is in town on business and this will be the first time I have seen her since high school! Pretty cool!

Last night we celebrated day 2 of Birthday Week for David. I got him a gift card to Home Depot, and we had strawberries and champagne. I originally wanted to do cupcakes, but then I reigned myself back in and remembered David is really one who enjoys fruit more than most desserts. I'm afraid I'm the bad influence there, so I did good and got some very delicious fresh strawberries. We had fat-free Reddi-Whip that I decorated the plate with, and little "Happy Birthday" picks that I stuck in the berries to make it extra festive. It was very delicious and guilt-free! Tonight's treat is very low-key, and he'll get his little surprise when I get home tonight. I love doing this for him! He's a wonderful husband and my best friend. I couldn't ask for more.

So that's about it. Everyone have a great day!

Monday, January 25, 2010

David's Birthday Week Begins!

So today is the official start of "Birthday Week" in our home. I think birthdays are a very big deal, so I like to make a fuss. And especially since this is a landmark birthday, I really wanted to make the most of it! It wasn't supposed to start until today, but I opted to start it last night. David has had to work all weekend, and when we weren't working, we did family stuff, so the weekend was gone in the blink of an eye. So I gave him his first present last night, which was an iPod shuffle. It's a blue one with a special note engraved on it for him. I think he loved it! It's perfect for working out. He was tired of having to use his iPhone at the gym, so this is much lighter and better suited for gyms and half marathons. :) I'll tell you about tonight's birthday activities tomorrow...I don't want to let the cat out of the bag!

Tonight is also my first night of my English class, which is actually a writing class. We'll be learning about writing grants, proposals, and a bunch of other stuff. I don't have to rush since class begins at 6pm, so that's nice. I am finding that I am having a lot of homework already, so I am a little worried about balancing everything, but I'll get it figured out. Hopefully my English professor will have a little mercy!

And on a very frivolous note, GO SAINTS! What a great game yesterday! I had to watch it alone since hubby was working, but as I folded laundry I got to cheer on Drew Brees and the rest of the Saints in a very exciting game! I am looking forward to the Super Bowl!

That's about it today. I need to cut up my grapefruit and have a little breakfast so I can start my day. I hope everyone's Monday is manageable!

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Proof That I Have My Act Together

Let me recap the week with regards to focusing on being back on track:

I worked out every morning at 5am, except for Friday. Friday I was tired, so I slept a little later and David and I walked for 3.2 miles that evening. Still a victory! Got up this morning and worked out, too! I was pretty good with what I ate this week, but there were a good handful of questionable choices in there. So how did I imagine my weigh in going this morning? Honestly, I thought I would maintain, maybe even gain a little bit. But my body chose to reward me for making a better effort than in weeks past - I lost 4.2 pounds this week! So I now only need lose a couple more to have the holiday pounds off forever. This is a very good thing!! I am feeling really victorious about this, and I think this only serves to motivate me further.

I mapped out a 3.2 mile walking path for myself, so we tackled it last night. One of my socks wore out so I got a little blister on the side of my left foot, but I didn't let it deter me at all. However, I will be going to Dick's Sporting Goods today to get some different socks, for sure! Kim has only told me about these a few times and encouraged me to pick some up. I listened! I just never got around to it...now I will!! Blisters aside, I feel great and am planning to tackle the path again in the morning before I go to Yoga.

I have spent a good part of my day working on Algebra. I am getting it, but got frustrated with one problem and have had to walk away for a bit. I'd love to go shopping, but I think I will stay in since it's rainy outside. I am waiting for David to get home from the Market Center in Dallas so we can get ready for a busy evening of family stuff. :)

I also have a special dinner with a friend this week. My friend Kim H. from Houston is in town and we are meeting up after I get out of class on Tuesday. She has also been a very special cheerleader, and she is the one who planted the 1/2 marathon seed. She's part of my support system going to Chicago, so it's going to be fun to have dinner. After all, we haven't been face to face since my senior year of high school!!

I have to wrap up now...Algebra awaits, and I also need to wrap some birthday presents. Have a wonderful Saturday, friends!

Friday, January 22, 2010

4:20am Was A No-Go

When the alarm went off this morning, I absolutely couldn't do it. My body is tired from adjusting to my morning routine, and I needed the extra sleep, so that's what I did. The trade off? When I come home from work I am changing clothes and going for a walk. A nice long one, too. It's going to be nice to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Besides, this will be good for my training. :)

So how will my weigh in go tomorrow? Not sure yet. I am retaining water, and have had some stumbles in my eating this week. I'll get on the scale at the gym when I go for my "Last Chance" workout in the morning before WW, but right now I just don't know. The good news in this is that I really have done better this week, and I am proud of the activity I have gotten in. So it's baby steps for me right now. But you know what? I'll get there!

Next Monday begins "Birthday Week" for David, and I am excited! I have daily treats/activities planned to celebrate...it's his 40th!! His birthday is actually the 29th, but I am making it a week long event. :) Good wife? I think so! I'll be taking lots of pictures and will be posting here. Look out for all the birthday fun! Each day has it's own theme tied to a treat, gift, or fun thing we'll be doing. I've really been planning this and I can't wait to spoil him!! (Hey, this man spoils me so I am excited to return the favor!)

I think that's about it for today. I hope everyone has a great day! Just a quick thought...although it's important to remember those in Haiti right now, please don't forget that we have so many people here that go hungry every day here in our own hometowns. If you can, please make a donation to the North Texas Food Bank. They do so much for people here, and the recession has really affected donations.

Have an awesome day everyone!!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Whoa Nelly!!

So three of my four classes began yesterday, two of which are online. My Foundations of Psychology was great, of course. My favorite professor is teaching, so it will be a good class. My online Algebra class is scaring me just a bit, but I need to stop and breathe and it will be okay. My online Sociology class is going to be a good one, I think. All of my professors seems good, and I have gotten welcome emails from my online profs and they seem very accessible and easy to communicate with. This is going to be a very difficult semester, but I think it will be a good one. Just as a side note, I get to go be extra nerdy and buy a graphing calculator. I think I will treat myself to a new notebook, too!

I am totally back in my workout groove now, as evidenced by the fact that even with David out of town I was able to get out of bed and get to the gym this morning! I am working hard to get back on the losing track, and with the 1/2 marathon coming, I have a lot of work to do. I spoke at length today with my friend Knox at the gym. (He's my cheerleader there, and he says good morning to me and David all the time...we love this guy!) We talked about motivation and encouragement, and he told me he is really looking to see great things from me this year. I love knowing people have faith in me! It makes me want to work harder! So it's going to be a good week and I am celebrating my recommitment to the 5am workout!

I am looking forward to dinner with Christy tonight. We haven't had dinner since...um...I think it was before the holidays so we are overdue! She is my only friend who will go to Red Lobster for dinner (and vice versa) so we are looking forward to dinner together! :)

That's it for now...I need to cut up some strawberries for a snack. Have a GREAT day, friends!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Everything Back In Full Swing

So today is the day that everything starts again! I am back to my early morning workouts, school starts today, and David hits the road again. It's a busy day! I am so ready to get back to class, though. I like the feeling of moving forward and working toward my degree, and as much as I love the winter break, I love getting back to the classroom. Yeah, I'm a nerd. It's all good!

Cool thing of the day? Yeah, it's 8:47am as I write this and the best thing of the day has already happened. There is a gentleman at my gym with whom David and I have become friends. He used to play pro football many years ago, and now teaches at the community college. We met back in the summer when he came up to me and told me he saw how much progress I was making with my weight loss and told me he'd be rooting for me. Since then, he has told me that in one of his classes where he talks about goal setting and motivation, he uses me as an example. So his class knows about me and my progress, which makes me feel a little like a celebrity. :) So today, since I haven't been working out in the mornings since the end of last semester, he tells me he has a card signed by his class for me! This might be the coolest thing ever! He's going to bring it tomorrow and I can hardly wait to get it. This is my new piece of motivation. A bunch of people who don't know me and never met me want me to succeed. Aside from feeling so good about this, it reminds me how great people can be. For any time I might feel discouraged, there might be someone sending me good thoughts and wondering how I'm doing. I'm pretty sure I'll be thinking of these people somewhere along the 13.1 mile 1/2 marathon in August! I'm so honored and flattered. And most importantly, I am humbled. It really takes a village to do something big, and I couldn't go on this journey alone. I need that community of people in the gym in the mornings, my friends, family, and co-workers. I am supported by people everywhere I turn, and I am proud that they believe in me. So next time I feel like I am struggling and alone, I need to remember that I'm not. I stand on the shoulders of all those people who believe I can, and most of all, I believe in me. I know I can do this.

How lucky am I to be surrounded by so many good people? I am so grateful for all of you! I just want to say thanks to everyone who has ever sent me a kind thought, comment, or put good things out into the universe for me. Thank from the bottom of my heart. And now this journey kicks back into high gear and we're going to push forward and celebrate success together!

Monday, January 18, 2010

Weekend Wrap-Up

So it's been a rather quiet weekend...nothing big. My weigh-in was not great, but I'm working on that this week. I had the day off today for MLK day, and honestly have not done anything productive. I flipped through my algebra book for my class and now I am worried that I might be a little impaired because I closed that book as fast as I opened it. I hope it comes back to me!! Some of it looked like a foreign language. *sigh* I think this is going to be a tough semester.

So here I am, eating blackberries and pondering school. I really am ready for class tomorrow. I have my Foundations of Psychology tomorrow night, and both my online classes (Algebra and Sociology) start tomorrow, too. My writing class is on Mondays and starts next week. 12 hours...what was I thinking? Oh yeah...that I want to get this degree out of the way so I can move on to grad school! If all goes well, I am hoping to graduate in December of 2011...it just depends on the school offering stuff when I can take it. (Hello, Statistics!! Please start offering that when us working folk can take it!)

Tonight Angela is joining me and David for a Stars game. Hopefully they'll win!!

Have a good evening, everyone!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Determination

So after a less than stellar weigh in this morning (water retained from Chinese food, and honestly a little junk food in there for good measure), I hit the gym with a renewed fervor. I hit the treadmill hard and am feeling great for doing it. I will have a good week this week and get myself truly back on track. While I did better this week than in past weeks, I still made some choices I should have steered clear from. But guess what? I refuse to punish myself. Nope, instead I am being positive and affirming that I CAN do this. Because I really can! And besides, I have a 1/2 marathon in my future and I am going to finish it!

So it was a good day. Went to WW, worked out, cleaned up and then ran errands with my parents. Now I am having a hot date with myself. David is out with the boys having wings and watching football. I am making myself a health dinner and watching my Sex and the City DVDs and having a glass of wine. I am a content girl!

I hope everyone has a wonderful evening! I am looking forward to Yoga tomorrow, and then hopefully on to a Cowboys win! Go Cowboys!!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Tuesday's Pain Postponed Until Today

We were so beat from lifting weights on Monday that Tuesday's SET class didn't seem like a good idea. So rather than weenie-ing out and not going at all, we're going tonight. So I'll be lucky to be able to move tomorrow!! I'm still fairly sore, but I'm okay for class this evening. It really needs to happen! I also got up and had a good 5am workout yesterday, so this has been a much more successful workout week for me. I'm going to be glad to sweat tonight because I feel like I have had a higher salt intake than usual this week and I really need to sweat that water out!!

I am so glad it's almost Friday! It's been a long week and I am ready for the three day weekend! I don't want to wish it away, though! I think I might have to get my nails done, though. That will be my pampering treat for the weekend. :)

Truly, I have no news. It's a quiet day at work and I am ready to call it a day. I hope everyone has a good one!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Bring The Pain

David and I, after being a little sore from Yoga Sunday, lifted weights at the gym yesterday. Needless to say, I am a little more sore now. As if I didn't need more soreness, tonight we are going to SET class, so by tomorrow it will be a miracle if I can walk. All for a good cause...getting the weight off! Farewell, holiday pounds! :) I ended up gaining a few more pounds than I originally thought due to celebrations and, uh, some less than stellar food choices. So anyhow, two more pounds and I am back to pre-holiday weight and back to losing! My goal is to lose 25 more pounds by April 18th. That is my WW one-year anniversary and I would like to say I have 100 pounds gone by then. I think this is do-able, and I am going to give it my best. (However, it is important to say that I know my body does its' own thing even when I am at my best, so if I don't hit my mark it will be okay!)

Truly I am looking forward to going to the gym tonight. I really like what this class does for me. It works all the major muscle groups with weights and lunges. It's such a good class! When school starts next week I will have to go to the Saturday class, but that's okay...as long as I'm going I am good! When I get in better shape I want to venture out and maybe try kickboxing! That's down the road a bit, so we'll see!

School starts next week, and I am going school supply shopping this weekend. What this means is that I am probably going to buy a new spiral notebook. I don't need anything else. But I do love school supplies!! David is getting me a new pair of shoes, so that's all good! (The perks of being married to a footwear rep!) I picked out a fantastic pair of really fun teal colored strappy shoes that will be great for Spring! David says teal is going to be a hot color this Spring, so ladies get your teal shoes out!! (I didn't have any, but I will soon!!!)

I think that's about it for today. I hope everyone has a really great day! :)

Monday, January 11, 2010

If We Always Do What We Always Did...

...then we always get what we always got. I love this quote. I wish I knew who to give credit for it, but I don't. However, I got revelations in spades yesterday. I have been digging deep trying to rekindle the motivation I had last year before the holidays and was having terrible luck finding it. Guess what? I found it! And I found it by doing something different. The whole Yoga thing? It's giving me something I didn't know I really needed until now: a better sense of myself and a desire for more. I am blessed with so many wonderful people in my life, but the person I keep forgetting is me. I have spent a lot of time being a people-pleaser, but I am finding that I need to make myself more of a priority. Going to Yoga yesterday really gave me something that I needed. I felt more confident (and if you had been a fly on the wall watching, you'd probably wonder how I could look so ridiculous and end up feeling more confident, but I did!), more calm, and much more centered. These are things that I needed more than I realized. I am really looking forward to making this part of my Sunday routine. I look forward to the times when I can tell that I have become more flexible, and that's so cool...I'll be able to mark my own progress! My muscles are a little sore today, but it's a different sore...like I have lengthened my muscles and fed my soul. Yeah, this is what I was looking for. This will be instrumental in helping me stay centered and focused with school about to begin. I feel happy today! (And it's also really cool when your husband goes with you and enjoys it as much as you do!)

So it's Monday again. I am really happy that the weather is warming up, even if it's just to the mid-50s. It beats the teens! We got a VERY high electric bill and so we are in serious energy conservation mode in our home. I am welcoming warmer weather with open arms!! We turned the temperature down and covered up with blankets watching TV. We had friends over to watch the game Saturday night, and told them if the bill doesn't go down next month that it's going to be like Abe Lincoln's cabin and we'll all be enjoying each other's company by candle light!

So no big news today...just me feeling good and feeling like I am ready to have a successful week. Chris is doing WW too, but up in OK where she lives there is no meeting close to her. So I am copying recipes and materials and send her a WW packet each week. We were talking about how it's nice to really have a buddy to do this with. Too bad she's not closer and we could go to meetings together, but we found a way to do it across the miles, so it's all good. :)

I hope everyone has a wonderful week! Count your blessings...there are many!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

New Habits

So one of the things David and I had decided to do was to go to Yoga on Sundays. Today was our first day, and I really liked it even though I am not graceful or very flexible. The instructor is wonderful! Very encouraging...I need that! Through my journey to become more fit I have learned that what is most important is that I do things for me. I used to worry about what people think of me when I walk in a gym, and this really prevented me from taking an enjoying classes. Now I know that I am the only person concerned with what I am doing, which makes things much more fun! So while it was a tough class and there were lots of things I couldn't really do without modification, there is a lot that I can do! And what will really be fun is to measure my progress as I become more able to do the poses more fully and smoothly. I think this is going to be very empowering!

So that's really it. Going to do laundry today and get ready for the week. It's been a weekend full of errands and chores and today is for resting and enjoying time with David. What a lovely day!

Friday, January 08, 2010

And I Thought Yesterday Was Cold...

Okay, TODAY is REALLY cold!! We got to wear jeans to work today, so I am in jeans, my toasty warm Born shearling boots, a turtleneck sweater, and a sweater over that. Hey, I am not interested in freezing! I am glad it will get above freezing tomorrow, but it will still be cold. I would like to go jogging outside, but my lungs don't like it when it's this cold out so I will have to wait a bit longer. However, I will be hitting the treadmill so it's going to be fine.

I bought a fun new cover for my iPhone. It's pink and sparkly and makes me very happy. :) It feels like it fits my personality. Is it stupid to get happy over something like that? I figure if I look for happiness in the little things then I should be finding myself happy all the time! (Not that I am sad or depressed, I just think it's also nice to sustain those little bursts of happy.)

We're going to a Stars game tonight. Honestly, I am not really into it but I'm going. I hope they win. I don't want to get out into the cold for a crummy game! (If they lose, I hope they put up a good fight! Can't be too mad about that!) I think we're going to eat at a restaurant I like over there that had a wonderful veggie plate. It's delicious and looks like art. Yum! I didn't sleep well last night and could really stand to go to bed early, but I don't think it's going to go that way. That's okay, though. The story of how we got the tickets is cool...we have friends that are season ticket holders and they gave us a voucher for free tickets to a game. When we went to go redeem it and pick up game tickets, they didn't have tickets for the game we wanted to we got 4 tickets for two different games! Pretty cool! So now we get to go to two games, and we're only out the parking! Love it! (And the seats are pretty good, too!!)

My textbooks have arrived in the mail. It's my reminder that my break is starting to wind down. School begins on the 19th, but I think I am ready. I like school and I like devoting myself to something that helps me feel like I am advancing myself. I have finally figured out my path and am excited to be on it. I also like being able to say that I graduate next year! Of course I will dive right in to grad school, but that's okay...this is getting me where I want to be. The idea of waking up one day and being excited to have a career rather than a job is priceless to me. I only wish I had it all figured out years ago! But it's okay...I'm doing it now and that's the only thing that matters. Somehow I know I am going to be doing what God has designed me to do. I really feel that strongly about it. I am meant to be in a helping profession, and I can't wait to be a licensed psychotherapist. I know not every day will bring a therapeutic breakthrough or an "a-ha" moment, but there will be days when they happen and I look forward to that. What will my job really be about? Helping people find their own empowerment. It's in all of us, we just don't always know how to find it. So that's what my purpose will be: to help others find strength within themselves to be empowered and healthy people making healthy decisions.

Hmm...I didn't know this post would go that direction! But I like it!

Stay warm, friends! It's going to get COLD tonight!!!

Thursday, January 07, 2010

Brr!

It's cold out there! My office opened late this morning, which is lovely except that I go in early every day and didn't know this until I was dressed, in the car, and in the line at Starbucks. Oh well! I headed over to my parents' house and got to enjoy breakfast with them. What an unexpected treat!

It's quiet around here today...did everyone else stay home? Weird. I am looking forward to dinner with the girls tonight. After that I am going home, snuggling up with, well, my Snuggie, and watching some football. (Hook 'em Horns!!) I hope they fare better than TCU. I need Texas football to dominate! :)

No real news today. Just lots of cold weather and bundling up! Stay warm, friends!

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Healthy Choices

So today I am scheduled for 20 minutes of walking according to my training schedule. So I am doing that this evening. I am also going to the SET class at the gym tonight, so I am going to use the walking as a warm-up. The SET class (Strength and Endurance Training) is a real killer, and will be good for strengthening my core. It's the class I was doing but haven't been in a few weeks. My SIL was teaching, but she does so many classes that it was just too much for her so she had to give it up. However, I still need it, so I am going. :) My body will surely be sore tomorrow!

Also tonight? Biggest Loser starts up again! I loved last season's cast so I hope these people are as wonderful and engaging. There are some folks with WAY more to lose than me, so it will be interesting to see what they go through on their journey. Besides, I am a big fan of Bob and Jillian!

So while I stayed within my points for yesterday, it is only because I have my extra WW points for the week. Today I am doing better. I ate a grapefruit for breakfast and have snacked on clementines throughout the morning. I have the munchies and I don't know why, but I am armed with lots of fruit, and I brought a healthy lunch today. And I have been journaling what I have eaten so it's all snapping back into place just as it should. In two week, I have to get back to my early workouts because school begins again. I like school, so I am looking forward to it. I need to go pick up a new notebook and calendar after work. (I love shopping for school supplies!) I got two of my textbooks in the mail yesterday...very exciting! I use a site called chegg.com and I rent my textbooks for a fraction of the cost! Seriously, big money saver!! It is costing my only half of what I would have spent otherwise, so it's a great deal! At the end of the semester, I just ship the books back and then order what I need for the following semester. Loves it!

So I guess that's about it. I have plenty to do here in the office this morning, so I suppose I ought to get to it. Happy Tuesday! :)

Monday, January 04, 2010

Officially In Training

So today is the first day of the training plan for the 1/2 marathon, and guess what? Mondays are a rest day for me! LOL! So no workout today, but definitely one tomorrow! (Fridays are also a rest day, so I am liking the schedule so far.) I brought my lunch and am ready to get back to my routine. I have enjoyed the holidays but I am ready to tackle the new year and all the good things it will bring.

However, it really was tough to get when the alarm went off this morning. We had friends over to watch the game, and as much as I love everyone, people love to stay late and visit. I guess no one else gets up early for work, so it was after 11 when I got to bed. 5:30 comes very early!! And it's cold out, too...ugh! What a whiner, right?

My dear friend Chris is going to do the 1/2 marathon in Chicago, too, so I am really pumped about that! We've been emailing back and forth to get things moving with room arrangements and stuff. Her hubby is coming, and I think he is participating but I am not sure. David is going but he runs more than I do (which is to say that I really don't run at all...I jog some, but I have to work on that!) so we agreed that I will just see him at the finish line. Along with a bunch of gals I knew from elementary school, junior high and high school, this is going to be a great trip! I try to envision what it will feel like to cross the finish line...I have to do it in under 3.5 hours, so I have my work cut out for me, but I can do this. I'm very glad to have the training plan to use as a road map!

Okay...I really need to get to work. It's going to be hard to have to work a full week this week! But that's okay...I'll appreciate my weekends that much more! School starts on the 19th, so I better enjoy it while I can!!

Have a good Monday, friends!

Friday, January 01, 2010

Welcome 2010!

This is going to be a wonderful year! I have many things I am looking forward to, and lots of goals to accomplish. I refuse to make resolutions. They never stick and somehow are never really taken as seriously as they should be. I am making goals. Really, I am continuing goals. I wanted this post to really reflect what I want to achieve this year, and I want to share it with you. Here goes...

1. I am going to really make a strong re-commitment to Weight Watchers. It works, and I feel much better when I step on that scale on Saturday mornings and feel great! So I am heading back tomorrow morning from a short hiatus. I am doing the no-weigh pass because I just ate salty Chinese food for dinner that won't make things look too good on the scale, but I am going. Also, BFF Chris is doing WW Online at home (from Oklahoma) and so she and I are in it together and working as a team. It helps to be accountable! (And Kim will ask me about it too, and I like to have good news to share with my fellow rock star!)

2. I am completing the 1/2 marathon August 1st. I have the training program printed out and ready to begin on Monday. Chris is joining me in Chicago, along with David and a growing group of gals from high school. This has become one of the most important events for me this year. It feels like a big undertaking, but I look forward to grabbing Chris' hand as we cross that finish line together. But I can't wait to cross that line and show myself I can do this!

3. Take better care of my mental health. This is a big deal because not only am I working full time, I will officially be going to school full time this year. And both sessions of summer school. It is going to be a busy year, and I tend to forget to keep my mental health in check and do things that help me relax. I am going to try and work on this in 2010, because otherwise I might go bonkers! By the way, this goal also includes asking for help when I need it. I am not always good at that, but I am going to work on it!

4. Becoming debt free!! This goal is almost met! We paid off a BUNCH of stuff Wednesday and we will be debt free by February at the latest! No more credit card debt, no more paying credit card bills, just putting money in savings!! This one is exciting and important, because it is a big step towards being ready to buy a home, which we will be doing this year. Nothing feels as good as having the household finances under control, and while we were never in much debt to begin with, we weren't getting rid of it, but more like just maintaining it. Now we are eliminating it, and loving the feeling!!


So those are my 2010 goals. All are attainable, all are reasonable, and all are continuations of things I was already doing for myself. They are goals I am proud of, and I know that by this time next year I will be able to look back and know that 2010 was a success.

I hope that you are setting goals for yourself. I would love for anyone who wants to share to leave them in the comments...when we share our goals, we increase our support base and who doesn't need more support in getting to where we want to be, no matter where that goal takes us?

Happy new year to you all! 2010 is going to be amazing!!