Happy new Year

Whilst you guys may have a few more hours yet, for me the new year is almost here. I just changed my spelling mistake hear\here, but I might as well not have - I’ll certainly be able to hear when it’s 12 midnight by the number of fireworks that are always let off round here!

Anyway, it’s that time of year when everyone’s mind turns to making resolutions, and then usually managing to break them within the first week! I’ve been thinking over what I want to do this year. I’ve admired Blair’s method of keeping track of things monthly, and have a target to aim for. I think I want to try something like that for myself, although the precise details aren’t fully worked out yet. As part of that I’ll probably have aims for weight loss and exercise, and possibly some other stuff too. (I’ll keep you posted!)

So what are your resolutions this year? And how do you intend to go about trying to keep them?

« Change Your Life Travel Plans »

1. Well, since I’ve already got the weight loss thing going, I’ve decided to try another, really obtainable one - I’m going to learn to drive a manual transmission vehicle, in specific my husband’s Jeep Cherokee. I don’t know why I didn’t do it before, but I’m determined to do it this year!

   Comment by Melissa — January 1, 2007 @ 8:01 am

Change Your life (LL)

Ladies,

Something happened to me today that may just, nay, will change my life. It may change your life as well!

I went window shopping today with my best friend who was looking for furniture. We had a nice lunch at a favorite Greek restaurant and then hit the stores. Upon returning home and getting dinner going, something possessed me to step on the scale. I had lost 1.5 lbs. from this morning! As my weight usually goes up during the day instead of down, I found this to be thrilling and will now incorporate window shopping into my regular exercise routine.

Some rules for proper calorie-burning, weight-losing window shopping:

1. You must do your gawking at stores with at least elevendy thousand square feet and purpose to look at every single item they sell. Twice.

2. Appropriate stores will also have commission-based salesmen who stalk you thoughout the entire visit.

3. You must have an aversion to the type of retail clerk mentioned in Rule 2 and walk even faster when you feel them following you. This is a sort of sprint-walking that is, I feel, vitally important for maximum calorie burning potential.

4. You must shop so long and so well that you are tired from the exertions and only desire a nice green salad for dinner, lest you undo all your hard work.

Window shopping. It could be just the thing to move that stuck scale down. And no special gadgets, machines, or workout attire is required.

« On the Move Happy New Year »

1. That sounds like some mighty fine exercise - beats aerobics any day!

   Comment by Melissa — December 30, 2006 @ 6:45 pm

2. Sounds a good plan to me

   Comment by Debs — December 31, 2006 @ 2:07 am

3. Yeah…the day after Christmas my mom and I did a great workout routine. Speedwalking, lunging, stretching, lifting…and that was just getting into the mall! The beauty of actually buying stuff as opposed to only window shopping is that you get to tone your arms carrying your goodies around!

   Comment by blest — December 31, 2006 @ 10:16 am

One the move (blest)

Hi Everybody! I miss you!! I’m in Taylorsville, NC now and I can’t wait to get back home where I control my food, my internet, and my schedule! (selfish, aren’t I? ) My mother-in-law is very sweet, but she isn’t getting the whole South Beach thing. Our first night here we walked in to a meal of spaghetti (white - not wheat), garlic bread, fresh cookies, and an iceberg lettuce salad. I ate a BIG salad and then snuck off to my room to supplement with some nuts and edamame. The next day she offered me waffles and bacon for breakfast (I had my own oatmeal muffins with me) and at lunch was surprised that I didn’t want tortilla chips with my chili. I’ve told her how the plan works, but… Today we’re having Christmas, the sequel, with my husband’s brother and his family joining the gathering. If it weren’t for me, the only veggie on the table would be green bean casserole! I’m commandeering some cooking time to offer at least two more sides. My sis-in-law has lost a lot of weight too, so I bet she’ll appreciate my efforts.

I’m really excited to see Debs’ post about her new exercise toy - and I saw that Laura got a new toy too! (do tell!) I got toys- but they’re all for beading - not exercise. But after all, beading does prevent eating so that’s a good thing. Anyway, I’m thinking about exercise because when we really get back under-weigh here at OWOA in the next week or so, we’re going to kick off with some new members and new challenge. I haven’t quite nailed down the details yet. But it will be called the Happy Heart Challenge and will run until Valentine’s Day. The focus will be all on EXERCISE!! I don’t know about you, but all the holiday-ing has gotten me out of my exercise habit. So I’m going to get all of you to join me as I restart movin’ and groovin’!

Happy Almost New Year, everyone! (and Happy 11th Anniversary to me and my hubby today!)

« My Christmas present Change Your Life »

1. Happy heart challenge sounds a great idea - I know that I need to sort out my exercise to be a bit more formal, so I know what I ought to be doing when, and not just thinking vaguely ‘oh, I haven’t exercised for a couple of days..’!

   Keep up the saying ‘NO’ Blest. You can do it

   Comment by Debs — December 30, 2006 @ 6:54 am

2. Looking forward to hearing about the new challenge.

   Good for you, blest, in having a healthy stash!

   Comment by lady laura — December 30, 2006 @ 8:53 am

3. Way to take control of the situation - making sure you only eat what you know is right!

   I got a new fitness toy too - a Gazelle! I’ve been using it every day since Tuesday, except for yesterday when I spent four hours shopping.

   Hooray for keeping our resolve during the holidays!

   Comment by Melissa — December 30, 2006 @ 6:48 pm

My Christmas Present (Debs)

One of the presents I got this year was a skipping rope. In actual fact, we were out shopping on Christmas eve eve getting our last minute shopping done, and I spotted it and said could I have it, so my Mum bought it for me! Presents for me often seem to work out like that, I’m not very good at cming up with lists of things that I want, I just ask people for things as I see them, or if I know that I need them.

I’ve just been looking at various sites for advice on the best way to use skipping to exercise. I found one site that was talking about combining it with other exercises to create a thirty minute workout. Having at a go at it today I think being able to do that seems a long way off, so I’m planning to go with just skipping to gradually work up the number I can do in one session withot collapsing in a big heap or making myself wheeze!

Does anyone have any advice about skipping, or combining it with other things, or anything useful really?!?!

« Friday Funny On the Move »

1. I don’t know how helpful this is, but back in my basketball playing days, we jumped rope quite a bit. My coach would set up stations (free throws, posting up, jump rope, running bleachers) and we would rotate stations. I’ve also used a jump rope in between rotations when I was lifting weights. And my dad used to make me jump rope x minutes between sprints.

   That was when I was 15-18 years old and in great basketball player shape. I’m not sure how much of that I’d do now. I might try a jump rope as well between sprints soonish. I’m gonna have to find out if I can even run anymore first!

   Comment by Bethany — December 29, 2006 @ 3:00 pm

2. Debs, sometimes I jumprope with the littles I care for (the older ones) and Whew! it takes a lot outta a girl. Great cardio!

   I would do it in sprints, like Bethany suggested. Like jump (or skip) a minute, then do curls. Jump another minute, then do crunches, etc. Then work up to two minutes, and so on.

   I got a new exercise toy for Christmas too. Maybe I’ll post about my new friend…

   Comment by lady laura — December 29, 2006 @ 3:20 pm

3. Ok, I have to say it, you guys actually have a better name for it. Cos that’s what you do - you jump. Makes so much more sense than calling it a skipping rope. Once again I’m noticing all the differences in the way two continents say things, whilst supposedly speaking the same language!

   Comment by Debs — December 29, 2006 @ 3:33 pm

Stolen SPUNKS (Jana)

So, I got to see my cousins, who I only see once a year. Everyone was oohing and ahing over my weight loss and it felt good!

Then my cousin Amy walked in. She’s lost 100 pounds after gastric bypass surgery. Needless to say, no one mentioned my weight loss again!! That’s okay, though. I’m really happy for her, and she looks great, even with about 80 more pounds to go. So she can have my SPUNKS.

« Merry Monday! Friday Funny »

1. Aw man! There ought to be a rule about things like that! Only one weight loser should be allowed at any gathering! I got lucky - my sister-in-law, who has also lost a lot of weight, couldn’t come to the Christmas Eve gathering for my hubby’s clan…sick kid. Besides, she’s already gotten fussed over - she lives in the area. Color me selfish, but I enjoyed having the oohs and ahs all to myself! hee hee hee

   Comment by blest — December 28, 2006 @ 6:44 am

Merry Monday!

Merry Christmas Everybody!!

Whatcha Eatin today?? I know I told you I would weigh in….But my darling wonderful husband (who really is marvelous despite the slight flaw which I am about to relate) did not pack my scale. :sob: But I can tell you I have not cheated at all, and have gotten some exercise in…so all should be proceeding apace. My family thinks I am obssessed and that this lapse is actually a good thing. I know it will be exciting to weigh-in when I get back, anyway. Three whole weeks with no scale! Wow!

Anyway- weigh in iffen you wanna! And I hope you’re having a marvelous day. Don’t eat anything I wouldn’t eat. Just kidding. Do whatcha wanna do….but in January it’s ON!! Love you!

« Debs’ Monday Weigh-in Stolen SPUNKS »

1. Doh! Oh well, as you say it will be more excitingwhen you get home again

   Comment by Debs — December 25, 2006 @ 2:06 pm

2. Holding steady at 197…

   Comment by Tami — December 25, 2006 @ 2:30 pm

3. Holding steady despite a few chocolate lapses the last few days. Back on track tomorrow…

   Comment by Leann — December 25, 2006 @ 7:31 pm

4. I’m DOWN!!! Hooray! I’m down 1.2 pounds today (Tuesday) from last Monday the 18th.

   (granted, yes, I’ve fluctuated up and down within a 4 pound range for the last 3 months… but I’ve been down the last two weeks, and am hoping that WW will be the kick in the rear I needed to get beyond the 141 pd mark.)

   Happy New Year to all

   Comment by anne — December 26, 2006 @ 10:53 am

5. ps, blest, i know i’ve gone up and down and can imagine that i’m hard to keep track of: my -1.2 puts me at 142.2

   Comment by anne — December 26, 2006 @ 10:54 am

6. Yay! Well done Tami, Leann and Anne

   Comment by Debs — December 26, 2006 @ 2:30 pm

7. I have soooooo not been good. I will definitely be UP UP UP (and maybe a few more UPs) when I weigh next week.

   HOWEVER, and that is a HUGE “however”, beginning in January, I’m putting myself through my own “bootcamp”. I am declaring 2007 as my transformation year lol. I’ve spent the last week planning for my big “kick off”. I have my essential vitamins and minerals stocked, my menu is coming together, workout schedule printed, weightloss notebook and camera ready….If you think I’m going to do any more of this yoyoing - just watch out! I still have a couple of other preparations to make but I am going to be a serious “fat losin’” machine.

   I plan to post soon about what eating horrid has done to me these last few weeks and why I’m changing my game plan. I may not beable to catch up with Blest and beat her to goal lol….but she’s sure going to get a run for her money - ha!!

   Comment by Blair — December 27, 2006 @ 1:29 pm

8. Blest, you shouldn’t take your scale with you anyway - traveling isn’t good for them and they’ll give you the wrong number.

   Comment by Ellen — December 29, 2006 @ 12:46 pm

Debs' Monday Weigh-in

It’s unconventional I know, but I’m not sure when I’ll next be able to get on the computer, so I’m creating my own Monday weigh-in post.

Today I’m at 268.8 which is actually 1 down from last week. I wasn’t convinced that I would go down, but I did, and I’m very happy

Happy Christmas to you all, and happy weigh-in too

« Hello all Merry Monday! »

1. YAY Debs! Keep up the good work!

   Comment by blestwithsons — December 25, 2006 @ 9:12 am

2. woohooooo!

   Comment by anne — December 25, 2006 @ 7:50 pm

Hello all (Debs)

Just popping in to wish everyone a Happy Christmas, and say how’s the Christmas eating going? I’m doing ok on the whole, I think! Tomorrow and boxing day may be the real test….video free porn daddydaddy revenge pornsister daddy porn vsporn daughter daddyslittle porn daddys princessdads and porn daughterporn dadsgirl porn dadys Map

« A Royal Spunk Debs’ Monday Weigh-in »

1. Merry Christmas Debs!!! You can stand firm!!

   Comment by blest — December 25, 2006 @ 9:02 am

A royal SPUNK (blest)

So we stopped at the Monarch of Beef for lunch (Burger King, yo) and I was ordering. Nuggets and fries for the little people. Whopper Combo for Mr Man. Then for me, a grilled chicken salad, of course, and no dressing. “No dressing?” said the very nice older lady behind the counter. “Oh I have my own in the car,” I replied. Then as I was waiting for the card to go through I said, “Yeah, I’m doing South Beach…” “Oh I knew you were doing some kinda diet - you’re so slim”

Excuse me while I pick myself up off the floor!!

« Here we are!! Hello all »

1. I had a similar experience at Taco Bell. I always order my food “fresco style” (minus the cheese/sauce and plus salsa) and, judging by their reactions at the counter, I’m probably one of the only people in town who do.

   Anyway, last week I was in there and, and the girls behind the counter were telling me how good I looked. They asked me if I was on “some diet or something” since I was ordering fresco style. I told them I was on WW, and how much I’d lost. They were so nice and impressed!

   Comment by Melissa — December 23, 2006 @ 7:27 am

2. Well done Blest
   Oh, and Melissa too!

   Comment by Debs — December 23, 2006 @ 12:16 pm

Here we are!

led under: Just Life � blestwithsons @ 3:36 pm

We finally made it to Greenville, SC!! I am beyond thrilled to be back where I belong… Where there are trees, and lots of green grass, and rain… Where people are so friendly and there’s a Baptist Church on every corner… Ahhhhh.

I’m taking the holidays off from my personal blog, but I’ll still be around on this one. I just can’t stay away from you guys!

« Lentil Chili Recipe A Royal Spunk »

1. Enjoy Greenville - I used to live a couple of hours from there, and went to the area a few times a year. It’s a beautiful town!

   Comment by Melissa — December 23, 2006 @ 7:24 am

2. So glad you made it ok. Have a great time

   Comment by Debs — December 23, 2006 @ 12:17 pm

3. Glad you are there…

   Comment by Leann — December 24, 2006 @ 1:13 pm

Bama Beds (blest)

Hi there!! We got back on the road today. Would you believe it was some goofy anti-theft sensor that didn’t like our key anymore?! We made some serious tracks today and are now resting in Birmingham, Alabama and are about to watch Rudolph! (just as soon as I get off this computer in the hotel lobby!) I’m just so grateful that we are on the move again.

Dinner was great! Chili’s fajitas with no tortillas and very light on the sour cream and cheese. Yum!! And by tomorrow I’ll be enjoying my Mom’s great cooking. She’s loaded up on veggies just for me! I’m going through asparagus withdrawal, so that’s a good thing.

Thanks for all the prayers and encouragement! I’m sure it helped. For being trapped all day yesterday in a hotel room, the boys were remarkably good.

« What a hoot! Lentil Chili Recipe »

1. Okay…my eyelids are barely open and I totally read that title as “Barna Beads” and thought….”Hey, she talked him into it after all!!”

   Comment by Bethany — December 21, 2006 @ 10:20 pm

2. Yay! Glad you got on the road again. Have a great day

   Comment by Debs — December 22, 2006 @ 4:11 am

3. Oh, yay, blest! Be safe and Godspeed.

   Comment by lady laura — December 22, 2006 @ 7:06 am

WHAT A HOOT! (LL)

Everything about this picture I just found makes me laugh. It was taken on my son’s eight birthday, so just over eight years ago. Much has changed since then!

First I would not be caught dead in that sweatshirt. (I no longer pay to advertise for clothing companies.)
Second, that wallpaper? ‘Nuf said.

Third, that smoked glass table with pseudo-velvet chairs that are supposed to look like paint smears was not mine. Ever. (My best-friend used to live with me. Sorry best-friend, I couldn’t keep the secret any longer…. you can’t decorate.

Fourth, there is my cat about 15 lbs lighter. Ain’t he cute?

And fifth. I’m sure you saw it first. Well maybe after noticing my larger self, short hair (get that girl some bangs!), and honking Culligan cooler*. The Diet Coke! My roommate used to drink almost a 12 pack a day, with me bringing up the rear at 6-8. A day. So, that pile you see there was a week’s worth of teeth-staining, stomach-eating, carbonated beverage that I was addicted to and didn’t even care.

I was just trying to remember how long it has been since I had a soda pop but I couldn’t do it. Been too long I guess.

*Funny that I didn’t even drink water at the time I was paying for it to be delivered every two weeks, plus rental. Now that I drink about 100 oz. a day, I drink it from the tap.

So, anyway, this is probably like one of those “funny” stories that people try to tell that you never really get and ends with a lame-o “guess ya had to be there”, so bless yer heart for reading this far. And bless your body with a healthy dinner!

« Prayer Request Bama Beds »

1. WoW! Flashback to the past That’s really funny. Well done for quitting those diet cokes!

   Comment by Debs — December 22, 2006 @ 4:14 am

2. It’s funny how a picture can sometimes remind us of all the changes that we’ve made and just how far we’ve come over the years!

   Comment by Lorri — December 22, 2006 @ 8:38 am

3. Well, I laughed all the way through your description of the picture. Such fun! And WOW, that is a ton of diet soda!!

   Comment by Blair — December 22, 2006 @ 11:36 am

Prayer Request (blest)

Yeah okay…so we’re here in Longview, TX - still two days away from Greenville, SC. We were all checked out and loaded up, and then the van decided that life wasn’t worth living anymore. We think it’s the fuel pump. Sigh. Please pray for us! Especially for a speedy fix and for happy children and patient parents. Thanks!

« Remembering how far we’ve come What a hoot! »

1. You’re so close to me, and yet so far away. I would totally throw you in my guest space, though the house is a wreck!

   Praying that they can fix it easily without too much financial hurt!

   Comment by Tracy — December 20, 2006 @ 10:59 am

2. You are ten minutes or so from my parents if you need them let me know and I can put you in touch. They are not leaving town until Thursday so they are available.

   Comment by Leann — December 20, 2006 @ 1:46 pm

3. Praying!!

   Comment by stephanie — December 20, 2006 @ 1:48 pm

4. Holy cow! Much prayer….

   Comment by lady laura — December 20, 2006 @ 3:23 pm

5. Praying!

   Comment by Debs — December 20, 2006 @ 4:46 pm

6. I used to live in Longview, so you definitely have my prayers!!

   Comment by Jana — December 21, 2006 @ 8:41 am

7. Oh my gosh ((HUGS)) I have LOTS of family in Longview. If you’re still there Christmas Eve (praying you’re not) - they have a big shin dig that night that I’m SURE you’d be welcome at My mom and her brothers are hosting this year

   Keep us updated girlie!

   Comment by Blair — December 21, 2006 @ 8:56 am

8. Blair… YOU HAVE FAMILY IN LONGVIEW??????????????? OH.MY.GRACIOUS!!!!!!!! How come we have never met in real life before???????? LOL

   Comment by Leann — December 21, 2006 @ 9:26 am

9. OH BLEST…..WHERE ARE YOU TODAY?????????????????????

   Comment by Leann — December 21, 2006 @ 9:27 am

10. I’ve never heard of Longview (LOL) but I am still praying!!!

    Comment by Mandi — December 21, 2006 @ 11:33 am

11. Just to let you guys know…I spoke with Blest on the phone and their car is fixed and they are back on track!! She cannot update because her laptop has run out of power and she forgot the charger (I think that’s what she said!)

    But they are no longer stuck!!

    Comment by Bethany — December 21, 2006 @ 12:33 pm

12. My prayers were answered before I even knew to pray!

    Comment by Carrie — December 21, 2006 @ 1:43 pm

13. Oh good - glad they are back on track

    YES LEANN - I have a whole clan there lol. I’m guessing you have folks there too?

    Comment by Blair — December 21, 2006 @ 2:50 pm

14. Yep, in Kilgore… I went to high school there and my family is still there. LOL

    Glad to hear Blest is back on her way…

    Comment by Leann — December 22, 2006 @ 1:25 pm

Remembering how far we've come (Debs)

At this time of year it’s really helpful to remember just how far we have come in our weight loss journey, and use that as an incentive to stay on track with eating. I’ve just been remembering the post Blest wrote ages ago about loading up a rucksack with tins weighing the amount she’d lost that far and putting it on. In fact, I also seem to remember her mentioning that however much she lost from then to Thanksgiving (I think) she would donate that weight of food to charity. (Hope I haven’t dropped you in it there Blest, it just struck me as a such a great idea!)

Anyway, back to how much we’ve all lost. I was thinking it’d be cool to each take a photo showing that amount. That way we could encourage each other just how far we’ve come. Please don’t be put off if you haven’t lost as much as you’d like - remember, even a few pounds is a step in the right direction. For example you might take a picture of 10 tins if you’ve lost 10lb. Or it could be ten apples, or ten CDs. Anything, that represents to you (and then to us) what’s gone. I’m putting my brain into gear and I’ll hopefully be able to post mine later today

Oh, and I know everyone’s busy (I’m only on the computer because little boy is napping) so this could be a long running thing - you could put a post up after Christmas if you have more time then

« Request Prayer Request »

1. No probs, Debs! I actually donated a dollar per pound! After all, most canned goods are less than a dollar each - so I figured a dollar a pound would be more.

   That’s a great idea, by the way. Can we use photos of children? I’m sure one of mine is probably around 45 pounds!

   Comment by blestwithsons — December 20, 2006 @ 6:56 am

2. That’s a cool idea! I know there are some really creative people who are part of OWOA so I wanna see how inventive people get
   45 pounds? Woohoo Blest

   Comment by Debs — December 20, 2006 @ 7:02 am

3. it’s a cool idea, but it’s not going to happen here. I have to get out the door as of tomorrow night/early Friday morning, and I shouldn’t even be on the computer now (waiting for the dryer to stop again, and waiting for our SLP to arrive for R’s last speech therapy visit of the year (not the last ST visit of course, but we’ll be gone for a bit upNorth).

   And my dial-up is soooooo slow. I am going to try and post a pic sometime soon though, since I haven’t managed to do it yet, though it may be on my blog and I’ll let y’all know!

   Comment by Tracy — December 20, 2006 @ 11:03 am

4. just noticed that I can do this after Christmas. I think I will try!

   I’m down 11 lbs. It’s been a struggle to stay there, but I know without OWOA, I’d be back up to my start weight - or more.

   11 lbs of butter. 11 lbs of lard. 11 pounds is a lot. One of my babies at 6 weeks. My nephew at 2 weeks. hmmm.

   Comment by Tracy — December 20, 2006 @ 1:51 pm

5. I will try too. How about 14 ummmm what do I have 14 of……

   Comment by Maria — December 20, 2006 @ 7:32 pm

Request (Debs)

Reading the comments of the last post I noticed Anne had asked if anyone has any good ideas for travel food if you’re flying (with limited carry-on luggage space and no liquids). Since I’ve never been on a plane I don’t have a clue, but thought if I posted the question it would bring to the attention of you all and some of you might have ideas!

« My Rules ~ Just Right Remembering how far we’ve come »

1. Blest had some great suggestions in the comments below. I would add: one of those power bar thingies that some people like (never had one myself), or some trail mix.

   Comment by lady laura — December 20, 2006 @ 7:19 am

2. Blest said (in the comment on the post before, but in case you didn’t see it)
   “Anne… How about a premeasured serving of mixed nuts, an apple, some baby carrots, and/or a small serving of reduced fat Triscuits with hummus?”

   Comment by Debs — December 20, 2006 @ 7:37 am