And here's my info. (Christine)

Name: Christine Nick name or preferred name: Christine :)
Where in the world are you? Sutton, MA - 1 hour from Boston, Providence and Hartford!
Age: 40 Birthday: October 1 Height: 5'8"
Current weight: 183 :( Goal weight: 140 :) Highest weight: 187!!!!

Best physical attribute(s): Long fingers! People used to tell me I should be a hand model! And I love my eyes - they're a really dark blue!

Physical areas you want to change: Stomach - flat and toned would be totally cool! Hips & thighs: 'thunder thighs' and 'good birthing bones' run in my family and I want them gone! Flabby conductor arms!

Biggest weakness when it comes to doing what you need to do to be fit and healthy. (These could also be categorized as ‘excuses!’)
No time (once school starts - three weeks from today)
Fear - of what, I'm not sure...perhaps we'll discover that along the way!

What do you love to do for exercise?
Who's idea was it to use the words 'love' and 'exercise' together? :) Okay so I do LIKE to walk and listen to books or music. I love feeling my body come alive even if it is in pain. And I love the time alone to think of something other than work! Oh, and I just joined Curves! Although I love the idea of using all of the circuit machines, I don't think I'll stick with it for various reasons.

What foods do you love to eat?
Oh, bread, cheese and wine (I know wine's not a food, but I do LOVE it!) I actually really love preparing fresh fruits and veggies in the summer when they're local but it takes a lot of effort to get me to actually get going in that arena!

What’s your main reason for taking the ‘fitness’ plunge?
I am tired of feeling tired and unhappy with myself. My stress level is through the roof lately and I know from past experience that moving makes me feel better emotionally AND physically.
I also really, really want to fit into all of the super cute clothes I hung on to when we moved last year. They're two sizes smaller than what I'm currently wearing. :(

What would you like to get out of this group? What else do you want us to know about how to help you reach your personal goals?
I know that no one can do this for me but sometimes, connecting with people who are not family or friends who know all about me and my flaws makes it easier! I want to be able to celebrate successes with others (no matter how small) and get a swift kick in the pity-pot when I need it! I also want to be able to do that for others.

Oh, and I'm an emotional eater AND spender. The sooner I get consistently healthy, the sooner I'll be financially healthy! :)

Day 45 - Time spent learning, growing and cherishing every moment

Today I finally made it to Woolworks and was struck by how although it's been so long since I've been able to spend time with my friends there, it felt like coming home. There were new relatives to meet and although they are now the regulars and I was the 'new one' to them, I still felt completely at ease and happy. Such lovely new people. I miss that time I used to be able to find for me. I'm determined to find that again.

Jen was so gracious and patient with my learning process as she taught me how to 'set in' my sleeves to Nanny's sweater. Unlike the old days when I would happily let her teach me by doing it for me, today I needed to understand every step and do it myself. She was great about helping me when I was afraid to do it wrong and so wonderfully patient when I constantly asked "is this right?" It is so important to get this one right and to settle for mistakes today is not an option. At one point, I'd realized I'd done something wrong and it wasn't a problem to rip it out and do it right. I really feel like I hit a new level of understanding today. And not just about the sweater! I have about 5 more ends to weave in and then tomorrow I will lovingly knit the collar band and the button band on both sides and I will be done completely. When I try it on with the sleeves all done, I am so excited. I think Noreen would have been so please with this use of the Christmas gift money! I think she would have been proud to see that I'd actually stuck with it and finished it! I wish she were here to celebrate when I finish it.

It is amazing how things turn out alright in the end. Through today's wonderful endevors, I met some wonderful new friends, refreshed my harried state of mind with good friends and good conversation and ended the day with a wonderful meal at Olive Garden with the most wonderful husband and children. I so enjoyed the day. It reminded me how much the time spent with those you love has got to be the priority in life. It is not enough to be so busy building careers or networking for advancement. What matters most is people and relationships. I am blessed to have won the lottery in that respect. Some interesting conversations today made my future endevors even more appealing too so that was an enexpected bonus!

Tomorrow I will post the finished sweater project and celebrate!