Baby Steps - or Attainable Goals for those who fell off the wagon!

Okay so these are NOT resolutions. I don't believe in them anymore. These are a few goals that I believe I can achieve, that will ultimately help me get back on track and that will hopefully become habit if I can stick to them throughout the month of January. If these have become habitual, then I can set a few more goals for February and so on.

1. I will make time to eat breakfast every day - and on weekends, it will be at a normal hour. Typically, I get rushed in the morning due to lack of night-time planning and if I skip something, it's always breakfast. Also, on weekends, we drag our feet around here and often have brunch or go right into lunch.

2.I will plan for and cook real meals more frequently. I often don't plan well enough ahead and am caught off guard trying to figure out what's for dinner while kids are coming and going for different things.

3. I will say NO more often. I will say this to myself to that extra fattening food item I am not hungry for and I will say this to people or things which take me away from my family and cause undue stress in my life.

Okay, those are my first three and I will add on or alter as I see fit!

Let the JOURNEY begin again! What will you do for yourself this year?

Happiness is as happiness does.

Yesterday, I finished my sister's Tuscany shawl. It's a bittersweet moment as I almost feel as if this project has become part of the family. I will post pictures of the final product and hopefully of Patty trying it on, as well as the full story of Tuscany later today. It was quite the learning experience.

Yesterday I picked up square 2 of my Great Aran Afghan project. This will be a labor of the pure love of knitting and I suspect it will take me, the master starter, a lifetime to finish. Oddly this does not bother me at all!

I am so off course

Ladies I am so far off course...I haven't been exercising at all for like three weeks. My eating habits are slipping. I haven't gained but I know if I keep this up I will.

What are you ladies doing to keep you going? Any tips?

Ut, oh. Cookie swap presents problems!

So, yesterday was our family's annual cookie swap and I've come home w/9 dozen yummy cookies. Wow is it hard to resist the festive treats! I always love the myriad of choices and am trying to remember that in moderation all will be well!

So, here it is December and where are we?

Hi Ladies. I've got to apologize for being absent and a HUGE slacker when it comes to our journey. I have been so wrapped up with festivals, concerts and trying to finish some major Christmas presents (knitted) that I've not been walking or actively planning healthy meals. I have had some success in maintaining most of what I'd accomplished this summer but I really want to get moving somehow.

I am having to face some interesting things. I will probably not finish any of the knitted gifts in time for Christmas. :(

I will experience my first concert as a chorus AND BAND director tomorrow night. I'm a little worried about some wrong notes and rhythms here and there, a bit worried about the staging going smoothly and a LOT worried about the sound issues. I really miss the days when I had a band director to share the load with and work together with. Now there's no one to do any of it but me and I feel as if I'll never do any of it well, again. I wish I knew how to give the kids what they need but they'll have to settle for the best I can do in these circumstances.

I've purchased some gifts for my 10 nieces, but not done any other shopping or decorating and I already feel like the season is getting away from me.

I'm going to have to really get organized and get going. I'm also glad to report that I had my Dr.'s visit today and there is no damage to my vocal chords! :) Hurray! She actually thinks that most of my issues and pain are from the Lyme Disease and that I've had it much longer than we knew. I've got a few new rules to follow for better vocal health but I'm thrilled. I've really be so scared that I'd be in trouble here and am so relieved tonight!

Take care everyone!
Christine

Alert to my FB family!

Hi. Many of you have been following the blog posts and I need to explain. The blog is co-authored by several friends around the country trying to make a positive change in health and fitness. We keep in touch, share stories and advice, via my blog. Sometimes my FB family are commenting as they come through as notes. Make sure you read who wrote them at the bottom as they are not always my posts! Just wanted to clear that up!

Journey Girls - I'd tagged my blog on FB so that I could see your updates - although I've not had time for FB lately - should I take that off? Does anyone else do this?

<3 Christine

Bad news....

Hey ladies so I have horrible news.  My strained hip flexor turned out to be a herniated disk. Yeah it's horrible I had to get an MRI today and I am going to see a specialist tomorrow to see what my options are.  Needless to say I need your prayers.  I am so upset and I hope all will go well. Keep up your weight loss goals chicas and I will hopefully get back on track with you ladies.  Go girls go!

Samantha