The Truth of Tuesday Night

 I am an intelligent person

I will control my emotions,

not let my emotions control me.

Every time I am tempted to use food to satisfy my frustrated desires, build up my ego or dull my senses,

I will remember - even though I overeat in private,

my excess poundage is there for all the world to see!

Well, I didn't let anything be my excuse to not go tonight to my meeting.  It would have been easy to say it was too cold or that I got home to late and just want to get into my jammies and relax...BUT, I had signed up to do the program tonight, so without me, there would be nothing planned.

So, despite the fact that I knew I didn't have a great week or try as hard as I'm capable of, I went.

I'm glad I did.....turns out my weekend of painting and swimming must have worked a bit.

Last week: 256.50 lbs

This week: 255.75 lbs

That's a loss of .75 lbs.

As for the program I put on tonight, I had the members do the Bed Sheet Workout.  I found it on Pinterest early last week and told them about it last Tuesday.  I told myself I would try it over the course of the week, but of course I didn't.  So, I gathered up my materials and made the 4 of us do it.

MAN!!! Was that a work out and we didn't even do the full 10 minutes, because I didn't prep any of us to come prepared to exercise.

This truly is a no excuses work out!  It can be done in 10 minutes, either sitting or standing and if a sheet is too much to handle, use something smaller like a towel.

Like I said, we didn't do the full 10 minutes, but we were all out of breath and now, less than 2 hours later, I can feel it in my shoulder blades.  I challenge you to try this one too!

So, this week, I hope to do this work out a bit more and focus on the food again.  Even if I can do well for a few days, is better than nothing.

You take my hand, 

and I'll take yours,

and we'll start out today.

For a helping hand is what we need to help us on our way.

The way to goal is a lonely road, 

we need someone to care.

Reach out my friend and take my hand, 

and then we're almost there!

The Truth Of Tuesday Night

I am an intelligent person

I will control my emotions,

not let my emotions control me.

Every time I am tempted to use food to satisfy my frustrated desires, build up my ego or dull my senses,

I will remember - even though I overeat in private,

my excess poundage is there for all the world to see!

So, it's been such a long time since I have faithfully gone to TOPS and weighed in.  I was there for our yearly Christmas potluck in
mid-December.

Last weigh-in: 250 lbs
This week: 256.50 lbs

That's a honkin' gain of 6.50 lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But, it's the new year and I have our monthly challenge lined up to keep me motivated!  I've got this!  I really plan to make progress this year.

Let's compare where I was last year versus this year

January 2014: 243.25 lbs
January 2015: 256.50 lbs

Overall gain of 13.25 lbs

I have my work cut out for me...not only do I need to lose weight, I have to make up ground from all my hard work last year.

I can do this though, I just have to focus and count on my challenge peeps to keep me focused!  They have been awesome at it so far!

Here is to a good week!  My TOPS goal is to get a star each week for the rest of the month.  To do that I have to lose weight or stay the same.

You take my hand, 

and I'll take yours,

and we'll start out today.

For a helping hand is what we need to help us on our way.

The way to goal is a lonely road, 

we need someone to care.

Reach out my friend and take my hand, 

and then we're almost there!

2015 Challenge

Who's up for a challenge?

As I mentioned in my last post Ashley, Julie and I have collaborated to come up with a year long challenge to help keep up motivated.

We are all busy individuals, who understand and appreciate that the challenge needs to be manageable for all walks of life.  One that can accommodate working people, married people, single people, lazy people, EVERYBODY!!!

Each month comes in 2 parts....one part is a daily calendar that includes motivating words, simple exercises and challenges for the day.  It will give you something different to try, strive for or think about each day.

We also knew there needed to be a more "intense" challenge each month and that is the second part.  Realizing that having one that lasted a whole month would be too time consuming, we agreed that a 7 day challenge would work better.  That would leave each individual participating to pick 7 consecutive days that worked best for them.

Without further ado, below you will find pictures of our calendar and mini monthly challenge.  If you like what you see, pop over and "like" my Facebook page.  You can also ask me to e-mail you the file for you to print off at home.

We hope that you will join us.  I will (hopefully) be posting and encouraging you to comment each day on my Facebook page with your progress for the challenge.

Here is to a fantastic 2015!!!

Almost The New Year

As January 1st creeps around the corner, it's time to reflect on the year past.

For me, it started out strong, peetered out in about April and never recovered.

I even tried to pull it together over the last month and still couldn't do it.  I'm sorry if I disappointed anyone by not following through with my TOPS workout plan, but in truth....I didn't follow it even one tiny bit!  Things around here got too hectic and I wasn't focused.  Even though the New Year renewal and resolution thing tend to wear out, I do always feel refreshed and eager to start a new.

Together with two of my blogging buddies, we are coming up with a plan to help motivate ourselves and possibly others for 2015.  I'm sure at least one of us will blog our plans for each month, so make sure you pop over to visit Julie and Ashley's blog.

Ashley's last post had her listing 15 things she wanted to accomplish in 2015.  I felt it was a great list, with some things I would never think to put on, because my mind wouldn't view them at BIG things, so in the spirit of all things 2015, here is MY list!

15  for '15

1. Commit myself to this new challenge with by buddies
2. Make no excuses to NOT go to TOPS
3. Spend more time outdoors with my kids
4. Read more, both to my children and for myself
5. Minimum of  90 minutes of exercise a week
6. Donate to our local food bank on a weekly basis
7. Put some money in a savings account
8. Organize decor ideas for our move
9. Be the best Spark and Brownie leader I can be
10. Do some strenght training
11. Try at least 6 new recipies, even if they are just for myself
12. Minimum of 3 "Date Nights" with my husband
13. Have 1 month of "NO GAINS" at TOPS
14. Get a new hair style
15. Be more organized in general

There you have it....what sort of things are on your list for 2015?

Get Healthy & Active Plan - Week 2

So, how did everyone do with week 2?

Did you wear your pedometer and log food for 3 days?

Did you pick your mantra and say it to yourself daily?

Did you not do them all or any?

I would honestly say I fall into the last category mostly.  I picked my mantra but didn't get it on the fridge and then forgot about it.  I didn't wear my pedometer for 3 full days and I certainly didn't log one bite of food.

Does that mean I have blown the whole 10 week plan?  Nope, not a chance and if you didn't have as much success as you hoped, it means you haven't either!  Today is the start of a new week with new challenges....together we can still do this.

Eat Better

• Begin drinking 1 glass of water with at least 2 meals each day.

Move More

• For 3 days, add 1000 steps to your average number of daily steps.

Stay on Track

• When you catch yourself review old hurts or beliefs ("My aunt always criticizes my weight." "I'll never be able to walk a mile"), try this:  Take a deep breath in.  As you exhale, let go of the thought.

I know I didn't do a fantastic job as a cheerleader for week 1, but what can I do for you?  What can I do to help you succeed....because if I am encouraging others, I do better for myself!

Get Healthy & Active Plan - Week 1

I mentioned yesterday that I am starting a plan to get myself back on track.

Every two months TOPS provides it's members with a magazine full of ideas, recipes and motivational stories.  The latest magazine is the December/January edition, so it has lots of ideas to be healthy over the holidays.

Their Get Healthy & Active Plan caught my eye.  It's a 10 week program with weekly plans for eating better, moving more and staying on track.  I read it and felt it was completely do-able and not overwhelming.  I'm hoping it will help me stay on track over this difficult holiday season where we tend to over-indulge.

Below is the program, I hope after you read it, you will join me and together we can create a great team of support.

Get Healthy & Active Plan

Ready to make healthy changes and get fit?  This simple plan encourages you to eat better, move more and stay on track with three weekly goals.  Designed by a registered dietitian, a certified personal trainer and a certified professional coach, the plan builds upon itself, so that you continue to work on goals from previous weeks as you incorporate three new goals each week.  These healthy behaviors are recommendations, but you can do as much or as little of the plan as you like.  If you want to focus on simply eating better first, for example, you can work on just those goals.  Do what is right for you now.  We hope this plan helps you as you work toward weight loss - and keeping off pounds.  Here's to a healthier, happier you in 2015!

Here is a better view for Week 1

Eat Better

• Begin keeping a food journal, writing down everything you eat on at least 3 days

Move More

• Begin wearing a pedometer for at least 3 days a week.  At the end of this week, calculate your average number of daily steps

Stay on Track

• Choose a positive statement or mantra below that supports your goals.  Repeat it to yourself while brushing your teeth.

1. Today I choose joy!
2. Good things take time.
3. I can, and I will!

So there you have it!  I promised you something that is manageable...it's not asking you to make these changes every day....3 DAYS!!!  That's it!  Tell me you can devote 3 days of small changes to making yourself healthier!    Let's do this together and use my Facebook page for support when you start to feel yourself get off track!  Trust me, I need this just as much, if not more, than you do!

TOPS

I have come to realize that while I talk about TOPS a lot on here, I have never really explained what it is.

TOPS stands for Take Off Pounds Sensibly and is a non-profit weight loss support group.  It was founded in 1948 around the kitchen table of Esther S. Manz.  From there is has grown and spread to countless chapters around the world.

Why should I join you might ask?  Well, studies show that people who have support during weight loss have more success than others to try to do it alone.  A recent study has shown that participation in TOPS is just as effective as Weight Watchers.  

Ok you ask...why should I join on over the other?  For me the deciding factors were both location and cost, with cost being the biggie.  Let's face it, Weight Watchers is pricey.  Part of that is they pay for endorsements and heavily advertise, TOPS doesn't.  Currently my yearly membership is $32 with a monthly fee to my branch of $10.

Have I peaked your interest at all yet?  Let me continue some more...TOPS can help you reach your weight loss goals by providing you with the tools, information, support and accountability you need to be successful.

Now say you want to check out a meeting, but don't feel ready to sign up just yet....good, we can help you with that.  The first meeting at TOPS is free, with no pressure to sign up.   Right here, right now, I'm going to be honest and share my personal thought.....JUST SIGN UP!!!  Do it right there that first night!  If you leave with plans to think about it, chances are you may talk yourself out of it or convince yourself you can do it yourself.  Don't tell me you haven't spent more money on other plans....gym memberships, protein shakes, body wraps, etc.  

Ok, so you have talked yourself up and have decided that today is the day you choose to change your life....what should you expect from a meeting?  Meetings typically last for about an hour.  You can expect a private weight in, discussion about member's weeks and what was challenging for successful.  Roll call is taken, meeting business discussed and typically a program is put on.

Does TOPS offer an eating program and do I have to follow it for success?  The quick answers?  Yes it does and no you don't.  Details of the programs can be found here, but you can also use whatever method works best for you.

Ok, so I have gone over the basics for you and if you are still making excuses as to why you can't join, don't let one of them be that the meeting times in your area don't work for you....wanna know why?  Because if you have just 3 other interested people, you can start your own chapter.  A chapter only needs 4 members to start.  Maybe you have some friends at work that have similar goals, here is a chance for all of you to work together.

I know I haven't been the most model TOPS member as of lately, but the truth is, I haven't quit.  I keep going and getting on the scales, attempting to get myself back on track.  I just want to tell you that YOU CAN DO THIS!!!  You do not have to do it alone and support is only a click away.  Make today the day to change your life!