Lovely, Lazy Saturday

Not a whole lot going on here. Still struggling with the weight-loss thing. Maybe it's time for another fill but for me, that is such an ordeal; 400 mile trip to Denver... usually a flight... lots of coordination with work, doctor's office, home-life, etc; then I must stay at least one night to make sure I'm not over-filled (cheaper to stay in a hotel than to make an emergency trip the next Monday).  Not sure I have the energy to coordinate this any time soon. (Just looked, flights are way expensive right now due to ski season so I'm not planning a trip anytime soon. Maybe a driving trip is in order.)

Need to buckle down a bit on the eating. I usually do fine for breakfast and lunch, but once I come home, it's "Nelly bar the doors" with my snacking. And embarrassingly, my alcoholic calories. It's not that I get falling-down drunk (or even tipsy) every day, but I sure like my vodka and lemonade (Crystal Light) all too often. I do count the calories, but I'm just ingesting too many each day to lose weight.

I have been pretty successful getting some movement in each day. Again, at work, I manage to get a good walk in, but once I'm at home, it's slug city.

Depending too much on my yoga pants because my jeans (size 12 and definitely the 10s) are too snug.

Need to do some problem solving on my snacking issues.

Friday Fumblings

Well this is probably a new recent record for me; not only am I blogging twice in a week, but I've stayed reasonably on track for food and exercise for four days in a row.

I've walked a bit every day since the first (4 x) and am doing pretty well with the food. I guess I really don't want to lose the $25 I have invested in my diet bet.

Big news on the home front, Will and I paid off our mortgage today. We built our house in 2005 and had a construction loan that year. We got our regular mortgage in July 2006 and were attempting to pay it off in 10 years (we had a 30 year mortgage but paid extra each month). We've been fortunate to have a number of financial windfalls in the last six years from his family business and from his employer and we were able to pay off our note today. Woo-hoo. The house is totally ours and all that mortgage money can go to other areas (travel, plastic surgery, home improvement, clothes, my quitting work).

Tonight we are celebrating with sushi and adult beverages.

Edited to add that I've actually posted some before and after pictures on Before and After tab on my blog.

Happy New Year

Well, it has been a long (long, long, long) time since I've last blogged. While I haven't done great, I haven't slipped horribly. All tolled (told?), I've gained about up to 174 so I'm looking at 20 pounds to my ultimate weight goal.

Lots has happened in the past months, most notably (for me anyway) was bunion surgery on 11/5/12. That has really cut into any exercise and is still pretty painful. Exercise (such as it ever was for me) has been non-existent for the past two months. Only now am I willing to commit to any "walking for exercise" vs "walking to get from here to there". Unfortunately I may need to have my other foot worked on. I will talk to my surgeon at the end of the month because I'd rather do it sooner than later if I need it.

In any event, I've committed on various fronts to improve my health lifestyle. I've decided that each day should have some purposeful movement (even if it is only a walk to my mailbox and back). I really need to get to my weightloss goal weight. I'm still considering brachioplasty for my arms but will only do it if I'm at my goal weight and only if I can get it done this year. (I'm 56 and can be cheap with my $$$$. I don't want to spend all that $$$$ on my arms if I can only enjoy them for a couple of years. I want to get a good 15 years out of that surgery!!!) I joined an online diet challenge (http://www.dietbet.com/games/4710) where we're lossing toward an $1850 pot. I always sucked on on-line challenges, but maybe this one will be different.

If anyone is still following me, I want to wish you all a Happy New Year. Blogging has helped me in the past, so I'm planning on blogging at least weekly to see if it will help me keep on the straight and narrow.

TTT or

how I'll ease back into blogging since I haven't posted in seven months.

1. I hate that I was fighting to lose my last three pounds when I last posted and now I'm dealing with twelve.
2. Cancer sucks.
3. My job is sucking the life out of me. The election I spoke of when I last posted did not go favorably IMO.  I don't like my current board. 
4. My garden is very neglected. Between the aforementioned election that bloomed into a mail ballot election (a lot more work for me) and our fire chief developing cancer (see #2), I've been doing double duty both at work and on the volunteer side. Nothing is getting done at home.
5. We will have our house paid off in early 2013 if I keep working. I will keep working for at least six months to make that happen and give me freedom if I want it.
6. I look for different jobs all the time but I actually like my job, its hours, and location so I'm hesitant to do anything else.
7. I've been diagnosed with lumbago, yeah, a real old-fashioned name for lower back pain. My doctor (new temporary PCP) has prescribed physical therapy. Yeah... when I make the time.
8. I really need to exercise. Maybe the PT will be the kick in the butt that I need.
9. What kind of PCP (who has her own practice and no partners) takes a 6 month sabbatical to Spain to become a meditation master? Why, that would be mine!
10. I hate that getting older means body parts are failing. My bunions are killing me. I need surgery but am too busy.

Hmm, I guess I have plenty to yack about. Maybe I'll start blogging again.