JANUARY 2ND~127

As I expected, my weight is up a bit from Christmas Day, but just over a pound, so I'm OK with that!  I've managed to get power walking on the 26th, the 31st, and today, so am getting back into the swing of things.

I'll be weighing myself again in a few days, at the year mark, to see the final tally for the year's weight loss!  I'm excited to know what it will be!

DECEMBER 25~CHRISTMAS DAY! 125.8

Don't want to get too excited about my weight today, as it's Christmas, and I intend to eat every bit of dinner!  So I expect my weight will go up a bit over the next week, and that's OK.  It'll come back off. 
The weather has been crap this month, and lots of O/T at work.  My daughter has a new job starting at 4:00 A.M.  She doesn't drive.  There's no buses at 3 A.M.  So it's early mornings for me too, and I've been exhausted.  Even with the treadmill in the garage, my workouts haven't been as consistent, but I'm doing what I can.
Importantly, I'm so happy with my weight loss over this year, glad that I've done it slowly and consistently over the 12 months!  I'm down several sizes~the last jeans I bought were a size 2~and I love the things I can wear now!  At work I've gone from large to extra-small scrubs, altho usually I prefer the longer leg length of smalls.
Will be back in the New Year!

129.8~Goal Weight Surpassed!

So excited to step on the scale this morning!  I knew I was close to 130, but it felt amazing to see a number of 129.8!  I've now set a  new weight goal of 125~goal pants fit, but not comfortably yet!  I *think* 125 will be as far as I want to go!

And with that, I'm off to drink my water and head to the park for a power walk!  Hope everyone is having an amazing day!

wonderful photo by talented photographer Erica Miller, taken Sept 18th

EVERYBODY MUST GET TONED!!

I've finally added strength exercises to my routine!  It's taken awhile, not exactly sure why.  Years ago, I lifted weights 3 times a week, doing supersets, which I absolutely loved!  I eventually lost track of that routine, but recently found another in the September issue of  'FITNESS' magazine.  Supersets work a little differently from regular weight lifting, by cutting downtime between sets and keeping the heart rate up, as well as working opposing muscle groups.   Two or three different exercises are completed in succession and then the sequence is repeated two more times before resting and changing to exercises working different muscles.
I'm less than 5 pounds away from my goal weight, and it's time to tone up!  Can't wait to have nicely toned arms again! 

AUG 19~133.6 37 1/2-28 1/4-36 7/8

"If you go down to the woods today

You're sure of a big surprise.

If you go down to the woods today,

You better go in disguise.

For every bear that ever there was,

Will gather there for certain because

Today's the day

The teddy bears have their picnic..."

It's been interesting down on the dikes the last while, 'cuz it's bear city down there!  Two co-workers and I went on Sunday night, where the young bear in the top photo crossed our path.  Not knowing where the Momma was, we turned back, only to be stopped close to the end of the trail by a Momma and her 2 cubs, who'd come up from the ravine.  They were unable to continue on their way as several cars stopped, and the people got out and stood behind the metal gate you can see in the photo.  I wonder if they realized it would not protect them had she decided to charge at them.  Eventually she and her babies went back down the ravine, and after several more minutes, to let them get away, we were able to continue on our way.  A couple nights ago 2 cubs were play fighting between the two dikes!  They are quite adorable~from a distance!
Am power walking 6 days/week most weeks, usually 5k/day.  On weekends I try to get in one non-interval power walk of increasing kms.  This week's goal is 8k, next week 9k, until I am walking over 10.  The Terry Fox run is in one month.  It's on my birthday this year, and this is the year I'm participating!

Lyrics by Jimmy Kennedy

July 17th~

Weight's hovering around 135-137.  I'm finding it's a little tougher to lose these last 10 or so pounds, despite power walking nearly every day!  Am hoping to lose them by the end of the summer, in time to have boudoir photos done for my birthday and family photos done for holiday cards~obviously 2 different sessions!
Yesterday I went to a former co-workers' home for a wine-tasting party.  It was a hoot and a half!  I'm not much of a wine drinker, I prefer the fruity-girly martinis~and have a horrendous alcohol allergy, particularly wicked with white wine~but took some medication (proving the better living thru chemicals theory! :)) and was able to sample some of the reds.  My own offering tho, was a bit more complicated.  Unable to find my current fave, 'Whipped Cream Vodka' at the government grocery, (we get it at a little specialty shop nearby) I decided to pick up 'Tuscan Lemonade'  a yummy pre-mix martini-in-a-bottle.  But when my ride was on it's way, it was nowhere to be found!  After frantically searching, I finally grabbed our bottle of Whipped Cream Vodka from the cupboard and some orange juice from the fridge.  And there it was~chilling!  No surprise really, 'cuz ya want it cold!  So I took both.  And as good as the Tuscan Lemonade is, the Whipped Cream Vodka was the party hit! Mixed with OJ it's an instant creamsickle! It's excellent in hot chocolate, and mixed with root beer it's just like a root beer float!  Seriously, it's the best thing ever, and no one there had heard of it.  We had some terrific drinks and appies and it was so fun catching up with people I no longer work with.  Best of all, I actually lost weight between yesterday and today!
(photo by: Karin C.)

JULY 4~135.8

Remember the Biggest Loser contest?  Picked up my prize on Friday~Canada Day!  I had a Turquoise and silver ring made!  It was so exciting to see it, I'd talked to the jeweller about the stone, but had no idea what the finished ring would look like.  I love it!  It's bold and one-of-a-kind~alot like me!  Well, not that I'm bold, really,  but definately one-of-a-kind.
Friday was Canada day.  Mostly I chillaxed.  Made maple mini-donuts in the afternoon.  In the evening I power walked to a nearby lake to catch the fireworks~they were awesome!  And then power walked back home...
Saturday found me overcoming my fear of propane as I barbequed!   Sunday too!  Bacon wrapped chicken and sliders, both with huge salads.  Today I'm quite tired and taking the day off.   I'll be back at 'er tomorrow!
Am going to do my body a favor and get to bed early tonight...