BOO YAH! TODAY IT IS BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN!!!!

Who is doing this thing with me? Oh yeah. I have my tools and I am ready to go. I was doing well a couple of months ago in exercising and getting in shape, but I have been going through some stuff and slacked big time. It is back to the lifestyle which I know is better for my bod.

The first thing I think will be helpful is that I have two friends who are weighing in this morning and we are going to have a weight-loss "contest". I think it will be friendly! Haha! I hope so! At the end of each month, we will tally up our weight loss and whichever one of us loses the most will get paid $10.00 from the other two. Twenty dollars is not that much, but it is enough to work toward. I am thinking that when I win, I will donate my winnings to help this guy, Yeah Samake, win his presidential election. http://samake2012.com/about/ He's a good guy and there are many people who need good strong leadership in the third poorest country in the world. After the election is over, I will send my winnings to his wife, Marissa, who will make sure my donations feed the hungry http://firstladymali2012.com/2012/03/07/hunger-a-beatable-problem/ They are both the kind of people I wish could run MY country! ;D

Next up for me, I have joined the community at  http://www.myfitnesspal.com/post/recent. It is a free website for people who are working toward becoming more fit. It motivates me to hear their stories, and I will probably make some friends on there. I can also track my weight loss and there is a calculator which told me I need to keep my caloric intake at 1260 calories to meet my goals.

Within a day or two I will again read my favorite motivating book, THE END GAME DIET (http://www.amazon.com/The-Game-Diet-Bryan-Daybell/dp/0981884970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331562737&sr=8-1) Even though the book is called a "diet" it couldn't be more non-diet-ish! Haha! It is all about a lifestyle change. It's a quick read and there are a lot of you-can-do-its in the book. The main thing I like is it helps remind me of how to eat and exactly which food choices will be best for my caloric intake goal. Plus, spreading my calories throughout the day helps to keep me from being hungry. One of my problems in eating is that I wait until I am very hungry and then eat quickly. This is the opposite from thin people who eat a little bit six or seven times a day. Some thin people I know do not like to chew that much, so they drink something when they get hungry. This End Game Diet book helps me to remember to eat a little bit of food often. Plus, it's just really encouraging. Kinda makes me feel successful before I even start!

Ok, and my last plan of action is my exercise and physical recreation goals. I have been collecting some new videos and magazine articles of things I can do at home. This way, if I do not make it to the gym because my schedule is tight, I can work out right here at home. I also have some workout DVDs. Here is one of my favorite workouts I saw on Pinterest. I cannot do these exercises the way she does them, but I can modify them to do something!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1hgv3Y7HKxw)

All in all, I am very excited to get started today! Woot!

As always your comments are welcome! Your comments can be in any language because Google translate is amazing! Here is a link so you can add it to your bar: http://translate.google.com/translate_tools

Happy Fresh and Healthy Lifestyle to you!

P.S. Disclaimer: I don't know who is in this picture, and I hope he doesn't mind that I borrowed it.

TO: Sandy, Debbie, Angi, Ashley and Wes, Thank you!

Dear Angi, Ashley, Debbie, Sandy and Wes,

Thank you for coming on this journey with  me! You are each approaching it in your own way, and you are here and I am not alone. Thank you! Thank you! There is still room if anyone else wants to jump on board!  I hope I didn't miss anyone!  Jamie, you are way ahead of us! You only have a few more to lose!  ;D Way to go!

Here is what Sandy wrote to me last week:

"Ok so here is what I am thinking… I know there is never a convenient time to start a diet because there is always some holiday, or party, or something involving food!  But Monday is the day I begin my journey.  I have one final weekend to eat whatever I want and to just be lazy and Monday I begin.  I’m working on a diet plan, an exercise plan, etc.  I don’t know if I will post that for the whole world to see, but I will post what I did for exercise and log my progress.  I am excited to begin this journey!  I really think I can do it!  Thanks for getting me going!"

And she has already begun! Soon Sandy will report on how she is doing.

It is so inpsiring that we are all trying to eat well and exercise more. I hope you are each feeling better overall with your increased circulation and sense of accomplishment.

This morning I got a bicycle ride in before it rained. It was chilly and I wore a fleece vest. I was comfortable enough. Now with the rain, this evening I will be going to the indoor track not too far from where I live. It takes about 10 minutes to get there. I plan to walk an hour and use the rowing machine if they have one. I am taking a break from Zumba, as my right knee twisted the wrong way! But I am getting a great benefit from walking, too!

Again thank you to Ashley, Wes, Sandy, Debbie and Angi! Your company motivates me to stay on task!

Love,
Just me