Hi Ladies. This is my introduction post - a little late. I am happy to join you again on this adventure of healthy living. I just turned 58 and celebrated my birthday in Jerusalem with Alice Dysert. We had a blast on our trip, but when I got home, I started eating a lot again and gained back several pounds. I work at our church where I have been on staff for 35 years. I do just about everything except drive a bus. We also have a small Christian School and I teach music with three choirs and two handbell choirs. It is fun being in the ministry, but the unusual is almost always apt to happen. We've had some interesting things take place the past few days which has kept me from getting a good start on this challenge. Hopefully I will be able to catch up and keep up. I am starting my weight at 182 and want to lose 10% or more by July 10th which is my next European trip. I did it years ago using Weight Watchers, and want to see if I can do it again. My HEP will follow their guidelines which includes three balanced meals a day with portion control, and cutting out snacks full of refined sugar and flour. This may adjust as the challenge continues, but that is where I can start. Thank you, Dani, for encouraging us on this challenge! Happy springing to everyone!

Introduction Post - Cindy From West Hartford

I think I still can get my introductory post in because the week is not up yet. I also posted this on FB where I will keep track of my points. I have been away since last Thursday at a wedding, so didn't get any points for HEP, exercise, water or posts. However, that is changing as of today. I live in New England and work at a church/Christian School as "jack of all trades". I run the church office, take care of the finances, teach music in the school and anything else that needs to be done in a ministry. I've been here for 35 years. My goal for this challenge is to lose weight and get fit for spring/summer activities. Winter pounds need to be shed. I weighed in at 176.4 but with the wedding, that has gone up. I did the 30 day challenge in January/February and lost 5 lbs. Sinc then I have gone up and down 2 lbs. My goal is to be 165 by April 15th. I am going on a 13 day transatlantic cruise that day and want to feel good. My HEP for this challenge is going to follow the Weight Watchers plan I did six years ago. Its basis is portion control, and eating healthy foods, including WW entrees, limiting sugar and flour, focusing on vegetables and fruit and lean meat. Of course, that will mean NO jelly beans or goldfish - my two snack downfalls. The picture was taken last November when I received the Golden Apple Award from our Regional Education Association. Looking forward to the results of this challenge for all of us!

Survival of the Fittest!

No pun intended. Just wanted to write a quick post to let you know we were hit by an October Nor'easter which dumped 12 inches of snow on our trees that had not yet lost their leaves. Needless to say, our town and our state looks like a disaster area. The heavy wet snow took down trees, branches and wires. Our electricity went off Saturday night, and they don't anticipate it coming back on for seven days or maybe more. We are doing our best to survive the cold nights. I do have a gas stove and hot water which is a blessing. I worked outside today hauling brush and branches. We didn't have any damage to buildings, personally. However, the streets are blocked and wires are everywhere. They say it is the worst storm for the electric company in the history of our state. School is canceled for the week, and no church services either. That being said, this has put an interruption to my tracking points, etc. Just wanted you to know that you wouldn't be hearing from me for awhile. I am visiting a friend who has internet and electricity just for the afternoon. This has been an adventure, for sure.

More of Me - Back Again

Hi, I am Cindy B. from West Hartford, Connecticut, USA. I am 56 years old and on the staff of the Farmington Avenue Baptist Church, running the church office, finances, and directing the music for our Christian School. This is my third challenge and hopefully my best. After the spring challenge ended, I intended to continue the good habits of exercise, drinking water, and eating less that I had developed. However, I got derailed when I went to Europe this summer for 2 1/2 weeks and when I got home, I never got back to it. I have regained all the weight and inches I lost since last fall. So I am starting all over again. I enjoy this challenge and appreciate Dani Joy putting it all together. "Meeting" so many new ladies from around the world with the same goals is encouraging. My goal is to physically decrease and spiritually increase. The picture was taken this summer at Blarney Castle in Ireland. Yes, I kissed the Blarney Stone!

Starting up again

Here are my starting measurements for this challenge, the third one that I have been privileged to be a part of. Thank you, Dani, and ladies, for keeping us going!

Weight: 173 (one lb. up from where I ended, and 23 lbs. from my goal)

Bust: 38"

Chest: 34"

Waist: 37"

Hips: 41"

Right Arm: 12.5

Left Arm: 12.5

Right Thigh: 22.5

Left Thigh: 22.5

I haven't gained any points this week for exercise and this is my first post. I have managed to drink the water 2 out of 4 days. This is play season at school (we do a full length production with our high school). I am involved with costumes, hair, the printed program, and keeping the director sane and doing odd things that need to be done. So my schedule is not my own, and most of my time is spent at rehearsals. That will end next week and I will be back on track. If thinking about exercising would gain points, then I would win!!! Anyhow, I am looking forward to this challenge and hope to lose and get in shape for our trip to Europe in July. Looking forward to sweating with all of you!

Crossing the Finish Line!

I made it to the end of week 10! I did so much better in this challenge being consistent, than I did at the Christmas one. Thank you, Dani, for putting this together and keeping us going. It was a fun journey. I didn't quite reach my goal of 10 lbs. lost, but I made 80% of that, so I still have some work to do. Here are my results:

Pounds lost: 8

Inches lost: 14

Bust:-2.5

Chest:-1.5

Waist: -2:5

Hips: -1.5

R.Thigh: - 2

L. Thigh: -2

R Arm: -1

L arm:-1

Points Total: 336

The last two weeks weren't as successful because I got off track when I visited my dad and had a hard time getting back. The nix the fix week was the most successful. I enjoyed the posts, the humor, the sharing of your hearts. Thanks for the tips. Here is one that I wanted to share: As you get older, you lose strength in your lower body. So all you young people out there, keep exercising and keep your lower body in good shape. I hope we can do this challenge again soon. I feel like I have a whole new set of friends. May God bless in all you do. This is my final post, though it makes me sad to see this end, I know it has started me on a new path of fitness for my life. Thank you, Dani, and thank you ladies.

Jelly Bean Season is Officially Over

Jelly Bean Season begins the day after Valentine's Day and lasts until Easter Sunday. This year, jelly bean season was about the longest it could be as Easter was the last Sunday in April. Over the years, bags of Jelly Beans have gotten smaller (16 oz. down to 10 oz.) but the price hasn't really dropped. I supposed the smaller quantity is a good thing. There was a time in my life (I am 56, so this was probably 30 years ago) when I would stock up on bags and bags of Brach's Jelly Beans, because they are the tastiest of the affordable ones. I could polish off a whole bag every night while reading a book. Well, about 10-15 years ago, the bags of jelly beans started showing up as extra pounds on my body (duh!). It took me a few years to realize this, and I finally had to come to the conclusion that buying and eating jelly beans was not a good thing (you think?). But every year, the season comes back, and the temptation is there. I have to admit, that I consumed a fair share of jelly beans this year, but not as many bags as I could have. Because of that, I doubt I will reach my goal for this challenge of losing 10 lbs. I was close a couple of weeks ago. We will see what happens on the weigh-in this week. So, there you have it. Jelly Bean season is officially over (the bags were gone from the grocery store by Saturday). Until next year . . . just kidding. I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter Celebration and didn't eat too many jelly beans or chocolate rabbits or peeps or robin's eggs . . .

Down To The Wire

Just a few days left in this Spring Challenge. The past couple of weeks have flown by. I had a very nice visit with my 84 year old dad two weeks ago. I got off the fitness and eating track, but got back on the past few days. I haven't quite reached my weight loss goal for this challenge, but I have seen numbers on the scale that I haven't seen in a couple of years. I am hoping by Wednesday to be at my goal and then be able to continue steadily losing until I am back at my 2006 weight. I have enjoyed the challenge, the exercise, the thinking before eating, getting to know you ladies, sharing with you and praying for you. I also like getting a point for a post, and reading your posts. I hope everyone has a good weekend as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, without which we would be most miserable. I am so thankful that God love me so much that He gave His Son for me. Praying for each of you in your ministries this weekend.

Taking a vacation

One of the things that our pastor has encouraged us to do recently is "rest". He loves to say "you need to depart daily, withdraw weekly, and abandon annually" before you come apart! I am not very good at doing any of those things because I love my work at the church, and when I go away for any amount of time, it is usually to do more work, or visit family or friends that do not keep a relaxed schedule. Last night we had our Spring Concert at school and my choirs and bells performed very well. When I got done, I was pleased with the result and ready for a break. So today I drove to PA to visit my dad for the weekend. We are on school vacation so it was a good time to come. So I am just saying that I am taking a break from everything including the challenge. He lives at a retirement community and the food here is absolutely delicious. I will try not to overeat, but I want him to get his money's worth as he pays for my meals. Because he is a little unstable on his feet (he is 84) we won't be doing a great deal of exercise, but I do have to walk to the dining room with him and it is probably 1/3 to 1/2 mile from his apartment. This morning when I stepped on the scale I was down 9 lbs from the start of this challenge. I saw a number I haven't seen in a couple of years. I wore a dress for the concert last night that I couldn't get buttoned for a long time. I still have a ways to go, but I am so pleased with what I've done so far. Thank you for the challenge and the encouragement! Keep springing and I hope to see some more posts from my all of you! I really enjoy reading them.

Add a little lemon to your water

Last Sunday I had company for dinner, and had some left over lemons that I had put on the table for the iced tea. One morning this week when I filled my water bottle for work, I saw the lemons in the refrigerator sitting there doing nothing, so I decided to squeeze one of the lemon slices into the water bottle. Wow! What a difference that little bit of taste added to drinking all that water, without adding any sugar or calories. I'm not sure why I didn't think of doing this before, because I always ask for lemon for my water in a restaurant. So as I sit here watching basketball and drinking water with a lemon, I wanted to share that little tip with everyone.

The sermon tonight at church was about "Avoiding Temptation" before it becomes a temptation. As I was contemplating the message, I was reminded that food and overeating is a temptation. Keeping the food out of the house or out of sight, is the first step to avoiding the temptation of overeating. So I passed up the tortilla chips tonight at the grocery store and instead bought the fresh vegetables (and, Alice-Madridmom-I paid far more for my few vegetables than you do at the market so eat all you can before you come home on furlough).

Changing Tastes

One of the results of the "Nix the Fix" challenge was my change of taste for my morning coffee. I have continued to drink it without any sugar even though that challenge is over. I think after a week of going without, my taste buds adapted, and now I am satisfied with the taste of no sugar. I was pleasantly surprised at the Wednesday weigh-in to find I was down 2 more pounds for a total of 7 since we started. The changes I have made during this challenge have been good. I now can drink the full amount of water without thinking about it, and when I don't drink it I crave it. I can complete an exercise routine without collapsing. I think the challenge has helped me to make some good habits stick. I am really enjoying this journey, and I especially appreciate not having to pay the weekly or monthly Weight Watchers fee which I did a few years ago to do the same thing I am doing now with you ladies. Thank you for the challenge ! For those of you struggling, just keep at it. I am doing so much better this challenge than I did at the last one, and being more consistent. So, keep springing! On, and today is the first day of April but we woke up to a layer of snow on the ground!

Four days out of Seven ...

...I drank my morning coffee with no sugar. I really did not think this was possible, but Dani challenged me at the beginning of "Nix the Fix" week and I was able to do it four out of seven days! I haven't convinced myself that this is the way to drink coffee, but I might continue it until it becomes habit. This was a good week for me, but the weekend wasn't. We had a funeral on Saturday and I had out of town guests for Sunday dinner, both which required eating things I wouldn't have otherwise eaten. But in spite of not doing Nix the Fix for the weekend, and taking last Wed as the day off (because it took me awhile to convince myself I could do this), I was able to do it for 4 days and I am seeing the scale continually drop a few ounces each day. However, there is an apple pie waiting for me to eat a piece as soon as this week ends!! I did pass on the birthday cupcakes today at school - two students had birthdays and wanted to share with me. So just as an encouragement - if I can do this, you can, too!

"Have You Lost Weight?"

was the question someone asked me today. WOW! It was so nice to have someone notice and to know that the hard work of the past few weeks is paying off. I haven't lost as much as I'd like, but it is coming off slow and steady, so I am happy for that. Along with that, I am finding my body has better strength and balance since I have been exercising, and I don't crave food as much since I have been drinking more water. Tomorrow is weigh in (it is still Tuesday in the states) and I hope to finally reach the 5 lb. lost mark.

Today's tip from the Weight Watcher Walking DVD 30 minute walk: "Each step you take, is a step closer to your weight loss goal."

Down but not Out!!

This week's weigh-in was great - DOWN 2.2 lbs for a total of 4.8 this challenge. The extra points for water and exercise were a great motivator for me. Thursday I had to take the day off, because I spent the day in New Hampshire with our school kids at the New England Regional Fine Arts Competition. Our kids did great - my two bell choirs came in first and second, our choir came in first and my six girl ensemble also came in first. I was proud of our kids. Needless to say, the only exercise I got that day was running from one performance to another and directing my bell choirs. Then on the way home, we stopped at Chick Fil-A (we don't have them in CT, so this is a treat for us) and I ate the chicken sandwich and waffle fries and drank the coke (eat your heart out, Alice!). I figured I would take full advantage of the day off . . . Because of the change in my routine, I also didn't drink as much water as I had been, and I found myself VERY thirsty all day. So my one day off is over, and I am back to exercising, drinking, and eating sensibly. I want the scale to get back to where it was on Wednesday morning. Last night I was doing my grocery shopping, and the temptation to buy the goldfish and jelly beans was great . . . I went shopping BEFORE I ate supper instead of after. I had picked up the goldfish and scanned them but before they got in my bag, I removed them and unscanned them and left them on the shelf. I did the same with the jelly beans. THAT is a tremendous accomplishment for me. Someone must have been praying.

60 + 64 = -4 (almost)

No, my math isn't bad--that is the result of this week's bonus challenge and my diligence to get it done. This morning I stepped on the scale and saw a number I hadn't seen in a long time. I have tried very hard this week to drink the 64 oz. of water, and guess what? I did it everyday! In the past nine days I have done 6 hours and 20 minutes of exercise. This morning the scale was down almost 4 lbs from the start. Now, tomorrow morning is the official weigh-in, so I hope it lasts until I weigh and measure.

This morning I was reading in John, and at the end of verse 1 in chapter 13, John says of Jesus, "having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end." The phrase, he loved them unto the end, struck me with the fact that God never gives up on us but loves us through everything until the end. When I shared this with my 3rd-6th grade choir today, they immediately reminded me that with Jesus there is no end, so that means He loves us forever. So often I need to be reminded of God's love for me (even when I am NOT loving drinking water and exercising). He loves us unto the end! I hope this will bring some joy and encouragement to you today as it did to me.

60 Minutes and 64 ounces

I did it! Today marked a red letter day in my life. I drank 64 oz of water and did 60 minutes straight of exercise (along with a full day of work) and it isn't even bedtime yet. I don't think I have ever done this before. I've been working up to it over the past week, and I appreciate all the encouraging posts from everyone about their fitness journey. I took yesterday off because of work and church at night, but got right back into it today. Yesterday, the weigh-in showed a little success, down another pound. Keep up the good work ladies. If you have fallen behind, don't get discouraged. Every day is a new day and a new beginning. I am thankful for that. One thing I am learning is that God is sovereign, and though I don't understand why things are happening the way they are, He is in control (even in this challenge). I am so grateful that I have God on my side and you do, too. What a great comfort that thought is.

To Exercise or Not to Exercise

. . . was the question I kept asking myself tonight. I have had a migraine headache all day, but had to teach all my music classes, which included 3 handbell choirs, in spite of it. By the time I got home, it was pounding, so I ate chicken, vegetables and salad, and watched a Basketball game (our UCONN Huskie Women's team won the Big East Championship tonight). Then the choice was go to bed or exercise. Guess what I chose? Exercise!!!! My head still hurts, but my body and mind feels so much better having done 4o minutes. Someone must have been praying! Thanks ladies. Can't wait to weigh and measure in the morning.

15 days of no exercise . . .

That is what my Wii said when I turned on Wii Fit last night. Time flies, and I didn't realize it had been two weeks. So before I did the Wii Fit routine, I decided to warm up with the Weight Watcher Walking DVD. I did the 10 minute walk and decided to try the 20 minute walk (which is not just walking, but movement with arms and stretching, etc). That went by very quickly. So I already had 30 minutes done when I started the Wii Fit routine strength training. I found my scores were better after the walking warm up and getting back into it wasn't too difficult. Now I just have to keep it up.

Here is the tip that was on the WW DVD: "When you choose to exercise, you choose to live a better life." Simple, but profound.

Water, Water, Everywhere . . .

Day 4 of drinking water for me! That is some record. I don't feel like I need a life boat anymore. I was down on the scale this morning as well, and I hope that is the case tomorrow when I officially "weigh in" and measure. Then I'll get some more points. I've been watching what I eat, though tonight we had a baby shower at church for two ladies, and I had cake and ice cream (only half a piece of each). I was interested to read Dani Joy's information about cinnamon. I bought a box of Cinnamon Burst Cheerios (a new flavor) and I really like it. I didn't realize the cinnamon had a good effect, but maybe that is why I like it. Thanks, Dani, for that tip. I enjoy reading about everyone's journey. Keep up the good work!

The Grocery Store Did Me In, but the Water Bailed Me Out

I am a little behind in posting during this challenge. I am also a little behind in exercising and eating right. You see, this past week our grocery store had Goldfish on sale, and at the same time put out their jelly beans for Easter. These are my two very BIG downfalls, as you know from the last challenge. Well, I couldn't pass up the sale, and I just had to have one bag of JB's. UGH!! After eating all those carbs, I felt horrible. So Saturday I decided to stop with the snacks and drink water (which I do not like to do). So I poured myself 11 glasses of water (6 oz) and drank them throughout the day (see picture). Well, I felt like I needed a lifeboat with all that water, so yesterday and today I cut back to 48 oz. instead of 64. I figure I'll get back to the 64 eventually. But that much water three days in a row is a record for me (and I'm 56 years old). So I hope I can keep it up this week. The dr. had told me to drink more water as couple months ago. I already feel a little better. Next I have to get back to the exercising. Between my work schedule and evening activities, I haven't had much time for that. I am NOT a morning person so early morning exercise is not very appealing to me. Well, enough said on the subject. I am going to make the next 8 weeks count for something and do better than I did the past two. Tonight I went to the grocery store and DID NOT buy any goldfish or jelly beans. Instead I bought fruit and vegetables (and paid a lot more for them than Alice does in Madrid, but it was worth it). Hopefully the next post will show some improvement. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement.