Day 60 - Friday's FAB Tip? Sink or Swim!

WooHOO, time for another FAB Fitness tip from Barb and I just love this one (well...ya know...I love them all, they just make sense), here it is:


FITNESS TIP #6:  Plan Your Attack

Making healthy lifestyle changes is a bit like swimming.  You need to figure out which strategy works best for you.  Some people prefer the SINK or SWIM strategy.  They dive right in, knowing that the cold water is going to be a shock to their system.  Yet, they quickly figure out what it takes to swim.  These people are eager to plan healthy meals and are committed to working out regularly throughout the week.  

For others, it's a process...dip your toes in first, stand in knee-deep water, then to your waist, your shoulders and then you're ready to dip your head under water.  Similarly, it might mean making one small change each week until you're at a point where you're ready to take off.  That's okay!  If you make one healthy change each week, and build on those changes, for 3 months, you'll be amazed at how much weight you'll lose!  

So go ahead...jump in with an awesome cannon ball entrance or dip your toes in...the important thing is that you get you started.

See???

I told you, another AWEsome tip. Whether you prefer the dive right in or the dippin' toes method, once you begin PLANNING what you'll do to get healthy, you are a good part of the way to your over all success.

Remember:

Failing to plan is planning to fail.

So go on, get out there and MAKE A PLAN. Once you begin implementing your steps, as Barb says, you'll be amazed at how much weight  you'll lose!

(Take it from someone who is 30+ pounds down AND is following Barb's tips VERY closely; that girl is a SMARTIE McSmarty Pants, I tell you!)

Okay, that's it for me, today, lots to do. Oh...

Once more:

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO SEND BARB YOUR WEIGHTS THIS WEEKEND. I KNOW THAT NOT EVERYONE WEIGHS IN WEEKLY BUT FOR THOSE WHO DO, IT IS SO MUCH EASIER FOR HER TO CALCULATE OUR WEIGHT LOSS IS YOU STAY ON TOP OF GETTING HER THOSE NUMBERS! SHE'S DOING US A SOLID BY KEEPING TRACK. GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

Till next time!

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Our Virtual Trip(s)

Michele: 3.75 miles

Anna: 45 miles

Sandi: 44.96 miles 

Debbie: 24 miles 

Kathy: 49.45 miles 

Stephanie: 59.10 miles 

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Starting Weight: 306.4

Goal Weight: 150

Today's Weight: 276.4

Total Lost to Date: 30

Up a few ounces from Tuesday. I'm okay with that :) 

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Day 58 - Where are the Walking Girls?

I mean no offense but I have named us the Walking Girls. There are no guys currently walking (with us) and so I don't feel like it's too discriminatory. Yikes.

And then there's the map issue. I put in Michele's info but since she's coming along the same route as Debbie, their line now looks a little like throw-up. I'll be changing that color before I post the new map, lol.

And THEN...

I can't track Anna's route on Google Maps. Because of the swimming across continents and all that, Google simply won't allow me to track that - not by car or bus or by walking. BUT I do know that Anna has agreed to make this 4153 mile trek by biking to Venice and we will continue to track her progress, the best way possible.

And NOW...

We've had a couple people who wanted to join in and then disappeared. One such is my sister and as God is my witness, I haven't even called her to find out why. I'm  not the best big sister around, I know that.

But here's the thing. I don't want to BUG people about this. You are either walking or you're not. I am not going to chase you; especially if you are not directly on my route to Disney, seriously. And I'm not going to worry (too much) if you decide you'd rather not do this. No one is holding anyone else TO this.

It's simply a great way to "take a trip" and get healthy. As time goes on and we all get further along in our journeys, it will be fun to see where we're all at. But again, not going to push. Also, there is nothing to say that ANYone can't join at any time. Kathy and Anna alone will be walking for quite a long time and there is always room for more walking...whomevers...on our journey(s).

So...ALL that said, where are we walking girls now?

Well, we have to remember that we are only 11 days into our trips. Stephanie currently leads for total miles AND she's got the shortest way to go (there's a rumor going around that she took a detour to Maine this past weekend but I didn't see her, so I cannot confirm (haha).

Anna has biked an impressive 45 miles already but I'm pretty sure that she's not even out of Jersey yet. Do they make bikers pay the crazy tolls too? WAIT a minute...she isn't even going to Jersey. She's gotta get into the water...BRRRR! Stay safe, Anna!

Kathy is well on her way to Oregon and this girl can WALK. I know she's got 2800+ miles to travel but I have no worries that she'll get to her sister's WAY before October, 2014! Gooooo, Kathy!

Michele and Debbie are both walking to Disney World, Florida and they hail from the same great town in PA. Debbie is pacing herself and doing quite well with it; and Michele (who got a bit of a late start) is trucking (or walking, as the case may be) right along too. I can't wait to meet up with both these girls to see the Mouse. YAY!

And then there's me. WHO came up with this silly walking trip thing ANYWAY? I am actually surprising myself by averaging about 4 miles per day, which won't win any speed medals but "ain't" too shabby, either. My goal is walk 30 miles per week and I'm ridiculously close to that - I just need to step it up a tad and before you know it, I'll be at the Mouse House, too!

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Next week, I'd like to see what city/state we're all in and will need Gary to help me with that. Please just continue to email me your miles and let's try to have FUN with this! Every step we take is one step closer to our destination - healthy. YAY!

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No Scale 'n' Toes today, Peeps. I am now weighing in 3 times weekly for various challenges and I'm going to try staying accountable that way, rather than 7 days. It's a challenge itself, YAY!

Till next time!

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Our Virtual Trip(s)

Michele: 2.5 miles

Anna: 45 miles

Sandi: 40.65 miles 

Debbie: 22 miles 

Kathy: 37.31 miles 

Stephanie: 50.80 miles 

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2 Whole Months GONE - WOW, Love those Numbers!

Okay, yes, today is my 2 months gone weigh in but before we get to those numbers, I've gotta pay respects. I did think about whether I should, here...and I decided that it's what I'm thinking ANYway, and so it should be in my diary.

Today is the 11th anniversary of the day our world changed forever. Today I want to honor those who lost their lives fighting for our freedom on September 11, 2001 and all the days after, as well. Civilians, police, fire, soldiers...everyone who has ever given (on purpose or by someone else's hand) so that we received...

We all remember that day and what came after, in different ways. Today, I would just like to thank those individuals for their service to our country! God Bless you and keep you, AMEN!

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Okay, dried eyes...yes, I still get weepy at times about it, no apologies.

Shall we get on with the weigh in?

Because...

Today marks the first day of month 3; which means I am 2 WHOLE months into the rest of my life and life is GOOD!

Let's RECAP This Whole Last Month: 

Week 4: 289.2 - Well I had moved (just barely) out of the 290's but with a 17.2 pound loss and 12.5 inches gone in month one, I was moving forward - cautiously optimistic!

Week 5: 286.2 - 3 pounds gone in one week. I like those numbers. I know I whine from time to time but 3 pounds lost in a week is pretty darn FAB!

Week 6: 282.2 - Whoa, and then I lost four in week 6. I blew right on by that 285 - well, okay, I struggled there, we all know it - and now I'm wicked close to scooching OUTTA the 280's. WOW!

Week 7: 283 - Pfft. Darn Auntie was here and she and I were NOT getting along. I had no worries through out the week, however; I didn't let HER take control of ME!

Week 8: 275.8 - WOW! I am SOLIDLY in the 270's and I am feelin' FINE!

Okay, firstly, I lost 7.2 pounds this last week. And for the month? A whopping 13.4 pounds. Wowza, I lost half that in just one week.

I know, I know. A little CRA-CRA! But I was determined not to let that Auntie get the best of me; to that end, I stayed focused and true to my goal!

I also lost 13 inches this month. YAYAYAYYAYAY!

Let's bottom line the last 56 days:

30.6 pounds DOWN.

25.5 inches GONE.

Whew.

Not too shabby, folks. I may even have to hop back on YouTube for this. Yah, I've been missin' my video makin'...

ANYway, I've gotta run today, lots to do - jewelry to sell and groceries to buy and fliers to write...busy busy busy.

Ooooh, one more thing before I jet - my goals for this week: 

Walk 30 miles
Swim 4 times (should be easy with the fishy I'm raisin')
Try a new healthy treat (to share next week)

Till next time!

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Our Virtual Trip(s)

Michele: 2.5 miles

Anna: 36 miles

Sandi: 37.96 miles 

Debbie: 20 miles 

Kathy: 37.31 miles 

Stephanie: 47.90 miles  

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Starting Weight: 306.4

Goal Weight: 150

Today's Weight: 275.8

Total Lost to Date: 30.6

Happy Dance, yah yah yah... :) 

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Day 56 - Dear Monday...

Monday, Monday.

Rainy days and Mondays...

WooHOO, it's Monday.

Lol.

If any of that sticks in your head and lasts all day, please don't shoot the messenger.

It's Monday and while lots of people don't like this particular day, I don't mind it. It's the start of a brand new week, fresh and unsuspecting.

Who KNOWS what it will bring?

YAY.

So cheer the day and embrace what comes. There's just no reason not to.

Now we can rewind a bit..how was YOUR weekend?

Mine?

Busy. Crazy busy. And good. Went to an end of summer Lobster fest where I had a bite of lobster and some yummy brisket, among other tasty treats. Got to sleep in on Sunday and had a fun swim with Mags in the afternoon.

Oh, and the Patriots won.

All in all?

A great weekend.

And I am optimistically excited for the week. So, dear Monday, thank you for coming back around again. I look forward to what the week may bring and promise to make each moment the best it can be.

That's it, all about Monday. YAY!

Till next time!

...Tuesday it's weigh in, as I end month 2, how am I doin'? On Wednesday we'll share the map again and welcome new walkers and riders. Thursday is up in the air, I just may not BE here. And Friday, as always, another FAB fitness tip. YAY! Just loving this week already, cheers!

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Our Virtual Trip(s)

Michele: 2.5 miles

Anna: 20 miles

Sandi: 34.33 miles 

Debbie: 18 miles 

Kathy: 37.31 miles 

Stephanie: 43.17 miles  

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Starting Weight: 306.4

Goal Weight: 150

Today's Weight: 278

Total Lost to Date: 28.4

Lovely Scale 'n' Toes on a FAB Monday Morning!

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