Updates, updates . . .

We changed wards in August. We're now officially in the Falls Church Ward. I love it. Lots of new people - a few familiar faces. Garrett had a hard time adjusting but seems fine now. Randy is Scoutmaster and misses his family from McLean 1st a lot. He loves the boys in Falls Church. Scoutmaster is a challenging calling. Garrett graduated to be a Teacher. He is slowly making friends at Falls Church but also misses his McLean 1st friends. At school, he sees all of his friends and spends time with them after school. I'm in Primary teaching CTR8 and the kids are wonderful. There are 5 boys and 4 girls. The boys (in any combination) are a nuclear reaction. My team teacher, Beth Snyder, is a natural for teaching. She came into this calling and had those boys eating out of her hand the first day. It's an amazing site.

Now that the weather is warming up, I'm looking forward to getting out more. I have a plan (good intentions) to walk to Metro every morning and also get off two stops early and walk to work from Foggy Bottom. If I'm walking to Metro in the morning, I'll have no choice but to walk home in the afternoon. I think building exercise into my existing schedule is a good way to get it done. I'm using eTools on Weightwatchers.com. It only works if I use it!! I have kept the weight loss of the last two years without gaining so I have to be proud of that.

We are planning a summer vacation to Yellowstone this summer. Our nephew, Danny, may meet us in Salt Lake and provide company for Garrett. This is great bonding for the two of them. Maybe we'll get Jake this summer . . .

I joined Weight Watchers at work. I'm having trouble getting motivated. I have kept the weight off that I lost in 2007 but have not seen any further progress.

Been a while

Okay, so it's been a while. Updates, updates. Garrett has switched from trumpet to tuba. His band teacher sent an e-mail that Garrett is an awesome player and doesn't realize how good he is. He's finished with 7th grade in 2 short days and I realized he'll be driving in 2 years. WHAT??!! Okay, my breathing is back to normal.

Randy is busy with High Adventure planning and getting used to his new job. What? I didn't tell you? He left MITRE. He's now at Northrop Grumman. He likes it but most of all realized he wouldn't melt if he left MITRE. There is life outside! He loves his church calling - working with the older boys. He's planning the High Adventure trip and having the boys over next week for a cookout and planning meeting. Reminder to me - clean the house and put away anything breakable before Tuesday. . .

I'm still doing water aerobics with Mom. My weight loss has stayed the same which is better than gaining but I'd sure like to see some losses. I'm reading The Persian Pickle Club which is a cute book about a 1920's quilting club. I've really just started so I don't have an opinion yet. I've set a goal to lose 2 pounds and I get a pedicure. My toes really need it. I'm doing Weight Watchers at work for free but I've got to journal and get back to counting points.

Water babies

Mom and I have signed up for a deep water aerobics class at the rec center. We've already taken the class once and we really liked it. Two suggestions: wear a one piece suit and put your styrofoam belt on t-i-g-h-t! Don't forget - stand up straight, belly in, butt in, chest high, breathe . . .

Garrett has been working out with us in the weight room. He gets on the treadmill and is jogging for 10-20 minutes. He wants free access to the other machines so he has agreed to take a weight training for teens class (teen? when did that happen?). Once he finishes that class, he can workout wherever he likes.

Randy is starting a new job at Northrop Grumman. He is so happy and relaxed. I'm very happy for him. We're going out tomorrow night as Garrett will be at a friend's house for a sleepover. We'll be celebrating his new job.

Down again

I'm down 2 pounds this week. Another 5 and I'll be where I was pre-holidays. From that point, I've got to lose 20 pounds to be able to buy any clothes. Randy lost his pedometer so we haven't done the pedometer challenge in a while. Mom and I are going to the NBC4 Health Expo tomorrow. It should be a lot of fun.

I am really going to push myself this week to stay on a downhill run with the weight. I would really like to see some movement on the scale now that we're in to 2008. I have maintained my loss of last year but I want to see the scale start moving down again.

I'm seeing a nutritionist on Wednesday. Hopefully, she'll be able to help with the eating plans and afternoon munchies.

Getting back on track

I gained over the holidays. While I'm upset about the gain, I have to remember that I am 30 pounds less now than I was a year ago. I'm seeing a dietician in a week to go over my eating habits. I think I need to up the exercise and that will help tremendously. I would really like to get in a half hour of exercise every night. I also want to walk the dog every day (he deserves it).

The pounds go marching 2 by 2, hurrah, hurrah!

Down 2 pounds again this week. It feels great to be on a downward track again. I have significantly increased the exercise this week. Back to walking the extra two stops in on Metro, doing the walk a mile at home, and walking the dog after the walk a mile. Randy and I are doing a pedometer challenge. Whoever has the most steps gets a 15 minute back rub. If both of us make it to 10,000 there is no winner (except both of us for getting to 10,000 steps). I got over 11,000 last night and Randy was at 9,400. He's doing great with the steps. I may increase my minimum to 12,500 since it's a little easier for me to get my steps in. That will really push me outside of my comfort zone.

The holidays are coming. If I can maintain, I will be extremely happy but losing pounds over Christmas is a feat worth awarding. If I continue to lose weight through the week including New Year's Day, I will get a pedicure for myself.