It’s so easy…

…to fall off the exercise wagon!  It’s really hard for me to keep with it when my routine changes.  This past spring it had become a part of me, just like breathing (okay…maybe that’s a bad example since breathing isn’t always the easiest thing for me!!).  Anyway, I was getting up every morning at 4:30 to workout before I left for work and I actually got to the point where I was looking forward to it.  Even craved it!

But then summer happened.  A vacation at the beach…with no physical activity (apparently laying on the beach doesn’t burn any calories) and too many awesome meals out on the town.   Then another vacation spent sitting on my butt and eating out.   And a flexible summer work schedule.  You’d think that would be helpful but sleeping in till 8a.m. on my days off makes me feel like my morning is almost over and I don’t have time to fit in a workout.  Crazy, I know.  Plus the kids are home (off and on) this summer so there are too many “treats” around the house and since I’ve decided I don’t like to cook anymore, it means more eating out. 

So, there ya go...my list of excuses!  BUT no more.  I know I feel so much more alive when I stick to my workout routine.  My body feels better…more flexible, stronger, healthier and my mood also gets a boost.  Those little endorphins really do kick in and perk me up. 

Yep…back on the wagon and holding on with both hands!

Weight Loss Magic

Oh, if only it were magic!  I didn’t do the New Year’s Resolution thing this year…but like most years, I vowed to start eating better and of course, exercise more.  I use the term “more” loosely because saying MORE would indicate that I am increasing the amount of exercise and what I really mean is START exercising. 

Anyway,  as you may remember, I gave up pop (soda) last fall and that was my first step towards taking better care of myself.  As of Jan. 1, I gave up chocolate.  I know you may be gasping….but I have actually lived to tell the tale.  The amazing part is that it wasn’t really that hard.  After the initial shock to the system it’s not that big of a temptation anymore. 

I’ve also been being careful with what I eat…especially portion control.  So far it’s going pretty well.  On days when I end up eating a lot of sweets or heavy meals I can actually FEEL it in my body.  That bloat.  The sluggishness.  The queasy stomach.  It definitely makes getting back on the wagon a lot easier.

So far I’ve lost enough weight/inches to make my jeans feel baggy.  Oh…what a great feeling.  SO much better than fleeting satisfaction of a Snickers bar!!!

My girls came home this weekend!  Spring break.  I know…it’s too early for spring break but we’re on the trimester schedule so we’re between winter and spring terms.  Two weeks!  I, of course, still have to work.   Most of it anyway.  But what a great feeling…2/3 of the way through the school year!  Yippee!  Unfortunately for me, the spring term is a bit of a nightmare.  Big event coming up.  But it makes the days go fast.  Too fast!

Even with the girls home, I still got some scrapbooking done.   Just because they’re home…doesn’t mean they’re HOME!  So many friends to catch up with after all. 

I’m not going to post all the pictures…you can see them in my Etsy shop or on my Flickr photostream….but here are a few covers.

  

Hope you had a great weekend and I wish you a wonderful week ahead!

Think SPRING!  (Kinda hard to do since there is snow falling as I write this…but I know it will get here….eventually!)

:)