Bad brings good

Well July is almost in the history books.    My weight....well it stayed the same...at the high end of my little current weight range.   I'm not happy....but I know that I didn't exercise like I should have and I also know that I had some badness that creeped into my daily routine (can I say king size Reece's cups?)

I am working to clean it up.   I stopped the Reece's cups....and have tried to add some more veggies and fruits!!!   This week we decided to make a big batch of bean salad for the week (super healthy and nutritious!!!)

And I have strawberries, nectarines, fresh pineapple and cherries!   Yummy!!!    

It was actually interesting.   We were in the grocery store and the bad stuff wasn't at all tempting....but fruit and veggies sounded and looked Aaaahhhh-mazing!!!   Our bodies were telling us what we needed to eat!!!

 I probably won't make my 10 pounds gone by August 7th.  I will be lucky if I show any kind of loss at all!!!  But you know what???  That's ok!     Sometimes we have to have a colossal failure before we can move on and have a wonderful success!!!!

My mileage for July.   I am definitely over budget on the necessary miles that I needed in order to not fall further behind.   In fact I will actually work off some of my decicit of miles that I need for the year.   I will definitely have my final numbers when the month is over!

This weekend we relaxed a bit on Saturday.  It was a long week for both of us and we needed to just sit back and 'be'.   We did go to the Cacapon State Park Resort.  Neither of us had ever visited. However we had both heard about it.   So since we were driving through the area we stopped.   It is pretty!  Cabins...a lodge...nature galore!!!!   We will probably go back to stay for a weekend!!!!

  On Saturday we were out on our bikes.    I don't know what happened but from the get go my legs felt like lead weights!!!!   I pushed on thinking that they would loosen up!  No they didnt.  Bike mile 10 or 11 they were aching.   By mile 14 my wrists were sore also.   I managed but I was ready to be done....and my grand plans to do a 25-30 mile ride were put on hold.   15 was plenty!   (Conversely...Jason was exhausted and kept talking about how he just wanted to take a nap...so who knows what our problem was yesterday!!!

Maybe our problem was that this week there was no mud!!!!  

It's been the year of turtles....so many turtles crossing the trails in front of us!!!

All that said we still had smiles on our faces as we enjoyed the gorgeous weather together!!!

What about peanut butter cups????

Lots of things are conspiring together this week to really bring me to a crossroad.   I know what road I want to take.....  but let's look at these events first.

I read an article in the last 24 hours that size eighteen (in fairness they said sixteen to eighteen at one point in the article) is the new average in the USA.    10 years ago it was a size fourteen.   When I read the article ten years ago I was a size fourteen and was happy to be average. (Because I had just achieved a size fourteen (and shortly hereafter a size twelve and even a ten once for about a minute!).   I'm a solid 16/18 right now.  (Ok that means that I can suck it in...lay down on the bed and zip myself into 16's. But I'm comfortable in 18's).   And even though I am apparently now considered average....I'm not at all happy with  being average!!!!     No way...no how!!!!

I learned while I was losing the weight the first time that when I'm eating unhealthy that my stomach hurts a whole lot more.    When I am a larger size it is a common thing to wake up with a stomach ache that takes a while to subside. It's not fun.   But sadly for many years it was my way of life.  It wasn't until I had lost maybe 50-80 pounds when all of a sudden one day I woke up and realized that I hadn't felt sick in weeks!!!   Sadly when I reach a certain weight and/or start eating poorly it comes back.   (Maybe that's not a sad thing...maybe that's a good thing!).  Guess what came back this week?????    

My brothers wife and kids just recently went to her family's home for a visit.  They got back about a week ago...and yesterday I was talking to my oldest nephew.  He mentioned looking through old pictures while there.  And he mentioned a picture of my brother and I at his college graduation.   And guess what?   My nephew looked at me and said 'I didn't realize you were so fat'. Ok I paraphrased....but he was talking about his shock at how big I was way back when.   He was actually complimenting me for how I look right now. (Remember I'm an  average 18 now!).   And I accepted the compliment.....but I also said...and just think I'm 50 pounds higher than my lowest.  (But yes...I'm also 80 pounds or so lower than that picture he must have seen!).    

Last night I was just simply craving ice cream!!!   So when I suggested it to Jason he was quiet for a few moments then said 'I've been wanting to try a chic fil a peach milkshake'. Yum!!!  I have always known that their milkshakes are calorifically ungodly!   But after we ordered and pulled around to the window Jason exclaims 'woah....for that many calories that better be an awesome milkshake!'    He doesn't watch calories!   He doesn't usually pay attention to those things!!!!!   And he wasn't doing it against me...he was making comments about himself saying 'well I will only eat half of it tonight so that's not too bad'.      Well let me tell you...I didn't split mine into two treats.  I practically licked the cup clean!!!     And the verdict from Jason???   He states that it was worth it....and he may have to have one more this summer before the peach milkshake goes away.   So yes worth it and I don't regret it...but it really made me think about those calories!!!

Last night I just flipped on the tv for noise.  The channel was sitting on TLC...and I got suckered into a tv show....my 600 pound life.  I've seen the show before but last night the lady just hit me hard.   She talked about the high/happiness from food.   She talked about eating when she is sad...when she is happy...thinking about her next meal before the one she is eating is even done.   All thinrgs I've written about numerous times on this blog! So it hit close to home.   And then when they talked about changing her diet and she said 'I can still have my peanut butter cups I just about fell off the chair.   I love Reece's cups!!!   I got scared thinking how easy it would be for me to eat myself into that situation!!!!!   

I took steps yesterday morning.  I said no to the Reece's cup at sheetz (a convenience store) when I stopped for a drink for work!  (And his morning also!!).  That is a huge first step!!!!  A customer is buying us lunch at work today and I ordered a salad versus a sandwich and fries.  (Yes a salad may be as calorically horrific as a sandwich and fries but it's at least more nutritious!!!). I'm taking steps.  I'm determined to do this!!!! I know it won't be an all or nothing deal.  I know I'll still have pizza ...and various less healthy foods.  But I can navigate it.  I can eat less...make better choices and make this work for me!!!!

I don't have grand dreams.  I'm not saying that I will lose tons of weight in august.  I am saying that I will lose!!! Something!!   It's the month of changes and any loss and steps in the right direction will be good!!!!

And on that note I'm going to get serious about noting my exercise/water and tracking on my calendar again!!!!  I haven't for the last week or two!!!!

Mf

Weakness

The other day I was scrolling through Facebook and saw a post from a high school friend.  (Acquaintance) .  She and a friend were standing on the top of a mountain that they had just hiked.   She looked incredible!  She looked happy.   And I was sad!

No! no!!! No!!!  I wasn't sad for her!  I was sad for me!  I was sad for the girl who has let her fitness level slip away.   I was sad for the girl that was on a walk and huffed and puffed up a small hill (if I can even call it a hill).

No I'm not totally out of shape and out of it.   We still walk...we still hike....although hiking has been put more on hold since it's hot.  In its place we have been riding our bikes more.   

But that said...I am much much weaker than I was a year ago!!!!

It started with losing my Zumba classes.    I sprained my ankle.    I got big blisters...bad blisters.  My work schedule changed.    And any number ofother deterrent factors.   All excuses...some valid.  Some that I may have milked a bit further than necessary.  

But all that said.  I am not happy with the huffing and puffing when I walk up hills.  I am not happy at all with my fitness levels!!!!

I woke up this morning determined to run.  I actually had a morning where I got to go to work later and I could manage a run.   I made it halfway around the block and I ended up turning around to limp home.   An injury/defect in my foot that has plagued me since I was about 8-10 years old kicked into high gear.    I knew it was only going to get worse if I didn't get off of it!  Grrrrrr

I don't know how I am going to fit exercise and physical activity into my life.   Especially with this new job and the hour each way commute.   But I've got to make it a priority!!!!

We rode bikes this weekend again.   I was feeling sluggish the whole time.  I'm not sure why.  But that said...I rode and didn't wimp out.  

We had to pick up our bikes to go across downed trees.  Ok I had to pick up my bike and carry it.   Jason toon the clumping clump jumpity jump route once or twice.  

I saw a lizard...a baby deer...squirrels....turtles...birds and this interesting big eyed bug.

A storm came up upon us and it downpoured!!!!!  Like soaked to the skin wet!!!!!!  

We changed at the car and when I got home I laid out clothes outside on the ground and sprayed the caked on mud off of the clothes before throwing them in the washer.

I'm sure the neighbors thought I was nuts (and maybe they aren't too far off in their thinking)

Weakness

The other day I was scrolling through Facebook and saw a post from a high school friend.  (Acquaintance) .  She and a friend were standing on the top of a mountain that they had just hiked.   She looked incredible!  She looked happy.   And I was sad!

No! no!!! No!!!  I wasn't sad for her!  I was sad for me!  I was sad for the girl who has let her fitness level slip away.   I was sad for the girl that was on a walk and huffed and puffed up a small hill (if I can even call it a hill).

No I'm not totally out of shape and out of it.   We still walk...we still hike....although hiking has been put more on hold since it's hot.  In its place we have been riding our bikes more.   

But that said...I am much much weaker than I was a year ago!!!!

It started with losing my Zumba classes.    I sprained my ankle.    I got big blisters...bad blisters.  My work schedule changed.    And any number ofother deterrent factors.   All excuses...some valid.  Some that I may have milked a bit further than necessary.  

But all that said.  I am not happy with the huffing and puffing when I walk up hills.  I am not happy at all with my fitness levels!!!!

I woke up this morning determined to run.  I actually had a morning where I got to go to work later and I could manage a run.   I made it halfway around the block and I ended up turning around to limp home.   An injury/defect in my foot that has plagued me since I was about 8-10 years old kicked into high gear.    I knew it was only going to get worse if I didn't get off of it!  Grrrrrr

I don't know how I am going to fit exercise and physical activity into my life.   Especially with this new job and the hour each way commute.   But I've got to make it a priority!!!!

We rode bikes this weekend again.   I was feeling sluggish the whole time.  I'm not sure why.  But that said...I rode and didn't wimp out.  

We had to pick up our bikes to go across downed trees.  Ok I had to pick up my bike and carry it.   Jason toon the clumping clump jumpity jump route once or twice.  

I saw a lizard...a baby deer...squirrels....turtles...birds and this interesting big eyed bug.

A storm came up upon us and it downpoured!!!!!  Like soaked to the skin wet!!!!!!  

We changed at the car and when I got home I laid out clothes outside on the ground and sprayed the caked on mud off of the clothes before throwing them in the washer.

I'm sure the neighbors thought I was nuts (and maybe they aren't too far off in their thinking)

Holding on!

My weight returned to my 'happy weight .   Which doesn't make me happy really.  I want my weight to go down!!!!    But that is the weight that I seek to settle at.   But no complaints....a few weeks ago I was hovering 2-3 pounds heavier!

The stress free existence after giving my resignation was  short lived.   Now that that is behind me I have commenced worrying (apparently) about my new job.   It's not so much when I'm awake.   It's when I'm sleeping.   Why yes.  I'm having dreams.   So for example....last night in my dream it was morning and I was fiddling around and working on some projects that I have ongoing in my life......and my friend Julie came over to hang out with me before I started my new job.  She could do that after all because she works for the same company....but she didn't start until 9 and I had to be there earlier.  (As a side not Julie does work for the same company but in Indiana and I will be in Maryland.). We ran to McDonald's (really?) and then settled back in to sort through some boxes of old stuff I was getting rid of.  And that's when I looked at my watch and panicked.   You see it was 8:13....I wasn't dressed for work and I had to be there at 8:15.    And that's when I woke up.   

Ive had similar dreams each night....always about the changes upcoming in my life.

So it's invading my dreams.   Just great!   I guess I'm stressed and was too dumb to realize it!!

I am still working on the 2017 miles in 2017  At the midway point of this month I had 92 miles.....for the month I need 172 miles.  So I am on track this month.  I need to accrue an extra 55 miles to catch up for the year.  So all in all I'm not doing too badly.  I'm hanging in there.....close enough that I'm nowhere near saying 'it's hopeless'.    What is saving me is the fact that we are riding our bikes 20-30 miles each week.   That is the only thing that's holding me close.  My work schedule (with the overtime) makes it harder to get my runs in.  (I still haven't purchased reflective items/lights so that I can safely run before it's fully light).   It's been hot (and Jason is whupped when he gets off work)  so we have very rarely done any evening walks.  So it really has been the biking and weekend activities that have saved me!!!!

Work....it's ok.  It has eased up a bit...at least they are more friendly with me.  I still get made to feel like a dunce because I'm not doing things the supervisors way.   I just respond with 'well you are asking me to change the way I've done something for the last ten years I've worked with the company....it's hard to break a habit...it's not done overnight'.   And just for the record...it's not that I'm doing anything wrong ....just different that she does it and how she was trained the end result is the same.   And I've passed through numerous audits (actually more than her since I have 8 years seniority on her) and my way and the way I was trained has been just fine with all the auditors!!   So I am just counting down!!!!   When today is over it will be exactly 2 weeks left!!!  

So that is where I'm at!   Hanging on!!!

Hope

Last week I was so nervous to give my notice to my work.   Remember I've only been at this office for two weeks....so it was kinda a 'I'm here....here's my notice!'   I was worried how they were going to react and how my last two to three weeks were going to play out.   Were they going to be mad about it....vindictive about it in terms of scheduling?  How miserable would I be!

Turns out not so miserable at all.   They are relieved to have me the two and a half weeks and understanding about my leaving.   What a relief.   Jason saw me after work and some of his first words to me were 'you can see how relieved you are to get that behind you'. And 'your smile is huge again!'

So obviously a lot of stress gone!!!

So the next morning...imagine my surprise when my when the scales showed me two pounds down...and on Friday another pound down.   Was stress holding me back?   

Oh my....I was only 5 pounds away from that next decade and incidentally that put me 5-6 pounds from my 10 pound goal for August 7.   Oh my word...could this actually be an attainable goal again????

Now I can't get too excited.   I didn't eat horribly this weekend. (1700 and 1800 calorie days....).but my weight was back up to those pre-low weight days weight.   Grrr.   But seeing those lower numbers gives me hope!!!!'

Our weekend was fun.   We rode our bikes.  The path/trail was muddy muddy muddy.   The first few mud puddles I carefully tried to navigate without getting dirty but as soon as I figured out it was hopeless...I just started charging through the puddles.   I was caked in mud!!!!!!

 So was Jason!!!

And our bikes.....

This picture was only half way in....by the end you couldn't see the green logo on the bike!!!!  

 

We were so dirty that we actually walked into the river to clean our legs off before changing clothes.....and after we changed clothes we took our dirty clothes into the river to rinse them off (caveman style beating them against a rock....quite literally). 

Yup....I loved ever second!!!   And just think...some people pay big bucks for mud baths....I got one for free and got some exercise in at the same time!!!

We enjoyed the normal animals along our rode...squirrels, lots of butterflies, turtles and this pretty guy that wasn't at all afraid of us!!

Another fantastic weekend!

The cat is out of the bag

A few weeks ago I made a vow to lose 10 pounds by august 7th.   Why august seventh???     And more changes coming? What changes????

First let me say that I did get a run in the other morning!   That was a first in a while.   It's hard with the crazy hours that this new job has me working (I am scheduled for 46 hours next week)....6 days both this week and next.  I actually woke up at 5:00AM yesterday morning to run.   But it was just a bit darker than I felt comfortable with in terms of outside running on my own.   I will be investing in some reflective gear soon!!!! 

How is my weight doing???  Am I on target for 10 pounds???   I am down 1.4 from my July first weight.   So at least that's down.   But by almost two weeks in I should be down by more than 1.4 pounds to reach that goal!   

Well it is time to let the cat out of the bag.   About three months ago I sat down and really started hitting the job hunt hot and heavy.   I, for various reasons had only been half heartedly looking before then.   But the time had come for me to get serious.  Number one my job was not making me happy.....but the biggest aspect is that after ten years of great yearly reviews and wonderful customer compliments...and no negative marks on my record (in fact they kept adding duties since I did a good job), I am only making $10 an hour.  (Ok I lie ....$10.03 an hour.).   Convenient (for them) hiring freezes when they are throwing more duties upon me ("this is the job of a head teller but we have a hiring freeze so we can't raise your pay". And "oh this new job you will be doing falls under customer service which is more pay but since we are again on a hiring freeze we can't give you the pay raise/grade that goes with it").  Add to the fact that the insurance while affordable ($100 a month) was outrageously expensive to use....and honestly prohibitive to use considering the deductible is about three months of pay). So it was well beyond the time for me to find another job!!!   And in fact, a few weeks ago I even mentioned in a blog post about an interview.

So back to the cat that we are letting out of the bag...  part of this should come as no surprise because a few weeks ago I even mentioned in a blog post about an interview, the day that my sinus' were a full blown mess...and my teeth felt like they were falling out of my head!!!    But I am ready to officially announce it today.  I have been offered a job at a different company. (Yup the same one I interviewed for that day with the sinus pain...I must have hidden my pain well.....or maybe not and they were just impressed with my perseverance despite the pain!!!)  I will be driving a bit further to this new job.  But that's ok...it's only 15-20 miles further than where Jason works. As for insurance since that has been a big issue with my current job....  I just know the basics right now and I don't know the exact particulars of the insurance but I have a friend that works for the company at an Indiana office and she seems to have no complaints about it!!  Nor does she drag her feet about going to the doctor due to prohibitive costs!!!!    I do however of course know the particulars of the pay and let's just say I'm happy!   I'm very happy with the starting pay...(I'm leaving the $10.03 far far far in the dust!!  I will be able to afford to actually live on my own and support myself!!!). and I'm happy with the opportunities for growth that will be available to me (pay wise and career wise). 

So my kinda new job that I talked about last week on my blog  is only a temporary new job for about 4-5 weeks.   And I gave a three week  notice today....so it's out there in the open for public consumption now. 

So that brings me full cycle back to why August 7th for the 10 pounds?    That's my start date for my new job....of course!!!

Lots more changes and adjustments coming in my life.....I know that this job...the distance ...the hours...everything will bring total upheaval in my life.  But I'm confident that what is yet to come will be positive and that I'm FINALLY on the right track!!!

Monday duldrums

Blah blah blah.   I've got the Monday blues!   I wish I could stay home today!!!!!   But that's not the way life goes...so off I go in a bit to work!   I have a long week schceduled for me...48 hours scheduled at work.  (Why so many?  I have no clue????).  48 scheduled means that while I won't work less than 48.....I will probably work MORE than 48.   Uhhh....at my old branch we were always scheduled for 38...and the few extra minutes here and there took us to the 40 mark.   So yes...an adjustment for me.  But oh well...overtime.

My goal of 10 pounds ...well I am fluctuating some.  Last week during the week I dropped down 2-3 pounds...but today I'm right back where I started.  Go figure!  Frustrating to say the least...but I know that my eating in the weekends is frightening.  I need to clean that up for sure.  

Exercise during the week?   Uhhh. I'm still trying to figure out how to slip that in!  Maybe start running in the evenings???  Invest in reflective gear and lights and run super early in the morning?   Pull out exercise videos???  Ugggghh.  I will figure it out.  And I better figure it out soon because I have more changes coming and if my exercise routine is adjusted and in place it will bode well.

This weekend we walked/hiked some.  We swam some.   But the main thing was that we rode our bikes.     On the canal.  

We want to go back and explore the kilns/ovens of the old defunct Round Too Cement Company  in the fall/winter.

And the remains of the buildings.

We took the time to stop at the 'visitor center' if you can really call it that.   An old house along the canal that they have dressed out in period furniture that is open to the public some days.

We lucked out in that the volunteer that was there heard us talking about how we always wish we could see the upstairs of these old houses.   His words were 'I'm not supposed to let you...but let's go'. Awesome!!!!   You could tell that he loved the building!!!!   It's in pretty decent shape...cosmetic work is all it would need to be usable!!!  Maybe they will get some money and be able to open it someday!!

So annactive weekend...even though the scales were unkind to me this morning!!!

Well Then

The new/sorta new job started on Monday.  And boy was it a day!!!!   I almost wrote up a resignation letter that day!  I saw Jason a half hour to forty five minutes after leaving (the time of the drive home) and he took one look at me and knew something was wrong.  Yes he showed that ounce of kindness and I just burst into tears.  (Poor guy!!).     Things have gotten better each day.    I am finally getting the information and supplies I need...slowly.   But hey I have a chair at my desk now and I found the bathroom (on my own since no one had the time/inclination to give me the nickel tour) !!!! That's good right??  (And I kid you not...those were just two of the many issues the first day!!!)

So here I am!!!!   I was so keyed up with nerves and then just stress about well...working at a desk without a chair and not knowing where the bathroom was (amongst a gazillion other things)  that I ate next to nothing at work this week.  My weight dropped!   I'm hoping I can hold onto that lower weight.  

But the problem?   I'm working mad hours (for me because I don't normally work overtime for this company...at my old branch we got in trouble if we had overtime) .   I'm already at 35 hours for this week (well I am when I add in the 8 hours of holiday time) and I am scheduled for a 10 hour day tomorrow and they are talking about adding Saturday on.    Next week I am scheduled for 48 hours.    Ok a few extra bucks isn't a problem.  What IS a problem is the lack of time to get in a run in the morning.    

So I guess this month is going to be the month of good eating.  I will move/exercise  when I can ...but any weight loss (and I'm still aiming for 10 pounds) is going to be through healthy eating alone!    

Game on!!

 That said...I have somehow already managed about 50 miles  in the month of July!   (I need 172 miles to hold even in my 2017 miles in 2017! .   

A long bike ride on Sunday

 and of course stopped for animals...

......toured an old fort (Fort Frederick)

(No that's not Jason!  Hahah)

...I push mowed on Monday...

And yard sales on Tuesday coupled  with a bike ride helped!!! 

Yes we got out and rode our bikes on the Fourth of July!  We went to the canal...it's shaded with lots of huge trees!!!

So I'm moving....I'm trying!!!!!  

Well Then

The new/sorta new job started on Monday.  And boy was it a day!!!!   I almost wrote up a resignation letter that day!  I saw Jason a half hour to forty five minutes after leaving (the time of the drive home) and he took one look at me and knew something was wrong.  Yes he showed that ounce of kindness and I just burst into tears.  (Poor guy!!).     Things have gotten better each day.    I am finally getting the information and supplies I need...slowly.   But hey I have a chair at my desk now and I found the bathroom (on my own since no one had the time/inclination to give me the nickel tour) !!!! That's good right??  (And I kid you not...those were just two of the many issues the first day!!!)

So here I am!!!!   I was so keyed up with nerves and then just stress about well...working at a desk without a chair and not knowing where the bathroom was (amongst a gazillion other things)  that I ate next to nothing at work this week.  My weight dropped!   I'm hoping I can hold onto that lower weight.  

But the problem?   I'm working mad hours (for me because I don't normally work overtime for this company...at my old branch we got in trouble if we had overtime) .   I'm already at 35 hours for this week (well I am when I add in the 8 hours of holiday time) and I am scheduled for a 10 hour day tomorrow and they are talking about adding Saturday on.    Next week I am scheduled for 48 hours.    Ok a few extra bucks isn't a problem.  What IS a problem is the lack of time to get in a run in the morning.    

So I guess this month is going to be the month of good eating.  I will move/exercise  when I can ...but any weight loss (and I'm still aiming for 10 pounds) is going to be through healthy eating alone!    

Game on!!

 That said...I have somehow already managed about 50 miles  in the month of July!   (I need 172 miles to hold even in my 2017 miles in 2017! .   

A long bike ride on Sunday

 and of course stopped for animals...

......toured an old fort (Fort Frederick)

(No that's not Jason!  Hahah)

...I push mowed on Monday...

And yard sales on Tuesday coupled  with a bike ride helped!!! 

Yes we got out and rode our bikes on the Fourth of July!  We went to the canal...it's shaded with lots of huge trees!!!

So I'm moving....I'm trying!!!!!  

Plans and changes

Life will be changing drastically for me.  Lots of changes.  Some I know about...some I'm guessing at.  The first change occurs  July 3.  I am changing branch locations where I work.  It's kinda crazy because while I will be doing the same job and the actual work will be the same, it is very much like I am starting a brand new job.  It's crazy that after 10 years with this company that I will know no one that I am working with.  Yeah, I'm a bit nervous.  (isn't that crazy.....especially since I will have more seniority than my new co-workers....I think the manager is the only one that beats me on seniority...lol).

The other changes I am not going to get into right now....look for a first update within 2-3 weeks.

But really what I'm thinking is that I'm starting a 'new job' (Ok, a new old job....or whatever you want to call this change).   What a perfect opportunity to make some changes in my every day life!!!   I mean with my eating!   Healthy foods and all that jazz!  It's a fresh start!   There will be a lot of changes because my normal schedule will be all whacked out and running in the morning may be touch and go with whatever schedule they give me....and with the extra drive time to get to my new office.   But that's ok.....I will just figure it out and make something work!!!!  (I might be investing in some reflectors and such for early early early morning run!)

The other thing??? My month of no numbers is over.  It wasn't a colossal failure.  I didn't gain a bunch.  I didn't lose a bunch.  I kinda sat stagnant!  It's time to roll into this journey and really focus on getting my numbers to go down....and if they don't go down I want  to at least end the month by being able to sit back and say "Wow....I can see that my health has improved....my fitness has improved.....I'm a better person!"  

The habits I worked on forming in the month of June (tracking, water, activity) will carry onward.....that is a good basis for a healthy lifestyle!

But that said, I have a goal date in mind......5 weeks from July 3 (August 7th).   I want to be 10ish pounds down.  2 pound a week!  That's my plan and I"m sticking to it!   Yup..this time it's gonna work....I can feel it in my bones!!!!  New start and all that!!!!   And the other changes coming in my future.....well they will just give me more opportunities to make healthy lifestyle changes too!!!!!