Laura E: Big Thanks to ALL

I will admit, it has been a little "freeing" to not obsess about the scale this week.  Listening last week to each one in class really added to my letting go of the number and making the journey the prize.  Henry's words to continue doing the right things will pay off. Shannon's triumph at completing her 10K made me feel like I too could accomplish more than I may be thinking I am ready or capable of….why not give it my all and see what happens. Tracy's continued push and not giving up continues to keep me pushing forward. (I get that same "clogged" head) and Dawn's great choices on her vacation made me get through a BBQ birthday party on Sunday with some of my own food and not feeling a bit odd about bringing my own meat instead of the processed hot dogs….Meaghan and Dave make me want to go climb a mountain, and I find the partnership they share in this process is inspiring. Pearla and Johnny, your words, encouragement and faith in me, makes the process enjoyable and achievable.  So, now that I have gushed on…..a BIG THANK YOU to all of you who are all part of my little successes each week and I look forward to continuing them with everyone.

Tracy

I really enjoyed Laura's revelation this week to stop looking at the scale. I feel it has been detrimental to me as well. I expect one thing and don't see it on the scale and it really messes with my head. It can screw up a whole day or more and that is all it takes some weeks. I am trying to follow the same philosophy and listen to my body and feel how my clothes fit. This week I got to wear my favorite shorts that I haven't worn in two years and it felt great! If I just watched the scale I wouldn't have even tried them on. I am starting to get that this takes time and it is not going to happen overnight. Have a great week everyone!

Thank You Laura

Laura,
I want to THANK YOU for opening up and sharing last night in class. Every word you spoke is exactly what I've been feeling and experiencing myself. It felt good to know I wasn't in it alone.
Thanks for bringing it home girl!
Dawn

keep at it Tracy

Tracy, 
The road of weight loss is not without its bumps.  I thought you did excellent considering you were on vacation and took the time to do all that exercise.  I go on vacation, allow myself to completely enjoy myself and just get with the program when I return.  If you are persistent in the long term, short term bumps will not matter.  We didn't gain weight overnight and we won't lose it overnight.  Just stick with the program and you will be fine, good luck!

Henry

We've all been there~

"Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing flawlessly"

Tracy Hoenig

Well last night was very disappointing and frustrating for me. I am trying to get past it and not sabotage myself by eating crap to feel better - so far so good. Hopefully by tomorrow I will be over it and ready to move forward. I am going to work on a menu plan like Pearla suggested and do the shopping for it - that should help. Next week is another week. I read a quote that I liked "it doesn't matter what happens to you, it matters what you do with it"
Have a great week everyone!

Laura E

Congrats Tracy on maintaining focus over vacation.  I personally have had a tough week and lost some focus over the weekend (darn alcohol……).  I do know that it was only a minor bump in the road towards my lifestyle change.  Thank goodness for Pearla's words of encouragement and Johnny's workout.  Being able to read Pearla's email telling me to keep going and not beat myself up (I was feeling guilty, not to mention physically beat up and off kilter) first thing in the morning as well as some tips for getting past the bad spots and weekend weight gain makes me WANT to get back on track and not keep the bad habits going by giving up.  I was actually looking forward to sweating with Johnny that evening at my workouts.  It is a comfort through this journey to have such strong support when needed.  Both Johnny and Pearla had words of encouragement, stories to share of their own moments and steps to keep me going.  THIS is the reason I know I am where I need to be with the people I need to have in my path helping me, motivating me and praising the successes and efforts.

Laura Espinosa

Tracy Hoenig

Well my vacation has officially ended, not too happy about being back to work, but I'll live!  I think I did pretty well last week, I brought my own food so my eating was good.  I didn't do so well on the drinking, didn't do it in excess, but had a drink or two most days.  After my first bike ride, I set a goal of 40 miles for the week between walking and biking, I ended up with 51.5 miles plus some kayaking!  I got up early every day and exercised for a minimum of 1 hour and some days 2 hours.  We'll see what the scale says on Wednesday, now it's time to get back into a daily routine.  This week I want to add more cardio to my schedule than I was doing before vacation.  Have a great week everyone!!

Tracy Hoenig

Don't forget to DREAM...

"Dreams are a projection of the kind of life you want to lead. Dreams can drive you. Dreams can make you skip over obstacles. When you allow your dreams to pull you, they unleash a creative force that can overpower any obstacle in your path."

~Jim Rohn

Congrats Tracy!

I did something today I haven't done in over 20 years. We went for a 12 mile bike ride up a hilly road and I made it without stopping! I am quite proud of myself but boy does my butt hurt! A year ago I never would have made it - thank you Johnny!
Tracy Hoenig

A Complaint Free World... A MUST Read

Hey Gang, 

Read a book that will do us all some good.  A Complaint Free World by Will Bowen.  

It's an easy read and well worth the time!

Pearla

Vacation / Tracy Hoenig

Well my vacation has officially started. My goals are to not drink...much, to eat right, and exercise every day. So far so good. I got in 5 miles this am and only had 3 beers yesterday. I want to shoot for 5 days of no alcohol - we'll see how that goes. I have to say even though it is only Sunday, I already miss Johnny and my weights. On my walk this am I tried jogging small distances and when I wanted to stop I could hear him in my head saying "you can do this - how bad do you want it" and I made it a little further. Have a great week everyone!
End
Tracy Hoenig