Hey y’all! I hope everyone is doing well. Sorry for the extra long break but I realized it was something I needed. I had been feeling really sad/frustrated/disappointed/confused, etc. in most every aspect of my life; from shopping, my marriage, food, exercise, this blog and everything else in between. I knew I needed to change something so I started with the obvious…weight.

I’ve been pretty unhappy with the way my clothes, new and old, have been fitting and it’s because of the weight I’ve gained in the last 2 years or so. My peak was 160 and that was before and after Thanksgiving. My arms aren’t fitting into shirts that fit me well everywhere else. Skirts and pants are fitting better in a size up, which I know is a combination of weight gain and vanity sizing. Even my engagement ring doesn’t fit any longer. (That one really bugs me.) The first thing I did was join a StepBet and DietBet. You pay money to walk a certain amount of steps a day for 6 weeks or to lose 4% of your weight. Those are going well. I have been walking about 4 miles every day. The weather has chilled so it’s harder to get the steps in and that’s where my next action comes in .

Right before Thanksgiving I visited a few gyms in the area and eventually found the one that I felt would be right for me, Lifetime Fitness. They had a few extra perks with membership as part of their Black Friday offer so it was hard to pass up. And to go all in, I also hired a trainer twice a week for the next two months. I wanted to get an handle on weight, exercise and food during the holiday parties and through Christmas. I didn’t want to gain another 5 lbs in December. I didn’t want to start a gym as a New Year’s Resolution in January, when everyone else would. I knew if I put this off I would never start. I knew if I didn’t pre-pay for my trainer for that time period I would never go. I knew the change had to be now because I would never start later.

And I’m so glad I did. I already feel better. I have more energy and my head is much clearer. I haven’t been tired or lethargic through the day and I’ve only just yesterday modified my eating habits. And that’s just making sure I each breakfast and lunch. I would almost always skip breakfast, just having a cup of coffee. And lunch would be a quick run to one of the 7 fast food places 5 minutes from me, or Chick-Fil-A that is 10 minutes away. YUM! Who knew eating three meals a day with sensible snacks would make you feel better? Oh yeah, my Health teacher knew. Sesame Street knew. Mr. Green Jeans knew.

Lastly, we did lose a family member last week. Dear Sweet (in his own way) Sammy, the original Grumpy Cat, passed away last week. He was diagnosed with a kidney disease in late August so it was only a matter of time before he would go. We had him for 17 years and Husband and I were pretty sad, which is a little funny because he wasn’t all that affectionate, especially with me and I have so many scars from scratches he gave me. And he HATED my mom! Not funny but really funny! We also realized he held us hostage in so many ways. We had to keep all doors closed and clothes put away, out of sight, or he would find it and bring it to us. If the closet was left open he would find something on the shelf and bring it to us. He fetched us things on his own, when the mood struck him, even if it was 3 in the morning. One day we caught him taking a small blanket up the stairs. Had the thing in his mouth and he was meowing all the way up. Crazy cat! We are happy he’s no longer suffering.

I hope you are all doing well and have all your Christmas and Holiday shopping complete! (I know. I know. You’re not even close, just like me.)

Much love to you!