Maintaining!!

I would rather lose than maintain. But considering Wednesday was my birthday(I did very well actually) I can't really complain. I did have ice cream earlier in the week and that is something I just really need to stay away from because the only one I really like is Ben & Jerry's. I treated myself to a blueberry scone for breakfast on my birthday and Dirty Chips Salt N Vinegar chips later in the day. Last night even though I ate before Laura and I went grocery shopping I had a snack and wine around 10pm which I know is not good for me. So I am really surprised I didn't gain this week. But I gave myself an even better birthday present before breakfast. I decided that was a good day to get started back on my gazelle. So, all in all, I would have to say I am pretty satisfied with myself this week. I am still starting to feel better and that is really the main goal! Lisa, I totally agree with your comment on your other site and I think you are making tremendous progress. Stressing out makes it worse and changing our habits is what is important. So I say, let's all keep up the good work. Laura I know you have started back on the treadmill, so congrats and keep it up.

Happy Birthday To Me!

Well, another year! I decided to do something nice for myself and took the day off from work. I think this is the first time I have ever taken my birthday off. It has been a very relaxed day. Laura, Cheyanne and I went to Starbucks this morning. I figured I would splurge for my birthday and have a blueberry scone with my iced latte. It was yummy. Then we went to just look around at one of my favorite stores "Whole Foods". I finally have the ingredients now to make the olive oil crackers. Lisa, when you made the garlic crackers, did you just sprinkle garlic powder on them? I bought some flax seed to put on some of them. Mike is taking me out to dinner tonight. I haven't decided where I want to go yet. I was planning on fixing dinner at home, but he insists, so we will go out! What a nice guy! I am so glad I have him.

I just can't believe I am already 57 years old. It just doesn't seem possible, the time has gone by so fast. Also, I just don't feel like I should be yet. I guess that is a good thing! I hear a lot of people say they feel a lot older than they are. I feel a lot younger than I am.

This is the new addition to our family that I said I would post about a week ago. Sorry for the delay. His name is Buddy. He really is adorable. I will have to say, after being adamant about not having another pet, I am enjoying him much more than I thought I would. Most cats pick one person they really like, but he seems to be equally happy with Mike and me. Mike continues to claim he is not a cat person, but I think the picture above says it all. he he. He really has quite a personality already. He loves to play but he also likes to cuddle with Mike. He doesn't care much for me holding him, but he snuggles up with me on the couch and our bed.

Friday's weigh-in

I forgot to post Friday about my weigh-in. I lost only 1/4 lb, it's not much but it's better than gaining. I was consistent all week with my morning exercises and keeping track of my calories most of the week. I kept my calories between 1530 to 1928 per day. Now, if I could just get myself back on my gazelle. I don't know why I have been avoiding it so much. I feel better when I use it so you would think that would be enough motivation!

Seven Weird Things About Me

Oh my, do I have to limit it to 7 things? hehe Lisa tagged me to do this, so here it goes. Also, I have gotten to where I don't care if people think I am weird anymore. Growing up people used to think I was weird just because I was part of the "Philhower" clan. In my forties looking back, I think kthey were just jealous because no matter what problems our family had, we stuck together and we did alot of things as a family. So here goes!

*I keep a regular plate, saucer, bowl and a set of utensils at work to eat my lunch on. I don't like to waste paper or styrofoam plates.

*I don't like to sit around and watch a lot of TV. It doesn't relax me, it bores me and I get fidgety. I prefer just to watch the programs I enjoy and then do something else.

*When I run errands on weekends, I don't care if I don't wear powder and blush, but I have to put on earrings or I feel "naked".

*I like to eat leftover steak cold. Sometimes I prefer it over eating it when it is freshly grilled. I don't think this is weird but alot of people think eating cold steak is weird for some reason.

*I don't dry most of my clothes all the way. I dry them enough to fluff them to get the wrinkles out and then I hang them up to finish drying.

*Living in a hurricane state hasn't gotten me used to them, instead I get freaked out about getting separated from Mike or Laura, Pat and the kiddos.

*I prefer the looks of a hard working, calloused hand man over a pretty boy manicured hand looks.

Well, I did it. I had to do more thinking on it than I thought I would. Given time, I am sure I could come up with alot more weird things abou me. Now I am going to tag
Laura and Cathy.

More progress

I did my Friday morning weigh in this morning and was very pleased. I have dropped two more pounds. Last week I didn't lose any but at least kept stable. I have gotten back into my calorie counting this week and that helps alot. Mainly it helps me in being accountable for what I am eating. When I was calorie counting before the holidays it was working great and then I started feeling tired after about two months and wasn't losing weight as easily. Looking back, I realize that is when I got the "brilliant" idea that if I was cutting back on calories maybe I should cut back a little more. I think for my build and weight I was cutting back too far. I am keeping my calories between 1400-1800 a day and I feel great. I noticed the change is when I decided "Oh, let's see if I can keep them down to 1100-1200 a day." Not a good idea for me. Watching "Biggest Loser" has made me more aware of how important it is to keep the calorie count at a good level.

I brought my kitty, Buddy, home Sunday evening. He is settling in very well and likes to play and snuggle with both Mike and me. He likes to sleep snuggled somewhere between Mike and me. I will try to post a picture of him sometime this weekend. He is really cute!

I Have My Car Back!!!!!!!! Yippee!!!!!!!!!!

I have been without my car since January 9th. The oil light kept coming on so Mike replaced a number of things. Since this engine is so difficult to get to things(as are most of the newer engines) he wanted to go ahead and replace the oil pump, water pump(which in the process of disassembling the motor found out it was bad anyway), main bearings, rod bearings and bolts, and the front motor mount(again because he found it was broken in two). We don't have a garage, so he had to work around the weather, his job and throwing his lower back out of place working on the car. But once again, he did it. I am so blessed having a husband that is so handy. My car is up and running.

Thank you Laura for getting Cheyanne up early every morning and you two taking me to work. I also have a very nice friend at work that went out of her way to take me home almost every day. My supervisor helped me out with a ride a few times also. I am grateful to all of them.

Good Weigh-in Day!

I weighed in this morning and was very pleased. I lost 1 1/4 lbs of my "holiday and stress" weight! Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel like I am getting back on track finally. I am starting to feel better too. I always do when I am eating healthier and exericising more, so it is beyond me that I think other stuff is worth it so much! hehe