Happy Birthday!

Feeling good today as I celebrate my 38th birthday! Feeling fit and feeling healthy is there any other way to be? The best part is I finally got to get rid of the fat faced girl that has been haunting me on my driver's license since 2005. It expired this year and I took a new picture with a new weight! I can't tell you how happy I was skipping out of the MVA last week it was wonderful. Especially because I remember going to my car and crying five years ago after I saw that horrible fat-faced picture I took in 2005. I think what made it so bad was because the one I took in 2000 looked like a photo shoot and I just assumed when I took one in '05 it would be the same. Little did I realize the weight I had gained during that time would show so much I would have at least prepared myself. There was no preparation for the truth staring me in the face. Nonetheless I lived with that photo for 5 long years and happy to seen it banished for eternity!

What is it with 10 pounds?

Well I want to lose 10 pounds! Mainly because it gives me a comfort zone. I usually fluctuate 5 pounds up or 5 pounds down from my original goal weight but I figure if I lost 10 pounds that would give me the wiggle room where I won't freak out over the scale. The scale can be a scary thing as I am sure you know. I don't know why I'm obsessed with the numbers. These 10 pounds are probably going to be the hardest! I think because I'm telling myself it's just 10 pounds so I have to make it monumental and go with it with the same gusto I did for my original weight loss! I love maintaining and I feel great but as I've blogged about before we are our own worst critics. So I have a really close friend who lost a lot of weight around the same time I did. As we talked today she said she has gained about 10 pounds and it was really dragging her down. We are both struggling to get back into our size 4's!!! So we are going to encourage each other. I could really get it off in 2 weeks but I want it to be slow so it will stay off. I'm thinking 6 weeks!!! So she was headed to the grocery store and I mentioned a few must haves for her list and reminded her to eat plenty of naturally fiberous foods like fresh fruits & veggies. She invited me to HOT YOGA. I thought "Wow, what's that?" It's basically a yoga class done in a really hot room. Loosens you up and gets you sweating! Well since I don't sweat I'm eager to see if it works! I am down! I love to try any new type of exercise! Would anyone care to join me on the ten pound challenge? Even if you have to lose more you can always lose 10 pounds at a time right! I'm still on a mission for my bikini ready stomach, been crunching and doing ab exercising like crazy and I can slowly see a change.

So as I'm sitting here typing and watching the Food Network, looking at these women's backsides busting out their pants and the rolls on their arms as they prepare their slow cooked spare ribs, pasta salad and tiramisu I am reminded why I blog, why portion control is sooooo important and why I exercise regularly!!!! Whew thanks Neely's! Wow!

Good Things Do Come in Small Packages

So I thought to myself "I need a goal for 2010." Well last year it was to wear a bikini which I did, however I didn't feel too confident but still was happy nonetheless, I think stretch marks across my stomach from having babies were more of a woe to me than the small pouch left behind from having them. Well nothing works for the stretch marks I can attest to this but damn this pouch to hell!!!! So I am cruising Victoria's Secret on-line the other day looking for yet another fabulous bikini. I think I'll purchase a new one every year. So I found a really cute solid black string bikini! Bingo had my name all over it. Well it arrived today! As I swallowed hard opening the package I prepared myself mentally for tears when I tried it on. I ordered a medium to make sure hips and boobs were covered enough that I wouldn't get arrested. I told myself that if it's too small or looks crazy just send it back and it's no big deal. Well I don't know if it was the lighting in my bedroom or maybe it's time for an eye exam but it looked good!!! Not great but overall I was ecstatic and even more excited about getting this stomach of mine as tight as possible by the summer. Score one for Alethea! Whoppie! Now the big question is who is going to join me on this bikini challenge? I hope I have some takers. A certain blog follower called me today and said she was getting back on track I hope she joins me in this challenge. We shall see!

Find some motivation! The new season of the Biggest Loser starts tonight on NBC @ 8pm, subscribe to Shape & or Fitness Magazine. I love Women's Health magazine as well. Surround yourself with positive people and set your goals small. If you make it through one day you have been successful!

No More Excuses!

So it's January 3, 2010 and are you still wrestling with the excuses you've made that are keeping you from getting fit and healthy? If you are, you aren't alone but it is time to ditch those excuses. We make room for everything in our lives. For family and work and running errands and everyday tasks. Fit in an exercise routine too. I used to think I would never have time to go to to gym. Now I can't imagine not having time for it. It is so much a part of me now. This is year three for me now going at least 3 days a week. I'm not talking about for a few months, or skipping during bad weather, or not going when the kids are on school break. I am talking about I have gone to the gym at least 3 days a week since I started going three years ago. Even on vacations. I'm amazed at that just typing it! I don't let bad weather stand in the way! I don't let work stand in the way! I don't even let illness stand in way! Thank GOD I haven't had anything more than a cold in these last three years and even then the heavy breathing of exercising always cleared my head right up. Even when I had my tubes tied in '07 the first thing I did was ask my doctor how soon I could get back in the gym. When she told me as soon as I felt like it that was all she wrote. I played it by ear because I didn't want to risk injuring myself but within a few days I was back in the gym. Taking it slow of course but I am also sure it aided in the healing process. I am still amazed at the fact of how your body responds to how you treat it. You take care of it and it will take care of you and I mean gladly! With energy and a feeling of restfulness. Not many people in the world can wake up in the morning feeling great and I can honestly say that I do because of the dedication I have made to myself. Try it! You'll like it!!!! By the way this posting was inspired by someone who needs a push. I consider this a kick! LOL