Hi everyone!!!

It's been a while since I posted...I had a bad week last week, no particular reason, just a hiccup in this journey. We, as a family, have been really active since the weather broke around here. Last week we went on an hour long nature hike and spent some time in our park. My computer time has been limited, but frankly, I'd rather be outside!

My daughter had another dance competition this past weekend and her class did very well. She took classes too, so that was my entire Saturday and Sunday...once again packed food so that we had some healthy snacks and lunches but was impressed with their concessions too. They were really conscious about providing salads, fruit and wraps instead of the usual burgers, fries, pizza and chicken fingers *blech*! This convention was local, so that helped too.

Colleen, my friend, I hope that you're doing ok...I've been thinking about you and your family.

Hope everyone else has a great rest of the week!

~ Cindy

PS -- OMG I just remembered I haven't posted about the finale...So, So happy for Ali and Bernie! WOOT! It was a great show and everyone looked amazing! And to Marcus & Amber, our MPMU Winner a HUGE CONGRATS!!! So when does the next season start???

At least a loss :) 0.4 lbs. but I'll take it!

The exciting thing??? I am down a size! I'm officially a size 14 and too small for the plus department WOO-HOO!!! HECK YEAH ~ I said too SMALL!!! I had to go shopping because all of my spring capri's are size 20's from last year! I went to Fashion Bug and because of habit went directly over to the Plus side of the store and loaded up on size 16's to try on...all too big! I think the saleswoman thought I was delirious when she asked me how they fit! LOL I had an enormous grin on my face and just said "they didn't!" and marched my butt over to the Misses section!

God that felt good!

~ Cindy

The quote on the rock reads:
"God wrought for us this scene beyond compare, but one man's loving hand protected it and gave it to his fellow men to share."
~ Sarah Evans Letchworth

We had a glorious Sunday afternoon! The weather was absolutely perfect and we couldn't bear to waste the day inside or just putzing around the house. We traveled about an hour out to Castile, NY to go on a hike at Letchworth State Park.We hiked the Gorge Trail which is about a 7 mile hike...we did about 3 miles down to the lower falls, had lunch, then turned around and hiked3 miles back to the car. The kids did great, and loved collecting rocks and pine cones along the way. Josh had enough in his pockets to literally weigh him down and he just didn't quite understand why he was having so much trouble towards the end. LOL I am so proud of them though!

Here are some of the pics...pretty, eh?

Well, I was reluctant to change my ticker to encompass the entire journey instead of just the BL Challenge...but now that I did I realize how much I really have accomplished. I have to admit...that 277 start weight a year ago is still really embarrassing to me.

Today was a great morning...great weigh in for me since it's been over a month since I've been able to post a loss. The leg is much better, the tendon is still not 100%, but I'm being careful. I started another 8 week session of Hip-Hop class and spring has finally sprung around here, so I have my park runs back. I am re-energized and ready to tackle this last 48.4 pounds.

~Cindy

Here's me in perspective...a little before and now ("after" will be when I'm finally at a healthy weight)

Before                        Now

Weighed myself this morning and I'm down to 200.2...which is almost back to my last weigh in before the injury. I'm almost back to speed on the elliptical and I decided NOT to wait for Mother Nature and got back to my jogs in the park this past week. I did 2 miles on Thursday afternoon and 2 miles this morning. Not really pushing myself, but testing the leg out. Feels great to be getting some fresh air again...however this morning was brrrrrr cold!!!

Hopefully now that I'm back to my cardio routine, I can post some decent weigh-ins again!

~ Cindy

First off...Colleen~You are one HOT MAMA! Look at you in your new bikini FANTASTIC GIRL!

I am back at the cardio...FINALLY! Yesterday I managed 35 minutes on the elliptical going pretty easy. Today I did 40 minutes at about the same level, just a tad faster. I am still babying the leg as I am petrified of hurting myself again. I can still feel it pull every now and then, so I know I'm not 100%...but HEY I'll take it! Another week of weights would drive me insane!!!

Now if I could only convince Mother Nature to stop being such a Bit** and warm us up here already...c'mon first day of spring could have been Christmas with all the snow flying around here! I miss the park and the fresh air WWWAAAAHHHH! I cannot wait to start my morning jogs in the park. My weight isn't back to my last weigh in yet, so I haven't posted a new one. Hopefully now that I'm back to the cardio, that will help!

Have a wonderful Easter everyone!
~ Cindy

Well...almost a week since the calf muscle thing and I'm doing better...not great, but better. I am able to put a little more pressure on it today and not walking with such a limp, so that's good. I'm still thinking I'm another solid week away from any cardio. *sigh*

I weighed myself today and of course I was up a bit (202.6), but I'm still having trouble standing with my feet close enough to balance properly on the scale...so I'm not gonna take that number too seriously, but it's probably accurate.

I finished my first full week of solid weighs and crunches and let me tell you....I am SORE!!! I have been switching things up everyday to try and give my muscles a little rest, but I'm still sore, UGH! I am going to take the weekend off and rest...hopefully next week will be it for weights everyday and I can go back to the cardio the following week...I'm crossing my fingers!

~ Cindy

First the Milestone...I weighed in at 199.8 on Saturday! I have no idea what prompted me to weigh in, just felt good about myself that morning I guess. But, I'm glad I did...as I will take this as my last weigh-in for the challenge. Gonna end this one on a high note !!!

Now the injury...UGH! I wish I could say I injured myself doing a 5k or something more glamorous...but it's always the silly, stupid things that you wind up regretting. I took my kids to a birthday party on Saturday afternoon to a place where they have indoor bounce houses and arcade games. My kids were playing a "virtual" jump rope game where a moving light moved around a circle and you had to jump over it when it got to the bottom. They both wanted me to try, and I thought "ok" why not? Well, I wound up severely pulling my calf muscle...as I landed I felt it "pop" and the burn all the way to my toes! OMG I've never felt anything like it before...I couldn't walk! I iced it immediately and when I got home I rested it, but I was still in a lot of pain.

Sunday wasn't any better, I barely slept because every time I moved I woke myself up. Tim took me to an after hours clinic just to be sure that there wasn't anything else going on, like a stress fracture, blood clot...who knows. The Dr. told me his thought was that I pulled the muscle pretty good and I probably have some tendonitis. He prescribed some pretty potent anti-inflammatory meds and gave me instructions that if they don't help within 48 hours to go to the ER for an x-ray/sonogram.

Well the good news is that they helped. I am able to walk a bit better today, still with a limp, but I'll take it ! I did go to the gym today, but just did upper body weights and crunches. Looks like I will be out of commission for a while regarding any cardio, which explains my early weigh-in post. I am really bummed that I will miss my last hip-hop class this Thursday too! We were all set to "perform" our dance for the other classes...UGH! I was so looking forward to that. I just have to rest and let my leg heal. This actually is a re-injury...I've "tweaked" this calf muscle 2x in the last 8 weeks and thought it was ok...guess this was just the breaking point.

Well, I can look on the bright side...my upper body should be nice and buff in about 3-4 weeks!

~ Cindy

Well, I didn't make it to under 200 again this week! I knew it too! (200.8) I have been eating really good...but I have changed my exercise routine over the past two weeks. I went to more weight training 3 days a week instead of the constant cardio. *Sigh* I know I'm fine and I did this purposely to start toning for the summer months...but I can't help it I'm still kinda depressed about it.

I think I'll weigh in again with you Colleen on Tuesday, the last day of the challenge...maybe, just MAYBE I can make this one last milestone before the challenge comes to an end.

~ Cindy

"Accept challenges, so you can feel the exhileration of victory."
~General George S. Patton

Well it's been a year of challenges for me and I'm feeling pretty victorious! It's my one year anniversary since I started my "lifestyle change" and weight loss journey... One year, over 800 miles logged, over 4 sizes smaller, 77 pounds lost. I've got my life back and there's no greater feeling in the world!

Nothing is Impossible!

LOL...All I can do is laugh!!! I couldn't squeak out that last .2 lbs today! Oh well, as hubby told me...at least it's a pound lost. After the mentally challenging week I have had, I guess I should be happy right?

Colleen, I hope you're doing better...I'm thinking about ya!

~Cindy

Well I didn't make to the gym this weekend...but we have the perfect weather for sledding! And let me tell ya, a dozen or so times up and down that hill was some GREAT cardio! My behind is a little sore today...but it's all good :)

Here are some pics... (click to enlarge)

Hope everyone had a nice weekend...

Mine was spent in Cleveland, Ohio at a dance convention that my daughter participates in with her dance studio. Her group did AWESOME! Both of their dances took first place and the weekend of dancing was a big success!

As for me...I left Friday on kind of a low. I was really disappointed about the gain last week, but was really trying not to let it affect me negatively. I know there will be ups and downs and I will just have to work through them...but I really felt I had a good week. Well, we decided to pack a cooler and grocery shop for the weekend instead of relying just on restaurants and fast food choices...which can be so expensive and unhealthy. I was really pleased with us as a family that we took this route and felt really good about it. BUT, our schedule was so messed up and our eating times were so random and varied...not what I'm used to anyway. We went out for a nice dinner on Friday and had pizza Saturday night...oh yeah, and I had a few beers over the weekend too...but nothing too crazy! Other than that, breakfasts were healthy cereals, protein bars, fruit and yogurts and I had lean turkey and ham for sandwiches for lunch, carrots and whole grain crackers...lots of waters...so overall, I think we did the best we could.

As for exercise...I went to the hotel health club Saturday morning and worked out for 40 minutes on their elliptical and treadmill and did some free weights too. Sunday I actually took a dance class! It was totally over my head, and I was completely intimidated, but my sister talked me into it (she is totally a better dance than I ever was) and I wasn't going to be a quitter! I haven't taken a class like this in nearly 18 years (1990 was my last convention) So that fact that I attempted it at all was quite an accomplishment in itself. At 277lbs. last year, there is NO WAY I would ever have even thought about trying to do this...so I am pretty proud of myself anyway. I couldn't do half the steps and I couldn't pick up the choreography either, but I wasn't dancing to impress anyone...it didn't matter...this time it was for ME!

Anticipating that I got a bit off-track this weekend I weighed myself this morning and I was 204.2...UGH! I figured as much...Looks like I have some work to do. I'm thinking of skipping the weigh in this week, if that's ok with you Colleen. I don't think I can lose 4 lbs. between now and Friday, and I don't want to damage my confidence any more than it has been. Two weigh in's at a plus isn't good for the self-esteem.

I will be working my tail off between now and next week to get under 200...I promise...I just need to get back to my plan and schedule.

Here are a couple of group shots from the dancing this weekend...
My daughter is the farthest on the left in the back row in the purple suits and the farthest left in the white jackets :)

Thanks for listening!

Well...it was a rough weekend for me! Saturday night Tim and I had tickets to a local charity event complete with full martini bar and international food stations. We actually ate before we went so we weren't really hungry, but that didn't stop us from picking at the food. It was a fun time and I don't think we completely overdid it!

Yesterday was BAD though...my tummy HATED me after our Super Bowl Party that we went to. Chilli, chicken wing dip, bean dip, beer...need I say more???? Ugh...I definitely ate too much yesterday. But WOO-HOO for the Giants!!!

Oh well...that is life, right? It's Monday, the weekend is OVER and I'm back to my routine! LOL...

Here's to a GREAT week!
~Cindy

Well the howling winds woke me up at 3am this morning and I never really got back to sleep. The 60-70 mph gusts were shaking the entire house! There was about 1.5" of ice on the driveway and street, good thing is the main roads were already salted and just wet. There were downed trees everywhere and here my crazy self is headed for the gym at 5:30 am. Well, no sooner did I get on the elliptical the power went out! Ok, no problem...workout in the dark...hey the machine still worked LOL. The girl kicked us out though...so needless to say I missed my morning workout today...boo! I won't have time to later either cuz the Mom's are sewing dancing costumes for my daughters class tonight and they need help. Oh, well...that's life right?

So, I'm due to get my monthly bill next week and I am eating EVERYTHING in sight! Seriously, I can't believe how hungry I am...I'm not making bad choices, just calorie count is up for me the past couple days...hopefully this will settle soon.

Hope you're warm and safe! Trying not to get blown away here!

~ Cindy

Well...it's Monday :) The start of a brand new week. The weekend went pretty good for me. I spent a lot of time at home, no big plans so staying on track wasn't that hard.

Saturday I had a great workout, I did the elliptical for 45 minutes and burned 600 calories. Sunday I rested. And today I did 35 minutes on the elliptical burning 400 calories. I also did some lower body weights this morning too.

Hope everyone is having a great day
~ Cindy

Woo-hoo! I pretty much survived Kayla's big birthday weekend! She is officially 9 years old today Happy Birthday my Girl!

We had the bowling party yesterday and other than a small piece of chocolate cake and 1.5 beers I did pretty good. I didn't have any of the pizza or popcorn which is always sooo tempting! We went out to dinner and I had sea scallops that were grilled and served over a bed of grilled spinach, sweet potatoes and gnocchi. It was very good and didn't make me feel that guilty. I took my daughter over to the Cheesecake Factory for her piece of cheesecake and we decided to get it to-go so me or hubby wouldn't be tempted. Soooo, things went well...

I love your idea of the "last chance workout" on Thursday Colleen. I am extra psyched because I just signed up for an 8 week "Adult Hip Hop" class that my sister is teaching at my daughters dance studio. She did the class last year and it was so much fun, and a great cardio workout ~ it's more like Hip Hop Aerobics! She ends the class with a lot of ab work, so I'm sure I'll feel it Friday morning. But, the class is Thursday night from 9pm - 10pm so it is perfect timing, so this can be my last chance workout! Yay!

Have a GREAT Day everyone!

~ Cindy

Sorry but I didn't even get a chance to check in yesterday! I wanted to get on early and post this weeks challenge because I know I won't be around today either!

Yesterday was pretty good...Went to the gym and did 40 minutes on the elliptical (600 cal) WOW! That's the most I've ever done. Then I did some weights and called it a day. Hubby was able to go with me so it was fun! We did a little shopping and I bought a new scale, YAY! I did have to test it out (even though I promised I wouldn't weigh myself until Friday) but you'll have to weight (hehehe) until Friday to hear the results. I'm keeping the scale, so the results were pretty good LOL!

We did some food shopping and Tim and I bought some tuna steaks for dinner last night. I've never had tuna steaks before...he just lightly Cajun seasoned them and put them on the grill...YUMMY! I have a new love...they were so awesome and so good for you! Expensive $11/lb...but for a treat every now and then it was still cheaper than eating out. Good stuff! We took the kids ice skating last night so I got some extra exercise in too.

Today's the big day...Kayla's bowling birthday party...Complete with beer, pizza and birthday cake. I'm sure I'll be fine...We will do some bowling, so the extra activity will be good too since I won't make it to the gym today. We probably will be going out to dinner later too...her request was Bravo (an Italian restaurant) and I know they have decent food...not all pasta and some healthier choices. Oh yea, and Cheesecake Factory for dessert...I told her she could pick out her piece and we would get it to-go...

Here is the nutrition facts I found on a piece of Cheesecake (my favorite flavor)...STAGGERING!
Chocolate PB Cookie Dough Cheesecake

NO WAY!!! Can you believe that? I had no idea!!!

Ok...I'm off to get a few other things accomplished before my crazy day starts...
Hope all is well.

~ Cindy

Well the morning started out pretty rough...I woke up to about 4" of snow on my car and it was brrrrr cold out there. It is always so hard to get motivated when the weather is like this. I had to warm up my car, brush it off, my feet were already wet and then muster the energy to workout? Ugh...

I got to the gym and decided that I haven't really done any weights lately...little bits here and there, but I thought I would dedicate a chunk of time to my upper body. Plus...I didn't feel like cardio today...to be honest I felt like going back home and going back to bed. After about 20 min. of weights I started not feeling like doing that either LOL...but I'm not a quitter and heck, I was already at the gym...so I went and did 20 minutes on the elliptical. I worked up a pretty good sweat and decided to call it a morning. I didn't feel as productive as normally, but at least I went.

I stepped on the scale on my way out the door, only to find out I'm down another 1.5 lbs...
Looks like it's going to be a good day after all!

~ Cindy

Well, not really...but...I have mixed feelings about the weekends...

On one hand, I LOVE having my family time and I'm usually pretty productive around the house. Got all my Christmas stuff finally taken down and loads of laundry done. Went to the mall to return a bunch of stuff. Tim and I took the kids to a movie on Saturday which was a lot of fun too.

But, it is sooo hard to stick to the plan, know what I mean? I said I would exercise on Sunday, but that never happened. We went out to eat on Saturday night and out for breakfast Sunday morning. I didn't eat terrible, but definitely more than normal. It's always so hard to get moving Monday morning and I'm feeling really tired again.

I know this is life, right? I am really going to make the effort to eat really good this week and get some rest. Get back on track!

Hope everyone is having a good day

~ Cindy