Spring is in the air!

Nothing like a few sunny and 70's days to kick off March to get you thinking about shorts, flip flops and SUMMER!  Then reality hits...ugh, my toes need a pedi, my skin is dry and pasty and who the hell put all that cottage cheese on the back of my thighs??  sigh, time to start getting back into shape again before I even attempt to wear shorts.

This year, I'm not going to do an extreme program that was fun for the fast weight loss but not sustainable for the long haul.  No weight loss company has come to my rescue and offered me an endorsement program (darn it), so I am on my own-which is probably how it should be for long lasting results anyway. This year I try something "new"...a "crazy" concept called, wait for it...

 Eat Less, Exercise More 

I know...it's nuts right? no pills? no drops? no deprivation? no thousands of dollars spent on special foods and supplements, nor wasted gym memberships... Can it be that simple?  I don't know! but it's the one thing I haven't really embraced yet so it's worth a shot.  It's not sexy, it's not fast and it's a change I'll have to make for the rest of my life.  BUT, my hypothesis is I will look and feel better, no longer say awful things to the mirror, stop tugging at my ill-fitting clothes and get on with enjoying life...FINALLY!

Because my program is long term and "not exciting" by design, I had to come up with at least a fun name for it.  Ready?  I'm calling it

"Bloated to Bikini in 12 weeks"

So, what's my plan for success? 
Mental:  I know I can do this, but I also know that I give up too easy when tired, frustrated or the negative tape starts running in my head.  For me the mental battle is always harder than the physical battle.  Like when I quit smoking, I'll have to take  on each moment one at a time to succeed.
Physical:  I actually love to exercise, so this part will be fun!  I have Debbie Sieber's Slim in 6 DVD program (thanks to Robin www.trainingwithpassion.com  for letting me borrow)  http://www.beachbody.com/ 
I also have several Lesile Sansone Walk At Home Dvd's http://www.lesliesansone.com/ and a few misc. Pilate's, yoga and other exercise videos available to keep from getting bored.  I also use the On Demand workouts from Comcast to rev me up
Food:  if I'm organized and plan ahead, I have a much easier time sticking to a program and eating right.  My goal is to always have some ready to go, eat on a schedule and stop munching while in  front of the TV. I'm going to use my favorite recipes and tricks from the different plans I've been ion a tweak as necessary. I am also learning about Carb Cycling  http://www.amazon.com/Choose-Lose-7-Day-Cycle-Solution/dp/1401324452 this is the book I read, but I haven't implemented it yet.



Today is Day 1, it's nice out, so off for a 2 mile walk and healthy lunch with my Goddesses!

Before moving forward...

I'm gonna take a moment to reflect back on 2011...

This gorgeous reflection pic found at:  http://rwufeinsteincenter.webs.com/reflection.htm  see more beautiful pics and reflection quotes there too!

2011 was a very interesting year!

Career:

• With the "Take This Job and Shove It" departure of a co-worker, I was rewarded with the illusion of a full time job but with part time pay and hours (a few more hours, so it was a start)
• A few months later, a  job transfer departure of another coworker led me to a few more hours and the possibility of being full time.
• Finally a month later, it was determined that I could actually be full time with real benefits, health insurance and accruing vacation days-wow, what a concept! First time since my kiddos were little.  This was such a relief for my self employed husband!
• Another month later we got knocked back on our heels when Corporate came through and got rid of people.  Awesome, now we get to try and make magic with no budget, vague directions and minus 3 talented people.
• Also part of this restructuring was moving me from one place to another.  It's the same gig but different and although it's an easy transition, I still don't feel totally comfy with any of it.
• Another "bonus" of all this change, was having to answer to outsiders who didn't understand, were pissed and a lot of times, downright rude.  Look, this wasn't my idea or decision, I'm just what's left to figure out what to do next.
• I allowed a couple of months to mourn the dismissal of my co-workers. I'm sure there were days when I  didn't put full effort into anything because I was resentful that I was left to pick up the pieces from decisions I didn't make.  However, with a new year comes acceptance.  It is time to embrace change fully and move forward.  As cliche as it sounds, onward and upward!

Non-work related activities

•   I managed to pull off a successful diet run.  I went on the HCG drops/500 calorie a day plan  for a month and lost 18 pounds.  I then was sponsored briefly by Metabolic Research Center and lost another 7lbs. That was fun!
• With all the work stress, being lazy and falling back into bad habits late in the year, I tried to gain it all back.  That was not fun.  Obviously a renewed effort is a goal for the new year.
• My 98 year old Grandma passed away July 1st.  My cousin Erik and I took what we describe as an Epic Road Trip back to Wisconsin for the funeral. No one should be allowed to have that much fun on their way to a funeral.  Although my grandma's passing was sad, we had a very Lunde tribute to her and I got a chance to catch up with old friends and relatives while there.
• The hubby and I went through Financial Peace University, a 13-week class dedicated to getting out of debt and building wealth.  (www.daveramsey.com)  Good stuff!
• My oldest son Ryan left home to move across town into what we affectionately call "Animal House."  It is strange not having him at home-although he does come for Sunday dinner pretty regular-yay!
• My youngest son Kyle got his learner's permit, so we've been going through that phase again...he's a pretty good driver so I'm not too anxious most of the time.
• Because of what I do for a living, I got to be a part of the Greeley Stampede, Cheyenne Frontier Days, many concerts at our own amphitheater and other fun activities.  The cherry on top of the cake tho was my friend Tami getting to meet Toby Keith for the first time,  He came to town just in time for her birthday and I was able to arrange that for her. (Thanks Jeff Brown!)
• and that brings me to my Goddess Girls...we had so much fun this year!  Going to the pool, meeting for coffee, dinner and a movie, Tami's 40th b-day party, Charming Charlie's, Halloween, Ugly Christmas Sweater Party...I love these girls-we have a great time together!

All in all, 2011 was the usual roller coaster ride of ups and downs...the Ups far outweighing the Downs thankfully! 

What will 2012 bring?  No Idea!  I do know what I'd like it to bring,  but I also know that I better be ready to dodge bullets like Neo in The Matrix and to "look for low and away, but watch out for in your ear" like Archie Graham in Field of Dreams.

Happy New Year!

The Goddesses Princess, Caress, Riviera and Soleil rang in the New Year together

Wow, what an imaginative title...(scribbles on legal pad, yes, I'm old school and use a legal pad)  goal #1 for blog-use more intriguing headlines for your blog in the future.  They say that writing down a goal is 90% of accomplishing it. Although I'm not sure who "they" are, I make lists about everything because I need all the help I can get!

With the new year starts a clean slate, right?   A do-over...another chance-to-do-it-better-this-time kind of vibe.  Every year, I try to be realistic and optimistic-I'm a "realoptimist."  Nothing worse than setting lofty, vague resolutions (IE Lose 50 lbs, make more money, stop feeling bad) and then falling on your face, because there was no plan to implement these good ideas.  I write down things I plan to accomplish for the new year rather than stuff I need to stop doing because I'm a weak, no discipline human. There I go with the positive rather than negative approach again.  I've tried negative, it doesn't work and is extremely boring.

My first resolution is to call them goals...a goal sounds do-able.
"My goal is to_______"   sounds well thought out, a good plan, positive
A resolution sounds like something destined to fail 
"I should quit/start doing_______"  sounds like "I was drunk New Year's Eve and you can't hold me to that!"

OK, now I have a proper name for it,  "A Goal."  What would I like to accomplish this year? It's a pretty big list as usual.  As I detail them to myself I will also detail them here.  (accountability and reflection for the end of the year)   

First goal:  blog more...I enjoy writing, people say I'm pretty good at it, so when did it become another "chore"??  I'm moving it from the obligations list to the fun to do list.  It's taken me 5 days into the New Year, but first post of 2012 is up!  Ah, the satisfaction of crossing something off the scribbled legal pad. (even if it is well below cure cancer and stop the wars)

I'd love to see your goals-feel free to post them here. Let's make it a great year, shall we?

"...gained 5 lbs and lost her crown"

is the line from the Toby Keith song American Ride that I sang to myself this morning.  Why? I stepped on the scale after a long hiatus and that is what happened! The 5lb gain is real, the crown not so much...sigh...obviously I have proven that you can't go back to eating badly and not face some consequences.  OK, point taken-time to put my Big Girl pants back on before I have to put my BIG GIRL pants back on!

is there such a thing as permanently temporary?

Apparently there is  because when I searched for an image, there it was!

http://www.andreasduschek.com/index.php?/permanently-temporary/

A friend and co-worker's spontaneous  job transfer to Austin ,Texas 3 weeks ago has left an opening on the AM radio show as morning producer.  This is a job I have filled in for when Chris took vacations or sick days.   As of last week, I have now added this to my daily responsibilities at the radio ranch. Don't get too excited for me yet-it's the "can you fill in until we figure out what to do"  version of the position.  See, that's what I do-I fill in-for nearly everyone!  I'm versatile, experienced, adaptable...a great asset in a company, right?  Well, yes, except who replaces me if i get rewarded with more hours and a permanent move up?  I don't have an answer for that, but I do know who gets "punished" if I don't get to finally move up.  Stay tuned.

Sunday Buzz

Another week done and gone...

• Along with my own job, filled in for more vacationing co-workers (my apologies for being all over your airwaves again!)  I think most everyone is back now, so you'll get a chance to miss me

• attended my first class of FPU, Financial Peace University (www.daveramsey.com) I'm very excited to get my financial house in order, get out of debt and yes, have peace with money

• got some pool time with my Goddesses on Thursday-going to the pool with my girls is one of my very favorite things to do

• Tried and gave up on the HCG program again.  My apologies for those of you tuning in hoping for more dieting success...I did lose 2.2 lbs this week, but I'm discontinuing the program due to a case of "I'm just not feeling it."  I also watched someone else have difficulty from over-doing the program-helped convince me that it's just not the way to go this time.  I'm  gonna do something revolutionary and go back to the old fashioned "eat less (ie better), exercise more" approach.  What?  does that work?  I don't know, I'll find out and report back!

• Enjoyed a great concert-Creedence Clearwater Revisited.  OK, so John Fogerty isn't with the band anymore but they still put on a helluva show and the singer is damn close.

Like the stock market...

I went down!  Unlike the stock market, it only affects me.

I started HCG drops and 500 cal a day diet again yesterday.  I was very good with only a protein snack late afternoon to help get me through.  Today's weigh in: down 2.2 lbs!  

The right frame of mind and putting on the "big girl panties" again is really the only difference between last week and this week.  This week, I'm ready to not "cave to the crave."  Although there were a few moments when the "sugar bugs"  were loudest and I almost gave in...thankfully, I had proper snacks, pre-prepared foods and nothing too tempting in the house to derail me.  The first 3 days were the hardest last time, so it's safe to assume it will be that way again...on to day 2!