Well I'm finally back. Sorry I was gone for so long, but I had to deal with a bunch of personal issues which demanded too much of my attention. I missed you all so much and am still going through all the posts that I have missed.

I feel like I learned so many life lessons in 2007, yet never really took what I had learned and put it to practice, and that is what I was doing while away. I am now ready to start doing some things for myself that really need to happen. I made a huge change at work and am hoping that it works out for the best. If you remember, I ended a relationship in early dec. We still are friends and that is nice.

I set 5 New Year's resolutions this year and have them hung in my bathroom as a daily reminder of what I am working towards.

1. Finalize my divorce. Unfortunately a year and a half later he still won't sign the papers so it's on to the next level with that.

2. Quit Smoking once and for all. I quit for a bit last year, but when the breakup and other stuff started happening I turned back to the cigs and alcohol for support instead of my friends and family.

3. Start a career in my field of study.

4. Pay down those pesky credit cards and save a specified amount of money.

5. Restart my healthy lifestyle and hopefully hit a weight of 150 by dec. 31st.


Well that's my year...now on to my goals for February.

February

I love february! Not only is there Valentine's day, but also my birthday this month! The other reason I still love it is the weather during Febraury is always pretty here. You get some really cold days and some nice days that remind you that spring is just around the corner.

My goals for this month are simple. I'm not counting calories or anything. Just making smart choices.

1. 12 hours of exercise this month. I've got my new ticker down there to keep me motivated!

2. Get under 210 this month. This would be a great thing for me!

3. I'm starting my medication to quit smoking again. I'm ready again. I will succeed again. My quit date is Feb 10th so wish me luck.

welcome back jaxx!

i like your goals-they are very achievable :happydance:

Best of luck, i'll be here cheering you on! :huggs:

Yes good job on the goal setting! Good to see you back! :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

Hey Jaxx :huggs:

Glad to see you back with a renewed vigor!!! :cheer:

Great to see you Jaxx! All the best with your goals. :bouncy:

Welcome back and I hope the best for you with your new goals! :cheer:

Thanks ladies!!

So far fot the month of Febraury I'm doing okay. My weight is steadily moving downwards with my lowest daily weight being 212.2 so far. Unfortunately I haven't been to the gym yet, but that has a bit to do with me hurting my neck. I'm just waiting for that to heal before I get back into anything. It's funny but I keep thinking that if I was in shape that I never would have hurt myself to begin with, but that's just me being hard on myself. It was an accident and now i get to sit on the couch with a heaqting pad at night until it heals.

On the brigher side...I heard from the EH last night. He is sending me the final papers needed today via priority mail. I'm trying not to get excited as I have heard and been through this 5 times before, but I just can't help feeling a bit anxious. I asked him to call me when he sends them so that I know that they are on the way.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

i am so sorry to hear about your neck! I don't know what happened, but i would imagine it would have happened regardless of fitness level...accidents do.

:huggs:

That is such great news about your ex sending the papers! I hope he does this time..crossing my fingers for you! :D

Ouch, I am sorry about your neck too Jaxx!! :huggs: But I am SO happy your ex is sending the papers! Oh please do let us know when they come!! We will :danceparty: !!

Weekly Update

My average weight has been at 213.8 so I'm off to move my ticker. I definitly have seen my weight slowly going up the past 3 days. It really is due to the fact that I threw caution to the wind and ate like absolute crap friday and saturday. Tons of salt and poor food choices. The ending result being that I feel like a blimp. I haven't eaten like that in a while and i am definitly still feeling it now.

As far as exercise is concerned, i still haven't gotten back to the gym. Although my neck is better it is still quite stiff. I am planning on going wednesday if all is better. It's hard to tell myself to be patient ESPECIALLY when i see the number on the scale creeping up. The class on wednesday is a body pump class and i HAVE to be at 100% before I go to a weight class.

Let's see...what else?

Doing okay with the smoking. I think I smoked 2 cigs all day yesterday. I'm trying not to be hard on myself. It is a process, not an over night change.

The ex didn't send the papers friday. I called him and he said he is overnighting them today...I guess we'll see.

Ooohhh I almost forgot! I have big interview tomorrow. The position is at a large financial institution. If all goes well, I should be called back for a final interview. I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed. I'm spending today researching the company and practicing interview questions. This would be a dream job if I could land it AND be one thing crossed off my resolutions list :lol: I'd have a 10 month training program followed by licensing classes. I want this job so badly :bouncy:

I hope you get the job Jaxx!! :jumping:

good luck with the interview jaxx!

great job on the smoking, you are right..it isn't an overnight process. :)

Well, on the smoking... it is not exactly true that it is not an overnight process.... for some it is. I smoked a pack a day for over 22 years, had my last one before I went to bed and on the morning of Oct 18th, of 2002 I never picked up another one. So, its going on 6 years that I have been smoke free. My point is, I am not the only one in the world who has quit 'cold turkey'... it does happen, it is just not the way for everyone. :) Some use patches, gum, etc... my sister-in-law went to hypnosis... some just replace the urge for the smoke for a different addiction. I hope the best for you Jaxx as you find your way of doing it!!

Well good point teach :)

Actually, both my parents used to smoke, and they both quit 'cold turkey' as well...my mom quit shortly after my brother was born (in the early 1970s) and my dad quit shortly after i was born (in the early 1980s)...they never once picked up a cigarette after they decided to quit.

I just know for me that i wouldn't be able to quit cold turkey...so my way of avoiding the problem is that i've never picked up a cigarette..it helps that i'm allergic to smoke!

In any case jaxx, best of luck...i know you can do this! :huggs:

Weekly Update:

My average weight is still around 213-214 with my lowest being at 211.2. My high days are mainly due to salt and alcohol. It seems as though everyone has a birthday, work party etc right now. I'll give you an example...Thursday chinese friday pizza saturday checkers (traffic was so bad that i didn't have time for a real meal and i wasn't the one picking the locaton) sunday work party. Throw some margaritas and beer on top of all that and the fact that i'm not back at 220 is a miracle.

Tomorrow is my birthday! Which means more partying to follow :lol: Actually there is going to more to celelbrate than just my birthday as I have to be in court at 9:30 in the morning for my divorce hearing! I actually recieved the papers!

More big news...I am transferring to Orlando for a month with my current job to see if I like living there. My family is from there, but I haven't lived there in 9 years. If things go well I may end up moving down there really soon. I decided this basically becasue I am frustrated with everything right now. What's the saying..."insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results"? Well that is basically what i've been doing and i can't deal with it anymore. So it's time to try something new!

oh jaxx that is such a relief that you are finally going to be able to deal with your divorce! :) Hopefully you enjoy the move to orlando...it is good that you are able to try things out first, without being stuck there in case you don't like it!

Considering all the parties etc, i think you are doing great with your weight!

OMGosh girl, you are FULL of awesome GOOD NEWS!! :danceparty: Congrats on the hearing :cheer: and relocating :happydance: and maintaining :cheer: and all the fun you are having too!! :congratulations:

Wow Jaxx!!! That is most awesome news chickie!!! I'm glad things seem to be coming together for you. good luck with the change of scenery, hope all goes well :huggs:

:cheer: :cheer: :cheer: Glad to hear things are finally looking up for you!

So I was reviewing my February goals and realized I failed to hit any of them :blush: However, all is not lost this month as I was able to knock out 1 yearly goal and spend a lot of fun time with friends. I also will be relocating for the month of march and I really see that as an opportunity to knock out the smoking and get under 200. I will be living with my parents for the month (insert blood curddeling scream here) and my gym has a location a few blocks from them. I haven't lived in orlando or with my parents for 9 years so this ought to be interesting :lol: That gym location offers more classes so I should be able to fit them in with whatever schedule i get for work AND I woun't be eating out as much. My dad already called to ask me what i wanted him to pick up from the grocery store for my lunches everyday :lol: he is so cute it cracks me up. They are so happy to have me home for such a period of time. They both are calling me daily asking me if I am excited. Anyways other than that I'm starting to think about my March goals and getting ready for my trip!

I hope everyone has a great day!! :snowman:

hehe, yes i would imagine it is hard moving back in with your parents when it has been so long since you have lived there! That is super great news about the gym, you can always escape to the gym if your parents are driving you crazy, or maybe they will even join you there! Best of luck with getting under 200 and quitting smoking! :huggs:

Wow Jaxx, it sounds like things are really changing for you since 2007 ended. Great job at making some positive goals for the new year and new you. Even though you didn't exactly meet all your Feb. goals, think of how much you have changed in the last two months...WOW! and just keep thinking of what May 2008 may hold for you!

:happydance: Great Job!! Enjoy the sun in Florida and don't forget about F4LF!!

March[SIZE=7][COLOR=green]

:whatsup:

Oh how I've missed you all!!! :huggs: :huggs: :huggs: I was so very :sick: with pneumonia all week and then I come back and see a smilie explosion!! :funnyeyes: I LOVE them all Teach! :proud:

Well where to begin...I'm in Orlando. Just got here today actually. I had to delay my trip due to :sick: :( :ugh: But will be starting work tomorrow.

So I made a decision and left my scale at home. It will not be coming with me this month. I'm a bit mad at it and i think a trial separation will due us both a bit of good. I will be weighing in at the gym but am thinking about going back to just once a week while i'm here.

I'm not too far above 210 so my goal is to get as close to Onederland as possible this month. That is really my number one goal this month. I plan on getting there by getting to the gym frequently and packing my lunch for work. I really want to use this month as a spring board for the rest of my year. The pneumonia thing helped with the smoking so if i can just keep it going March could turn out to be pretty fantastic.

Hey Jaxx! :whatsup: Good to SEE :funnyeyes: YA girl :wave: I'm glad you like all the smilies, :rolling: I do too... it may make our little home look kinda *not* professional, but it sure does make it feel happy! :proud: Glad to hear you are no longer :sick: ... I hope you enjoy the once a week weigh in this month and that the no smokes streak keeps on! :angel: Have FUN at the gym :bubblegum: and make sure you mind your mommy and daddy while staying with them! :canofworms: LOL! :rainbow:

Sorry to hear you were so sick but I'm glad you are feeling better. :D
:cheers: Here's to a better March, April, May...2008, 2009, 2010... :rolling:

ooo i am so sorry to hear you were sick jaxx! :( it seems like so many people i know have been sick lately...alot of nasty stuff going around this year.

I think your idea about leaving the scale at home was a great one. I think sometimes weighing daily CAN have affect on your psyche...seeing the numbers go up when it is simply due to bloating can tend to jump start the "i don't care because i've gained anyway" type attitude...so i hope weighing only once a week or so works out for you!

best of luck reaching onderland! :rockon:

Big hugs for you Jaxx!!! I'm glad you're feeling better...take care and hope all works out for you in Orlando :huggs: :huggs: :huggs: :huggs:

:thanx: ladies!

My oh my is the Easter candy already out in full force :lol: My dad brought home 2 BIG bags of Robins eggs and has stuck them in the freezer. Very yummy...I looked like this last night ===> :happyeasterchocolate: Must resist and look like this tonight ====> :angel:

Oh well... :rolling:

Girl, that Easter CHOCOLATE has been calling my name too!! :easter: Hang tough girl and RESIST! :lol: (I have to keep saying it to remind myself!)

i absolutely LOVE those cadbury cream eggs.... :D I always want to buy one but i haven't let myself yet! Maybe i'll buy one as a treat at some point.

I'm glad to hear things are going well for you now, Jaxx! :D How's Florida?

Shy, maybe it's a good thing I haven't tried them before - I don't know what I'm missing out on :lol:

Thanks ladies!

Orlando is going well. It is really nice to spend quality time with my family. I really miss them.

Work down here is good as well. I have decided though that i would rather not move here. I could transfer with work but I'm not interested. I'm glad though that i came down and saw how they do things down here. I learned a few things as well so that is good.

Lifestyle wise...not so good. I am in such a rut lately. The schedule that i have been given is ridiculous and it's hard for me to get to the gym. I definitly have realised that work is definitly not an excuse when i get back because this is NUTTS!!

April

Week 1 goal for April: Schedule, Schedule, Schedule

Plan meals ahead of time...only eating out twice this week. (No Starbucks this week :blush: )

Breakfast: either slim-fast, carnation mix, or ego with natural PB and fruit
Lunch: Sandwich or wrap plus salad/fruit
Dinner: meat, veggies, salad and 1 carb.

I'm not worrying about snacks as I tend to have plenty of good options around that are already bagged or can be bagged easily. I just need to start planning ahead.

Schedule time for the gym. 3x this week

Tues, Thursday, Sat, Sun, and Monday are my best days for the gym.

Tuesdays: Treadmill
Thursday: Body Combat or Body Step
Saturday: Treadmill
Sunday: Treadmill
Monday: Body Pump

If i'm feeling froggy there's an early morning Pump class on Wednesdays.

:cheer: :cheer: Go Jaxx! :cheer: :cheer:

Looks like an awesome plan Jaxx!

best of luck jaxx! :D

Thanks Ladies!!!