Day 31, Dec 9

So, Day 31...I am loving this journey. One thing that I am particularly enjoying, is going to the Y! One of the programs I am involved in, is called the "smartkey" and it allows you into this special room with only a few machines and a trainer there, ready and available to help you at all times. What I think is really and truly special about it though, is the people. Most of them are seniors, some of them in their 70's even. I love listening to them kibitz with each other when they come in, I love listening to Ed as he watches his heart rate climb, and I love listening to them plan their next coffee date. I think it is fabulous! When I watch them, I imagine myself in that same room, thirty years from now and wonder how many new friends I will meet then. It is refreshing to see so many seniors there taking care of themselves. It makes me smile. Have you done something today that makes you smile? If not, you should, it feels really really good!

Day 30 Dec 8th

WOW! Can't believe its been 30 days already! It sure doesn't feel like it...I have had a very successful month on my journey to wellness and although I didn't log as many miles as I wanted to on the Bruce Trail, I did log quite a few miles, numerous hours of walking and I have also inspired many of my friends to join me on this journey. Believe it or not, I actually have people call me because they want to join me on my walks. I think it is fantastic! And, in this past month, I have also gone to the Y on a regular basis (try to get there 5 of 7 days) and my friend Jane has joined me. I didn't know it, but my friend Harriet joined up too! I have missed blogging for a full week now but I have been a little busy with the Christmas season upon us and just stuff going on. I figure its better to spend my time out walking or at the Y than it is to report on here. I have a hike planned for this weekend with Julie and I am soooo looking forward to it! YOU have no idea. And if, for any reason, she can't come, I am going myself. I miss the dirt, I miss discovering new land and seeing things for the first time. I want to share my pictures with you all!! Speaking of pictures, I am attaching one of this past weekend with myself and some girlfriends in Niagara Falls...we had fun...gotta run, Joe will be home in a minute and we want to get the second tree up! Take care and happy walking!

Day 23

So, December 1st is upon us. Woke up this morning to snow. It was a pleasant surprise and even more pleasant cause I knew it would soon be gone. I love how snow looks when it is fresh but I am not really a fan of it..it's too darned cold, lasts too long and make everything a mess in the spring...I know, it has its good points too but I still don't have to like it?? I have decided that I am not going to continue with the Weight Watchers plan. I find that I am eating far too much, more than I was eating before WW and because I have to fit in all the points, I am sure that is what is slowing my progress in the weight department. My plan is to continue to eat healthy and eat until I am comfortably full. I will weigh myself twice a month, once on the first, which I did today, and once on the 15th. As long as I continue to make good choices more often and continue on this wonderful exercise program that I have going, I am bound to become that healthy person I want to be. In fact, I know I will be. I really miss my hiking and I sent off an email to Julie today to see if we can plan one for the 12th of December? I am off to Niagara Falls this wknd with the girls and I will walk all over there for sure. I hope to also cross off some of the Bruce Trail while I am there. Also, today was the first day of my group, Walk thru December. I was very happy to see that there are 36 people that joined up from all over North America...very inspiring indeed. Well, I am going now to throw a load of laundry in, tomorrow morning to the Y and lots of housework ahead of me...boxes and boxes of Christmas decorations are calling my name...

Missed a few days...was away...Day 22

Okay, so I missed a few days but I had no choice...I was in Michigan celebrating the US Thanksgiving with my family there. That's all part of being well too, spending time with family that you enjoy and sharing a few laughs. My weekend started out with my two nieces and I heading off to Michigan after supper on Thursday. Actually, I should back up a few hours...Thursday morning went to the Y with my friend Jane and we did our workout that the trainer had set up for us. I felt good...I felt proud. Okay, so, now back on our way to Michigan...The girls and I had planned on doing some shopping there, I know-you figured that! So, not much sleep for the girls (about 3 hrs) and none for me, we headed out to the malls at 3:30 in the morning...CRAZY!! But still fun...we were all very happy with our purchases, the crowds and the line ups were interesting and we never encountered one miserable person. It was lovely! (Even me falling over backwards in the Jerry Garcia underwear was funny!!) We did a lot of walking, a lot of hurry up walking and then in the afternoon, had a nap...much needed of course. Friday night, my other sister Tracy and her husband Jim and my Joe joined us. We all went out for dinner and then spent the rest of the night playing games. I was a little overtired and had a little too much red wine (its good for your heart though) but had a great night with everyone! Lots of laughs (oh, and I certainly had a healthy dinner-house salad, dressing on the side, sweet potatoe and grilled salmon) Saturday we did a little more shopping, so not much walking and this is when we had our turkey dinner...again, lots of family time, lots of laughter and a little prayer of thanks. Sure makes the heart feel good! So back home on Sunday, my arthritis is really kicking in, I think the lack of meds and the lack of sleep are playing a role in that. My mouth is making me upset as well...I fear that my test results will come back positive and that I will indeed have Sjogren's Syndrome....funny the things you miss when you don't have them...like saliva...Anyway, I missed a day in my 22 days and believe it or not, I am sorry for that. But it was pouring rain out all day and I was exhausted so I guess I needed the break. Today, Monday, back to the Y and then tonight walking with Tracy to WW....I am NOT looking at the numbers. LOL...especially after a full bottle of wine...ouch..But I don't do it often and in fact, probably won't for a long time again cause the alcohol dehydrates you anyway and I certainly don't need any help with that!! So, I will chat with you all (or just me?) again tomorrow...I am on a roll again and we'll see how many days I can go...Hey, speaking of that, did you join my Walk Thru December??? Check it out...inspired by my friend JoAnn at THE WALKING CONNECTION

Day 16 and 17

Here I am...still hard at it...haven't been on a hike lately and I miss it and I don't see one in the near future either. Sad. BUT, on an up note, I did go to the Y yesterday and I did go to the Y again today. Today, was an aquafit class and I sure worked hard. I didn't really believe you could sweat in water but I sure was. I enjoyed it though and am looking forward to Thursday's class. SO, ya, yesterday, went to the Y in the morning with Jane, then walked for an hour after lunch with Jamie and then went to Weight Watchers and was disappointed again. Lost only 1.6lbs for a total of 5.8 in three weeks. I have decided though, that for the next few weeks, I am not going to look at the scale when I go..It only upsets me. Tonight, or soon I hope, I will go for a walk with Joe and Lilly. We measured the "short" block the other day and its 2.2kms so its alright to at least get a few minutes in. On days when I've been at the Y, I can handle that. Speaking of being at the Y, I have also signed up for a program that involves 3 times a week, treadmill, elliptical and weights machines and it is set up by a trainer for you. They have these "smartkey" things that you plug into the computer and then also every machine and it records everything that you do. I am excited for that to begin..LOL...I am excited for everything to begin and then I get mad when I don't see the results on the scale!! So, I won't measure that way. I will measure other ways...and I do see results already. I am more eager to do things, I don't feel near as out of breath as I did a few weeks ago, my clothes do fit better and I have to put my neck down farther now to see my double chin! yay me...LOL...Tomorrow, I have my biopsy on my saliva glands, lets all pray that that comes back negative! I also have my xrays on my hands for the arthritis...its really bothering my hips now too since I have been off the medication...it sucks, but hopefully all this exercise and subsequent weight loss (ya right!!) will help. Anyway, signing off for now..

Days 14 & 15

Yep, its late...I missed posting yesterday...didn't have time...didn't do what I had planned either but sometimes, life happens. I didn't walk, didn't sleep but had a great 8 hrs with some good friends at a "Groomsman Challenge." Spent the day outdoors and didn't sit for the full 8 hrs I was there (short of leaning on a stool for about 5 minutes) that must count for something? Not much sleep Saturday night either, went to a fantastic baby shower in the afternoon and then Tracy and I were dropped off before home and walked the rest of the way, probably a couple kms...then, came home, made some gravy for Joe for the roast he had in and then Tracy and I went for another walk...YAY US! Probably another 2 or 3 kms? Tracy even walked here and back so she got in another 1.2kms!! I am proud of her too..she said she was relaxing in the tub on Saturday afternoon and she thought "gee, I'd like to be out for a walk".....LOL...and then she thought "what the hell has Marj done to me?"...What a happy thought! I was just laying down, trying to get some rest and my phone beeped and it was my friend Jane...I was thinking about her earlier this evening cause she said she was going to join the Y....and she did so we are going tomorrow morning then after lunch, a walk with Jamie and then Tracy and I will walk to WW...I am desperately hoping for sleep tonight...my body needs it terribly! And, on that note, I think I will sign off now and will be back tomorrow sometime...Take care of yourself

Day 13

Wow, thirteen days straight now I have done some sort of activity whether its been as little as a walk back and forth to Weight Watchers (4km) or a few hours of hiking hills! I am so proud of me! Its amazing what this does for the mind!! AND what the mind does for the body!! Speaking of the body, mine is a little sore and I'm not quite sure if its the exercise I have been getting in or if its the effects of being taken off my arthritis meds? He told me that my hips would probably start to give me grief now and I think he is correct? It used to be that they only bothered me when I would lay on them...now, they hurt when I sit as well??? Oh well, as I continue to lose weight, they won't have to bear so much and it should become easier. I tell ya though, last night when I was sitting in my chair, I was so tempted to go to the medicine cabinet and break out the old celebrex!! My hips hurt, my hands hurt, my hips flexors hurt AND my freakin toes hurt~!! Eye yeye eye...(not sure how to spell that sound?)But, I didn't....I just sat there with a nice cup of warm milk and read more about the Bruce Trail and was trying to plan my hike this weekend. I think I may have to do this one on my own? No one wants to come with me...oh well...Anyway,had better go...oh ya, I walked down to the coffee shop today with a couple friends and had them walk UP the big Franklin hill...LOL..they wondered out loud "who's idea was this again?" ...LOL..they will thank me someday!!