Happy..happy!

Hello!
I'm still just on cloud 9 today! I'm so happy. I'm sitting here at work in a new shirt (size 14-16---YIPEE) and feeling great! I worked out for about an hour this morning at the gym. I didn't want the Friday night flurry to prevent me from putting my health first. You know? This weight loss is a HUGE priority in my life so I make sure that I get my exercise in, no matter what. I try and plan my day around it, instead of trying to cram it in after my day is planned.
It's a great strategy and it's worked very well for me (about 99% of the time).

That being said...LOL, we didn't get to the gym yesterday. By the time we got home from work, the kids' sports games, going out to dinner, checking on a patient, etc. it was after 9:30 PM. Hubby wouldn't go to the gym that late (he has to get up at 4:30 AM). Instead, we walked/jogged around the neighborhood for about 45 minutes (Why we couldn't do that much time at the gym, who knows! My hubby is funny sometimes. I didn't argue about it, at least he got his butt out there with me). It felt nice to walk, especially when we went around the local pond and the school. Hubby chased the geese into the pond like a 2nd grader. It was cute. I told him the geese would get him back for it too! ;-)

I feel so good about myself! Have I said that already?! LOL! I did some strength training on my legs today (in addition to 45 minutes on the Cybex--Weight loss level 8). I spoke to the aerobics instructor on Wednesday about the "saggy skin" on my thighs and what I could do to firm up my inner thighs the best I can. She suggested doing 3 reps of 15 on the following machines (I was doing 3 reps of 10 before): leg press, adductor, abductor and also doing an additional full set on the leg press with my feet out in a plie (aka Mary Poppins style). WOW--did that make a difference. I did 130 pounds on all but the plie--I started out on 100 pounds. I didn't want to be overly sore for "Relay for Life" tomorrow night. The instructor also suggested kicking up the strength training from twice a week to three times a week. Okie dokie, I will do it!

I'm going to make sure and take new photos of me this weekend for my YOAD message board family and my Spark People profile. My last photo was 30 pounds ago. It's time to see what I look like on film again. I'm excited...a little scared, because I want the picture to look like what I see in the mirror. No matter what it is, I am PROUD though. Heck, I may even post my pic in here too.

Tomorrow night our GS troop will be volunteering to help at the Relay for Life event here in AZ. I'm excited. I'm sad though too. I lost an Aunt to lung cancer in May and it has been devestating. She was an amazing woman. She was very supportive to me in my lifelong battle with my weight. She was always proud of me, always my friend and I miss her dearly. She was one of the most amazing women I have ever known. I think of her every day and I know her spirit is with me and in those she loved. (This is making me sad---it's so hard having her gone).
She wasn't a big fan of "mushy stuff" so I better snap out of this! :-) At any rate, I know she's with me and I will be thinking of her during the event tomorrow. If I can do anything to help find a cure for cancers, of any type, I'm going to do IT.

Sunday we will be volunteering at the Cardinals game, selling concessions again. (Raising money for our troop trip). I hope it goes well and we have LOTS of customers (as we earn a % of the stand's sales). It should be busy but it is fun! I enjoy all the people watching there. I don't eat the junk we sell though....it's ice cream, rice krispy treats, caramel apples and soda. Simple, sweet and bad for you. No worries, I've been there twice already and I'm not even tempted by it. ICK! I'm looking HOT man, I'm not messing that up for any rice crispy treat! ;-)

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! I'll try and post again on Saturday or maybe Sunday night. Make good choices and GET MOVING!
Hugs,
Shannon