It’s time for another cup of coffee.   I’ve  been so  busy I haven’t had time for a single post, so here’s let’s play catch up!

Join me…..

We are on our last week of school.  Yes, it’s the last week, finally.  We were SUPPOSED to be out on the 10th. but due to bad weather, and shutdown one day by Homeland Security after Newtown, we have to be at school till the 21st.  I am tired of school . TIRED of it!  My boy and I went back to bed on last Monday and didn’t get up till 10. I let him skip school. I’m just so DONE. Done with bedtimes, making lunches, waking up sleepy kids, homework, school buses, and school. I want to PLAY! I want to catch fireflies and dance in the rain. I want to lose hours with my kids reading books, listening to music and just BEING. I want to go exploring. I want to sit home and do nothing. I want to go to the lake, the pool, the creek, the farm, or no where. I want to check things our summer bucket list.
I need US time. Time when it’s our own little world for a few months and not having to follow anyone’s rules except our family rules. I’m ready for a weeks worth of sleep overs, and 7:30pm dinners and long nights on the town Green eating froyo and just hanging out. I’m looking forward to a trip to my hometown in Texas, if we can swing it, and trips to amusement parks and the lazy peaceful days of summer.
One more week is going to be forever. We’ll muddle through, because of all we have to look forward to. Summer IS coming.  5 more days.

I love love LOVE my rural Connecticut town, but there is not much diversity.   I miss the rich culture of our old town.  We went back last week to attend a Quinceanera.  This was an authentic Mexican Quince- and boy, it was FABULOUS.  I bawled my eyes out at the  ceremony where they presented her with her last doll- signifying the end of childhood (SOB!) and then Cielo’s parents switched out her flats to heels, signifying her  growth from a girl to a young lady.  My whole table  laughed at me for weeping, but it was so beautiful. From her gown, to the pageantry (she has a COURT and a CROWN and was honestly a PRINCESS for a day) it was wonderful. Did I mention there was a mariachi band?  And real, homemade Mama cooked Mexican food with TAMALES?

I discovered my gringa HIPS can  move to Mexican music!

Dancing with a balloon makes it so much more fun!

We missed Relay for Life in our town, which made me really sad, because we’ve taken part of it for YEARS and I am always choked up and  excited to walk as a Survivor.  We were lucky enough to stop in and take part of the  lumaria ceremony at the Relay in Port Chester.  No matter where you are, Relay for life is an amazing experience.

We have 4 grocery stores in our town.  A Stop and Shop, and Aldi’s, a small local market, and a Big Y.  I tend to head to Big Y a lot because it’s closer  to my house (relatively speaking, its about 10 miles).  I LOVE the customer service at Big Y- it is second to none. They keep a staff of nutritionist and dietitians on board and call it Living Well and Eating Smart-  to support their customers. I tweeted them a few times with some questions about  going gluten free and lactose free, and get this- their nutritionist is meeting us this week at our local store tour the store with us and head us in the right directions.  I know, right?  My grocery store is sending me help to learn how to change our diets to support our daughter.    I’m so impressed already- come back and see how  it was!

I’m picking up some foster kittens today.  3 of them. Aedan is beyond himself excited.  These little ones are about 4 weeks old so they are eating food, thank goodness, No bottle feeding!  They are just really skittish, so they need lots of handing and socialization.  We’ve been doing foster care for  over 20 years, and it’s a way of life for our family.  Anyone want a kitten?

My daughter and are going to be starting a “get healthy summer” challenge next week. (actually the whole family is)  THIS IS NOT ABOUT LOSING WEIGHT. It’s about being healthier to help her with her illnesses. (IBD and Functional Abdominal Pain, along with chronic Lyme)  She and are are going to be each other cheerleaders and support for 8 weeks of healthy living and exercise.  I belong to the BEST GYM EVER and I’m  signing my girl up for the kids summer membership.   I’m really happy to be working with her.   And glad we’ll be at Phys-Ed together!  I’m also hoping to get my hands on 2 more Fitbits, or good pedometers so we can track out steps as a family.  Anyone have one looking for a home?

So, how have you been?  What are you up to?  I want to hear!  Do you have a summer bucket list?  We’re posting ours this week!  Tell me what’s on yours!

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When Weight Watcher gave me 3 month of e-tools to use and try out the program I was excited and certain  that it was going to be  awesome and  the 20ish pounds I have gained will melt away.

WRONG.

But, the reasons why it was wrong had to do with me, not Weight Watchers.  I’ve written before how I’ve been in  a rut, but also overwhelmed with  medical issues with my kids,and  a host of other things going on. To be perfectly honest, I was so overwhelmed that the thought of counting points or even journaling  threw me for a loop.  I know how to lose weight.  I know what works and the principals behind Weight Watchers works.  Eat smart, nothing is off limits but use moderation and journal, journal journal.  Find support.  I used e-tools,and  I think that it would have worked much better  if I were to go to meetings.   The support, and yes, accountability would be great. There wasn’t a meeting near me that would work for my schedule.  E-tools did have a lot of tools that I was able to use quickly as well, that aren’t available at the meetings.

Things I like about E-tools:

• no need to go to meetings
• easy way to track points
• many articles to help
• online recipes
• message boards
• phone ap

All in all, I DID lose 6 pounds all together using e-tools. That’s nothing to sneeze at, a loss is a loss!  I’m mostly disappointed in myself that I wasn’t able to use the tools they way they meant to be used. But, things are changing! BOTH kids are healthy now and  I’m ready to get back on track! And the local Farmers Markets are open for business and there is a  lot of fresh veggie coming out!  Summer, for me is an easier time to eat well and move!

Disclaimer:  I was provided a 3 month membership  to Weight Watchers via Fitspiration for Woman. All opinions are my own.

The post Weight Watchers, at Last. appeared first on The Weight is Over!.

This week has FLOWN by and I barely have a second to sit.   So rather than NOT post, I decided to  have a “cup of coffee” with you guys for a quick look at what I’m up to!

We had a crazy teenage high school party at our house this weekend. It was SO MUCH FUN, and it exhausted us. It especially exhausted our daughter who has spent  almost a year dealing with Lyme disease, Irritable Bowel Disease and Functional Abdominal Pain. In fact, the  stress of the party had her home sick, so instead of the gym, I was home working out with FitnessGlo.   I still got my workout in!  I love this online workout video tool- it’s really much more than that, so much I’m hosting a giveaway- Go check it out!

I got to go on a field trip with my son to  the Pratt Center, a local nature center where the kids released Trout Fry they raised from eggs. That was pretty neat, but in addition, we went on a pretend trip on the Oregon Trail.  We check out gardens, made a pit stop to California where we panned for gold,  got to experience chores as pioneer kids,  made candles,  planted a “3 sisters” garden, and sang campfire songs.  My darling Clementine is actually pretty disturbing, if you really look at the lyrics. Of course I had on my Fitbit but- it wasn’t ON!  I’m guessing  I got in at least 10,000 steps.

I’ve joined in on a 60 mile challenge with some Facebook Friends. I need to make sure I walk 60 miles in June.  As of today, I have 22 down!

My son’s been having MAJOR asthma issues lately, and  he needed to take Singulair.  Some people experience side effects that cause mood changes and irritably, and my boy was one.  I can’t wait till he’s off of them this week. Do you worry about side efects of medications that your kids HAVE to take?

Lately I’ve been having some weird hip and joint pain. My heel has been killing me as well, so  I thought it might be planter fasciitis.  I’m trying to  stretch out my hips with yoga and movement, and had a massage,  but it still bothers me.  Have you ever had hip and joint pain?

And, even though the weather has been crazy in Connecticut, I had this sunset off my deck last week.   It put the whole week into perspective!

How was your week?

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When I was offered an opportunity to  try out FitnessGlo as a Fitfluential ambassador, I thought, Sure, I’ll try it. Why not?  Maybe it will help me stay on track.  I never realized it would be the ONLY think keeping me somewhat on track at all!  ( Don’t MISS THE GIVEAWAY for a free 90 membership to FitnessGlo on the bottom of this post!)

Since I am 42 and do not have small babies, I feel badly about saying I can’t get to the gym because of my kids.  I know there are wonderful moms out there who are at home with babies feeling badly that they can’t get to the gym, or out for a walk, or  any kid of workout going on because they are busy dealing with kids and CANNOT GET OUT.  I remember those days. However, now that my kids are 14 and 11, I shouldn’t have that problem.  Especially since I’m a work from home mom who’s job is writing for goodness sake, therefore I set up my own hours.  I should be able to get to the gym, or out for a walk around my EXACTLY ONE MILE block, right?

WRONG.

Because even if you your kids are 14 and 11, when they are sick, they want Mama. BOTH of my kids have been sick and  it’s involved a hospital or two,  multiple steroids, breathers, inhalers, and an OR. And no workouts. Until I remembered the FitnessGlo site and logged in.

OMG. I have been SAVED people!

FitnessGlo is a one stop gym in your house.   This site sets you up and  there is NO reason to fail. The workouts are phenomenal. Scared you can’t keep up?  Only have 10 minutes?  No problem!  You can  pick your workout by style,  teacher, level and duration.  Worried its going to be too much for you?   don’t be!   This site was developed for women, by women, and they GET US. This is what FitnessGlo has to say:

FitnessGlo was designed to change the way you feel about fitness. Many fitness programs get very complicated, very quickly and before you know it you’re tracking so many different factors, it’s easy to lose your way or decide to skip your workout altogether. Our goal is to keep it simple: find a workout, do the workout.

Yes, THIS.   I have been able to fit in workouts as I can.   I’ve been home with a sick kid, or it’s been raining or brutally hot out. Instead of just giving up on sweating it out, I’ve been tossing in  workouts on FitnessGlo.    I haven’t been following any real patterns, just choosing workouts that look good to me.  They have a bunch of different instructors- I, personally, LOVE Jeffrey Scott – his style is exactly what I need. However, this week I am starting an 8-Week program on FitnessGlo to provide a little structure to jump-­start my routine!   I’m starting the beginner 8 week program, which is geared toward those  who haven’t worked out in a while or have never worked out. This 8-week plan starts out slowly & takes time for rest days, which  helps build endurance gradually over time!   WOOT!  That is EXACTLY what  I am about!  Getting back on track!   This is week one:

• Monday:1000 steps
• Tuesday REST
• Wednesday: Elevate your Energy
• Thursday: Rest
• Friday: Lift your Energy
• Saturday: Seated Sculpt
• Sunday: Dance for Energy

I can SO do this!  Each week builds on itself and  then once the 8 week program is done, you can move on to the next one.  Don’t think that FitnessGlo only offers beginning classes. There are classes and programs for ALL levels!  I am excited to have this program available.   I’ll be  doing my daily workout and tracking how I’m doing right here- so keep coming back to check on me!  Let’s see what 8 weeks will do!

YOU can try out FitnessGlo with a 15 day free trial, AND I’m  giving away a FREE 90 day membership.

WOOT WOOT!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I love how FitnessGlo helps me get a workout in when I have limited time and space.  I do it in my office, even when I only have 10 minutes!   Good Luck with the giveaway,and remember, there is a 15 day free trial if you can’t wait to get started!

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post by Fitfluential, LLC. All opinions and thoughts are my own!

The post FitnessGlo – Finding Time for Fitness! appeared first on The Weight is Over!.

I knew when I rsvp’s to Fitness Magazine’s  Meet and Tweet called #fitBlogNYC that I was most likely going to be the biggest person there. I let that fact intimidate me for a little bit, then I got over it.  This is MY journey, right?  I’m going to make the best of it.

Part of FitBlogNYC was the exercise component at the end. There were 3 choices:

Mad Cool Fitness brought to you by Athleta
Power Run brought to you by Saucony
Yoga with Tara Stiles brought to you Reebok

Holy Hell.

I don’t run, so the Power Run is out. (thank God as it ended up being a 3 mile run and I may have died) I am pretty good at Cardio classes and I knew I’d be good at this because it’s familiar and I can stand in the back and be less obvious.  I’ll fit in.

So I chose Yoga.

Yoga and I don’t have a very good relationship. It intimates the hell out of me, It’s hard for me.  I feel like it’s BEYOND me to get myself  into some of those positions and I am always aware of how my body looks sprawled on the mat. It would have been easier and safer to just do the Cardio class.

But for me, FitBlogNYC wasn’t about being safe,

it was about putting myself out there.

I was there as ME this time, Wendy @weightsover – not like last time when I was part of a group. It was intimidating and exciting and exhilarating and terrifying all at the same time.  So I decided to go with the challenge and go for yoga. When the inevitable time came to grab a mat and head outside to the lovely rooftop where the Yoga class was held, I admitted to the Reebok people that I am scared slightly witless and I am SURE it will be ok if I modify, right?

Then, I met the lovely Tara Stiles.   The epitome of calm, grace and friendliness and well, yeah, OHM, she  gave me a quick hug and assured me that I CAN do this, and to do what I  can do.  I gave a big sigh of relief and headed outside. I see all these lovely flexible ladies gliding from one form to another.  I know I am not a glider. I am a plopper.   I PLOPPED my butt down on the mat.  That BURNING HOT mat scorched my skin as I struggled to get my left leg under the tummy pooch that is hanging down  and I caught the “batwing” of skin under my arms. After  a million 5 downward dogs I realized I was  simply kneeling on all fours, but hey- I was moving and I was beginning to limber up. I watch some incredible ladies balance their WHOLE BODIES on two hands and I’m was still  trying to figure out that pretzel leg move thing and make it work for me then I realized: I’m getting this. Yoga is a workout, FOR SURE. I did more planking and moving and stretching and reaching and SWEATING and I forgot about Yoga breathing just BREATHED, and I forgot about how I looked and what other people thought and just did what I had to do.  I got poses, or my versions of them, I think for ONE MINUTE I glided. I really think I did!  Of course, I fell on my ass right afterwards but I glided on my way down there!

This class taught me a lot.  The right teacher is everything. Tara giggled a million times through her class and was calming and encouraging through the whole thing.  I distinctly remember when everyone else was in one pose and I was like 2 poses behind and probably just breathing she came by me, said, “Hey- making your own rules, cool!”  and gave me a high 5!

Take a second to go back and read Tara’s shirt. WHO MADE THE RULES.  I love that!   Who make the rules?  What rules?  Why do I feel like I have to follow any rules?  The only rules I need to have are ones I made myself, FOR myself:

• Don’t get hurt
• Don’t take the easy way out
• Believe in myself
• Challenge myself
• Try

I found out a lot about myself and my motivation and commitment to losing weight and getting fit. I’ve been out of  the loop for a bit struggling to get back into the game. I made a bunch of new friends and support  and people who I can go to for advice and help when I need it. I applaud Fitness magazine for seeing that  people involved in fitness and getting healthy come in all sizes and level of fitness. Remember when I wondered if I’d feel awkward at the conference?  I didn’t. Not even for a second.

(this is me after hot yoga on a NYC rooftop on an 85degree day)

I FELT AWESOME.

The post Kicking Butt- Yoga Style appeared first on The Weight is Over!.

I was in 5th grade, standing in line in a hot gym at Highland Park Elementary School waiting, hoping, praying that the earth would open and swallow us all. As I inched closer to the front of the line I sweated as I tried to figure out how to get out of it. Eventually none of the natural disasters I prayed for  happened and I reached the front of the line and in front of every 5th grade child at that school I was told to stand up on the scale and have my weight called out my one gym teacher, Mrs. Salts, to the other, Mr Coco.

169.

It was whispered up and down the lines kid by kid, smirk by smirk and laugh and giggle as I trudged to the end of the line and the torture I knew awaited me.  I knew what was coming. I knew that it was another weapon that people could use to torture me, to bully me, to make me the butt of all the joke and the kid it was ok to pick on .  Why not?  I was fair game- I was fat.  It wasn’t because I was poor, or that my parents had spilt up, or heaven forbid I was smart. I was worthless because I was fat. After having been told that for years I was beginning to believe it.

I will never, ever forget that day. I remember the shirt I had on, the  shorts that stuck to my thighs, and  cheap sneakers I wore.I remember most of all how my soul shattered.  Two years later I moved from that small-minded Texas town to a New York suburb and I promised myself that I would never feel that way again.  I would prove that I was was just as worthy as anyone else no matter my size.  I did stand out, but it was for my Texas drawl, my  friendliness, my singing voice, my value as a friend.  In short, I was accepted as ME. Not the fat girl. I was still fat, but  those in my new town knew enough to look past my size and look to ME.

Yesterday, my 5th grade son walked very slowly off the school bus and to the porch where I was waiting for him.   After the usual how was your day chats, and complaints about homework, and a quick snack of apples and peanut butter, my son asked me to come outside and shoot some baskets with him.  In between the bouncing balls the story came out:

Tomorrow is the scoliosis test, Mom.

Well, it’s an important test and it only takes a moment.

We all have to do it together, Mom.  I have to take my shirt off. In front of everyone.

But  you’ll be in the nurses office, it will be ok.

No, Mom, the walls are all glass. Everyone will see me with my shirt off.  All of them.

Ah. Now I get it.   You see, my son, my beautiful, wonderful, kind, giving, loving, fun, sweet boy is  chubby. “Overweight” bordering on obese but not there  by that ridiculous BMI table that tells people how they should feel about themselves based on some numbers that do NOT always tell the truth. He’s also 5’1 at age 11, always the tallest in every class.  But since being chubby is the last thing it’s ok to tease people about, he is teased.  Since it’s his weakest link, the kids jump on it and use it to hurt him, over and over.  To the point where he is beginning  to get real body image issues about it.

It’s not only girls who have body image issues.

Or eating disorders.

When my then 10 year old wanted to start weighing all his food,  I was a little concerned, but thought he was mimicking me.  When he became obsessed with the calorie counts of certain items, I  was worried.   When he didn’t want to eat lunch to lose weight, I took him to the doctor.   Our wonderfully intuitive pediatrician had a chat with him and explained to him that yes, he weighed more than most 4th graders, but he was also MUCH taller than all of them.  Dr. A  told him that  while it was smart to be sure to make healthy eating choices,  that his job right now was to eat well, run around more, and  just to concentrate on being a boy and his body will catch up.  I don’t always agree with the wait and see attitude, but in this case it was perfect.  I could see that my boy  wasn’t sure  to really believe him, but he tried.   He stopped weighing food, ate lunch, grabs healthy snacks, runs around more and even drags me into exercising when I am happy sitting at my desk.

But he still won’t take his shirt off. Anywhere. Not at the water-park we just visited, not outside on a hot day and certainly not in a nurses office in a room full of 5th graders.  I won’t make him.  I sent a note to the teacher excusing him from the screening (He was just screen at his physical at our doctors office). It’s also excusing him from opening himself up to more teasing.

It’s still ok to to tease people who are chubby. It’s not ok to call someone a racist name, or  tease them if they are gay, but if they weigh more than others it’s fair game to scorch their soul with meanness.  Even CEO’s of stores explain how people who are size 10’s are undesirable. THIS is the message we are allowing to get out.  I don’t have the answers. Some would say the answer is to lose weight.   I KNOW that. We are trying to trying to get healthy, to change the way our family had been living, to learn and teach healthy habits. However, being healthy doesn’t always equate being thin.  It DOES mean being the best body shape for your body. As much as I teach my kids that, I also teach them it’s as important to be kind, to be inclusive, to treat others as they would want to be treated.

I just want my children to be treated as the wonderful souls  they are, not by the bodies they inhabit.

The post 5th Grade Fat. appeared first on The Weight is Over!.

Guess where I was last week?

I headed to the Mercedes Club in New York City to attend the Fitness Magazines Meet and Tweet. But first,a big group of fitness bloggers met up for coffee!

Fitness Magazine had arranged for us to grab some breakfast ( LOVE hard boiled eggs and a smoothie) Then, they brought out the speakers they had all lined up!

Sarah Lucero was first! This super inspiring style maven has such an inspiring story- she’s a cancer survivor, too- and she spoke about how  it give a real appreciation of life, and how it helps to not sweat the smaller stuff.Then she gave some great tips on looking good and on trend this summer:

• Power Pouts and bold lip colors are in
• Match your makeup weight to your clothes: light clothing = light makeup
• Beauty must haves: moisturizer,  mist, and mascara
• Over 30?  Pay attention to those brows!

I have to admit that I love Dr. Jennifer Ashton and when I saw her name on the list, I was excited. I already one her book, “Your Body, Beautiful” and it’s full of advice that is typical to her: The key to living healthy  is: Move. Rest. Nourish . Doesn’t that say it all?

She spoke about a lot of things, but something she said really stuck out in my mind:

Life is an Olympic Sport. You have to train for it.

How true is that?

Then came the Power Bloggers to talk about the Business of blogging. Deb Perelman @SmittenKitchen, Dana Weiss @possessionista, Jill Hanner @JillHanner, and Erin Whitehead @FitBottomedGirl  all spoke bout ways they began blogging professionally for a living and one thing they said that was very important:

• Don’t blog for money, but while blogging you CAN make money!
• Be true to yourself and your story.
• Don’t be like everyone else. Be YOURSELF and stand out!
• Numbers are not as important as people say.
• Negative comments will happen. Don’t give it weight- don’t feed the troll!

Then came  Brett Hoebel,  featured trainer in season 11 of The Biggest Loser  and founder of Hoebel Fitness. He was talking about Extreme Sports and how  people who participate in them tend to brag talk about it via social media, leading to other people thinking; If THEY can do it, I can do it: people are getting hurt!  Many people say they do not have time to work out,  but the truth is, you can get a good workout done in 20 minutes.  The key is to work hard and “get breathless”.  Give 100% of yourself for 20 minutes and you will see results!  Anyone can find 20 minutes, no?

Lastly,  was the awesome amazing and super cute Rocco DiSpirito from Food Network, Top Chef, and his new book Now Eat This! Italian.  He shared some wonderful tips for eating and cooking healthy.

Some of my favorite tips:

When eating out, have half packed up to go right way. Chefs plate food nowadays to look great- and there is usually way too much food.  Bring it home for another meal!  Also, avoid that bread basket! Things to keep in your kitchen:

• Nonfat Greek Yogurt
• Parmigianino cheese (grate with a micro plane!)
• Dijon Mustard
• Vinegars
• Cottage cheese
• Stock in a box
• Herbs and spices

Rocco made a point to say if you eat out, tell the chef if you are eating a special diet. Ask for foods cooked the way you want them- and if you need to have a special meal, ask for it. I loved every second of listening to him, he was like a neighbor chatting with you about something he was excited about!

After the speakers we broke for lunch and  some social time, We got to check out the great sponsors:

Athleta,  CamelBak ,  Crystal Light Liquid, The Ford Fiesta Movement, Marmot, Reebok, Saucony, Smart Balance, Tonalin and Vichy.

Yes,  I took a Balanced Blogger pic, too, at the Smart Balance booth.  I LOVE Peanut butter, but I kinda look like I’m scared to death of that bosu ball!

I just LOVE a rooftop full of bloggers!

Sarah and I have been online buddies for a few years now- and we both are part of a Connecticut Bloggers group together.  It’s always so nice to see her!

I loved meeting @Christie Griffin, the Digital Director for Fitness Magazine. She’s just as sparkly and bubbly in person as she is online!

LOVE Toni Church!

A group of new friends!  I had written before about how I was nervous about  going to the meet up, but it was silly to even waste time on that.  I was surrounded by a whole bunch of super friendly people who  were accepting and supportive. This event ROCKED!

After time to chat and eat and visit sponsors, it was time for out workouts. This was the thing I was most worried about.  I haven’t been working-out lately, I KNOW I’m out of shape and  I was scared.  Me, being me, decided to go for the yoga since it was out of my comfort zone.

IT. WAS. AMAZING.

Yoga was hosted by Reebok and taught by Tara Stiles. I loved listening to her giggle and talk us through the class in the crazy heat.   In fact, it was SO fantastic that I’ll have to tell you all about in another post. Watch out for that.

I love this girl.

If the event wasn’t fantastic enough, on our way back to Grand Central Station I stopped and had a drink with some new friends! It was like the fun was never ending!

It wasn’t!  Once I got home, I had a chance to go through the FULL swag bag! Look at all this fantastic stuff!  In fact, there are really 2 pair of sneakers in there, but one’s not pictured!

I had a great time at FitBlogNYC – and am so thankful to Fitness Magazine and all the sponsors that made it happen!  It certainly inspired me to get back on track and moving again,. No more waiting— the Time is Now!

The post Fitness Fabulousness at FitBlogNYC appeared first on The Weight is Over!.

I read a post this morning about  by of my favorite fitness bloggers, Miz Fit’s Carla Binberg.  It’s such a fabulous post that I will wait here while you take a minute and read it. Go ahead- I’ll be right here waiting for you. If We had a Cup of Coffee.

I’m going to take a minute to tell you what I’d tell you over a cup of coffee this morning:

I am thrilled to pieces and scared to death of attending FitBlogNYC this week.   I know I said I GOT THIS and all that, but I’m struggling with getting back on track. I’ve received a lot of support so I’m going to enjoy the HECK out of the meet up and it will probably just kick my butt into where it needs to be. I’m really hoping to meet some new friends there.

Now that I have a diagnoses of Irritable Bowel Disease and Functional Abdominal Pain for my daughter,  I am both relieved that it’s nothing terrible and disappointed that it’s not something that can be easily fixed.  Both require all kinds of changes and things that are not easy to do with a headstrong teen.  I fear for us all when I remove dairy and gluten from our diets to see how it helps . I’m thankful that the medications that she’s been taking seem to be helping. Most of all, I am so happy that she is relieved and is no longer afraid she was dying of some weird thing and no one was telling her. I am also happy for her that she feels she’s being taken seriously.

I had the most amazing conversation with my boy about Heaven and what it was like. Like, while you are there since it’s FOREVER you can do whatever it is you want to do for as long as you want.  There is no limit to the wonderful time you will have there.  We discussed if while in Heaven you would miss the people who are still alive down on Earth and we decided that you wouldn’t, but when they DID  come on up that you’d be all  “hey!  THERE you are!  Come play!” and that would be that.   We talked about which house you would live in when you got there (whichever one meant “home” to you) and what kind of food would be there. (whatever you wanted) Mostly we talked about how it would be a place of love and peace. Then he and I napped on the porch swing and my heart grew.

I cannot wait until school is out, and yet I am scared of it being over. I’m second guessing not signing the kids up for camp because I plan to be away with them a lot, but wonder about the inevitable rainy days when everyone is bored and  sick of each other. I’m worried about how I’m going to keep it all together.

I like this “cup of coffee” idea that I’m going to do it every week!  Just  a brief synopsis of what I’ve been up to- things that aren’t always  enough  or I can’t find the words for a full post, but things I’d like to share.   What would you like to tell me if we were lucky enough to grab a cup together? Tell me in the comments!

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I was so excited that Weight Watchers has given me the opportunity to try their 360 program for three months free. I’ve been trying to follow  Weight Watchers 100% for the past month, but I haven’t been doing so well.   My child has been sick and in and out of the hospital, and it’s  thrown some real curve balls at me.    I weighed in today:

I gained 2 pounds.   This is was E-tools had to say to me:

So, you gained a little bit this week.
Gaining is a normal part of the process and can happen for a lot of reasons.

Look back at this week and see what you might be able to change; then let go of what you can’t. The best thing to do is focus on is making this coming week a success. And feel free to ask your Leader for advice if you need it..

Good luck in the coming week.

I love that it’s so positive and telling me that it’s ok.  I love how it tells me to look back on what I’ve been doing an to make what changes I can.  Like: not journaling at all, emotional eating and eating late at night and  drinking more alcohol than I should (in my case, more than one glass a night). I think that I was so wrapped up in taking care of my daughter and her illness that putting myself on the back burner was the way I failed.   However, I LOVE LOVE LOVE what E-tools said- let me repeat:

Look back at this week and see what you might be able to change; then let go of what you can’t

What great advice.  Figure out what’s wrong, forgive yourself, and just keep trucking!

I think that what may work better for me is meetings.  E-tools is ful lof wonderful things, but actually  going to a meeting, having community and accountability may be what I need.  I’ve searched on my E-tools site, and while the meetings here in my town are not at the best times for me, there  is on eon weekends at the nearby town.    I know that Weight Watchers works, and works well.  I just need to be sure I’m using the best format for me!

Disclaimer: I was offered a three-month trial to participate in Weight Watchers. I was given the choice to join online or in person. I chose E-TOOLS, however the Weight Watchers Meetings  were not included in this trial, so I will be purchasing  the meeting plan my own money. I have participated in Weight Watchers before and would only recommend brands and products I personally believe in.

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I’ve received an invitation to Fitness Magazines FITBLOGNYC Meet and Tweet meet up next month.  I was SO excited to be invited and included and I shot back my RSVP right away and I was all happy and then I had a thought:

OMG what have I done?  I’m still fat!

In fact, I’m back to the same size I was last year when I attended the Fitness Meet and Tweet. Last year I was part of a weight loss group and in the middle of hazing for a boot camp. I was there with my weight loss support “tribe” and I was full of excitement and drive!  However, this year I’m no longer part of that group  and the past year has been full of stress and a lots of stuff that have kept me from giving my all- including my daughters illness.   I’ve lost and gained a size or two and 20 pounds since there.

How can I call myself a fitness blogger?   How can I go to an event full of super fit people?  Who do I think I am to go and hang out  with others who work out all the time when I can barely find the  time to go for a walk with all that is going on in my life?  Do I deserve to attend after eating all the crap comfort food I  chowed down this week?

YES!  Fitness is not just about getting rid of FAT, but about GETTING HEALTHIER.  Its’ not all about  perfect bodies –it’s also the struggle in getting there. It’s not eating healthy 100% of the time – it’s  the changing of bad habits to  better ones. It’s not being perfect every day- it’s accepting that its ok to mess up sometimes.  Becoming fit means changing your lifestyle- and life happens. 

I am not a 20 something year old who is kicking ass, but I AM a 42 year old who is kicking as much ass as I can while taking care of my family and life. My story is not is not about being perfect, it’s about being real. My story is one shared all over by women who take care of others before taking care of themselves. My blog is about sharing my story.

My story is not a story of failure, but of health evolving.

• I’m STILL down 35 pounds.
• I’m STILL down to a size 20 (ish)  from a size 28.
• I’m STILL eating clean.
• We STILL gave up soda.
• We STILL try to be active together rather than sit and watch TV.  (heck, we canceled cable!)

I’ve made many changes in my life for the better.  One of the biggest changes is accepting that I hit a roadblock, but NOT accepting it as defeat, but as a bump in the road.  I think that is the story of MANY women who are trying to be healthier and lose weight.  The moral of the story?

So I am pretty damn excited to be heading to Fitness Magazines Meet and Tweet.  I will probably be the biggest person there. That used to be enough to stop me from going.  Not anymore!  I am a healthier person than I was before,  and I’m inspired to meet all kinds of new fitness friends who support me.  Watch out for my tweets about #fitblogNYC!

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