Another Weigh In Wednesday

Oh My Gosh! I feel like a broken record this past month! Gain, gain, gain, gain. Not that I am surprised at all this week, like I said I ate and drank and ate some more all last week. So it did not come as a shock that I am up 5 pounds this week. Ick, 5 whole pounds, it kinda makes me ill. But I guess that just leaves me more motivated. The aunties kept saying all last week that you gain 10 pounds on vacation so I guess I am pleased it was only 5.
I am sad that the challenge is almost over. I am not even close to where I wanted to be when it ended and although I have 1 more week, I know that there is no way to redeem myself now. At best I might end up where I started, so that is my goal for this last week. I am not going to stop working hard even when the challenge ends, so when the next one starts I will be already on the right path.
Gary and I both want to make some changes and see some results. He is ready to work with me on losing weight so that will be nice. He is always been super supportive, but now he wants to come along for the journey so that will be better for both of us. He has high blood pressure and a big belly and I have a wide lower body so we definitely both could use some toning and weight loss to be in better shape. I am still excited and motivated to lose weight, the set backs have not pushed me off track of my goals at all, they have just showed me what doesn't work. And vacation eating doesn't work. Journaling and consistent exercise works, and knowing that helps to make the process a little easier. I am very grateful to have the sisterhood to turn to for support and encouragement, it makes every step a little easier knowing that you really aren't doing it alone. So how did you all do? Check in and let us know. And good luck next week, lets finish on a high note and make the best out of the last week!

I'm Baaaack

Well I am home again. It was a wonderful week off. I had a great time with my family and I couldn't have asked for better weather. It was relaxing. We fished, we ate well, we drank a lot, we stayed up late and slept in. It was everything I was hoping it would be and more. It was a little piece of heaven.
We were in the Upper Peninsula on a tiny little island just off of Drummond Island. It was just the 8 of us. Gary and I, Uncle Bill (UB), Aunt Mary, Aunt Lenora, Cousin Tom, Jerry and Al. Jerry is UB's brother and Al was a good friend of UB and Jerry. It was our first trip with those two and they only added to the wonderful atmosphere. We take this trip every year over the week of the 4th. It works out so well, everyone is responsible for 1 dinner and 1 breakfast. Needless to say we ate like kings. We had a full turkey dinner with all the fixings thanks to Aunt Lenora. We ate Elk meat stew from Jerry, Buffalo Burgers from Al, fresh fried fish from Cousin Tom, Chicken wings and homemade beer battered onion rings from Gary and I. Aunt Mary fed us twice, Philly Steak and Cheese the first night and beef stroganoff the last night. It was wonderful, bacon and eggs, pancakes, apple pie, chex mix, raisin bran muffins. So yeah, I am sure that tomorrow will show a gain, but I don't even care. For one solid week I enjoyed everything that life had to offer.
I swam in the Lake, I sat in the sun, I drank beer. I let UB fix me Whiskey and Ginger Ale drinks and Martini's. I never put on any make up. I slept til 8 every morning. I drank coffee on the deck overlooking the glorious lake. I loved every second of it. I was outside all week long, I only stayed inside long enough to take a shower or wash dishes. I knew going into this year that it would be our last year at this particular cabin, and it was. We decided at the end of the week to try a different resort next year.
There were lots of reasons for the change but mostly for the ladies. There is a lot more we can do at the new place. Ride bikes, take walks, ride the 4 wheeler, none of that was really possible at the old location. With all the extra's we can do now I am even more excited for next year. When I have more time I will post some pictures of the absolute best week I have had in a very long time.

Vacation

Ahhhh, a few more hours and I will officially be on vacation. We are not leaving until tomorrow morning and I still have a ton to do to get ready, but I can already feel my muscles starting to relax and the tension leaving my body. My desk is cleared off, my work is done and I have given instructions to my counterpart to cover me for the week. Life is good.
I still have to stop at the grocery store on my way home and pick up the last minute groceries and then I am home to finish the last of the laundry. Throw a few more things in the bags and load them in the truck. The boat is hooked up, the truck is washed and I am more than ready for a week of no phones, no computers and no stress.

We are spending a week on a private island in the upper peninsula of Michigan. Just Gary and me and some family. It is pure heaven. Sitting on the porch looking over Lake Superior while drinking a hot cup of morning coffee. Perfect. Fishing and reading and talking and drinking, I cannot think of a better way to spend the holiday. It is even starting out better than I could have hoped. That 2 pounds I gained this week, was not there when I jumped on the scale this morning. That is setting me off on a great start for vacation.I hope you all have a great July 4th holiday as well. Are you doing anything fun? I will be thinking of you as I sit on the boat and watch the fireworks from the water!
This is our view from the back deck of the cabin. The boys are coming in
from a morning of fishing, Uncle Bill driving the Dirty Myrtie.

And this is Uncle Bill driving the pontoon boat and getting
pulled over by the coast guard.
I can't wait to see what this year will bring.