Happy Birthday, Donna

Last year at this time we were in Hawaii with the girls, our son-in-law and soon to be son-in-law. It was a fabulous vacation. One of the best ones we have ever taken. Really, and truly.
As is the case with many of us, when I saw the pictures that we took I was less than pleased with my appearance. I have always been a bit critical of me but it just seemed to me that the more years that creeped up on me, the worse I liked the way I looked. Knowing that within the year I would need to fit into an MOB dress, I decided early in the year to DO something. One "last" ditch effort to get a handle on my health.
I found a trainer.
Let me be completely clear. I have HAD trainers before. Several.
So, when I got Donna's name I called and made an appointment. But, I went with reservations. A lot of them.
You see, I have not been too successful in the past few years. As I have aged, it has become harder and harder to shed unwanted pounds.
Really, it's down right, near impossible!!
My goal was small.
Just 5-7 pounds I told her.
Ah, you will lose a lot more than that, she assured me.
I was not a believer.
But, I trusted her.
She quickly gained my confidence with her no nonsense attitude and her "can do" spirit.
She taught me to work hard, to believe in my abilities, to challenge my self, to dig deeper and to push through.
I'm not going to lie to you, it has not been easy.
But it has been so worth it!
So, today on her birthday I say to her...
Thank you, Donna!
For believing in me,
for pushing me,
not taking my excuses,
loving me just the way I am,
working hard along side of me,
praying for me...
yes, especially for praying for me!
You are a true gift from God and I look forward to what God is going to do with us and through us this new year.
Happy, happy birthday friend!
I celebrate you.

I' m still here and still in it for the long haul!

There seems to be something inherently wrong with posting on this site right after posting on my other site about all the baking I have done. Yeah, well, here goes...
I am still here and I am still in the race for the long haul.
My wonderful BD is still working with me and helping me to stay on track.
I seem to have ups and downs...no different than anyone else.
I struggle a lot with this season of my life and the changes that are going on in my body. Some day's I just don't feel well. I am not going to bore you with all the gory details so just let it suffice that I ache, I have a fire that rages inside of me causing waves of heat to radiate through my body at any moment of the day, I wake up at odd hours for no good reason and can't go back to sleep.
The exercise certainly helps. I know it has to help!
And staying close to a diet full of fresh foods and low in processed foods also makes a huge difference.
My goal right now is to stay the course through the holidays. I am not going to do any mayor denying myself of those yummy treats that I so love to indulge in but I am going to moderate my portions and how many days of week I treat myself to something festive to my taste buds.
I am so thankful for my Bull Dog! She is just the most amazing trainer ever.
Yesterday as I was finishing my stretching exercises and ready to begin my workout, she instructed me to do a particular stretched. When I asked her about it she said I needed it because of the pain in my lower back.
How did she know that?
I had not shared that with her.
She informed me that she could tell by the way I was moving.
Yes, she is amazing.
She knows me.
I love her!