It's a New Day

I joined Weight Watchers right after Thanksgiving when they started the new plan (You know the one Jennifer Hudson is always singing about on those commercials). I haven't shared this with many people for several reasons. 1. I guess I am a bit ashamed that I need to lose weight 2. I am worried I won't be successful 3. I'm somewhat of a private person and 4. This is about me. But I figured what the heck, this is who I am and what I'm dealing with so I might as well share. Maybe someone else will be encouraged by my decision. It's going pretty well so far, there have been a few bumps in the road, but this is a lifestyle change, not a diet, so that is to be expected. I have a WW blog because well, there truly are somethings that only others on the Plan can relate to. The other day I posted what I consider to be a rather amusing post and I wanted to share will all my dedicated readers (all 3 or 4 of you!). So sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Dear Mr. Scale,
We need to have a chat. That number you've been holding on to for the past few weeks, yeah it's time to let it go. Remember how in the beginning of this journey, everytime I stepped on, you displayed a lower number. Yeah, let's go back to that. I've been working really hard this week and I think you owe to me to drop those digits just a little bit. It wouldn't hurt you, I promise. I keep fighting the urge to pick you up and throw you against the wall, because I know that you are not the only thing that determines my success. But still, it would be great if you'd support me in my quest to make these lifestyle changes. So I'm counting on you Monday morning to come through. I've done my part and I think it's only fair that you do yours. Glad we had this little chat. Let's hope we don't have to have it again.

Chicago

Last week at this time I was sitting in day 2 of a 5 day board review course in Chicago. I was probably fighting sleep and hoping my brain was subconsciously absorbing some of the information that was coming at it at lightening speed. Literally. I swear a couple of the speakers could get part time jobs as auctioneers.
It was a small miracle that I actually made it to Chicago in the first place. Originally I was set to fly out of Nashvegas with my 2 friends that were going to be enduring the week with me, but decided to change it to Tricites due to the snow that was being predicted (change #1). Tuesday morning, I got up and was finishing up packing when I got a text that my 230p flight had been canceled and that I should call and rebook. I called the handy dandy number from my message, and was told the 100p flight was supposed to be a go if I could make it there. So I booked this flight (change #2). I then called my dad and let him know of the plan change and we headed out to the airport. I checked in, went through security, and then 30 minutes before departure, they announced this flight is canceled too. Naturally all the passengers headed upstairs to try and rebook. While standing in line, I decided to pull out my iTouch and see if there were any flights that might get me to Chicago that day. I located a direct flight to Chicago that was supposed to depart from Tricities at 430p. I put a hold on a ticket hoping that I could just get a refund from my canceled flight and book this one. I finally get up to the counter and the lady tells me the flight I want might be full. Thankfully the one thing our little airport has is free WiFi and I had already booked the ticket, because sure enough my name was on the passenger list and I got the last seat on the plane (change #3). The very nice lady, even transferred my flight info over and I didn't have to pay anything extra. While this may seem like the end of my adventure, it really is just the beginning.

My 430p flight, yeah, it didn't leave until 730p. And then when we landed in Chicago we sat on the runway for 2 hours because all the gates were full and there was no where to deplane. Fortunately I sat next a really nice guy and we now know each others entire life story (including pets, parents, siblings, jobs, and shoe size) after spending close to 5 hours sitting next to each other. Let's just say I was so glad to finally get off the plane, meet my friends (whose flights from Nashville had also been delayed), call a taxi and get to the hotel. 
For the next 5 days, I sat in lecture from 7a to 6p and then took a 2 hour practice test. Needless to say my brain was on major information overload, but according to my scores, I should pass my boards without any problems.

The plastic covers the seat

Instructions for plastic changing!

What I saw of Chicago included the airport, my hotel, the inside of a couple of sketchy cabs, the mall near by, and the hotel shuttle. I did manage to come across something I had never seen before and I had to share it. I'm not really sure what to make of it. These are the toilets at O'Hare. The plastic changes when you wave your hand over the top sensor. Very strange. Hopefully it's new plastic coming out and not the same circle just going round and round!!!! Chicago my first impression was not too great. I hope to come back soon and change my opinion and see more of what you have to offer. But for now just allow me to say GO PACKERS!!!!!!

New Year

So the holidays are over and a new year has started. Christmas this year was good, but hard. It was so good to have all of my family in one place and to build on our traditions. I still feel like I am scrambling to catch up from the holidays. I feel like I need a week just to sleep and clean. The Christmas tree is still standing, although most of the ornaments are off. The dinning room table is covered with my post Christmas clearance purchases. I shamefully admit there are still dirty cookie sheets and pans in the sink from all the cookies, fudge, truffles, and chex mix I made. I don't really have any resolutions for this year. I have a few goals, but I'm pretty sure my year is going to be busy enough without trying to add in a bunch of changes. I had already made some lifestyle changes at the end of 2010 and will continue to stick to those in the coming year. I plan to run another 5K in April at the CFF Great Strides walk and want to better my time from Thanksgiving. Travel is of course on the agenda. There are already 3 weddings on my calender for this spring, one of which I am in. I hope to make my annual GYN surgery trip to Mexico, spend a week loving on babies in AZ at Young Lives camp, hang out as camp "doc" at DRG for a week, and maybe make it out of the country on another trip or cruise. As much as I want to go to Australia and New Zealand, I just don't think it's going to fit in this year so I'm penciling it in for 2012. Maybe I'll have someone in my life to go with by then. I feel like this year is going to fly by and I am going to just try and hold on tight and enjoy the ride. Stay tuned!