Where did June go?

One more day and June is over.  This year has flown by.  And my birthday is on Monday.  How do I feel about that?  Not sure, but parts of me (my knees in particular) really seem to know that I'm getting older.

I got my new stove today.  When we got home from Disney, the oven wouldn't turn on.  And after investigating, we found out that we had bought the stove in 1991.  So, instead of ordering a part that may or may not work, we ordered a new one.  It matches the microwave, which died last summer, and the refrigerator, which we replaced last December.  The fridge we replaced was purchased when we bought the house, in 1987, and it was making weird noises, so instead of waiting until we HAD to replace it, we bought a new one.  So, those appliances are a very modern stainless steel finish.  Unlike the lovely harvest gold that was here when we moved in.

It's hotter than heck today.  I'm sitting inside with the AC on.  #2 daughter went to the mall with her friends and she is exchanging a skirt I bought for a smaller size!  Weight loss is moving slowly, but more or less steady towards my next goal.  Which is "onederland".  For those of us with massive amounts of weight to lose, that is <200 lb.  Hubby hit that a few weeks ago, and I've got a little more than 10 lb to go.  I know this is a lifestyle change, and I have to take it slow to try to change all those bad habits, but it gets frustrating.

So, as I start the next year of my life, I am happy.  Yes, parts of me hurt more than they used to, but I have a loving family, and I really do enjoy the life that I have made.

Knees and hot weather

So, I've been doing some stretches and simple exercises to try to improve the flexibility and strength of my knees and surrounding muscles.  This morning, I got up and could hardly walk, they hurt so bad.  My prescription NSAID barely took the edge off.  I took some ibuprofen after lunch, and still nothing.  I decided to do the stretching exercises (I had been doing them in the evening), because I was just in so much pain.  Guess what?  Just simple stretching made my stupid knees feel better and now I can walk a lot easier.  WTF?  Who would have thought that  a couple stretches would help so much more than either presciption or over the counter NSAIDs?

So, from now on, I'm doing the stretches first thing in the morning!

School's out for Summer

This very long and very exhausting school year is finally over.  Yesterday and today, the temps are in the upper 90's, so it was a good thing that "only" regents (final exams) were being given at the high school.  Administration tried to make sure that all testing was done in the few air conditioned rooms, but it was still stifling walking out into the halls.  Another year bites the dust.

And so, we've had 2 weigh ins since Disney.  I'm down 2.2 lbs over those two weeks.  Slowly creeping towards my next goal of being under 200#.  WW issued an activity challenge this summer -- to try to get all the "recommended" activity points for 6 weeks.  Last week, we earned all 14.  This week, I'm up to 12, not sure what hubby has earned.  But my knees don't like this extremely hot and muggy weather, so we'll see what we do for the next two days.  Since walking outside wouldn't be recommended today, we're either going to have to mall walk or go to the gym.  That remains to be seen.  I also don't want to cook (although, I am getting a new range, but not until next week).  So, hopefully, I will get inspired to start cooking, at least dinners, again.

My birthday is in 11 days.  I had wanted to lose another 5 pounds after coming home from Disney.  That may or may not happen, but now, my next mini-goal is to lose 10 additional pounds by Labor Day.  Since, I was down last week, I'm 8.8 lb away from that goal.  This goal is not the same as the under 200, that's not on a time schedule.  The 10 pounds by Labor Day was a goal set in the meeting room, to motivate me through the summer "hazards".  And you know what?  It's so much easier to navigate the minefield of eating out and the summer "foods" with hubby along for the ride.  BTW he is looking very svelte and sexy!

Today, I have to brave the heat and take #2 daughter to the community college and get her books for the summer classes she's taking and another ID, since she lost it at her normal school.  After she eats breakfast, we'll be on our way, before it gets too hot.

Happy Summer!

Home from Disney

Well, we are back from DisneyWorld.  And we weighed in tonight.  Hubby actually lost 3.4 lb over the last 2 weeks.  I was up 0.2, so I'm calling it even.  We walked a LOT.  Although 6 days at WDW is more than enough for me.  Next time, 4 maybe 5 days, but I was more than ready to come home.  We walked a lot (oh, right, I said that already), which helped with the few "extras" we indulged in.  Do I regret eating anything, no, not really.  I didn't overdo it, except for one night.  We had dinner at Cat Cora's restaurant, Kouzzina, which is on Disney's Boardwalk.  Yummy.  And due to a "little" water issue in our room, we got comped for the meal.

I'll try to post more later, right now, I'm a tad tired and just want to veg out