Fat Ticker Halloween Friday

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Weighed in this morning at 139.2lbs. That puts me down a few ounces from last Friday!! I'll take any loss at this time. Hopefully I'm well on my way to breaking through this plateau!!!

November 1st tomorrow!! Time to revisit and create some new goals!!!

Slow & Steady - Weight Watchers Weigh In

Say that 3x's fast!! WEIGHT WATCHERS WEIGH IN!!! lol....

Well went to week #6 weigh in last night and am down 1.6lbs!!! Not so bad - Wish it could have been better, but I'll take it. I tend to fluctuate up & down each week - which the WW Leader said is okay. Some people do that on the program.

Two important things to me are that I'm sticking with it & that it's working for my sister. I joined to motivate her to loose weight & she is down 11.7lbs!! I try not to start the sibling rivalry right there in the meetings though! lol... I'm only down 4.4lbs & we joined at the same time!!! And she eats more than I do!!! LOL!!!

It's okay. I love my sister to death & if this is really working for her, then I am totally happy!! Hopefully come Jan 2009, I can drag her into the gym!!! Wish me luck!!!

So here was my reminder this morning that slow and steady does win the race!!!

Happy Tuesday!!!
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Lurch, leap or pace??

”It doesn’t matter how slowly you go-so long as you do not stop.”-Confucius

Good morning! In a world in which time has become the master of many, Confucius’ quote offers an important and simple reminder to us. As we reach and stretch and make positive changes in our lives, we need to report to our own internal time clock. Too often, we compare our progress to others. Or we become a negative coach to ourselves, reprimanding ourselves for not doing more or accomplishing something sooner. This type of thinking usually leads to backward movement.

Remember, we are always moving. If we aren’t moving forward, then we are moving backward. But let us not make the mistake of thinking we have to leap forward every day. It is more important to be consistent in our steps, no matter how small, then to leap forward and stop. I have never seen someone “lurch” toward success successfully.

Your Turn: Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare? Focus on consistent, measurable steps versus a sprint. Besides, we would all look funny if we were lurching toward success!

Today’s Affirmation: I consistently take measurable action to accomplish my goals.

Brook Noel's Good Morning Message. For more click here.

Life List Revisted!!

Checking out my life list - I'm actually able to check a couple things off & get started on some others!!! Yeah Me!!!
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My 105 goals in 1005 days - April 24, 2011. Wow... can that be right??

TAMEKA'S LIFE LIST
"To be nobody but yourself--in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else-- means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting." ee cummings

1 Attend a baseball game
2 Attend a Retreat at Omega Institute
3 Attend Bible Study regularly
4 Attend Church on a regular basis
5 Attend Sunday School regularly
6 Be a positive example for Nicolas
7 Be Comfortable in my own skin
8 Be sexy, fit and in perfect health at 50, 60, 70++
9 Be totally and completely in love with my husband
10 Become Self - Employed
11 Bowl a Perfect Game
12 Build a library of my own
13 Buy a house in the south on a lake
14 Buy a new wardrobe in my CORRECT size
15 Buy a Saturn Vue - IN CASH
16 Complete a 10K (run, bike, swim)
17 Create a Back Yard Retreat
18 Dance before the Lord (Mt Aery Spiritual Dancers)
19 Discover God's Will for my life
20 Do 100 regular push-ups nonstop (begin 100 push up challenge November 1st)
21 Do 5 one arm push-ups (G.I Jane style) nonstop
22 Do 50 chin-ups
23 Either loose the Baby Pooch or come to terms with it
24 Finish Nicolas' Baby Book
25 Get a full makeover (hair, clothes etc)
26 Get another tattoo - preferable a Butterfly
27 Get Body Fat % down to healthy level
28 Get out of & Stay out of debt
29 Get out of Corporate America
30 Give back to my Alma Mater
31 Give Up Pretending for good!!
32 Go away to B&B on the beach, by MYSELF (3 nights minimum)
33 Go Camping
34 Go Dancing
35 Go Hiking
36 Go horse back riding
37 Go on a Romantic Picnic
38 Go on an All Christian Women's Retreat (Joyce Meyers, TD Jakes)
39 Go on Vacation By Myself
40 Go Skiing
41 Go to a Broadway Play or Musical
42 Go to Proverb's 31, She Speaks Conference
43 Graduate with Master's degree with Honors
44 Grow out my relaxer & wear hair naturally
45 Have a career that I'm passionate about
46 Have a successful, loving and Christ-Centered marriage - (1 year down)!!
47 Have an 80's theme party
48 Have an At Home Gym complete with Treadmill, Elliptical & TV/DVD for videos (purchased the treadmill)
49 Join a Woman's Bible Study Group
50 Learn Capoeira
51 Learn how to Step - Chicago Style
52 Learn to ENJOY my son now
53 Learn to Forgive and Move on
54 Learn to swim
55 Live Authentically
56 Live in a Neighborhood like the one I grew up in
57 Maintain a healthy weight (preferable goal weight of 130)
58 Memorize Bible Verses important to me
59 Mentor young girls
60 Obtain my Teaching Certificate
61 Own a Bookstore
62 Own my OWN home
63 Participate in an American Diabetes Assoc. Event - will take place Oct 19, 2008 - Done!!
64 Participate in at least ONE Written Word
65 Pet a dolphin
66 Raise Nicolas to become a true man of God
67 Read a minimum of 10 books on the New York Times Best Seller List
68 Read ALL of my books in full
69 Read all of the literature classics
70 Read the Entire Bible in 1 Year
71 Reinvent Myself at least once a year
72 Ride in a Hot Air Balloon
73 Run a 5K in under 30 minutes
74 Run a mile in 10 minutes or less - personal best: 15min 00 sec
75 Save enough money to retire comfortably
76 See Nicolas graduate from College!!
77 Show Nicolas the world
78 Start & Keep a running Blog Page of my journey - started 7/1/08 (done)
79 Stay at a 5 Star Resort
80 Stick around to watch my grandchildren grow up
81 Study & Learn all the Women of the Bible
82 Take a Belly Dance class - have free pass, need to take the class!!
83 Take a Bikram Yoga Class
84 Take a class at Physique 57 in New York
85 Take a karate class
86 Take a Photography Class
87 Take a Pole Dance class
88 Take a positive stand for something I believe in
89 Take a summer vacation - EVERY summer - 2 week minimum!!
90 Take a Tap or Jazz Class
91 Take a walk on a moonlit night, hand in hand, with someone I love
92 Take Morning Prayer Walks
93 Take Mother/Son Get-away
94 Take my Mom & Sister on a Mother/Daughter Cruise
95 Take Nicolas to visit FAMU
96 Take piano lessons (again)
97 Teach a College Course
98 Travel - (Cross country; Italy; Africa; Australia; Islands (any of them)
99 Treat myself to an ALL DAY Spa Retreat
100 Turn a Cart Wheel
101 Visit a nice Jazz Club
102 Visit the top of the Empire State Building
103 Write a Hallmark Card
104 Write and Publish a Children's Book
105 Write and Publish a Novel

Fat Ticker Friday!!!

It's that time again!! I always seem to do so well by Friday & then come Monday night weigh in at Weight Watchers, I'm back up!!! Grrr.... I have to get my weekend eating under control!! You would think I'd be perfect knowing that I'd have to weigh in on Mondays! BUT NOOOO... I'm out and about & eating on the run almost the entire weekend!!

So my goal this weekend is to stay within range!! And to try my best not to go over my additional 35 flex points. I'm already about 15 or so in already!!! lol...

My ultimate goal is to be to my final goal weight by Thanksgiving & maintain throughout the holidays!! I'm about 9.8lbs out!! But I know it can be done!!!

So for today I'm still hanging tough and teetering between 140 and 139! Needless to say, I'm sick of the teetering & am determined to break free of this mini plateau!!

Hope everyone else over at Hot for the Holidays did better than me!!! Who is the Biggest Loser this week???

This week's question from Christie O:

It's Show and Tell Friday here for HFH this week! What do you have to share? A recipe? A tip? A favorite DVD workout you wanna tell everyone about? Do share and link it up!

My show and tell for the week...
1. Plan out my weekly goals - food and exercise.
2. Check in daily to www.sparkpeople.com (love... love... love that website!!)
3. Right now doing 30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels - extreme 20 minute workout!!! It hurts so good!!!
4. Music is my lifesaver on the treadmill & elliptical!!
5. I recently started making crock pot oatmeal - it makes enough for the entire week. No full recipe - I always google it & try whatever comes up!!!

Happy Friday!!!

I'm Rethinking My Approach!!

As Halloween sneaks up on me and the holidays right behind- I thought this Good Morning Message by Brook Noel very fitting.

How will I get through the holidays??!! So I began rethinking my approach. I'm not even going to kid myself into thinking that I'm going to eat all the right things because I already know - I WILL NOT turn down my Mom's good cooking, especially during Thanksgiving & Christmas dinner!!! lol...

So what will my approach be?? Well first I thought about a goal (ask questions). My goal is to push myself to get to or close to my goal weight by Thanksgiving. That's roughly 4 weeks from now & according to my unofficial WI this morning I'm 9.4lbs shy of my goal!! So like I said, get to or CLOSE to!! lol...

For the next four weeks I'm committed to eating within my Weight Watchers Flex point ranges (been doing very good so far this week) and continuing with my work outs twice a day!! On November 1st, I will be doing the hundred pushup challenge - WOOHOO!! Day One will begin on November 1st!! Wish me luck! lol...

I'm also toying with the idea of trying the C25K again. Last time I attempted it, I got through week 1 and quit!!! Here is to re-thinking our approach to EVERYTHING - including life in general!! What's your approach??

Have a Fabulous Day!!!

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Rethink Your Approach

“Rethink your approach…” The theme for a series of Neutrogena print ads

Good morning! During interviews, I am often asked how I have achieved certain accomplishments. In the past, answering this question was always challenging. I found it difficult to articulate a “core” of achievements until stumbling on this Neutrogena advertisement. “Rethink your approach” summarizes a vital and crucial component between achieving and abandoning a goal.

Imagine you are driving to a very important, long-planned, family get-together. While driving, you encounter a closed road. What do you do? Do you rethink your approach? My guess is that you would retrieve your map or just wing it by taking an alternate route; perhaps you might call someone at the gathering and ask what route he used to maneuver around the road block.

When faced with blocks on the road of dreams, too often people do not reach for a map or try an alternate route. Instead they idle, or they park, or sometimes simply wait for “something” to happen. When it comes to personal problems, rarely do we demonstrate the same alternative thinking we use to solve more practical problems like a road block.

If I were to park, idle, or wait, I would likely starve or freeze while sitting in my car and waiting for the road block to clear (I live in Wisconsin and road-construction projects seem to average three years.) Similarly, many people starve their dreams or freeze on the path to achievement, versus rethinking their approach and moving ahead.

I have always loved solving puzzles-word searches, crosswords, logic problems, or the latest craze: Sudoku. Even more than puzzles, I love solving daily life challenges. “What if I tried this?” “What if I looked at it from this angle?” “What if I…” I incessantly evaluate, ask questions, and rethink my approach again and again until I maneuver past the block.

Your Turn: Think of a challenge you currently face. Incorporate the process of rethinking your approach by completing the following sentence at least ten different ways: “What if I….” If you have a hard time getting started, brainstorm with a friend. Come up with outlandish solutions-anything to get the creativity going. Let the list sit for a day. Then, highlight one approach and try it. Instead of idling when challenge comes, choose to view it as puzzle to be solved.

Today’s Affirmation: When faced with a challenge, I rethink my approach. I ask questions and implement answers.

http://brooknoelstudio.com/goodmorning/2008/10/21/rethink-your-approach-2/v

Kicking it into Full Gear!!!

After spending a wonderful afternoon with DH for our 1 year anniversary, it was back to reality at my Weight Watchers WI last night. lol... I'm up 1.4lbs. Geesh... Lose a week & back up the next week!! So after a good night's rest I decided that I'm tired of the yo-yo effect!!! From here on out I'm determined to see some loss each week even if it's .1 pounds - Oh Kay!!! lol...

To keep myself accountable - here is the rest of my workout for the week!!!

Week 10/21 - 10/28

30 minute walk daily - adding in TWO 1 hour walks per week!!
~~ Tues: C+Abs - Turbo Jam & Ab Sculpt
~~ Weds: Stretching - Yoga
~~ Thurs: C+S - 30 Day Shred Level 3 (yes I'm going for it again!!)
~~ Fri: C+Abs - Turbo Jam & Ab Sculpt
~~ Sat: S+Abs - Hi Def Sculpt & Tae Bo Abs & Glutes
~~ Sun: C+S - 30 Day Shred Level 3

*** Received this in my email. Thought it very fitting for my life now & wanted to share!!***

Awakening to Change
Being Aware is the First Step

Life is a journey comprised of many steps on our personal path that takes us down a winding road of constant evolution. And each day, we are provided with a myriad of opportunities that can allow us to transform into our next best selves. One moment we are presented with an opportunity to react differently when yet another someone in our life rubs us the wrong way; on another day we may find ourselves wanting to walk away from a particular circumstance but are not sure if we can. Eventually, we may find ourselves stuck in a rut that we can never seem to get out of. We may even make the same choices over and over again because we don’t know how to choose otherwise. Rather than moving us forward, our personal paths may take us in a seemingly never-ending circle where our actions and choices lead us nowhere but to where we’ve already been. It is during these moments that awareness can be the first step to change.

Awareness is when we are able to realize what we are doing. We observe ourselves, noticing our reactions, actions, and choices as if we were a detached viewer. Awareness is the first step to change because we can’t make a change unless we are aware that one needs to be made in the first place. We can then begin understanding why we are doing what we are doing. Afterward, it becomes difficult not to change because we are no longer asleep to the truth behind our behaviors. We also begin to realize that, just as much as we are the root source behind the causes for our behaviors, we are also the originator for any changes that we want to happen.

There is a freedom that comes with awareness. Rather than thinking that we are stuck in a repetitive cycle where there is no escape, we begin to see that we very much play a hand in creating our lives. Whether we are aware of them or not, our behaviors and choices are always ours to make. Our past and our present no longer have to dictate our future when we choose to be aware. We are then free to move beyond our old limits, make new choices, and take new actions. With awareness, our paths can’t help but wind us forward in our lives while paving the way for new experiences and new ways of being. It is through awareness that we can continue to consciously evolve.

Fat Ticker Friday!!!

Weighing In for Fat Ticker Friday...

I'm down to 139.4 - WOOHOO!! Still hanging in the upper 130s and low 140s. I still see my goal in sight though!!

Our Question of the week from Christie was:

So remember our question for this week? About your favorite and least favorite body parts or rather, what you'd like to work on? What are they???

Let's see fave body part: Recently this has been my arms. I'm seeing more definition and toning in my biceps and even in my shoulders. All those push-ups I've been doing with the 30 Day shred. ;-)

Least Fave: The thighs - have to say that I'm still not digging the rubbing together of the inner thighs! lol... BUT I have been doing some "thigh dancing" compliments of Kelly Ripa showing me these workouts from Physique 57!! And these moves really do work wonders.

I hope everyone else is still getting HOT FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!!

Stay Blessed!!!

Week of October 18th Revised

G GODLY TRUST *** Continue with Morning Prayer - however the form of prayer takes place! Listening to a sermon, listening to praise & worship!! Just begin each day PRAISING the Lord!!!

O OPEN AIR *** 15 to 20 minutes fresh air daily!

D DAILY EXERCISE *** 20 Minute Streak with BLC8; Fall Fest Walking Challenge Daily 30 Minute Walks & weekly workout routine (evenings).

S SUNSHINE *** 10 to 15 minutes daily!

P PROPER REST ***Try for 6 to 7 hours uninterrupted sleep!!

L LOTS OF WATER *** Drink UP! Drink UP!!! 64 ounces minimum per day!!!

A ALWAYS TEMPERATE ***Leave work at work - don't take stress home; Prepare meals better to avoid mindless eating!!!

N NUTRITION ***Write... WRITE! WRITE!! Start tracking food again, even the bad stuff!!! Get it all down in writing - accountability!!! In addition, need to PLAN... PLAN... PLAN... All meals each day!! ***************************************

~~ 30 Minute Daily Walks

Evening Workout Routine
10/12 - 10/18
Sun: C - Hip Hop Abs, Fat Burning Cardio... [x]
Mon (WW Meeting): C+S - 30 Day Shred, Level 2... [x]
Tues: C & Abs - HHA Fat Burning Cardio & Ab Sculpt... [x]
Weds: Deep Stretching or Yoga...
Thurs: C+S - 30 Day Shred, Level 2

***Taking out Hip Hop Abs - Not Liking it***
Fri: C & Abs - 20 minutes Turbo Jam & Ab Sculpt
Sat: C+S - 30 Day Shred, Level 2

Trying to change the Woe-As-Me to Won-Derful-Me

The Big Question

"If you don’t change your thoughts your life will be this forever. Is that good news?” -Dan Miller, Releasing Principles for Work/Life Excellence!

Good morning! This morning’s quote is quite a reality check and eye-opener isn’t it? Odds are when you read it, you had an immediate reaction…either positive or “Oh, no!” The quote is so true though: our thoughts become our actions and our actions become our history and our history becomes our legacy. Given that this begins with thought, what type of legacy are you creating?

What have your recent daily thought patterns been like? Are you feeling mostly positive and influencing those around you in positive ways? Have you been somewhat self-absorbed, missing chances to help others? Are you wrapped in negativity or stress without a plan to break free?

Your Turn: What was your reaction to today’s quote? Use the self-check technique of auditing your thinking each hour on the hour if you want to answer today’s questions differently.

Today’s Affirmation: I control my thoughts; they are positive and supportive to myself and others. http://brooknoelstudio.com/goodmorning/2008/10/15/the-big-question/

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Pretty much in a bad way this morning and steadily praying for a better afternoon. Just all the "blahs" that could possibly hit you as once - hit me this AM.

Like the picture - that's all I want to do today - stuff my face!!!

And lookie at today's quote from Brook. A quick chuckle for me this morning, but not enough to break the funk just yet. I did say 'YET"!! Guess I'll be using her self check method today!!

What's funny is, when everyone is so used to you being the cheerleader/ all smiles person - when you're so not in that mode they all want to know "What's Wrong??"... "What Happened".... "Are You Okay??" And I know they mean well (and by "they", I mean my lovely co-workers). lol... But in the back of my mind I keep wondering - aren't I allowed to have a day off? lol... I suppose not.

I'm praying that things lift up by the afternoon.

Hopefully I'll stay clear of all junk food, but I do tend to be an emotional eater!!

Pray for my will power today!!!

Weighed In

Well this is my 4th week with Weight Watchers and I weighed in last night at 2.2lbs less!!! Yay Me!!! That puts me down a total of 4.7lbs.

I'm still anxiously awaiting my 5lbs star!! lol... So sad when you look forward to the little things. lol... I did notice what my downfall was last week - I have to write everything down, even the bad stuff and drink lots of water!!! So even with my M&Ms and Dove Chocolate Bar, I still went down. lol...

The good thing is when I came home from WW, I didn't binge. lol... I was SO going too though. I figured I had been so good (almost) all week and was craving some ice cream with cookies!! Yes with COOKIES!!! But I didn't cave. I did my 20 minutes with Jillian - which kicked my butt - showered and went to bed. No ice cream!!! The craving is still there, but I'm hoping that I can control it better. I keep thinking about what I lost & unless I want to add on to my already 2-a-days (yes, I work out twice a day), I think I'll keep the ice at bay for now.

I'm hoping next week puts me over that 5lb mark!!!

Fat Ticker Friday!!!

It's Hot for the Holidays, Fat Ticker Friday!!!

I thought I'd borrow my Monday blog from my Sparkpeople.com page.

A little late to be reviewing goals, but better late than never. I didn't have them in mind this morning, so today was a slow train wreck!! But that's okay - I'm still standing!!! I may be down (well up weight wise), but I'm not out!!! Still staying with my plan for October!! Here is my game plan for the week!!!
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G GODLY TRUST
*** Continue with Morning Prayer - however that form of prayer takes place! Listening to a sermon, listening to praise & worship!! Just begin each day PRAISING the Lord!!!

O OPEN AIR
*** 15 to 20 minutes fresh air daily!

D DAILY EXERCISE
*** 20 Minute Streak with BLC8; Fall Fest Walking Challenge at work & weekly workout routine (evenings).

S SUNSHINE
*** 10 to 15 minutes daily!

P PROPER REST
***Try for 6 to 7 hours uninterrupted sleep!!

L LOTS OF WATER
*** Drink UP! Drink UP!!! 64 ounces minimum per day!!!

A ALWAYS TEMPERATE
***Leave work at work - don't take stress home; Prepare meals better to avoid mindless eating!!!

N NUTRITION
***Write... WRITE! WRITE!! Start tracking food again, even the bad stuff!!! Get it all down in writing - accountability!!!
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Workout Routine 10/7 - 10/12
S - Turbo Jam Sculpt
C - Hard Core Fusion
C & Abs - 20 Minutes Tj & TJ Abs
Hips/Thighs - Celebrity Workout
S = Turbo Jam Sculpt
C= Turbo Jam or Tae Bo Live
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DH borrowed Hip Hop Abs from his Mother. Will incorporate that into next week's rotation!!!
Happy Sparking!!!

So how did I do this week?? I'm back up into the 140s! As of this morning, I'm up to 140.8 from last Friday!!
BUT!!
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY ARMS!!! lol... Love! Love! Love! Them!!! lol...

Christie asked for our inspiration this week and mine was catching my reflection in the mirror before jumping into the shower. I saw definition!!! lol... And I don't know about anyone else, but that motivated the heck out of me!! I even flexed for my husband! lol... I have biceps, ya'll!!! :-) BICEPS!!! lol... So the scale may say one thing, but my body is saying something altogether different!!

Happy Friday!!!

Menu Plan Monday

Well one day is down and on to the other 6!!

All about the repeats this week & maybe trying something new. Hectic week ahead, so I went for all quick fixes.

Tuesday ~ Brown Sugar Chili w/ salad & rolls

Wednesday ~ Busy Day Slow Cooker Chicken & Rice w/ veggies

Thursday ~ Left Overs

Friday ~ Pizza Night or Spaghetti with Turkey Meatballs (depends on budget)

Saturday ~ Sloppy Joes - YUM!!

Sunday ~ Cider Brined Fried Chicken (finally got the apple cider) w/ sweet potato fries and salad

For more tasty menu ideas, check out I'm An Organizing Junkie Menu Plan Monday!!!

Happy Eatings!!

Over! Over! OVER!!

Happy Friday Everyone!!

And Friday is finally here!! Whew!! I couldn't wait for this week to be over. Don't know why, but it felt like the longest week in history!!!

So since it's Friday I decided to do my fab five for the week and hopefully up my mood!!

1. Weighed in at WW and I'm down 2.6lbs!!

2. Stayed with my WW pts pretty much all week, which is a big feat from last week where I even ran out of my 35 flex pts! lol...

3. Worked out EVERY DAY this week so far! WOOHOO!!

4. Still working on it, but got up three morning and spent some awesome time with the Lord.

5. IT'S FRIDAY!! WOOHOO and IT'S PAYDAY!!! :-) I'm taking the little one and we're hitting the Christmas Tree Shop and Party City to rack up on some Halloween decor and his Halloween costume!! Plus maybe a couple new outfits for Mommy over at K & G - they're having a sale and I loves me a sale!!! lol...


It's also FAT TICKER FRIDAY over at Baby Tea Leaves!! The weigh in day is different from WW - it's today. So I did weigh in this morning and I'm down to 139.6. WOOHOO!! I'm doing a mini happy dance because I'm finally.... FINALLY out of the 140's!! And from last Friday that would put me down 3lbs. So a little more added on since my WW weigh in on Monday.

Christie also asked what was our push it moment this week??

Mine was just putting on the workout gear when I got home from work!! It was all mental!!! Every day I just had to put on the sweats and tell myself that I WILL workout!! Even though every inch of me wanted to just veg out in front of the TV. So I guess I had a push it moment every evening this week! lol... It did help that on Sunday, I planned the dinner for the week AND my workouts for the week - so part of my mental battle was that I had no excuses!!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!