The Weight Loss Journey

So, Ben and I have made some lifestyle changes starting last Monday. At the beginning of the week, I will have to admit that it was extremely difficult and I was cranky. We have cut out all Fast Food and cut down on our calorie intake. I'm cooking dinner using the Weight Watchers cookbook and Cooking Light magazines. All of the Cooking Light recipes are online. I absolutely love it!!!

A few years back when I was working with a personal trainer to run my races she taught me quite a few floor exercises that I can do anywhere. It helps with the my problem area, my stomach... I also lift weights on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Since it is cold outside, I put on my StepUps and head to either Super Walmart or Meijer and briskly walk for a minimum of 30 minutes.

My goal is a lofty one, so I will be making my strides with smaller steps. This is embarrassing to write, but I plan to loose a total of 100 lbs. I'm on my way as I have dropped 9 lbs this past week.

My first goal is to run (2) 5k's this summer.
I will be implementing my training program that I used a few years back. I trained from August to November. I plan on being ready to run my first 5k by May.

So as I embark on this journey, I'll take as many cheerleaders as I can get.

2010

Well, it's 5:30am and I can't sleep as my mind is racing with so many things. 2010 has brought quite a bit of change and it's had some very high highs and very low lows. I'm hoping for a much calmer 2011 in the Allen household.

Christmas Cookies

Well, today I started on the Christmas cookies and candies. Today I have made English Toffee, Snicker Doodles and Mexican Wedding Cakes. This week I will make the sugar cookies and peanut butter Kiss cookies. I'm thinking about making Kolachky's too. I'm excited to give all of these cookies to the people we visit teach, home teach and others.

100 Things I'm Thankful for

In no particular order.

1. Ben
2. Our Home
3. Job
4. Parents
5. Siblings and their wives
6. Nieces and Nephews
7. Wonderful Visiting Teachers
8. The Scriptures
9. My callings
10. Talents
11. Jillian
12. Technology
13. Birthdays
14. Membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
15. Prophets and Apostles
16. TV
17. Electricity
18. Cars
19. Trees and shrubs
20. Ben's Job
21. Christmas
22. Vacation
23. My Mother-in Law
24. Tonya
25. Jenny
26. Terry
27. Our Ward
28. Trials
29. Sunshine
30. Music
31. Rain
32. Food
33. Baking
34. Service
35. Cooking
36. Ability to hear
37. Ability to see
38. Brother-in-laws and Sister-in-Laws
39. Swimming
40. Walking
41. Love
42. Babies
43. Flowers
44. Bed
45. Computers
46. Cell phone
47. Internet
48. sweet memories
49. Singles Ward
50. Clothes
51. Drives in the Country
52. Snow
53. The Holy Ghost
54. Testimony
55. Temples
56. Family History
57. Doctors
58. Teachers
59. Education
60. Rainbows
61. Mountains
62. Nature
63. Good Books
64. Freedom
65. USA
66. Airplanes
67. Indiana
68. Chicago
69. Mama Mia's
70. Wisconsin
71. Swing Dancing
72. Baseball
73. Musicals
74. Plays
75. New York City
76. Washington D.C.
77. Golden Girls
78. Grandma
79. Aunts
80. Cousins
81. Quiet Moments
82. Waterfalls
83. Spending quality time with Ben
84. Road Trips
85. Bowling
86. Laughter
87. Eye Glasses
88. Chocolate
89. Make Up
90. Shoulder Rubs
91. Baths
92. Manicures
93. Sacrifice of Jesus Christ
94. Thanksgiving
95. Art
96. Home Teachers
97. Blessings
98. Life
99. Priesthood
100. Neighbors

Living for the Weekend

This week has been extremely long, especially with work. I have worked so much this week, that I will be off at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon.

Saturday will start out with Worldwide Leadership Training. Then I will be heading to Chicago again this weekend to go to my Mom's cousin's daughter's 1st birthday party and my youngest cousin's Fiance's Bridal Shower.

I'm looking forward to relaxing Sunday evening, to start my last full week of November before Thanksgiving. This year is seriously flying by.

Relief Society/Organist

For all of my adult life, I have either been the Ward Organist or in some capacity in Relief Society. As we have moved to Avon, Indiana, I am now in the Relief Society Presidency and an assistant Ward Organist.

As an assistant Ward Organist I play the 1st Sunday of every month. This is a good calling for me, because then I keep up on my playing. It is so fun to pick out the hymns for the next 6 months.

In Relief Society, I am over Education. We are having the Worldwide Leadership training on Saturday morning and will receive new manuals. As I have been studying for a Teacher's meeting that we are having next month, I have gained a new appreciation for the teachers that prepare each Sunday to teach us true doctrine. We are so blessed to be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Shape Ups

Well yesterday was near 70 degrees here, so I ventured out with my new Sketchers Shape Up shoes. It is suppose to feel like you are walking through sand.

I can honestly say these shoes are awesome! Can't wait to go walking again today...