i have learned so much in the past few days : i really enjoyed time with my friends (at a cabin on the lake w. One of my best buds and too many beers) and then a night out w. 2 other couples (dinner, drinks and then a comedy show). but i feel like i have wasted more time :-( today is about clean eating, water, and being active. let's get back on track. let's make this year the best yet!! I don't want to allow my plans to be ruined because of my social outings -- ready to put that part of my life on a shelf. new lifestyle:New begginings - new life!!

Too many calories to worry about counting today:-( Tomorrow is a brand new day. I really don't feel too bad because i feel so blessed to have shared good food with my family! I am looking forward to setting a workout schedule to stick with and eating less calories too! I will not fall into the old cycle of over-eating for several days, with unbrideled freedom. It is just not worth it! Let's refocus on our goal to create fat loss in our bodies! Today was a treat and we should let it go and keep a positive outlook!  Also don't forget to drink a lot of wter tomorrow because it will help flush out he sodium we consumed during the holiday dinners.

Family gathering; sugary punch, hot sandwich, stew, and cobbler for dessert, plus a couple of Sam Adams :-/ salvage this day= consuming no more calories woohoo!

Started this morning off with a 780 calorie burning Zumba class! I also had a protein shake for breakfast!! I feel like i need to do a victory dance - woohoo

Here is a quote to inspire us "When a goal matters enough to a person, that person will find a way to accomplish what at first seemed impossible." - Nido Qubein

Today I have been very active and have eaten below my calorie goal. But I know I am done for the evening!! I know it will be worth it! Committed!

MyFitnessPal is a calorie counting app I have started using. I have already had 500 calories today. Good to know that I have 725 left. Try MFP if you haven't.

This is me after a run. Au Natural (meaning almost no make-up and hair all pulled back), yikes! I chose this picture because  I think it represents me truthfully - wrinkles and all! I want to come back to my blog with a different slant---- Truth! Some of you won't want to read about my true struggles, thoughts, or feelings. I am wanting to lose 55 pounds and I want this to become the focus of this blog. I plan on logging what I eat and how much I exercise and my pounds lost. I have grown spiritually and emotionally over the past few years by leaps and bounds (that which doesn't kill us makes us stronger). I went through a phase where I thought I should give up on being thin and fit! I am 43 and haven't seen the other side of skinny in approx. 20 years!! I have gone up and down with my weight and got close a few times (145 being my lowest weight since having kids), but have never , I repeat NEVER achieved my physical potential since my 20's. I have recently lied to myself and started saying that it doesn't matter if I am thin or not-- because I feel like I am a good person, mother, employee, friend, wife, daughter, sister and this is what should matter------- But believe me ---- it will not go away (the desire to reach my goal of being thin)!!!! This desire stays with me for a reason. This is my; conquering a dragon, dare I say defeating Goliath, finishing a marathon, climbing a mountain!!! I must do this for me! I do not want to get to the end of my life and say "well that was the one thing I could not accomplish" i.e. could not do. I believe it is possible to get to 125 lb.s I know it is. I am putting it all out there and getting real. Go with me on this journey... I believe that logging on and blogging everyday will help me stay motivated. The fact that I haven't blogged since June is awful but this is a fresh beginning! I believe you reading what I am doing/going through will in turn motivate you as well. Please add your your progress in the comments as we go.