Good Morning and TGIF!!! It’s been a long week…I am so looking forward to the weekend, some R&R, time with the grand baby and maybe a ride with the hubby on the motorcycle Sunday.

I had a nice surprise last night, my husband started painting my bathroom; it has been a work in progress since just before super storm Sandy hit the Jersey Shore. I haven’t complained because after the storm he was so busy helping everyone repair damage…In comparison my unfinished bathroom was minor. Anyway, the color (Svelte Sage) is so nice and it goes perfectly with the river rock floor tile and the new chestnut vanity. I’m so happy!

I weighed this morning and I was down to 209.1 lbs…that’s 2oz in the right direction, I will happily take it. I didn’t make the gym last night, my lower back was sore, not sure if it was due to the new side to side decompression added Wednesday by the Chiro but I was afraid to chance it…I was having trouble just sitting, standing and moving. Today it’s not so bad, I have tentative plans with a friend for a movie, if she bails I’m going to the gym…I must make it there at least one day this weekend. It is supposed to be 82 tomorrow I may try to take the grand baby out for a walk on the bike path by the beach.

I started the low dose of the Lizness this morning and I’m hoping for the best. I really think my issues are nerve related because they started around the same time my back and sciatica became a daily problem that was intolerable. I believe I mentioned the colonic massage video I found on youtube showing how to massage your abdomen area to stimulate the intestines, it helps especially when I add the TENS machine to it. I really think my spine issue is pinching a nerve that goes to my intestines and colon. It’s just too coincidental that all of it started at the same time. I hope I don’t have any of the adverse reactions to the lower dose medication like i did to the higher dose last week. If I had to choose one or the other; I would be fat over having to use medicine to induce normal bodily function. I just want everything back to working condition.

I’m actually in a better mood and feel more positive today, although I’m only down 2 oz, I feel stronger, my stomach looks tighter and my abs feel stronger as well. I’m wearing Capri pants I wore at 207lbs that were still a bit too tight at 211 lbs, so that’s still progress. I am more at peace with my weight today and that with my back issues, I have to relay on diet, the workouts are just getting me stronger so I can do more later…like laying the foundation of a building…the foundation holds all the weight. So I’m building my temple (body) from the ground (or spine) up I guess. I must have patience, one misplaced stone and the whole thing can become weak and crumble. That’s how I am going to look at it from now on…building my temple.

I was able to recover my diet mishap of unplanned meals yesterday so I stayed within my calories and hit all my targets. It’s nice that I have fall back items I know the nutrition values of for when I’m in a pinch like that. It’s easier to recover that way and still make the goal. I am so close to being under 200 I can taste it…I am even more motivated now than before, I’m just trying to figure out the best way without causing injury, so I’m focusing on the food, moving more (taking stairs, parking further away) and taking the gym day-by-day depending on how my back feels. I accept that for right now today that is the best I can do and my best has to be good enough. I know my emotions have been up and down fully believing I can do it, then doubting if I will ever get to where I want to be, back to knowing without a doubt I will…it’s been a bit of an emotional roller coaster lately.

The quote that spoke to me today was about motivation… I may have used this before but it's so true!

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” ~ Zig Ziglar

Hope we all reach our goals for today and set new goals for tomorrow

Have a great day!