Happy Almost New Year!

****PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE send me an e-mail to sarahbeara (at) gmail dot com if you want your weight loss blog to be linked on my side bar. I am going to attempt a revamp of my site (I don't want to forget anyone and I would love to find some new blogs for all you lurkers out there!). I also need to organize my blog links so it is easier for me to read everyone's updates.****

Christmas 2007
I spent the holiday with my family on a cruise ship in the Bahamas. We left on 12/22 and got back on 12/29. It was fun, but it did not feel like Christmas at all. I think I was in St. Marten on Christmas. My mom bought me a cute little pair of sapphire earrings there. Other then that we didn't really exchange gifts. I got my mom a few things, but that was it. They paid for my cruise and everything else that week which was SUPER nice. I played a lot of bingo. I didn't win, but it was still a nice way to spend time with my family. I did exercise everyday on the cruise though. They had a track that I would walk around for at least an hour 1-2 times a day. Plus all the walking in the ports. I did make it to the gym once. It was lame, so I had no desire to rush back. Eating was great the first 2 days and after that it was all down hill. The scale showed a 5 lb increase today since I left for the cruise. I am not sure how much of that is due to going out last night... All in all it was a great trip and I am really glad I was able to go. I will post pictures soon. I wanted to post them today, but somehow when I transfered them from my camera to my computer I lost a few and I am not really sure what happened :(

Resolutions
We all make them. I am not really going to make any one resolution, but I just want to be healthier. I want to get to the gym everyday. I want to eat good meals. My CSA has been amazingly helpful with this. I have made some great squash soups, eaten amazing salads, and really just forced myself to get creative (Thanks Sally for sharing your soup recipe! I am going to make it this week!)

I am going to start journaling and keeping points again. I won't really be doing so much on here, but I will keep a record for myself.

Another thing I need to work on is balancing a social life with eating healthy. Take last night for example. I did wonderfully well all day and worked out for over 2 hours. Then I met up with my friends at the bar where Zach and I would go a lot. I didn't suggest it though. I love the place. The bartenders know me, I have a stupid VIP card that gets me discounts and its comfortable. Plus on Sundays and Mondays it is 2 for one pizza and draft beer. So I had 3 Jack and Diane's (only paid for 2) and way too many pieces of pizza and house made potato chips with Gorgonzola cheese and a cheddar horseradish dipping sauce. GAH!

When I started the whole weight loss thing 4 years ago, I was social, but no where near as social as I am now. This is going to be a tough one.

Speaking of social, yesterday was pretty much my perfect day. I woke up early and went to the gym. I came back to my place and made 2 small Yukon Gold potatoes with a can of rotel on top and had a 100 cal pack of crackers while it cooked. I took my time getting ready. I went to the mall and bought some great clothes at the Gap and 2 new bras. I also go a manicure. (black nails! I love them!) I miss the $6 manicure I got in NYC :( I am really going to try to get one ever 1-2 weeks. It just makes me feel good. And black is my new signature color after this second manicure with black polish. After the mall I went grocery shopping to get soup fixings. When I got home I made a black eyed pea and barley soup. Throughout the day my phone would ring with friends and my mom calling me to see what my plans were for the day and for today. It was nice. I also called a few friends as well. It just made me feel loved. I topped the day off with dinner out with my friends.

I wish you all the best of luck in your ventures for 2008 and they you will be happy and healthy!

Thank you for reading and for the support. I love you all!