Hi everybody!! Friday is here, the weekend is before us and most of us have lots of stuff to do for Thanksgiving. Some of us have even started Christmas shopping! Stress, crowds, lots of food temptations are on the horizon.

For homework today, I thought it would be nice if before we start our day and get all busy, we could write a letter to ourselves.

Doesn't have to be a love letter, but that would be nice. Something positive and uplifting. Express to you how proud you are of all of your accomplishments and maybe highlight some things you can do to improve your walk of good health.

Set some goals in the letter too and promise yourself to continue to take care of you and nurture you forever. To keep you healthy and make your heart strong.

Dear Laurie,

Its been a rough few months, but everything is looking so much brighter for the holidays!! You've done well through everything thats come your way. Now is a perfect time to put yourself back as your number one priority. With everything that has come your way, you have still managed to keep your weight in check. No extra pounds from stress eating, adn that is a victory.

Now that everythinghas started to turn around its time to plan ahead. Get to Curves for your free 2 weeks and see how it goes! Start with your baby steps again And bring back those 5 points, they always worked. You've already gotten a good planner, now is the time to set it up for the upcoming year. Start pulling out favorite recipies and file them together. Its going to be a great new year, lets be ready for it!!

Laurie

quote:

Originally posted by skedwards:
[Are you dining on Sponge Bob plates too Denise?!?!?!??! LOL!!!!!!!

No... my plastic plate has a Blues Clues thing going for it... and has dividers so that my food groups don't touch each other... And I do have a matching cup... but I don't need the sippy cup anymore! I'm a little older than you, remember?

Dear Kat,
Thanks for being such a great listener and supporter to all your friends. I am so lucky to know you and be around your positive attitude. Your love for others is inspiring.
I saw you today and couldn't believe it was you...I almost didn't recognize you when we passed. You look fabulous....congratulations! I can't believe that you exercise during your lunch and after school...you are an inspiration.
I have also noticed that you eat such healthy foods, but that you also treat yourself once in a while. It amazes me that you could lose weight and still eat what you want...way to go!
You have said that you want to help kids in need of a healthy lifestyle get some tools to become healthier. Starting the fitness club with some of your co-workers will be a good first start. I know you can do it and it will be successful because of your contribution.
Keep up the good work, don't stress about upcoming events and stay in touch.
Love,
Kat

quote:

Originally posted by GoingSkiing:

quote:

Originally posted by skedwards:
You can do it, YOU KNOW YOU CAN!!!!!!! ***Pats self on back and then kicks self in rear....Now get off this computer and go finish cleaning up the kitchen... BTW, put on a load of laundry while you are at it!!!

SKE did my homework for me!

I did two loads of laundry and got the kitchen half clean...

Are you dining on Sponge Bob plates too Denise?!?!?!??! LOL!!!!!!!

I have been taking good care this week. For a few weeks previous I was running on low. I can see hwo much better my home and family function when I take care of myself.
When Mama's not happy nobody's happy.

quote:

Originally posted by skedwards:
You can do it, YOU KNOW YOU CAN!!!!!!! ***Pats self on back and then kicks self in rear....Now get off this computer and go finish cleaning up the kitchen... BTW, put on a load of laundry while you are at it!!!

SKE did my homework for me!

I did two loads of laundry and got the kitchen half clean...

Great homework, Mary Jo. thanks for the reminder to care for us...like we care for others.

Have a great weekend and a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Cathy

Dear Cathy,
My dear friend, you are worth all the brightness in the world. There is no way you can change what is and what has happened. You can only bring that enormous strength, humor and love to the top and pass it along.

Please do not fret one more second about not going somewhere for the holiday, you can't help how you feel and you can't make things better alone. Enjoy having your family around you, they love you, and they need your joy.

Now, my dear, we both need to get on the bike and start making it whirl, so while we do that, remember how very valuable I think you are, and how much I value you and your caring for me.

Much love,
Cathy

Dear Sheri,

I can't begin to describe the changes I have seen in you over the past 3 years. Sure, there hasn't been as much movement on the scale as you would like...I know you thought you'd be at goal weight long before now, but pounds aren't everything, ya know? What's important is that you have made your health a priority and you've made changes that have led to substantial drops in cholesterol and triglycerides as well as an increase in bone mass over the age of 50!

I admire you for making a commitment to exercise 5 days a week when you didn't even like to exercise. You have worked hard to ensure that your exercise program includes variety so your entire body can be fit and toned; that has really paid off (when you get to goal weight, you are going to have one buff bod, girl!).

Equally important are the changes you've made in your mental attitude toward weight loss, food, cooking and exercise. I knew something had changed in you when you were looking at Hawaii vacation homes a few weeks ago and were focusing on what great kitchens they had!! LOL You still struggle with some things...heck, you probably always will...but healthy living has become more ingrained in you than I ever imagined possible. That makes me SMILE!

Finally, I think it's awesome how you have been able to inspire or impact so many people. It's easy for someone who has had a big dramatic weight loss success to inspire people...harder, I think, for someone who has struggled as much as you have and have worked as hard as you have to get the weight off and not have it go your way. To have hung in there and stayed committed to your journey AND helped others find their own is something that makes my heart swell with pride.

I'm happy to call you my sister. Sisters in sweat as Leslie would say!

Love,
Sheri

Dear Jen,

Congratulations on entering that short story contest and on submitting those poems to the literary magazine. Those are really big steps! Today you really need to knuckle down and work on that dissertation proposal. Just keep taking small steps toward those goals. Sooner or later they will take you where you need to go.

Dear Ske,

Wasn't it just a hoot this morning when you grabbed your DS's Sponge Bob plate to eat your breakfast off of and didn't even realize it until you were clearing off the table!! LOL!! Hey, no need to worry about it unless you start drinking coffee out of a sippy cup without realizing it....Thennnnn we may just have a problem on our hands.

Anywhoo, I know that there is no need for you to get stressed next week. Just make yourself a list and plan of what you want/need to get done everyday. Be sure to keep up your exercise because you know how good it make you feel and how much more energy you will have. It will also give you a great feeling of accomplishment. I know that YOU know what to do!!!

Also, you can go ahead and begin putting out your outdoor Christmas decorations this weekend. I know you usually wait until after Thanksgiving but it will be fun and will really put a pep in your step. It will be a reward for sticking to plan and getting other "chores" done.

I know that you will enjoy Thanksgiving with your family and you & your family deserve this. Don't fret over what you "do or might" eat, enjoy being with your family!!! I know that you will keep your mind on healthy eating during other meals and throughout the rest of this month & December.

You can do it, YOU KNOW YOU CAN!!!!!!! ***Pats self on back and then kicks self in rear....Now get off this computer and go finish cleaning up the kitchen MS Sponge Bob!! BTW, put on a load of laundry while you are at it!!!

Sincerely and forever yours,

Me

Dear Lynne,
Remember yesterday when you bought those gorgeous new bra's, and the thought came to you that maybe you shouldn't because you could just gain all that weight back, and what a waste that would be? Yeah, and remember buying them anyway, because you don't have to listen to that voice anymore? Good girl.

your best friend

Dear MaryJo, From the moment you wake up in the morning, until you close your eyes at night, your day is about everyone else and meeting their needs. I wanted to let you know that I am so proud of how far you have come.

Many times some have said that your problem is that you are just not a disciplined person. For years you allowed other peoples opinions of you, control you.
You have done a fabulous job of self improvement and with it your attitude has also changed.
I think you are a much nicer and happier person. You feel strong and more capable of doing things you would not have done before, like tennis.
You touch a lot of lives with your kind spirit and.......you look maaaahvelous!
I am so glad you have made a decision to not be sad when you see girls with really flat tummies. The day you looked at your belly in the mirror and realized that it is that way because it nurtured and carried three babies, giving them life! If it is never quite flat again, then so be it.

You have motivated people who have watched as your body has changed. You have encouraged them to get out and try too.

I think you are wonderful and the road ahead looks good. Keep up the good work. Take care of your heart and live long for your children. Remain happy and continue to be a light in a dark world.