Jules checks in...

Hey crew! It is the morning after the resurrection, and I am feeling like a new year has begun in my life. I haven't been posting much because I have been caught in a whirlwind of homeschooling, birthdays (Reese in March, Riley in April), starting the new weight loss group at my home, my husband changing careers and just general craziness around the Paine home. My sister-in-law moved in with us almost 3 months ago and that has affected my life as well. Lots of emotional opportunities around here for me to get caught up in (and eat with). The good news is that I have maintained my weight loss with diligence. I have had to be really determined to watch myself. The bummer is I am still that 1.8 or 1.4 lbs away from breaking into the 150's. I have been hovering here now for a long time. I have had to focus so much on just the maintenance part of my weight loss (not getting caught up in the sorrow of other's lives or the celebrations) that I have not had the extra gumption to go anywhere beyond that. But that is all apart of life, I suppose.
I have been visiting the Y about 3 times a week, rarely missing my yoga class, but I know that my body needs more than this. I went on such a beautiful spring walk the other day with Mandi, I was inspired to keep the exercise factor up in my life. Kristina and Lisa and Amy are very inspirational in the workout side of life. Thanks, girls. And Jennifer, you are really an encouragement as far as the weight loss goes. Good for you, girl!
Well, that is about it. I am looking forward to the spring and summer. Ready to challenge myself and have fun with my family. I will try to post more often. Love to all.

(pictures are of me making Easter dinner for 19)
Jules

Living and doing much better...Thanks.

I had a GREAT day. Took care of myself in these ways:

1. Haircut
2. Chiropractor
3. Ate well: Calories: 1593
4. Took vitamins
5. Had two servings of Udo's Oil (Omega 3-6-9)
6. Drank 8 glasses of water (plus plan to have 2 cups of herbal tea before bed)
7. Worked out at the Y, 35 min. on elliptical, 15 min. on treadmill, stretching
8. Faced the truth with a morning weigh in. (stop the denial and the over exaggerated emotional worry)
9. Visualized myself in summer attire, realizing that I have time to make a difference in what size suit I buy in June.
10. Reminded myself that I am at point B, not point A where it all began...I have walked a long road and have not been zapped back to the past by small indiscretions.
11. Put on a heart of gratitude for the body God has given me.
12. Had a "kick butt" attitude at the Y while working out, jamming to Hall and Oats on my Ipod, feeling pretty and fit and proud of myself.
13. I journalled. Everything.
14. I read Oliver Twist to my kids today and had a great home school time with all 5 of them. I felt like I connected with them all.
15. I read all of your post comments and took them to heart and felt the love and support of you dear ones.
16. I ate sushi. Yum.
17. I carried on and on and on, posting way too much on my blog.
18. And I plan on kissing my husband and all my children goodnight and soaking in their love. Really feeling it, not just going through the routine, for we don't know what tomorrow might bring us, do we? We must live today, unfettered by the past and unburdened by the future.

Love to you all.
Jules