Happy February to all!

It's the Month all about Love. The shortest month of the year in days, the longest month of the year to those of us marooned by winter, the last FULL month of winter (smile!), the month of TV Sweeps (when there is no writer's strike going on), Primary season (in election years), the month of SweetTarts and beautiful be-ribboned boxes of chocolate.

February. In sweet August, even the thought of February is enough to make you shiver!

Here in Nebraska, we are experiencing one of the coldest winters in awhile, with many a 'snow event'. The snows have not been deep, but they always seem to occur at rush hour. It's impossible to 'rush' through a traffic-laden winter wonderland! Shovels, plows, boots, scarves, hats, gloves, heavy coats -- oh my! Life could easily be dreary in February.

But it doesn't have to be!

We ALL have love in our lives. Love is the Magic that can get us through life's hurdles -- even February! In my own life, that has become abundantly clear to me this winter. The Magic of Love can make you shift your perspective and approach the February storms of life with confidence. You've been through them before and survived. You'll survive this time too!

Now, don't say you don't have Love in your life! Even if your family situation is full of stress and strain (and that's true for ALL of us, believe it or not!), there is one person you can turn to for love and support. One person who has and can give you the strength! One person whose sunny attitude can melt the ice! And you KNOW who that is! (That would be YOU...)

To experience that Love and Magic, you have to reach out and do something very special for your loved one. (That would be YOU!) And what better time to do it than now, when Love is all around?

One of THE best things you can do for yourself is to get some endorphins going through vigorous, all-out HEARTfelt exercise! Aerobic exercise -- raise that heartrate. Walking, running, dancing, kickboxing, biking! Building up the muscles -- protect those precious joints and bones! Weights, Pilates, resistance work! Flexibility -- move with fluidity and grace! Stretching, ballet, yoga, tai chi.

If you are one who has ignored the Exercise tool in the WLS toolchest, I challenge you to give it a try. Start with daily walks, or sign up for a class at the gym or YMCA, or something that you know you can follow through on. Do it, be consistant, and you may just find that becoming fit and maintaining that fitness is FUN! I promise you, you will notice an improvement in the way you feel.

When you feel great, you are ready to feel the sunshine, warmth and Magic of the Love that is all around you! Reach for it, come on!

Be your own Valentine this Feburary! And feel the Joy!

Feel free to use this thread to make and/or update your commitments to yourself, to report on your progress and to encourage each other. This can be a great month!

Judy

Bump!!

Anybody working it out?

Indulge a little yesterday? What are you going to do about it?

I made sure that I worked out yesterday, only 30minutes but better than not at all. And the only thing I indulged on was 2 nickle sized nibbles off my hunnys cookie. I was pretty pleased with myself since there were ALL sorts of goodies around yesterday!!!

Judy, I am in Omaha too!!!!

Hi Judy and thanks for the reminder about taking care of self.
I have a Pro-form I-fit TreadMill at home. A few years ago I splurged
and spread the payments out a bit. Best fitness investment I ever
made. I've about finished level 2 cardio workouts and am almost ready
to move on to level 3. I ordered them the from a seller on eBAY for $5!
Can't wait to get them. I've been pretty faithful over the past month
with a daily workout, missing only once a week usually. This increased
activity has helped me get through one major plateau and hopefully
one I'm currently in. I sure feel better and believe my metabolism is
reved from the high protein intake along with the workouts.
Thanks for keeping us honest! Spring will be here soon!

Ah Judy, there's the fitness diva I know and love! I didn't see your post last week when you wrote it but it surely is beautiful and dead on! I love your attitude about how much we can do for ourselves through fitness. While I am not the diva you are, I have at least gone back to Curves as promised and find that I really missed it. I am so energized when I get home and it still is very early in the day. I race through my household chores and have the lion's share of the day to do what I choose. All because I get up and go work at Curves! What a novel experience! Thanks for the lovely post and the reminder how much good we do ourselves when we MOVE!

OK, I have to admit I have been a slug about exercise this week. I haven't felt well & I'm whiney & lazy. LOL No excuse, I know! I did get on the bike on Wednesday & I only rode for a short time because I am so exhausted. I'll get back with it next week. This cold should be over by then...I hope.
That said, I do get a pat on the back for no indulgences for Valentine's Day.

Hey, I missed this too! Where was I?

Lovely as always, Ms. Petite!

My exercise tool has not been used very much this month. I can post my laundry list of excuses, but really, why bother? I know that they are just that...excuses.

Thanks for your words of wisdom!

My hubby and I are walkers and bike riders.

Went for a walk this morning!

Right now, my energy level is almost nill...but I know it would be less if I wasn't eating my protein and having my shakes. So, instead of beating myself up because I cannot do an hour workout on my treadclimber at a time, I am taking pride in being able to split it up and still do an hour...but in ten minute increments throughout the day! Last night I made a healthy dinner that I got from a post Celadon made....and changed it a little to fit what I had in the house...and ignored the chocolate everywhere. I am not really fighting weight...I am still losing between 3-6lb a week..but I am trying to get back some energy....

I am also still working out with my buddy Richard Simmons and Sweating To the Oldies with him and his neighborhood..LOL! Again, in ten minute increments...and indulging in my other passion...retail therapy! Walked around the stores with my friend for a few hours today...stopped and sat when I needed to...but otherwise...move move move!!!

Marianna,
Are you having chemo or radiation now? I couldn't remember what you were doing about the eyes.
Jeanie

Hi Jean...I am having radiation right now...but they call it 'plaque therapy', because of it being in the eye...

At least I am still losing!!!

Marianna, the energy you are committing to get in an hour a day -- even broken up in increments -- is sure to pay off! And Richard S. is so much fun... he is really the one who made me LOVE working out! Do you have any of his shorter workouts? Send me a PM if you think you would like some of his shorter DVDs -- I have several I don't use anymore.

I have to say I really admire you for including exercise in your routine during this time! You are an inspiration to me, truly!

Judy

Nice post, Judy. I missed it originally, too. As I posted in Stephanie's challenge thread, I'm committing to getting back to 30-40 minutes walking per day. I've also been trying to get re-started with my nightly yoga. It's a h*ll of a note when you get home so exhausted from work that you don't even feel like sitting/lying down on the floor. I need to re-commit, though, because it re-energizes me when I do. I need to recover my mental toughness and "just do it"! For some reason, the last few weeks, my mental toughness has taken a vacation and I've really been struggling. It's gonna get better, though!!

Hey Ms.JP!

I didn't do so well in February. But March is my *Big Give* for fitness --- so what you got for me to keep on movin' on? I need to get the sag out of my lag, the sluff off my duff!

Help me Judy, Help-help me Judy!!!!!