Greetings to the NS family and friends. Well as I continue to trek through the winter weather of snow and ice here in Kentucky and having to change my exercise schedule because of the weather and sickness in the family I have found a new way to get my work out in. I have been keeping my mom and dad's little dog (whose picture you will find on my page). I have been taking him out on his nature call walkes every 2 hours for the days I have kept him which is about 8 days now. We walk in the snow and ice and he is a rowdy dog and loves to run. He has to stay on a leash and he loves to pull on it when he is in the snow so needles too say it is a work out for me.We stay out about 20 mintues at each walk in 20 degree weather so it is a brisk walk for both of us. I am so hoping how soon things get back to normal and I can get back to curves and my semi normal routine. I can't wait for the snow to end. Have a great day all.

Jill

As many of you know my father had his knee replaced last Tuesday and has complications along the way. He got to come to rehab near home yesterday to only get sent back to the hospital with pnemonia last night about midnight.They had to put  him on a specialized breathing machine to help him breath. He is having a serious reaction to the pain medication they are giving him because of his surgery and he is also having some heart problems. My brother went to stay with him while I stayed with my mom who has strep throat. My friend who has cancer is still in the hosptial and on day number 60 and her daughter had her baby on Friday . He was 19 days early and weighed 9 lbs and 4 ozs. They had to send him to a neonatel ICU 2 hours away because of a fractured skull that happened during the birthing process. On top of all that my friend who had the baby on Friday her dad died on Monday and lives in North Carolina. Needless to say she cant get to the funeral because of the weather, the baby and her having a csection. So everything is sorta falling down on me and I don't know which way to turn but  I am trying to stay on plan as much as I can.We are expecting another 5 inches of snow by tomorrow night so ..... things could be worse. HOpe everything is going well with everyone.
Jill

As you all know I had taken my dad to have surgery on Tuesday. We left on Monday since he had to be there early Tuesday morning.He came through the surgery with flying colors for someone 83 and having a knee replaced. We went to Red Lobster on MOnday night and I got the salmon and broccoli and a salad. I took my nutrisystem breakfast and lunch bars with me and my fruit and snacks. I got plenty of veggies and stuff l ike that and tried not to overdo so we will see tomorrow when i step on the scales. I also got me a new pair of skechers shape up tennis shoes and have worn them since Monday and love them. They have made me a bit sore but the video that comes with the shoes said it would do that so it must be working. Hope everyone has had a great week.Had to take my mom to the doctor to get a shot fo antibotics tonight and my dad will be home tomorrow.

Jill

As I read the blogs of new members here at NS and I think of me soon starting month 8 of my new life journey I was thinking....(whch could be dangerous at times ...lol) what are my downfalls and pick me ups that might help the new members here. First my downfalls...

1.When I get bored instead of eating I read or find something else to do such as  exercise.

2 Stress- Yes stress is one of my downfalls that hurt my new life style change and I am trying to avoid as much as possible (but as this very moment it isnt happening because the highway department just scrapped the road and pushed it all at the bottom of my driveway....uuuuuuuuuggggggggghhhhhhhh.

3.Losing focus at times.....this can happen at anytime for any reason.

Now for the pick me ups

1. I try to surround myself with supportive people such as the good people here at the blogs of NS and on the discussion boards which ever helps you the most and I have found they both help.

2. Drink plenty of water and keep plenty of water handy.

3. Keep plenty of fruits and veggies around

4. Esercise to your ability and do the best y ou can.

I challenge those that read my blog today to add your downfalls and pick me ups to help the new members get through the early stages of their new lifestyle change so they may succeed like we have.

Have a great day

Jill

Yesterday was weigh in day for work instead of today because of the threat of bad weather(which hasn't gotten here yet) and I lost 2. 5 lbs. No that wasn't the most lost at work but I am pleased with myself because I have been in a slump/plateau for quiet awhile. I have also been battling an ear infection and had to get a steriod shot.The steriod shot in turn drives my sugar up but thanks to NS it hasn't done to much damage to my sugar so thanks NS. Hope everyone has a great weekend. Oh my father is having surgery again on Tuesday and he is 83 years old so please pray for him and my dear friend is still in the hospital fighting her battle with cancer.

Jill

It is that time again at school for the dreaded stepping on the scales each Friday. We have a pool of 13 people this time for this event. The people that are in it besides (all 12)with me making 13 did our first weigh in last Friday and today was the first to see how well we did. Well needles to say last week everyone but me was shocked at how much they had gained back since we quit the week before Thanksgiving. I hadnt gain any but stayed the same. When it came time to weigh in needless to say I wasn't the biggest loser but I only lost 1/2 lbs but as they all said you have been sticking with NS and it shows. I am on the diabetic plan and I was having problems with my sugar staying above 80 today and one of the partcipants said NS is not good for your sugar and I said YES IT IS and they said but your sugar is so low. Another teacher who is a diabetic said It doesn't matter what kind of diet you are on   when your pancreas decides to kick in and work and you are taking insulin and pills it will do that. I said I would rather my blood sugars run low than run low and run the chance of having kidney damage and heart problems and other problems that come from blood sugars running to high. She just looked at me with a stunned look. A couple of the ladies that started this time came and asked me what my grocery list was each week and I ran off the grocery list from NS website and they were thrilled and said they were going to try it. They also asked what they should eat and I gave them suggestions and they wrote it down and said they would try it. I said I hope it works for you. They said they appreciated my help. I feel like they came to the wrong person for advice on this. Oh well such is life. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Jill

I know it has been a while since I blogged but it seems that life gets in the way as well as the weather and it does strange things to you and your mind. I have been struggling lately trying to stay 100% and do everything I need to do and I guess I will have to admit that I need more support than I have been getting lately and it is all my fault. I am falling backing to my old habits of putting others first and then me. My friend who found that she has cancer is in the best mental state I have seen her in ages and she is going to get a second opinion and she has decided she needs to and to fight this battle. She knows it is going to be a long journey but she has accepted that she has cancer and she is fighting. Her mental and pyschological health is so m uch better. Needless to say I have been putting alot of time and effort into her and helping her get better and have pushed me aside and I have decided it is time to not only help her but help myself and ask for support to help me get back on track so HELLLLLLLLPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks

Jill

Day 7 of what seems to be an endless parade of snow snow snow and below 25 degree weather. Needless to say here in southern kentucky we are used to snow but not continual snow and not being able to get out. Where I live is in the country and they clean the roads but where my driveway is they pile the snow at the end of my driveway which is slanted on a 45 degree angle and when we get snow and ice you may as welll forget trying to clean it off or even try to get out.This is day number 3 of me being cooped up in the house and I am getting cabin fever. Good thing I have only good food in the house and no junk food because I would be stuffing my face to the limits if I had junk food in the house. Hopefully by Monday I can get out and go to the store to replenish my cubbards. Hope everyonoe has a wonderful weekend.

Jill