The spirit of Christmas ~


Happy December... How 'bout a holiday gift?


Well... I said I wanted December to be my month but when I got hit with bronchitis last week and it was confirmed this week and I'm back on prednisone (Doctor's orders), I was kind of concerned.  It's been a hard week with the death of two friends and my sister entering the hospital emergency room and being diagnosed with internal bleeding and blood clots in her lungs. 

Here's the realization though:  Life is short.  We need to embrace every moment of every day and do what we can to stay healthy!  We need to reconnect with friends today, not when we're back at our ideal weights.  We need to tell family and friends that we love them, we forgive them, we miss them... whatever emotion we may have been holding back from sharing for whatever reason.  NOW is the time to reach out - - there may not be a tomorrow. 

Now for the good news:  A year ago - under this kind of sadness and stress, I would have reached for food for 'comfort' and gained a couple of pounds in the past week.  Probably more than a couple!  And I probably wouldn't have 'reached for food', I would have gone to the grocery store or driven thru fast food or stopped by the closest convenience store to grab a liter of Pepsi and a couple of candy bars.  AND ATE THEM on the drive home!  That was then.  This is now.  I'm better than I was then, I'm not as good as I will be.  Embrace THIS moment.  Live THIS day.  Congratulate yourself on the positive accomplishments and stay POSITIVE!


When I went to Weight Watchers weigh-in tonight, I wasn't sure if I would be down - I looked at my ankles and my hands and they both looked swollen to me... but I was wrong.  I was down 2.6 pounds this week! :)
Only .8 lbs. and I'm down into the 220s. YEAH!

I'm really blessed to have met the people I have met through the Healthy Loser Gal blog and through Twitter!  So many people are so caring and kind and open with their talents and sharing.  It is amazing, really!  When I told friends this week that I was having a tough time losing two friends, the outpouring of love and prayers was felt!  I am so thankful to you all! It helped... a lot!

One friend I met early on when I was tweeting is this great, happily married Texas guy named Tom.  He is upbeat and positive and so encouraging here on my blog... and didn't he give me the greatest gift this week!?  He sent me this incredibly thoughtful motivational mp3 that is recorded to music with my own words I've used on the blog about the goals I want to accomplish and how far I've come on my journey.  I listened to it for the first time last night and was so inspired by the affirmations, and weeping at the same time! *grin*  I want to take this moment to thank Tom publicly because he is just one of those people who doesn't ask for anything in return and is just giving.  Huge hugs to you, Tom! Thank you! :)


And on Monday night - when I was in the midst of all my horrible news - I came home to a package from Roman Meal.  You know Roman Meal breads and products, don't you?  If you don't, I'm giving you the chance to - well, even if you DO know, you've got a chance for some FREE ROMAN MEAL product!  The PR gal, Jessica, for Roman Meal has sent coupons for one free Roman Meal product.  So, my friends, the first 10 of you who follow @Roman_Meal on Twitter and then let me know that you have, send me a note at healthylosergal@yahoo.com with your home address and I'll send you off a coupon!  How easy is that? : )

Thank you, Jessica and Roman Meal, for this really generous offer! : )


Despite the rush of the season, I plan to embrace the joy and positive messages of the Christmas season... to remember that there are kind, generous folks in this world and to feel the peace of friends and family and know that 2010 holds HEALTH for me!  And that is ALL good! :)