I  just can't seem to get passed this plateau.  In fact, I expect that if I were to get on the scales that I would find myself backsliding.  But I am not up to that today.

I admire those that are able to lose huge amounts of weight, creating goals and sticking to them through thick and thin. I find there are so many distractions  like Easter, Mother's Day, Friday nights, lunches out, delectable trays of expensive cheeses and fattening crackers.  How do people resist!

Well, I have a couple more weeks and I am determined to get as close as I can to my goal.  Stay tuned.

So much has transpired since my last blog - travel to Costa Rica enjoying great hiking and wildlife watching adventures. We walked up to 15 km each day through dense rainforest, up and down hills and over what were at times fairly dangerous precipices.  Just before sunset we enjoyed one hour of yoga, a new experience for both of us, which, at the top of a mountain, overlooking the jungle and the ocean listening to the birds, watching troops of monkeys was about as close to a spiritual experience as I have experienced.

The food was healthy and delicious.

All that and I didn't lose a pound.  However, I felt fantastic and really didn't gain anything either.

So I am about halfway to my goal which means it is pretty unlikely I will reach it by June.  But, darn it, I am going to try and if I don't make it by June than I will try to make it by July...and so on.  I am determined to get in shape no matter how long it takes.

thanks for reading!

David and I are heading to Costa Rica and if all goes well in less than a week we will be settled into a eco-lodge bungalow in agruably  the most remote area of the country, the Osa Penninsula.  This is quite an adventure for us and admittedly we had paid our deposit prior to discovering that our bungalow in part is open to the jungle and the power (self generated by the Lodge) is turned off at 10 pm.  Since those discoveries we have been going back and forth and have changed our minds half a dozen times for those reasons and others imagined or real.  I do have one good reason to go, though.  As a result of my new health kick and determination to lose weight, all of the Tilley Endurable adventure/safari/rain forest clothing that I acquired almost 10 years ago fits me again.  That in itself should be reason enough to go!

Thanks for reading!

Isn't it great that EVERY year we get a chance to start anew, give our resolutions a good try and make promises to ourselves and plans for the future.  I beleive so.  I am starting out this year by forgiving myself and at the same time patting myself on the back.  Christmas 2010 was possibly the best holiday that I have had in more than 10 years.  Thanks to my wonderful family and extended families.  I am truly blessed.

I am forgiving myself for gaining back 3 of the 6 pounds I had lost before Christmas.  I am patting myself on the back because I  gained ONLY 3 of the 6 pounds back and still indulged and enjoyed every single bite of food and every treat I savoured.

It's a new year and I am back on track and eager to meet the challenges of 2011.  I welcome everyone to join me!  It is going to be a great year.  Stay healthy. Stay active. Stay happy.

Thanks for reading!

Primary Food - it is not what you eat but what fuels the heart and soul.  My best Christmas Gifts came in the form of words and gestures.

1. "I would like to thank my Lovely Assistant, Gramma"  -  my grandson, Rian, age 12, doing magic tricks for the family.

2. I aced my courses, work is great and I am dating a great guy - life is gooood, Mom" - my daughter, Rebecca who is working full time, training for marathons and completing her MBA.

3. " My tattoo says 'Gramma' " - My almost three year old grand-daughter, Lyla, who responded this way to" anyone who asked about her pretend tattoo. (It really says, 'queen').

4."We're really happy here - things are working out well for us" - My step-daughter, Tanis, about her decision to move to Toronto from Bermuda.

5. "Let me show you how to use your IPad" - My step-son, Matt, during a Christmas day lull.

6. "Gramma, you are my best student - here is your Certificate of Excellence" - Jade, 6 yr. old granddaughter who received a pretend class-room as a gift from us.

7. "These gifts rock!" - Vanessa, our step-daughter.

8. "I love you Karen  Elizabeth" - David, my loving husband.