[FONT=\"Arial,]I just typed a WHOLE THING and then clicked the wrong button & it disappeared. POO!
The gist was: Jo & Dawnie - great job progressing on your goals!
and
Updates on my goals:
1) Lose weight (13 lbs by Memorial Day): While I had a bad weekend in this regard, I am still 1.0lbs lighter than where I started the year, so I consider this one at least a partial success so far. I will have much better news to report next week, I promise!
2) Know myself better: I\'m signed up for a couple of non-credit courses at the local college, in subjects taht I\'ve been interested in for a long time but have never really explored, so this is right on track!
3) Low-stress wedding planning: Since the first of the year, we\'ve ordered invitations, cake & flowers, and each has been a very pleasant experience, so this is well under control! [/font]
[FONT=\"Arial,]Can\'t wait to report even BETTER results in February![/font]

Reluctantly, here is my update (I know, I know, party pooper!)
Balancing checkbook/curving impulse purchases: While I did not balance my checkbook this month, I did keep track of all of my checks, which isn\'t really new. I am, however, excited to try a new method for this coming month, which is to only use cash. I will leave my card at home and because I am so possessive of cash, I will hopefully guard it better and not spend it like I do swiping away. I need to cut back on spending, so back to reg soap and not fancy shower gels, I can\'t afford my stylist and will go to an Aveda school and let a student give me my haircuts, and I am setting weekly limits in groceries, and above all, I will not do $20 dinners in restaurants for myself. If you know anyone about to go to College, you better warn them against credit cards!
Losing weight: Truth be told, I have no idea if I lost any weight since my last post. I think I may have lost 2 pounds, but I am not sure. I am, however, continuing to lose inches bc clothes are even loser. Another indicator? I have high-top Columbia boots that hurt me bad because they didn\'t fit properly, but now, I don\'t feel a damn thing when I wear them. I failed and ate chocolate, and pastries, but not everyday like I use to with donuts, etc. And when I make my typical ethnic dinners I overload on rice, which is not good. I have been keeping track of everything that I eat though, and my journal goes with me everywhere.
Being more social: Well, not so much social, although I did make it to a get-together to watch a tv show. It wasn\'t what I expected, and not worth a 1/2 hr bus stop wait at almost 10 pm at 15 degrees outside. I am trying to decide if this is something that I really want to do, or if this is something I feel like I should do (being more social). I will say, however, that I am smiling a lot more and being more receptive to that kind of behavrior.
All in all, not as good as I hoped, but

Hi everyone, here\'s an update on my goals for 2007:
1. Exercise 3x a week: I have kept up with this, I have made it to the gym 3x a week, we aren\'t budgeting for my personal trainer right now ($50 an hour!) so I am doing it alone, but I am doing good. I could use some help with my food/water, night time is the hardest for me, so I think I need to stop eating by 8:00 so I stop eating during my trigger times.
2. Set up a scrapbook station: Happy to report I have it up and running!! I have successfully scrapbooked about 10 pages so far, and having a blast!!! I will definately keep it up!!!
3. Payoff bills: We are doing great with our paying cash system, without using our check card. We would spend and not even know our money was gone before, now if the cash is gone, we have no more money to spend!! We just paid off 3 more small debts, and one that was $700.00!!! We soon will only have ourmortgage and our van payment, we are on track with our finances so far.
4. Join church weight loss group: First meeting is 1-30-07, I will miss the first meeting since we will be out of town, but I did contact the leader and tell her, I did buy the member kit so I am ready to go and willing!! I am so excited, I know this is what I need to break my bad habits that popped up after the holidays.
5. Declutter: We have been donating lots of stuff to the salvation army, and it feels good. We have a new office for our computer and it is helping us organize our bills etc more.
6. Be more patient with my kids\" I have tried very hard with this one, and its working well so far. I planned a few fun activities, and it felt good doing sillier things with the kids. I looked for ideas online and in books for stuff to do, I need to incorporate this into the days more, but so far so good. Scrapbooking has really helped me know how fast time goes, and I get so emotional!!!
7. Small Group: We just met again tonight for the 1st time this year, I really love our small group. We are starting a new study next time we meet, and are inviting more people into our group.
Thats my update!
Thanks!!!

Oh I miss understood you Jo, I thought you asked for my update so you would post it. Anyways its all over here if anyone is interested.

Alright ladies - we agreed to do an update around the 22nd of every month on how we are doing with our 2007 goals, so what\'s up everyone? I\'ll give my updates:
Weightloss: Slowly but surely seems to be my motto. And you know what? That is fine by me! I am down 30 pounds, and getting closer and closer to making it to my goal.
$Money$: January was eh, so so. February was much better. I am now excited about March. I have a very good and doable plan that took me 2 months to really develop, and now I know what is feasible for me in terms of expenditures. I no longer feel like I am hopeless with my debt. I lived within my means, and did not use my credit card at all this month. I will no longer use it at all, and do leave it at home. I also use cash mostly, and limit swiping my debit.
Socializing: For the first time this week, I went to an event where everyone was a stranger and I knew no one. It was good for me to get out and about. I know it is only one event, but I have also been doing a lot of lunches with a lot of coworkers from different offices where I work. I may be stalling, it may be progress. Don\'t know to be honest. It\'s so hard to make good friends!
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You know Jessica, it seems like you and I are on the same boat as far as our goals are concerned. Anyhow...slowly but surely is the name of the game and even one event, is a big step for you. I agree, it\'s hard to make new friends, specially good ones, but by meeting new people you find what you like and what you don\'t!
Keep up the amazing job. Now tell me, what\'s the plan for March?
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I am sorry I am 4 days late into reporting. My birthday got in the way. But here\'s my progress thus far:
[FONT=\"Arial,]1. Weight-loss. [/font]
This month I gained back what I lost in Janurary and then some. I was a little down about the situation, but then I realized, I gained less than a pound since the beginning of the year, so it\'s not too bad.
My plan of action for March is to track all my food, to avoid ALL sweets (desserts--my weakness) and to exercise 30 minutes EVERYDAY.
This month I learned two new and very important things that are keeping me in check. The first is to avoid self-defeating talk (negative talk) and vow to be my own best friend. I will give myself the same positive support I give my buddies on this site.
The second thing I learned is that \"trying\" is not the key, but \"doing\" certainly is. I am hopeful and excited about my new mindset.
[FONT=\"Arial,]2. Money. [/font]
I have not been able to set aside the $1,250 per month I set out to save at the beginning of the year, I have tapped into what little I have saved. This month, I will pass the torch to my husband who will, from now on, take care of the bills, while I take care of the rent. ONE payment only. I hope this will help us both, specially since he\'s the frugal one of the two.

[FONT=\"Arial,]3. Marathons/Charity.[/font]
I have not started training for my next marathon, but as soon as TOM is gone, (hopefully by Wednesday), I will start some serious training. The good news is that I have raised $70 so far. Granted, I have to raise at least $4,500, but it\'s a start.
This upcoming Sunday, I will be volunteering with the AIDS Marathon organization, to be at mile 19, assisting the runners at the Los Angeles Marathon. I will be helping my favorite charity while at the same time, staying close to one of my passions---marathon running!
[FONT=\"Arial,]4. Decluttering.[/font]
NOTHING!! I may have a mini-yard sale this Saturday, if I can get some things together. I\'m having a hard time organizing myself, but by God, it needs to be done.
My plan of action for the month of March is to follow Luella\'s advice and set aside 30 minutes each day to declutter.
[FONT=\"Arial,]5. Date night.[/font]
DH & I went on our first monthly date of the year at the beginning of the month. We are one date behind and I am hoping we can catch up in March. I think we will because on March 1st, we\'re going on date # 2, a Hockey Game!! I am not a sports fan, but I am adventurous and willing to try new things, my DH is a HUGE Hockey fan, so he is guaranteed to have a great time.
I know this isn\'t a very romantic date, but it\'s a date nonetheless and I know he\'ll have a great time, which is very important to me!

Now buddies, looks like February was not a very productive month, but I am excited about the month of March. I think I can undo the damage of February, plus make great strides on my journey towards success in 2007!!
Thanks for reading!
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1. My first goal is get down to 300 lbs by Memorial Day. I\'m back down to the weight I was before my gain. I\'m gonna stick with the 1900-2100 calorie range the rest of this month and see what happens. If I lose more weight, I\'ll stay with that range, if not, I\'ll change it again. I don\'t know if I\'ll make my 30 lb goal by Memorial Day, but it won\'t be for lack of trying.fficeffice\" />>>
2. I will continue to walk as much as possible, whenever possible. If I\'m able to increase without causing me a lot of pain, I will. I go out 3-4 days a week and walk for at least an hour...maybe not continuous, but at least that much total.>>
3. I will continue to try to give everybody as much support and encouragement as I possibly can. I can only say I hope I\'m being supportive and encouraging. At least I\'m trying. I get on here every day, several times a day (unless we\'re on the road) and read blogs, forum threads and messages. I try to welcome newbies, if I see them.
I hope I\'m adequately keeping this one.
4. Micheal and I have decided that at least once every month, we will buy a toy to give to Toys for Tots. We bought a toy for January and and took it to the fire department, but haven\'t done so this month. That\'s on the agenda for today.>>
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I guess I did not discuss what I hope to accomplish in March - so let me backtrack a little. Actually, first let me say that Jo, I am glad you are excited about March - so you better kick some butt and get revved up to keep your goals! I will say, though, that you should allow yourself a dessert once in a while. If you are so addicted to them, it may be too detrimental to have the \"all or nothing\" stance on desserts and exercise...I am just worried about you failing once and then letting that make you fall off the wagon completely. And Mary - you are VERY supportive, don\'t even wonder if you are or aren\'t...
I need to exercise SELF-CONTROL and stop eating when I am full. I am binging too much (well, even once is one too many), and it is hampering my weightloss, I am not making my exercise count to the fullest. I will also limit my intake of chocolate and bad stuff (cookies, pastries) - I will not cut them out because frankly, that is setting myself up for failure. But I will try my hardest to have them very infrequently. Also, I will continue my goal of not having fast-foods - well, burger joints fast food (I\'ll admit I had Popeye\'s a couple of times a few weeks back).
I will dedicate 20% of my paycheck to one major debt at a time until it is paid, before attacking another one while continuing all other payments(something I am happy about because not only is it doable but will get me debt free much sooner than I thought!). And I will continue to curb my expenses like I did in Feb.
As for socializing, I know there is a girls night out happening sometime within the next 2 weeks. Also I\'m supposed to volunteer at an event for the DV org. I work with - so little things to look forward to, which is better than nothing.
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I am checking in for the first time in a looooooooooong time...
Well, I am actually getting myself \"Right\"...YAY...One goal almost down...
STill working on the weight...
Still working on the job...
I am still actively working on all three goals for myself, but the first one, my mental health, while ALWAYS a work in progress, is better today then its been in months...
[b][color=#ff0000]This is a good thing!!! [IMG]http://72.