a couple of things...

I didn't go to my weight watchers meeting on Saturday. Usually I think of going to my meeting as a gift, a time out just for me that I give myself to help me stay on track because it really is a great support. Last Saturday was an exception in that I didn't force myself to go to a meeting even though I was worried I had gained back some weight I had just lost. I didn't count my calories/points as carefully as I had planned too during the week and I thought if I went to my meeting and found out I gained I would be upset, and I just didn't want to be upset on my birthday. Yes it was a big day for me, I am always pleased to be here for yet another year!
Plus it would be a nice present sleeping in a couple of extra hours.
So guess what I did as soon as I woke up? After vowing not too, I weighed myself! If I didn't stay the same, I think I may have lost a pound. My scale isn't accurate, but it's close enough. Feeling guilty I properly consoled myself, telling myself, it's your birthday, you should do whatever you want, if you wanted to weigh yourself, what is so wrong with that? Who is making up the rules anyway? I think I made the right decision because later on (after being sick for the last couple of weeks) I finally had the energy to go for a nice 3 & 1/4 mile run. Feeling empowered, as exercise so often does for me, I also decided that for the rest of the day, birthday cake included, whatever I ate would be eaten joyfully and with lots of gratitude.That is one of the things I love about WW, there aren't any foods off limits.

thanks to my generous parents, the Eggplant Milano that I ordered from my favorite Greek restaurant. I only ate half of it. Thanks Mom & Dad!
& the cake for after...I had one slice with 2 "slivers".


Remember the tips? Well, there are more!
If you missed the first 22, please go here, here & here.

Tips for an Exceptional, Superb and Powerful Life

23. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time!

24. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

25. Your job won't take care of you when you get sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch with them.

26. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

27. Envy is a waste of time. You already have everything you need. God provides, remember?!

28. The best is yet to come.

tomorrow will be the last of the "tips" plus a little about my word for the year,
~ O R G A N I S E !

8. Clear clutter from your house, car, and desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

9. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, misuses of the past. Negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.

10. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class...but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

11. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a layman, and dinner like a beggar.

12. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

13. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

14. Don't take yourself seriously. No one else does. ( I love this one.)

More to follow soon from "Tips for an exceptional, Superb and Powerful Life".

& just a photo from my Vermont trip. I can't believe it was two weeks ago already!
I wanted to show you this because I think it really captures the feel of what it was like being there.

please click on photo to enlarge for greater details.