Rainy Days and Mondays......Not This One!!

Today's picture is a shot of the 57-mile New River Rail Trail which runs from Pulaski, Virginia to Galax, Virginia with a 8-mile spur trail to Fries, Virginia.  We rode the entire trail during Mr. B's  fall break in 2008 and found it to be absolutely gorgeous.  The trail is running under the bridge and this shot was taken just outside of Pulaski.  

It is Monday and it is definitely raining, but I can assure you that even though Karen Carpenter made millions singing that it would get me down, it most certainly has not!!  I got my walk in between rain showers, after tomorrow the sun is coming out and along with the cooler temperatures, the leaves will begin their million dollar show.  With just a slight blip in today's itinerary, I'm at home doing my Monday things and could not be more content.  Well, that's not being totally honest.  I'm not far enough removed from sugar and flour yet that the thoughts of a bag of something or other here by my side isn't tempting, but I'm putting those thoughts away which is exactly why my new Monday schedule calls for blogging between 4 and 6 p.m. 

A friend invited me to lunch today saying she "needed" to talk to me.  I thought it through and decided to let my "yes" be "yes" even though I've reserved Monday as my "accept no invitations" day.  I was fearful that I knew what she wanted to talk to me about, but thankfully, I was wrong.  It was something entirely different.  We ate at Olive Garden. I chose my lunch (Capellini Pomodoro) from the on-line menu before going and never even opened a menu.  I learned the hard way about Olive Garden the last time I went.  One serving of that never-ending salad bowl they are so famous for is 350 calories unless ordered without the dressing.  Valuable lesson learned!  Don't be fooled like I was.   My lunch was delicious (the lunch portion is 480 calories) and I brought some of it home.

I see that a new report has been released which indicates that America now has the highest adult obesity rate in the developed world at 34%.  Think about this.  Line ten adults up and at least three of them can be classified as obese.  The report is very clear - this is not just overweight, it is talking about adults meeting the definition of OBESE.  It has been awhile since I fell in the category of obese, but I once did and my heart now aches for every one of you who are there now and wanting/trying/struggling to get out.  Please hang in there and don't give up.  It feels so good to look at these reports and say, "that once was me, but is no longer and never will be again."  We can play the blame game, but ultimately, the only way this nation will become healthy again is one person taking control of their own health, one day at a time.  When parents are in control of their own health, I believe they will take control of their children's health and we will see a dramatic reduction in childhood obesity as well.  

I am going to make Monday my day to report progress on the Hot 100 Challenge.   It began last Thursday, so this will be a short reporting period, but Monday reporting works best for me.

Here are my goals:

1)  Reach my goal weight of 138 on or before December 31, 2010.  I have lost 1/2 pound and will have to admit I'm a bit disappointed by that. 

2)  I will eat nothing containing white sugar, white flour or trans fats.  With the exception of one minor slip yesterday, I've been sugar, flour & trans fat free.  (Who knew anyone put white flour in cornbread???)

3)  I will walk 10,000 steps every day or an average of 10,000 steps over seven days.  Check!!

4)  I will not eat between meals or after 7 p.m.  Check!!    

 

I am loving the book, "100 Days of Weight Loss" and am so thankful to Tish of Incremental Improvements  for the recommendation.  I'm a bit bummed by only 1/2 pound weight loss. In times past, I've lost generously during the first few days following a setback.  Just need to accept the fact that my 55 year old body is not going to lose at the same pace my 50 year old body did.  Much has changed in those five years if you get my drift!!!  But I remain motivated and am loving the camaraderie I'm finding amongst the now 83 of us that are participating.

 

Several of you asked for more information about the Wild Plum Tea Room following this post.  Like I said in the original post, they do not have a website, but you can find lots of info and reviews on this Trip Advisor website.  It is located in the Arts & Crafts Community just outside of Gatlinburg.  I disagree with some of the reviews that say men wouldn't be comfortable.  When MIL and I were there, at least a third of the patrons were men so as with most things, that's all a matter of perspective.  Will be happy to answer any additional questions.  It's truly a quaint and fun place to visit if in the area.

 

While I've been writing, this "rainy day and Monday" has become "when it rains, it pours."  Guess I better go rustle up some supper.  But guess what?  I made it through the 4-6 p.m. temptation period without a thought of food.  Thanks, friends...........................