Taking the Plunge ... and Purging!

Those aren't MY clothes ... but that's pretty much what it looked like on my bed yesterday.  I took the plunge and purged my closet.

This was not easy for me.

My friend Rosa has lost almost 50 pounds and we have talked about the clothes that don't fit anymore.  If we throw them out ... that means that we intend to be our new, smaller selves for ... EVER!

Let's be honest, friends.  I have lost weight before.  20 pounds down only to gain back 25.  25 pounds down only to gain back 30!  It's NOT HEALTHY!

By cleaning out my closet I am promising myself NEVER TO DO THAT AGAIN!

There ... it's in pink and white.

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When I bought my little Canon camera for my second 3-day in San Francisco, I also bought the Protection Plan from Best Buy.  Recently I dropped my little friend and cracked the screen.  I took it back to Best Buy yesterday and they are repairing the screen for me.  One Geek told me I might just get a new camera.  That would be sweet!

I guess that means no pictures for a while ... unless I can get my big Canon to work!

...

There were five women in my Zumba class last night!  That is a VERY small group for my gym.  I am assuming the numbers will go up after Labor Day.  It was fun to be in such a small class, though.  One woman told me she went to a class and she was the only one there!  I would take that opportunity to have the instructor help me work on my "sexy!" (WEPA!)

boobies

Mammo Monday ... and other stuff

That's me ...

Berta walker!

I wish I was still in Provincetown.  I miss my friends ... I miss our walks ... I miss that AMAZING Zumba class ... I miss the beach.  But, I must say ... I missed my "boys" and am glad to be home!

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Today was Mammo Monday.  I had my annual mammography (breast sono, thyroid sono, pelvic sono ...)  It was a full afternoon at Nassau Radiologic!  The best words I heard were "You will get the results in a week." (after the mammography) and "You can get dressed and go home." (after the breast sono)  A few women were called in to speak to the doctor after their tests ... so I guess everything looks good for me.

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It's that time again.  Time to put together a t-shirt for our team.  No logos this year so it should be easy.

I'm voting for "Team Burt's Babes--Penn Station to Dallas" on the front and 

"1545 miles + 60 (in 3-days!)" on the back.  I don't know if that makes sense to you.  What do you think?

...

I gathered up all my courage and went to WW for my weigh-in tonight.  I really believed that, after 10 days in Provincetown, I SHOULD have gained weight.  I guess the Zumba and long walks paid off, though.  I lost a pound and am now down 41+!

Yay! Life is Great!

boobies 

Back ...

Sashi, Roberta, Debra ... 3 reasons to walk!

I am back.

It was an amazing 10 days with family and friends in Provincetown.  While there, I either did an hour of fantastic Zumba ... or walked 7- 8 miles with Susan and assorted others (Beth, Sashi, Debra, Hannah, Sonya.)  We made it to the beach every day.  The weather was perfect.  I stayed on program in the beginning ... but, I must admit to "falling off the WW wagon" as we made our way through cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at Kalmar, barbecues, and trips to Provincetown restaurants.  Sitting on the beach with coolers that included Cape Cod chips and chocolate chip cookies didn't make it any easier!  But, as I said, I am back!  Do I want to weigh in tomorrow night?  Probably not ... but I will.  I NEVER want to go back to where I was October 30th!

...

While away ... the donations came in and I am just about to see $3000 on my progress thermometer.  My personal goal was $5000.  Anything is possible, but I continue to be honored by the support and love given me by my friends and family so far.

My goal now is to give away ALL those cookbooks!  The deal is ... anyone who makes a $25 (or greater) donation to the 3-day will receive a "Step-By-Step" cookbook! The reviews for the book are quite impressive! (Thank you Barbie-Lou ... I know you are reading this!)

...

Burt's Babes Dallas is down to 6 team members. (I miss you already Sandy and Lesley!)

In spite of our small number ... we are a mighty team and have raised $26,012.02! (That .02 is interesting ... there must be a story behind it!)

 We are #8 on the list of Top Teams and Captain Burt and team mate Liz are #s 4 and 5 on the list of Top Fundraisers!  Impressive!  I am so proud to be a member of this small but amazing group of walkers.

68 days until we take our first step!

boobies.
...
Just made it to $3018.00!
Yay! 

ZUMBA!

When I saw my Zumba instructor, Linda, Monday night, I had just come from WW ... and finally lost 40+ lbs! I was so excited and shared the news with her.  I told her that Zumba was helping me get to my goal.  Tonight she gave me this Zumba bracelet and I love it!  Thank you Linda!  You put a BIG smile on my face! (Now I have to work on moving my body like you do!)

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Burt's Sunday training walk to Brooklyn was canceled due to a miserable weather report.  The weatherman was WRONG, and it turned into a beautiful day.  Oh well.  Next time.

...

I still have all those cookbooks.  I have to make some decisions and soon ... or else I will ALWAYS have all those cookbooks!!!!!  

The end.

Time to 'Fess Up and Get Back To Work

Ok ... ok ...

so I gained .6 lb this week.

I blamed it on my trip to Florida.

I can't really do that, though, because Mom eats a big 2 meals a day for goodness sake.

So now I'm blaming it on the birthday party for Ronnie's cousin where I tried a number of different desserts ... and Sashi's birthday dinner where I ate some fried calamari and bread and a donut for dessert.

I think I'll be back down by next Monday.

You keep me honest!

...

Speaking of food, Burt's Babes will be publishing a cookbook (if we ever get it together.)  We're in the "collecting recipes" stage ... so, if you would like to contribute and see your name in print, send your favorite recipe or two or three ... OR MORE ... to harris.robertak@gmail.com  

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Did I tell you that I was featured in the Commack Teacher's Association newsletter along with a few other teachers who do charitable work?  Well ... the CTA is giving us $200.  An email went out today asking what we would like to do with our share.  Responses were to get something for the school ... host a breakfast or lunch ... go out as a group ... but I wrote that I would like to donate my small share to Susan G. Komen.  I thought that made the best sense.  

Let's see what everyone else says.

Lost and Found ... Found and Lost

New Year's Eve-2011 (or maybe it was 2012)

Last week I was a bit disappointed that I gained 1.2 lbs.

Sashi figured it was the jeans I was wearing.

So tonight, I took off the jeans and put on the black slacks I have been wearing since October 31st and drove off to "weigh in."

Maybe she was right!  I lost 3.8 lbs ... almost 16 sticks of butter!

So I lost the weight I found last week.

Last week I lost my glasses.  Tonight I found them in the meeting room.

So ... Found and Lost ... and Lost and Found.

It is a good thing!

...

That's a picture of me having a great New Year's Eve.

Great fun with great friends ... I hope that's just a preview of what's to come this year.
...

I have been watching Breaking Bad non stop since Friday night when my friends Lynn and Joel told me I'd love it.
ADDICTING!
I have watched the entire first two seasons and have five episodes of season three to watch.  Thank you Netflix.  
This is such a great show!!!!
...
It's back to work tomorrow.  
Back to work 15.6 lbs down!

Happy Holidays

This is what the Chrismakkah table looked like before the meal started.  Notice the little bags of Chanukah gelt on each salad plate. I didn't eat the gelt because I'm good.

But I guess I wasn't all that good this week although I really tried ... tried through Christmas breakfast at school, tried my way past cookies and cakes on the sign-in counter,  and tried through an awesome Christmas dinner party at Bruce and Celia's.

  In spite of all that trying ... I gained a STICK OF BUTTER+.  

Do you know how long it took me to lose a stick of butter?

 I did take a deep breath and stepped on the scale last night ... so I am taking ownership of my weight gain and starting over today.

The end.

Or is it the beginning?

We'll see next week.

Damn New Years Eve is just before the next weigh in. duhr.

Lucky 13

Another 8 sticks of butter*!

The topic last night was "Moving Around."  I haven't done much of that lately ... at least not the training walk kind of moving around.  I have been moving around the Internet ... shopping for the holidays.  I even moved around the malls (two malls in one week!  Yikes!) and I moved in and out of stores.  This kind of moving around will stop soon ... maybe even now ... because my credit card wants to stop moving out of my wallet!

I don't enjoy staying for the meetings.  

I find some of my fellow "watchers" quite dull. 

The leader is nice ... but I guess she couldn't pick her audience.

Last night she reported that a latke ... 3 inches in diameter ... is 7 points. She also talked about how everything smells like cooking oil after standing in the kitchen where the latkes are frying.

That's just not worth it.

No latkes for Bertie this year.

My Crayola Calendar says tonight is the first night of Chanukah.

The story of Chanukah is about miracles and lights.

May we all share in the miracles life offers.

Happy Chanukah!

Hag Sameach!

*two pounds.  Total loss:  13 pounds

Monday Was "You Know What" Day!

44 sticks of butter*, y'all.

11 pounds ... since October 31st!