Well, I did my exhaustion test for my push-up challenge and failed. Well, you know, failure is subjective.... I didn't reach my 45 minimum which I needed to do to move onto Week 6! I only managed 30 consecutive push-ups. But, in my defense, or is this an excuse? Anyhow, I waited until after my visit to Curves and my water workout to try. So, my body was weakened already. That's OK. I'll repeat Week 5 and try again next week. I'm still stronger than I ever was!

I gained a little weight this week too. I hate that for my 5% challenge and for my firecrackers Team! I hate to mess them up! I think it is mainly water weight as I had a high sodium snack last night. I got weighed and measured at Curves today too and in 4 months haven't lost any inches or weight. You know I don't only do Curves either and should be losing at least some inches, but nah! Part of me wants to give up, but that is just emotions talking! I know a huge problem of mine is my poor eating habits! I need to buckle down. If I weren't exercising I'm sure I wouldn't be able to fit out my door! I am a stress eater. I am a junk food junkie. I am a social eater. I come from a fat family. I know all this stuff, but still eat and eat to extremes. At times I feel so out of control! I have to change.

We had storm after storm here today and my dog is totally stressed! I tried the Thunder shirt again. He hates it. Once on it doesn't calm him. It seems to petrify him even more and he sort of becomes paralyzed all the while panting and trembling. They said they would take it back and ThunderShirt will accept a return and I love that! So, I'll return it and try other things. I feel so bad. I can try to distract him and calm him when I am here, but don't know what to do when I'm not here. The poor boy! It really does break my heart!

Mom is doing well. Medication caused the severe rise in her potassium levels and that should be fixed by her doctors taking her off those meds.

Well, I did a 65 minute workout in the pool and now I am starved! Yes, real hunger. My tummy is growling. I'm going to eat a balanced meal. I'm going to up my protein and fiber and see if I can stop overeating. I can do this, right?