It's March already. My only excuse is that February always seems to fly by before it's gone. So it's time to check in on the 2013 resolutions or goals.

If you are interested in seeing my goals, here's the link to that blog:
www.sparkpeople.com/mypa ge_public_journal_individu al.asp?blog_id=5184224

So, here's my accounting of how February went.

1. Be Healthy:
While I would have liked it to be a little more, I lost 3.5 pounds in February. I just emptied my closets and drawers of 5- 30 gallon bags of clothes to take to the women's shelter. I just weighed them. 74 pound of way-too big clothing.


Spark People could generate enough funds just by sponsoring a clothing swap once a year. Card carrying members could swap one for one for free. But others would pay for the privilege to participate. I wish there was a way to hook up my clothes with others who have arrived at size 20 - 24, 2X - 4x. Since I can't figure that out, I'll hopefully bless some women at the shelter.

Doctors were very pleased at February appointments with weight loss. I don't think they can believe it. Last blood pressure was 124/85. Due for a PET scan in March or April. If this one is still good, I think we switch to once a year. That will make me very happy.

2. Be a playful, responsible Adult
Playful activities: treading water in community pool daily. Thank God the pool was heated. With walking and swimming, I tracked 2465 fitness minutes in February.

Responsible Adult: I dealt with the problem of the Social Security Office sending me a letter saying they had overpaid me $6,977, and that I'd need to send them a check for that amount by May 1. I sat in the waiting room to see someone with the only thing to look at being smiling photos of the President and Vice-President. I left my paperwork, not feeling that I had accomplished anything. And then Mr. R________ finally called me back and he actually listened to me and said he could take care of the problem, called back the next day and said it was fixed and 2 days later, I received all my paperwork back. No letter saying it was all fixed. But we'll hope for the best.

And then I had to deal with the insurance company and the problem of medical supplies which I hadn't received on 2/21. It took 45 minutes on the phone, but the insurance representative was so helpful, and together, we got that straightened out. The needed supplies arrived today.

And throughout both of these very stressful situations, I stayed the course. I didn't resort to all of those bingeing foods. That was kind of easy, because I don't have them in the house anymore, but it would have been so easy to swing through the drive through on the trip to the Soc. Sec. office 35 miles away. Or to just drive the 3 miles to the nearest donut shop, but I didn't.

That might be why I've had to use my substitute fruit trick today. Because that was the other thing I used to do with food--reward myself.


3. Nurture Relationships

I have made new friends at the pool and in the classes at the gym. I continue to try to help a friend long distance, though that long distance is very frustrating. I make a big effort on Spark People to leave meaningful posts. I suppose a quick WooHoo is needed once in a while, but surely people want more communicated, so they know you actually read something they wrote.


4. Make My Spirit Soar

I don't feel like I have done much here, though I do listen to my morning play list and that definitely start my day off in a good direction. I went to a great concert in February, and I'm going to another next weekend (a Mamas and Papas group) and I signed up to try to get season tickets for next year.

I need to work on creative projects. I can feel depression setting in and I don't want to get back into the ole habits of just sitting in my recliner.

I have felt good about the Eat to Defeat team. I started it to mainly have a place to point people interested in nutrition toward the anti-angiogenic information. But our membership almost doubled in February. I think that's amazing, considering people can access our links without joining the team. Even coming up with the little challenges we're doing is fun.

I feel the need to be doing some kind of teaching. We'll see where that goes as the year goes on. No, that doesn't mean I want to come out of retirement and go back to work. There are many ways to feel fullfilled as a teacher. I just need to start experimenting with them.

All in all, I consider it a very successful month.
Yes, I'm still resolute.

Jewels helps. She's saying, "Okay, I've waited long enough!! Time for our walk"