Ok... February and I'm overdue for an update.  So far, I've managed two work outs and have continued with my food journal.  I know what I've got to do this month:  Keep my food within my points allocation, 100kms on the elliptical and thirty hours in the gym and stay hydrated. Two hours down so far and 10ks in. More to come today before Pizza night once again in our house.  

Hi Andrea, how's it coming? Good for you for keeping it up strong after the challenge. 

Hi Andrea, just checking in to see how it's going.  I love how you set your distance and hours for the month. 

Hope all is well!

 Hey Zin and Jo,  What is it they say about the best laid plans??  I'm so sick right now, it literally hurts to type.  Some flu thing caught up with me and I'm heading into the third day now - hence, no updates from me.  Wishing all of you the best and looking forward to getting back on track once this is behind me.

Hi Andrea, just checking in.  Hope you're feeling a little better.  Don't get crazy when you start back up.  Baby steps when you're better.  Build back up to your 21 day challenge "status".  You'll only hurt yourself if you push too hard. 

I know all about best laid plans...

Hi Andrea, it's coming to the end of the month, and I'm just checking in on you.  How's everyone feeling?  Any successes to report?  Or, not so much success this time around, but you're still trying...

 Thanks so much for checking in on me Zin.  I've been off-line for so long now, it's a little crazy.  It turns out I've developed pneumonia.  No fun here at all.  Lots of bed rest for me and hope to be back at this goal once I'm stronger.  Right now, believe it or not, it's a challenge to get from one side of the house to the other and one level to the next.  I feel like a 90 year old woman.  Man... I guess this was my body telling me I needed a break.  And when I have to struggle to get a breath, I think the body is winning this battle.  Rest and sleep... got the message... loud and clear.  Hope all is well with you guys.

Hi Andrea, hope things are getting better.  With all you've been through, it's time to just rest for a bit.  That's OK.  You're body will let you know when you're ready to move again, and I'm sure you'll work within your body's limits. 

  Hey, just a quick update.  Being sick has been good in at least one way.  I'm almost 17lbs down since Jan 1.  Very happy about that progress.  Unfortunately, the weight hasn't been lost in a healthy way so once I'm feeling strong enough to head back to the gym, I'll have to take things slowly.  Thanks for checking in.

Slow and steady for sure, build your work outs back up gently.  I had pneumonia a few years ago, and it took me almost 3 months to totally shake it and feel better.  I wouldn' t be surprised if it took awhile for you, since you have been loaded down with stress for so long, your body is going to have a hard time bouncing back quickly.  17lbs though :-)  nice way to start off fresh.

Andrea, so sorry to hear about your pneumonia. I've had it too, many times, so I know how hard it is to recover. It's like breathing underwater, with a piano on your chest.

Hang in there and you will be better. Just lots of rest. I know you're listening to your body, and really, that's the BEST goal, to just be healthy. I know you have a whole new perspective on that. All that weight is something, 17 lbs! I have lost weight that way, too, and if you start slow with your workouts, you may gain a little bit back, but not all, and you will feel better, which is all that matters.

Take it easy, girl!

 Hi Shea... many times?  That has to suck!   You're right though - it feels exactly like that - hurts to breathe deeply.  Anyway, appreciate your checking in.  Looks like you guys have been super busy.  Love all the new stuff coming down.  

Hi Andrea, Thanks for popping by my goal. Hope you are feeling better. Sure your body is just warn out a bit after such a trying year. I must admit I have forgot how fun and motivating this community can be, if I put in the effort. I feel I deeper awareness to what matters to people right now and into their future. Thanks for being a part of this with us. Feel Better. 

Hey, I just wanted to get back to updating this goal...  yes, I am FINALLY feeling more like myself.  I can't believe how long it has taken to get over this and I'm also happy to write that I've started in on the activity to get back at this goal again.  Weekend here was nice and that meant... spring clean-up time.  I'm absolutely counting raking and garden work as activity.  Tomorrow - I'm getting back on the horse.  Time to start in with the routine again.  Bill, thanks so much for checking in on me and for your well-wishes.  

So glad you're feeling better Andrea! And garden work is totally an activity. ^^

If you  have muscle soreness when you're done, it counts.  I ALWAYS have muscle soreness when done w/ any yardwork!  Glad you're feeling better =)

Andrea, SO GLAD you're finally feeling better! Spring couldn't have peeked its head out at a better time. The fresh air, no doubt, did your lungs immeasurable good. I hope you're raring to go. It's going to be a wonderful season of renewal for you all.

And so you will be able to refocus on a goal near and dear to us all, fit and healthy.

I have been working at it, too, coming back to my goal from last April, lose 15 pounds. I'm down to the final 5 pounds and pushing it a lot harder to make it before the anniversary of this dang goal! I picked up a workout buddy, my best friend has to make weight for an Easter sailing regatta, so she and I have been really egging each other on. I took your idea for a food journal and finally started doing it faithfully. (Scary, really scary to realize what I eat that I don't realize I'm eating.) So thanks for all your inspiration! You have shared so much about your own process, I have used a lot of it to guide my progress. Appreciate it.

Hope you are well back in the saddle! 

Thanks for checking in, guys.  So happy to be back at it.  Just a little at a time though, but a little is better than continuing alternating from the couch to the bed to the kitchen.  Not a lot of healthfulness there.  A nice brisk 5k walk today and I'm loving life again.  Need to put it in the schedule for tomorrow as well.  Shea, so happy that some of the tips I've shared on here have made a difference.  Yes, that food journal is a great tool and helps keep me on track daily.  It's always more fun to chase the fitness goal with a buddy.  I've read of all your support for Bill too.  

Andrea - how are you doing?  Just wanted to check in to see where we all are...

 I'm plugging along.  I've been to the gym a few times since I've begun to feel better, but not enough to make a difference on the scale yet.  Sigh.  I really need to commit to five to six times per week - otherwise, I'm just fooling myself.  Believe it or not, I'm still not myself since the pneumonia.  A follow up at the doc's and an x-ray indicate all is cleared up in my lungs, but I just don't have the strength or endurance back fully yet.  On the other hand, the weather is warming up (finally) and the gardens are beckoning and just going for a walk outside has been nice.  Time is flying by though.  Thanks for checking in Zin.  I can always count on you to light a flame under my butt - I appreciate that so much.  I'be been following your progress and you remain an inspiration to us all.  Keep up the great work.

Andrea, hope you are feeling better on the first day of this new month. Good health is coming your way, you just have to be patient and careful not to push it so you don't relapse.

I think right now is a good time to ease into it, with spring here and summer on the horizon. You will feel better, and little by little you will get back to your great habits. You inspire us just by being here. I am in an up-and-down phase too, there's just so much going on. We will get there!

 Thanks for your note Shea.  I am finally starting to feel stronger and more energetic.  I can't believe how long this is taking.  Nope - a relapse is out of the question.  Easing into it for sure.  I wish the weeds and gardening would let me ease into them too.  Those dandelions are just about killing me.  We don't use weed killer up here (harmful to the environment) so every little annoying dandelion sprout needs to be hand removed by the root (I use a weed grabbing tool) before it seeds and turns my entire yard into a sea of brilliant yellow.  ARRRGGG - soooo frustrating right now.  Mind you, they are kind of pretty, but if they get out of control, there will be no grass to enjoy this summer - just a lawn of dandelions.