Happy New Year!
Wow it's been months since I've been on here...thanks to all of you who wondered where I was and left me nice messages.
I took "off" for the holidays, and the month leading up to them...there was no specific reason except that I didn't want to be stressing over food when there was so much good food to eat. Probably not the greatest idea, but I don't think there was ever a day when I went totally overboard. There were a few when the caloric intake got a little high, hence the 6 lb gain since September.
I've also been having trouble with my back and hips. Arthritis, herniated discs...all at age 27! I didn't want to feel this old so soon! But a few injections later, and a whole lot of physical therapy, and I'm starting to feel better and getting back to some semblance of a workout schedule. Even if it's just a 20 minute walk to work in the morning, at least it's something. And I've committed to doing at 15 minute ab routine tape and a 15 minute stretching tape (both from Slim in 6) at least every other day. They will both help my back feel better. I got to the gym twice over the New Year's break - I was very proud of myself. 
So this year, I have the same cliched, boring resolutions that everyone else has - lose weight, eat better, exercise more. Execpt this time, my OTHER resolution is to not be so negative about it. Yes, I'm on a diet. Yes, I resent that fact that I have to be on a diet. But it's my own fault, and my own responsibility to change my life and my habits. So what's the use of complaining about it all the time??
If you ever see something super negative on this blog, please call me out on it and remind me of my resolution. New outlook, new happiness, new life.
I also have a more specific goal - I will be returning to Jenny Craig this weekend, to prepare for my 10 year high school reunion in June. My goal is to lose 3 lbs per month until then. Just THREE! If I lose more, great! In April and May I will work my butt extra hard to hopefully make it to 20lbs total.
I also hope to give you some tips which have helped me, and which others have been so kind as to pass on. So here's the first!
Citrucel SmartFiber Soft Chews in chocolate and caramel. These are a great fiber supplement, not only for keeping you, ahem, regular, but for getting the daily amount of fiber most of us aren't getting. I happen to eat a lot of fiber-filled foods (oatmeal, apples, Fiber One cereal, popcorn, broccoli, spinach etc), so I usually take 1 or 2 of these every day (the recommended dose on the package is 4). I've found that if I take two after dinner with a big glass of water, I'm too full for dessert. The caramel flavor is better than the chocolate. Both are a bit gravely tasting towards the end, so it's best to just let them melt away instead of chewing. Also, you NEED that big glass of water, or you will feel them in your throat for hours!
Good luck today everyone! Happy New Year!