Do you have a plan?

"A goal without a plan is just a wish"

Wow, what a powerful statement from this week's weight watcher weekly bulletin. So, have you set your new years resolutions yet? I know some people have given the increased numbers at the Y and weight watchers in the past couple weeks. Today it was packed at weight watchers, which I love seeing- I just hope people can stick with it.

And that's what is so hard for so many, and was so difficult for me until I gave up all my excuses, looked myself in the mirror and admitted that I needed help. Thank God for weight watchers and support I have received from it and my loved ones. But the reality is...I AM DOING THIS. Not weight watchers, or my friends and family, but ME. Just as the all wonderful Jennifer Hudson says- you have to Believe.

So, do you Believe? After my weigh in today... with a whopping 3.6 lb loss- I have to believe! I'm in shock that I had such a good week with so much other stress going on. On New Years day we lost a great man, my grandfather- Joe Mulrooney. So Adrian and I packed up and drove down to Louisville, KY to mourn his loss with my family. It was very difficult because not only was Joe a great man, but it seemed like I couldn't help but re-open the wound that my father's death has left on my heart. My uncle Rob and his wife Debbie were there which was comforting. Seeing uncle Rob always seems to transport me back in time to Christmases in Kentucky where I would be on Papa's knee and Rob would play with us and my cousins in the basement while the "boring adults" socialized upstairs. In my eyes he was always such a cool uncle because of the silly things that kids care about when they are 5- barbies and toys.

And of course, it was great to spend time with the Crush family (my Aunt Brigid and her family), they are always so warm, fun and loving. It was wonderful spending time with them last time we were in Kentucky to see my dad when his health was failing...it's just a shame that we usually spend time together during difficult times because they are so full of life and love. With family far away, sometimes that's just the reality of life. I love that I never feel pressured to eat extra around them like I often feel around other family members and even some friends, in fact I feel just the opposite. Their healthy life style makes me feel at ease and like I am in my own house- which showed on the scale this week despite fewer total workout days and some of the most delicious desert I have ever tasted (but in moderation). If you have never had Derby Pie you obviously haven't lived. Also, chocolate chip pumpkin bread is so delicious it might have been created by the devil himself- it was the only thing I really "splurged" on and enjoyed two slices with no guilt because it was 100% worth it.

But fate stepped in again to throw us a curve ball...after the funeral on Thursday and a relaxing afternoon with the Crushes and uncle Rob, Adrian got the hard news that his grandmother died.....just 4 days after we lost Papa. Talk about a bad start to 2012...

Sometimes life is just hard. But all you can do is pick up and keep going.