Counting-- appreciate it.

I started exercising again recently and because I never have before I also started keeping track of what I eat and drink on any given day. My friend Kizzy suggested a site to use that gives grades for how well you are doing. A+ to F. Everyday I try and remember to count my calories, estimate how many ounces of tuna or granola or wine I consume. I enter the info into the site and it gives me a grade. You can also enter in your activities for the day which, for me, include walking, Zumba, doing dishes, climbing stairs, etc. So far (all of 6 days) I average a B. Ok, not too bad. If I cut out the wine and martini I would do much better. If I remember to enter the brownie I ate after our salad bar lunch I would do worse. I am learning.

This counting of calories is only a step. We need to count other things on a daily basis. Things we often forget to do. Things that really count. Acknowledging and appreciating. Being aware of the important things. Taking note.

Here is what I have an appreciation and accounting for in just the last few days.

Eighth grade girls who come and visit me and laugh and share. One sweet girl showed me her small and fading scar from her recent brain surgery. I was amazed at her strength and maturity.

National Pride in our Olympians and the Olympians from all over the world. What amazing dedication they show and grace under pressure. Ono and Vonn and White. Wow.

The PSU THON dancers who are still on their feet and moving for the Four Diamonds Fund to fight childhood cancer. 46 hours will raise tens of millions of dollars again this year and I personally know students and community members up to their elbows it this cause. ( Erin, Jodi, Anne, Erik, Courtney, just to name a few).

State College School District's Wild Dream Team. All special needs kids who raise funds every year to celebrate the successful end of their high school days by going on a lavish trip. This year was the Bahamas I believe. Until the earthquake in Haiti and now those kids are giving ALL their raised money to earthquake relief (about $20,000). It was the students who decided to do this. Makes me cry at their generosity. The Soup-er Bowl today is for that cause. Soups from eateries all around the town, eat, judge, have fun. Raise money.

Remembering lost loved ones on their birthdays and smiling at the memory of the moments in our lives that they touched. (no better place to celebrate your 80th than Heaven, Aunt Dolores!).


I know that what really counts cant always be held onto physically. Counting on my family and friends all the time, hoping they feel they can count on me, that is a bigger goal than losing a few lbs!! What will I count on in the next week that is meaningful?

First will be the spaghetti dinner for the softball team tonight! Take-out and enjoy (and record in my food log).