Having taken on the challenge to get healthy in 2010, I’m taking baby steps for the remainder of 2009. Since joining the Mamavation Sistahood mid-week last week, I took the remainder of the week to grasp posts I needed to do each week, work on meal planning, looking into exercises, going out and buying a scale, measuring, and one last thing that I still need to do – buy sneakers! Yes, I still have the old ones to start in, but I can’t remember when I bought them, so it’s time to break in some new ones!

I weighed myself last week when I bought my new scale and I’m so thankful that I only see those numbers as just that – numbers! If I saw those 3 little numbers as anything else, I would have ruined a window and wasted money on a scale. I even mentioned my semi-irritation with my weight and so many of my great Sistahood replied with encouraging tweets and I have to say thanks to @banteringblonde for her reply on Twitter. One day I will look back at those numbers, when I’ve reached a safe weight, and be proud of myself for losing those numbers.

I just really started my menu planning this weekend and it’s a slow process because I’ve never gotten into the habit, so I see this being a building process. I haven’t even gotten through this week, but working on it tonight after the Mamavation show on MomTV. Got to keep going and build this habit. Meal planning is going to be my success because I love to eat. Well, it’s a love-hate relationship.

That is my week in a nutshell… on to this week.

This is what I need to work on this week – continue meal planning so I can build the habit and get on track with a fitness program – ASAP. Short and sweet, but for me that is a lot when you’ve always had someone telling what to do and what to eat. Baby steps!

What we are reading!

Below, are this week’s list of links from around Twitter, blogs, and top news websites that buzz about social media, marketing, business, and more! Plus, this week we have added a few links to spots we are reading that may not mention social media one iota… along with what is trending this week on Twitter.

Links

• New Harvard Study: 30 Key Findings on How The CEO Engages With Social Media – Jeff Bulla’s Blog
• Twitter Starts Testing Features for Businesses – Mashable
• In Search of a Community That Takes “Me” Out of Social Media – PBS Idea Lab
• The Anatomy of a Social Media Nightmare Averted – A Case Study – Digital Marketing Mercenary
• Why Making Meaning is More Important Than Money – Under30CEO
• 10 Celebs You Won’t See Fronting PR Campaigns in 2010 – The Comms Corner

Twitter Trending Topics

• Oral Roberts
• Santa Claus

Yahoo’s Year in Review 2009

Check back next week for a whole new set of links!

This week marks my first week as a contributor on BookieBoo.com, an online support community for women on their path to losing weight and beyond. What encouraged me to reach out to Leah when she sent out an email for contributors was the BookieBoo group was made up of real women that have gone through the challenges and triumphs of weight loss and lifestyle changes. The women of BookieBoo have either been where I am right now or are going through the weight loss challenge now. I found women that can share with me their tips, but most importantly, I found women that I feel comfortable sharing with.

Along with my weekly contribution to BookieBoo, I’ve been following the Mamavation movement created by the BookieBoo creator, Leah Segedie. Two Mamavation Moms are chosen through an application process and spend 7 weeks in a detailed program of weight loss, posting daily eating habits and weekly vlogs updating their progress. The mom that reaches her goal and has demonstrated she has brought home those same lifestyle changes to her family wins a great prize, including product from Mamavation and BookieBoo sponsors, Earth Footwear and EA Sports Active.

Another great program with Mamavation is the Mamavation Sistahood. I’ve recently become a member of the Sistahood and still learning the ropes, but yet again Leah has created a great group of women to support each other. The Sistahood supports each member through their weight loss journey by reading their weekly posts updating their progress, tweeting support throughout the week using the #mamavation hashtag, watching the weekly Mamavation show on MomTV, and more. I can only see this group of women growing as the Sistahood evolves!

Are you on your road to a healthy lifestyle? Do you need support during weight loss? Maybe you need help with just changing up healthy meals for your family – it doesn’t matter – if you are seeking support or tips during your healthy lifestyle change or weight loss program, I really suggest joining the BookieBoo community to gain the support you need. Don’t forget to follow along with the Mamavation Sistahood as well for ideas on how to overcome the obstacles you might have in reaching your goal!