Who would have thought a good habit like exercising–I’m up to 45 minutes and more than 10 miles on my stationery bike, five-plus days per week–would play such havoc with the scale??? 
Good thing I’m half again too stubborn to give up! In fact, I actually look forward to pedaling away–it’s safe to say, I’m finally addicted to something good.
Music really helps. God bless I Heart Radio–who knew Toby Keith had recorded a version of the Beach Boys’ classic, “Be True to Your School”? That one really got me going. And I defy anybody to sit still when the Charlie Daniels band plays “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”.
We’re gearing up for Halloween here on the Triple L–we don’t get trick-or-treaters, being way out in the country, but that doesn’t stop me from decorating. At this very moment, there are resin pumpkins in strategic parts of the house, and I’m hauling out my big Jim Shore witch figurine as soon as I’m finished here. The best touch, however, has got to be the pair of orange and black striped legs, full-sized and complete with buckle shoes, poking out of a flowerbed–yes, sir, I do believe the Wicked One came in for a crash landing among the mums and daisies.
The pink flamingos, a treasured gift from my buddy Debbie Macomber, have been temporarily upstaged.
I’m still keeping that chart I told you about, but I’ve modified it. I have a habit, as you may have guessed, of biting off more than I can chew. Too many items–and the Good Habit Gurus recommend tackling no more than five things at a time. So I’m narrowing it down–writing books, this blog, studying the Course in Miracles, exercise, and Morning Pages. (But I’m giving myself extra credit for miscellaneous accomplishments.)
Still getting lots of tomatoes, and that’s fine by me. The first frost can’t be too far off, though, judging by the nip in the air.
That’s the news for today, my friends. Be well, be happy and be kind.
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Love that ur excercing on a regular basis!! Keep up the good work young lady!! Maybe post a pic of ur Halloween costume!
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Keep up the good work. It is fun to decorate for the different holidays!
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We had our first frost here in Georgia this week. BRRRR it actually got down to 29. A bit early and abit unusual for this area.
like we use to do when I lived up north out in the country.
I’ll bet your place looks really cute all decorated for Halloween. Maybe a caravan of kids will drive by and see it
You seem to be a very discplined person and all of that will eventually pay off. You are a great role model. have a super week end.
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I have noticed that I have gain a few pounds myself and usually if I walk every day my weight stays pretty much the same but not this time. Maybe my new hip weights more then my old one, who knows. I will have to ride my bike today because it is raining and I can’t get out to walk.
Well I better get a move on it if I am going to get anything done. Keep up the exercise because it is good for you.
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Linda,
I love all of you decorating for the holidays it sounds like you really enjoy it.
Have a nice day…….Mary D. Wornick
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Halloween happens to be my birthday! It was always special decorating when I was growing up. It’s still fun!
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It warms my heart to know two such great authors are friends. I admire your tenacity with your weight loss program. It’s hard to push through those plateaus. Hope the sun that is shining in Michigan is also shining in Washington!
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Good newsy blog, loved it. Rita
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Linda, Your exercise-based plateau just means you are turning some of that jiggle (smack my hand for even daring to think such a lovely woman has excess jiggle!) to toned muscle, which as we all know means smaller size, if not smaller scale reading.
I hope you stay with the exercise program – some days it’s more difficult than others of course, but it’s so beneficial. And (speaking selfishly) your perseverance encourages us (or at least me) to keep getting back up after I tumble off the exercise wagon, too!
Thank you for so many lovely and inspiring posts recently; I haven’t commented but I do read every one and your insights lift my spirits every time.
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SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GLAD 2 HEAR U R ‘TRYING 2 CUT DOWN’. I WUD GET TIRED AND/OR STRESSED OUT AFTER READING YOUR BLOG, SO I HAVE 2 SAVE TIL I FEEL STRONG!
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HEY! I THINK YOUR CLOCKS ARE OFF IN THIS BLOG; IT SAYS I POSTED AT !:20PM OR SOME SUCH. MY PUTER CLOCK SAYS 10:28AM. SAID YOU POSTED AT 11:20+AM. ??????????? COLOR ME CONFUSED.
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Plateau is good. Think how happy you will be when you fall off of it and down a long way. Stay happy, sounds like you are busy.
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Keeping up with everything is hard. In the end it make us feel good. I love all the fall decoartions. Pumpkins are so pretty. I enjoy going to the farmers market to see them. Stay calm and enjoy the season !!!
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You are doing a great job exercising, keep up the good work !!!!
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I like to do a little decorating this time of the year too, its fun! Glad to hear your doing so well with your exercise program, the other will follow soon. Blessings.
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Keep up with the hiking its so good for you!
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You are doing great , so keep up your exercising. I know your Halloween decorations will be pretty.Enjoyed your blog today!!
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I’ve been rereading the McKettricks while riding the stationary bike. The pounds haven’t fallen off as I had hoped, but the reading surely is good! My theory is muscles weigh more than fat – at least that’s my story.
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I wish they would bring the Mckettricks to the screen!!! Small or big!! Just picked up the Mckettricks of Texas!! love it
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Glad you are doing fine. I have a great-granddaughter’s birthday on Helloween. She will be 7.
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And LLM still has time to write the best darn books
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Keep up the good work. Glad to know its helping.
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Linda, remember muscle weighs more than fat. So as you are biking you are building muscle so it is very likely the scale can go up a few pounds when this happens and yet you will become smaller. So don’t rely 100% on what the scale says. A better barometer is the fit of your clothes which should get looser as muscle replaces fat. Hang in there, Lady. You’ve got this!!!!
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You know how you see posters etc. that sat KEEP CALM & CARRY ON—well I say a Halloween shirt that said
KEEP CALM & BE CREEPY. That gave me a good chuckle and if I was still working I would buy it and wear it on Halloween!
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You mentioned a book that helped you to begin forming new, better habits and I can’t see from your posts if you mentioned the title. I wondered which book you read which you’ve been so great about sharing all the books you’re reading.
Don’t worry – you’ll knock that plateau!
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That happened to me when I started working out regularly. My clothes were looser, but the scale didn’t show it. Then I remembered how muscle weighs more than fact.
All the best on your success
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sorry you didn’t see any progress. Be not weary in well doing for in due season you shall reap a harvest if you do not give up.
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Congratulations for making exercise a regular routine ! I was out of commission for three months because of foot injury and I just can’t seem to get myself back to it
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I’m so happy to be apart of your mailing list. Now I understand why your books are so enjoyable. Everyone enjoys humor and a sense of romance.I live vicarious through your writings.
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I am decorating for Halloween too!!! Keep on working out. You are inspiring me!!!
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You’re so good with your discipline. As a few others have said,
all that exercise is toning and building heavy muscle, too. It’s
also a great opportunity to sneak in a pizza or hot fudge sundae
to throw your body’s fat hoarding off balance! I always liked to
exercise or do house cleaning to the Ventures. Keeps you
moving. Also, ref Halloween, before you put the pink birds
on ice, don’t you think they would look cute with witch hats and
brooms?!!
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I love spin classes. Really gets the heart pumping and body dripping
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May not comment very often, but enjoy your blog so much! Surely understand the Plateau!! They are the pits! Too bad we all have to land on one
See some of your older books being released on ebooks & am so glad… love those books! Actually, have found some missed along the way & am looking forward to reading those. Probably because was so hung up on the early “cowboy” historicals 
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Good going! Any time you can move its good for the body! I need some of your faith!
Have a wonderful week
Just finishing reading some of your books again. Love rereading them! The Big Sky series.
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I love your blogs they are so much fun. I think it’s great that you decorate so fun like that at your place I love to decorate for the holidays. Keep up the good work with your daily exercises that awesome!!! Your an inspiration!! Have a great weekend!!
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Have to admit I’m not much of a Halloween person.
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Keep up the good workout. Have a splendid weekend!
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Love your posts Linda. I was inspired at the start of summer to try to lose some weight by simply cutting back, eating healthier and exercise. I lost 25 lbs over the summer and am going to keep going. I feel so much better but have a long ways to go. Keep up the good work. I am going back to the gym and swim next week early mornings. I know I need to tone as well as lose. Thanks for sharing so much of your life with us. You feel more like a friend to us all. This is Canadian Thanksgiving weekend and my 12th Wedding Anniversary to my sweetie Tom. Happy Thanksgiving from us Canucks and God bless…..Lizzy