Linda Loses It...My Weight Loss Journey

Oh my gosh....she lives....

2008-02-26T21:54:00.009-05:00

Ha, yes. It seems as it has been a few MONTHS since my last post. Well, I suppose in just reading my last post, there isn't much that's happened since November 1st.

Well, I take that back. A couple weeks ago (February 9th to be exact), I hit my 100th pound lost! As you can tell it's taken me a few months to lose that last 5 pounds. It's been a rough road there, starting with Halloween, continuing through Thanksgiving, rounding the corner at Christmas and finally crashing into the building at New Years. The brakes were worn, really worn.

After New Years, I decided I was getting back on track. Back to journaling, back to being accountable. I was going to be strict, I was going to be dedicated...110%. And back to hault. My body wasn't really moving. I was devastated that I spent weeks being completely faithful to my plan and working out an extra day every week. No cheating. No splurging. Nothing. And what did I get in return....NADDA! Really, not much. The day I crept over the 100th pound lost, it was by 2 tenths of a pound. Don't get me wrong...I'm taking it! And I'm not giving it back, either!!!

I'm completely relieved to be at this point. I think the pressure of the invisible line (the 100th pound line) really took a toll on my brain, thus traveling throughout my body.

I made the switch back to flex. I decided that maybe my body needed a change. I do have all intentions of going back to core, because I really like that plan (go figure...LOL). But for now, I'm shakin' things up.

Nothing would be complete here without the before/during/after pictures. Most I have posted at one time or another here on this blog, but it's so refreshing to see them all in a row.

Before (ok this wasn't right before WW, but it was about the same weight as when I started)

This one was actually taken right before I joined WW -- May 2006

July 2006 -- 19 pounds lost

September 2006 -- 35 pounds lost

December 2006 -- 50 pounds lost

February 2007 -- 68 pounds lost

February 2008 -- 100 pounds lost

Almost there...

2007-11-01T21:20:00.000-04:00

I am almost there. With almost 95 pounds lost, I have 5 pounds until I hit 100 pounds lost and 11 pounds until GOAL!

Not much more to say other than that.

Still on the core plan. Halloween sort of is screwing with me mentally. I'd like to get rid of everything, but I don't want to deprive the kids. Yeah, I can say that it's all for them and try my hardest not to touch it. But, in fact, it's in the house and I can touch it. Gary did take a bunch with him to work already. That helps a little.

My MIL decided to get us special halloween bags. A full size bag of Dove candys for me. A full size bag of Ghirodelli (sp?) chocolate for hubby....UGH...I don't need that. Seriously.

I'm still alive...

2007-09-12T14:58:00.000-04:00

Believe it or not, I'm still alive!!

I'm terribly sorry, Christina, for scaring you. That wasn't my intent at all. In my previous update, I did write a lot of scary things, but honestly those were the things I was afraid of going into the program.

I dedicated 6 weeks of sticking to core before I'd even think about quitting. Now, the 6 weeks is over and I've decided that I'm going to continue to follow the core plan.

The six weeks was a rough adjustment, but it was the same adjustment I made when I started WW to begin with. I had a lot of the same feelings and I had the same withdrawls and frustrations. It was just over different types of food.

Let me explain...When I started WW, I craved fast food. French fries, hamburgers, ice cream. I also craved chips and cookies. Those were all foods I was used to eating all the time, so when I started I had to focus on what is a healthier way of me to eat. I found a lot of awesome low point snacks and I lived off of that. Once I adjusted, I was OK. I was content and I didn't crave any of that terrible stuff all the time.

Core was similar, but I was cutting out my low point snacks. Since I was used to having those as a staple in my diet, I craved them when I cut them out. I felt much like I did when I quit smoking over 9 years ago. Ask Gary, he probably wanted to shove some food in my mouth so I'd quit bitching...LOL!

As time went on, I felt better and I felt in control again and core is definitely a liveable lifestyle. Really, it is.

In the 6 weeks, I had lost 6.5 pounds. Now, in those weeks, I had good weeks and bad weeks. There were times I was disappointed and times I was surprised.

I hope I can continue to lose. A pound a week is good enough for me at this point. Although I can't seem to grasp that it still might take me 17 more weeks to get to goal, but then I think...hot damn, only 17 pounds until GOAL!

I've really been using my bonus points on the weekends. Having myself a "fat-free Saturday" per say. I don't think this is really the way that I want to live my life, but for now, I always feel like I just need a splurge day after doing well all week. I didn't feel like that on core, but it usually keeps me more disaplined during the week.

So that's where I'm at. I've been pretty busy with life around here these days, so that's why I'm not posting much. It must be all that extra energy I have since losing 88 pounds!! :)

The core update...

2007-07-26T23:06:00.000-04:00

Since you asked, Christina, I'll update.

Core is freakin' hard.

Not impossible as I had thought, just harder and much more disciplined.

What's core like and what do I like/dislike about core...

#1 - I can drink as much milk as I want. I freakin' love milk and I hardly drank it while on flex because I was never willing to spend points on milk unless it was in my cereal and even that I hardly ate.

#2 - Cereal. I love cereal and hardly ate it and this week I got to have cereal and milk everyday. Now Fiber One isn't as good as Coco Pebbles, but it's also not as bad as say dirt either...

#3 - I've had a baked potato almost every day with dinner. I'd say this is a positive and a negative, because my only side is veggies and a baked potato with spray butter. I'm a little bored, as I think Gary is too.

#4 - Keri's kick ass fruit chocolate smoothies. Totally core for the entire cup (and it's a big cup). Kinda tastes like ice cream, but NO points!! Bonus!!

#5 - I think I might be down at least 2 pounds. Now anything can change between now and Saturday, but KICK ASS, I'm down TWO pounds!! I needed this!!

Core sucks because...I feel like I can't just grab anything to eat. I've had to limit my snacking and if I want to snack it's pretty much a vegetable or a fruit.

Since I'm such a damn picky eater, I need to use my bonus points for things I eat in my everyday meals. Such as my freakin' coffee, tortilla for lunch, string cheese. I feel like I can't spend points on anything big and let's just forget about ordering pizza this week. That'd take up half of my weekly points and I can't afford that. Maybe on Saturday after my weigh in and we will see how many points I've got left.

I feel like I'm hungry all of the time. I don't know why, but the damn cucumbers don't fill me up for very long. Neither does yogurt or a banana. I feel like I'm hungry every hour now.

I KNOW that core is the healthy persons ideal way of living. There should be NO snacking. No cookies, cake, ice cream, chips, etc, etc. But THAT is life and I need to figure out a healthy balance of implementing core into my lifestyle while not feeling like I'm on a diet. Because that's how I feel this week. I'm on a diet and next week if I don't do core, I'm going to suck and I'm going to gain.

Now, I know I'm gung-ho and doing core to the maximum this week because it's week 1. I just feel like I don't have as much wiggle room (aka cheating) without feeling completely guilty.

I hope I don't scare the shit out of you, Christina. It's really not THAT bad...LOL. I'm am super excited that I'm down and that's what is keeping me motivated.

Oh yeah, and I LOVE not writing everything down. That's another huge perk of the program!!

What to do??

2007-07-23T14:09:00.000-04:00

I can't believe that I'm typing this right now...

I'm going to try core.

I don't want to. I'm not looking forward to it, but I need to do SOMETHING to get me losing weight again. I've been so back and forth for the last month or so. I actually weigh slightly more than I did one month ago. It sucks!

So, I went shopping yesterday and bought all healthy stuff. I made myself a smoothie last night for a sweet treat. Yesterday I ended up using 6 points already and today 4 pts so far. I hope I'm not in over my head this week.

Wish me luck!

No kidding...

2007-06-17T22:49:00.000-04:00

So, it's been a month?!? Where is this time going?!?

I really have been super busy and I do intend to post on my other blog to update! I want to update everyone on my weight loss progress so far, since it's been so long...

Well, this past month has been a month of ups and downs. I am actually FINALLY under that 200 mark!! I'm SO freakin' excited that I passed that imaginary line that exists somewhere in the back of my brain.

When I first joined WW, I had sat in on a truly inspiring story of a woman who had lost 100 pounds in about a year. (Give or take a few weeks). She was (and still is) my first big inspiration, (with many other women to follow). She wrote a few articles and was actually even published on the WW website. When she joined WW, she weighed exactly one pound less than I did when I joined. I felt that if she could lose 100 pounds in one year, so could I and thus started my journey. Well, last week I had my one year anniversary for WW and I did not hit my goal. I'm actually quite far from it. As of last week I had hit 81 pounds (um, because of a gain) and I was a little bit bummed. I was racking my brain with thoughts of what I've done wrong or what else I could have done better. I've thought that maybe I'm getting a little too comfortable in my skin. I felt that there were times I could have done better, but didn't. I was just down about it, because it became just another "goal" that I didn't meet. (There have been a lot of them lately).

I've been thinking that the summer would help me more. I'd be out and about and playing with the girls and going to the parks and for walks and such. What I didn't think about it how hard it is to track things when you've got numerous cookouts, graduation parties, festivals and other activities all the time. I also didn't realize when you are on the go more, it makes it MUCH harder to track all the time. I forget. I forget to write it down. I forget what I've eaten. I forget how many points are in those cookies, chips, cake..whatever....

And while I'm really not disappointed in myself, I'm just disappointed in the thought it was another goal missed. Another "something" that I took the time to think about and even sometimes with a calculator, sat and figured out math to make sure it was a feasible goal.

And where or where am I going with this??? I honestly don't even know.

I'm at 197.6 as of yesterday morning. I've got 17.4 pounds until I reach the 100 lb loss mark and I've got 23.6 pounds until I reach the top of my healthy weight range for WW. When I look at those numbers, I know I've done spectacular!! I know that I'm on the right track and that something is working out right. I'm totally proud of myself for where I've come though this process and I know that time is going to happen no matter what. Mine as well always make the best of it and take each day as a new one.

Oh and one last thing to answer me if you will...What the hell am I supposed to say to people when they tell me I'm wasting away to nothing? That I'm vanishing into thin air? That I don't need to lose anymore weight? Can't people just tell me that I look fabulous and I will return and say "you are so sweet, thank you"....Because I swear 197 pounds is NOT the weight of air or the weight of "nothing". Because I do still have 23.6 pounds until I'm even in my healthy weight range....and a size 14/16 pant is still considered plus sized....

And I'm really not bi-polar. It seems as this post was up, and then down and then up again and then down for the close. Really, I'm normal...LOL!

I knew it...

2007-05-13T00:07:00.000-04:00

Well, it finally came back and bit me in the ass...I gained this week. I gained 1.6 pounds and it's not even my period week.

Let's clap for me though...I didn't cry in the meeting today. I knew I was probably going to gain and not that I'm "ok" with that necessarily, but I knew that the last few weeks I hadn't done too well and I still managed to lose. I should have gained at least one of those weeks, so I'm taking this as payback for losing those other weeks. (Whatever helps me sleep better at night, right?)

But with that said, I'm going to do awesome this week. I'm vowing to journal everyday and hopefully by next Saturday I'll be down 3 pounds (to make up for the gain plus another 1.5 pounds).

I'm in shock!

2007-05-06T08:18:00.000-04:00

I'm still in shock over this past weigh in. I lost 2 tenths of a pounds. While I know it's not huge, I'm EXTREMELY relieved that I didn't gain anything.

See, last week was my birthday week. I had drinks Saturday night. Cookout on Sunday...complete with cake. Cupcakes on Tuesday. Cookies AND cake on Thursday.

Now, I'm NOT bragging, I promise. This is still so shocking to me. So when I come crying to you next week that I was super awesome in my decisions and I still gain, remind me of this post where I indulged way too much. It's going to catch up with me...I just know it.

Plus, I'm so freakin' close to being under 200, it's ridiculous. I've been dangling on the line for a couple weeks now. It's driving me insane. And THAT is my motivation for the week. I need to lose at least 2 tenths of a pound in order to get under that number! I know it's only a number, but oh, it's so important to me right now!!

Confession

2007-04-25T23:10:00.000-04:00

I just got done eating three servings of Raisin Bran Crunch cereal with milk. That would be 3 cups of cereal and 3 cups of milk. Lets do the math...9 pts for the cereal and 6 pts for the milk for a total of 15 pts on freakin' cereal. Oh, but it was SO good.

Damn period does it to me EVERY time.

Almost two months later...

2007-04-21T15:25:00.000-04:00

Of course, I've been terrible and not posted. Thank goodness my friend, Christina, mentioned me in her new weight loss blog, because that gave me incentive to come and update mine.

There is NO reason that I don't need to still be accountable for what I'm doing.

Well, it's been almost two months and I should have come written, because it was a really slow time in my weight loss. I was becoming discouraged and upset for I was doing all of the right things and I just wasn't seeing the weight come off as it did in my earlier months of my journey.

First, I know that any loss is a good loss. But I will admit, when I was used to seeing anywhere from 1.5 - 3 pounds a week, a 0.2 loss seems so disappointing. And that wasn't just one week, there were several of them. And even a couple of small gains as well.

One thing that I figured out was that I had become a bad at journaling. After Christmastime, I would write everything down when I was at work, but the times I was home, I was really bad at writing down what I was eating. This is very bad. Very, very bad. Because you really don't know if you are over-indulging or even possibly under-eating. (Which I have had times in the past where I didn't eat enough and that slowed down weight loss as well).

After I had three birthday party celebrations in a row at the end of March, I decided I NEEDED to be super-good the following week and started to journal again. Good journaling. Writing everything down. I've continued so far and I'm back on track. Fingers crossed, I'm going to stay this way again for a while too. I've had decent weight losses the last 4 weigh ins and I'm so excited that I'm back on my way to my goal.

I've still got 28.2 pounds to go until I reach my ultimate goal. I haven't place a specific date or time frame that I want to accomplish this in. Maybe when I get closer I will do that, but at this point I figure time is going to pass no matter what and I will get there, so why beat myself up if I don't make a "goal date". But in the fun of making it fun, it'd be nice to have a friendly little bet with myself. At this point, I just don't know how long is suffice enough time to do it in. I'd love to say 3 months, but at 10 pounds a month in the homestretch, it seems to be asking a lot of my body. So, as we get closer we will see when that goal date will be.

Oh my, I've written a book. And if there are any readers, I bet you are only bearing with me to hear my numbers...LOL.

In my 46th week of being a part of Weight Watchers, I'm down 78 pounds! Can I get a WOOT, WOOT??

A picture from today...

2007-02-27T19:17:00.000-05:00

Here is a new picture of me from today. 68 pounds lost...

It's been a while

2007-02-22T22:50:00.000-05:00

I am still here and I am still on track.

So far, to date, I've lost 66.8 pounds!

I don't even know what week I'm on anymore. I know that my 9 month anniversary with Weight Watchers is on March 11th and I had a goal to have lost 75 pounds by then, but it seems like a little bit of a far stretch now to reach that.

I'm definitely not disappointed though. I knew that the weight would be a little harder to come off now.

I've got about 40 pounds to go until I reach the top of my healthy weight range. I'm excited that I've got less to lose than I've already lost.

So, here is an update for anyone who still reads up on me!

Goal Met...Yay!

2006-12-07T21:15:00.000-05:00

I've met another one of my mini-goals (which is huge) just last week. I've lost 50 pounds since joining weight watchers! It is such an amazing feeling to have those 50 pounds gone!!! I am finally starting to feel thinner and better about myself! I know this is how I want my lifestyle to be for good and I have bigger goals ahead of me, but this 50 pound one was HUGE! I KNOW I can accomplish my ultimate goal. It may take a me a while, but I know I'm going to get there. There is something that this 50 pound mark brought to me to believe that I can and I will make it to where I want to be in the future!!

I've asked for some new pants for Christmas...a size 16 pant. I've never wore a size 16 pant as long as I can remember.

The first picture is of me in May 2006. The second picture was taken a few days ago!!

Weeks #21 & #22

2006-11-11T00:04:00.000-05:00

Well the last two weeks have been slow for me. In week 21, I lost 0.2 pounds and in week 22, I lost 0.8 pounds.

I'm ready for a big number, but I'm not complaining as long as I keep losing.

I'm really running out of clothes here. I've gotten a few hand me downs from a friend and they've helped tremendously, but it's not enough. Plus her jeans are a little short on me, since she is about 5 inches shorter than I. They are doing the job right now, but I need something that fits me all the way around...LOL. I've put a few items on my Christmas list, so we'll see if I've been good enough this year!

Week #20

2006-10-22T14:14:00.000-04:00

Just stopping by to post that I lost 2.4 pounds at the last weigh in. Taking me to total of 43.6.

I went to a surprise birthday party for my husbands grandmother who was turning 90!! There was a lot of his family who hasn't seen me in a long time. I can't believe how many compliments I received on how great I'm looking. One of his aunts even said to him 3 or 4 times how beautiful I was. I still can't believe it, especially since I don't feel like I see that.

If I look this great now, I wonder how amazing I'm going to look when I actually drop these extra 75 or so pounds that I still need to lose?!?

2006-10-14T16:38:00.000-04:00

Well, it's been a month since I last posted, so I will do a "month in review".

I ended my last post before I went on vacation with a small gain. Yes, I was devastated by it and yes, I moved on. Even though I was pretty torn up about it, I didn't let it affect my will to keep going.

Weigh In #14 - (Right before vacation) - I lost a whopping 4.8 pounds! So, my "terrible" week, must have caught up with me and rewarded me right before vacation.

While on vacation I thought I was pretty good. I didn't journal. Which I was worried about, but for breakfast I pretty much had a Lite English Muffin everyday. For lunch, a turkey sandwich or wrap with an apple. We were so busy that I didn't even think much about snacking. Dinners I splurged and we ate out like 5 of the 8 nights, so I was worried about that. But, I did want to enjoy myself. Some of the nights I chose well and got a salad a couple times and then there were times that I all out enjoyed myself. We took long walks pretty much everyday. Two mornings I even got up early and took walks on the beach (absolutely beautiful)!! It was a great time and I didn't stress too much about weight loss or weight gain. I enjoyed myself and I believe it paid off!!

Weigh In #15 (Day after we returned from vacation) - I LOST 1.2 pounds!! I know, I was SHOCKED! But it was so great to know that WW was in the back of my mind and even without journaling, I was able to make some good decisions.

Weigh In #16 - Lost 1 pound.

Weigh In #17 - Maintained. While I was bummed about a week of maintaining, I was happy it wasn't a gain. I didn't go over my points, and didn't do much different, but maybe I was bloated or something. Who knows.

Weigh In #18 (This morning). Lost 3.4 pounds!! I'm excited to see a big number again. After quite a few weeks of seeing a pound or two it was great to have a nice week. It has re-charged me to work towards some new goals!!

My new goal is to lose 50 pounds by December 10th. That will be my 6 month mark with WW and I'd love to see me hit the 50 pound goal. That gives me 8 more weeks. And that calculates to about 1.1 pounds a week! A totally reach-able goal!!

So, that is my month in review. I'm still here, I'm still sticking to the plan and I'm still losing!! Yay!!

Bad Week

2006-09-15T09:06:00.000-04:00

Last week I had a bad week and gained weight. While under normal circumstances, I could have accounted that weight gain for something (like eating out or eating crap). I honestly cannot figure out what I did in order to gain weight. I exercised 2 extra times during the week and hardly dipped into my weekly bonus points. I drank lots more water and decreased my pop big time!!

Some people are telling me it was the fact that by adding more exercise, I should have eaten some of the bonus points. That my body needs more food (or points) because I am using more energy. Who knows. I only gained 0.4 pounds, but it hit me really hard!!

I think in my mind, I had wanted to lose a few pounds before vacation, so that if I induldge and happened to gain a few, I wouldn't feel guilty. Now what?!? Hopefully I'll have a good loss today and I can go back to not feeling guilty for the week.

I haven't tried on the capris yet. I'm bringing them down with me and we'll see how they look then. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed.

I'm going to weigh in today in about 45 minutes, but I don't know if I'll get a chance to jump on and post before I leave for my vacation!! So, lets keep our fingers crossed that it's a good one!!

And hopefully I won't induldge too much in ice cream, yummy homemade breakfasts, and eating dinner out too much next week!! Oh and the car ride down. I used to love snacking on car rides. That was the BEST part. Oh what will I do?!? LOL!

Weigh-In #12 & 13

2006-09-04T00:05:00.000-04:00

My weight loss is now up to 31.2 lbs!! I've officially met my goal of hitting my first 10% AND hitting my goal of losing 7.2 pounds by vacation too!!!

When I went to last weeks WW meeting, the leader talked about Storyboarding.

"Storyboarding is a planning strategy used to create the consecutive steps that lead to your dream or outcome".

So, basically you make a goal and you write several steps underneath it that will help you get to your goal. You can make the storyboard for any time frame that you would like to see results in.

I created a storyboard. I started almost a week ago. My storyboard goal is to hopefully be met in time for vacation. (We leave Sept 16th). I had bought a pair of capris off of E-bay and they are not fitting the way I'd like them too. I can button them, but they are pretty tight. My storyboard is to fit comfortably in those pants before vacation!!

What I'm gonna do to get there...
1. Jazzercise 2 times a week (which I already do).
2. Walk on the treadmill at least 2 times a week. (which I don't do right now).
3. No fast food!!!
4. Not to eat past 9:00 pm.

For the last week I think I have done pretty well. I only walked on the treadmill one time, but I'm hoping to make up that extra time during this week. The eating past 9 one is the hard one for me, especially since I stay up pretty late. But, I've been trying to chug water if I feel that I'm hungry and that has been seeming to do the trick!! Lets keep our fingers crossed that I can hopefully lose the inches to feel good in those jean capris!!!

Weigh-In #11

2006-08-21T23:21:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday, I lost 3.6 pounds, which takes my total to 26.6.

I had a really good week. So really, I only have 1.4 pounds to my 10% goal and 3.6 to my vacation goal. So completely do-able!

I think there are a few people who are really inspired by my weight loss. I have had several inquisitions about WW and the program and how I am doing so well on it. Too bad you don't get referral bonuses, because I think I'm sending like 3 people there...LOL. It's got to be the best advertisement to see someone actually do it and lose the weight. It makes me feel good that I can be a role model for weight loss. I would have never thought that'd be me.

Weigh-In #9 & #10

2006-08-14T21:26:00.000-04:00

Wow, I missed 2 weeks on here. I've been a busy girl lately (see my other blog)...

Even though I've been busy, I've been able to keep on track!! I lost 2.0 at my 9th weigh in and 1.4 at my 10th weigh in.

Total weigh loss since joining WW - 23 pounds!!

This past weekend I had two parties. Both parties I passed up on the fattening cake and chose better "sweet" options. I've eaten a lot of fruit the past few days too, I think I might turn into a watermelon...LOL.

My new goal is that I have 5 weigh ins left until my vacation to Myrtle Beach. I was hoping to reach my 10% goal by then. That means I have 5 weeks to lose 5 pounds...totally do-able! Part of me wants to up my "goal" to lose 10 lbs by my trip, but I don't want to be bummed if it is too high of a goal to reach. 2 pounds a week is really asking a lot of my body. Especially since I'm trying to do this the right way. Sooo...I've decided that I'd like to get below 250 before my vacation. That means I need to lose 7.2 lbs in 5 weeks. That is more like around 1.4 ish weight loss each week.

My next dilemma is...my pants and shorts are starting to get baggy. I know, insert the big huge WOO HOO right here. They are actually staring to get to the uncomfortable stage of bigness. Plus, they look like shit on me, because they are too big. I'd like to get some new summer-y clothes for vacation. What's the problem, you ask? Well, I'm really hoping to not be in this size for next summer, so I'd pretty much be buying clothes for a vacation (and the remainder of the summer, which is really not that much longer....sigh). So, what do I do? Do I just suck it up and get a belt and look like a droopy slob? Or, do I splurge on clothes that I'll hopefully only get to wear a handful of times? I really have a hard time buying new clothes for myself, so you can see why this is such a dilemma.

Any suggestions would be great! What do you all think I should do? (If there is anyone out there...LOL).

Weigh In #8

2006-07-30T00:49:00.000-04:00

Today was my 8th weigh in and I lost another 2.2 pounds. That takes my total up to 19.6.

To me, it is utterly amazing how I have been able to stay on track.

Quite a few people have been making comments about my weight loss. They say they can definitely see it in my face and my stomach area. I am starting to notice a little, but I don't see it as much as everyone else does. I have to admit, it is nice to hear about how I'm looking good and I'm losing weight.

From my meeting this morning, I took the "traveling tracker". This is a notebook that a different person takes each week and journals every day, counting their points. At the end, you're supposed to write a message about how the tracker helped during the week and any motivational or inspirational advice. It definitely won't be hard to write everything down, because I do that already. What I really like about it is that I can read about others successes (or downfalls) on the program. How they cheat and what different foods they eat too. It is a neat tool to get to keep for the week!

Another GREAT week!!

2006-07-25T18:32:00.000-04:00

I had yet another awesome weigh-in at WW. I lost another 3.2 pounds!! Woot!

I know I'm bound to have an average week here soon. I have lucked out in not having any big celebrations or parties in the last couple weeks. That really helped me stay on track and be pretty damn strict. Even though I'm strict, I never have felt cheated yet. I have no problems passing up stuff that I felt like I couldn't resist before. But I still can occasionally have something yummy and totally NOT feel guilty for it. What a wonderful feeling that turned out to be!!

I never thought I had an ounce of will power inside me and turns out, if you have a passion the willpower can be overflowing.

At this past weeks meeting, there was a celebration for another WW member who had lost over 100 pounds. Her story was touching, inspirational and very motivating!! She had lost the weight in one year and one week. I hope that in one year from now, we are celebrating my 100 pound loss!! I know it is a long goal, but really a year flies by so fast now and days, that it'll be here before I know it!! I can't even picture myself 100 lbs lighter.

A little late

2006-07-19T22:58:00.000-04:00

I went to my weekly weigh in last Friday.

After busting my butt all last week, I lost 3.6 pounds!! Go me! I'm so excited!! That takes my total weight loss from when I started Weight Watchers (June 10th) to 14.2 pounds!!

AND my total weight loss since April 18th (which was my 6 week post partum checkup) is 22 lbs!

I'm really so proud of myself. I feel better and I feel like this is something I can stick with and succeed. I can't believe I never brought myself to do this sooner. It is such a great feeling.

I had my HS reunion and although I couldn't lose the massive amount of weight that I'd like to have lost, I still walked in feeling good about myself. I kept thinking, I am going to blow everyone away at my 15, that's for damn sure!!

I bought those mini bags of popcorn and I figured the points for one mini bag is 1 point. It doesn't even seem right that I can eat a whole mini bag for 1 pt, but it's true!! What a great way to curve a munchie craving!

I can't believe it!!

2006-07-09T14:55:00.000-04:00

After 4 different parties last week in which I ate like a pig at 2 of them, I still lost 1.2 pounds for the week.

WOO FREAKIN' HOO!!!

I am amazed and plan on trying to do extra good this week, so I can hopefully see higher than a 1 pound loss for this week!!

Tough Week

2006-07-05T23:09:00.000-04:00

This past week has been TOUGH!! With celebrating Gary's birthday on Saturday night with drinks and lots of yummy foods, to going to a kids birthday party, and two cookouts for the 4th weekend....I haven't been eating so well. I need help getting back on track!!

I did lose another 1.8 pounds with this past Saturday's weigh in. I really want to make sure I lose weight this Saturday too, but my hopes lie in that I hope that I don't GAIN weight at this coming weigh in.

I have been doing soo well keeping track of everything I ate and not eating too much junk. This week has been terrible. I started eating junk and now I can't stop. Tonight I even got a small hot fudge sundae and I totally shouldn't have.

Going back to work tomorrow will hopefully put me back on track. I am taking out something good for dinner, so I'm not tempted to eat something "easy"...aka...not good for me...

So, keep your fingers crossed for me that I am not incredibly disappointed in myself at this weeks weigh-in!!

This past Saturday

2006-06-27T22:07:00.000-04:00

I had another weigh in. I lost another 3.8 pounds taking my weight loss to a total of 7.6 pounds while doing Weight Watchers. Not to mention the 6 pounds I lost before starting. Taking my total weight loss to 13.6 pounds!

I am totally excited to see the pounds come off each week. I can't believe I have waited so long to do something like this. Even though my journey is just beginning, it is amazing how good losing a few pounds can make you feel.

This week is a tough week. This past weekend I had 2 birthday parties!! I didn't do too terrible, although I did have dessert at each party.

Today is Gary's birthday and he wanted to have Cassada (sp??) cake. The one with the custard and whipped cream and strawberries! Of course, I couldn't pass that up!! He also wants to go out to dinner for his birthday and we didn't get to do that today. PLUS, (yeah, I'm not done) we are having a get together for his birthday this Saturday night. So, there is drinking and pizza and all kinds of good stuff.

Sooo....hopefully I can keep on track and still make healthy decisions and still lose weight on Saturday morning. Keep your fingers crossed for me....LOL!

The second week weigh in...

2006-06-17T15:33:00.000-04:00

So, I haven't gotten to write, but I did join Weight Watchers with my friend!! We went to our first meeting last Saturday where I got my initial weigh in. 280.2 was my first number. They give you a 10% goal to aim for. Mine is 28 pounds (they take the 1st 2 numbers of your weight). I sat through the orientation where they talked about different choices and how to record everything down, which I had already been doing.

Today was my second meeting and weigh in. I weighed in at 276.4!! Woo Hoo!! I already lost 3.8 pounds! I hope I can keep this up. It feels good to keep losing weight.

It was pretty easy writing everything down. I just notice I talk a lot about food. I analyze everything and how many points it is. I am sure my friends are already sick of hearing how many points a hot dog is or a cookie or whatever.

I went out and bought some low point snacks so that I always have a sensible snack when I eat. I am trying to keep my portions to the correct size and I am doing pretty good with that too! I am really proud of myself for being motivated to finally do something like this!!

New Digital Scale

2006-06-07T23:43:00.000-04:00

I bought a new digital scale today. I put the other two in the closet, where I won't be tempted to weigh myself on each of them everyday.

I like my new scale. When I came home, I weighed myself and it said 280.4! So, that is pretty much right in the middle of what all three of the other scales said.

I found a friend to join Weight Watchers with me. Hopefully we will attend our first meeting this Sunday morning!

I feel great about what I have been doing this past week. I have been wise with my food choices and really good about my portion control. I feel good and actually am starting to feel full on my mini portions...LOL. Well, they are really the correct sized portions, but seem mini compared to what I was used to. I hope that I can keep this up and finally lose this weight that has been on me for many, many years!

Talk about willpower

2006-06-06T19:51:00.000-04:00

And what a great wife I am.

Today I went and got McDonald's for my hubby and didn't get anything for myself!!

Now, that is willpower!!

Weight Watchers

2006-06-02T23:57:00.000-04:00

A friend of mine gave me a set of the books for counting points as they do in Weight Watchers.

I'd like to join and go to meetings because I truly feel it would be really motivational to get weighed in each week. I also think that the meeting would have a lot to offer in terms of support, suggestions and motivation to keep on track. I really like what WW is and what they offer, as it isn't just a diet. It is a way to change your life. It is a way to evaluate all that you eat and put points on each item. Then it is up to you whether you want to eat it and use your points, or get something a little better.

My only problems are that #1 - I'd like to join with someone I know. I really don't want to go to the meetings by myself. I know that is a sorry excuse, but at least if I start going with a friend, I would feel comfortable enough to go on my own. That is how I got into Jazzercise after a while, I was comfortable to go even if my friend didn't. (Which she doesn't go at all anymore now). Problem #2 is that it costs $12 per week. Now, I know that doesn't sound like much, but it can add up quickly. That is either $48 or $60 a month (depending on how many weeks are in a month). I don't know if we have the extra cash to do something like that.

So, I got these books and last night I went through several food items here and figured out how many points each of those things were per serving and wrote it on the package or wrote it in a notebook. I made a worksheet on the computer for where to write down what I ate that day and the points. I made boxes to check for each glass of water I drink and for fruits/veggies that I eat. I am really hoping that this is something that I can do without having to go to the meetings. Today I did really well and was 8 points under my max total!! Woo Hoo!

I did weigh myself this week and I am still at 285. I guess I am already stuck. So, I am really hoping that watching my "points" will help me make better decisions and the weight will start to fall off again.

Laughing Out Loud

2006-05-16T14:03:00.000-04:00

Yes, I am laughing out loud at my digital scale. Yesterday I weighed myself and it says that I weighed 130 pounds!! Woo Hoo. LOL! I continued to weigh myself 4 more times. Still 130 each time.

This morning I weighed myself. 136 pounds! Wow! Still good. LOL.

So, I now know that the digital scale is obviously NOT RIGHT!

SOO...on my dial scale it read 285. Still. This makes me so frustrated because I thought I was doing better. Now, I still have 6 pounds to go before my Alyssa pre-preggo weight. I almost feel like I am back to square one.

I still want a nice digital scale that isn't going to lie to me...

Oh yeah, I forgot...

2006-05-13T12:29:00.000-04:00

That I found out my high school reunion is coming up in July. July 15th to be exact!!

So, how much weight do you think I could lose before then?? AND what can I do to curb these damn munchie cravings I have been having.

My problem: I can eat decent all day. But, after dinner it hits me like a ton of bricks and I crave either cereal or ice cream. It sucks, because good stuff never satisfies my cravings. I bought 100 calorie pack cookies. They taste pretty good, but don't satisfy my craving. I bought 100 calorie granola bars. They taste great, but don't satisfy my craving. Fat free pudding. Taste OK, but don't satisfy my craving. A bowl of cereal. Satisfies my craving. Ice cream. Satisfies my craving. Chips would do it too, but I usually don't have those in the house much (which is a GOOD thing).

HELP. Any advice??

Absent

2006-05-13T12:22:00.000-04:00

I know I have been absent this week. I missed the Tuesday weekly weigh-in. It actually wasn't because I didn't weigh in, because I did. I have been super busy with my sick child.

In weighing in on Tuesday, my digital scale said 278 and my dial scale said 284. It is still so far off from each other. I have a hard time thinking that I lost another two pounds. It was my birthday week and my nephew's birthday party. I ate out to lunch twice, out to dinner once and cake two days. How in the heck did I lose two pounds?!? Plus, I didn't go and work out on last Wednesday, since that was my birthday.

So, I don't know what to believe. In a way I am still believing my dial scale, as much as I would rather believe my digital scale. I am so confused! I should just get a better digital scale and see what that says, since this one is so cheap.

This week has been better. I worked out an extra day. (Thanks to my mom for coming over to babysit while I went yesterday morning).

Tonight I have a wedding, which won't be good. It will be yummy food and lots to drink. And I'm drinkin'...LOL!

A week already

2006-05-02T11:12:00.000-04:00

Oh my gosh, it has already been a week and here we are at weigh-in Tuesday again.

Well, I am still successfully not eating any fast food! It has now been over 5 weeks. It is truly amazing how much better your body can feel. Really.

This past week, I really didn't do much. Yesterday, Gary, the girls and I went to the metroparks for a long walk and play time at the playground. It was nice to get outside and do some walking. And it always nice when you have someone to do it with!!

For some reason, I didn't feel good about weighing myself this week. I don't know why, but I was pleasantly surprised when the digital scale read 280 and the dial scale read 283. I know they are still off from each other, but I figured I would record my weight off of both of them. Once again, I had lost about 2 lbs!! Woo Hoo! Only one more pound (on the digital scale) until I am at my Alyssa pre-preggo weight. But, obviously I am not stopping there!!

Today my mom is taking me out for lunch for my birthday (tomorrow). I picked to go to Max 'n Erma's because they have an awesome Santa Fe salad that I LOVE. I would have no temptation for any other dishes because I really love that salad. I just have to try to forget about those scrumptious cookies they have there. Well, maybe if we order them I will have one. It is my birthday after all...LOL. We will see if we even order them.

Weigh-In Tuesday

2006-04-25T12:07:00.000-04:00

Today is my weigh-in Tuesday. I pulled out a really old digital scale that I had years ago. I can't remember why I had put the scale away, but I am not sure if I like it or not. It is pretty cheap.

So, I weighed myself on my dial scale and on the digital scale. The dial scale read 285 and the digital scale read 282. I think I like the digital scale better...LOL. Either way, I lost a few pounds...woo hoo!!

This weekend was busy. I had a friends birthday party Saturday evening. It was my first time out in a long time!! I did have a few beers. They tasted so yummy! I don't drink a lot normally, but it was nice to get out and have a few drinks. I was really good at dinner too. I ordered myself a grilled chicken salad.

On Sunday, we had a friend's son's birthday party. I ate pizza, cake and ice cream at that party. At first, I felt guilty. But, then I thought I need to be able to have some stuff every once in a while. I can't deprive myself of all of the good things, or I will totally crash this diet and start eating way too much junk. I really don't consider pizza as fast food, so I am still on track with no eating fast food.

I am pretty excited that I lost a couple pounds. I hope they keep coming off like that!!

Feeling Great

2006-04-20T00:03:00.000-04:00

Jazzercise felt great tonight!! It was great to get out of the house and it was great to work out!! Yay for getting back on track.

I plan on going Friday morning, since Gary is on-call and doesn't have to go to work until 11:00 am.

No chocolate splurges for me either...go me! I haven't thrown anything away yet. Gary likes the chocolate too and I don't want him to be mad at me that I threw it away. I would like to keep the will power going and being able to not eat it even if it is here. But, if I splurge one more time when I don't want to, it will go in the garbage!!

I really want to get an digital scale. I have a dial one and I can never tell exactly what it says and it always seems to fluctuate up to five pounds. I decided I will record my weight once a week and for now it will be on Tuesdays!

Exercise Time

2006-04-19T09:08:00.000-04:00

Today I start going back to Jazzercise. It has been 2 1/2 months since I have gone and I am nervous about going back. I am nervous to get really sore all over. I am nervous I will be uncoordinated. I am glad to get back into it though. I think that is one reason I have been feeling so crappy lately. Since my body was used to a regular exercise routine, I felt like crap when I stopped going (which was doctors orders). I just hope I can drop some weight quickly when I go back.

I drank 3 pops yesterday. But, they were diet pops, so it isn't that terrible. But, I didn't meet my goal. Today I will try again!!

I also ate a fucking reese's peanut butter egg. There is so much Easter candy and Alyssa can't eat much of it. Chocolate is such a weakness. So, what should I do to make up for the PB egg? I want to throw away the candy, but feel bad because people bought it for Alyssa. But she is too little to have that much.

Thanks to those who are reading and for the support. I love it and need it!!

Starting Weight

2006-04-18T13:37:00.000-04:00

Today was my 6 week post partum checkup and I got my starting weight. I was actually somewhat pleased that I only have two more pounds to go before hitting my pre-pregnancy weight. But, I was somewhat disappointed because I had wanted to be at my pre-pregnancy weight by the 6 week checkup.

In deciding to share this number with everyone, it seems like such a big step. It is hard to discuss weight, especially when you are very overweight, but it has to help me on my journey. It is what I am at this point and I have finally decided to make myself a healthier person by trying to lose it.

Sooo...my starting weight is 288.

While waiting to be seen by the doctor, I have decided I would like my long term goal to be to lose 100 pounds (give or take). This will be accompanied by several short term goals. I think I need to feel accomplished for those little goals to make me hold out for my long term goal.

My first short term goal is to only drink two diet pops a day and the rest water! This will be a hard first goal, as I love my diet pop and it has only been 6 weeks where drinking caffeine didn't make me feel guilty. I have been drinking a lot of pop recently and now I want to cut that out. If I decide to have coffee, I will try to only drink one or no pops throughout the day. (I love coffee too, but am too lazy to make it everyday).

I already had one pop today and I chugged it. I was so mad afterwards because I should have enjoyed it more. I am going to make myself a tuna sandwich for lunch, with low fat mayo on whole wheat bread.

A Weight Loss Journal

2006-04-18T06:08:00.000-04:00

I decided to start a blog to help me with my weight loss. I need motivation and will power to get to my goal. I figured that starting a blog would be a helpful way for me to vent, record and motivate me during this time.

The goal? Well, I haven't figured that out quite yet. I have a LONG way to go before I will reach anything that I am truly happy with. I don't know if it is better to set the goal so far away or to set a shorter term goal. So, at this point my goal has yet to be determined.

Today I have my 6 week doctors checkup. I will find out what my starting weight is. I have also debated on weather to post my actual weight and the weight loss accumulated. I am thinking I just might only because that can be more motivation for me to keep on going!

Good news from yesterday - I passed up getting food from Wendy's when my husband went there yesterday. Talk about will power. I almost caved, but didn't. The reason? Because I haven't eaten at a fast food place in about 3 weeks. Amazing, huh? Well, for me that really is.

So, wish me good luck on this weight loss journey of mine. I hope this blog can bring me the motivation I need to stay on track and lose a bunch of weight!!