Finding Myself

Crazy Runnin' Man

2010-04-19T10:47:00.000-07:00

There's a guy in town who's always running. Seriously. He's everywhere. I'll see him running on the trail near our house in the south end of town, get in my car to head to the north side of the next town over to hit the mall...and guess who I see. Yep. The guy I've dubbed "Crazy Runnin' Man."

Henry's even in on it. He'll giggle and say, "Hey look Mom. Crazy Runnin' Man!" as we drive by the guy. I hope he's not pointing at the runner. How embarrassing.

I ran over 8 miles this weekend. I wonder at what point I'll be dubbed Crazy Runnin' Woman? I never thought I'd ever run that much. By the time my half marathon training is finished, I'll be logging 32 miles a week. I'm nutty already. But that's insane.

It's been a while

2010-04-16T13:03:00.000-07:00

I fell off the wagon. So much so that I gained about 8 pounds. I'm back on track now though. Tim bought me a road bike for our anniversary, and I've started training for a half marathon that will be June 27. At WW yesterday, I was back to the 30-lb-loss mark. It feels good. I also look really fit.

I've revised my weight loss success rewards list (made way back in August). Here 't'is...

lbs. Reward
35 new running shoes
40 new biking outfit
45 lingerie
50 jewelry
55 spa day

Once I hit WW Lifetime, I'd like to really do something special. Like buy a hot tub. Ahem. I don't know whether I will ever talk Tim into that. But he might like it better than the other option I'm considering...a tattoo.

What would it be?

The "@" symbol -- It represents my initial, as well as the writer in me, as well as my and Tim's initials (AT)...I guess it could represent "at" goal, too!

Diet Fail

2010-03-05T08:36:00.000-08:00

I ate Girl Scout cookies for breakfast, if that gives any indication to how I'm doing. I skipped weigh-in yesterday. And all I want to do is eat.

What I should really do is put down the munchies and pick up my laptop and write my damn book.

maintaining

2010-02-25T08:53:00.000-08:00

I stayed the same this week.
Which is fine, since I'd lost something like 8 pounds in the past month. I am due for a little plateau.

I hope it doesn't last long though.

Still, staying the same is loads better than gaining. Most anything is better than that!

Keep meltin' away!

2010-02-18T09:57:00.000-08:00

I lost 1.4 lbs this week. I think it was a little hinky, since I have had the stomach flu for 3 days. But what the heck...

A loss is a loss!

33.8 lbs total.

I wear the (teeny) pants in the family

2010-02-15T17:13:00.000-08:00

I bought three pairs of jeans today at Old Navy.

Size...8 !!!!!!!! Yes, that's EIGHT. One pair is even "skinny" jeans.

Phenomenal! I wonder how many more sizes I'll drop in the next 23 lbs. Wow.

Back on Track

2010-02-11T07:53:00.000-08:00

With back-to-back weeks losing 3 pounds a week, I'm back on my A game!

I've lost a total of 32.4. Check out the ticker at the top of the page!

Hiatus

2010-01-29T07:27:00.001-08:00

Taking a break indefinitely...

Weigh-in January 14

2010-01-14T13:40:00.000-08:00

Well that was just icky. Not as icky as it could've been, but still...

My weigh-in today revealed that I'd gained 2.8 pounds. Not bad, considering my own scale at home had me 4 pounds up 3 days ago. However, this gain pushed me back from the perspective that I now haven't yet hit my halfway point, even though I HAD before Christmas.

It also forced me to remove THREE paper clips from my paper-clip chain that I use to show my weight loss. I get one clip for each pound lost, and I sring them together and hang them on my cube wall at work. It got a bit shorter today.

Whateva. Today's a new day. This week's a new week.

I keep telling myself -- It could have been worse.

Back to it

2010-01-13T06:11:00.000-08:00

I haven't weighed in since mid December. Ugh. The holidays were tough on my healthy eating plan. That is, I ate NOT healthy.

Back to business. I stepped on the scale on Monday, determined that I'd gained about 4 pounds over the last month, and smacked myself back into reality.

I will weigh in officially tomorrow morning. I miss going to meetings. That's what keeps me centered. That, and being accountable to the leader's scale.

Wish me luck.

Mahvelous Muffins

2010-01-13T06:01:00.000-08:00

When it comes to muffins, I want mine grainy, chewy, fruity, and nutty. I would also prefer not to waste 6 or 8 points on one if at all possible.

Welcome to my heaven.

This recipe is on the side of the package of Bob's Red Mill Flaxseed Meal, which can be found in the health market of your local grocery store or at organic specialty stores. I left the raisins out so my husband would eat them, but I might try a batch with them soon.

Bran Flax Muffins
Contributed by Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods
WW Points: 4 for 1 medium-sized muffin

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Whole Wheat Pastry Flour (or unbleached white flour)
3/4 cup Flaxseed Meal
3/4 cup Oat Bran
1 cup brown sugar
2 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
2 tsp Cinnamon
1 1/2 cups finely shredded Carrots
2 peeled and shredded Apples
1/2 cup Raisins (optional)
1 cup chopped Nuts
3/4 cup Milk
2 beaten Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla

Directions
Mix together flour, Bob's Red Mill Flaxseed Meal, oat bran, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl. Stir in carrots, apples, raisins (if desired) and nuts. Combine milk, beaten eggs and vanilla. Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir until ingredients are moistened. DO NOT OVER MIX. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.

Yield: 15 medium muffins

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
One muffin contains Calories 220, Calories from Fat 80, Fat 9g, Saturated Fat 0.5g, Cholesterol 30mg, Sodium 310mg, Carbohydrates 34g, Dietary Fiber 5g, Sugar 21g, Protein 6g.

Week 1 of Session 2 -- weigh in

2009-12-17T05:56:00.000-08:00

This is the first day of the new session. Technically, it's week 18 since last week was week 17 and we didn't have a meeting because of the blizzard! I don't know what to call this week's weigh in. Perhaps at this point, it doesn't matter what I call it.

As long as I call it a loss!! And indeed, I can. I lost 1.8 pounds for a grand total of 29.6...soooooo close to 30! Errgh!! I'll get there. No worries.

I've been trying so hard to be healthy during the holidays. I measure out my chex mix. I limit myself to 1 or 2 sweets a day. I try to get my fruit, vegetables, and dairy in. And when I order a holiday latte from Starbucks, I make sure it's only tall, fat free, and no whip. Even with those limitations, peppermint mochas are DIVINE. And only 4 points!

I hope my sense of moderation sticks with me the next two weeks. We don't have meetings again until January.

Snow Day

2009-12-09T19:26:00.000-08:00

We had a blizzard today, so I'm guessing weigh-in will be canceled tomorrow. At any rate, I won't be going anywhere because I'm working from home and watching the kiddo because school's canceled.

Aah. Winter. And the holidays. All I want to do is eat chili and chocolate and snuggle up under a blanket with a good book. The next few weeks will be rough for me, diet wise.

For inspiration, I'll keep looking at our holiday photos. Barely any sign of that extra chin! :-)

Click here for the holiday greetings on my other blog.

Week 16 weigh in -- Thanksgiving, Birthday, Success!

2009-12-03T08:01:00.000-08:00

Even though the past week was the ultimate challenge -- Thanksgiving and my birthday -- I still managed to lose 1.2, bringing my grand total to 27.8.

I set my final goal today. It's tentative. But it's there. And it's not so far away! I have to lose as much as I've lost...again. I'm hoping to be at goal by my anniversary on March 25.

Week 15 weigh in -- May we be truly THANKFUL!!!

2009-11-24T10:42:00.000-08:00

Woo. Hoohoo. Hoohoo!

I weighed at the local WW office this week because my regular weigh-in day is on Thursday, which this week will be Thanksgiving day.

And oh did I have some pre-holiday inspiration! I lost 2.6 this week to make my grand total 26.6, less than a pound from my halfway there goal!!! I also have now made it to week 16, so I got a 16-week clapping hands charm to put on my 10% keychain. And I hit the 25-pound mark, so I got my 25-pound charm for the keychain, too.

I'm going to repeat...

Woo. Hoohoo. Hoohoo!

Week 14 weigh in

2009-11-19T05:45:00.000-08:00

Cooking is beyond a challenge right now, with my kitchen torn up for the reflooring. That, combined with Henry's birthday party and having my inlaws in town and dealing with my first bout of the winter blues...ugh.

Even so, I lost .6 pounds this week, bringing my grand total to 24. Next is Thanksgiving, so I won't have an official weigh in. I might try to find an office in STL and weigh in on Wednesday there. We'll see.

An observation

2009-11-19T05:39:00.000-08:00

I had one of those moments today. A revelation? An epiphany? Whatever you want to call it, this moment stopped me in my tracks.

It happened while I was reading People magazine online. I was in the middle of an article on one of the Biggest Loser contestants and happened to glance over to the right, to a column with previews to other stories. One of these other articles was on this season's episodes of Top Chef.

Does anyone else find it incredibly thought-provoking that two of America's biggest obsessions are weight loss/fitness shows like Biggest Loser and Dance Your Ass off...and also cooking shows Top Chef/Anything from Food Network?

Eat. Get fat. Lose weight.

Run the vicious circle much?

Wardrobe malfunctions ahead...

2009-11-16T12:30:00.000-08:00

There's nothing quite so enjoyable -- and at the same time exceedingly frustrating --as spending an entire day in Eddie Bauer slacks that have become rather too big to wear anymore.

It's official. I'm going to have to make a trip to Goodwill to donate, then pop on over to my favorite famous-label-stocked consignment store to find something that fits.

Just say no to saggy butt pants. Although they're not actually falling all the way off.

Yet.

Week 13 (I think I've caught up now!) weigh in

2009-11-12T07:52:00.000-08:00

My goal this week was to do my best to not gain.

Something worked...I lost 1.4!! Grand total is 23.4. Whew! I'm feeling really confident about my ability to eat healthy and sensibly. Some of the people in my group drive me nuts. I've never seen people be more obsessed about food and alcohol. It's sort of pathetic. They don't need a WW meeting. They need an AA meeting. (Addicts anonymous could cover everything.)

I have a huge cheek ache from smiling. It was the very best news I could get today.

What a week

2009-11-12T05:25:00.000-08:00

What a terrific week from a familial standpoint! My niece got married and my son was the ringbearer. Makes for wonderful photos and memories. Plus, I got to wear my new, smaller, glitzy skirt/shirt combo and wear my fab new I-just-lost-20-pounds-reward makeup. However, the food aspect was a toughie. I tried to count points, but somewhere around my fourth glass of wine on Saturday night, I faltered. Sunday was a wash -- Henry's birthday breakfast, for me, consisted of eggs benedict and potatoes. Lunch was McDonald's. Dinner was Buffalo Wild Wings. And don't even get me started on the birthday cake.

All in all, I was pretty proud of myself. I took my gym clothes and worked out in the hotel's fitness center. I took WW snacks to have in the car. I ate light on Saturday, in preparation for the reception feast.

We'll see how I did when I step on the scale in an hour. Yesterday I ate cheesecake and found myself with 0 points left for the day at 1 p.m. Eek. There was a lot of vegetable matter consumed for dinner (salad, squash, broccoli), plus half a PB sandwich just because no one can live on leaves and sprouts and such alone.

Week 11 (i think?) weigh in

2009-11-05T08:07:00.000-08:00

I had to lose .4 pounds this week to hit 20 pounds lost and reward myself with a facial and new makeup/skin care. I thought I'd reached the goal, so I went ahead and had my fun/made my purchases with my Mary Kay rep on Tuesday. Tim threatened to make me scrape off my makeup and take back the product if I didn't reach the goal.

Of course I lost .4. In fact, I lost 2.4! Which brings my grand total to 22 pounds. Par-tay!

Onward and downward...my next mini goal is 25 pounds -- 10 hot yoga sessions! Perfect for this chilly time of year! I can't stop adding exclamation points!!!

And I'm only 5 pounds from halfway to my goal. Beyond exciting!

Wouldja lookey at that?!!

2009-11-03T07:56:00.000-08:00

I must've been doing something right the past few weeks.

Yesterday, I went to my favorite consignment store and found jeans.

Not just any jeans, Calvin Klein jeans.

And not just any old Calvin Klein jeans. Calvin Klein jeans in a size 10.

Woooooo....baby!

The journey continues.

Oh the horror! Halloween from a WW POV

2009-10-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

I found my saving grace: a web site that lists the points values for fun size candy bars. Hallelujah. Because there's no way I'm going without some bit of chocolate on this sweet-tooth holiday this year. I'm allowing myself a bit of something; think I'll print this list off and keep it handy at all times in the next few days. Now I'll just have to figure out how to stop with one or two! Although, at the moment, you know what sounds good? Pumpkin bars...

HALLOWEEN CANDY # OF ITEMS POINT VALUE
3 Musketeers, 2 fun size bars 3 1/2
1000 Grand, 2 mini bars 4 1/2
Abazaba, mini, Each 1
ABC Fruit Chomps, 7 pieces 3
ANDES Creme de Menth Thin Mint , 8 pieces 5 1/2
Animal Crackers, 11 crackers 3
Almond Joy, 2 snack size bars 4
America1s Original Bubble Gum, 4 pieces 1 1/2
Atomic Fireballs, Each 1
Baby Ruth, 2 fun size bars 4
Big Hunk, mini, Each 1
Bit-O-Honey, 6 pieces 4
Blow Pops, Each 1.5
Bubble Gum, super, 2 pieces 1
Butterfinger, 2 fun size bars 4
Butternut Mini Bar, .75 oz 2
Candy Corn, 22 pieces 3
Caramello, 2 snack size bars 4
Crispy Caramel Fudge Bar, snack size, Each bar 2
Caramel & Peanut Butter Crispy Bars, snack size, 2
Chocolate Toffee Crisp Bar, snack size, Each bar, 2
Crunchy Peanut Butter Bar, snack size, Each bar, 2
Double Bubble Gum, 2 pieces 1
Heath Bar, 5 snack size bars 6
Hershey's Bar (plain), 2 snack size bars 5
Hershey's (almonds), 2 snack size bars 5
Hershey Kisses, 8 pieces 5
Hershey Kisses or Hugs, 3 pieces 2
Hershey Miniatures, 5 pieces 5
Hershey Tastations (any flavor), 3 pieces 1
Hershey Sweet Escapes 2
Hi C Juice Fillers, bag (5 candies) 2
Hot Tamales, Each snack box 1
Jolly Rancher, 3 pieces 1
Jolly Rancher Mini Stix, Each 1
Kit Kat, 3 (2 pc) snack bars 6
Kit Kat, Each mini 2
Lemonheads, Each box 2
Life Saver Five Flavor Candy, 4 1.5
Life Saver Gummi Savers, 2 rolls 2.5
Life Saver Pops, Each 1
M & M (plain), Each fun size pack 2
M & M (peanut), Each fun size pack 2
M & M Crispy, Each pkg 5
Mars, 2 fun size bars 4
Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kisses, 6 pieces 3.5
Maynards Wine Gums, 1 roll (44 g), 3
Mike & Ikes, Each snack pkg 1
Milk Duds, 4 fun size boxes 4
Milky Way, 2 fun size bars 4
Milky Way Lite, minis, 5 pieces 3
Milky Way Lite, regular bar 3.5
Mounds, 2 snack size bars 4
Necco Wafers, Each roll 1
Nerds, Each box 1
Nestles PB Mallow, Each 3.5
Nestles Baby Ruth, Each 4.5
Nestle Crunch Fun Size, 4 bars 5
Now & Later, 3 mini bars 3
O'Henry, 2 fun size bars 5
Peter Pan Peanut Butter Cups, 4 pieces 6
Pumpkin Pop, Each sucker 1
Raisinettes, 3 snack size boxes 4
Red Hots, Each box 2
Reese's Crunchy Cookie Cups, 2 snacks 4
Reese's Miniature Peanut Butter Cups, 5 pieces 5
Reeses Peanut Butter Bites, 3 pkgs 5.5
Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, 2 snack size 4
Reesesticks, 2 snack size 4
Skittles, small pack 3 pkgs 4
Skittles (regular), 2 packs 3
Smarties, 3 rolls 1
Smuckers Fruit Fillers, Each bag (5 candies) 2
Snackwells Nut Clusters, Each piece 1
Snickers, 2 fun size bars 4
Snickers, minis (4 pieces) or 2 fun size bars 4
Spree Candies, 8 pieces 1
Spree Twist, 2 rolls 1.5
Starburst, 3 fun size pkgs 4
Starburst Fruit Chews, 8 chews 3.5
Sugar Babies, 2 snack size pouches 4.5
Sugar Daddy Pops, 3 3.5
Sweethearts (Necco), Each (1 1/8 oz box) 2.5
Sweet Tarts, 2 rolls 1
Tootsie Hot Chocolate Pops, Each 1.5
Three Muskateers, 2 fun size 4
Tootsie Roll, 2 snack bars 2
Tootsie Roll Midgees, 6 pieces 3.5
Tootsie Roll Midgees - small, 11 pieces 2
Tootsie Roll Pop, Each pop 1
Triple Chocolate Wafer Bar, snack size, Each bar, 2
Twix, (mini size) Each 1
Twix, Each snack size bar 2
Twix, Regular Size, Each (2) pack 7
Twizzlers Pull-n-Peel Cherry Candy, 3 pieces 2.5
Twizzlers Strawbery Twists, 4 twists 2.5
Werther's Original, 3 pieces 1
Whoppers Malted Milk Balls, 2 snack size pouches 5
Wonka Nerds Gumballs, Each 1
Wonka Shock Tarts Gumball, Each 1
Wrigleys Chewing Gum, 5 pieces 1
York Peppermint Patties, 3 patties 3

Week Whatever-it-is -- 10 PERCENT!!!!

2009-10-29T11:14:00.000-07:00

Way to get back on track!

I lost 3.4 pounds this week, bringing my total loss to 19.6 and hitting my 10 percent-of-weight goal!!! (18)

I also lost a point because I dropped to the next 10-pound increment. Oh well. I can handle it!

In anticipation of losing .4 more and getting to the glorious 20, I have an appointment scheduled with my friend, a Mary Kay consultant, and will be buying fabulous new makeup!

Weigh in woes

2009-10-26T14:11:00.000-07:00

When last we spoke, I had weighed exactly the same two weeks in a row. The following week, I caught some sort of flu-like virus and felt horrible and contagious, so I skipped weigh in. In fact, I sort of skipped life that week. I didn't, however, skip ice cream.

That probably accounted, in part, for the 1.4 pound gain I had at weigh in on Oct. 23. I was actually surprised it wasn't more than that.

Until this morning, I hadn't worked out in over two weeks. I missed the 5k I'd been training for, also because I was ill. I walk up the stairs and cough for 20 minutes. I didn't think running would be wise.

But I have been tracking my points and this morning I rode our exercise bike downstairs for 30 minutes. It's a start.

So easy, sooooooo tasty!

2009-10-26T13:49:00.000-07:00

I made this recipe yesterday and, not only did it taste sweet and spicy and fantastic on a fall evening, but it made my house smell incredible all day long while it was cooking.

Middle Eastern Lamb Slow Cooker Stew

POINTS® Value: 6
Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 20 min
Cooking Time: 480 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients
1 pound(s) lean leg of lamb, stew meat, cut into 1-inch chunks
15 oz canned chickpeas
14 1/2 oz canned diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 cup(s) canned beef broth
1 large onion(s), chopped
1 large garlic clove(s), minced
2 tsp ginger root, freshly grated
1 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions
Place lamb in a 5-quart slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients, except lemon juice; stir well. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours.

Stir in lemon juice and let stand for 5 minutes for flavors to blend. Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.

Week 9 weigh in

2009-10-07T20:37:00.001-07:00

I'm not going to bother with the scale pic.

I stayed exactly the same.

I'm not upset. I'm not anything, really.

Just moving on to week 10. More of the same. Maybe a little more movement this week. I think I'll go for a run outside tomorrow a.m. Burn more calories when it's cold, trying to stay warm!

If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking.
-- Buddhist Saying

Early weigh-in

2009-10-07T04:41:00.000-07:00

I'm weighing in early this week because I can't go to my WW@Work session. Instead, I will be reading to preschool and kindergarten classes as part of a literacy promotion sponsored by my employer. I got a free hat and t-shirt, and I get to do it on work time, so I thought, "What the heck." Another of the sponsors is American Eagle, so it's not exactly crap merchandise either.

So I'm visiting my old WW site and leader at noon today.

I have no expectations. I've been doing pretty much the same thing. Exercise, sensible eating, no major binges (except for the movie popcorn - sans butter, though - and wine-and-appetizer after the movie...but I ran 4 miles earlier in the afternoon, so I'm not too concerned). My clothes are getting big on me. That's a wonderful sign.

I must admit that I stopped at the bakery on the way home from the gym this morning to get breakfast for myself and the guys. I hope my pink ribbon bagel helps save lives and tastes incredible...for the EIGHT points it's costing me. And that's without cream cheese!

It's great...if you don't kill your hubby in the process

2009-10-02T17:02:00.000-07:00

I made this tonight. And it was terrific. The WW site called it "like a burrito in a bowl." The only problem came at the end of the meal when Tim was taking his last few bites. He bit down on what have been the only chunk of jalapeno in the salsa. And it must've been one doozy of a chunk. He claimed it was the hottest thing he'd ever eaten. Ever. Anyway, watch out for that. Otherwise, it pretty much rocked.

Mexican-Style Brown Rice Casserole

WW POINTS® Value: 6
Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 12 min
Cooking Time: 30 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients
1 spray(s) cooking spray
4 cup(s) cooked brown rice
1 1/4 cup(s) salsa
1 tsp ground cumin
15 oz canned refried beans
10 oz frozen corn kernels, thawed
4 oz canned green chili peppers, mild, diced
1 Tbsp chili powder
10 oz chopped frozen spinach, or collard greens, thawed and set to drain in a strainer over a bowl
3/4 cup(s) low-fat shredded cheddar cheese, divided
2 Tbsp cilantro, fresh, chopped (optional; for garnish)

Instructions
Preheat oven to 375ºF. Coat a 2-quart rectangular, round or oval baking dish with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine rice, salsa and cumin. Spoon 2 cups of rice mixture into prepared baking dish and spread out to evenly cover bottom of dish.

In another large bowl, combine refried beans, corn, chili peppers and chili power. Using a rubber spatula, scrape bean mixture on top of rice layer and smooth out top.

Squeeze out any excess water from spinach or collard greens and then spread on top of bean layer; sprinkle with 6 tablespoons of cheese. Top with remaining rice mixture and smooth out top; sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Place casserole on a large rimmed baking sheet to catch any spillage. Bake until heated through and cheese is browned and bubbling, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro (if desired), cut into 6 pieces and serve.

Week 8 Weigh In - Wasn't expecting THAT!

2009-10-01T07:58:00.001-07:00

Whoa. I lost. And not only did I lose, I lost more than a pound!

The person weighing me in noted that somewhere along the way, my weekly losses got messed up. I'm so glad I'm not the only one with mathematical challenges! But what really matters is the very first weigh-in number and the most recent.

Grand total: 17.6 pounds.

Once I lose .4 more, I hit my 10 percent mark! Yippee! (That means I will have lost 10 percent of my body weight. And if you do the math -- and don't stink like me -- you will be able to figure out what I weighed when I began this. Please don't do the math!)

A rough week

2009-10-01T06:10:00.001-07:00

This has been the roughest week yet on WW this time around. I've just been incredibly hungry and/or bored and/or not feeling great...which makes it tough to stick to plan. All I wanted to do this week was eat cookies.

I stuck to plan mostly. A couple days I went over. And one night, I completely lost control, eating a gourmet meal and drinking entirely too much wine, topping it all off with a dessert and, later, several pieces of chocolate.

And let's not forget PMS rearing its ugly head (which may explain all of the above).

I'm off to weigh in now.

The number on the scale today is just feedback. I'm going to keep telling myself that.

Non-Scale Victory

2009-09-26T13:56:00.000-07:00

I bought an Ann Taylor LOFT skirt today. Size 12!!!!!!!!!!!!

My 14-16s were getting snug before I started this WW adventure.

Week 7 weigh in -- Ready for cartwheels!

2009-09-24T08:05:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful joyous weigh-in! I was down 2.2 pounds, making a grand total 16.2! Which means in the next couple days, I'm off to the mall for a new gym outfit. I think I'm going to get some running apparel, maybe cold-weather gear as it is getting cooler and rainier out lately.

Even more exciting than the scale results: a couple times this week, my coworkers made note of my slimmer appearance and my baggy clothes.

I'm so thrilled!

One thing I noticed today at the meeting was that there are the same people who sit in the back row and whine about how they're not losing weight yet they talk about drinking and going out to eat and having no self control. It's like...what are you doing here?! They just joke about it every week. I think it's a little bit sad how obsessed they are with eating and drinking, how it rules their lives.

I don't want to be ruled by anything like that. I'm really happy with how program is going so far. Onward, to week 8, aka: the next week in my lifetime journey!

ZooM!

2009-09-23T12:53:00.000-07:00

Where'd the week go?! I can't believe tomorrow's the week 7 weigh in. I'm crossing my fingers I don't catch what Tim has. He spent a lot of time in the bathroom overnight and was preparing to spike a fever from what I could tell before I took H to school. I woke up when he got sick the first time and couldn't get back to sleep, so I'm sure my immune system is hating me for getting up at 2:30 and staying up. I did go running at 5:30, though, so I should get some praise for that.

I'm bummed that my honey's sick because 1, it stinks to be sick, obviously. Also, we'd planned to have lunch together today. Our date day got wrecked. However, I can't say I'm too sad. Being a little more careful the day before weigh in is ultimately a wise decision.

I ate out several times this week and stayed on plan. I love being able to do that. Kudos to WW. Boooo Jenny Craig and Nutri-System. You can't learn to live in the real world when you're not eating real world food (said the woman who lost and gained back 25 lbs. doing N-S).

Week 6 Weigh In

2009-09-17T06:19:00.000-07:00

After practically breaking my toe slamming it into a toy that wasn't supposed to be in the middle of the floor -- plus surviving a sick child -- I didn't get all the exercise I wanted this week. However, I did manage to run 4 miles two days in a row, so maybe that makes up for it.

Today will be a tough day -- I'm eating out twice. But I've looked up the menus in advance and planned what I will eat. I'll be fine.

As for the actual scale details, I lost 2 pounds this week, making my grand total loss 14 pounds!

Just call me Julia Child

2009-09-14T16:48:00.001-07:00

I just created the most amazing salad for dinner. Tim thought it was yummy-sounding enough to ask if I'd whip him up one, too.

I will call it:

Apple Chicken Slaw
Serves 1
WW Points: 6

1/4 bag broccoli slaw
1/2 c. white meat canned chicken
1 small apple, coarsely chopped
2 Tbsp. blue cheese crumbles
2 Tbsp. Newman's Own Lowfat Balsamic Vinaigrette

Mix ingredients and toss with the vinaigrette. Voila.

Tim added chopped walnuts and a bit more blue cheese to his.

Week 5 Weigh In --

2009-09-10T05:33:00.001-07:00

New songs on iTunes, here I come!!!

I had a solid weight-loss week, and it was a holiday week, too!!!

I'm feeling very exclamatory!!! :-)

I lost 2.2 lbs. this week, bringing my total weight loss in just over a month to 12 pounds. I'm ahead of where I thought I'd be at this point, but I was generous in my estimate average of 1.5 lbs per week. So I'll probably even out soon.

So excited. I've never felt this confident about weight loss before. Mostly because I'm focused so much more on being HEALTHY rather than obsessing about the number on the scale.

***Happy Dance***

Excuses

2009-09-09T04:08:00.000-07:00

I'm going to blame last week's weight loss fizzle on one thing: PMS. So I have high hopes for tomorrow. I've had a solid week of healthy eating, mucho exercise, and a better frame of mind. Hopefully a bout of water retention won't thwart my success. Again.

This has been a terrific week. I'd like to think Henry has his school issues/separation anxiety ironed out. He's settling into his new piano lesson routine. When he's less stressed, I'm less stressed. When I'm less stressed, my hand doesn't go automatically to the fridge or pantry for the most fattening treats available.

The dog's feeling better, too. I have new shutters on my front window, and Tim's talking about reflooring our upstairs (a Pergo/ceramic tile combo). Life's pretty good. Let's see if I feel the same way by tomorrow at 9 a.m.

Week 5 weigh in, here I come.

The "Run/Walk" Combo

2009-09-06T19:36:00.000-07:00

I ran 4 miles today. Well, I mostly ran. I did a bit of walking, but it was fast walking, and it wasn't more than an eighth of the whole route.

Still, I feel a little like I've cheated when I don't run the whole thing nonstop. I know...the books and experts say running and walking, alternately, help build stamina and are great interval training to help you pick up your speed.

Heaven knows I need to speed up. Running a mile in 18 minutes is pretty near pathetic. But today (and yesterday) I averaged 15 miles an hour. I'll take that.

I just hope I can walk tomorrow. As in, stand upright and move my legs in a forward motion -- nevermind doing it for exercise, I'm just hoping I can propel myself from the bed to the kitchen for some morning coffee.

Week 4 Weigh In -- It's all good

2009-09-03T11:05:00.000-07:00

I had to continue telling myself, ever since I stepped off the WW scale this a.m., that ANY loss is a great one. Even the piddling ones. I'm not surprised, really, that it wasn't a bigger loss this week. I used some of my extra points. I also didn't eat as many fruits and veggies. And I didn't exercise every day.

But I need to keep telling myself that it was, indeed, a loss. It's not just about the number. It's about the state of mind. I've done a lot of battling with my head this week (and heart too, I guess), dealing with emotional eating triggers -- my kid's inability to adequately adjust to kindergarten, for one. The number on the scale was simply a reminder to refocus and continue to be healthy.

This week: I lost .4 lbs.
Grand total: 9.8

NEXT WEEK, New iTunes for SURE!

My WW leader's favorite quote: "Don't give up what you want MOST for what you want NOW."

Lose for Good

2009-09-01T11:11:00.001-07:00

Check out my other blog for a "Weight Watchers is awesome" story.

Victory!

2009-08-31T06:42:00.000-07:00

I should win a medal. Really. I baked a huge batch of monster cookies with my son yesterday, and I didn't eat any. Not ANY. The ingredients to these cookies included peanut butter, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and m&ms. And I didn't eat ANY. I did eat one small bite of Henry's cookie, but it just wasn't that great -- not great enough to have to figure out the points. I'm seriously lazy that way. So instead, I ate some Newman's Own Alphabet Cookies later in the evening and was perfectly contented.

Perhaps the next challenge will be to maintain my reserved nature throughout the week, since we now have two giant Ziplock bags full of these cookies.

I am wearing another pair of pants -- these being capri overalls -- that didn't fit me a month ago. It's a little like having a whole new wardrobe available, which is nice because I don't want to have to make big purchases in a size I don't plan to be in long.

Friday Fun Facts

2009-08-28T06:07:00.000-07:00

1. I am wearing a pair of denim capri pants that, four weeks ago, wouldn't snap at the waist. Today they fit with a bit of room to spare!

2. Once I lose 5.2 more pounds, I will officially -- according to the BMI chart -- not be "obese" anymore.

3. I worked out HARD at spin class this morning. And my instructor mentioned me by name to the rest of the class, making a comment that indicated I was a "regular" and a "spin expert" in the class. How fun!

4. I can't believe how much energy I have.

Week 3 Weigh In -- WW MILESTONE!

2009-08-27T08:58:00.001-07:00

I lost what I needed this week to get to my 5 percent. Woohoo! I'm so jazzed about getting healthier and treating myself well. I also ran on the treadmill almost 2 miles today at the gym. (I would've run outside, but it's been raining buckets for days.)

I lost 2 lbs., for a grand total 9.4. Aiming for 10 this week, so I can get my next personal reward! Lovin' it.

Inching downward!

2009-08-26T11:53:00.001-07:00

Approaching the week 3 weigh in, I'm also creeping nearer to my 5 percent loss. It'll be 9 lbs. So if I lost close to 2 this week, SCORE! I'm planning to do something nice for myself -- maybe a mini spa service like a wax or a polish change -- to celebrate. If it doesn't happen for another week, so be it. But I feel very positive about this week. I've managed to cope with big changes and make important decisions without falling off the WW wagon.

I've also fallen in love with Newman's Own chocolate alphabet cookies. I can have 20 cookies for 4 points. Decadence at its finest!

Also can't wait for my run tomorrow. I hope it stops raining. I'm planning on a 25-minute neighborhood run in the early a.m. I'm slowly chopping away at my time. I think I'm close to getting under 13 minutes per mile, which is a definite improvement over 18 minutes I started at a few weeks ago.

Week 2 Weigh In

2009-08-20T13:10:00.000-07:00

I lost 2.8 pounds this week.

Grand total: 7.4...yay!!!

My next goal to tackle is my 5 percent weight loss -- 9 pounds. Which means, if I lose 1.6 this week, I'm THERE! I've promised myself some mini-spa services, like a brow wax or something, once I lose 5 percent.

I was also awarded my 5-pound star this week, a "bravo" for losing 5 pounds. They do it for every 5. I love REWARDS!!!

My biggest fear this week is emotional eating. H started kindergarten today. I will NOT let my angst wreck my hard work!

Preparing for the Week 2 weigh in

2009-08-19T10:50:00.001-07:00

I'm exhausted. I can't keep my eyes open. I got 7 hours of sleep last night, but I still haven't caught up with my sleep deprivation weekend (for cleaning) plus the dog hospital visit. Then there's all the angst surrounding Henry starting kindergarten tomorrow. I want a pound of chocolate. Seriously.

But I've been very conscious of my urge to be an emotional eater, and I'm trying to reject those urges. I feel very good about my progress this week. Tomorrow is week 2 weigh-in. I've followed program (except for last night when I ate a granola bar in the middle of the night...I have plenty of flex points to cover it tho, so it's all good). I got lots of exercise (including all the cleaning workouts!).

We'll see what happens. I have good feelings.

A test

2009-08-18T07:18:00.000-07:00

I had an "Oh wow I want to eat everything in the house" moment last night. It was stress related. I had to take the dog to the emergency vet because she hurt her leg. We didn't get home until almost 2. Tim and Henry are still in St. Louis, so I was dealing with a crisis by myself. I was tired. I was hungry. I was stressed. And all I kept thinking about was FOOD.

I avoided fast food drive throughs on the way home, got ready for bed, then indulged. By having a mini choc. chip granola bar. Only 2 points at most. Then I went to bed. I think I was asleep before I ever put my butt on the mattress.

Dog's fine now. My weight loss efforts survived a test.

I'm really happy that black coffee a 0 points choice. Because I'm about to dive into cup 4 for the day.

Week 1 Weigh In

2009-08-12T19:28:00.000-07:00

I lost 4.6 pounds.

I'm rounding up to 5 for my first reward: manicure and pedicure at the mall this weekend!

What went well this week: EVERYTHING. Of all the times I've done WW, this seemed the easiest. The program does seem much less about a diet and ALL about getting healthier for life. I love that approach. I exercised every day of the week. I accomplished many household cleaning projects, and more are on the way this weekend.

What I hope to accomplish the upcoming week: More of the same. I'd like to try two new recipes this coming week. I definitely want to watch out for the emotional/stress eating, as H starts kindergarten.

Anticipation...

2009-08-12T18:10:00.000-07:00

It's the night before my first WW weigh-in. How do I think I've done this week?

From a "following the program" standpoint, I've done fabulously. I stuck to points, exercised every day and used the activity points, wasn't ever famished, never felt cheated, and even enjoyed a Bruegger's Bagel, a DQ strawberry sundae, and movie popcorn (sans butter) during the week.

I'm expecting a solid first week's results, something between 1.5 and 3 pounds. If it's less than that, I'll be disappointed -- but it's only a number and it's bound to go down sometime. If it's more than that, I'm that much closer that much quicker to my first milestone celebration.

I'm actually really amazed at the lack of suffering this week. I feel much better than I have in months.

Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future. -- Deepak Chopra

This time around

2009-08-11T06:16:00.001-07:00

Even as I'm excitedly moving through my first week, I feel a niggling apprehension in the back of my mind. It's really my negative self yammering in my ear to calm down and get over myself because I've tried it before and failed. Always failed. Succeeded at first, but ultimately f-ed it all up and ended up in a worse spot than before.

However, I have several things going for me this time around that I hope will lead to a brighter, more long-term positive outcome.

1. I've not been on WW since my diagnosis (bipolar disorder) in 2006. I'm on great meds, I'm working with a therapist, I've had multiple group therapy sessions and mindfulness-based stress reduction courses that helped me learn to cope. I'm in a very different place from a few years ago. Perhaps that will make a difference.

2. I'm not weighing myself at home. The scale is an evil device that has the power to take me from joy to despair in the time it takes the LED display to pop on. I get all hung up on the day to day fluctuations and forget to think about making life changes (which come in small increments at a snail's pace). I have vowed to only weigh once a week -- at WW meetings. That's the number that counts -- and really, it's just a number. I heard one of the leaders call the number on the scale "feedback." It's not a loss or a gain, it doesn't make you good or bad. It just gives you information that you can use when moving through your next week.

3. EXERCISE!!! I've done exercise before. But this time, I'm setting goals and planning for a 5k and, eventually, a half marathon. I don't think of myself as an athlete. But I don't think of myself as thin (never did, even when I WAS). If I can change the way I think about my weight, I can do the same thing with activity. Plus, it gives me something else to focus on besides food.

4. No deprivation. That's what I love about WW. If you want a strawberry sundae like the one I had on the weekend, you can have it. You just have to plan a little and make a better choice about serving size. I had a small one at DQ for 6 points, and we rode our bikes to get it.

5. I'm blogging. I love this. Especially a year from now when I can look back and say, WOW, look what I've achieved.

6. I want to set a good example for Henry. My child, at 5.5, is impressionable. He's also inundated with ads for fatty foods and sugary snacks, and accompanying peer pressure.

Plus, I'll be so thrilled to tell that negative voice in my head, "HA. Told you I could do it."

Setting Goals

2009-08-10T06:34:00.001-07:00

On my way to work this morning, I was plotting my goal-setting strategy. I came up with one stark conclusion: I need rewards. Rather a "duh" moment. What I mean is, I need small, achievable results with enticing prizes for a job well done (besides the obvious scores...smaller clothes, sucking less wind during a run, and so on).

For every five pounds, I'm going to treat myself to a non-food something. I'm going to set them here, but they may change a bit as I move through this little lifestyle change of mine.

5 - Mani/Pedi 9/5
9 - My 5% WW 9/19
10 - New songs on iTunes 9/25
15 - New gym outfit 10/17
18 - My 10% WW 10/31
20 - Clinique 11/8
25 - 10 hot yoga sessions 12/1
27 - Halfway there party!! 12/12
30 - Massage @ Zenders 12/25
35 - Shoe shopping 1/16
40 - Jewelry shopping 2/13
45 - New swimsuit/Start swimming 3/6
50 - New outfit 3/25
Final Goal - A day at the spa 4/15
Lifetime WW Membership - 6/15

The dates are targets of when I'd like to reach each goal, based on the assumption (hope, desperate plea, whatnot) that I'll lose an average of 1.5 lbs. per week. A realistic, sensible goal, I think.

I'm getting my goal on. Can't you tell?

Yo-yo for life?

2009-08-09T22:02:00.000-07:00

I've been a fat kid, a fatter teen, a fat-ish adult, a thin adult, a pregnant adult, an adult diagnosed with a mental illness, and again, a fat adult.

I'm sick of it. I've been on every diet there is. I've worked out. I've lost and gained, lost and gained. I'm tired of the weight defining me. I'm so frustrated at how my depression often sabotages my best efforts. This IS NOT who I see myself being. Therefore, I'm getting rid of it. For good. Forever.

I joined Weight Watchers @ Work last week. And I've made plans to run a 5k in October, then tentatively plan to run a 10K and half marathon next year. I delved into organizing my house, to both keep my mind off food and get my life in some semblance of order. Lifestyle changes...my husband and I are both making them. We're tired of the clutter and mess.

This blog will serve as documentation of my successes, frustrations, thoughts, favorite healthy recipes, inspirational quotes, and semi-daily observations on weight, health, fitness, and such.