The Next Twenty

Checking In...Weigh In Friday

2011-01-07T07:56:00.000-08:00

Today was the official weigh in day...

162.6

So that is down 2.5 pounds-ish. I can live with that. I got on the scale 3 times this morning hoping it would give up just a little, little more. I can't wait to see just 160 and dare I imagine seeing 159? Holy hell that would be exciting.

Duty calls, another busy day at work. Hoping for success over the weekend. Weekends scare me a little, that is why I weigh in on Friday instead of the traditional Monday.

Have a great weekend!

Checking In 01-06-11

2011-01-06T07:41:00.000-08:00

Weight 162.6

It amazes me the difference eating healthy makes in my body.

I can not believe how much better I feel.

I guess it is good to go on a binger every now and then to remind me how crappy I use to feel every single day of my life! When I was pushing 190 I felt terrible

ALL THE TIME!

I can not imagine going back to that. I totally believe it is the fuel we give our bodies that make a difference. The extra 30 pounds is hard on the body too but feeding a body that is already struggling garbage...why do we do that??

Checking In 01-05-11

2011-01-05T11:03:00.000-08:00

01/05/11
Weight:163.6 The holiday weight is melting away!

I have been back on WW for 3 days now, counting and tracking! It gives me a sense of control. I feel better already, the holiday bloat is gone and my head is starting to clear from the 6 day sugar buzz!

Days Till Cruise: 25
The good news is...the dresses should fit!

For The New Year...A Positive Twist to the Resolution

2011-01-03T10:35:00.000-08:00

Finally here… the New Year. The holidays are over, the 2 month eat fest has ended. I actually did really well until last week...then I got this stupid cold and all my resolved melted away. The outside temperature here hasn't reached 15 degrees for the last two weeks. It is hard to think about anything but staying warm. I guess that has not helped my resolve either.

But today is a new day; today is the beginning of a new year. Like I do every January, I joined Weight Watchers; I love their on-line tools. I love tracking...

I need accountability.

I really didn't want to spend the money this year but I need it. My husband needs it. My entire family benefits from me being on WW, since I am the one who plans meals, packs lunches and grocery shops.

So I figure it is money well spent.

Now...to the Resolutions. Read this great article about making resolutions a positive thing...and taking a funner approach. Basically, make a "Bucket List" for 2011 ...

"Make a list of things you wish to do in the upcoming year. Fun things, things that you wish you had done this past year. "

Read it...it is fun and inspirational.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2167440_positive-new-years-resolutions-twist.html?sms_ss=email&at_xt=4d1b562b2cbab0b9%2C0

I will posting my list here soon...

Checking In

2010-12-30T08:17:00.000-08:00

Weight: 164.2

Days Till Cruise: 31

New Year's Resolutions...boo!

2010-12-29T08:01:00.000-08:00

It is that time of year again when we like to reflect on the past year and be really pissed off at ourselves for not losing 55 pounds, for not quitting smoking AND for not getting our house perfectly clean!

Joy!

My Facebook friends are all talking about New Year’s Resolutions and naturally I have been thinking about what I would like to accomplish in 2011.

And funny thing, as I was driving to work this morning some dude with a dry, boring voice is talking about Resolutions and he sort of caught my attention. He was talking about the negative feeling the words New Year’s Resolution invokes in most of us. Now he really had my attention…because it is true. We all set resolutions but we all know we will ultimately fail and we have one more thing to beat ourselves up about! HA! We love that!!

Anyway…the boring voiced guy on the radio encouraged us to set our Resolutions in a positive tone. Example…instead of saying, “I will lose weight, I will lose 50 pounds” or whatever, say “I see myself in a size 12”. Instead of saying “I will stop smoking” picture yourself with healthy, pink lungs.
I like this way of thinking…I like the idea of just visualizing myself in a healthier way.

More tomorrow on Positive Resolutions…bring a paper and pencil with you!

Mexican Meatloaf...Weight Watchers

2010-12-29T07:27:00.000-08:00

6 Servings, 3 Points per serving

1/2 pound lean ground turkey
1/2 pound lean ground beef
2 Lg egg whites
1 C. dry cornbread stuffing mix
1 med onion
1/2 t chili powder (I use more)
1/4 t cumin (I use more)
4oz can diced green chilies
8 oz enchilada sauce

Preheat oven to 375 degrees; spray broiler pan with cooking spray

Mix all ingredients together only using half of the enchilada sauce. Shape into an oval and place on broiler pan. Bake 1 hour; remove from oven and top with remaining enchilada sauce. Cook until sauce has carmalized; about 10 minutes.

Checking In

2010-12-29T07:26:00.001-08:00

Today's Weight: 163.4

Day's Till Cruise: 32

2010-12-28T10:08:00.000-08:00

Counting Down...

2010-12-28T09:32:00.001-08:00

Wow-wee! Christmas is over! You would not, not, not believe all the junk food in my house. Holy Crap! I told my husband this morning we have to pick a date to move it out. I can bring it all to work and the men here will eat it up in less then half a day. I only gained a couple of pounds through the holiday season and I am pretty grateful for that.

Today's Weight: 165.4

Day's till Cruise: 33

I better get back on track or all those new dresses I bought ARE NOT going to fit!

Business Trips and Weight Lose? Can They Co-Exist?

2010-12-03T09:56:00.000-08:00

I don't travel much for work, but every now and then I get sent away for training. In a week and a half I will be in Vegas (WOOT WOO) for 5 days. I just got an email from the hotel on the Strip telling me about all the fun I can have while I am there.

At the bottom of the email is a promotion for their "Fitness Room"...and an explination of charges to use it?

Now What??

Is this new?

I work for a fitness company but believe me...they aren't going to allot me money to use the fitness room!!!

So my question is...How do I, at a minimum, maintain my weight lose while I am away from home, out of my routines and not preparing my own food?

What do you do??

Weight Gain & Menopause

2010-11-30T12:32:00.000-08:00

I went to my Homeopath this morning to try and get some help with my menapause symptoms. ( I have been practicing Homeopathic medicine for over 20 years...it works for me...I am a believer.) I have a lot of information now, I have a plan now...I think I might survive :) For me, information and planning are necessary for success. I did some reading on line this afternoon and found this information helpful, ( and not surprising.) I am posting it here to help me remember...

There's no magic formula for preventing — or reversing — weight gain after menopause Simply stick to weight-control basics:

■Move more. Aerobic activity can help you shed excess pounds or simply maintain a healthy weight. Strength training counts, too. As you gain muscle, your body burns calories more efficiently — which makes it easier to control your weight. As a general goal, include at least 30 minutes of physical activity in your daily routine and do strength training exercises at least twice a week. If you want to lose weight or meet specific fitness goals, you may need to increase your activity even more.

■Eat less. To maintain your current weight — let alone lose excess pounds — you may need about 200 fewer calories a day during your 50s than you did during your 30s and 40s. To reduce calories without skimping on nutrition, pay attention to what you're eating and drinking. Choose more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Opt for lean sources of protein. Don't skip meals, which may lead you to overeat later.

■Seek support. Surround yourself with friends and loved ones who'll support your efforts to eat a healthy diet and increase your physical activity. Better yet, team up and make the lifestyle changes together.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/menopause-weight-gain/HQ01076

I have a lot of excuses today...

2010-11-29T11:53:00.000-08:00

I am not, NOT in a good place right now. I had a crazy weekend in my own head! A couple of weeks ago my doctor called to tell me my blood work was back and I am officially in menopause.

Okay, I knew that, but I needed to the doctor to tell me so I didn’t feel like I was just going insane.

And this weekend it was like I was an alien from another planet! I won’t bore you with all the details but It. Wasn’t. Good!! I have an appointment tomorrow to get some “help”…it will get better. But where I am going with this is…

It was hard to make good choices this weekend, **this long weekend**. It was hard to get up off the couch and even walk across the house. The scale was unkind this morning. I realize now that my head is a little clearer, I need a very decisive plan if I’m going to be successful. I did a lot of reading this morning on managing menopause symptoms, (found some great resources), and all of the articles mentioned a healthy diet and excise.

I know… no big shocker!!

I realize I am going to have to be very aware of what I need to do, write it down and follow through. My brain is so scattered and my emotions so up and down, I need some accountability.

What works for you? What, if anything, holds you accountable?

A Book For Christmas...or Thanksgiving

2010-11-23T12:21:00.001-08:00

If you haven't read Women, Food and God yet pick it up TODAY!

This is not a diet book...it is more then that. There are some simple, beautiful truths in this book. I found it on half.com for $4.00 used.

Fear...

2010-11-19T13:56:00.000-08:00

This morning, I went into my bathroom to hang up my "Weight Lose Chart" and realized the act of doing so was going to mean I'm committed. It will be hanging there on the wall for me to see every time I walk in there. It will be there for my husband to see and that somehow makes me more accountable.

I realized I was afraid.

I walked out and put it back on the kitchen counter...(under a pile of recipes I need to put away.)

So what am I afraid of? I thought about that throughout the day... What am I afraid of?
Failure. I have tried and failed so many times.

I have to work on this...

In the meantime...I Googled "If I try, I might fail" and this came up. I liked it so I'm posting it!

"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
Michael Jordon

Setting My Goals!!!

2010-11-17T10:03:00.000-08:00

So I’m reading about goal setting, specific to weight loss. There are sure a lot of tips and opinions out there!! Found a great article from The Mayo Clinic, (that should be reliable!!) and I thought I would follow their steps. So today is Step One and Step Two:

Tips for Setting Weight Lose Goals:
1. Personalize your goals. Set goals that are within your capabilities and that take into account your limitations. Also, consider your personal fitness level, health concerns, available time and motivation. Tailoring your expectations to your personal situation helps you set achievable goals.

I have thought about this a lot this morning. This is what I am committing to…

Goal Date: January 28, 2011
Goal Weight: 150

This is a reasonable goal. It is a little over 10 pounds. Given my capabilities and support system this is totally achievable. I have picked this date because I always weigh in on Fridays AND it is the day before my husband and I fly to New Orleans to board the NCL Spirit.

2. Aim for realistic weight loss. Healthy weight loss usually occurs slowly and steadily. In general, plan to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week even if your initial weight loss is a little faster in the first week or two. To do this, you need to burn 500 to 1,000 calories more than you consume each day. Also, don't expect to lose more of your body weight than is realistic. For instance, set a goal of losing 10 percent of your current weight, rather than 30 percent.

Looks like I am good there. I have about 10 weeks so I should be able to, realistically reach this goal.

I have written my goal down and put together a chart to track losses as well as expectations. This has always worked well for me… the chart thing. Takes me back to the kindergarten days I guess, when you got a gold star for accomplishing something.

http://www.bing.com/health/article/mayo-127571/Weightloss-goals-10-tips-for-success?q=weight+loss+goals&FORM=FFF

Goal Setting

2010-11-16T07:59:00.000-08:00

"The key to setting weight loss goals is to follow the standard of goal setting.
It needs to be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and tangible.
Your first step is determining if you really need to lose weight. "

I think my goals have always been pretty general... I will write down how many pounds I want to lose or set mini goals but they are always general enough I can deflect them when they are not achieved. Humm...not good!
Measurable is a little easier as I am on the scale every morning, (don’t judge me, I must have that accountability) and I put on the same 3 pairs of jeans all week long.
Attainable...humm....Realistic...hummm....those sort of go together. Someone posted on Facebook this morning she was going to lose 10 pounds in 10 week. I believe, for most people, that goal IS attainable and realistic. I clicked the "like" button; I'm going to try to lose along with her. Does that count as specific?
Tangible probably fits in with measurable. But my personal beliefs are:
Things you envision for yourself must be believable...tangible.
I use a lot of visualization; some might call it meditation, to move me through all my life goals. I believe I must be able to see myself at my goal weight; I must be able to see it, smell it and hold it in my hand before I can achieve it. For me this is the most important part.
And I realize this morning my weight lose journey is a lot like my relationship with my favorite pro basketball team. They are playing really well this year but I just don’t believe…I don’t believe they ultimately won’t let me down and break my heart. Of course with my personal goals I have all the control so I understand it is different. But I don’t commit to the goal because I ultimately do not want to let myself down and break my heart AGAIN.
Losing weight is not just about the food and the scale and the saying no to ice cream. Long term health is dependent on understanding yourself and what makes you tick. So today I learned something new about myself… it was a good day!

http://exercise.about.com/od/weightloss/a/weightlossgoals.htm

Eat Less, Move More.

2010-11-11T15:19:00.001-08:00

It really is that simple. Lost a few more pounds...try to walk more often, try to eat a little less. I'm not losing very fast but I am happy to see small changes.

My clothes are getting too big...look forward to buying more. It would be great to enjoy shopping again.

What I want most...

2010-09-03T13:07:00.000-07:00

"Discipline is just choosing between what you want now and what you want most."

—Unknown Author

More Help from Another Great App

2010-08-27T11:57:00.001-07:00

The company I work for requires those of us with an unacceptable BMI to participate in one of their many wellness programs. The program I signed up for does not require me to use a pedometer but since I started using the Losing It app on my Iphone I have been trying to keep better track of my walking time. After searching through the app store I found this pedometer,
Footsteps...

This app is awesome.

I bought the full version because the freebie only counts 3000 step at a time. After plugging in my weight and the length of my walking stride the app goes to work doing everything else! It counts calories, average speed and number of steps and lots of other cool things. Only con I can report is it drains the battery in a hurry!!

And I am Happy To Report, I Have Lost a Little Over 3 Pounds...FINALLY! I am sure I have lost more inches then pounds, as my cloths are fitting differently. I feel stronger, I feel better in general! Hurray for me!!

NOTHING!

2010-08-20T14:22:00.000-07:00

So, it is getting really, really frustrating! I am staying in my calorie budget…I am exercising…I have given up soda and chocolate and late night snacking. Nothing…I mean NOTHING.

IPhone App -- Lose It!

2010-08-12T11:40:00.001-07:00

A few months ago I let my membership at Weight Watchers go for various reasons. I found I am not very good at accountability! Food journals... for me... is essential; if I don't write it down I can forget I ate it. (Unconscious eating...another post for another day!) I started looking around for something new, something easy, something for my IPhone. I found an app called Lose It!; it was free so no obligation to try it!

I am as impressed with Lose It! as I was the WW app; and did I mention it is free? I set a weight lose goal and it did the rest. It even reminds me when I forget to journal. Great product!

http://loseit.com/

Some Inspiration

2010-08-12T11:33:00.000-07:00

My Thanks to an inspiring memeber of Spark People for her 51 inspirational thoughts. She reminds me the blog is for me... to help ME. And many other bits that made me say hummmmm.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=3522066

Been Gone For A While

2010-05-05T11:33:00.001-07:00

I really had lost my motivation... no matter how I tried or how hard I looked. But my Hubby and I just booked our next cruise, (270 days away...) and there is always motivation with that!!

Mexican Meatloaf

2009-08-26T10:49:00.000-07:00

I have a huge collection of Weight Watcher recipes I have put together over the years. I do not cook separate meals for myself... if I am eating "diet" food, then everyone is eating "diet" food. So I have searched and searched for family friendly recipes my teenagers will enjoy. I made this again on Sunday and it was a hit...as always!!
I like to make at least a double batch as the leftovers are delicious and freeze very well.

Try it!! It's a keeper!

Mexican Meatloaf
1 spray(s) cooking spray
1/2 pound(s) raw extra lean ground beef
1/2 pound(s) lean ground turkey, breast
2 large egg white(s)
2 oz cornbread stuffing dry mix, (about 1 cup)
1 medium onion(s), chopped
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp ground cumin
4 oz canned green chili peppers, diced
8 oz canned enchilada sauce

Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat a broiler pan with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, mix beef, turkey, egg whites, stuffing mix, onion, chili powder, cumin, chilies and half of enchilada sauce together. Shape into an oval with your hands and place on prepared broiler pan.
Cook for 1 hour, top with remaining enchilada sauce and bake for 5 minutes more. Slice into 6 pieces and serve. (3 Points per serving.)

SPARK PEOPLE

2009-08-17T13:30:00.000-07:00

Thank you Spark People for being such a great FREE on-line source for recipes, calorie counting and activity planner!!

Since giving up my membership with Weight Watchers I have struggled with my accountability! Spark People is pretty user friendly and they have a great recipe library.

Looking forward to being 8 pounds lighter VERY SOON!!

http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/mysparkstart.asp

Eight Pounds in Eight Weeks!

2009-08-14T13:18:00.000-07:00

My husband and I are really good together. I lost the first 20 pounds with his help...

This morning we challenged each other to lose 8 pounds in 8 weeks!!

This is going to be good!

Stay tuned...

2009-08-10T13:05:00.000-07:00

Okay... I had a terrible weekend. I had one of those feel sorry for myself weekends that we have from time to time. When I am feeling like this I turn to food and there is no way to stop me. Luckily I don't go into "The Pitty Pot Mode" very often... but when I do it is oh so bad!

Weekends are tuff under the best of circumstances... (that is why I "weigh-in" on Fridays...).

I did do a lot of running around this weekend and painted my dining room so at least I wasn't just sitting on the couch eating brownies... although I totally thought about it!

Anyway... here is my inspiration for the day. A little long so just skim it for the highlights...

Weekend Diet Tips - Stop Cheating!

By Cheryl Dennett
Takeaways
2009 Associated Content, Inc.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/411723/weekend_diet_tips_stop_cheating.html?cat=51

All it takes is a little planning to be able to stay on your healthy eating plan.
Rewards do not have to be food.

Dieting is hard work. When we work that hard, sometimes we feel the need to reward ourselves. Unfortunately, that reward often takes the form of cheating on diets. Here are some tips to help you get past this pitfall and stay on your healthy eating plan.
The most common weekend pitfall is when dieters think they can splurge on the weekend because they have been through a tough week. It is normal to feel the need for a reward when you have been working hard. But, instead of rewarding yourself with food, try something else. Perhaps you could buy a book you've been wanting. Or treat yourself to that DVD or CD you've been looking at for a while. Going to a movie can be a special treat, as well.
But, if you just have to have some type of food reward, try choosing one portion of a favorite food. Be sure this food is a treat. It is not as much of a reward if you eat something you have all the time.
Another common belief is that if you go out, you have to eat more that you normally would. A good way to get past this is to plan activities that center around food. You could do something such as shopping or visit a local exhibit of art. Eating lunch out instead of supper is a way to eat less, but still enjoy a meal outside of your home.
When you have worked hard all week, sometimes all you want to do is relax during the weekend. However, don't let your exercise program go by sitting on the couch all weekend. This can lead to a longer period of putting off exercise. Go ahead and sit on the couch and watch television, but set a time limit. And, sometime during the day get up and participate in some type of physical activity. It doesn't have to be vigorous, but it should get your body moving.
It is also a major stumbling block to believe you cannot eat healthy because of your obligations. Even when you have errands, grocery shopping and chores around the house, you can make time to eat right. It doesn't take a lot of planning to produce a healthy meal. It just takes a bit more effort than pulling out the cold cuts and making a sandwich.
Even if you are busy on the weekends, you should be sure to take a bit of extra time to stay on your healthy eating plan. Your health should not be put on the back burner to a busy schedule. Take the time to plan your meals and don't use rewarding yourself for hard work as an excuse to go off your diet.

Thoughts on Mini-Goals

2009-08-06T08:16:00.000-07:00

Setting mini-goals

We often put worthy goals off because they seem overwhelming. Experts will often tell you to write your goals down, however huge goals like “find a better job”, or “clean the house” often lead to procrastination because we don’t want to start, or don’t know where to start.
The trick is to instead break the goal down into “mini-goals”. You don’t need to initially break it down into every little step, however at least figure out the first few steps you could do, and make those your goals. For example, if your goal is to get a better job, your mini-goals might be “update my resume”, “search the classifieds”, and “find some tips on interviews”. Write these mini-goals down using whatever system you use, such as a planner, notepad, or software such as My Life Planner. Be sure each one is something you can actually do, and without a huge amount of effort or time.

When you set mini-goals, you’ll be much more inclined to move forward towards your larger goal, as they aren’t as intimidating, and can be knocked off fairly easily. In fact, you might find yourself quickly moving on to the next mini-goal as your progress drives further motivation. As you complete them, be sure to jot down new mini-goals, so you always have something further to do. Your productivity and satisfaction will rise if you can always keep some new mini-goals on your list.

You may ask about prioritizing your goals. It’s important to prioritize goals, however you should use caution that one goal doesn’t prohibit progress on other ones. Another benefit of mini-goals is you can intermix mini-goals that are tied to completely different major goals, and keep moving forward on more than one without becoming overwhelmed. If working with a large number of mini-goals, you should try and categorize them. On paper this can be done by writing a major heading with bullets under it, or utilize software such as linked above which supports custom grouping of tasks.

Thursday, September 28th, 2006
http://personal-development.com/blog/78/setting-mini-goals-2/

Mini Goal

2009-08-05T14:45:00.000-07:00

I like the idea of the mini goal. The article I posted yesterday got me thinking… Most of the time, when I think about my healthy lifestyle changes, there is a number associated with success. The date I am leaving for vacation, the size number I want to be, the weight number I want to be. Always a number and then that number becomes the measurement of success or failure. So instead of thinking about the end goal or the final number I am going to give this mini goal thing a try for a while and see what happens. (Notice I said “for a while” and not for 1 month or 6 weeks… no numbers here!)

I guess like good cooking, simpler is better. A couple of mini-goals to get me through till Monday:

Mini Goal: Complete menu for next week including lunches
Mini Goal: Work out every other day.

Stay tuned…

Inspiration Needed... Not Calories

2009-08-04T13:56:00.000-07:00

Some times of the day are easier then others. Food calls different people at different times. Morning is not a problem for me. I would rather not eat at all until noon. But I learned years ago my body just does better if I give it a little fuel in the morning. But this time of day… between 2:30 and 3:30 is torture. If I had a bag of …well anything… I would eat it all.

I keep 100 Cal snacks in my desk drawer to get me through the afternoon, but days like this….

So today I went on the internet to find some inspiration, to keep me out of the cafeteria vending machines. Prevention Magazine on line has tons and tons of quick read stuff. Here is the story I read today…

From Prevention Magazine November 2007
http://www.prevention.com/weightlossmotivation/

“When Katie Ciarcia's doctor nixed gastric bypass surgery, she lost 124 pounds the old-fashioned way
My story
I'm Half My Former Size!"

Sure, I knew I was overweight. But over the past 19 years, as I morphed from a 98-pound bride to a 234-pound wife and mom, I thought that fat was my fate. The needle started to tilt after I got pregnant with my daughter--I ate rich and fattening foods all the time, but my husband made it clear that he loved me no matter what I weighed. I used his support as an excuse to overeat. Each time I tried to lose the pounds, I would end up even heavier.

The light bulb momentAlmost 2 years ago, I traveled home to the Philippines for my parents' 50th anniversary celebration. After, my family and I watched it on video. We joked that all the guests who had moved to America had gotten large. Then I came onto the screen--I looked so huge; I couldn't believe it was me. Everyone else kept laughing. I didn't let on that the tears rolling down my cheeks were from hurt.

A doctor's tough loveWithin days, I saw my doctor and begged for bariatric surgery. But she flat-out refused. "Katie, you can do this on your own," she insisted. So I wracked my brain for something I hadn't tried, and settled on Weight Watchers. I started to track what I ate and realized how giant my meals were. It was hard to get used to normal servings, but I never felt deprived as I dropped more than 100 pounds in just over a year. Exercise was also critical. I found ways to challenge myself, like by adding minutes to my routine or trying out a new machine at the gym.

In control at lastThe benefits of my success are amazing. After I work out, my husband says I'm bouncy--I have so much energy. Plus, I'm off my hypertension pills. My doctor was so excited, she practically jumped up and down! I'm indebted to her for believing in me and saving me from the risks of surgery. I'm learning that I, too, can inspire people. The relatives who saw me on that dreadful video now exercise and eat right. They say I'm their role model. If I can do it, anyone can!
How I did it
I ate more…produce. I had to reintroduce my taste buds to greens. Before, I thought of broccoli as a miniature tree; now I enjoy it with a little seasoning.

I ate less…rice. It's a huge part of Filipino cuisine, and I used to eat way too much. I also stopped frying and now grill, bake, broil, and poach. My mantra was…take small steps. You have to keep setting realistic mini-goals for yourself. When I started, I didn't say, "I'm going to be a size 4." I said, "I'm not going to go up to a size 24!"

I exercised…at 4 am. Nothing can interfere with my workout this early.

Unexpected gain: A reclaimed hobby. I've always loved gardening, but when I was overweight, it became a chore. Now I'd rather push a mower than ride one, just to get the extra exercise.

Health bonus: I've added years to my life. I am no longer borderline diabetic, and I'm off my meds. I'm even considering training for a marathon, which would have sounded like a joke before.

If I Say It Out Loud, I Am Committed

2009-08-01T07:06:00.000-07:00

I have been working on this for days… because once I say it out-loud… I am committed.

I was committed 8 months ago…

January 1st of this year, I joined WW on Line… for the 3rd time. My husband and I had just booked our 4th cruise and I was determined to not be “fat” this time. Hubby decided to join me on my weight loss adventure so I got up each morning and packed our lunches and after work prepared WW dinners. I hung a chart on the bathroom wall right above the scale for us to track our weight on. We both worked out at least 30 minutes a day and parked as far away from the store entrances as we possibly could. By the time we step foot on the ship three months later I had lost 25 pounds and felt amazing. And Committed!

I only gained 3 pounds that week; which is pretty amazing when you think about how much food they pack onto those ships! We ate as healthy as we could, (most of the time), we walked every night after dinner, and we never, ever rode the elevators… always took the stairs. After getting home we continued to eat well but slowly the exercise routine fell away… then we started eating Fat Boys instead of Skinny Cows. You know where this is going…

This morning I weighed 169.2. That is way too close to 170. And 170# is too symbolic of my old life. I am afraid if I really hit 170 I will have truly failed.

So I am committing.

Last month, for financial reasons, I had to cancel my online membership with WW. But because I was able to maintain my weight loss for 3 months I know I have the tools. What I have been missing is the commitment and the accountability. So you are all going to be that for me now. And I thank you in advance.

Of course there is more to the story but I have already droned on long enough. The “whole story” is not important today… and I am not a victim of my weight. I put the food in my mouth and I spend the evening on the sofa doing nothing… well, except for eating the Fat Boys that is! I have been following a few of the other blogs from the Healthy You Challenge who are sharing their ideas, articles and recipies. I hope to do the same.

Welcome to my journey…