Ode to Me

inspired by a post on swizzlepop's blog, reasons why I'm awesome...

1. Because I stuck to my goals for the weekend. Yeah, I ate the cake, but I also ate only raw veggies for the rest of the reception with a smidgen of dip. I also got the 8 miles in! (which is probably why I'm blogging right now - i doubt i can get up from this chair)

2. Because I am about to start a new position at work in January. It requires going through a rigorous 6-week boot camp of 10-12 hour days, but I know I can do it and I can't wait to be out on the road training clients and being utilized to my fullest potential!

3. Because last weekend I had to go and kidnap all of my skinny size 12 jeans from a friend I had permanently 'loaned' them to (or so I thought!)

4. Because I saved $15 with my coupons today! Cha-ching!

5. Because I finally realized that I don't need Joe's family's approval to know that I'm awesome. Damn it, I just am!

Here's to a terrifically awesome week!

1-6-X

They appeared this morning. The elusive 1-6 prefix on the scale.
It feels good.

Officially down 1.5 for the week, 23.7 total loss on WW.
Today's weigh in = 169.8

BUT...
The weekend stares me in the face. Today has already been a semi-disaster with chinese for lunch. I should've just went home and had the usual ham sandwich, but at least I have a full week before weigh in. I know that the wedding tomorrow will involve cake. Here's hoping that it's cheesecake or lemon, or just a really bad, dried-out anykind of cake that discourages me from eating it. OR that my skinny pants I plan to wear make me so uncomfortable I can't eat it.

So the plan is as follows:

I'm attempting to keep better track of my flex points on the weekends. I had been letting it slide. Keeping up with it in my head isn't the greatest idea I've ever had. I will continue to journal everything again this weekend.

Get in as much water as possible Saturday morning before the wedding. But not so much that I have to go pee three times during the ceremony.

Rack up at least 8 activity points before Monday. Or, walk 4 miles tonight, 4 on Sunday. Shouldn't be a problem.

Be at (or under) what I was today on the scale when I step on it Monday morning.

**It's been a while since I've posted an update on this topic, but it's an important achievement for me. This Sunday marks 6 weeks since I've given up the Camel Lights. It feels GREAT!

Have a great weekend guys and gals!

Quick Numbers

WI - 171.3
Lost on WW - 22.2
Total Lost - 34.7
Change this week - +.9

Goals for the weekend
Stick to the afforementioned plan
Drink all of my water

Ready for WI

After substituting veggies for almost all of my normal treats this week and kicking some serious ass during my 'last chance workout' last night (11000 steps, approx 4.5 miles - at least 2 miles jogging), I think I may have managed to avoid a huge gain this week. WHEW!

This is my reminder that a splurge on Sunday = a gain on Friday.

I already have a plan in place for the weekend - some yummy chili for Saturday evening (ingredients already purchased, no excuses) to endulge myself without having it show up on the scales Monday. I am stocked up with some Breyer's double churn light for a 2-point treat on Sunday to follow some grilled turkey burgers.

My only big challenge looks to be a concert I'm going to on Sunday evening. I'm planning to save 4 points for a couple of light beers or glasses of wine and definitely eat dinner beforehand and stash some 100-calorie packs of something in the car for the ride home.

I have some extra motivation in the form of a wedding I'm attending next weekend. Not only will I need to have a great week next week in case of a minor lapse in judgement during the festivities, but I also want to look fabulous for all of Joe's family who I've not seen in a while. Finally, I'll be the one being asked 'have you lost weight' instead of my future SIL who's a beanpole to begin with! You guessed correctly if you were thinking I'll be wearing those skinny black pants. ;)

Oh, one last thing to report. Have you all tried the WW Caramel Cakes? YUM!!! 1 point of heaven...

Weekend Disasters

For the second week in a row, I have sabatoged my week of hard honest effort in one day on the weekend. I don't really understand how ONE meal can zero out all of my hard work for the previous two weeks! ARGH!!!!!!! It is so frustrating to be losing the same 3 pounds over and over and over.

The insanity has to stop. This weekend I will NOT allow one moment of starvation to ruin the last 120 hours worth of planning, measuring and counting. I need a plan. I feel like the routine I have during the week has become so much of a routine that I'm rebelling against it on Saturday and Sunday. Perhaps I'll search out a special menu to cook for dinner on Saturday and that will spice things up without making me dread getting on the scales the next day.

All I know is that at this rate, I will never see the 160s.

*SIGH*

I feel like I should end this dreaded post on a positive note. Eating more often during the day has definitely helped me maintain control until dinner. I have also bumped up my dinner time to around 6:30 instead of 7:00. Since I usually spend my time after dinner walking or consumed with what I'ved tivo'd from the night before, I find that I don't get hungry again before bedtime.

I am also hitting the office gym again this week starting today for some strength training. I will need a miracle to have a loss this week...

no...more...apples!!

For my afternoon snack today, I am forcing down the last of those apples from my picking adventure last week. I feel confident I am good on my fiber intake for several months to come....

My experiment of eating more often during the day is going well so far, despite a bit of mindless snacking upon arriving home from work yesterday. But it wasn't nearly to the same extent. I actually *listened* to the tiny voice that said stop this time. Part of it very well could be just plain ol' habit, so if that's the case, if I make sure I'm not hungry when I walk in the door, I might be able to do the mental work necessary to avoid consuming those extra points in 2 minutes flat. Either that, or I'm going to start using the front door in order to avoid the kitchen altogether!

The schedule I'm following goes something like:

7:30am 1/2 cup fiber one cereal, 1/2 cup silk = 1 pt
10:00am yoplait light yogurt = 2 pt
12:30pm turkey, spinach & feta in a FlatOut wrap = 3 pt
progresso light soup = 0 pt
baked lays = 2 pt
2:30pm 6oz apple = 1 pt
4:00pm kashi peanut peanut butter bar = 2 pt
5:30pm popcorn = 1 pt
7:00pm grilled chicken salad = 8 pt
skim milk = 2 pt*

Total = 22 points
*I am often guilty of forgoing listed skim milk at dinner for a weight watchers cookies & cream bar. Not ideal, but mmmmm!!!!

I could really get the hang of this eating all the time thing!

Tuesday Contradictions

Today I'm eating all day, every hour to see if this helps curb my appetite later in the day. Yesterday I didn't eat anything after lunch, so at 5:30, upon arriving at home, I went straight to the pantry, scarfed down some chips, apple pie and popcorn. Today will be BETTER! And tomorrow the scales will be happy! I had a tiny gain this morning after eating all that crap yesterday - even after walking 3 miles last night. :(

The contradiction to the lack of weight loss I'm able to log is that today I'm wearing these slim fit size 14 pants that I haven't worn since probably 1993. I look HOT! OWWWWWWWWWW! :)
I'm guessing that all of the miles I've logged this past month have made a huge difference after all, even if it's not on the scales. However it has happened...I'll take it!

And I'm still determined to see the 160s this week, damnit, if it kills me.

Thank you dear baby Jesus, it's Friday!

And I'm down a pound to start off this Christmas Challenge.

I'm happy for the loss, but honestly, I would've shed 2 pounds if it hadn't been for my "on vacation" excuses. Ah well. Next week.

I lived to report my time for my first 5k last night: 00:50:49! I'm quite pleased with that. If we'd started with the runners, the time would've been more accurate. I'm really just shocked at how competitive I got and how much I ended up running! I'd see the gray haired lady in front of me, and that would push me to keep running. I'd hit a downhill stretch and it would push me to keep running. I'd try to stop for a second to catch my breath, and then Joe would push me to keep running. And to think, I had really only planned to walk the entire 5k!

Oh, after I had oh so carefully put together the 5k playlist, I read on the race guidelines that headphones weren't allowed. I reluctantly left my ipod at home...only to get there and see that everyone else brought theirs! (are there no 5k police at these things??!)
*sigh*

Looks like I'll have to use that playlist for a walk this weekend instead.

Have a great weekend, everybody!

5k = 3.1. So why am I nervous?

Tomorrow is my first 5k. I am suddenly fearful that every measurement I've taken of my regular walking route is only 2 miles instead of 4.5. I am just sure that the entire 5k will be a 20% incline. Or perhaps I'm only anxious because I'll be wearing spandex in public.

I'm trying really hard to just focus on the free t-shirt and the perfection of the 5k playlist. I'm sure that after my 4-hour hiking (mis)adventure on Saturday, tomorrow's walk/run will be a piece of cake! (that means "easy", not followed by a celebratory piece of literal cake)

The playlist for my 5k works out like so:

1. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley

This song has been my #2 playlist spot following KT Tunstall's "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" for at least the past 3 months. I had to drop KT for the race. The pace is just too slow and only one warm-up song should suffice. I'm not sure I could get my groove on if I dropped them both, however.

2. Get Up Offa That Thing - James Brown

Sure to turn a regular walk into a bounce.

3. Tears Dry On Their Own - Amy Winehouse

I've been digging Amy since a friend sent me Rehab a year ago. "he walks away, the sun goes down", this tune makes me feel like i'm on a mission!

4. Suspicious Minds - Dwight Yoakam

This one jumps me up to 124bpm, but Dwight makes me not even notice. Plus, Joe digs this one, so it stays.

5. Crazy on You - Heart

Nothing gets me more motivated than Ann Wilson's voice. Damn.

6. All These Things That I've Done - The Killers

I pray that I'm climbing a hill during this segment of the playlist. This song was made for that purpose, I'm sure of it!

7. Back to Black - Amy Winehouse

A fast-paced, yet mellow song to trick the mind.

8. Get Back - The Beatles

For my Joe-Joe.

9. The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani

After realizing that she's only nearly every playlist I make, I think she must be my girl crush.

10. Ain't No Other Man - Christina Aguilera

This one could easily be replaced at any moment. I've just heard it too many times. But still, a good solid motivating walking song.

11. Honky Tonk Women - Rolling Stones

I feel the need for a break after the last few songs. And another bonus, this one gives me my daily recommended intake of cowbell.

12. Stuck In The Middle With You - Stealers Wheel

Ahh yes, the ear-slicing classic. Hark?! Is that more cowbell I hear??!

13. Lose Control - Missy Elliott

Will probably be on every walking playlist I ever make. I never get tired of it.

14. The Way You Move - Outkast

Showin' a little ATL love.

15. Shallow - Ryan Adams

It just wouldn't be right to not include him.

16. It's My Life - Gwen Stefani

I've always loved this remake, even more than the original. Sometimes the remake is just better!

Original:

This was me a year ago. I resemble a pumpkin!

The playlist above will run one hour and 33 seconds.

(less of me will be) Home for the Holidays

13 pounds is the goal.
December 25th is the deadline.

But I think it may be easier to reach that goal than it is posting this 'before' pic of myself...

ugh.

Thanks to Joe for taking this wonderfully blurry full-length shot in case I ever need or want to claim anonimoty on those thighs.

Difference a Day Makes

The scales were kind to me this morning. I'm still two days from weigh in, but if this morning's numbers are a sign of what's to come, I will be one happy camper come Friday! The downside is that a group of girls from work had a lunch shower thing at the worst place possible for me to try and eat healthy - chinese buffet. Ugh...

I *did* manage to stay away from the fried stuff, all of the sweet and sour and sesame nuggets that I love so much, and that right-to-my-ass-fried rice. I went for the veggie/unbreaded chicken dishes instead, a side of fruit, and only had a couple of bites of that decadent chocolate cake one of the girls picked up on the way (cake is made by the devil, I'm sure of it). Still though, I'm feeling unsettled. As if I need to be walking the rest of the day, at least to Brazil, to avoid a gain tomorrow. I'm just hoping that a moderate walk and 0-point soup will do the trick tonight.

I can't believe it's already Wednesday! 2 more days of work and I'll be on vacation for 5 days. Joe and I are loading up the pups and taking off to the mountains for a weekend of grillin', a little bit of hiking, and just plain doin' nothing! I cannot WAIT, as evidenced by my grocery list and menu I've already made for the three days we're there.

On a side note, I've been a non-smoker for 10 days. I've been tempted, but it gets easier with each day that passes. The next 10 will be easier for sure.

The Holy Trinity and the Big 2-0

Tomorrow I weigh in.

No big deal. I do it every Friday like clockwork. Actually, every morning, after I pee (don't laugh - sometimes it makes a half pound difference!), before I put on an ounce of clothing, I step up on those cold, glass digital scales to check my progress. Sometimes I even jump on before bedtime to estimate what the number will be the next morning. Hell, I probably get my weekly cardio from scale hopping alone.

But tomorrow will be different. Tomorrow I anticipate the loss that will - finally - put me at my 10% loss goal and the 20 pound loss total mark.

Hooray me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, it's been slow. It's taken me since March. I've been stuck at the 177/175 mark since July 4th. But I'm a firm believer in losing slow. It's much easier to keep off when your body has time to adjust. People are finally starting to notice a difference and that's very encouraging. When they ask me how I've done it, I tell them about the holy trinity of my weight loss: Walking, Water, and Weight Watchers. (Wait...is that 4 W's or 3? Shit!!)

There are alot of weight loss programs out there, but I know that Weight Watchers is the only plan that will teach me how to eat normal, grocery store foods and keep off the weight once I've reached my goal. I have friends who've tried low-carb, low-fat, low-food-altogether diets only to gain it all back, plus some. It makes no sense to teach yourself how to eat on a diet that isn't practical and won't allow the foods you love. You're just setting yourself for failure. I'd much rather go with a plan that is realistic and fits the way I live.

I have a few mini-goals I've set for myself to keep on track this fall.

I have some shopping money I've set aside for when I reach 167 pounds. That's about 6 pounds away from my current weight. And I can't wait to buy new jeans!!

Joe and I are attending his cousin's wedding on October 20th. I'd like to be at 160 by then. That's 13 pounds in 7 weeks. (I better get my walkin' shoes out!)

There's a 5k I plan to participate in next month, so what better motivation to step it back up to 12 miles a week! And besides, I can't exactly look like an out of shape loser when I'm the co-captain of our team. It's my first anythingK. Should be fun.

Wish me luck!

Tiny Pants!!

In an update on the weight loss front, I finally broke the 10 pound mark and am now at 13! I am pushing myself to run/walk at least 8 miles a week and that is helping tremendously. (wow, exercise is a good thing...who knew??!) I love shrinking out of my clothes and having to buy new ones!

I'm not quite as obsessed with points as I once was, but probably because I am now on auto-pilot and pretty much know what I can eat every day without doing the math on it. I get fuller faster and with smaller portions, so it's not nearly the struggle as it was several weeks ago. And seriously, I want to marry whoever decided to make the Hostess 100-calorie packs so that they are packed with 5g of fiber. 1 point cupcakes might be my salvation.

Eating Points

It's been a couple of months since I joined Weight Watchers. As of today, I've lost 7.5 pounds. None of them were easy, either. I'm averaging about a pound a week - which is slow, but steady, with the exception of this week - goddamn birthday cake.

It's hard to stay motivated at this rate. I'm hoping that my salvation will come in the form of a huge loss this week resulting from an almost flawless weekend staying on track. I'll be happy with 2 pounds. I'd just like to finally hit that 10-pound mark. It feels like I've been hovering around 7 for years now.

Sigh.

I THINK I CAN. I THINK I CAN. I THINK I CAN.