WEIGH IN - Wed 3/7/12

Not a mind-blowing loss this week, but still a loss. Two-tenths of a pound (for a grand total of 29 lbs so far) --- I'll take it! I honestly wasn't even expecting that, so I'm pleased that the scale went down. It's been a busy week with a little stress-slash-emotional eating going on. Again, I still stayed within my daily points target almost every day, so I contribute the commitment to exercise more than anything. Looking forward to a great week ahead...and maybe next Wednesday I can say another pound is gone which would give me my next 5 lb sticker and a loss of 30 lbs!

WEIGH-IN DAY (Wed 2/29)

Another 1.6 pounds gone! (for a grand total loss of 28.8 so far) I was please to have not only lost the 1/2 pounds that I'd gained last week, but an extra pound gone too. I think really watching the sodium a little closer made the difference.

Let's now pause for a "commercial break" --

Have you tried Activia's Greek yogurt yet? OMG, it is sooooo good! It's 5 WW points, but so filling and good for you. (And that added "stuff" Activia is known for is good for people like me to aren't exactly "regular"...know what I mean, Vern?)

I also realize that today is the first of the month and you know what that means, right? Time for new/updated weight loss pictures! woohoo :)  I'll be snapping those tonight and post them tomorrow. It's nice to see the scale going down, but the self portrait each month is really helpful -- just physically seeing that progress is encouraging. The clothes are fitting looser, the energy level is increasing, etc. (Yes, I am in fact patting myself on the back! *lol*)

Thanks again to each of your for your encouragement, thoughts, ideas, and support. Ya'll rock!!!

Perseverance Prevails

It's a new day and my determination is intact. The number on the scale last night was merely a small pothole in my journey. I took the time to go back over all my tracking to see if there were any "triggers" and I think it boils down to probably having a little more sodium than I'm used to. (Having had to watch my sodium intake for years has been a blessing, but there are times when I consume a little more -- what would be "normal" for most people -- and my body's not used to it so my kidneys can't flush it off quickly so it stores up in my tissue. Solution, cut it back down to what's normal for me and drink more water.) So, never fear, my mind set is still focused on the goal and my determination is as strong as ever. Here's to a great day :)

What just happened!?!?!?

Weigh In Day -- Wed 2/22/12

Ummm...I'm not sure what happened, but the scale went the opposite direction it was supposed to. By 1/2 lb. Not at all what I was expecting. Granted, I wasn't exactly expecting big huge glorious results, or the surprise from last week; but, I definitely was NOT expecting it to go up. Very disappointed! I can sit here and think of a few possible reasons why, but I am not going to offer any excuses. None. Nada. Zilch. Pfft.

C'mon, body, I'm doin' my best to treat you better than I ever have. Work with me here. Please?

Okay, off to finish up dinner. A healthy one at that.

grrrrrrr

TUE 2/21/12

It's the day before another weigh in and I've really struggled today. I've stayed within my WW points allowance, but I've just had the urge to just snack constantly all day. Thank goodness I've turned to fruits and/or WW approved snacks :)

Tonight when I got home from work, I had the urge to get outside and start my "Couch to 5K" again...but I kept trying to talk myself out of it. I was literally talking out loud to myself! *lol* I then imagined what the night would look like if I didn't go -- I felt like I would fall prey to the dreaded snack monster and just binge. So I hurried up and grabbed by tennis shoes, etc. and headed out the door! I did 1.9 miles and it felt good!!!

I am not expecting a big weight loss again this week...although I wasn't exactly expecting it last week either. But I'll take it!  As long as the scale goes down.

WED 2/15 - Weigh In Day

I was NOT expecting that!!! TWO POUNDS this week -- I lost another 2 whole pounds!!! What a perfect end to a rather yucky day :)

Tuesday 2/14/12

I'm sure this will not shock many of you, but I am a worrier. I worry about everything, even though I try not to. I even create scenarios in my brain and worry about those...how stupid crazy is that!? I am also a firm believer in communication, yet there are times when I tend to be the world's worst. How do I effectively convey my thoughts, feelings, concerns without the other person thinking I'm "blowing things out of proportion" or being defensive? (Here comes that worry thing again, right?)

Last night I was very introspective, quiet. It came across as being upset or angry. Even though I kept saying that nothing was wrong, I just couldn't bring myself to express why I was feeling the way I was. I just wasn't ready to express my worries and concerns. I just needed to hold them close to my heart. Protect them. And all I needed was a hug - an "I'm here for you"...and I'm sure I could have gotten that had I simply not worried about communicating that need.

Vicious cycle.

Yet this morning, in my devotion, I was reminded to not worry. To take all things to Him who loves and cares for me. To Him who holds my right hand. To Him who knows my every desire, worry, joy, fear, etc. "For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'" (Isaiah 41:13) How awesome that reminder is to me today! I still have those worries & fears, but I must be reminded that my wonderful Savior is here to help me with those today and tomorrow. I have to trust that He works all things for good, to His glory...and with that I must be satisfied.

He has blessed me with a wonderful husband. Not a perfect one, but a wonderful one. Someone He chose just for me. I need to learn to communicate better, allow him to share my concerns. And I need to remember that my thoughts, feelings, concerns, worries, etc. are real - and I shouldn't be afraid to voice them out of fear of how the other person will respond. I cannot control their response.

And speaking of control...  Yeah, that's a whole other story :)

My Thoughts -n- Stuff

I just wanted to share about my feelings thus far...so bear with me.

1) My outlook is much more positive.
2) My confidence is stronger.
3) My determination is willing.
4) My willpower - even though sometimes wobbly - is good.

And most of this is a tribute to each of YOU, for your positive comments, reminding me that I can do this and to take baby-steps. Thank you! I love ya'll :)

Even though I still have a long way to go, I feel confident that I can (and will) do this. The first 25.6 pounds has been good. I feel much more energy! I feel so much better about myself! I have a bit of a spring in my step! My clothes are fitting looser and/or can wear things more comfortably than before!

I was just sitting here at my desk and started coughing, so I reached into my desk drawer to get a Hall's sugar free cough drop when I noticed something on the wrapper. Printed all over this little piece of paper were words I needed to hear, simple reminders for today:

It says: A PEP TALK IN EVERY DROP
"Hi-five yourself"
"Put a little strut in it"
"Go get it!"
"Turn "can do" into "can did"!"
"Don't wait to get started"

How appropriate are those!? I love it...so much so that I'm taping this to my wall so that I'll see it every day :)

WED 2/8/12 -- Weigh In Day

Down another six-tenths of a pound! (that makes a total loss of 25.6 lbs so far) Yoo-hoo :) I am just happy when the number on the scale goes down instead of up. I've continued tracking and perusing recipes (or ways to tweak old favorites to make them WW friendly) - all of which I attribute to my success so far. And I think tonight will be the first time this week that Chloe and I will actually be home at the same time, so maybe we can get that walk in together. Today is also special in that Don & I celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary. (But since he has parent-teacher conferences tonight, we plan to go out for dinner/movie/something this weekend.)

DAY ??? (I've lost track) -- Mon 2/6/12

I meant to post my NEW GOAL before now, but it's been a busy past few days.

So, without further adieu....(drum roll)...the NEW GOAL is:

15 pounds by Memorial Day

Can I do this? I'm gonna give it my best shot :)

Chloe and I plan get in some exercise together. I can't tell you just how excited I am about that! I love spending time with her...she's an incredible young lady who is growing up waaaaay too fast. Love this girl soooo much. It will be good for both of us, plus it will give us some "girl time" :)

Made some amazingly yummy egg rolls this past weekend for Superbowl Sunday:  Southwest Egg Rolls and Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls --- both baked! They were a hit...and only 3 WW points each. I'll have to share the recipe with you soon.

Have an awesome week, folks!

PHOTOS - February 1, 2012

Okay, here's the monthly photo challenge. Compare these to the ones on the right -- my "beginning" (even though not actually the REAL beginning).

(the bottom photo isn't the greatest -- taken at a downward angle)

DAY 32 -- February 1: The Day of Truth (aka: Weigh In Day / Did I Meet My Goal?)

First of all, let me say that being sick for the past week probably accounts for some of this week's progress. BUT A LOSS IS A LOSS! Right?

If you remember, I had set my sights on reaching my 10% goal on or before February 1st. Well, I am happy to report that I not only met that goal, I exceeded it!!!

Yeah me! :)

I know that next week will most likely not have that the 2.6 pound loss that I saw this week, but I'm okay with that. (Again, I am sure that being sick played a part in that amount.) As long as the scale keeps moving in that direction.

DAY 26

BOOO!!!! I'm sick :( The creepy-crud has attacked and set up residency. My head has been pounding for about 24 hours, I feel like someone has whacked me with a baseball bat right across my back/between my shoulder blades, and my upper chest is wheezing and rattling. No fever, though. (at least not yet)

DAY 25 - Weigh In Day

*insert heavy sigh*

Well, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed. I only lost 1/2 pound this week. I know, I know! At least it was a loss, right? And I am proud of that...I was just expecting more. I'd been keeping close tabs on everything -- even though I wasn't "good" this weekend. (I still stayed within my allotted points.) And even though that not-good day was just one day and I've been behaving, religiously tracking, etc.

So, here -- grab a hat-n-horn and join my pity party. Okay, that's over now. Time to move on.

SO...I've got a busy week ahead of me to get the last 1 1/2 pounds gone by next Wednesday's weigh in. (My original goal was to meet my 10% goal on or before February 1.) Time to turn up the heat and, in Larry the Cable Guy's twangy voice, "get 'er done!"

Thanks for all your support! It means oodles and oodles to me. Love ya'll. (no twangy voice...okay, maybe a little)

DAY 24

It's been another great day of tracking and staying focused. I'm so glad I had all the stuff the other night to make a small pot of the WW Veggie Soup! (Good stuff, Maynard.) No idea what to make for dinner tonight, but I may just have to have soup and let the others fend for themselves. I'm super-dee-duper anxious about tomorrow night's weigh in. Will I meet my 10% goal? If not, how disappointed will I really feel? If I do, then I'm sure you'll probably be able to hear me shout...literally! And I'm already thinking about the next goal; but I won't reveal that just yet. I don't want to jeopardize any of this lovely mojo :) Plus, I'm all about taking BABY STEPS, right? And remembering this little saying that I found the other day helps to keep me focused on the goal of "sure & steady wins the race":

Hopefully tomorrow night when I report back to you it will be full of joyfulness :)

DAY 23

Today has been my "get back into the swing of things" day...and so far so good. Again, meal planning, trying new low fat recipes (tweaking "old favorites" even), and tracking has been key to my success thus far. However, I have a rather strict couple of days ahead of me -- all because 1) I didn't totally behave this weekend, and 2) I am determined to hit my 10% goal this week. I'm too close...and if not this week, then next. After all, my original goal was to hit that milestone or or before February 1. Either way, this week or next, I will have hit that goal...and I'm okay with that. :)

DAY 22

It sure has been a very busy, whirlwind weekend! And not the best of eating situations, but I used my weekly WW points for that. (I knew ahead of time that it would be difficult to stay on plan.) Today I've been busy preparing for the week. I AM DETERMINED TO MEET MY GOAL ON WEDNESDAY! :) Made a pot of WW Zero-Point Veggie Soup, Parmesan & Prosciutto breakfast muffins (WW recipe - 2 pts each), Chicken Roll-Ups (for tonight's dinner, just need to reheat), and now a batch of WW Chocolate Chip Meringue cookies. Whew! I'm tired now. Looking forward to a great week!

DAY 19

Things continue to go well. I have persevered. Of this, I am proud :) Even if I fall outta the boat tomorrow, at least I know that I can overcome and view these as just a bump in the road. (Hence, the beginning of turning "I think I can" into "I KNOW I CAN").

I just enjoyed a fabulous lunch, too! If you've never tried any of the yummy selections in your grocers freezer, I highly recommend Lean Cuisine's Bacon Chicken Flatbread sandwich. It's big (could easily be cut in half), but it's designed for a single meal...and very filling! I love it because I love sandwiches, so it's kinda of a healthy option of a yummy comfort food. (The whole thing is 9 WW+ points.) Served along with a yummy slightly green banana...a huge hit in my food book :)

I'm excited about the possibility of hitting my 10% goal next week. And believe you me, I am going to do it! I may even be doing a silly dance. (Of course it'll be silly -- I have no rhythm!)

DAY 18 - Weigh In

TWO. POINT. SIX.

Let the whoopin' -n- hollerin' commence!!!

Next week, Lord willing and the creek don't rise, I will reach my 10% goal :)

DAY 18

Yes, I realize that I've missed a few days writing on here. But never fear - I am still sticking to my resolve. I am in the midst of heavy burdens, angst, stress, insecurity, doubt, etc. Every venomous dart the Devil can hurl my direction has been spot on. Ever have times such as this where you could easily just sit down with a gallon-size bucket of Cheetos and a vat of brownies and eat your troubles away? But at the same time, the thought of food is repulsive and you can literally taste bile in the back of your throat? That's the kind of week it's been for me. Thankfully, in a weird sort of way, I am the latter of those two scenarios. So I do expect a weight loss tonight at WW. I will post more tonight after our meeting. And please, please, please keep me in your prayers...God knows our trials, concerns, and needs.