Help, I Have Fallen . . .

. . .and I desperately want to get up!

I don't know what happened - I lost it. 

Not running.

Not eating healthy choices the majority of the time.

Not counting my points.

Not tracking my food intake.

I didn't stop reading my Bible though. I love that daily Bible reading is a part of my life.

I found this encouragement online this week. This morning I took that first step. We ran three miles. After the 2.5 mark, it started feeling great. We couldn't go longer though because Fred has work. I'm going to weigh in later, and I may be up (or down), but I haven't quit!

Weight Watchers Weekly Weigh-In No. 35

Yesterday I was up one and six tenths pounds from weigh-in number thirty-three. I skipped the weigh-in in between these two. I ate a lot of junk prior to the weigh-in I skipped and was up a bit. I didn't necessarily over eat, I just overindulged in not so healthy treats. And boy did I feel awful behind it. Yuck!

I'm back on track now though. This journey is definitely a learning experience. I don't want to focus solely on weight loss. If I do, I won't know how to maintain the loss in the end.

I've learned that I love fruits and vegetables and can generally do without grains and grain products.  I love grits and oatmeal but don't care for rice and pasta as much. Because I don't LOVE rice or pasta, I seldom cook them and generally don't order them when out. I LOVE ice cream and pound cake. Because these two are far from healthy, I generally don't keep either in the house. Here's why: I can eat three servings of broccoli or greens (and will) and not feel bloated, not see the scale go up, or not feel bad (stomach ache) afterwards. I can eat three servings of ice cream or pound cake (and will because of the taste alone) and feel stuffed, see the scale go up, AND feel awful afterwards. I love broccoli, especially roasted, but it will go bad in the fridge if I don't see it. Sometimes ice cream can last a couple of months weeks in the freezer; sometimes it only lasts a couple of days. I don't avoid ice cream or pound cake, but I've learned I benefit by limiting my intake of such - once a week or month. If I go a quarter without such - so be it - as long as I'm not purposefully suppressing my desire for such, because I don't always crave it.

I have also learned to indulge only in treats that taste GREAT. I'm not eating cold fries. I'm not eating a dry cafeteria brownie. I'm not eating a cake mix cake. I don't drink pops or beer because they make me feel bad - instantaneous bloat and feelings of fullness.

I'm learning and losing! I expect to be down next week.

Weight Watchers Weekly Weigh-In No. 34

This past Saturday was my weigh-in day. I was down four-tenths of a pound. I'm a few tenths of a pound away from a significant milestone - weighing what my drivers license says! I think the last time I got my license renewed I was five pounds over that weight. And to think I've lost a little over forty pounds. When in the world did I gain forty pounds? Weight just gradually slips up on you, and BAM you've gained a whole other person!

Weight Watchers Weekly Weigh-In No. 32

       

I'm bringing in 2014 with a two and six tenths pound lost. So long holiday gains. 

Recently, I DECIDED to follow Simply Filling. I am CHOOSING to stick with it at least through the end of January. I will hopefully be successful at planning and prepping meals in advance.

I've been receiving lots of comments lately concerning my weight loss. MOTIVATION. No reason to turn back now!

Fred has fallen off; I don't know what I'm going to do with him.

Weight Watchers Weekly Weigh-In No. 30

Wow! I've been at this thirty weeks. That's a victory itself.

This morning I weighed in with a loss of eight tenths of a pound. I was sabatoged by gifts of sweet treats at work! I have officially lost thirty-five pounds though I have claimed it for a few weeks now.

A stick of butter = .25 pounds....therefore 1 pound of fat = 4 sticks of butter!

I've lost 140 sticks of butter! How many have you lost?

Weight Watchers Weigh-In No. 29

At this morning's weigh in I was the same as last week - zero change. Fred was up one tenth of a pound.

I'm not sure what's going on with the scale, but I know we losing inches and improving fitness wise.

Today is the end of week three of INSANITY for us, our rest day. We should be ending week four, but we had to take a break after week two due to some hip pain I was having. We're still hanging in there though and getting stronger each day.

We've decided to switch to simply filling for at least a week. I'm sure it will go pretty well.

Weight Watchers Weigh-In No 28

I'm down one and eight tenths of a pound today, so no complaints here.

Weight Watchers was closed last Saturday so I had to go to a meeting on a Tuesday that week. I didn't post about it here because it hadn't even been a full week from the previous weigh-in. I just went to the meeting to not lose money. Today's weigh-in was the first since Thanksgiving.

One goal I have for this month is no fast food. I'm doing pretty good there. I've eaten out, just not at McDonald's or Wendy's.

Now I have a taste for ice cream. I wonder if Fred will go out and get me some. Does anyone else have an ice cream problem. Isn't it the greatest human creation EVER?  Yum, yum, yum! And yes, I've eaten PLENTY of ice cream during this journey.

Sometimes I want something healthy (beneficial) and sometimes I just want what I want.

Fred lost eight tenths of a pound. A loss is a loss is a loss!

Weight Watchers Weigh-In No. 26

I just left one of the best meetings ever. We discussed our Thanksgiving plans and designed our plates. (I'll share mine on Thanksgiving, plus I can't upload pictures from this iPad.) Members were really engaged and having a good time. I really do love my meeting. That's very important on this journey.

This week I weighed in with a GAIN of one and six tenths pounds. My exercise changed this week, but I was on top of my points. It's not a big deal; I'm not defined by a number on the scale. When I look at the big picture, I'm headed in the right direction. (My cycle starting last night may have something to do with the gain. I know it had something to do with me enjoying the alternate bites of chips and cookies last night.)

Fred also had a gain - eight tenths of a pound. I'm pretty sure it's the exercise; he's not so sure.

Weight Watchers Weekly Weigh-In No. 25

We haven't posted in a while, but we are still here! Life has just gotten in the way. I do love blogging though, so I'm making plans to set aside time to get some blogging in.

This past Saturday I weighed in with a loss of three pounds with a total loss of thirty-four and six tenths. I lost one and eight tenths pounds during the weeks I didn't post updates.

Fred lost four pounds and six tenths pounds at this last weigh-in.

Hopefully in the next few days I will post progress pictures and provide an update of our workouts.

Weight Watchers Weigh-In No. 22

Down . . . Down. . . Down!

This past Saturday at my meeting I was down 2.6 lbs. I was so happy to hear that bell. I have officially lost 30 pounds. About eleven or so more pounds gone will leave me weighing what is printed on my license. That's my next goal.

Fred was down 3.6 lbs at weigh-in. Woot, woot!

We will likely end up weighing Thursday due to having our first official 5k this Saturday. We won't break any records but we will SHOW UP!

Weight Watchers Weekly Weigh-In No. 21

This week Fred and I were both up at weigh-in: I gained one and two tenths pounds and he gained one and eight tenths pounds.

We aren't throwing a pity party over this way. We biked ten miles yesterday and ran five today. The scale does NOT get the final.

Both of us were a bit lax in our tracking last week, so we are working on that.

Weight Watches Weekly Weigh-In No. 20

I can't believe I forgot to update.

This Saturday I was down two pounds.

Fred was down two and four tenths pounds.

I love that the scale is moving down, down, down. I put on pants in the a.m. and by the time I get home from work they are a mess - baggy, sagging, and unflattering. Oh the joys of being in between sizes. The amount of spandex in women's pants needs to be reduced. It's hard to find pants without spandex these days. Uugghh . . .

Fred has lost at least one pant size (almost two). I've lost twenty-nine pounds and no pants or dress sizes. MEN! Maybe one pound will make all the difference. As hungry as I've been today, that pound may have to wait til the weigh-in after next.

Weight Watchers Weekly Weigh-In No. 19

twenty-five pound weight-loss-milestone reached for me

Yesterday morning I was down two and four tenths pounds at weigh-in.

I received these for losing 10% of my starting weight and for attending sixteen meetings.

I am encouraged. I do believe we will be successful.

Fred was down two and two tenths pounds.

Fast Food Victory

This morning at McDonald's I ordered a value meal with small iced coffee. I specifically asked for small but saw medium on the screen. I informed the lady taking my order that I wanted a small cup and had no problem paying for a medium. She had to go find her manager, and by the time my money was taken, a medium iced coffee was sititng by the register. When my food arrived, I told the manager I ordered a small. She told me to go ahead and take it (like I was getting a bonus) because it had already been made. I told her I wanted a small. She went and poured it in a small cup. I left happy!

I am on Weight Watchers. If I wanted to spend the points necessary for a medium, I would have ordered one!


 

 

 

 

About a month or so ago I was at Wendy's. I ordered my go to meal: jr. burger with added lettuce and tomato, kids fry, and jr. frosty.

 

The young lady taking my order tried to insist that a value meal was my best option. She said if I got a small fry it would be cheaper. She told me a regular frosty was about the same price. I didn't care if I had to spend $10 more. I order exactly what I wanted. I didn't need any DEALS!

 

I ended up leaving Wendy's with my kid size fry and a regular frosty (and an empty jr. cup). My mom told me to get the regular, take what I wanted and give her the rest. It worked!

 

A different time at Wendy's they tried to give me a regular frosty because they had fixed that instead of a jr. Umm, no thanks! Get me what I ordered.

 

Now of course in the past I would have taken the higher point (or calorie) meal because it was less money. I am grateful that I don't fall victim to such tactics anymore. This is exactly why I don't do buffets anymore: it's like taking a recovering alcoholic to a free bar. More precisely, it's playing with fire. We all know not to play with fire.

Fred said that I should just tell the people taking my order the reason I need a small or kid size. He says the people probably think I am crazy to insist on a small when a medium is cheaper or a FREE upgrade. I don't think I should have to tell them anything. What do you think?

 

My non-scale victories are sticking with my plan (and standing my ground) and  . . .

 

running three times this week (after a two week hiatus). We also plan to get in a bike ride and weight training tomorrow and a three to four mile run Sunday to conclude our exercise week.

 

 



Weight Watchers Weekly Weigh-In No. 16

This week I am down another two pounds! It must be all the movement I get in at work because I sure haven't done too many workouts with the hubby at home. I definitely have had to get adjusted to standing about six hours a day. While I did get plenty of exercise this summer, all other time was spent glued to the couch - an active couch potato. I had spent the last four or five summers working in our district's summer school. This summer I rebelled and did absolutely nothing. (I would have spent that time preparing for my new job had I known about it!)

In other important news, Fred is down eight tenths of a pound. He's has earned his second five pound star. Way to go!

Weight Watchers WeeklyWeigh-In No. 15

Cue the confetti!

My loss of one and six tenths pounds put me at a total loss of twenty pounds. What a way to celebrate my birthday, which was this past Thursday.

I didn't have any cake and ice cream for my birthday, and I didn't miss a thing. We have three August birthdays in our house so I've had cake this month. I am ready to cash in my rain check for a birthday dinner of sushi and frozen yogurt. Too bad we have to go out of town for both.

Fred also had a loss his birthday weekend earlier this month. We are working it!

• This week Fred had a loss, but I forgot his numbers! Update coming.

Weight Watchers Weekly Weigh-In No. 14

Yesterday, I weighed in with a loss of one and six tenths pounds. I am very close to a total loss of twenty pounds.

Fred weighed in with a loss of six tenths. A loss is a loss. We'll take it.

I like my Saturday meetings better. First, the people are closer to my age. Most members  have zero kids or some kids - not GRANDKIDS! Also, these people work and are not retired. I find myself sharing more since our struggles are more alike.

My Favorite Fast Food Meal

I really do love Wendy's. I can do without eating out, but when we are on the road, I need to have a meal that I know the points of.  I like to have a Jr. Hamburger with added lettuce and tomato, a kids fry, a cup of water, and a Jr. Frosty (usually chocolate). Sometimes, I might drop either the fry or frosty depending on the number of points I want to spend. While this meal might be a splurge point wise, it only costs about three dollars.

burger - 6 pts+

fry - 6 pts+

water - 0 pts+

frosty - 5pts +

I don't mind eating a salad (especially the Berry Almond Salad), but I usually have a taste for a burger. Wendy's tastes far better than McDonald's in my opinion. If it weren't so full of fat (and points!), I'd opt for a number one Sonic burger with added cheese, chili and coleslaw and an order of onion rings. YUMMY!

Weight Watchers Weekly Weigh-In No. 13

I think that I will change my meeting date to Saturday. I weighed in this morning for the second Saturday in a row. I don't know how long this will last.

So. . . the scale showed a gain of one pound and four tenths. You won't get any complaints or whining from me after last week's great loss. The gain is probably the result of a change in our training (or the lasagna my mom cooked for us Sunday.)

Fred had a loss of six tenths this week. He's being weighing in every week with me even if there aren't updates on here. He is just not that good at updating.

This week I plan to do something a wee bit different in terms of how many and what kinds of points I'll be eating. I am anxious to see how the change will be reflected on the scale. At work I was assigned to a new school and a new grade level Friday. Our students start Monday. I hope this doesn't cause me to have too many late evenings of planning and grading that disrupt my exercise routines. Otherwise, I am excited about new beginnings and opportunities.

Weight Watchers Weekly Weigh-In No. 12

Because our church had VBS this past week, I had to miss my regular meeting. This morning I got a chance to attend a meeting. The scale showed a loss of . . .




seven pounds and six tenths!  

Shut up! I know! When I heard all of the dings from the bell and the clapping from the members, I felt like I was on Biggest Loser! The leader was like "You must have worked really hard this week." Um. . . Not really, but it's 'bout time! I've weighed every morning this week since I missed my meeting so I knew the number, I just hadn't done the MATH.

My weight loss has been a bit slow, but I know it's because of the steady increases in exercise. We've been running and doing Chalean. But this past week I didn't slack in exercise - I didn't complete one single exercise. I really am a believer in rest weeks (though this one wasn't planned), and no, it's not the laziness in me. Oh, I did run two miles this morning! (Early to bed, early to rise - makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

This week we will move on to a new phase of Chalean; therefore our bodies will have to make adjustments that might negatively impact the scale. However, this journey is not all about a scale.

I don't know what the future holds, but today I will bask in this scale victory!