Weigh-In

Because of my busy travel schedule - my last weigh-in was three weeks ago, 9/29/08. I've traveled to Nashville, Indy, Gatlinburg and Memphis since that date... I've had ... beer... Memphis Ribs...Gatlinburg fudge...Smoky Mountain Brewery beer...hot wings, convention food...breakfasts...beer...trailmix...fudge...etc. etc. etc. Until tonight, my weigh-in attire has been khaki shorts and T-shirts...dropping Indiana temps mean it is time to pull out the jeans and sweaters. I'm not making excuses - I've NOT been following the program - but a weigh-in in heavy clothing is also going to make a difference. I was not suprised ... that my weigh-in resulted in a 3.2 gain. After the schedule I've had - and the restaurants I've been to... I was not disappointed - but now it is time to get back to business. I might get back to CORE, but I have tossed around following the flex program for a few months. CORE is wonderful whole foods - and I feel so good while I'm following the CORE program - but FLEX would give me a little more 'flexibility' throughout the Holidays. Whatever I do - I have to get myself back in the mindset of following program again! I enjoyed my Weight Watchers class Monday night. I have made new friends - and it is good to see them when I get there. We encourage each other and cheer each other on... which is truly the foundation of the Weight Watcher program. I'll be in Louisville next week - and won't get to weigh-in Monday night...but my travel schedule is starting to slow down a little ... and I'll be able to weigh in November 4th...just in time to get fired up for the Holidays!

Weigh-In

I finally reached the -30 tonight... I'm down 30 with 20 to go to reach my goal - 50 pounds in my 50th year.... I'm enjoying increased endurance - and decreased joint pain... and smaller clothes!!!
I can't wait to go hiking with -30 pounds and two new feet!!!!

Weigh-In

I haven't posted a weigh-in lately... On Tuesday, 9/2 - I weighed-in at North Manchester (not my regular Monday night in Warsaw)...because 9/1 was Labor and our Warsaw meeting was closed. During Labor Day weekend - I didn't follow program as close as I should, knowing I wasn't weighing in on Monday. I didn't make up my mind to weigh-in on Tuesday until I woke up and faced Tuesday. I knew I also had to face the scales or disaster would be ahead of me. I knew weighing in during the week of 9/8 would be difficult because I would be in Memphis, which would result in missing toooo may meetings if I didn't weigh in following the holiday. The 9/2 weigh-in resulted in a +2.8 gain. ARGHHHHhh!!!! I was glad to get back to my normal routine tonight and get back to my regular class tonight. I was also happy to see that i was down exactly -2.8 tonight - my total current loss = 28.2# I am truly trying to make this a lifestyle change... and if it takes me a year or two to lose the 50-60# I want to lose, then so be it. I'm just happy that the recent schedule glitches didn't sabotage me completely. I weighed in at a Carmel meeting and a North Manchester meeting following a holiday. These are big behavioral changes for me! Historically, I wouldn't go out of my way to find a meeting (out of town) just to make sure I got weighed.

So - onward... this week starts with a good loss and a clean slate!

Weigh-In

I wasn't able to Weigh-In at my own WW class this week because of a business trip to Indianapolis - however, I found a class in Carmel - and the timing was perfect for a quick

Weigh-In before I checked in at the downtown Indy hotel. I had a gain this week of .2 lbs. That is 2/10ths of a pound - I'm not happy with a gain - however, I do understand that long term weight loss is a result of long term weight gain. I also understand that slow weight loss results in a higher success rate of maintenance. I don't like a gain - but I know why I had the gain. I made some good choices this week - but I also made a few not so good choices.... but it was my choice - and I recognized that in the process. Smelt is not CORE - and I chose to eat SMELT!

There is a Smelt Fry at the Silver Inn one time a year... and I made the choice to eat the SMELT...and that choice resulted in 2/10th of pound...the important part for me though - is that I'm okay with that. I made that choice, and I expected the result - without giving up the whole CORE program. While I didn't have a 'scale' loss... I do have a NSV to report...(Non-Scale Victory) - While shopping in Indy during this convention... I was able to buy (and wear) a pair of jeans... significantly smaller than I have been wearing!!! WWHhhooo HHHoooooo!!!!!!

Weigh-In

Another good week! -1.2 pounds this week! Total today -28.4 pounds! I now have 21.6 to go to reach 50 pounds in my 50th year!
One pound at a time ... Living life HEALTHY!!!!

Weigh-In

It's been a tough week - but I managed to lose 1# this week...
I'm now down 27.2 with 22.8 to reach my goal of 50# in my 50th year.
I made a few - "not so CORE" choices this week - but overall....my habits have significantly changed to include healthy lifestyle choices - and that is ULTIMATE goal!!!

Weigh-In

I was down 1.8# this week - for a total of 26.2. I love the WW CORE program. I love the challenge of 'whole' foods - and just really getting in the habit of making healthy decisions. Weight Watchers rewards you with a key chain when you have achieved a 10% Weight Loss - and then you recieve 'charms' for the key chain for specific milestones thereafter. This week - I recieved the a silver 'medallion' for my keychain to recognize my greater than 25 pound loss!!! I'm extremely proud of this weight loss - as this is has been done by good, old fashioned healthy living - and my goal is to truly learn habits that I will live with forever!! I'm wearing clothes now that I haven't worn for quite sometime...and that is certainly rewarding, but not nearly as rewarding as the energy I feel!!! I'm now down 26.2 with 23.8 to go to achieve my 50 pounds in my 50th year!!!

Weigh-In

This was a big week - and I'm not sure why. I lost 5.4# this week!!! My goal is to lose 50 pounds in my 50th year... I'm now down 24.4 with 25.6 to go - almost halfway there!!! I LOVE the Weight Watcher CORE program. My first WW leader used to say "Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels"... now that I'm FIFTY... I really like the idea of just being healthy - so my new motto is... "NOTHING tastes as good as being HEALTHY feels"!!!

Weigh-In

Since beginning the Weight Watcher CORE program, I have noticed a pattern of big loss/little loss.... last week was a big loss. This week, I was down only 0.4 pounds for a total of 19#. I haven't really done anything different - it just seems to be the pattern of my body. The weight is coming off, no drugs, no purging...no unhealthy patterns...just good, healthy habits. I've been able to add some exercise...and finally have been released to walk. It feels good to sweat after a 2 or 3 mile walk!

Weigh-In

Weigh-In Report -

I'm now down a total of 18.6 after a 4 pound loss tonight!!!

I'm on my way to my goal of 50 pounds in my 50th year -

19# Down - 31# to go!!!!!

Weigh-In

Weigh-In Report
I gained 1.4# this week - Honestly, it was my hope to keep it under 2# with the HOG ROAST and July 4th festivities....
I'm very motivated - and while it is a gain, I've made good choices. It will be better next week.

Weigh-In

Monday night Weight Watchers Weigh In....
I'm now 28 days into Weight Watcher CORE program without a binge....
I'm now down 16 pounds and I recieved my 16 week charm.
My goal is 50 pounds in my 50th year!!! 16# Down - 34 to go!!!!

Friday's FIVE!

I've been hesitant to bring this up - I'm not sure if I thought it might jinx it - or I'm afraid of being held accountable or I'm afraid that I might not succeed and none of us really like to make our weaknesses public.....

I've lived my life battling my weight with a flurry of eating disorders. My weight has fluctuated at least 70 pounds and as much as 100 pounds at a time. I've lost and gained weight more times than I can count. Many people fluctuate 10-20 pounds...but I truly fluctuate 50-80...Its hard on my body, I know it is.
I don't like being overweight - and I love being fit and thin. I know both extremes. I've worn clothing as large as a size 40 jeans - and I've worn a size 3. I've been extremely fit and I've been extremely obese.
I've struggled with bulemic behaviors -and I've been on every diet in the world. I was just 9 years old when I experienced my first episode of 'diet' pills. My pediatrician actually prescribed diet pills!!! I had the cleanest bedroom in my class! Mom also had me on the diet candy 'Aydes' when I was a child.
I was 15 when I went to Weight Watchers for the first time. That was my first big loss - I lost about 70 pounds that time. By the time I married when I was 18, I had to order a size 20 wedding dress. In 1977, I was 19-20 years old I started a diet on my own, counting calories... 600-700 a day. I lost weight pretty fast ... about 85# that time. I have done the Adkins diet, I have done the cabbage diet, I've taken Redux, Adipex, Didrex, Phen Fen, Xenical - you name....I've done it.
In 1980 - after Katie was born I went back to Weight Watchers and lost 77#.... I became a leader for Weight Watchers and kept the weight off for over 10 years. After I was accepted into the OT program in Indy - I had to leave my job as a Weight Watcher leader....and it all (and more) came back on again.
I graduated from OT school in 1993 - and by 1996 I had acheived my all time high of 246#. I was miserable. I went to a Weight Loss Dr. and started taking diet pills with monthly Dr. visits, cardio checks, blood pressure checks and weight/body fat measurements. I lost about 100# and took up weight lifting. I became very thin and extremely fit....it was my obsession. I worked hard on my body - and my body became hard. I also learned at that time that there was a little bit of an athlete in me. It was at this time that I took up my bike riding and my routine work-outs.

After Bruce and I married in 2002 - my weight gradually increased about 30#. I've fluctuated about 15 -20 pounds over the last 5 years. The recent foot surgeries have kept me from being able to go to the YMCA or ride my bike. More weight has crept on.... so......

In February I went back to Weight Watchers... and followed the Flex plan without much success. Three weeks ago - I decided to start following the Weight Watchers CORE program.
The Core Program consists of foods that are low in energy density, meaning they contain a small number of calories per ounce. CORE foods are whole foods- and very few foods are processed... measuring and tracking is not a part of this program. Just healthy eating to satisfaction from CORE foods! Its a balanced, highly nutritious lifestyle ... with healthy whole foods high in antioxidants.
I have been enjoying enjoying cooking and trying new recipes - we've been eating at home more and we will both be healthier because of it. I'm proud to be doing this without diet pills or purging of some kind. I've decided that even if I don't lose weight (I'm down 10# so far) - at least I'm eating healthy and focusing on a better lifestyle for Bruce and I.


So - with a focus on my current Weight Watcher CORE program... this weeks Friday's FIVE! is a tribute to five of my favorite things about the CORE program.



1. FRESH fruits and vegetables - especially fruit. I have really enjoyed Honey-Dew, Blueberries, Strawberries, Cherries, Nectarines... etc. etc. etc.


2. Skim Milk ...I have always loved milk - but didn't drink it very often because it seemed a 'waste' of my calories. Focusing on nutrition - I enjoy a cold glass of skim milk everynight before I go to bed.


3. Steel Cut Oats ... I've mentioned this more than once in this blog - but I just love Steel Cut Oats! 1/4 C Steel Cut Oats/1 Cup Water/1/4tsp salt and a dash of cinnamon in a 1.5 qt crockpot before bed - and hot and steamy oats are ready for breaksfast when I wake up in the morning!


4. Weightwatchers.com - I love the Weight Watchers website ... the recipes, the message boards and the e-tools. http://www.weightwatchers.com/


5. Weekly Weigh-In - Monday nights....my weekly weigh-in. I look forward to weighing in and sitting through the meetings in a must for me. I need the accountability of getting on the scales routinely...



Okay - I did it. I made it public....I'm trying to lose weight, again. I'm not ready to post my official 'before' pictures yet....but I have had the guts to have Bruce take some photos. I'll be posting occassional updates on my progress.... My goal = 50# in my 50th year!


I think it is realistic to see my goal by my birthday - February, 2009 when I turn 51.