Perspective

Perspective. I gotta remind myself to keep things in perspective.

So I started writing a post today with how frustrated I am that my progress seems so slow. I've lost 16.2 lbs in just over 2 months. I felt that the last time I joined Weight Watchers the weight was melting off, and that this time it feels like it's sneaking off...

And then I went back to my blog of June 2008. I had started WW on April 20, 2008, so June 25th was roughly the same time frame of my blog today.

And you know what...I had lost 16 lbs. And I was so thrilled by it!

I think the biggest difference between then and now, is I was already noticing changes in the way my clothes fit, in the way my body and face looks...I was starting at a much lower weight, so I think those pounds meant more...but still...it's the same 16 pounds.

This really does put a new perspective on where I am and how this process is going.

I do struggle with the fact that I'm not seeing more physical changes...my clothes are a little better fitting, but not everything. My face isn't quite as round, but not noticeably. Some days I feel strong and sexy, and other days I still feel flabby and disappointed. It's these things that get me hung up on my progress. But I also know I'm making major changes to my life that are meant to be permanent.

Perspective.

Here's some positives that I can celebrate.

• I started running again...well run/walking with the #c25k program. For the first time in more than 2 years I feel strong enough to throw in those intervals and keep going.
• I do have more energy overall--I'm not reliant on coffee in the mornings anymore, and I'm not as exhausted at the end of my long days on my feet.
• I have been tracking my food consistently!
• I have been getting a sh*t ton of activity points, often going out of my way to get to a goal
• I joined a gym to have someplace to workout when the weather sucks
• I'm cooking!! I don't cook. This is monumental.
• I'm craving the fresh healthy foods. I'm not even really tempted by the fatty junk food anymore...well at least not often. And when I do eat it, I'm eating less.
• I LOST 16 LBS!!! 
• And I'm still doing it! I haven't successfully stayed on plan since I first started so this is major. Two months later and I'm still going strong! Even if I'm in the turtle club :)

It goes to show what these small changes can really do. Consistency is key. For those of you out there who are struggling, let's do this. Keep it up. Keep going. Don't let little stumbling blocks stop you in your tracks. Just keep swimmin'. 

And keep perspective.

Back on the Wagon

Well I'm happy to report that getting back on the wagon is paying off. I went to my Monday night meeting last night and lost 5.4 lbs from my November 2nd weigh in.

I think I need to make a t-shirt that says "I survived Hell Week". My first weekend of shows went well with only some minor hitches (which only the cast & crew really knows about). And despite being out late every night with no planning of food, I didn't do so bad. I guess it didnt' hurt that I was getting a nightly workout, including lifting that 75 lb plant head a couple of times each night.
(Pic: Duet of Audrey II & me singing "FEED ME"...)

Now the hard part is keeping that forward momentum. I went food shopping after my meeting which will help, though I really didn't get any easy pack food other than some fruit, yogurt & granola bars.

I did receive some exciting news though--I got hired as a stage manager for a production which is much bigger and more professional than the one I'm doing now. I will be starting right after Thanksgiving and I will be working intensely in January and February which will tie in with the ending of my current position. The pay isn't the greatest, but it's an opportunity I couldn't pass up and there's a lot of potential with this role including:

• The ability to test out if this is something I want to pursue further and in a more professional capacity
• New contacts within the community theater world which will be helpful in pursuing the career
  
• Lots of free time during the day which means I can hit the gym...
• Which happens to be conveniently located near both the rehearsal space and the theater (in other words...no excuses!)

The major downside is that as of right now I'm only hired for this one production so I will have to keep my eyes and ears open for something starting in March. Oh, did I mention the pay...yeah, not so great.

Anyway--none of this really has to do with weight loss, (other than the gym...and the conflict with Monday weigh-ins), but it is certainly a life change and I'm taking it as a positive one which will help fuel my desire to keep working towards my best self.

Some non-scale victories for week 2:

• I enjoyed my post theater food (ie...greasy bar food) in moderation & made sure I had enough healthy food during the day
• My pants are not quite as tight
• I made a healthy supermarket run last night after my meeting & stocked up on veggies & fruits and quick healthy snacks.
• As per my meeting topic last night, I started to think about Thanksgiving and how I am going to plan for the festivities without going for broke. More on that next week.

So....I don't really have a topic for discussion today, but feel free to comment! How did your week go?

Until next time.

The long and winding road

Well I can't deny that this year has been a rough year. I know... it's June, it's not technically the end of the year. But I do feel like the summertime is a roundabout rebirth of my efforts to weight loss and exercise.

I've come a long way (the wrong way?) from where I was at this time two years ago when I was down nearly 50 lbs from my start weight. I certainly feel like this journey is taking forever and that I have lost my way. But on the other hand, a lot has happened too.

This spring I completed two half marathons...running! My first in Pittsburgh I completed in 3:08 which was slower than my normal pace, and 40 minutes less than my previous Pittsburgh Half last May. Then in June, I ran the San Diego Rock & Roll Half marathon, and despite what the actual time said, I finished in 2:50 which trumped Pittsburgh! The official time was over 15 minutes longer because of a ridiculously long line at a port-a-potty during the race, but I really had no choice. I feel like I still have a lot of work to run a "good" half marathon, but I am happy with my progress, considering where I started from! Not to mention I successfully raised over $2,900 for Team in Training!

The problem however, lies in my overall motivation and lack of focus. My weight loss is not the only thing I have let slide--other parts of my life feel like I've lost control.

So I am giving myself 90 days to get back on track...in several different areas, but one of the front-runners is definitely weight loss & health. There are changes going on in my life, and I am trying to embrace the change & adapt for the better.

This isn't meant to be a sob story, more of a declaration of good things to come.

Until next time

Has it really been three months?

Egad!

Well, the last three months have been nonstop insanity for me, and with that, my whole routine has gone out the window. Not to say I haven't been doing anything about my health, but any sense of normal has long disappeared.

So here is my update:
-Weight: Ugh. Not happy with where I am right now. I definitely have been slowly putting back on some of the weight I lost. On one hand, it could have been worse. On the other hand--shame on you Julia. I am now back up to 195.6. Last July I was down to 180. I have some work to do.
-Fitness: Although my fitness routine has gone on hiatus, I have been making some effort. February and March were fine. April I made it to the gym all of once--though I did get random exercise outdoors and through one major office upheaval. Which brings me to...
-Stress: With a big work event in March to get ready for, and then finding out we had to relocate our office the week afterward, followed by the transition of moving and trying to work around boxes and re-moving for the following month, my whole work life has been in a state of chaos. We moved to an office about 1/3 the size of our previous one and have had to eliminate and condense a lot of our supplies, files, etc. If I wasn't getting my cardio, I was sure getting in weight training! And after that that move came the stress with end of fiscal year events, responsibilities, and trying to fit everything in while not finding anything in our office. Additionally, I was stage managing for the spring production at my local theater and that went full throttle in April with rehearsals 4x/week. I go home exhausted and stressed and have resorted to old habits.

However there have been some good things as well:
-Accomplishments: Although I didn't train for it...at all, on May 2nd, I completed the Pittsburgh Half Marathon!! It was awesome & I am very proud of it. I will blog about it soon.
-Steps in the right direction: After two months, I finally made it back to Weight Watchers this week. I am basically starting from scratch, not taking anything for granted in regards to my eating habits and trusting myself to naturally eat the right things--I've started tracking again, getting in my healthy foods, looking at portion sizes, and I made it to the gym last night (as opposed to Tuesday night when I had planned).
-I've am about three months into a new, but long-distance relationship (yes, I realize the time frame...) with a really great guy and he's been making me very happy.
-In 9 days I will be turning 30!! Celebrations galore!!

Challenges:
-Schedule: I still have this massively insane schedule, especially with Josh (the boy) coming into visit next week for my birthday, and another few weeks of work insanity, and we're STILL moving boxes!!
-Funds: I'm pretty broke these days--or at least trying really hard to conserve money for bills I have to pay and expenses that will be happening in the next few months & it stresses me out--additionally I still am trying to make my health a priority so that healthy food shopping is going to have to outweigh some other expenditures. Yikes.
-Spring celebrations--birthdays, graduations, babies, weddings (I have 3 weekends straight of weddings in July). Those are all going to be challenges for me to keep on track.

Goals:
We all know I'm absolutely terrible with setting goals & sticking to the program to achieve them, but I'm still trying.
-One 5k per month. I already have one in June I'm planning on. I want to find ones for the rest of the summer which shouldn't be too difficult. I think the half marathon counts for May. I'd like to work my way up to running again consistently.
-Get back down to 180 by Labor Day weekend. Then work towards my lifetime goal.
-Have no regrets. Sure I screwed up and let myself get off track. But in my mind, I needed that reality check to remember that this isn't something that comes easy and my health isn't something to take for granted. There's no sense in wasting time on the "I should haves..." Instead, I pick myself up & keep going.

Well, that was a long update, I miss connecting with my fellow bloggers and I intend on updating more frequently and returning back to you guys for the inspiration and support that has worked so often in the past.

Until next time!

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!

Red Gloves

Welcome February-Let's see if you can top January

Turning the page of a calendar is refreshing--often feels like a fresh start on life. A whole new month full of potential!

Unlike most retrospectives though, January was literally a kick ass month! I set up goals for myself which I accomplished with flying colors (even though I actually forgot all about them). No regrets here!!
40 lbs down As of last week--Check
Tracking food 5x week Check (Fridays can be tricky--weekends still a problem)
Exercise 4x week every week Check!! (My biggest accomplishment!)
Meal planning Check (More like making sure I have healthy food on hand)
Revisit WW lessons Check (Part of WW meetings)
Don't gain. Check!
35 lbs down
Re-join gym

As I mentioned, my biggest accomplishment is my increased activity. Since Jan 7th and joining the gym, I have earned at least 89 APs (11, 21, 24, 33) and been active for 22 out of 31 days. I hear it takes 21 days for a habit to stick. Even though those 22 days weren't consecutive, I definitely feel like being active is becoming a staple in my life (including feeling guilty for Rest Days!)

This has been a milestone month for me too since it's the first time I've ever been able to run 3 miles, and at least 2 of those miles is without stopping!

And as of next weekend, I'll have accomplished one long overdue goal of my "Winning Outcomes" list and my "Feats of Strength" list...the 5k!

Once I finish my 5k, I'm going immediately into training for the 1/2 marathon in May. It's 12 weeks from that point. It's going to be grueling, but it's going to be good. I of course want to continue my weight loss progress, but I hear when you're training for long races, it's common for weight loss to plateau. Since my main goal is to run, I'm going to have to evaluate where I want to be in May with my weight.

The one thing I absolutely have to get under control is my eating patterns. I go a few days eating really good and then the nighttime eating begins. Even after writing my 10 things last week, I paid no attention to that list as I made my way through far too many wheat thins, skinny cows and other snacks. I can't blame it on being hungry from exercise--it was definitely lack of mindful eating.

So, to finish this off, here are my goals for February:
-Run 5k!!
-Start 1/2 marathon training
-Run 5 miles
-Assess goals for May
-Practice mindful eating
-Track 5x week
-Exercise 4x week
-Healthy guidelines!

And as I think I've mentioned, if you want a peak into my running/workout routines, I've started a new blog (Live to Fit to Live) specifically as a fitness log for myself.

Happy February everyone!!
Until next time

Ms. Mojo Risin'

Okay. So last week...um...not so great.

I was fine until Thursday. Which from Tuesday isn't really an accomplishment.

Thursday hit and I was dragging. I didn't get to the gym in the morning. My lunch was o-kay, and after choir rehearsal I made the fatal mistake of going to the supermarket--and stocking up on crapola. Vienna fingers on sale? SURE! Pop Chips 2 for $4??? YES! They're low-points!

Seriously Julia. WTF. You should know better. I spent $15 on food that was not good for me (I did get milk though). The rest of the week was pretty terrible in terms of eating. And I didn't get to the gym after Wednesday. I did go running outdoors on Saturday--but that was after lying around all day catching up on TV shows. Did I go running when it was sunny & bright? Nope. Went after dark when it was bitter cold.

Anyway--this week is better. Despite all my efforts (lack thereof), I did manage to lose 1.4 lbs. When my leader weighed me in, I swore she said .4. I'm like--okay--well, that makes sense, and I guess exercise was the only reason I didn't gain. But when I looked at my book, I saw the extra 1 lb there and was in shock. Well for a previous week gain of .6 after all my hard work, I guess it does make sense, but whatever--I'll take it.

So now I'm fired up again. Whether it has to do with the nice loss, or just a general rise in ambition, I'm happy for it. I was really dragging last week.

Today I did make it to the gym and really made the most of it. I have two weeks left until my 5k and I needed to up my mileage. I've been running about 2miles consistently, so today my goal was to push myself to the 3 mile mark & I did it! Even 3.1 (the actual 5k distance). I did stop a few times, but for my first time at that distance, I'm pretty proud. And when I say first time, I seriously have never in my life run three miles, so this is a pretty big accomplishment. I have high hopes for the race on Feb 7th.

I just have to keep up with the training, working on increasing my endurance and speed. Though I don't really care what time I finish with, I do want to do my best. I don't know how I would have done this in the spring/summer--I certainly was not able to run even 2 miles consistently.
Anyway--I decided to start another blog called Live to Fit to Live for my fitness training--particularly running. Even just to log reps & distance/time so I can keep this blog more of a weight loss blog. Obviously my running and training is a part of weight loss, but that blog is more for the nitty gritty-especially once I start training for the 1/2 marathon.

To Eat or Not to Eat
Last night at my meeting, we talked about emotional eating, how we know when we are actually hungry, and why we eat when we're really not hungry. Sound familiar? We all do it. (Weight Watchers article here) Anger, loneliness, stress, BOREDOM (me), time of day, etc. So we were challenged to ask ourselves when we overeat, why we overeat, and what can we do to replace overeating. Our task is to come up with 10 alternatives to eating from these emotions.

So that will be my next blog topic. Tune in & feel free to make a list with me!

Until next time

Long and hard day-at least gym's outta the way! (Keep reading for a Spontaneous moment of Stupidity)

I'm exhausted. Seriously like may pass out at any given moment exhausted. It's a combination of lack of sleep (though I've been getting at least 6 hours a night) and body weariness.

I did a morning workout for the third day in a row today, though I didn't make it to the gym. I couldn't drag myself out of bed early enough that I would have gotten a good workout if I drove to the gym and came back, and I was not in any state to put together a gym bag to shower there.

I did however...eventually...throw on my workout gear & do a Biggest Loser workout strength routine (about 20 minutes), and then I went for a run. And what a run it was. It was absolutely freezing, but sunny. And I walked for about five minutes before I started my run. I felt under-dressed for the temps though I had on three layers of shirts, plus hat & gloves, but once I started running I completely forgot about the cold, other than seeing my breath streaming out at every exhale.

I ran (okay, jogged) a route that I used to do when I was doing the Couch to 5k training last winter. Brisk walk down Broadway, start running at the elementary school, turn around at the college, run back, slow to a brisk walk at the elementary school. It's about 2 miles, 1.5 running span. Even when I was running on a regular basis, and in warm weather I always needed to slow it down to a walk at least a couple of times before I got to the college to turn around, and by the time I made my way back, I always was struggling to breathe and had a stitch in my side.

Today, in the 20something degree temps, I ran without stopping to the college, and even did an extra loop into the campus so I didn't physically stop to turn around, and about 1/4 way back before needing a break to slow to a brisk walk. I think I slowed down only twice more once for a hill), and was able to finish further than I normally do before I did my cool down walk.

Can it be true then? I actually AM getting stronger? I actually am getting more FIT? I might actually someday call myself an...athlete? A runner? Heaven help us all.

I'm surprised I was able to do it. Not that it was easy--I was definitely struggling at the end. But I've never ever EVER been able to jog that long without stopping--ESPECIALLY outdoors. Treadmills are different. They move you. Not that I am very good on a treadmill either, but these days, I'm able to jog my 20 minute routine at the gym. This is real pavement pounding running.

Spontaneous Moment of Stupidity here
Though it may have something to do with something stupid that I did yesterday. And by stupid I mean exciting and great and brave...but stupid. I signed up for two races. Next month, a 5k called the Freezer Five (Feb 7th), and in May, the mother of all ridiculous ideas...a 1/2 marathon. In Pittsburgh. I signed up, I paid. Signed, sealed, delivered...I'm running. What in heaven's name was I thinking? But I am pumped.

I think the 5k is definitely doable, even if I have less than a month to train, I'm well on my way. Just have to build up my endurance for the cold and the distance. That will be fun.

It's the 1/2 marathon I'm scratching my head about. 13.1 miles. WTF??? My friend who lives in Pittsburgh is doing the marathon with a group of friends. I figured...hey, why not right? It'll give me something to train & look forward to! How am I ever going to be able to run 13.1 miles??? Oh, and I did sign up to run the race, as opposed to most of the other girls who signed up to walk it. Yeah. Well, it's definitely a challenge. It may be the challenge I need to keep me motivated. My WW leader is going to get a kick out of this.

Anyway--I'm excited and scared and every emotion in between.

But at the moment I'm still exhausted. At least I dont' have to go to the gym tonight! Early to bed for this chickie.

Until next time

Surprise scale victory!

Hi all :)

Last night's weigh in went very well. I lost .4 lbs which comparatively isn't all that much, but after the crazy week I had, I can't complain!

That brings me to 186.6 lbs equalling 44 lbs lost since April 2008. Woo!!

Not only that, but as I was typing it in, I thought to myself--hey--isn't that the 2nd 10% goal I had put for myself? As a matter of fact IT IS!

When I hit my 1st 10% goal at 207.6, I had calculated the next 10% from that and it was 186.8 (although now that i try to recalculate it, i get a different answer), so I have now hit that goal as well!! Very exciting :-D

AND I'm only 6 lbs away from reaching the 50 lb mark and to be 180 for the first time in like 15 years.

I guess I won't hit it by memorial day weekend which is less than two weeks away...but I'm gonna TRY!!! I won't be able to weigh in that Monday to see if I do get my shopping spree, but maybe I can weigh in on Sunday and see how close I got. Considering I've been putting barely any effort into my weight loss these past few weeks, I'm very happy I've continued to see results.

This scale victory makes me happy and I think gives me a little extra kick in the but to keep it up. Yay :-D

Until next time

One year on WW = Shrinking Julia!

Thanks to a friend of mine visiting this weekend, I had some new photos taken. We were out and about in NYC living the life.

This is also the same friend who I had my original photos from exactly one year ago before I joined WW.

Here's the before at 230 lbs...

(yikes)

And some afters at 190 lbs...




What I'm absolutely amazed about is how small my shoulders and arms look! I can't get over that. In the photo w/my friend, my arms look the same size as hers! And she's tall and lanky thin! Even my legs in the (yes, it's a) pillow fight photo look skinny!!

I guess it is truly hard to recognize the progress just looking in a mirror, but now seeing what everyone else is seeing is truly encouraging!!

Happy anniversary to me!!

Until next time

Ahem...

FOUR POUNDS!

Holey sweater dress Batman!

Hey 180s I can SEE you!! You can run but you can't hide!!

Marching on a Mission

Yay March! I have been saying that for the past couple of days. February felt very dreary. Everybody I talked to seemed to feel the same. For the shortest month of the year, parts of it felt very long.

But yesterday brought on a new month. A numerically long month, but I feel it will go by faster than February. And it's going to get extraordinarily busy. At work our annual big fundraiser dinner of the year, stage managing the spring play, and birthdays galore among other things will keep me going in overdrive until the end of the month. Which should be a good thing, but I really have to keep myself organized and on schedule with everything, including my weight loss goals & plans.

So my mission this month (and I certainly do accept it), is to boost my activity once again. My ankle is healing still, but that won't stop me from getting in even gentle physical activity. The weather will (should) start to get warmer, so I can start enjoying the outdoors once again, and my goal by the end of this month is to lose 5 lbs. I was hoping to be at 186 which is my next 10%, but February was a little slow. So I think 5 lbs is quite reasonable.

And although the non-flatlining February didn't go quite as well as I had initially planned, some good things did come out of it. I'm tracking more regularly, though I still have issues on the weekends, I finally passed the 35 lb mark, and am feeling slenderer than ever.

One more achievement happened Saturday night when I wore my Burberry size 14s. Granted they were still really tight and I had a bit of muffin top which I was able to disguise with a pretty top, but I did wear them. And I looked damn good in them. (My pseudo-date seemed to think so too...)

So here's to March! I'm feeling it's going to be quite a memorable month.

Until next time

Squish :)

You know when you were younger and you would look at someone far away and pretend to squish their head with your fingers holding them up close to your eye? (I have a distinct memory of a very skinny mean girl from school saying to a very large me "I'm squishing your head. I'm squishing your head" over & over)

Anyway, I feel like that's what I"m doing to my weight loss.

I'm squishing it.

I'm squishing the distance between my current weight & my goal weight. I'm getting further from my start weight and that 10% line (207 lbs) that I had passed in July and sloping down further towards my next 10% of 186. I feel like shouting at the screen "I'm squishing you weight! Ha!!"

In fact...
Take that weight!

Take that tight clothes

Take that mean girl from school!

Squish.

That was rather gratifying :)

Until next time

Countdown

So for the last blog on the last day of 2008, I figured I would give a little countdown of my own. A countdown of things I'm proud of. Of course they will all have to do with my weight.

10. Joining Weight Watchers in April

9. Starting this blog and writing in it pretty continuously.

8. Having lost the weight for my brother's wedding so much that I had to get my dress taken in three times. And it was still big on me

7. Being able to fit in exercise into my daily routine and keeping up with it regularly

6. Being able to sit in a plane seat and not have the armrest digging into my leg

5. Size 16 pants and I can shop in noraml clothing stores!

4. Under 200 for the first time since High School

3. Having made new friends through my weight loss both online and at meetings

2. 33.4 lbs baby - halfway to goal

1. New year, new me - feeling in control of my weight for the first time, maybe ever!

Here's to a great 2009!!! HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE!!!

Until next time

Good news Tuesday!

Okay, so it's technically only 1am, so most of this good news came yesterday...but it's a new day.

First off - most importantly, I'm under 200! (Yes, again. But for real this time!)

I arrived late at my meeting again (thanks to chatting with my boss as usual just before I'm about to leave), and when I weighed in, I discovered that after my crazy non-stop eating week, I had managed to LOSE two pounds. TWO pounds! I couldn't lose two pounds if I had starved myself and gone to the gym everyday.

So that brings me back down to where I was the last time I was under 200--but this time it was at the end of the day. The only thing that I might have done was kept my sweater on since I came from work and I figured I'd lose it to make the damage as little as possible. Instead I was donned in my work pants & sleeveless shell. And I hadn't even done my last minute go to the bathroom to get any last minute water weight out.

I wasn't going to stay for the meeting, but since they were talking about preparing to survive the holidays while staying on plan, I figured it would be a good meeting to stay for. It was good. It got me thinking about Thanksgiving and planning for it. But it certainly was making me hungry too.

Another piece of news, somewhat good...somewhat evil, is that now that I'm under 200, my daily points have gone down again. I'm at 25 points per day plus my weekly 35. This might be a little tough because the past few months I've certainly struggled with the 26 points I had. So now to have one less, I'm going to really have to focus on keeping within the range. But on the other hand - this means I've taken another step to being at an all time low (as an adult) with my weight. And it's been four months since the last time I went down a daily food point. So Yay Me!

The other thing I'm excited about is that I got my very own laptop - complete with wireless internet that I installed - which I will be taking with me to the conference. This holds several purposes for me. One, to get work done while I'm away. (At least pretend to). Two, because I want to be able to stay in touch with email and stuff. Three, I can access WW.com and track my points. And four, and as I'm writing this blog, I'm feeling the flow of words, to be able to write my novel. There's something about typing on a laptop and having the freedom to use it anywhere to write my thoughts that just gets my fingers flying across the keyboard with words. Now I could take this to inspire myself to work on writing projects for work, but instead I am inspired to use the opportunity to work on fleshing out my novel for which I have finally come up with a concept. But I'll reveal that as I get further along.

So in a few hours I leave for my road trip and six days of adventure. But since I have this lovely little device to play with, I won't be missing anything.

Until next time

Flying high! 10%!!!

So even though last week was an all around bad week. Bad food and lots of it. Over used points. Very minimal exercise...yesterday's weigh in was most exciting.

I finally reached my 10% goal!!!! Hooray!!!!

I'm actually below my 10%! I'm down 24 lbs. (23 was the goal) I have a feeling next week might not be as exciting as this past week will probably catch up to me, but it doesn't matter. I REACHED MY 10%!!! I got my 10% keychain. I got congratulations & applause from my meeting friends. And I got a permagrin which should last at least a few days.

The only downside was that my leader wasn't there yesterday (damn you Bruce Springsteen concert). She would have been very excited for me too. And I'm not sure if I can go next Monday because my Italian cousins will be visiting. But I'm still very happy.

On a different note, this weekend was my future sister-in-law's bachelorette party. It was a fun time. The best part though was that I didn't feel like a large blob compared to the rest of the girls. Even though three out of the four were thin, I didn't feel like I stuck out. And the best is the photo of us on the bar where they filmed Coyote Ugly (actually called Hogs & Heifers).

I have never gotten up on a bar in my life. I have never looked at a group of girls with me in the photo & not thought "holy crap, I look huge there." And I have never seen myself in a miniskirt and t-shirt and smiled like I do now.

Rock on

Until next time

Oh yeah baby-almost there!

I'm almost there! Tonight's weigh-in was -3.6 lbs bringing my total weight loss to 21.6 lbs. I'm only 1.5 away from my 10%!

Go me, go me, go me!!!

My leader was shocked when she weighed me too...I sort of cheated cuz I wasn't sure what the outcome would be because I was a little over my points this weekend, so I thought it might throw me off, so I changed from work clothes to lighter clothes and sneakers & then weighed in without my sneakers. But still--ALMOST THERE!! yay yay yay yay!! I think some of it carried from last week because I think I put more of an effort into it last week than I did overall this week but then I ate & drank a lot over the 4th of July weekend, so it might have been a bigger loss if I didn't weigh in on Monday, and then would have been more normal this week, but who cares???? I feel great, I look great, and I am excited. And I have to keep this going because I don't want to get cocky & start letting things go & then be disappointed.

So this weeks' goal is to lose that 1.5 lbs to reach my 10% goal! Keep your fingers crossed for me.

More on this plan tomorrow.

Until next time

Insanity

My weigh in? You're asking about my weigh in? Well...let me tell you.

I dropped 2.9 lbs! And that was with my shoes on (which I come to find out weigh exactly 1lb). So if I went barefoot, I would have lost almost 4 lbs! In one week! From doing nothing! Holy cow! Negating the 1.5 gain from last week, that's 1.4 lbs below my last successful weigh-in.

So that brings my total weight loss to 16.4 lbs. And I am 6.6 lbs away from my 10%. Which I won't make by June 30th, but by the 2nd week in July I should have reached. Go me. I still don't feel as good as I should, but I gotta take this success and keep moving forward.

Until next time

Correction

Make that 77 stars.

Wicked.

Weigh-ins Rock! Bravo!

Okay--well they did this week. So I'm down another 1.8 lbs, which brings me to 9lbs overall. So it's taking me a little longer than I had hoped to make it to the 10lb mark, but I am not complaining.

And yesterday I skipped my last meditation class to actually stay for the meeting. I did this for two reasons...one, I was just not feeling dealing with the group or pretending to have meditated during the week for one lousy class which I obviously have been slacking on...And two, the topic of the WW meeting was getting through the holidays & parties, which with Birthday season here, and labor day weekend, I definitely needed this meeting.

And although it wasn't quite what I had hoped for in terms of discussion, it did give me some ideas. I'm going to be researching some guilt free cakes & stuff for celebrating birthdays, including mine on Thursday, and my dad's and some other friends. That way I can have my dessert & not be racking up the points.

The best part of yesterday's meeting though was the end when the leader goes around asking about people's successes for the week and giving out little "Bravo" star stickers. And since I had a good week both weigh-in wise & portioning & activity wise, I raised my hand, and attributed it to the fact that I started a blog (yay me!) tracking my progress and highlighting the Tools for Success. Well--she was so excited about this that she gave me a whole STRIP of stars (seriously, there must be about 40) for using the tools. Go me.

So tomorrow I plan to highlight the next tool for success. I had mentioned "Empowering Beliefs," but I might pick another one...just to spice things up :) Plus something more appropriate for my state of mind at the moment. We'll see.

Until next time!