You Can't Cheat Weight Loss

 This past week, I lost 1.8 pounds.  Down to 181.6.  Of course I'm thirlled with this. Since I began this journey of re-losing about 28 pounds I've gained in the last year...I've lost 10.8 pounds!  Since I hit/passed the 10 pound mark, I thought I should include some photos.  I know I don't look awesome, but I look better. 

I put the same shirt/shorts on to make comparisons easier.  
I'm trying to stay brutally honest with myself about what I'm eating.  Even if I go off the reservation and eat a bunch of junk, then I track it as fast as I can.  I dip into my weekly points, but that's one of the reasons they're there.  If I don't track those indiscretions, then, for me, the whole thing is for naught.  I've learned that you can't cheat this process.  Even if you try weight loss supplements, surgery, etc, etc.; eventually, you either get on the healthy lifestyle bandwagon...or you gain it back.  You can't borrow someone else's points, you can't buy extra points (I'd be deep in credit card debt if you could), you can't eat food that you don't track and still expect to lose weight.


There is no Weight Watchers meeting this Monday because of Labor Day, so I'm hoping I don' tuse this week as an opportunity to go off program.  Part of my motivation is that once I get back to my goal weight, 165, my WW membership goes back to free.  Until then, I'm paying $42.95/month for my monthly pass.  Another motivation is that I'm hoping to fit nicely into my fall clothes before the weather changes.

1 more down...

Last week I lost 1.0 pound.  Slowly but surely, right?  I know that the best way to lose weight is slowly, changing your lifestyle, your eating habits, your excercising habits, etc.  But as we are in this country, it is hard to be patient.  As long as I'm headed in the right direction, I feel ok.  Continuing to lose keeps me motivated. 
I'm looking for some cardio that I can tolerate.  I've got a great elliptical machine that I dread.  I love walking my dogs, but that doesn't get my heartrate up enough.  My doggies are old, so they can't walk very far or fast.  I do love hiking, but I don't have any hiking buddies-and it's not always a kid-friendly.  If you have any ideas, let me know!

Girls Weekend, Pecans, and a Hike

So I didn't post my progress for this past week.  When I weighed in this past Monday, I lost 1.4 pounds.  I'm super pumped about it! 

I was out of town on a girls weekend with Nora.  We met in Chicago and went to Lake Michigan on the Indiana/Michigan side of the lake.  Braeutiful!  While we did find some great places to eat, I stayed in control and stayed on program.  I even fit in a double scoop sugar cone at Baskin Robbins!  On Saturday we went on a 4.5 mile, 3 hour hike through the woods, wetlands, up and down two sand dunes, and a walk along the beach.  That action earned me 15 activity points!

On Monday I went with my fam to the State Fair in Springfield.  A tall order for weigh in day.  I had a (Morales-like) taco, 3 fried cheese curds, and a snack size glazed pecans.  Sounds like a lot, but I passed on a lot of the yearly favs.  And I've been doing better skipping the soda.  Over all a great week.  :)
-k

Not that I'm a runner, but I thought this pic was relevant to current journey.

Keep On Keeping On

I didn’t post after my weigh in on Monday evening…I lost .6 pounds.  Not a huge amount, but we spent the weekend prior at the Lake of the Ozarks visiting Sam’s grandfather (Papa Bob).  We have lots of favorite places to eat while we’re there.  On Saturday morning, I got up early and went for a 30 minute walk.  In case you haven’t been there, the Ozarks are a VERY HILLY place!  It was good though.  We went boating later in the day and I took lots of veggies and rice cakes to snack on.  Then I spent some time tubing with the kids and swimming.

The accomplishment I’m most proud of is that I actually counted points for EVERYTHING I ate.  That was significant for me.  It helped keep me aware of what I was eating and really appreciated the treats I did have.

Another thing I did this past week was go to a hot yoga class.  I went to a Bikram style class in Edwardsville, which is 90 minutes, and about 100 degrees.  Phew!  I think the sweat alone provided a GREAT detox.  This style of yoga isn’t my speed for regular practice, but it was great to challenge myself and do something outside of my comfort zone.

So, this coming week, I’m tackling juicing.  My momma got me a juicer for my birthday.  I need more fruits and veggies.  Particularly, I need to increase my iron, as it’s been low the last few times I’ve tried to give blood.

Thanks for following me on my journey to become a healthier person.  Remaining accountable to myself and you all keeps me motivated to stay on track.

Progress...Finally!

I weighed in last night at my Monday night Weight Watchers meeting.  I lost 3.4 pounds and am at 186.6 pounds.  Holy crap...can't believe I just posted my actual weight.  Whatever...anyway, I stayed on program all week.  It paid off; now I just have to keep on track heading in to the next two weeks.

This weekend we're headed to the lake (always lots of yummy favorite spots to eat there).   Next weekend I'm headed up north to spend a few days with one of my bff's Nora, and we're both foodies.  I plan to save my weekly points for the weekends, but actually counting points on our trips out will be the challenge.

Another challenge is meal planning at home.  I don't plan ahead for meals very well.  And the veggies that we make aren't exactly well received by the kids.  Hopefully I can find time this week to find some great recipes that are healthy AND that the kids will eat.  I also got a juicer from my momma for my birthday.  We'll see what concoctions I come up with.

I know I haven't posted updated photos...and I promise I will.  Next week.  Thanks for all the encouragement.  :)
-k

MAYDAY, MAYDAY!!!

Well folks, I haven't posted in a while...and you can bet it's because I'm not doing great.  I had a great start with two weeks of weight loss.  Then vacation happend, and you know, you can't diet on vacation, right?  Then my birthday, and you can't eat just one indulgent meal, you have to make it a full, week long culinary celebration.  This past week, well, no special circumstance, I just plain failed.  Anyway, I gained 1.4 last week and .8 this week. 

UGH!!!  I'm so frustrated with myself.  I'll do great for a few days, then fall hard off the wagon.  I'm uncomfortable in my clothes, teaching yoga classes, etc.  I weighed in tonight, so I hope to stay on track this week.  My plan of attack is to plan meals for the family so that we don't make/buy unhealthy meals in a pinch and exercise more.  Teaching yoga, I get lots of stretching and strength training.  My defecit is cardio.  I do NOT like running.  I enjoy walking, but the kids can't hang with me for long enough/far enough to make a dent.  I have a very nice elliptical machine in the family room, but neglect it.  I really need some inspiration in this department...

Week 1

I weighed in tonight at Weight Watchers this evening...I lost 4 pounds (down to 188.6).  This is respectable, but not quite what I was hoping for in this first week.  It was a difficult week, but not totally miserable.  It was nice to be on plan and not have to do it on my own. 

The first week of a diet is like breaking up with your boyfriend or being in a fight with your best friend...kind of lonely and depressing.  I got a little more cardio and a LOT more yoga this week.  My body is exhausted and hungry. 

First week over, moving on to week 2.  I hope to do better with counting points and getting more cardio.  Fruits and veggies, here I come!