Weight Watchers: I'll drive from Timbuktu

This is me with my AWESOME leader, Elizabeth! She is funny,sassy, and encouraging! 

Pounds Lost So Far: 47. 4

I have made a decision about this whole Weight Watchers journey. Since my meeting closed a few weeks ago things have not been going very well. I haven't kept track of the food I'm eating. I've felt very discouraged. A trip to Culvers left me feeling physically full and emotionally empty. I decided that if I'm going to continue, I am not going to do it half way. If I need to drive from Timbuktu to a meeting, I am going to do it. 

 Meetings are essential to me. Many people have great success using the Weight Watchers online program. I need the meeting. It is so helpful to know that there are other people out there who struggle with their weight. The tips and motivation I receive keep me going! 

Today I woke up early and drove into Cincinnati to attend my new meeting. It was amazing to see Elizabeth there. She gave me a huge hug and introduced me around. It is good to be seen. So much of my life I have tried to blend into the background. Not any more! 

Physical Changes: Overshare time! My digestion problems have disappeared. I would have stomach issues three to four times a week. Now they are gone! Ewwww...Enough said! 

Favorite Food: Smart Ones Breakfast Quesadilla

It is a "sin" how incredibly good these things are! They are gooey,cheesy, and filling. Ones of these and some fruit add up to a very filling meal. It sticks with you for a while. 

Biggest Success: Michael asked me to bring home donuts for him. Are you kidding me? Donuts are my gateway food. Yet he wanted some and so I brought two home for him. A donut has not been in my hands since June. The temptation was avoided and I felt like a super hero!

What is your biggest success of the week?

Weight Watchers: I need that cheerleader!

Pounds Lost: 43.6 lbs. 

The last few weeks have been really hard. The downward spiral started when my Weight Watchers meeting was closed. It wasn't a very large meeting, which is one of the reasons why I liked it. Elizabeth, the leader was AMAZING and so encouraging! I have attended a few new meeting and have just not found the right fit. One meeting I attended, the leader was really loud and put people on the spot. I wanted to walk out after about five minutes. Too bad I was sitting on the other side of the room from the door. 

Through this process of trying to find a new meeting I haven't been mindful of what I have been eating. I haven't been keeping up on my exercise routine either. I haven't been tracking what I'm eating.I find myself slipping back into old habits.

Now that I don't have a meeting to call "home" I haven't had the encouragement. I haven't received those high fives and silly stickers that have kept me motivated. People at work haven't asked me in weeks how things are going. I am feeling pretty low. 

The first few months were not amazingly difficult. I worked hard and I saw the numbers on the scale change. Now is when the rubber meets the road. Am I going to let these setbacks undo all the work I put into this? Am I going to let those destructive habits creep back into my life?

 NO! I can do this. 

I can choose to lace  up the sneakers and head out for a walk.

I can choose what I eat!

I can do this.

I will do this.

I AM DOING THIS.

WORK OUT SONGS that will get you MOVING

Here are the songs that keep me pumped up and going during my 

work-outs. 

1.Jesus Saves by Jeremy Camp

2. Pump Up the Jam by Technotronic

3.Banjo Pickin Girl by Abigail Washburn

4. Oh, Canada by Fire Iron Frenzy

5. Rocky Top by Osborne Brothers

6. This is the stuff by Francesca Battistelli

7.Chattahoochee by Alan Jackson

8. Carol of the Bells by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir

9. The Leave Behind by Jeremy Larson(Fort Christmas)

10. Sadie Hawkins Dance by Relient K

11. Gonna Make you Sweat(Everybody Dance Now) by C+C Music Factory

12. Hallelujah Chorus by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir

13.Good Morning by Mandisa featuring Toby Mac

14. I'm Letting Go by Francesca Battistelli

Weight Watchers Update 9/15/13

Pounds lost so far:42 lbs.

Physical Changes: Two clothing sizes down. I have purchased quite a few new skirts at Goodwill and Kmart. Found a cute button down shirt at Target. Yahoo!! This is getting fun! Can't wait to get out of plus size clothing!

I can finally get my rings off of my fingers. Haven't been able to take them off for over 5 years. Plan to get them professionally cleaned. Once I hit my goal weight, I will get them resized!

The heat has bothered me as long as I can remember. It makes me moody and uncomfortable. This summer the heat hasn't bothered me as much as in past years. Maybe next year I can be one of those girls who actually can look cute during the summer. 

Favorite Food:

Who doesn't love chocolate milk? The Silk Pure Almond Dark Chocolate Milk is amazing. It is thick,creamy,and delicious! Last week I tried the Blue Diamond brand of chocolate almond milk. It was good,but not even in the same league as the Silk brand. Plus, the Blue Diamond brand has more calories per 8 oz. serving. The price is pretty much the same. So if you want a an indulgence, go with the Silk brand. 

Biggest Temptation: This past Friday I had a lot to do. I had forgotten my computer at home, so I had to go back and get it. Along the way I stopped at McDonald's for lunch. I don't know why, I had a perfectly good Weight Watchers meal in the fridge waiting for me. I let my frazzled mind talk me into McDonalds. I ordered a cheeseburger kids meal, which wasn't a horrible choice, but a much higher point value than I had originally planned.

Biggest Success: While at Target today I really looked at myself in the mirror. I still had in my head that I looked the way I did when I first started Weight Watchers. Sure, my cloths are baggy. Yet, there is just something about looking at yourself in the mirror.Today I saw that my shoulders are becoming more narrow. My legs are smaller and my face is thinning out. It is such an amazing feeling to look at yourself and actually see that your hard work is paying off. It is such a boost. I have come this far. I can do this. This is do-able! 

Highlight: The meetings are incredible. Even though I don't talk a lot during the meeting, I am getting so much out of it. My leader, Elizabeth is such a fun and encouraging person. She is always ready with a hug or a high-five! I haven't missed a meeting since joining. I look forward to going each week. I love the stickers. 

During the meeting today one of the women said something that made me want to jump up and shout. 

"Deprivation leads to desperation." 

Can I get this stitched on a pillow?! When we deprive ourselves of a certain food it gains power over us. If we keep depriving ourselves of that food that we REALLY want, we come to a point where we become so desperate for it that we lose control and eat a ton of it. We control the food, it doesn't need to control us. 

Don't forget to check out my post on my favorite work out songs!

Weight Watchers: I saw the Duggars

Pounds lost so far: 34.4

Physical Changes: I have gone down a clothing size. Almost two clothing sizes. After my meeting today, I went shopping and found a denim skirt.It is one size smaller than I was wearing before. I could have gone down another size,but they didn't have the color I wanted in that size. Each clothing brand has it's own sizing, which drives me crazy!

Yesterday, I found three skirts at Goodwill that I loved! You can't beat $2 skirts. Looking forward to losing even more weight so that I can increase the variety of clothing options. Plus size clothing isn't always the cutest. Quite often plus size clothing will have weird decorations that ruin the item. Oh, don't even get me started on all the plus size items that feature Tweetie Bird and Winnie the Pooh. 

Favorite Food: 

I am really loving vanilla almond milk. The Silk Pure Almond Milk is delicious! It is creamy and sweet. Plus, it has less Weight Watcher points than regular skim milk.

The new Special K Pastry Crisps are amazing! A nice little snack to curb your sweet tooth. They remind me of Pop Tarts. This flavor is my favorite! The cookies and cream flavor is also really good! 

Biggest Temptation: At the beginning of each school year I make cookies for the teachers that I work with. This year I took a couple hours and made the cookies in the kitchen at work. I did this for two reasons. #1: The oven is bigger. I can bake more cookies at the same time. #2: Knowing that people could see me in the kitchen I wasn't tempted to dig into the cookie dough or the fresh baked cookies. A win-win situation! 

Biggest Success: I did four laps around the track this morning. I could have done a lot more, but I needed to get back home to get ready for church!

I received my 10% keychain!

Awesome Moment: Last Sunday, I was reading on the Facebook page of a local Christian station that the Duggars were going be speaking at a church just north of Cincinnati. I am a huge Duggar fan. It is wonderful how they openly share their faith with the world. I admire how they don't sweep their beliefs under the rug, in search of fame. They use their spotlight to shine light on issues that are important to them. 

The whole family sang a song together. The youngest,Josie sang really loud. She is adorable! 

The children played a few songs on their violins and cellos.

They also sang, "I've been Redeemed."

During the sermon by Pastor Hall of Hope Baptist Church,Jim Bob and Michelle sat next to me. They greeted me warmly!

After the sermon Michelle did a question and answer time with the women. Jim Bob and Josh spoke with the men in another room. I was really blessed with Michelle's testimony on how she became a Christian. 

Getting to meet the Duggars has been on my bucket list for a couple of years. I am excited to mark off another bucket list item

What is something on your bucket list?

Weight Watchers: Slithering Raccoons

Pounds Lost So Far: 29.2 lbs.(Just a smidge away from 30 lbs.) 

Physical Changes: My rings have become a lot more loose. I think my wedding band would slide off, if my engagement ring wasn't in the way. My engagement ring is 1/2 a size smaller than my wedding band. 

My clothes are pretty baggy on me now. I haven't gone to a store yet to try on a smaller size. I think I would be disappointed if I haven't gone down a size or two. Right now I am pleased with seeing the numbers on the scale go down. Yet, with the new school year starting I need a least one pair of dress pants to wear to work.  I am currently praying about transitioning to wearing only skirts and dresses. I will write about that another time. 

Favorite Food: Yoplait Light Yogurt, the Strawberry Shortcake flavor. 

This was a new flavor for me. Mmmmmmmmm....So good! It makes a good snack at only 2 Weight Watchers points. Very helpful at curbing my sweet tooth. It takes the edge off of my desire to head to Kroger for a cream filled Longjohn doughnut. I still crave them,but I'm not ready to add an occasional doughnut back into my diet. I think it will be like when I first cut out soda. I went cold turkey for a few months and then slowly introduced an occasional rootbeer back into my diet. I can take or leave soda now. I much rather would have water or an iced green tea. Maybe someday I will be able to have a doughnut without wanting to inhale an entire box. Now is not the time. 

Biggest Temptations: I went on a field trip with the kids at work. We went to Cici's Pizza and to the Skatin' Place. I made great food choices. I had one slice of pizza, a salad, and a brownie. I kicked temptation's butt. I also chose water instead of soda.

On Friday night, Michael and I went to Barnes and Noble. We usually get Frappacinos and some kind of pastry from the cafe. I chose the Lemon Lime Refresher which is only 3 Weight Watchers points. I am sad to say that I chose to share a piece of cheesecake with Michael instead of just a cookie. That 1/2 a slice of cheesecake cost me 14 points. Not worth the points, but I ate it anyway! 

From a previous visit to Barnes and Noble. Seriously,a Venti frappacino! 

Emotions: This past week I found out that a friend/co-worker in my department is leaving. This news made me sad, so I indulged in a little mindless emotional eating. Blah! This is a struggle for me. I know that I am prone to eat when I am sad or depressed. I need to work on other ways of coping, instead of heading for the food. 

Biggest Success: During the field trip, I skated around for about an hour and a half. Very fun! It took a few laps around the rink to get comfortable being back on skates again.Once I got comfortable, I had a blast zooming around the rink. The music,funky lighting, and smoke machine added to the fun. Hardly felt like I was working out. Yet, the next day I felt it in my legs. Roller skating is going to be added to my work out routine.I might have to get over the self consciousness of being a 30-something woman zooming around on skates at a roller rink. Oh well! I'll just be "THE CRAZY SKATING LADY!" 

My old-school roller skates that I've had since I was 11 years old! 

A Funny Story: I ran for while during my walk on Sunday. No, I didn't suddenly get a burst of energy and spontaneously break out in a run. I wish! No, I was scared by two raccoons climbing out of a storm drain. Upon seeing the darling creatures slide through the hole, I let out a scream and ran for my life. After about a block I slowed down. Just then,I heard a squeak behind me and I screamed again and booked it. I bet this whole scene was quite a sight. I finally stopped running when I reached the corner.I am not taking that route again.  

What do you do to keep you from turning to food when you are depressed or stressed? 

Weight Watchers Update

Pounds Lost So Far: 23.4 lbs.

Physical Changes: I noticed that my clothing is getting baggy.A co-worker even mentioned it. Yahoo! My face has thinned out.My energy level is getting much better. I don't think twice about going upstairs. This is actually pretty big for me as I would avoid going upstairs. I really didn't move much before. 

Favorite Food: Smart Ones Canadian Style Bacon English Muffin Sandwich. These are really good.I accidentally ran out of these one day this week. I was really looking forward to having one for breakfast and was very disappointed to not find one in the freezer.

Emotional Changes: It has been amazing receiving tons of compliments from friends and family. The encouragement is really keeping me going. Going through this journey has helped me realize that I am capable of doing a lot of things. Who knows where and what this process will lead me to next!

Biggest Temptations:Dirt Pudding

This week in our elementary cooking club we made Dirt Pudding with the kids. Chocolate is my weakness. I have been tempted to dive into the can of delicious chocolate goodness. Don't even get me started on the Oreo cookies. I have made some good choices. On three of the five days I didn't have any. On the other two days I had small servings.Just enough to curb my craving.Portion control is your best friend.  

One of my favorite things about Weight Watchers is that no food is completely off limits. Portion control is the name of the game. Allowing myself to have a little bit of the food I really love is huge. Have a half cup of chocolate pudding keeps me from obsessing over it. If I deprive myself of a food that I really want it becomes an obsession. When it becomes an obsession I am not going to be satisfied with a small portion. I will lose control and eat two or three cups instead of just the half cup.

Biggest Success: On Wednesday,someone brought in cake to celebrate an employee's birthday. I didn't have a crumb. I politely declined a piece when I was offered a slice. 

Last night I tried on a pair of capri pants that didn't fit at the beginning of the summer! Now they are too baggy!

What works for you? What helps you get over your cravings?

Birthday Cupcakes, Planners, and Weight Watchers Cake!

This past week I celebrated my 34th birthday. How did that happen? Some days I still feel 17. Well...sometimes I feel 102. It seems that High School was just yesterday and a lifetime ago at the same time. 

I was really spoiled by my friends and family. My co-worker Steffanie brought me mini cupcakes. Not a full box of mini cupcakes, a few were missing. A certain pregnant family member ate three in the middle of the night. Steffanie also got me a cute card. I wasn't allowed to keep the envelope because she needed to use it for something else. The half eaten box of cupcakes and the inability to keep the envelope is pretty funny and endearing. Steffanie is such a character and always has entertaining stories. Glad my Birthday celebration included another Steffanie story. 

  

A co-worker and friend Michelle,gave me beautiful red roses! They look beautiful on the kitchen table. 

 

Another friend, Stephanie gave me a box of school supplies! She knows how much I love school supplies! The fish pen is especially hilarious. I can't wait to use those markers. :D 

. 

Sara gave me a set of the most beautiful notepads. They are almost too beautiful to open. 

Another friend, Rhonda was very thoughtful and made me a delicious Weight Watchers approved cake. It was the Fallen Chocolate Cake. She also brought raspberries and blueberries to put on top. I have totally been craving berries. Even better she also gave me the Weight Watchers One Pot Cookbook that featured the recipe. Yummy! So thoughtful!

 When I arrived home on my Birthday this box was sitting by the front door. 

My Erin Condren Life Planner finally arrived. It is soooo beautiful. Love having pictures of family on it. The Life Planners are very cool! What a great Made In America product. 

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Have a super week!

Weight Watchers: Weeks 1-3

My first three weeks on Weight Watchers has gone extremely well. Here is an update.

Pounds Lost So Far :19.4

Physical Changes: I have noticed that my leg muscles are firmer. My hands and feet are smaller. I also have a lot more energy. It is wonderful to come home from work and still have some energy.

Favorite Foods: Raspberries and Cantaloupe 

Emotional Changes: In the past few weeks I have noticed how much I would mindlessly eat. It would be nothing to eat 3 or 4 leftover breakfast bars at work. Now, before I eat I ask myself why I am eating. Am I hungry? Is the food just there? I also would never pass up a cookie,cupcake,or other treat in the breakroom. Now I really evaluate if that treat is worth the POINTS.   

Biggest Temptations: There have been a lot of temptations. I would love to say that I avoided all of them. My biggest temptation was the cookie bar buffet at a recent funeral. Tons and tons of beautiful cookie bars in a plethora of flavors. I gave in and just might have overdone it a bit. I didn't let my overindulgence spoil the rest of the day. 

A few weeks ago at work, the kids made indoor s'mores. It included marshmallow fluff and chocolate fudge frosting. The smell of the chocolate fudge frosting when you open the can is intoxicating. My first instinct was to dive into that can of chocolate goodness with a spoon and inhale the fudgy delight. It was torture to have to spoon that stuff into bowls on four mornings that week. I tricked my partner-in-crime into dishing up the stuff one morning. One day I indulged and had 1/2 of a graham cracker and a little bit of frosting. It satisfied the craving and took away the power that the temptation had over me.

Biggest Success: Losing 19.4 lbs is a pretty big success! I also concurred a physical roadblock. In my neighborhood there is a hill that I would always avoid. On my walk one day I was feeling especially motivated and tackled that hill. I made it up  without even stopping to rest. Yahoo!

Sunday is my meeting day. I find myself really looking forward to it. I have a little routine that has really been working for me. I start my Sunday off with a walk. I head to the early service at church. Next up is my meeting followed by a trip to the grocery store. I love routines and this one is really working!

What routines are helpful to you?

Why I Joined Weight Watchers

This is me at the end of May. This is the picture that shocked me. This is the picture that inspired me  to finally once and for all take charge of my life. This picture was the turning point.

I have struggled with my weight for most of my life. I was always the heavy girl in school. In Middle School, I was teased mercilessly. 

In college, I was overweight. Living in Boston and Providence I did a lot of walking to get around. I was able to keep my weight at a some what maintainable level,despite the fact that I was eating horribly in the dining hall. 

The real trouble came when I turned the big 3-0 ! My skin, body, and hair seemed to change overnight. I had dry skin, thinning hair, Hidradenitis Suppurativa and PCOS.  Hidradenitis Suppurativa causes huge lumps to form under your skin.  Mine usually were on my leg and under my arms. These lumps can be very painful and embarrassing. When they burst, foul smelling goo comes out. With the painful lump the idea of exercising and even moving was too much to deal with. 

Last summer, I was able to lose 21 lbs. just by cutting out soda. I replaced the soda with donuts. At least three times a week I would go to Kroger to get three donuts and a chocolate milk for breakfast. The cream filled long johns were my weakness. I soon regained the 21 lbs. plus a few more. 

I commute over an hour each way for work. After my morning classes, I would grab what ever fast food was the easiest to get. If I didn't have to get out of the car, all the better. After work, I would be so exhausted that I would take a nap. Sometimes, I would be so exhausted that I wouldn't even bother to get out of the car. A little nap in the parking lot.  One day I took over a four hour nap in the front seat of my car. A few neighbors came over to make sure I was still alive. How embarrassing. Yet, I still wasn't ready to change. 

My cycle of donut eating, fast food, sleeping, and vegging out on the couch wasn't bothering me. I was fine with it. I made excuses for all of my destructive health decisions. I couldn't exercise because my hidradenitis suppurative was acting up. I couldn't make healthy food choices because it was just too expensive. Excuses, excuses, excuses. 

Then I saw the picture that a friend posted on Facebook. I was mortified. I finally saw how I really looked. I finally got it. I realized that if I continued with this kind of lifestyle that I wouldn't be here much longer. I was letting my size stop me from doing things that I once loved. I was too embarrassed to be seen in public most of the time. Seeing that picture was the wake up call that I needed. 

One day at work a co-worker was talking about how she just joined Weight Watchers online and was really enjoying the program. That afternoon I sent a text message to my husband telling him that I wanted to join Weight Watchers. We did a little research and found that our health insurance offered discounts to join Weight Watchers. I also contacted my Doctor and requested a prescription for Weight Watchers. With a prescription, I am able to pay the fees using my health savings account. Everything was falling into place.

Two days after returning home from vacation I joined Weight Watchers. I am so glad I finally made this huge life decision. I know it will be a long road ahead. I am ready for the challenge.

Check back often as I document my journey of getting healthy and losing weight.