Weighty Matters

Not Christmas. Okay, yes, it is almost here, but that's not exactly what this is about. I went to weigh in today at the noon meeting, since our center will be closed after that meeting until Friday. I stepped on the scale, and I am four pounds down from last week. FOUR. Okay, big whoop, right? Well, yeah. I haven't had a four-pound loss in forever, so YES, it is a big deal. But this means I have ten pounds to go to hit goal. Ten. Ten. Ten. Ten. I have to let it sink in. I never in my wildest imagination pictured myself at this point when I started out. Seriously, when I started out, I had no idea where it would all lead, or if I would have the courage and determination to continue. The earliest successes led me to believe that yes, I could do this. But I had so much weight to lose that I really couldn't picture the final "Winning Outcome" (wink!). It was only by looking piece by piece, five pounds by five pounds (or ten by ten), that I could do it. Knowing that...

My loss this week was relatively small -- 0.8 pounds -- but that brings my total to 214 even. This means I have just 14 pounds to go. Under 15 to go. It almost doesn't seem real. I'm serious.... it almost doesn't seem real. Nearly 3 years ago, I could not imagine reaching this point -- at least not seeing it real and in the mirror. It seemed more like a dream, one of those "wow, that sounds nice and I'm gonna try... really. I am....." My big gain this week was a huge boost to my self-confidence -- from several sources. On Sunday, I met my best friend and her family for lunch after Mass. Now, she and I have known each other for 21 years now, and her husband's known me for 19 years. Once they were seated, he looked at me and said, "You know, I didn't recognize you when we walked in...." (my back was to the door). Holy cow -- can you believe it??? Just the week before at choir practice, one of my fellow altos remarked that none of them could bel...

Tonight was weigh-in -- up 0.2 ..... oh woe is me. Break out the whips and chains. BAH! I am glad that the gain was not worse -- the weather was horrific and I didn't get much walking in at all. I even spent time yesterday walking around a smaller warehouse area at work; talk about monotonous! It makes walking the outside loop look great by comparison! And last Saturday was the company party with all that delicious food (and I was good and didn't overindulge but I did dip into the flex points). So, with that in mind, this week we got our materials for the new Momentum program, Weight Watchers' first major update in 4 years (there was a minor one about 2 years ago, but this is a bigger change). I definitely say "Me Likey!!!" Without spoiling it (wanna know more? hit a meeting!), the changes that have been made are pretty much what I've been doing already -- but with some new ways of looking at things, new recipes to try, and new incentive to keep going. Yes, I ...

One of the things that truly was horrid about obesity was the lack of options. The option to lose weight was one that would cross my mind on occasion, and even go so far as to do something temporarily about it. But most of the time, I just ignored the obvious. After all, they still made clothes in my size -- and larger! That worked until I reached the point where I was in the largest commercial size for stores. The only remaining options were buying clothes from a few specialty catalogs, or making my own clothes. Let me rephrase that: to pattern my own clothes. McCall's and Simplicity carry larger sizes but even they stop where the stores do. At one point I really did look into buying a very expensive pattern-making software (think well over $500) -- as if I even had time to buy enough cloth, cut out a pattern, sew clothes, etc. I made one dress once upon a time, and it took me weeks (since I was working that summer as well). To ask a seamstress to do it for me would be more conven...

Well, color me tickled pink and happy!!! I lost 3.0 this week for a total of 213.4 ..... that's only 14.6 to go to get to goal! WHOOPEE!!!!!! I am pretty psyched about that, and kind of scared too. I almost feel a little like Wile E. Coyote: "Now that I have him, what do I do with him?" There was a really neat moment this past week. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday were not conducive at all for walking -- it rained most of the weekend, and Monday evening, I had a hair appointment. So Tuesday, I was ready. I came home, and I didn't care how cold it was, or how long it would take or any of that -- I. Had. To. Walk. And Soon. I layered up, hit the trail and walked around town. I did my two-plus miles in just under 40 minutes. I never imagined just a few short years ago that I would ever enjoy walking and be dying to do it.... ME? I hated exercise. There's still some types of exercise that I don't like. Aerobic classes? No. I enjoy solitude when exercising way too muc...

YAHOO! A loss!!! One pound even for a total of 210.4 -- leaving 17.6 to go! This marks three Thanksgiving weeks in a row with a loss. Rare? Probably, but I work hard to make sure that I stay on program as much as possible so that I can enjoy the one day and not think too deeply about it. I find that even on the one day, I don't gorge myself but I enjoy the foods in moderation. I also noticed that this year, I ate more veggies than anything else -- broccoli, green beans, and corn, with turkey and only a little bit of dressing. And I am a dressing junkie! Because my usual WW center was closed this morning, I went to the one nearest home. Oddly enough, I had forgotten all about weigh-in. I woke at 7:45, fixed my cereal and banana, got ready to go to the table and said, "CRAP!!!! WEIGH-IN!!!!!!" So I very hurriedly freshened up, changed into weigh-in clothes, and off I went. Normally, I would have driven to hit the 8:30 over at my usual center (nearest work), but I figured, h...

Last week, I needed to lose 1.2 pounds to get below a certain threshold. And I am there at last -- I lost 2.4 this week! I said that I needed to lose 20 oz -- and I lost 40 oz. Two Diet Cokes out of the vending machine GONE!!!! But I am not resting on my laurels at all. It's just additional incentive to keep it up and to keep going! I cannot stop now, nor can I rest easy!

AAAAAAAAARGH!!!!!!!!!!!! I gained 0.8 so I'm back at 207 gone. The hovering continues, and I am almost at my wits' end. Except for one thing........ I am stubborn as hell and am determined that this is NOT going to get the best of me. I have only 1.2 pounds to go -- a measly 20 oz!! -- to get below a certain threshold. I am NOT, NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT, letting this get me down or get the better of me. By God, I am stronger and tougher than 20 stupid little ounces. So I spoke to Tisha (my leader) and we have come up with a game plan: in addition to walking Maddox for my exercise, I'm going to get on the stationary bike 3 times this week at 10 minutes a pop, AND use some hand weights for my arms while I'm working the legs. Plus, I'm going to do one points-free meal a week -- one where I don't worry and just enjoy. Hey, it worked two weeks ago with the barbecue!!! I am stronger than those twenty ounces. Bring it on.

WHEW!!!! I lost 2.0 this week, for a total of 207.8...... and I'm only 0.4 from going under a milestone number. MAN! I can't wait. The splurge meal must have worked: I had some barbeque (STILL had to put some back because it was just way too much), some sweet potato casserole (omg, SO divine) and definitely dipped into the flex points this week. My experiment for this week: use 10 FP's at one meal. I can do that! Oh, and here's an appetite suppressant I hope you don't have to use: sugar-free cough drops. Yeah, my scratchy throat turned into laryngitis, and now into a nice cold. I have my voice back but I sound like a cross between Johnny Cash and Barry White. Until next time.............

I am up 1.6 this week. I am at my wits' end about how to break out of this weird hover pattern that I've been in for about 6 weeks. I've been dancing around these couple of pounds, here, there, everywhere.............. So after some discussion with my leader, here's what I'm going to do: Saturday, I'm going to have a blowout meal. One meal where I enjoy whatever I want, hang the points, and then get on track and out of a rut (which was the topic of our discussion tonight). Saturday, I had already planned to take Maddox to PetSmart for a bath. So for lunch, I will head to Sticky Fingers for some DELICIOUS barbeque (might even have ribs, yes, Lord, please!) and enjoy it to my heart's (and stomach's) content. And then that evening, back on track. We'll see how it goes. But note this: I am nowhere NEAR the point of giving up. I'm too close, and I have just a little to go. I cannot quit NOW. And I have no intention of stopping until I reach my goal!

It was a small loss -- 0.6 -- but it's a loss!!! I am definitely taking it! The cool part was when I stepped on the scale this morning. I usually check myself twice a week -- Monday and Thursday mornings. Monday gives me an idea of how the weekend went, and Thursday gives me an idea of how the weigh-in may go. This morning's was really good .... by this evening, it had worked its way to the 0.6 pound loss. Then again, we celebrated October birthdays today at Macaroni Grill. It kills me that there's only one or two dishes on there that are really points-friendly. One would think that they'd find a way to do smaller portions or to have more than just one or two dishes. But hey, it's once a year, and we got some chocolate cake to boot. The entire cake -- their regulation dessert size -- has more points than my entire daily allotment. Yow. So just one or two forkfuls is more than enough (and still packs a bit of a points wallop). But it's a good week -- and we'r...

Well, it's back..... that weird little hover pattern. I gained back the 0.2 I lost last week. To be fair, this week was far from ordinary, and I'm grateful that the "damage" was that small. Monday wasn't bad until the evening. I got off the plane with a horrid headache -- not quite a migraine, but enough to make me nap first and THEN think food. So it was about 8:00 CT (9:00 home time) and I still hadn't eaten. I looked at a "Takeout Taxi" guide in the hotel room and I swear, reading THAT made me nauseous. There was a Friday's across the road and I honestly didn't even feel like I could make it over there. So I ate a protein meal bar in my room and felt a little better. Tuesday was a little more toward normal, and I even had time to research dinner options; we picked Friday's and I had the Key Lime Shrimp, because info that I found online -- not from Friday's, mind you -- indicated that it was 4 points. Slight detour: I have a whole r...

It has been yet another crazy-busy week. I am doing everything I can to be a step or two ahead before leaving for training in Chicago next week -- and the stress is showing. I'm chomping on sugarless gum like mad .... could be worse, I could be chomping on a Snickers (relax - the thought makes my teeth ache from the sugar!) Usually, stress means trouble for my weight. But I lost 0.2 pounds this week -- and I'm taking those 3+ ounces and claiming them! Those few ounces mean that I have lost 207.0 for my total -- and now I can concentrate on the week ahead, and making wise choices next week. Speaking of, I'd best sign off so that I can check out the restaurants near the hotel, at O'Hare, and send an e-mail to the folks at Corporate regarding lunch during training. Maybe if I share my success story, they'll be willing to get me a nice low-cal, low-fat lunch! :) To all my friends working it this week --- HANG IN THERE! I BELIEVE IN YOU!!!

When I was about 3 months into this process, I did a post called "My Secrets" -- it outlined what I was doing that was working (or not working) for me. A lot has changed since then -- I've lost 170 pounds (give or take), WW revamped the way they determine points, and so much more. So this spring, I had updated the text. I just now realized I forgot to post it........ So without further ado, here is the updated list of "My Secrets": Bringing snacks with you helps a lot – an apple, an orange, a Ziploc bag with baby carrots. Maybe even a bag of 100-calorie treats. Money a little tight? Buy the regular items, a box of snack-size Ziploc bags, and make your own treat packs. It will work just as well, and you can reuse the Ziploc bags! Eat breakfast every day – do not skip it, at all!!! My favorite is a cup of Kashi GoLean cereal (a little more money but worth it) with a cup of skim milk and a banana – 6 points and keeps you full! Pressed for time? Scramble a half-cup ...

I had a loss of 0.8 this week -- I'm pretty happy with that! When you think about it, that's slightly over 3 sticks of butter off my body! And I am still riding the high from the Race this past weekend. On Monday, we took Maddox for a walk, and I jogged for about a block (we were trying to catch up to my brother). I handled it better than Maddox (he got so excited, he got an upset stomach). So I think that I can safely start to add a little jogging to my walk..... just a little. I don't want to blow a knee either. So we will see what this week brings as I make more good choices, do more activity, and see continued progress. ONWARD & UPWARD!!!

(note: cross-posted to Meanderings & Musings) Today was the Race for the Cure ...... and I reached my goal!!!! I shaved 10:08 off last year's time of 1:06:34 by coming in this year at 56:26. I jogged in a few places to hit my goal, but it was worth it! I would have honestly been happy at anything around 57 or so. But seeing the actual number was fantastic. I went from a pace time of 21:24 (last year) to 18:10 this year. Holy Moses! And this year, speaking of numbers, we had an approximate 25% increase in the number of participants..... amazing enough, but even more so in light of the very shaky economy. It's unbelievable and humbling. Last year, I was very inspired by all the survivors. Seeing them do the walk -- especially those newly diagnosed or battling the disease -- was enough to bring me to tears. This year, there was a young lady who was walking it on a prosthetic leg. As she came down her side of the course (as several of us were walking up to the turnaround), all ...

I opined a few weeks ago that the light at the end of the tunnel was coming into view....... It just got 4.0 pounds closer, for a total of 206.0 lost. I'm still trying to let all that sink in. It's amazing because I now have gone past a personal milestone that I wasn't sure when I would reach .... or at the beginning, I wasn't sure I ever would. A new member asked tonight what it is that keeps me going, and I answered this: "I am stubborn, and I just simply determined that I wasn't going to quit. And now, I can't stop." I'm not sure when it happened, but I reached a point where I realized that I had made too much progress to ever want to go back ..... I put the stubbornness and iron will that I always possessed to much better use. Twenty-two pounds to go to hit goal. I can't believe it. I mean, it's almost here, and I am trying to wrap my brain around the idea that I only have 22 pounds to go. It doesn't seem real...... Race for the Cur...

The scale showed I gained 1.4 pounds, to move my total back to 202 gone. Whoop. I will lose that over the next couple of weeks, and I'm not worried in the least. I have a feeling I know what happened ..... I didn't follow my usual meal schedule today, and sometimes the scale doesn't appreciate that! But the good thing is that this week, in spite of the uptake, I feel GOOD. I worked my butt off today doing some volunteer work. I feel good not only because I was helping a cause I believe in, but because I got some needed physical labor in. And I stood or walked for most of the day.... 2 years ago, there is no way I'd have been able to do that. Now that I'm in stop-mode, I feel the aches setting in, but I KNOW that 2 or 3 years ago, I could not have done that type of work. I'd have needed a sitting-only job. Instead, I was able to pull t-shirts, lift boxes, move and groove doing things, and enjoy it. I just hate that I forgot my pedometer, because I planned to trac...

This has been an insanely crazy week. I've met myself coming and going forty different ways. The only thing I've been able to do well is stay on track foodwise; exercise, not quite as well, but I've done some (just not my normal amount). I still lost 1.2 pounds this week for a total of 203.4 gone. WHEW!!!!!!!!!

Keep them pounds a-rollin' Hope you don't get swollen..... rawhide! (Oh, sorry, I got carried away!) Another week, and another pound gone for a total of 202.2 GONE GONE GONE!!!! I have another 1.8 to go to hit a very personal milestone ..... and another 4 to go after that for another milestone. And if that isn't enough motivation, Weight Watchers has issued a challenge to all members called "Lose for Good" -- for every pound lost between this Sunday (Sept 7) and six more weeks (Oct 12?), WW will donate one pound of food for every pound lost by its members to two food bank charities (one for the US and one for worldwide hunger issues). I am setting my goal to lose at least 8 pounds in those 6 weeks. I'm really hoping for 10 pounds, but I'm going to set it at eight just for the safe side. I am eagerly awaiting these challenges!!!! BRING 'EM!!!!

What a week. We finally got some much needed rain, but BOY-O-BOY, did it play havoc with my walking. I did some before the rainy season, and did some aerobic videos at home (I'm apparently still at wuss level). Today, I had a business luncheon and a business dinner. I ate healthily, but really wasn't sure about the points. I did the best guesswork possible. And I was going to have to weigh in before my normal time (the earlier of the two afternoon meetings). In the end, it didn't matter............ I lost 1.8 pounds --- total now: 201.2. I am happy. Very very happy! And I am grateful for every bit of support I have gotten from Day 1 to now. If you have read the blog, sent a good thought for me, cheered me on --- THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! Now, just about 27 more to go to hit goal before talking surgery (for skin removal). Now's the time for nervous! HA!!!!

The fantastic news: I lost 4.0 pounds this week!!!!!! Which brings my total to......................... 199.4 gone. Six-tenths of a pound from 200 gone. Six lousy tenths. Our receptionist asked if there was anything else I could take off. Well, yeah, I could have taken off the support hose, but it would have heck to try and get them off then put them back on. I thought later that I could have taken off my bra, but I really doubt it weighs a whole six-tenths. So I can hold off until next week. That's just more motivation!!!!!!!!!!

The minor: I was up 0.2 .... oh my! We're doomed! I didn't pee enough during the day -- OH NO! I'm so cool with this it's not even funny. I did my walking this week (5 out of 7 days), I ate right, I even enjoyed a small indulgence last weekend. And I'm happy with my progress so far. The major: my ending goal-weight. I am bumping it back up fifteen pounds. It was my original number and I bumped it down. I know I'm going to have to have some body lift surgery. That's a given -- there's been such a dramatic loss (195.4 pounds so far) that I have bookoo of extra skin. I have a little jelly roll right around my midriff. And it's nothing but skin and a wee bit of fat. It is yucky. It's gotta go, along with everything else. The MLD treatments have left me with batwings on my legs as well. My best guesstimate was that I would lose around 20 pounds of skin. Not so, says my physical therapist. She is estimating around 40 pounds of skin -- meaning I would...

AHHHHHHHHHH! This week, 3.2 pounds are gone for a total of 195.6 ..... I earned my 39th 5-pound star. That just boggles my mind. That first week, I commented that I'd lost a Thanksgiving turkey. I've now lost 16 turkeys and working on that 17th. I really need to do everything I can to reach my goal. I have just 4.4 pounds to lose before Labor Day, and this pattern of "lose big but then stall out for 3 weeks" just isn't cutting it! I know I need to do more activity, and even in the heat, I can do some stuff indoors (videos). It's just that I love walking Maddox. It's the activity I enjoy most. But I do want to try bellydancing -- now THAT is a workout for the abs, and they don't require rock-hard abs either! We'll see how it goes!

I had a small gain this week. Okay, let me rephrase. I had a small gain that was initially bigger. For the last few weeks, I've kept "weigh-in clothes" in the car. I wear them long enough to weigh in, and back they go. It's a thin t-shirt and thin shorts. Today, I didn't feel much like changing clothes. So I stepped on in my regular shirt and thin khakis. The receptionist said, "Ohhhkay" (in a tone that said, "not so good"). I asked, and she said, "Up 1.6....." To which I replied, "Let me go at least put on these shorts!" It made a difference -- I was up only 0.8 (which is more livable to me). And I'm not surprised in the least. It's been a week where my exercise was not on target, where my schedule and planning was thrown out of whack, and I wasn't surprised that the scale showed it. Okay, maybe a little muddled: I was down this morning by a good amount, but I didn't expect this much of a gain between this m...

Apologies for the drive-by posting, but I am proud to report that my brother has hit his 10% goal!!! AND did it by 3 whole pounds!!!!! WAY TO GO, BRO!

This was not a good week for activity. It seemed that either I couldn't get my sorry butt out of bed in the mornings, or it was summer-storm-season at night. So I only got in about half the activity I normally do. I still ate right --- not starving and not indulging either. I lost 1.0 -- bringing my total to 193.2 pounds GONE. And today, I was outside discussing something with my boss when I caught sight of myself in one of the windows. I swear, I didn't recognize myself. Maybe one of my coworkers is right about these "skinny pants" (a nice pair of pants that I must get in about 2 different sizes and 4 more colors!)

As faithful readers know, when I have a HUGE loss (like last week's), there's always a bounceback ... a gain that doesn't obliterate the previous week's loss but does lessen the impact. I stepped on my home scale this morning: up 2.0 from last week. Okay, that was a bummer but not unexpected. Then I had this thought: "Hey moron, you lost nearly 6 pounds last week. Even with this, you've lost 4 in 2 weeks. That's fantastic! Enjoy the loss!!!" I stepped on the official scale tonight. I told Gail (the receptionist) that I was expecting a bounceback, but that I was okay with it. I would take what it gave me and be happy. I stepped up, then she said, "Okay, you can step off now." I asked for the verdict. She said, "Not bad. You only gained back 0.4......" WHAAAAAAAA? WOW! I'm thrilled!!!! I actually lost (?) weight during the day -- odd, right? Yeah! But wow! How awesome! My own philosophy is that anything within a pound is maintenan...

I can't talk long; will do more this weekend. BUT -- I had to share this: I stepped on the scale last night; I lost 5.6 pounds. That is a new total of 192.6 gone. I haven't had a loss like that in forever. I have no idea how it happened. I am not questioning it -- I am planning to accept my good fortune and pray hard that next week it doesn't show a gain of 4.8 or something like that. And that for lunch today, I actually ate collard greens. I am Southern and just cannot abide certain typical Southern fare. Greens are one of them. I just hate greens. Always have. These were fantastic. We had lunch brought in today, and it was one of the only ways I was going to get some veggies in. They were SOOOOO good. Not in and of themselves. I'm sure they were cooked with ham bits in them. But they were still good!

I lost 1.2 pounds this week, putting me at a loss of 187 even. WAHOO!!!!! Now comes the tough part -- 2 months and 13 pounds to go to the weigh-in after Labor Day, when I'm aiming to be 200 down! Difficult but not impossible. This past week, I got a note from an old college friend about a blog post on my primary blog. It was a memory of the car I drove through college and beyond. He read the post and sent a note -- and in it stated how proud he was of the job I was doing to make myself healthier. I also heard from a couple of other people, saying the same thing. That's part of what this blog is all about -- it makes me accountable to everyone who finds this place, to the people near and far in my life who have known me at various places and stages. It's one more level of accountability that I need. If I can offer hope or inspiration to one person, to even make one small change on the road to getting healthy, then I can ask for nothing more. Until next week, HANG IN AND HANG...

....there was a slight gain (0.4). I am not going to sweat it. Part of that was my own fault for not bringing "weigh-in clothes." I usually wear something more lightweight and I didn't. C'est la vie. I have the same 14 pounds to lose before Labor Day. I need to do this, and I am going to make every effort to hit that goal! I know I can do it, because I've done it before. And I know how to do it correctly and healthily. If I don't make it on that day, I know I will have done my best to get there, and so I will still be successful. To all my WW friends -- HANG IN THERE THIS SUMMER!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday (Sunday) was the inaugural "Bark in the Ballpark" at Fluor Field in Greenville. It was sponsored by the Greenville Humane Society -- and naturally, I wasn't going to let an opportunity like this pass by. So my mom, my dad, Maddox and I went to the game. We had seats along the right field line, second row up from bottom. Lots of walking from the lot to the entrance .... to the OTHER entrance (for pets), back out to show the ticket to the clerk, back to the seat, etc. Maddox got bored in the middle of the 4th, so I took him to the deck where some of the other dogs had gathered (dogs have just no respect for baseball, do they?). Upstairs, walk around, back downstairs. End of the next inning, I got the impression he needed to go walkabout..... so back up the stairs, down another set, out the gate, to the designated "relief" area..... back in the gate, up the stairs, meet some more pets, back down the stairs yet again. We left after the 7th, so back up the ...

Another low week -- "only" 0.2 pounds -- but you know, even while I'm a smidge disappointed, I'm happy it's a loss. Last week was a big week, and that's how my pattern rolls. What I am proud of is that I had a great meal with my family on Father's Day and I enjoyed what I ate. I didn't sweat the points, and I was good the rest of the week. So on the whole it was a good week. I can't ask for more than that!

I stepped on the scale, bandages and all. I lost 3.6 pounds --- my total is now 186.0 even. I have no doubt that the MLD is making a huge difference in the weight I'm losing. And as Tisha, my leader, said, "Hey, weight is weight -- you're losing it!" This week, our topic was indulgences (not the historical kind that caused the Reformation). Our assignment this week is to enjoy a reasonable portion of our favorite food indulgence, and one non-food indulgence. Can't have my hooves done, but the paws need a good manicure, and I need some good BBQ. Yum. And congrats to Don in our group, who in just over one year (literally -- his anniversary was this past Saturday) met his goal and lost 143.4 pounds. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a party I am supposed to attend this weekend. The theme is "Awesome 80s Prom" but looking like Borissa Karloff, I doubt I'm gonna be able to pull off a prom theme. Generic 80s I can do ...... but I also figured I'd give it a try: to try to find a REASONABLY priced formal dress (full-length) with only about 26 hours to go. I hit a nearby Goodwill after work. Sure, they had formals --- three of them, all size 4. I am nowhere near that size, I can promise you. I did however manage to pick up a few other items for $4 each. Thank God for Goodwill. So I headed over to my old haunt, Fashion Shack, because I know they have formals. Yeah. They had formals all right. A rack full of 7/8 or a buttload of 13/14. They had one formal in plus-size, and it was TOO BIG. (Picture me with a monstrous grin on my face: TOO BIG!!!) Beautiful dress, but no sense in me even attempting to justify buying that. I don't have enough time to take it in, nor the inclination to spend my F...

This week, there's a post on my main blog about me and lymphedema . Part of the treatment requires that for the time being, I wear compression bandages on my legs. Yesterday, my physical therapist weighed the bandages, and we determined that they weighed 1.5 pounds. So I was going to have to take that extra weight into account when I stepped on the scale at WW tonight. I stepped on the scale and had lost 0.4 pounds...... so that means had I been bandage-less, it would have been right around 1.8 or 2.0 pounds. Holy cow!!!!!! I'll take the official reading, because that is what WW tracks, but HOLY COW!!!! Even with bandages, and looking like Borissa Karloff from knee to mid-foot, I still lost weight. Color me VERY happy!!!!!

Down another 1.6 for a total of 182.0 ..... that leaves just 61 to go to hit my goal! Before I stepped on the scale tonight, the receptionist said, "So what are you thinking?" I replied, "Well, on the drive over, somehow '1.6' came into my head, so let's go with that." And it turned out to be exactly so. That's happened a few times. And a few times when that gut feeling number has been horribly inaccurate. It's getting hotter in the afternoons and evenings here, so I have a feeling that come next week (certainly by the 2nd week of June), Señor Maddox and I will have to start doing that early morning walking thing again. Le sigh, indeed. I am not a morning person, but I guess I'll have to become one! And last weekend .... gasp! I can't believe I'm owning up to this ... I bought the Zumba Fitness DVDs from the infomercial. God help me! Gearing up for the summer -- and my plan is "Down 200 By Labor Day!"

WHOO!! A breakthrough at last! Another 2.6 gone, and I am FINALLY out of the 170s gone and into the 180s. 180.4 to be exact. Sunday, I had a little splurge day (I used a few flex points but not all). I had a divine chocolate mousse at lunch with the choir, and I didn't fret about it at all. I guesstimated the points based on the food companion book and adding another point for the thin chocolate faux-shell (it was more of a glaze, I guess, but I digress). I'm just glad it's gone. I don't want it back. And we're gearing up for Race for the Cure. I've already formed our team, and we're aiming for AT LEAST 20 people. I am psyched. I'm excited about the week to come!

I was down another 0.4 pounds this week. So it's 177.8 total Yes, it's a loss. Yes, I wish it were more. Yes, I would give anything right now to get away from the 170s (where I've been for WEEKS now). Somehow, these 5 pounds between 175 and 180 have just not been gliding off as easily. And yes, I'm a bit frustrated. I don't know what else to do. I'm sticking to my daily points, and even (gasp!) using flex points or trading in exercise points on occasion. I'm exercising a minimum of 5 days a week, and walking about 2 miles per day. I'm drinking the water, and getting in the fruits and veggies, and doing every thing I should be. I stepped on the scale yesterday morning. I was 2.8 pounds down from my Thursday evening weight from the week before (the official number). Somehow, 2.4 crept back on during the day? I know, I know, I know all these things about weight fluctuations in my head. I know to savor the non-scale victories -- looser clothes (which there h...

I lost 0.8 this week -- so that's the 0.4 gain from last week and another 1/2 pound (roughly) more. This slow pace makes me nutty. I like being above and beyond! :) But it's good. It's teaching me the virtue of patience, whether I like it or not. I have some other things to post, but I will do so later. I'm tired right now (long day!)

I don't exactly hide. I've never been able to, first off! (insert big grin here).... but as far as my weight loss goes, well, it's not exactly like you can hide this either. But this weekend has been sort of an unveiling for me. Friday night, I was walking Maddox, when some old friends pulled over. Terri had seen me a few days earlier and a few weeks before that, so she knew I'd lost weight. But her daughter had not. Michelle was driving, and Terri mentioned, "Oh there's Annette." Michelle nearly wrecked trying to take a peek! They pulled over and we spent some time talking. As we were talking, Barb (a friend of a friend) and her husband came by and were loving up on Maddox. Later, we walked on toward the courtyard in town, and Barbara was there talking with some others - including some relatives of mine. My cousin's wife asked how much I'd lost and I told them. Barb was amazed (she hadn't quite put two and two together yet). I asked if she was...

I had a very slight gain this week: 0.4 pounds. I'm not worried in the least. I know that with a little extra effort and determination, I can lose that back and more next week. One of the questions I'm often asked is "Does it get easier?" And honestly, it does and it doesn't. It is easier in the sense that I know what to do, I know what to look for and which choices I should make. But it's never easy .... nothing worthwhile ever is. It's not always easy to stick to good healthy choices, especially when you're surrounded by food that is not so healthy. There's a little leeway you can give yourself, but too much of that, and the pounds come back on. I'm determined that I'm seeing this process through to the end. I've made it too far to ever think about giving up. And at the risk of sounding like a Stepford Weight Watcher, honestly ..... there's a lot of foods I don't want to touch again (or at least not often). Sticky gooey sweet...

This past Tuesday, I went to a different WW center where my former leader still has sessions. It was great to see her again, and she offered me the amazing opportunity to tell my story in full. It was the first time I had ever done it, and I was a bit nervous. I don't have stage fright or anything like that (and believe me, I thank God each day for that blessing). But in front of people whom you don't know, sometimes it's not easy to tell all that has happened to you. I did a couple of foamboards with photos from age 5 through a couple of weeks ago. Age 5: the last time I remember feeling anywhere close to "skinny." Age 8: chunky but cute enough to pull it off. Age 12: getting fat, and it wasn't pretty. Senior cap-&-gown photo: startled but not enough to do anything...... and then pictures from my adult life: all bad until the May 2007 "I've Lost 100 Pounds" picture. It made me stop and think about how I had gotten to that point. I'd like...

I lost 2.0 more this week for a total of 177!!!!! I have more to write, but it's late, and I'm tired, and I have so much to do before heading out of town tomorrow. But more writing is coming, I promise!

A breakthrough at last --- down 1.8 pounds this week for a total of 175.0. Let me say that again: I have lost 175 pounds even. That's mind-boggling to even think about. For the first time that I can recall, I dipped deeper than usual into my weekly points allowance. I rarely use them. I think the most I had ever used was about 5 or 6 one week, and that was unexpected. This week I used 12 (for a slice of JP's first Communion cake). It was worth it, because it was a wonderful special celebration, and I didn't feel guilty. I had the points there waiting for me to use. Plus, I tried to eat a little more protein and/or fats this week. I'm really bad about eating more carbs (as a percentage of food) than I should. So I tried some other things -- a frittata that unfortunately didn't set correctly and ended up as a scramble; a Jimmy Dean De-Lites sausage muffin -- and it seemed to work! Whatever it is, I want to keep it up. My immediate goal is to lose 5 more pounds by my t...

I'm still a loser, baby! It might have been "only" 0.8 pounds, but it is a loss, and for that I am so grateful. That makes a total of 173.2 pounds gone, and reduces my magic number (to 175) to 1.8 pounds to go! My brother did well in his first week as well! One thing that one of my fellow WW members suggested is that I might not be getting enough protein and/or fats in my diet. And she probably wouldn't be far off the mark. I certainly have trouble with fats. I try so hard to keep things as low-fat (and low-point) as possible. But even with the oils in the Good Health Guidelines, I don't always eat enough fat. Yeah, odd. I could certainly get a day's worth in a Quarter Pounder, but I don't think I could eat one. And I don't always get enough protein either..... I gotta fix that, and figure out this week how I could remedy that situation. See if being a little less stringent kickstarts something. Looking forward to this experiment already!

I lost another 0.4 pounds. Make no mistake -- while I'd love to lose at least a pound a week, there are some weeks when it won't happen. But I am honestly and truly grateful for every ounce I lose! So I now have 70.6 pounds to go to reach goal. But I gained a new WW partner -- my brother decided to join!!! I had also had several friends throughout the country join over the last few months too. I am proud of all of them, but especially my brother. Walking through that door is never easy to do, and he showed tremendous courage in admitting he needed some help to lose weight. So send him all the good thoughts, juju, prayers, whatever you can! This is good -- very good!

The good news is that I'm down another 0.8 pounds, which brings my total to 172.0 even!!!! I was excited about that, because I wasn't sure if there would be a loss this week. Sometimes, when I have a really good week (like last week), there's a "rebound" week when I gain a small amount. WHEW! But there's a loss that I'm not enjoying -- my leader got a promotion, which means she'll be doing more training. It's good for her, but she's having to give up a meeting or two, and ours is one of them. Debbie has been a complete godsend to me, and I am going to miss her tremendously. She'll still be around for visits, but her wisdom and humor, week in and week out, has helped me so much. I can't wait to hit goal for her to see the fruits of her investment!

I lost 3 pounds even this week, for a total of 171.2 now. Oh my!!!! 170-Gone is in the rearview mirror, and 175 is looming just ahead in the not-too-distant future (let's hope, anyway!) I'm thrilled. I'm completely "WOW!!!!" This means I have just 71.8 pounds to go to hit my goal. It's getting closer and I'm excited and scared and happy and psyched and so many emotions. In about 7 weeks, I will hit two years on program. I had an appointment today with the doctor who recommended Weight Watchers. He was thrilled, and I was actually a little in awe of how much I've accomplished. I know the numbers; I see the progress. But sometimes it doesn't really sink in. Today it did. And in the words of the "Reverend Jonathan Worley" ..... EVER FORWARD!

Today was supposed to be "Walk With The Docs" in Easley. And pets were going to be welcome to walk the route too. Still, as with most plans of mice and men............ Earlier in the week, the local weather gurus were predicting showers on Saturday (today). By yesterday, the forecast had not improved; rather, it had worsened to "strong showers, maybe thunderstorms." So this morning, I decided that I wasn't going to do the walk. It was raining when I arose, and I even heard little rumbles in the sky. Shockingly, I was truly bummed. I wanted to do another charity walk, because I enjoyed my time so much last year doing Race for the Cure. The money from WWTD all goes to the local free medical clinic, and for quite a number of years, we'd posted information about WWTD in the church bulletin. I really wanted to do this, knowing it was for a good cause. So they're going to get a check from me anyway. The race was to begin at 9:00. By 9:15 the sun was out. No, ...

I'm still going! WHEW!!!! Minus another 1.2 for a total of 168.2 pounds gone. Yes, it's going a little more slowly, but I'm just happy it's going! As I said in yesterday's post, I'm thankful that Daylight Savings Time is allowing me the joy of walking Maddox when I get home from work. I know that will not last forever, and by Memorial Day, I'll be switching it up to those early morning hours to avoid the evening heat (God help me!). But for now, it's good. Usually for weigh-in, I take my yoga pants. It was especially important today, because I was wearing pants of a heavy twill today. And guess what I left at home...... As it is, the yoga pants are getting a bit large themselves. The legs are starting to develop into bell-bottoms. So I went to Target on lunch hour, and found a pair of workout pants -- bought them and realized: oh crap, they're capris. I am no fan of capris. I still have huge lower legs and until such time there's an operation on ...

The time change has done exactly what I wanted -- lighter evenings, and I've been walking Maddox when I've come home (except for Monday, when I had something else to do). It's been phenomenal!!! I'm not even quite as groggy in the mornings as I thought I might be...... not that I'm super-perky either. I still do NOT do mornings. We shall see how things are tomorrow at weigh-in. Even if the numbers are not where I want them to be, I have had some big non-scale victories, and for that, I am SO grateful!

I lost 0.4 pounds this week according to the scale, and I truly was hoping for a little more. All things considered, however, I'm pretty happy with the loss -- it's now 167 even that I've lost, and only 76.0 more to go to reach goal! I'm also inspired to do more activity, now that spring is only 2 weeks away!!!! The time change happens this weekend, and then there will be more light in the evening. I can finally walk Maddox when I get home and not worry for my own safety. I am looking forward to outdoor activities -- and who would have EVER believed that? I am psyched, and ready for all the good things that the seasons to come will bring. Move over, Old Man Winter!

Another WHEW! moment at weigh-in --- down another 1.2 for a total of 166.6 gone! I did tell the leaders that I wish I could have another 5-pound loss week. I know that's probably not in the future anytime soon, and I'm far from discouraged. I will take every loss, including when it's (ahem) "just" one pound or so. But sometimes it does feel a little .... well, let's just say I enjoy those weeks when I'm working it, and I know it, and it shows on the scales. But again, I'm not discouraged. And I know the going will be much slower as time goes on. I'm rethinking that December 31 time-goal. I will be happy with "by next Easter" to hit goal. There's no stopping me, just revisiting the framework.

I was really sweating this week's weigh-in. I stuck to points. I exercised 4 days (not quite up to my 5-a-week plan, but getting there). Water? Drank TONS of it (as regular water, hot tea, hot cider, Emergen-C, Crystal Light, you name it) over the last two weeks. Veggies & fruits? Check -- usually more than the 5 recommended servings. All the other stuff? Got it. But it just didn't feel like I was working it ..... it's hard to explain. This morning, I checked on the home scale before leaving work. There was a nice loss, so I figured that was a good sign. A couple of weeks ago, on Thursday morning, it was 6 pounds down from my previous total -- and by evening weigh-in, that translated to 3.4 pounds. This morning, it was a smaller loss -- about 3 pounds, so I was thinking about 1 pound total. It was 1.4 lost this week. WOO HOO!!!!!! There was a huge sigh of relief; I was quite happy. Ahhhhh indeed!

I maintained this week. Color me quite happy -- it was a crazy, crazy week at work! Two people out with the flu in my department, a third with a sinus infection and yet another who was out with a back injury. Good planning saved my rear end a couple of times during the week, so I was quite happy to have maintained. In good news, I went shopping today and found a pair of Levi's that fit like a glove. I haven't worn Levi's since childhood. They sure weren't available in plus sizes when I was in high school and college, but they are now. And I tried on another pair of another brand in the same size, and they were actually too loose in the waist -- just enough that it was noticeable. Tomorrow, I plan to spend some time doing some cleaning out. I had planned to clear out more of the clutter of my old clothes that don't fit and now's a good time! WOO HOO!

I was in the grocery store picking up a few necessities: fresh fruit (amazing how quickly that goes!), boneless skinless chicken breasts (a staple of my freezer), and a couple of other little things. While I was in there, I saw my doctor's wife, who's known me ever since I was born. She barely recognized me, and said, "If (she named my cousin) hadn't been telling me how you were doing, and I didn't know you'd lost so much weight -- well, I swear, I wouldn't have known you." THEN coming out of the store, I had just returned the buggy to the outside corral, and I heard, "Nettiemac?" Me: "Yes!" (I didn't recognize the person at first). Him: "Nettiemac Real-last-name?" Me: "Yes!!!!" (like, who else would it be?) It was my former neighbor. I hadn't seen him and his wife in about 5 years. He couldn't believe it. He said, "Oh my God. I only thought it might be you because of the car tag!" I've ...

Last night, I stepped on the scale at weigh-in. I was fairly confident that I had lost SOMETHING, just wasn't sure how much. Our WW scales at home that morning had me down 6 pounds from my previous weigh-in. Turns out it was 3.4 pounds down, putting my total now at 164 even. I have 79 to go. That also puts me over two-thirds of the way to my goal. It is hard to believe. I never imagined life like it is now. Honest. I didn't. I know that sounds like something straight off a commercial for an addictions center, but I swear, it's true. At the very beginning, I had no idea where this would take me or how successful I might (or might not) be. I would not have imagined enjoying exercise -- walking at the office or taking my dog for a walk, even standing for long times. I never thought I could grow to love different kinds of vegetables or find that I enjoyed certain foods. I never imagined I could push a plate away with food still on it and say, "Nah, I'm done" or ev...

In the winter, it's so hard to find good quality fresh veggies that don't cost a fortune. Just yesterday, I paid two bucks for ONE green pepper. Normally, in the summer, those are 50 cents each. That's the price to be paid for eating out of season, but dadgum! So I turn to frozen bagged or boxed veggies. For months, I have been using the Green Giant Just for One broccoli/cheese sauce trays -- very tasty, and only 1 point per tray. I've also been using the Birdseye SteamFresh Singles for the supersweet corn. Oh so good, and again, only one point per bag. But there are times I want something more than just the standards: broccoli, peas, carrots, green beans, corn, etc. I love French-cut green beans but usually I can only find those as canned. UNTIL --- I found Cascadian Farm Organic French-Cut Green Beans with Toasted Almonds . Two servings per box and only 1 point per serving (a generous 2/3 cup). Not only is it delicious just for the green beans alone, but you get the a...

And on the last day of the month! I lost another pound even to reach (and exceed) my goal. My goal was to hit the 160-gone mark by the end of the month -- and I did it!! With that, I have now lost 160.6 pounds --- just 82.4 more to go! It's going a little more slowly because I'm not exercising every single day. It does make a difference. January has had butt-cold weather and not having "insulation" doesn't help. We know fat insulates us from many things -- but one of the good things about fat is that it DOES act as a physical insulator. Now that I don't have as much, I stay cold. And when I'm cold, all I want to do is hibernate. Today -- cold, cloudy, and horridly windy. No way was I walking on lunch hour! I need to step up the biking at home. Just make myself do it more often. I know I slack up and 3 days of exercise isn't as beneficial as 5. So my goal for February is to exercise at least 5 out of the 7 days for 30 minutes at a time. AND to do the w...

goes the progress. I lost another 0.8 pounds this week, and I'm proud of it. I didn't get to do as much exercise as I wanted this week, so I'm especially glad I had a loss! So slowly, steadily, and surely I will keep moving forward. A new week is here, filled with new opportunities. PS: If you can, get the updated WW 2008 Dining Out Companion. Lots more restaurants, and a few surprises. My beloved "Skinny Chicken" at Macaroni Grill? Went from 5 points to 6 last year, and with a revamping is now at 8 points -- yes, EIGHT points. YIKES!! Guess I won't be getting that very often.

I missed Thursday's weigh-in because it was a snow day. I didn't get into work, and there was no way to make the meeting either. So I waited until Friday morning. I ate breakfast first (mistake #1). I had on a bulky sweater because it was cold (mistake #2). Hey, at least I didn't wear jeans (did bring them with me to change into, but didn't wear them). Give me a few points there. I stepped on the scale --- and lo! only a 0.2 pound gain. She asked me to take the sweater off, and I said, "well.........." (they laughed). I knew better. I knew to wear thinner layers to weigh in. I knew not to eat breakfast first. So I probably really had a loss. Dang it! So, all in all, a good week. No complaints, and we'll keep on truckin'!

Another 2.2 pounds gone -- 159.0 TOTAL!!!! And 84 more to go. That's it. I'm happy and amazed, and just glad to see things progressing well!

This was me, almost 3 years ago, on St. Patrick's weekend in Jackson, MS (I'm on the left, my best friend on the right): And this was me just before Christmas, 2007 (picture taken by our marketing director): And THIS is the reason I say that if I can do it, anyone can.

51 weeks to go on the timeframe I set to reach my ultimate goal. I lost 2.6 pounds this week (total: 156.8), so that means 86.2 pounds to go as well. I know that setting such a goal could mean trouble -- it's an average of 1.6 pounds to lose per week from now until December 31. I know a lot of weeks are not going to hit that mark -- some will exceed, some will be far short. But give up? NEVER. No matter how long it takes. The important part is that I stay focused. That I not beat myself up and quit. I've come too far and worked too hard to get where I am. It's that same intensity and determination that will keep me going. And for all those who are doing something to improve their health, well-being, and eating plans in 2008, GOOD FOR YOU! I wish you every success!!!! YOU CAN DO IT! I promise you!