Weighty Matters

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!