Weighty Matters

is a FIVE-pound loss. OOH RAH!!!!!! I am definitely sticking with the exercise bike for at least 2-3 times per week. I found that I enjoyed the workout, I know I got something out of it and it's something I can do in any weather. Did I sweat? Drenched within the first 5 minutes, most days. Did it feel good? Yeah. Really, it did. I absolutely hated getting sweaty as a child. I just didn't like the sensation. I don't know what it was, but it made me feel icky and yucky and ewwwwy. Now, I could care less. Bring it on. I will be out of town this weekend -- I figure I will end up mostly walking for exercise. I might see if my cousin or his wife will join me. I'm scared to ask him -- he's a career Navy guy and he may flat wipe the road up with me!!! I haven't seen my cousin in about 5 years, so I am thrilled to be visiting them. I'm also looking forward to the fresh fish from the lake.... Mmmm, broiled or grilled fish with a little lemon pepper..... SLURP! Hopefu...

So, last week, my leader and I agreed that I would do less all-walking this week and try the exercise bike 3-4 days this week. And I have done just that -- at least 25 minutes at a time, most of the time, 30 minutes. I can attest to a few things: 1. The bike makes me break out sweating much sooner and for much longer. 2. My stamina is getting better with the bike -- I'm not totally dying after the first few minutes. 3. It is helping take the weight back off! I did just a little self-check this morning, and I was back down very close to goal...... WHEW!!!! Let's just hope that holds out until the official weigh-in in about 21 hours. I did 30 minutes tonight to a good mix of tunes (started with "Humans Being" and ended about halfway through "Life Is a Rock") and really enjoyed myself. I can see me keeping this in the exercise rotation........... I'm still walking in the early mornings, but just a mile -- long enough for Maddox to get his time in, and just ...

You can (if you are supremely bored) go over to my Meanderings & Musings blog and read all about my travails today with my MP3 player. Trust me, I ought to print it up as the cure for insomnia. But I do have a new playlist worked up! I will comment only on the newer songs I have added -- I thought of a few others, and took out most of the undecideds. ABC (Jackson 5) -- oh, like you didn't see this one coming after this weekend. Ain't Wasting Time No More Alive & Kicking All Fired Up All Over the World (ELO) -- Well, I was going through my list and thought it would be good enough for both walking and for biking. Are You Ready? Batdance (Prince) -- yeah, it's a little long and shifting tempos, but I was listening to it a few times this weekend and thinking "Why not?" Born to Run Brand New Lover Break My Stride (Matthew Wilder) -- a song I had forgotten I even had in the ol' library. Well worth the addition. Cool the Engines Easy Lover (Philip Bailey w/P...

It's definitely time to shake up the workout routine --- I have a feeling I am going to become much better acquainted with Butt-Crack O'Dawn. I especially like BCOD this time of year; in the winter, she becomes a real witch. And it's also time to shake up my workout music. I haven't really done much to the ol' MP3 player in ages. I've added a few new songs here and there, but it's time to go through the songs I have on there and prune out what isn't working, what I'm so tired of that I automatically hit forward, and what is getting me moving these days. So in order by title: (Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again - LTD: Gone . It's been on there forever, and I like the song, but I am beyond tired of it. (Get Up I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine - James Brown: Gone . Ditto. A Man I'll Never Be - Boston: Gone . Love the song, and ever since Brad Delp's untimely death, it's taken on a greater poignancy for me. But workout-friendly ...

Hallelujah, I lost!!! It wasn't much, "just" 0.4 pounds, but after the last two weeks any loss is a good one. My leader also gave me a great idea for some exercise to help with the continuing loss to get back to goal: stationary bike, 3-4x a week (at least 3, aim for 4). I know from doing it just one day this week, it kicked my rear six different ways to Sunday. And the added benefit is extra activity points for it.... which I am NOT going to use for fuel. Also, as a follow-up on the medical front: I went to the doctor this week and they drew blood for some labwork. I'll know the results by Monday. Either way -- whether the results are normal or abnormal -- there will need to be some sort of treatment plan. Once I know the results, then I'll figure out where we go from here, physically and otherwise. I really want this to come off. I have worked too hard for this, and I am going to work just as hard to keep it off. It's just really frustrating to have your b...

I am up. Badly. Over 3 pounds, to bring me to almost 5 pounds above goal -- YIKES!!!! So my leader and I have determined that my old points level is probably going to be the one that works best for me. I am not upset because I know that I followed the program, I exercised 5 out of the 7 days, and I'm most likely retaining water -- easily fixed. But what has me really upset about it is that my body seems to be playing some tricks on me that it hasn't before. As I mentioned in a few posts back (TMI alert), I'm having some issues that are probably hormonal in nature. I am closely monitoring this situation so that I can go back to my doctor and say, "Listen, something is not right, what can we do to fix this?" I'm 39 ..... old enough that it's a possibility but still too young for the Big M. I really do not want to have to do HRT at all, if I can avoid it. I also don't trust the compounded or bio-identical things because I am not sure how safe they are. No...

Well, it was an interesting afternoon...... we had a big cell of quick, intense thunderstorms come through the area about 4:00 yesterday. What does that have to do with my weigh-in? Well, it knocked out power to the WW center. Luckily, the receptionist happened to have a battery-operated scale with her -- they're usually used for WW-At-Work meetings. It said I was up 1.2 pounds. Okay, not bad considering I added 4 daily points back to my plan, and I'm still within range of being at goal. But this week, I am adjusting my daily points from +4 to +3 and seeing what happens. The cool thing about maintenance is that you get to play a little with what's going to work for you. We had our meeting in the dark. Now.... oddly enough, Jason's Deli had full power. The server said that the power just blipped long enough to knock the lights off. ODD! It's almost right in front of the WW center (faces the delivery door), and close enough that you could sling a frisbee and hit the d...

On Friday afternoon, I sent an e-mail to my coworkers to tell them about me reaching goal -- so many of them have been through this entire process with me, and I wanted them to share in my joy. Here are some of their responses: You are so inspirational, (Nettiemac)! Congratulations!!! Wow! Congratulations!!! I would say I’d take you to lunch to celebrate but do you still eat? It sure doesn’t look like it! My papa used to say “Honey, you’re gonna blow away come the next breeze”. Seriously, that’s amazing. Congratulations again! You’re truly inspirational! I am SO PROUD of you! You are truly an inspiration for everyone and not just when it comes to weight loss. I am proud of your accomplishments, even though the battle is just beginning. I know you will have the strength and will power to overcome all obstacles and meet all the goals you set for yourself! Congratulations you worked hard, you make us other "Libertarians" proud (note: in this case, not the political pa...

I'm still wrapping my mind around the concept of what has happened. I'm enjoying the 4 extra points on Maintenance but trying to actually get in the groove of using them. Is that not bizarre? Imagine -- me, the girl who still loves to eat (but do so wisely), fighting the idea of more food?!?! Crazy! Saturday, I skipped exercise because my Friday exercise was pretty late in the day, and I had to get up early to be at the 8:00 AM meeting at the local center (substitute receptionist). Then I got up yesterday morning and walked at 6:00 AM. It was a good walk, with a nice temperature. I think I can (gasp!) get used to those early morning walks. Yes, another "imagine" moment -- the girl who loves sleep like a fat kid loves chocolate cake is actually willing and ready to sacrifice morning sleep for a good walk. On Saturday, my family and I went out to dinner. As we were standing outside the restaurant, I caught a reflection of myself in the windowpane. Holy mackerel. Again, ...

GOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!! It took 3 years and 3 weeks, but I am finally 44% of the woman I was on May 11, 2006. When I started the journey, this day was not even in sight. All I could honestly think about was how to take those first steps to get through the first day and the first week. I had no idea how I was supposed to do 5 minutes a day of activity, when it took all I could do to put one foot in front of the other. But if nothing else, once I make up my mind to do something.......... Here it is, June 4, 2009. I am 228 pounds lighter and a quadrillion times better. I made it through that first day, that first week just fine. I did the 5 minutes -- okay, really 10 minutes, all huffing and puffing and barely able to walk out two blocks and back. Then 20, then 30, and joined the Y, and ..... got the dog and had to walk him. Then said, "I can do a 5K." And then watched my race time improve each time I tried. In losing 228 pounds, I have gained so much. I wasn't e...

This week, a loss of 3.8 pounds leaves me with just 2.4 to go ..... 225.6 gone!!! And once again, it remains *personal* to get rid of those 2.4 pounds!!! They will. get. gone. And soon!!! This week's topic is on motivation -- remembering the motivation that got us through the door. Finding the motivation that keeps us going. Thinking of what we need to do to get ourselves to our goals (weight and otherwise). The funny thing is, I was just considering motivation and endurance at lunch today as I was walking in the nice warm(!) Carolina midday sun. My initial motivation hinged on three things: (1) needing to get in better health, and knowing my doc had recommended WW above all else; (2) seeing a horrendous picture of me and thinking, "My God do I really look that bad?"; and (3) realizing that as independent as I am, this was one battle I could not fight alone. Fighting it alone had gotten me into this pickle. I would have to swallow my pride and rely on others for assistanc...

because I am apparently retaining enough fluid to be labeled a "sea cow" now....... I stepped on the scale and the receptionist looked quizzically at the screen. "Step off and step back on." More puzzled looks, and "this says you gained five pounds." The numbers on the scale didn't lie. She turned it around and there it was, in big ol' black LED numerals. 5 pounds up. FIVE. FIVE. Okay, so I have thought of every possible reason -- from the sane to the silly -- and here's my list of them: It's about "that time" and so I am retaining fluid. This is true, and possibly the root cause. Without being totally TMI, this is an area where I have had cause for concern lately. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on it. I'm just plain retaining fluid. This is also a real possibility. Usually I get up at least once during the night..... last couple of nights, slept right through. I exercised too much during the week. Okay, while I don...

The 5K this weekend was an unofficial one -- not timed, more to raise awareness about Special Olympics and have a little fun at the same time. But I had my handy stopwatch around my neck .... and when all was said and done, I came up with 48:13. We did it on an outdoor walking track with a distance measured at .49 miles per loop. We did 6 loops, for a total of 2.94 miles. I added a half-loop to make it as close to 3.106856 miles as possible. So I am looking for the next one to put on the calendar. I found out that the Candlelight Run in Greenville allows walkers, but you must be able to finish in under an hour (okay, no problem there). I'm just wondering if that's something I want to do on a Saturday evening. I like the ideas of the early mornings .... not that I'm a morning person, but I need to have it over and done and enjoy the rest of my day. So we shall see what happens as far as Candlelight Run. I never thought I'd be the type to visit running websites to look fo...

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can't see me, but I'm doing a mean happy dance right now. I lost 2.0 this week, for a new total of 226.8 gone, and only 1.2 to go. Those 50 ounces from last week are now down to roughly 20 (and yes, it was actually 52 ounces; I can't count for crap apparently). Yes, a bottled drink stands between me and goooooooooooooooooal! I am so excited I can't stand it!!!! I am going to work my butt off to get that 1.2 pounds off. I have another 5K this weekend, plus going hiking in the Georgia mountains on Sunday with some friends whom I haven't seen in a very long time. Yes, I'm feeling pretty jazzed. Now, I am not dumb.... I know very well that next week could bring a bounce-up and I am mentally prepared for that, in case it happens. But again, I am extra-determined. I am going to do everything within my control to do my best, and leave the rest to God. And really with everything in life -- including our weight loss -- that's all we ...

I think it has happened. I never imagined it, but I have crossed over. I have become that 7-letter word -- dare I even say it? ATHLETE. (HA!) I did another 5K this morning to benefit a local domestic violence shelter. I had a time of 49:13 -- a little off my previous best pace but only less than a minute off. THAT was phenomenal, and it was a certified distance, so I know I'm doing good. Next week I have another, for Special Olympics. I just found out there's one the weekend after that not too far from here (not a benefit one, but one just the same). And one two weeks after that. I made two trips to the sports store that was a sponsor for today's race. I spent over $100 bucks there in the last 24 hours -- new shoes, exercise clothes and orthotic insoles. I can see myself going back to this store at least once a month to just .... you know .... see what's new. I did not ever expect this to happen. Me, the very definition of a modern maj.... I mean, the very definition o...

Heh. 200 posts before this.... in just at 3 years. Amazing isn't it? Let's get the count out of the way.... up 0.8 and back with 3.2 to go (meaning 224.8 gone). I gotta admit: it's a bit frustrating. Still, I've chucked the calendar and when it happens, it will happen. That doesn't mean I quit trying or quit striving to do my very best, but I'm going all Zen-like about it. I am picturing it happening already...... and so it will be. What I'm more excited about has been all the non-scale victories this week: how good I feel having exercised. Doing the exercise. Getting all stoked about this weekend's 5K, and aiming for a great finish time..... it might not be the 48:21 from the previous 5K, but anything in the 50-53 range is good. I'll aim for 48, don't get me wrong. But I'm not going to beat myself up. When I was preparing for the April 5K, one of my Internet pals said to me, "Don't worry about the time; the important thing is THAT y...

"What's come over me? WHOOOOO! Here it comes again!" (And if you're old enough to know who Brad Majors is, God bless you). I did some activity on Friday, skipped Saturday, but have done something every day since. Including twice on Monday. Here it is, 8:00 PM on Wednesday. Normally I'd be at choir practice, but I ended up running a routine at work later this evening so that I wouldn't have to do it in the morning. Now that I've eaten a light but healthy dinner, I feel like doing some more exercise. Maybe the 20-minute Express Zumba workout. I have a 5K coming up this weekend and one next weekend. I'm still looking for one in early June or even July -- forget August; I may be crazy but I'm not insane!!! Holy cow. What is this all about? It's been 2 years, 360 days since I first joined WW. That first night, Debbie (my then-leader) asked us to give her 5 minutes of exercise if we weren't used to anything at all. I figured I could do 5 minutes...

So, my brother and I were driving to my cousin's house last evening for a birthday celebration. As far as the celebration, let's just say I used my 35 points. I may not have actually used them all, but I didn't care. The celebration was worth it, a good time was had by all, and I didn't overindulge (I felt) .... okay, except maybe in the Bread/Olive Oil dealie-o. YUM. Anyway, we were discussing old photos, etc. and my brother remarked that it was good that I could have a sense of humor about my two-ton-Tillie days. Well, what choice do I have, you know? I have too many years of photographic evidence to prove I was large. I mean, really! He asked what about those years when I said that I liked myself -- did I really? The answer was yes. I really did like myself. I had to learn to do so, but I did love myself. I did respond that one thing I have learned in this process was this: "Dieting done out of self-loathing never works. Getting healthier out of self-love almost...

A loss again this week --- 1.2, so almost all of the gain from last week. It happened to a couple of other people too --- an unexplained gain, and a good loss this week. That makes 225.6 GONE, and just 2.4 to go. HOLY MACKEREL! Almost there --- so nothing else to do but keep on truckin'!!!!!!!!

In my last post, I spoke of having a "blowout meal" -- just for fun and to try to find a way to kickstart some weight loss. I went for BBQ, sweet potato crunch and green beans. YUM! Until an hour later.......... oh my. My favorite meal decided to come back with a vengeance. And this wasn't a situation where I ate until I was stuffed and unable to move. It was normal portions of foods I have eaten before. I'm not sure what happened that my body said, "WHOA! Who sent this junk here? I'm getting rid of it!" But it was great-tasting........ Le sigh.