Monday, October 13, 2008
I am here! PLEASE look over my shoulder...
Okay, here is where I am...
I took off the 40 lbs. Then, summer hit. My kids were home, and it became harder to find time for myself to walk and work and do all the other things on my plate. I was able to maintain my weight loss for nearly 3 of the 4 months...but now I am sliding.
I have gained back 7 lbs. In 1-1/2 months. It is because I am eating wayyyy more than I should and I am not watching the quality of the food I am eating. I have a nasty soundtrack in my head that is allowing me to eat what I want whenever and as often as I want.
So I need you to look over my shoulder. I have the resolve to lose the rest of this weight and I need some help! So if you are reading this, please prod me, poke me, wake me up to the fact that if I do not watch myself I will be right back to where I started.
I can get to my goal by January, I know I can.....won't you help me along?
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Getting fat from veggies?
I took my sons to lunch last week. We went to Cosi -- it is a frenchish-chain bistro-ish restaurant (really, one step up from Fast food). they have salads, Flatbread sandwiches, pizza -- we really like the food there. Usually I get a salad with the dressing on the side...they are really good.
What I LIKE about Cosi is that they post the nutritional information about their food on their website. So I can eat there, go home, figure out how much I ate for the day, and move on.
Perfect for a responsible, weight-conscious individual, right? BZZZZZZ Wrong answer, Johnnie.
To change things up this time, I ordered this:
Vegi Muffaletta
Grilled eggplant, chopped green olives, banana peppers, green onions, olive oil, provolone, parmesan cheese & shredded romaine.
As you can see, that was copied right from their website. Looks good, right? All veggies...on whole-grain flatbread.
It was yummy. I told my sons that I would order it every time. I am telling you, I could eat one every single day.
Then, I went home and checked the nutritional information.
That wonderful "Veggie" sandwich is the second highest caloric sandwich Cosi offers. It was 854 calories. PLUS, it had a WHOPPING 51 grams of fat. FIFTY ONE. and to pour salt into the wound, it has 2929 grams of sodium!!! My heart is still trying to recover! (but it does explain why the sandwich tasted so dang good LOL)
I was MAD. I actually felt duped. I know it is silly, and Cosi has no responsibility to those of us trying to watch our weight, but if you put a veggie dish on your menu, can you at least make it something that we can fit into our diets? I think they should have a notation next to it that says "NOT a healthy option."
So that is how I am getting fat from veggies.
That being said, I lost 1/2 lb this week. Not huge, but still a loss. I think I am still digesting that sandwich!!!! I am at 39 lbs. Looking for the big 40!
PS: If you DO eat at Cosi, not only should you check the nutritional information before you go, but you should eat the white flatbread instead of the whole grain -- the whole grain has more calories, fat and LESS fiber than the white. Go figure.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Still trying not to lick my plate...
- I am trying to leave food on my plate at every meal. ESPECIALLY when I am eating out. Last night I went to a dinner honoring my Mother-in-law -- and the food was wonderful. I actually left 1/2 my mozzarella/tomato salad (yes, I left the cheese, not the tomato LOL) and 1/2 of my Fillet Mignon and Mushroom Risotto on my plate. They were good, too. But you know what? I had enough to eat after I ate just half!
- I am putting my fork down between bites and I am chewing longer and slower. Hey! I can actually TASTE my food!
- I am looking at other things in the dining area OTHER than my plate LOL People are fascinating when they talk -- eye contact is important!
- If I finish the food on my plate, I am having a big glass of water, and waiting 5 minutes before I decide whether to get seconds. Usually, I don't want them.
Okay, so enough rambling for today. Want an update on my weight?
I have lost a total of 38.2 lbs. Hmmm... what is that smell??? Smells like 40 lbs is just around the corner! Hopefully next week, right?
Drop me a note and let me know how YOU are doing. Thanks for stopping by!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Posted on a billboard...
I am happy because I have lost 35 pounds. Yup, thirty-five fine 'ol pounds. Then it kind of reminded me of something....
Did you ever travel on a highway and see one of those billboards that say "If you bought a home in XYZ Community, you would be home by now!"? That is what I started to think about. My billboard says "If you started this lifestyle January 4th, you could be 35 lbs lighter!" I wish I had see that LAST January 4th!
I guess what I am trying to say is that I am thankful that I am on the road (ohhh -- pun intended) to better health and a slimmer self. YOU can be "reading" your own billboard three months from now by starting TODAY! I hope my analogy here isn't confusing...my mind works in strange ways sometimes!
On a final note today, I want to send my heartfelt thank you to all of you who continue to send me emails, motivational notes, inspirational stories, and picture. You inspire me. Really. I love having you look over my shoulder! Let's hear from you!!!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
What does your soundtrack say to YOU?
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
What keeps you going?
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Spring:Time for renewal, Time for change....
I have lost 25 lbs total (actually, a bit more, but since I don't "officially" weigh in again until next Tuesday, we will leave it at 25). Hoorah for me! the best part is that I dropped a size. That is probably really the best thing...
We went to Virginia for Easter to see my sister. I had nothing to wear, so I "forced" my sister to go shopping with me (She is the BEST shopping partner in the entire universe!). I tried on a size smaller than usual, and you know what? The VERY FIRST dress I tried on fit -- and it happens to be the one I have on, above. Don't you just LOVE it when that happens?
Now, the renewal thing. I got my haircut this week. I thought that since I was shedding pounds, a little hair could go, too. I think a good haircut renews the soul, don't you? First, here is a picture of my family taken on Easter:
- Don't chew gum and snap the shot.
- Look at the lens.
- Don't take pictures of the bathroom lights.
- Shut the closet door behind you so that no-one can see your mess!
- Look at the lens...
- Untangle the dog from your legs.
- Look at the lens (sigh)
Not the best shot, but you get the idea. Hey! I feel lighter!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
What's for dinner?
Use extra-lean ground turkey to help keep the fat down in this zesty, quick-cooking sandwich. Opt for a tangy barbecue sauce for extra flavor.
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground turkey
1/2 medium bell pepper(s), chopped
1/2 medium sweet red pepper(s), chopped
1/2 medium onion(s), chopped
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1 cup barbecue sauce
4 medium mixed-grain hamburger roll(s), sliced in half
Instructions
Brown turkey in a nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain off liquid. Add peppers and onion and cook until tender, about 3 minutes.
Add barbecue sauce and cayenne pepper; heat thoroughly, stirring frequently, about 2 minutes.
Top bottom half of buns with turkey mixture; cover with top half of bun and serve.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
A quick little update...
I have lost another 3.4 lbs for a total of 20 lbs. I am amazed, but not surprised!
My Father-in-law is a healthy man. In his sixties, he can run circles around most of us in this world. He rides bikes competitively, runs, and has been a coach and phys ed teacher. He has had several high-level jobs, and has conquered almost every sport you can think of, from running to golf to bowling. He is totally physically fit. Truthfully, he is the most successful person I know.
And he just retired from his corporate job.
So now he has time. And two weeks ago, I asked him if he would train me. He agreed...and he has been working with me since. I drive to his house a few mornings a week, and walk on his treadmill while he watches my heartbeat and stats; he is working on building my endurance and measuring where I am so that eventually I can run. (he rides his racing bike in a stationary stand along side me -- it is very amicable!)
I am in a good place! I am excising, eating right...it's all good. I feel terrific right now and hope to keep incorporating this into my lifestyle as a life-long habit of living.
How are YOU doing?
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Don't give up!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
My weight loss is like a heartbeat...
Monday, February 11, 2008
To love or to hate...the scale saga
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
What tips your scale?
OUCH.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Delusional Thoughts...
This is where the delusion sets in.
I JUST -- and I mean 6 weeks ago -- JUST -- took this dress to Goodwill (because I am sure that someone else will just snap up that 21 year old dress that was worn three times -- NOT). For all these years, it was in my mind that I would fit back into that size 8 dress again. Um...then what? Wear it?
I do not think I will ever be a size 8 -- it was a struggle for me to get there even then, and I had to do horrible things to myself to stay there (ie: it was not healthy for me to be there, maybe we will talk about that another day!). I will settle for a size 10. As long as I can stay there and eat like a normal, healthy, weight-conscious person.
When I get there, I will buy myself a whole new wardrobe. I know Mark will buy it for me! My delusion was holding onto something for 21 years that just wasn't realistic. I let it go, bought some clothes that fit me now -- so that I can feel good about myself WHILE I am losing weight -- and I am moving on. Or should I say "moving down"?
Till next time -- eat less and move more : )
Monday, January 21, 2008
Who is SHE???
I am 5'10", and I don't think I ever looked better than this. I had to dig to find a full-bodied shot -- even then I was the one behind the camera! This, at least, gives you a starting point to visualize where I was. While I don't necessarily want to get back to this weight, it is a good reminder of what is hidden in me below the layers of unnecessary weight I am carrying around. I have to tell you, I showed Mark this picture before I scanned it, and I thought his eyes would pop out of his head! HE remembers me at that weight.
Okay, now for the reality check.
This is me now. It is not a full shot -- I am not ready to reveal that yet -- but you can see by my face that I have that layer of weight on me that I am desperately trying to shed.
So here is an update on where I am...
I started WW on 1/03. According to my tracked weight today, I have lost....10 lbs! Yes, I have lost the first 10. It helps to be motivated!
I skied this weekend -- and even though I had some equipment problems, I still managed to get three hours of skiing in. And I even did 15 minutes this morning on my Nordic Track (it is too cold to go outside and walk).
Hooray for me! How did YOU do?
Monday, January 14, 2008
Welcome to my Journey!
I know that some of you are thinking that I have so many online "irons in the fire" - why would I want to start another blog? Well, the answer is simple -- this one is for me. And I need YOU to help ME.
You see, I have to become Two-Thirds of myself. I need to lose 1/3 of my current weight to get back to a healthy, attractive, reasonable weight.
One-Third. Whew. That is a lot, isn't it? Thats a ton of good eating behind the 1/3 that needs to melt off me. Well, no-one says that I can't eat well and be well while I am losing that third.
This blog is my way of putting my weight loss efforts out there for all to see -- a very public way for me to lose my weight. A bit of accountability. I need accountability and the idea that there are people looking over my shoulder. So will you join me on my public journey? If you decide to lose weight, too, great -- but just keep me accountable, will you?
Alright, down to Brass Tacks.
I started Weight Watchers online on January 4th. I have lost 6.4 pounds in the 10 days that I have been on the program. I really love this online tool -- I spend a great deal of my life in the cyber-world, why not diet on it? Really, I like the immediacy of the tracking tools and the way that it keeps me in focus.
Okay, that is enough for today. I hope to have some pictures for you tomorrow -- before and current -- so that you can visualize the extra third and get an idea of where I want to go.
Come on along for the journey! Care to join me? I'll try to entertain, tell a few stories, shoe some pictures, educate and share as I work toward becoming two-thirds of myself.
Won't you look over my shoulder?