Just before starting Dr. Garcia's program, I, of course, inquired about the cost of the program. I was able to find out in a phone call that there was a price for the initial visit, which included blood work, EKG, weight, body fat measurements, the injections, first month of the Calcium, weekly supply of medication, etc...the works. I also found out that after that, there was a weekly visit fee which included weigh in, assessment and the injection and appetite suppressants. Let me just say, it's not inexpensive, dollar wise.
When I told my parents about the program, after I started it, I brought the booklet that I received during my first visit. I suggested to my father that maybe he should skip the first page. The first page outlined the costs of the program. Well, being a dad...he didn't skip that page. He went right to it. He looked at me and said, you do realize that it's really more than just the weekly costs, right? I agreed with him.
Some of you might be wondering now, so, are there hidden costs that I don't know about? Well, not 'hidden' so much. Things I didn't really think about until he mentioned it...even though I told him "I know". One of those things were the fact that frankly it costs more money to eat healthy. Essentially, and I think I've said this before, I shop the perimiter of the grocery store. For the most part, even on maintenance, I don't eat pre-packaged foods. I shop the meat, seafood, produce and dairy departments. Sadly, it's much more expensive to eat healthy.
Upon deciding to write about the true costs of a program, I did a little research. What I found is that there is a mixture of people who say that eating healthy does not cost more because you buy less of more expensive food. I guess I understand that to a point. Between drinking the water, eating fruits and vegetables, I eat less than I did when I wasn't doing all that. However, the food I buy is definitely more expensive. I guess the jury is still out. I'd love your opinions, please share a comment.
One big issue I had during the process was clothing. I didn't really think I'd drop as many sizes as I did. I bought what I thought was a 'goal' pair of jeans, in the beginning of the journey. I wore them twice, then they were too big. I went through a lot of clothes, quickly. It didn't dawn on me until it was almost too late, that consignment shopping might have been the better way to go. I do, now, however, take the clothes that no longer fit (and there was a TON of them) to the consignment store to re-sell. It's a great way to make some extra cash on things that are virtually brand new. It seemed I had a small window of opportunity for most articles of clothing and some I missed all together and brought to the consignment store with tags still attached. That's annoying!!
All of that being said, the benefits are priceless. The increase in my self-esteem, my outlook on life, my need for less medication, the pure joy of living my life in a healthier, happier environment....there's no way you can put a price on the feeling of being in better control of your life.
“He who has health, has hope. And he who has hope, has everything.”
August 25, 2009
August 17, 2009
Almost A Month!
I just realized it's been almost a month since I posted anything to this blog! Life has been absolutely fantastic on the maintenance program. I've been going to the gym regularly although I had a week and 1/2 away due to being on vacation and working out of town. Leave it to me, to pick the one hotel in St. Lucie West that did not have a fitness center on the property. I won't stay there again! Great hotel, but no gym was a bit difficult for me.
I did, however, meet a girl while I was on my trip who is trying to convince me to run a 1/2 marathon. Now, let me start by saying, we were discussing Tampa, and she said, oh...I'm coming there in February! My first reply-we should hook up and go out and have a cocktail! It's what I say to everyone. Those that know me, know that. We were discussing my program and the amazement in Lisa of listening to part of my story. She then told me the reason she was coming was to run the Gasparilla Distance Classic 1/2 marathon and wanted me to run it with her.
For those of you who have known me 'forever'...you know I ran cross-country in high school. That was at least a billion, ok...23 years...ago, since graduation. I haven't really run since. I've started running a bit at the gym, on the treadmill. I really have NO CLUE how to train for a 1/2 marathon. Nor can I really imagine running 13.1 miles for no reason, but the challenge keeps pulling me to look at the website, read up on training and realizing that I only have 6 months if this is something I truly want to do.
The more I contemplate, the more I'm interested in trying it. That being said, I'm fearful of failure. What if I try it and I can't finish? What if I start with something smaller, like the 5K or the 15K? What if...here's a thought...what if I start with a 5K and build from there?! I don't know. It's been A LOT of years since I've had a regular running routine. I think I'd almost need a running coach of some sort to put me on the right track for training like that. Ahhhh, decisions, decisions. This new lifestyle brings all kinds of options to the table, for sure.
Maintenance, as I said before, is fantastic. I typically stay between two pounds under/over goal and I'm good with that. I've added more carbohydrates into my diet, but still not doing anything 'fried'. I'm mostly making smart choices. I had a date last night and we went to dinner. I had a turkey burger on a whole-grain bun and the salad bar. No fries, even though they sat right on the plate. I've found some really great bread-type alternatives at the grocery store and have finally found some breakfast things that are working for me.
The Zone Diet website is a great resource for dining out and recommending what to order to stay in the Zone at chain restaurants. There's also great links to some of the books, such as The Top 100 Zone Foods or A Week In The Zone. These really help keep me on track as well.
It's been almost two weeks since I've been to the office for a weigh in. I missed last week, due to being out of town but will go in the morning and just make sure things are good! I can't wait to go tomorrow. You get so used to doing something every week and it's tough to miss it. I'm looking forward to getting more involved with the office and their community efforts on this program. I have stopped the volunteer thing I was doing at church and really looking for another place to volunteer. I miss very much doing some type of community service, so I've offered up my assistance and my desire to do something surrounding healthy eating and healthy lifestyles. I just missed a back to school event the office did centered around healthy eating unfortunately. I was looking forward to that event and my experience with Junior League and Kids In The Kitchen, but alas, work travel got in the mix and I was away when the event took place. There are a couple of other things coming up and hopefully they'll be able to use my assistance on those. I need to do something! :)
All in all, things are going great. There are no struggles at this point, again, still just making conscious decisions every day to do the right thing. So far, so good!! Speaking of all good....I just went out to You Tube for the first time in a few weeks and saw that my video has 452 hits...that's just crazy! I received an email today from a client who was sent an email from the weight loss office, she's a former patient and on their email listing I suppose. She emailed ME and asked if I knew I was on the cover of their website! I didn't know, but I love that people are benefiting from my story. I found out after sending an email to the operations director tonight that they showed my testimonial to a lot of people at the back to school event and there's a very positive response to my story. I'm so glad that it might motivate even one person to change their lifestyle.
In closing, I'll leave you all with a promise to blog more frequently and....
A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools.(Spanish Proverb)
I did, however, meet a girl while I was on my trip who is trying to convince me to run a 1/2 marathon. Now, let me start by saying, we were discussing Tampa, and she said, oh...I'm coming there in February! My first reply-we should hook up and go out and have a cocktail! It's what I say to everyone. Those that know me, know that. We were discussing my program and the amazement in Lisa of listening to part of my story. She then told me the reason she was coming was to run the Gasparilla Distance Classic 1/2 marathon and wanted me to run it with her.
For those of you who have known me 'forever'...you know I ran cross-country in high school. That was at least a billion, ok...23 years...ago, since graduation. I haven't really run since. I've started running a bit at the gym, on the treadmill. I really have NO CLUE how to train for a 1/2 marathon. Nor can I really imagine running 13.1 miles for no reason, but the challenge keeps pulling me to look at the website, read up on training and realizing that I only have 6 months if this is something I truly want to do.
The more I contemplate, the more I'm interested in trying it. That being said, I'm fearful of failure. What if I try it and I can't finish? What if I start with something smaller, like the 5K or the 15K? What if...here's a thought...what if I start with a 5K and build from there?! I don't know. It's been A LOT of years since I've had a regular running routine. I think I'd almost need a running coach of some sort to put me on the right track for training like that. Ahhhh, decisions, decisions. This new lifestyle brings all kinds of options to the table, for sure.
Maintenance, as I said before, is fantastic. I typically stay between two pounds under/over goal and I'm good with that. I've added more carbohydrates into my diet, but still not doing anything 'fried'. I'm mostly making smart choices. I had a date last night and we went to dinner. I had a turkey burger on a whole-grain bun and the salad bar. No fries, even though they sat right on the plate. I've found some really great bread-type alternatives at the grocery store and have finally found some breakfast things that are working for me.
The Zone Diet website is a great resource for dining out and recommending what to order to stay in the Zone at chain restaurants. There's also great links to some of the books, such as The Top 100 Zone Foods or A Week In The Zone. These really help keep me on track as well.
It's been almost two weeks since I've been to the office for a weigh in. I missed last week, due to being out of town but will go in the morning and just make sure things are good! I can't wait to go tomorrow. You get so used to doing something every week and it's tough to miss it. I'm looking forward to getting more involved with the office and their community efforts on this program. I have stopped the volunteer thing I was doing at church and really looking for another place to volunteer. I miss very much doing some type of community service, so I've offered up my assistance and my desire to do something surrounding healthy eating and healthy lifestyles. I just missed a back to school event the office did centered around healthy eating unfortunately. I was looking forward to that event and my experience with Junior League and Kids In The Kitchen, but alas, work travel got in the mix and I was away when the event took place. There are a couple of other things coming up and hopefully they'll be able to use my assistance on those. I need to do something! :)
All in all, things are going great. There are no struggles at this point, again, still just making conscious decisions every day to do the right thing. So far, so good!! Speaking of all good....I just went out to You Tube for the first time in a few weeks and saw that my video has 452 hits...that's just crazy! I received an email today from a client who was sent an email from the weight loss office, she's a former patient and on their email listing I suppose. She emailed ME and asked if I knew I was on the cover of their website! I didn't know, but I love that people are benefiting from my story. I found out after sending an email to the operations director tonight that they showed my testimonial to a lot of people at the back to school event and there's a very positive response to my story. I'm so glad that it might motivate even one person to change their lifestyle.
In closing, I'll leave you all with a promise to blog more frequently and....
A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools.(Spanish Proverb)
July 21, 2009
Garcia Weight Loss Promotional Video
OH MY GOSH!! I know, I know...it takes two weeks to post a blog then you get two posts in two days! Crazy!
I have not had the best of weeks. I've had some issues that I'd rather not discuss on my blog, it's, as some people might say not a diet journey but a life journey, but some parts of life just don't deserve the credit of showing up on here. Suffice it to say, I've ended some of the negativity in my life, and while that should ultimately be a good thing...it's difficult to dissolve a relationship that's been so close for 15 years. Enough of that, on to better things!
Today, however, I had weigh in--my last appointment in the transition to maintenance phase of the program and now I just go for a weekly injection and monthly maintenance appointment. As I blogged about yesterday, I've also been working out like crazy. Keeping in mind that muscle weighs more than fat...here it comes....I gained. At least I gained in maintenance and I know exactly why. I gained a pound, but I also lost 1% body fat in the past week. I think I'll take it. There's definitely a difference in the toning that even I can see! Two days this week I've been shopping and I wear a size small in shirts and either a 2 or 4 in Misses pants, or a 3 or 5 in Juniors....I'll buy that ALL DAY LONG!
Anyway, that's not all that happened today. After the weigh-in and being "okay" with the gain, I received an email from Michael at Dr. Garcia's office that the link to my video was on YouTube and ran out to watch it as soon as I got home from the mall.
I was absolutely thrilled with the video. It's really hard to see myself transition from the person in the photos in the beginning to the person in the end of that video. Funny enough, yesterday I posted about people expressing more of an 'interest' in me now than maybe prior to the program, remember? Well, today, I was talking to my work counterpart in Orlando who said, because, sometimes Kyle is my voice of reason....ya know, if you were happy with your look before you wouldn't have done what you did. So, does that make you superficial, too? Alrighty then...guess he has a point. So, that will be the end of that topic of discussion!
Here is the link to the YouTube video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghV_YBG1aeU
You'll probably have to copy/paste it into your browser, I couldn't get Blogger to show it as a link....sorry!
I'd love for you to take the time to watch it if you're so inclined. As well, if you do watch it, please rate the video for Dr. Garcia's office. Michael did an amazing job putting it all together. I so look forward to the work that I'll be doing with them on this and on any initiative they can use my help in.
They are doing a Back to School event that will incorporate healthy eating for kids and I've offered to be a part of that. Those of you who are reading this that are my Junior League of Greater New Haven friends...think Kids In The Kitchen! LOVE IT! From a girl who loves to cook, loves kids and wants to now help them focus on eating healthy so they never have to do all this, it's going to turn into my new passion! I'm so excited tonight and in such a good mood I can hardly stand myself!
In closing, I challenge each of you to find your passion...and learn to live it!
“The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” Mitch Albom
And since there was no quote in the last post, we'll end with this:
“Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion.”
I have not had the best of weeks. I've had some issues that I'd rather not discuss on my blog, it's, as some people might say not a diet journey but a life journey, but some parts of life just don't deserve the credit of showing up on here. Suffice it to say, I've ended some of the negativity in my life, and while that should ultimately be a good thing...it's difficult to dissolve a relationship that's been so close for 15 years. Enough of that, on to better things!
Today, however, I had weigh in--my last appointment in the transition to maintenance phase of the program and now I just go for a weekly injection and monthly maintenance appointment. As I blogged about yesterday, I've also been working out like crazy. Keeping in mind that muscle weighs more than fat...here it comes....I gained. At least I gained in maintenance and I know exactly why. I gained a pound, but I also lost 1% body fat in the past week. I think I'll take it. There's definitely a difference in the toning that even I can see! Two days this week I've been shopping and I wear a size small in shirts and either a 2 or 4 in Misses pants, or a 3 or 5 in Juniors....I'll buy that ALL DAY LONG!
Anyway, that's not all that happened today. After the weigh-in and being "okay" with the gain, I received an email from Michael at Dr. Garcia's office that the link to my video was on YouTube and ran out to watch it as soon as I got home from the mall.
I was absolutely thrilled with the video. It's really hard to see myself transition from the person in the photos in the beginning to the person in the end of that video. Funny enough, yesterday I posted about people expressing more of an 'interest' in me now than maybe prior to the program, remember? Well, today, I was talking to my work counterpart in Orlando who said, because, sometimes Kyle is my voice of reason....ya know, if you were happy with your look before you wouldn't have done what you did. So, does that make you superficial, too? Alrighty then...guess he has a point. So, that will be the end of that topic of discussion!
Here is the link to the YouTube video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghV_YBG1aeU
You'll probably have to copy/paste it into your browser, I couldn't get Blogger to show it as a link....sorry!
I'd love for you to take the time to watch it if you're so inclined. As well, if you do watch it, please rate the video for Dr. Garcia's office. Michael did an amazing job putting it all together. I so look forward to the work that I'll be doing with them on this and on any initiative they can use my help in.
They are doing a Back to School event that will incorporate healthy eating for kids and I've offered to be a part of that. Those of you who are reading this that are my Junior League of Greater New Haven friends...think Kids In The Kitchen! LOVE IT! From a girl who loves to cook, loves kids and wants to now help them focus on eating healthy so they never have to do all this, it's going to turn into my new passion! I'm so excited tonight and in such a good mood I can hardly stand myself!
In closing, I challenge each of you to find your passion...and learn to live it!
“The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” Mitch Albom
And since there was no quote in the last post, we'll end with this:
“Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion.”
July 8, 2009
True Intentions
Gosh--I started this blog post a week or so ago and never really was able to stop long enough to write it and post. It's been a crazy few weeks for me. Well, actually, it's been a crazy two and 1/2 months with work and still to a point getting settled into the new house.
Work is different in that as part of the Florida leadership team, most of my time is spent working in the office (yes, home) managing the business that my team of reps is out promoting. Since May we've had revisions to programs and the leadership team has also been out promoting with our reps. That means instead of being in the office all day, handling the management of things that the reps find as well as special projects...we on the leadership team are out in the field, all day. That creates specific work for us, while our other work is not getting done. So, 10 minutes into that, you're behind! Try that for 5 weeks....OH MY GOSH! I've been catching up on work at night and we've had conferences and conventions on some weekends. It's just been very busy. Busy in a good way, but very busy. Anyway, enough about work, this blog is not at all about my job or any of that.
As far as how the maintenance portion of the program is going....tomorrow is my last regular "transition to maintenance" visit. Things throughout maintenance are going very well. I've managed to stay under goal and usually float somewhere within a pound under when I'm there to weigh in. I'm starting to really add foods back in on my own now as well. Last weekend I added...are you ready for this? BREAD! I ate from Subway on my way out of town last weekend for work. I ate a 'wrap' for lunch one of the days, and toast at breakfast and still managed to be under goal.
I know I mentioned last time I posted that I had joined the gym and it had been a week. That I was attending a class or two a week and it was going well. I've managed to work my way up to at least three visits a week. Most of them classes. There's a great water aerobics class. You laugh, thinking, how difficult is that?! Well, let me tell you, the class was great, but I didn't really think there was too much I was getting out of it. The next day told me otherwise. It's amazing the muscles you work out in the water, not realizing you're doing so. Besides that, how much better can it get than a cardio and toning class for an hour where you don't sweat!? A nice relaxing 10 minutes in the sauna afterwards to dry off and, viola, you're good to go! They have that class three days a week at my gym, I usually make one or two of them. As well, there is a kick-boxing cardio class on Monday's that I love. Usually on Monday's I have the need to punch on a punching bag for a little while, so that's always fun! This past week, in an effort to calm down some drama in my life and some emotions I was trying to escape from, I also took a Pilate's class. It was really different but I enjoyed it. There is definitely an opportunity to be there and take a class six days a week if I could find the time to fit them all in!
This particular blog post is entitled True Intentions and it's because of a little battle I am having within myself. As I've mentioned before, the whole 'dating' thing is rather new to me. It's odd though, how I find that there are guys in my life that seem to have taken a different look at me today than they did a year ago. I don't want to call anyone out, mention any names or anything like that...but just frustrating that someone I might have been friends with or acquaintances prior to all the changes I've made physically, seem to have a renewed interest in what else might be available to them with me. I mean, I guess there has to be some sort of physical attraction in order to want to move forward...but it's just a struggle I have with what might be perception that I am a different person than I was when I was heavier. That being said, there's people that I am meeting today, that didn't know me prior to all of this and I guess it isn't much different. I don't know...maybe you just don't know someones true intentions ever, anyway. I don't even know if this makes sense as I type it.
Anyway, not only has it taken me a week or so to write this blog, it's also taken me all day to finish and post it. It's been a drama-filled weekend and tonight tops off the end of the weekend with the news that one of my oldest friends has lost her father to his battle with cancer tonight. I'll be leaving town this week, either Tuesday or Wednesday to head up to Deltona and be with her and her family. Lynne and her family have been in my life for 20+ years, her girls are like daughters to me, and there is no place else I'd rather be right now than with her in her time of need. As soon as the arrangements are made, I'll be on my way to help.
This week, there should be a video listed on the Garcia website, I believe. It's part of the testimonial program. It's an audio clip of question and answers as well as a photo slide show of before and after pics. I'm not thrilled about the before pics, but obviously, that's why the program came in to play! I wish, but not, there was a way to re-do those before pictures!
In closing tonight, I just ask for prayers for Lynne and her family in their time of grief. Lynne, when you read this, know that I love all of you and I'll see you soon.
Work is different in that as part of the Florida leadership team, most of my time is spent working in the office (yes, home) managing the business that my team of reps is out promoting. Since May we've had revisions to programs and the leadership team has also been out promoting with our reps. That means instead of being in the office all day, handling the management of things that the reps find as well as special projects...we on the leadership team are out in the field, all day. That creates specific work for us, while our other work is not getting done. So, 10 minutes into that, you're behind! Try that for 5 weeks....OH MY GOSH! I've been catching up on work at night and we've had conferences and conventions on some weekends. It's just been very busy. Busy in a good way, but very busy. Anyway, enough about work, this blog is not at all about my job or any of that.
As far as how the maintenance portion of the program is going....tomorrow is my last regular "transition to maintenance" visit. Things throughout maintenance are going very well. I've managed to stay under goal and usually float somewhere within a pound under when I'm there to weigh in. I'm starting to really add foods back in on my own now as well. Last weekend I added...are you ready for this? BREAD! I ate from Subway on my way out of town last weekend for work. I ate a 'wrap' for lunch one of the days, and toast at breakfast and still managed to be under goal.
I know I mentioned last time I posted that I had joined the gym and it had been a week. That I was attending a class or two a week and it was going well. I've managed to work my way up to at least three visits a week. Most of them classes. There's a great water aerobics class. You laugh, thinking, how difficult is that?! Well, let me tell you, the class was great, but I didn't really think there was too much I was getting out of it. The next day told me otherwise. It's amazing the muscles you work out in the water, not realizing you're doing so. Besides that, how much better can it get than a cardio and toning class for an hour where you don't sweat!? A nice relaxing 10 minutes in the sauna afterwards to dry off and, viola, you're good to go! They have that class three days a week at my gym, I usually make one or two of them. As well, there is a kick-boxing cardio class on Monday's that I love. Usually on Monday's I have the need to punch on a punching bag for a little while, so that's always fun! This past week, in an effort to calm down some drama in my life and some emotions I was trying to escape from, I also took a Pilate's class. It was really different but I enjoyed it. There is definitely an opportunity to be there and take a class six days a week if I could find the time to fit them all in!
This particular blog post is entitled True Intentions and it's because of a little battle I am having within myself. As I've mentioned before, the whole 'dating' thing is rather new to me. It's odd though, how I find that there are guys in my life that seem to have taken a different look at me today than they did a year ago. I don't want to call anyone out, mention any names or anything like that...but just frustrating that someone I might have been friends with or acquaintances prior to all the changes I've made physically, seem to have a renewed interest in what else might be available to them with me. I mean, I guess there has to be some sort of physical attraction in order to want to move forward...but it's just a struggle I have with what might be perception that I am a different person than I was when I was heavier. That being said, there's people that I am meeting today, that didn't know me prior to all of this and I guess it isn't much different. I don't know...maybe you just don't know someones true intentions ever, anyway. I don't even know if this makes sense as I type it.
Anyway, not only has it taken me a week or so to write this blog, it's also taken me all day to finish and post it. It's been a drama-filled weekend and tonight tops off the end of the weekend with the news that one of my oldest friends has lost her father to his battle with cancer tonight. I'll be leaving town this week, either Tuesday or Wednesday to head up to Deltona and be with her and her family. Lynne and her family have been in my life for 20+ years, her girls are like daughters to me, and there is no place else I'd rather be right now than with her in her time of need. As soon as the arrangements are made, I'll be on my way to help.
This week, there should be a video listed on the Garcia website, I believe. It's part of the testimonial program. It's an audio clip of question and answers as well as a photo slide show of before and after pics. I'm not thrilled about the before pics, but obviously, that's why the program came in to play! I wish, but not, there was a way to re-do those before pictures!
In closing tonight, I just ask for prayers for Lynne and her family in their time of grief. Lynne, when you read this, know that I love all of you and I'll see you soon.
June 30, 2009
Maintenance and The After Pictures
Maintenance is AWESOME!!!
This is the first full week I've spent transitioning to maintenance where I've actually added in foods. It's been great. Granted, I didn't go this morning for weigh-in, but I'll do that in the morning. Things were kind of crazy this morning and tomorrow will work out better. This week's appointment is just weight and a shot, so anytime was fine.
This week during the transition, I have added whole wheat pita bread pockets, only one per day though. I've also added some fat free/sugar free pudding (it's good!) and have sort of begun to eat "normally" for my 'new normal'. For example, today at lunch I had a Black & Blue Steak Salad, easy on the blue cheese, no fried onions, dressing on the side. It was great!!
This weekend, I was busy, all over everywhere. Debi spent the weekend, I had the photo session, went to my mom's, went to see the band play in both Zephyrhills and a pit stop in Davenport on the way home from mom's with Debi. All in all we did good, great food choices, no issues what-so-ever.
The gym has been a great thing as well. I usually do a class once or twice a week (for the whole week I've joined so far) and work on cardio and toning in between. I absolutely love the cardio-kickboxing class. It's a great work-out and I can take out my frustrations on the punching bag as well! It's a win-win!
I never thought I'd become addicted to working out and shopping and eating healthy, but it's fun and easy. The motivation now I believe is coming from the testimonial program that's getting ready to go live. I for sure can't gain the weight back if my face is going to be plastered on billboards all over Tampa, or on websites and the like!! If that's not a motivator, um...nothing is?!
Ok, it's late, I wanted to post the official after pictures from my photo session with Steven Bivens. If anyone is looking for a photographer in the Tampa Bay area, he was great to work with! Steven, thanks so much!! You are awesome!
The before pictures were in the last blog post or two back...I'll not be reposting them, but...here's the after shots (well, a few, there were hundreds!)
This is the first full week I've spent transitioning to maintenance where I've actually added in foods. It's been great. Granted, I didn't go this morning for weigh-in, but I'll do that in the morning. Things were kind of crazy this morning and tomorrow will work out better. This week's appointment is just weight and a shot, so anytime was fine.
This week during the transition, I have added whole wheat pita bread pockets, only one per day though. I've also added some fat free/sugar free pudding (it's good!) and have sort of begun to eat "normally" for my 'new normal'. For example, today at lunch I had a Black & Blue Steak Salad, easy on the blue cheese, no fried onions, dressing on the side. It was great!!
This weekend, I was busy, all over everywhere. Debi spent the weekend, I had the photo session, went to my mom's, went to see the band play in both Zephyrhills and a pit stop in Davenport on the way home from mom's with Debi. All in all we did good, great food choices, no issues what-so-ever.
The gym has been a great thing as well. I usually do a class once or twice a week (for the whole week I've joined so far) and work on cardio and toning in between. I absolutely love the cardio-kickboxing class. It's a great work-out and I can take out my frustrations on the punching bag as well! It's a win-win!
I never thought I'd become addicted to working out and shopping and eating healthy, but it's fun and easy. The motivation now I believe is coming from the testimonial program that's getting ready to go live. I for sure can't gain the weight back if my face is going to be plastered on billboards all over Tampa, or on websites and the like!! If that's not a motivator, um...nothing is?!
Ok, it's late, I wanted to post the official after pictures from my photo session with Steven Bivens. If anyone is looking for a photographer in the Tampa Bay area, he was great to work with! Steven, thanks so much!! You are awesome!
The before pictures were in the last blog post or two back...I'll not be reposting them, but...here's the after shots (well, a few, there were hundreds!)
June 25, 2009
The Story...
What a surprise I have for those of you that have been following this blog since the beginning...
I have been asked and decided to participate in Dr. Garcia's program for testimonials. There will be some print media, radio advertising, possible billboards and whatever else they'd like to do with "my story". While this is all a little surreal to me, I'm thrilled for the opportunity to help others reach their goals through my story. If I help one person, it makes the journey all worthwhile.
So, here's a copy of "The Story" for all of you to read what bits and pieces may be used in the future. Tomorrow I have a 'photo session' with a friend who is a photographer to take some good "after" pictures. I sure wish there was something I could do to have better "before" pictures, but I'm certainly not willing to go back and re-create them! LOL
And....here's the story....
My Journey
When asked to write my “story” for Dr. Garcia’s office, I struggled on where to start. I mean, my weight gain started years and years ago. The last time I remember being thin was the beginning of my senior year of high school.
I remember portion control being a BIG issue. I remember trying every diet under the sun. I’ve tried them all, any fad, lose 10 pounds quick diet. There’s even a diet that you eat beets and ice cream, along with other things for three days. For the record, I hate beets! I’ve tried the cabbage soup thing. I’ve tried Weight Watchers. I tried Slim-fast. I tried at one time even using laxatives, and the only thing I ended up with on that was Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Great!
I’ve been in weight loss support groups. Funny, the support group would meet weekly. We’d starve all day to weigh in, then go to weigh in, meeting and then…yes, go out to eat at a pizza place. I kid you not!
About 25 years ago, my father lost 35 pounds. He’s kept every bit of it off, still today. He eats healthy, he exercises a little bit but he also never forbids himself from having something that he wants. He doesn’t eat a lot of junk food, but once every six weeks or so he allows himself a treat of a greasy cheeseburger. His way is; he thinks, he decides and then he eats. He has a big breakfast once a week, the rest of the week he eats very healthy. I was sure that he thought if I would just begin doing what he was doing and making the same decisions that he is making I would lose weight. I have…I have done the same thing only to return to my “normal” habits, and never having lost “all that much”.
In January 2005 I was due to have some surgery and I was devastated when it was put off because I had to lose 12 pounds in order to have it. I was crushed. It was elective surgery and I was unable to do it until my BMI (Body Mass Index) was in the “right spot”. I think that’s the only time I was ever successful at the weight loss attempt and I kept it off, all the way through the surgery. As soon as that was done, I gained it all back, and then some.
So, why in 2008 after struggling with weight and diet programs since 1986 would I want to start something now? What is different? Why should I expect a different result here and what, on earth, is my family going to say when they find out that I’ve now decided to start yet another diet program. This one including medication, shots, etc. would probably not go over very well.
Actually, telling my family went better than I thought. They were supportive, my friends were supportive and so the journey began. I started the program on 12/22/08. Three days before Christmas. Everyone tried to convince me to wait it out through the holidays, but I think I finally realized that it wasn’t about the holidays. It wasn’t about the food on my plate, it wasn’t about FOOD at all, yet for years, I’d been making everything about food. I wanted life to be about living life and not living to eat. I began to feel strongly that it shouldn’t matter what’s on my plate. If I’m at dinner with my family, my friends, my boyfriend, whom ever…it should be about the fellowship of being together, spending time with the people I love and NOT about what’s on everyone’s plate. Once I realized that, I was good to go.
I committed to Dr. Garcia’s program, started it before I told anyone and never, ever once, looked back. I strictly followed the program. I drank the water. I followed the meal plan. I did the exercise. I REACHED my goal. I had a little; personal ‘goal’ during the entire journey and it was to have “No Gain To Goal” meaning I would post a loss each and every week until I hit my goal. I initially set my goal where it would have been a 62.2 pound loss. However, very early into the program I decided that I wanted to add another 15 pounds to my goal. To date, as I am in the third week of transition I have reached my goal of 135 and was actually under that when I weighed in this week.
This is flat-out absolutely the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. I know, and I’ve told others, until you’re ready to make the lifestyle change it will never, ever be successful. I was ready, I committed to the change in my lifestyle. I didn’t do this as a diet program; I did this as a lifestyle change. I did this to lose weight, look and feel fabulous and continue on living a completely different lifestyle than what my body has become used to for the past 23 years. I live my life today, completely different than I have any day in the last 23 years. First off, I live life for ME today, but what that means, is I do the things I need to do to take care of myself. Realizing, finally, that if I don’t take care of me, I’m no good to others! Today, I make sure I have time to eat properly. I plan my day and my meals, I work out or plan not to, but I am making conscious decisions.
So, here I am, 184 days after the start of the program, down 77.8 pounds and thrilled with my new life. I’ve not taken medication for my IBS or migraines, or barely even Advil since the start of the program. I feel fabulous, I’m healthier than I’ve been in years, and this has done absolutely amazing things for my self-esteem. Again, it has been the best thing I’ve ever done.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Again, over and over again, I thank all of you who have been my support system throughout the six-months during this program. Without my fabulous friends and family I could never have done as well as I've done with this. I love you all, so very much!!!
I have been asked and decided to participate in Dr. Garcia's program for testimonials. There will be some print media, radio advertising, possible billboards and whatever else they'd like to do with "my story". While this is all a little surreal to me, I'm thrilled for the opportunity to help others reach their goals through my story. If I help one person, it makes the journey all worthwhile.
So, here's a copy of "The Story" for all of you to read what bits and pieces may be used in the future. Tomorrow I have a 'photo session' with a friend who is a photographer to take some good "after" pictures. I sure wish there was something I could do to have better "before" pictures, but I'm certainly not willing to go back and re-create them! LOL
And....here's the story....
My Journey
When asked to write my “story” for Dr. Garcia’s office, I struggled on where to start. I mean, my weight gain started years and years ago. The last time I remember being thin was the beginning of my senior year of high school.
I remember portion control being a BIG issue. I remember trying every diet under the sun. I’ve tried them all, any fad, lose 10 pounds quick diet. There’s even a diet that you eat beets and ice cream, along with other things for three days. For the record, I hate beets! I’ve tried the cabbage soup thing. I’ve tried Weight Watchers. I tried Slim-fast. I tried at one time even using laxatives, and the only thing I ended up with on that was Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Great!
I’ve been in weight loss support groups. Funny, the support group would meet weekly. We’d starve all day to weigh in, then go to weigh in, meeting and then…yes, go out to eat at a pizza place. I kid you not!
About 25 years ago, my father lost 35 pounds. He’s kept every bit of it off, still today. He eats healthy, he exercises a little bit but he also never forbids himself from having something that he wants. He doesn’t eat a lot of junk food, but once every six weeks or so he allows himself a treat of a greasy cheeseburger. His way is; he thinks, he decides and then he eats. He has a big breakfast once a week, the rest of the week he eats very healthy. I was sure that he thought if I would just begin doing what he was doing and making the same decisions that he is making I would lose weight. I have…I have done the same thing only to return to my “normal” habits, and never having lost “all that much”.
In January 2005 I was due to have some surgery and I was devastated when it was put off because I had to lose 12 pounds in order to have it. I was crushed. It was elective surgery and I was unable to do it until my BMI (Body Mass Index) was in the “right spot”. I think that’s the only time I was ever successful at the weight loss attempt and I kept it off, all the way through the surgery. As soon as that was done, I gained it all back, and then some.
So, why in 2008 after struggling with weight and diet programs since 1986 would I want to start something now? What is different? Why should I expect a different result here and what, on earth, is my family going to say when they find out that I’ve now decided to start yet another diet program. This one including medication, shots, etc. would probably not go over very well.
Actually, telling my family went better than I thought. They were supportive, my friends were supportive and so the journey began. I started the program on 12/22/08. Three days before Christmas. Everyone tried to convince me to wait it out through the holidays, but I think I finally realized that it wasn’t about the holidays. It wasn’t about the food on my plate, it wasn’t about FOOD at all, yet for years, I’d been making everything about food. I wanted life to be about living life and not living to eat. I began to feel strongly that it shouldn’t matter what’s on my plate. If I’m at dinner with my family, my friends, my boyfriend, whom ever…it should be about the fellowship of being together, spending time with the people I love and NOT about what’s on everyone’s plate. Once I realized that, I was good to go.
I committed to Dr. Garcia’s program, started it before I told anyone and never, ever once, looked back. I strictly followed the program. I drank the water. I followed the meal plan. I did the exercise. I REACHED my goal. I had a little; personal ‘goal’ during the entire journey and it was to have “No Gain To Goal” meaning I would post a loss each and every week until I hit my goal. I initially set my goal where it would have been a 62.2 pound loss. However, very early into the program I decided that I wanted to add another 15 pounds to my goal. To date, as I am in the third week of transition I have reached my goal of 135 and was actually under that when I weighed in this week.
This is flat-out absolutely the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. I know, and I’ve told others, until you’re ready to make the lifestyle change it will never, ever be successful. I was ready, I committed to the change in my lifestyle. I didn’t do this as a diet program; I did this as a lifestyle change. I did this to lose weight, look and feel fabulous and continue on living a completely different lifestyle than what my body has become used to for the past 23 years. I live my life today, completely different than I have any day in the last 23 years. First off, I live life for ME today, but what that means, is I do the things I need to do to take care of myself. Realizing, finally, that if I don’t take care of me, I’m no good to others! Today, I make sure I have time to eat properly. I plan my day and my meals, I work out or plan not to, but I am making conscious decisions.
So, here I am, 184 days after the start of the program, down 77.8 pounds and thrilled with my new life. I’ve not taken medication for my IBS or migraines, or barely even Advil since the start of the program. I feel fabulous, I’m healthier than I’ve been in years, and this has done absolutely amazing things for my self-esteem. Again, it has been the best thing I’ve ever done.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Again, over and over again, I thank all of you who have been my support system throughout the six-months during this program. Without my fabulous friends and family I could never have done as well as I've done with this. I love you all, so very much!!!
June 21, 2009
Transition To Maintenance
Gosh, it's been two weeks since I've posted a blog...my apologies. Things with work have been a little hectic, and each of the last two weeks have included some travel and late nights working, and late dinners, drinks, you name it. It's finally died down. One more weekend of travel for work, but not until the middle of July. Hopefully the weekend after that one (the 17-19th) I'll be having a girls camping weekend. We're just starting to see if we can make the plans come together to be able to have a girls weekend away-should be much fun!
I had to go back and re-read where we'd left off on this journey. I see that the last post was a mid-week update showing that my scale indicated I'd reached my goal.
Well, as of this week, we're still there. Right at goal in the office and the transition to maintenance has been going fairly well. Last week I received the Welcome to Zone Wellness packet which discusses how to eat in the Zone and discusses how insulin is a key player in controlling metabolism. It discusses the Zone Lifestyle Pyramid, showing that water, the Zone nutrition plan, moderate exercise and stress reduction all work together to help maintain healthy habits.
There are 7 Basic Zone Rules that go with the program, everything from eating within an hour of waking...which will be difficult for me. I'm not much of a breakfast eater, I'll struggle with eating as soon as I get up. Rule 2 is eating 5 times per day, 3 meals & 2 snacks. I think I can do that! Rule 3 is not letting more than 5 hours go by without eating something, again, I think I can do that! The others include eating mostly vegetables & fruits, treating 'carbs' basically, as 'condiments' and keeping the plate portioned to 1/3 low-fat protein, 2/3 vegetables/fruits as well as consuming 8 glasses of water each day. This is a decrease from the gallon that was the start with the program.
Funny, as I flip through the packet, there's a section that discusses "Benefits Of Living In The Zone" and I see those, listed out, but there have been so many things that have been beneficial to me since starting this program, and even since the transition to maintenance. I have a whole new outlook on life, I'm doing everything that I do for me and not for anyone else. I've even started dating. I know, some of you reading this are shocked by that, but that's what happens when you look okay and feel as fabulous as I feel. It's definitely been the best thing I've ever, ever done.
That being said, you're not going to believe this...well, some of you will, because you already know...but the office has asked me for my testimonial. They'd like to use my "story" as part of their advertising campaign. I was floored when the Director of Operations emailed me and asked me what I thought. We met recently and discussed what I might be willing to share with them. The options we discussed were print media, radio and television spots and potentially a billboard. So, for those of you living in Tampa, don't be surprised if you're driving along some day and you see my (UGH!) before and after pictures posted somewhere! It's truly an honor to be able to share my story with people and hopefully encourage them to do what they need to do in their own lives to become healthy. I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my story with anyone who wants to know about it. I know some people don't ask, because it's "weight and women and all...." but I'm so proud of the changes that I've made for me. Not physically proud, because I still don't think it's all that, but the healthy side of things is incredible.
I've also joined a gym. Today was my first session with the personal trainer. It'll probably be my only session with the trainer, he's pretty dang expensive. However, being at the gym, getting strength conditioning and still having a cardio workout option is going to be fantastic. I still have a lot of toning to do, for sure!
Since the Transition to Maintenance phase has started, I've ended all of the appetite suppressants and this last week was able to start adding foods back in. To be perfectly honest, though...I didn't add anything this week. I was traveling for work, didn't have time to go grocery shopping, I could name a thousand excuses...but I just have stuck to the program the way the food was laid out initially. I'm able now to add more protein, favorable carbs (still no carrots-I'll never eat another carrot I guess)fruits & vegetables, and the big addition was adding fats. Things that I haven't had, such as almonds, peanuts, avocados, cashews, oats, macadamia nuts and oils in moderation.
This week I will focus on adding some of the options back in. I need desperately to go grocery shopping, so I'll bring the list (and the book that was recommended, called Top 100 Zone Foods with me to the grocery store so I know what I need to be buying now.
Overall, it's been a fantastic two weeks. Again, my apologies for the delay on the blog, it's just been crazy. I have been promising people a blog update now for a week, and here it finally is. I was able to have a great lunch this week with a new friend, Renea, who stumbled across my blog on google as she was researching the program. Renea lives in Orlando, found my blog, we've been emailing and got to meet on Thursday for lunch when I was in Orlando. It was great to meet you Renea. Thanks for listening to my story and my new dilemmas. I can't wait to hear about your progress.
A little on the personal side...As you all know, I don't typically blog about the "other things" that go on in my life, but ultimately it all will affect the maintenance program and as I discussed with Dr. Garcia's office this week, I'm writing this and keeping it real. It's just me, it's what's going on and it's the concerns that I have. That being said, here's a little twist on this journey for you.
Stress wise--there are some things that have been going on that worry me a little as I transition to maintenance. They're a little personal, but 'most' of the people who read this blog are friends. There are definitely some, I know that read it, that are not friends. I've had a falling out of sorts with some people in my life in the last few months, and I know my blog is being read by some of them. Why someone wants to read something that is hurtful to them, I'm not sure, but it's the Internet, I suppose you can read what you want.
I've definitely noticed that some people are a little put off by the success I've had on the program, but those who have stood by me, day after day for the past 6 months, I value and treasure with all my heart and you certainly know who you are.
That "falling out" with a group of people has led me to some of the most positive places I've been in a very long time. For quite a while, I was living in what I now call the "drama zone" and living in the "drama free zone" today, is fabulous. As I indicated, I've started dating, which, at 40 years old, brings on issues in its own right. This is the little struggle I'm having that could affect maintenance.
I wasn't dating before, I really kind of took a two-year hiatus from serious relationships and was just having a good time being me. There was certainly not a line of men waiting to buy me drinks or take me out when I was heavier. Now, however, that happens. It's a little surreal. I'm not sure I'm liking it, but the fact of the matter is, it happens. It happens darn-near every time I go out, and quite honestly, I go out a lot, so I'm struggling with the 'attention' that now comes my way.
Now that the 'dating scene' has reopened it also means I have to think about things I haven't had to think about in YEARS. Things that a single woman without children at age 40, and wanting to stay that way, needs to consider. Enough said on that, as my friend Laura would say-read between the lines :)
I have some choices to make about the direction to take things, knowing full well that there are plenty of options out there and that many of them have side-effects of weight gain. It's admission time...I'm absolutely terrified of weight-gain. No big surprise there, I'm sure, but I mean...seriously...terrified. I think my biggest fear used to be those dang lizards on my back porch, now it's gaining an ounce or two. So in looking at this new-found dilemma, it dawned on me that the point in time where I started gaining weight was when I was a teenager. It was probably about the time I went on birth control and since now, 25 years later, it's something I have to consider....the fear of weight gain freaks me right out.
So, tomorrow I'll discuss this briefly at Dr. Garcia's office, and I have an appointment to discuss all of my options tomorrow with my regular doctor as well. I know three things for certain, without any question in my mind...as I sit here today, I know I don't want a baby. I know I don't want weight gain and I know that I have to do something. It's somewhat ironic to me that I'm writing this on Father's Day. Those that know me, know that there was nothing I ever wanted more than to be a mom and it just wasn't meant to be. Now, before this turns all sappy, I'm going to stop. The bottom line is that I now have a reason to have to control things that shouldn't happen today. I'm working on that, but I'm terrified of the maintenance of my weight and the options that might be available to me. Enough said.
In closing...have a great week and I promise another update soon....we'll get back on the Monday night track this week!
“Another flaw in the human character is that everybody wants to build and nobody wants to do maintenance.”
I had to go back and re-read where we'd left off on this journey. I see that the last post was a mid-week update showing that my scale indicated I'd reached my goal.
Well, as of this week, we're still there. Right at goal in the office and the transition to maintenance has been going fairly well. Last week I received the Welcome to Zone Wellness packet which discusses how to eat in the Zone and discusses how insulin is a key player in controlling metabolism. It discusses the Zone Lifestyle Pyramid, showing that water, the Zone nutrition plan, moderate exercise and stress reduction all work together to help maintain healthy habits.
There are 7 Basic Zone Rules that go with the program, everything from eating within an hour of waking...which will be difficult for me. I'm not much of a breakfast eater, I'll struggle with eating as soon as I get up. Rule 2 is eating 5 times per day, 3 meals & 2 snacks. I think I can do that! Rule 3 is not letting more than 5 hours go by without eating something, again, I think I can do that! The others include eating mostly vegetables & fruits, treating 'carbs' basically, as 'condiments' and keeping the plate portioned to 1/3 low-fat protein, 2/3 vegetables/fruits as well as consuming 8 glasses of water each day. This is a decrease from the gallon that was the start with the program.
Funny, as I flip through the packet, there's a section that discusses "Benefits Of Living In The Zone" and I see those, listed out, but there have been so many things that have been beneficial to me since starting this program, and even since the transition to maintenance. I have a whole new outlook on life, I'm doing everything that I do for me and not for anyone else. I've even started dating. I know, some of you reading this are shocked by that, but that's what happens when you look okay and feel as fabulous as I feel. It's definitely been the best thing I've ever, ever done.
That being said, you're not going to believe this...well, some of you will, because you already know...but the office has asked me for my testimonial. They'd like to use my "story" as part of their advertising campaign. I was floored when the Director of Operations emailed me and asked me what I thought. We met recently and discussed what I might be willing to share with them. The options we discussed were print media, radio and television spots and potentially a billboard. So, for those of you living in Tampa, don't be surprised if you're driving along some day and you see my (UGH!) before and after pictures posted somewhere! It's truly an honor to be able to share my story with people and hopefully encourage them to do what they need to do in their own lives to become healthy. I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my story with anyone who wants to know about it. I know some people don't ask, because it's "weight and women and all...." but I'm so proud of the changes that I've made for me. Not physically proud, because I still don't think it's all that, but the healthy side of things is incredible.
I've also joined a gym. Today was my first session with the personal trainer. It'll probably be my only session with the trainer, he's pretty dang expensive. However, being at the gym, getting strength conditioning and still having a cardio workout option is going to be fantastic. I still have a lot of toning to do, for sure!
Since the Transition to Maintenance phase has started, I've ended all of the appetite suppressants and this last week was able to start adding foods back in. To be perfectly honest, though...I didn't add anything this week. I was traveling for work, didn't have time to go grocery shopping, I could name a thousand excuses...but I just have stuck to the program the way the food was laid out initially. I'm able now to add more protein, favorable carbs (still no carrots-I'll never eat another carrot I guess)fruits & vegetables, and the big addition was adding fats. Things that I haven't had, such as almonds, peanuts, avocados, cashews, oats, macadamia nuts and oils in moderation.
This week I will focus on adding some of the options back in. I need desperately to go grocery shopping, so I'll bring the list (and the book that was recommended, called Top 100 Zone Foods with me to the grocery store so I know what I need to be buying now.
Overall, it's been a fantastic two weeks. Again, my apologies for the delay on the blog, it's just been crazy. I have been promising people a blog update now for a week, and here it finally is. I was able to have a great lunch this week with a new friend, Renea, who stumbled across my blog on google as she was researching the program. Renea lives in Orlando, found my blog, we've been emailing and got to meet on Thursday for lunch when I was in Orlando. It was great to meet you Renea. Thanks for listening to my story and my new dilemmas. I can't wait to hear about your progress.
A little on the personal side...As you all know, I don't typically blog about the "other things" that go on in my life, but ultimately it all will affect the maintenance program and as I discussed with Dr. Garcia's office this week, I'm writing this and keeping it real. It's just me, it's what's going on and it's the concerns that I have. That being said, here's a little twist on this journey for you.
Stress wise--there are some things that have been going on that worry me a little as I transition to maintenance. They're a little personal, but 'most' of the people who read this blog are friends. There are definitely some, I know that read it, that are not friends. I've had a falling out of sorts with some people in my life in the last few months, and I know my blog is being read by some of them. Why someone wants to read something that is hurtful to them, I'm not sure, but it's the Internet, I suppose you can read what you want.
I've definitely noticed that some people are a little put off by the success I've had on the program, but those who have stood by me, day after day for the past 6 months, I value and treasure with all my heart and you certainly know who you are.
That "falling out" with a group of people has led me to some of the most positive places I've been in a very long time. For quite a while, I was living in what I now call the "drama zone" and living in the "drama free zone" today, is fabulous. As I indicated, I've started dating, which, at 40 years old, brings on issues in its own right. This is the little struggle I'm having that could affect maintenance.
I wasn't dating before, I really kind of took a two-year hiatus from serious relationships and was just having a good time being me. There was certainly not a line of men waiting to buy me drinks or take me out when I was heavier. Now, however, that happens. It's a little surreal. I'm not sure I'm liking it, but the fact of the matter is, it happens. It happens darn-near every time I go out, and quite honestly, I go out a lot, so I'm struggling with the 'attention' that now comes my way.
Now that the 'dating scene' has reopened it also means I have to think about things I haven't had to think about in YEARS. Things that a single woman without children at age 40, and wanting to stay that way, needs to consider. Enough said on that, as my friend Laura would say-read between the lines :)
I have some choices to make about the direction to take things, knowing full well that there are plenty of options out there and that many of them have side-effects of weight gain. It's admission time...I'm absolutely terrified of weight-gain. No big surprise there, I'm sure, but I mean...seriously...terrified. I think my biggest fear used to be those dang lizards on my back porch, now it's gaining an ounce or two. So in looking at this new-found dilemma, it dawned on me that the point in time where I started gaining weight was when I was a teenager. It was probably about the time I went on birth control and since now, 25 years later, it's something I have to consider....the fear of weight gain freaks me right out.
So, tomorrow I'll discuss this briefly at Dr. Garcia's office, and I have an appointment to discuss all of my options tomorrow with my regular doctor as well. I know three things for certain, without any question in my mind...as I sit here today, I know I don't want a baby. I know I don't want weight gain and I know that I have to do something. It's somewhat ironic to me that I'm writing this on Father's Day. Those that know me, know that there was nothing I ever wanted more than to be a mom and it just wasn't meant to be. Now, before this turns all sappy, I'm going to stop. The bottom line is that I now have a reason to have to control things that shouldn't happen today. I'm working on that, but I'm terrified of the maintenance of my weight and the options that might be available to me. Enough said.
In closing...have a great week and I promise another update soon....we'll get back on the Monday night track this week!
“Another flaw in the human character is that everybody wants to build and nobody wants to do maintenance.”
June 5, 2009
A Mid-Week Update
Surprise! It's a post on, well, technically it's Friday. Rare to see a post on this blog when it's not immediately following a weigh-in, I know. Today, however, we hit a milestone that should be shared with all of you that follow along. If you're my 'facebook friend' then you already saw this post today.
This morning, hours ago, when I did my typical morning weigh in, I weighed in at 1.2 pounds UNDER goal! I was pretty surprised I'd gotten there this week. I was surprised to see it today. It's been a pretty crummy couple of days for me, but this certainly turned my week around.
I was pleasantly surprised I had reached the goal, but admittedly so, really happy to see it below my 135 goal, and liking that number more and more as I think about it. When I weighed in at 133.8 this morning, I wracked my brain trying to remember the last time I weighed that. I tried to remember the last time (if ever, mom?) I wore a size 4 and I wondered how I could get my health insurance to pay for the little bit of 'enhancement surgery' I'd really, really like to have! :-)
I couldn't come up with an answer to any of those questions, just so you know!
Anyway, just a short post to declare the milestone of GOAL MET! I guess it's time to post the "before" and "after" pictures that I talked about during the "Completion of Week 3" post from January 12.
While it doesn't thrill me to post this....it's important to see the progression from the 103.4 pounds. This first picture was taken in April 2006. The second picture was taken in May 2008 and the final picture was taken May 2009. I managed to lose about 25 pounds from the 2nd picture, prior to starting the program in December. Ok, here goes....
So, there you have it. Twenty-three weeks to start a plan to change my life, the way I think, the way I decide and the way I choose to start and end each day making choices and decisions to be a healthier person, for me.
I plan to continue the blog during maintenance as I'd indicated last week. As well, I'm receiving a lot of email from people who have stumbled across my blog that I have been an 'inspiration' to. I'd never thought of myself being an inspiration to anyone, but there are people I've never met making decision to start this program or to keep an appointment they questioned going to, just because they happened upon my blog. If I'm helping people out there, then this little blog has done more than I could have ever asked.
As always, in closing....
"Success doesn't come to you…you go to it."Marva Collins
"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will." Vincent T. Lombardi
"Desire is the key to motivation, but it's the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek." Mario Andretti - race car driver
Ok, I could go on and on....but it's late and I need to go to bed! Thank you to all of you who have had a part in the encouragement of me going through this program. It means so much.
This morning, hours ago, when I did my typical morning weigh in, I weighed in at 1.2 pounds UNDER goal! I was pretty surprised I'd gotten there this week. I was surprised to see it today. It's been a pretty crummy couple of days for me, but this certainly turned my week around.
I was pleasantly surprised I had reached the goal, but admittedly so, really happy to see it below my 135 goal, and liking that number more and more as I think about it. When I weighed in at 133.8 this morning, I wracked my brain trying to remember the last time I weighed that. I tried to remember the last time (if ever, mom?) I wore a size 4 and I wondered how I could get my health insurance to pay for the little bit of 'enhancement surgery' I'd really, really like to have! :-)
I couldn't come up with an answer to any of those questions, just so you know!
Anyway, just a short post to declare the milestone of GOAL MET! I guess it's time to post the "before" and "after" pictures that I talked about during the "Completion of Week 3" post from January 12.
While it doesn't thrill me to post this....it's important to see the progression from the 103.4 pounds. This first picture was taken in April 2006. The second picture was taken in May 2008 and the final picture was taken May 2009. I managed to lose about 25 pounds from the 2nd picture, prior to starting the program in December. Ok, here goes....
So, there you have it. Twenty-three weeks to start a plan to change my life, the way I think, the way I decide and the way I choose to start and end each day making choices and decisions to be a healthier person, for me.
I plan to continue the blog during maintenance as I'd indicated last week. As well, I'm receiving a lot of email from people who have stumbled across my blog that I have been an 'inspiration' to. I'd never thought of myself being an inspiration to anyone, but there are people I've never met making decision to start this program or to keep an appointment they questioned going to, just because they happened upon my blog. If I'm helping people out there, then this little blog has done more than I could have ever asked.
As always, in closing....
"Success doesn't come to you…you go to it."Marva Collins
"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will." Vincent T. Lombardi
"Desire is the key to motivation, but it's the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek." Mario Andretti - race car driver
Ok, I could go on and on....but it's late and I need to go to bed! Thank you to all of you who have had a part in the encouragement of me going through this program. It means so much.
June 2, 2009
Completion of Week 23!
It's official...the beginning of the rest of my life. Today, I officially began the transition process to the maintenance phase of this program. "Maintenance" is how I will spend the rest of every day of my life.
In knowing that I would be blogging tonight about transition, I searched for some "diet maintenance" links and here's what I found. I'm sure it's no surprise to anyone reading along.
Statistically speaking, about 90% of people who diet and lose weight, regardless of which method, gain every pound back. Ninety percent. That's huge in my opinion. I am of the belief, that the following is possibly why that number is so large. Another article I found entitled..."Life After A Diet" states that after months of hard work and abstinence, you've reached your target weight and return to your regular eating habits. At first, I stopped reading right there. My immediate thought was that was the problem. You simply can't return to your regular eating habits! I did finally read on to make sure that somewhere, the author brought that up, and yes, she did. I truly believe though, that's the problem with people gaining back the weight they lost. The definition of insanity, per Albert Einstein is doing the same thing, over and over again, and expecting different results.
Diet programs are just that...programs. They start, they stop and you go on. If you have not made the decisions throughout the program to change your lifestyle, then yes, I see where 90% can potentially gain their weight back. Those that go into the program of their choosing, with the determination to make a lifestyle change and not just a temporary solution should be successful in their endeavor to, indeed, change their life.
So, today's weigh in was the first one since May 18, because of the holiday last week. I didn't do as well as I thought I'd do. I anticipated two weeks ago, already being at goal. I did have a loss, however. I lost .6 pounds, my smallest loss yet, but still a loss. That brought the total to 74.4 pounds and 19.5% body fat lost.
Today, Dr. Armstrong and I met to begin the transition phase. What I learned today is that for the next two weeks, essentially, nothing changes other than a decrease in the medication and a slight increase in the amount of food I consume. The same food list still applies at this point. I have already started the medication transition. Not purposely, but the forgetting to take it, not taking it because I didn't feel like I needed an appetite suppressant if I wasn't hungry, kind of thing. I don't anticipate the next two weeks being much different than anything else from the past 23 weeks. He felt as though there was no reason I would not reach my 77.2 pound goal before fully moving into maintenance.
His statements to me were super encouraging. He reviewed with me that in 23 weeks, I'd pretty much lost 75 pounds and 20% body fat. The 20% body fat doesn't really do anything for me. I can't equate that to something. Actually, I struggle equating 75pounds to something as well! He said it was "amazing" (love that word, since he used it!) that the average was about 3 pounds a week and 1% body fat per week. He said I couldn't expect any better than that. It was great to hear from the doctor, himself.
He also told me that the transition phase is something to make participants realize that it hasn't been about the medication. That if I approach the transition and maintenance portion of this with the same attitude as I did the weight loss, there should not be a problem at all with maintenance. He said, I need to remember four key things. 1. Think about what you're going to do. 2. Make a decision. 3. Continue to drink the water. 4. Continue to exercise. By chance one of these things gets 'out of whack' the rest don't always work as well together. It made perfect sense. It's the same thing I did to lose the weight. It's all about making decisions. We all make decisions every day, from whether or not to get out of bed and go to work, to what we'll eat, what we'll wear, where we might spend our time. Thousands of decisions every day. The only thing I need to do is continue to make conscious decisions (think and decide) about the food that I eat.
I'm excited about the transition. I was nervous, but I know that I had the right mind-set when I started, and I know I'm ready to keep the mind-set moving forward. I didn't go into this looking at it as temporary. I was ready to make a lifestyle change. I'm still willing and anticipating continuing making that lifestyle change. There, honestly, is still nothing I miss that I'm not getting in my food plan. On occasion, it would be nice to not have to pick carrot slivers off of salad or to maybe have something a little bit different. I know those things will come, and I'm willing to wait it out, do what needs to be done and continue on.
More on the transition to maintenance next week. It's an 8-week process to completely be in maintenance. That includes the Zone consult, learning how to shop in the Zone, dine out in the Zone, eat fast-food in the Zone, a review of beverages and coffee house survival. As always, I'll keep you posted.
In closing...
There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.
In knowing that I would be blogging tonight about transition, I searched for some "diet maintenance" links and here's what I found. I'm sure it's no surprise to anyone reading along.
Statistically speaking, about 90% of people who diet and lose weight, regardless of which method, gain every pound back. Ninety percent. That's huge in my opinion. I am of the belief, that the following is possibly why that number is so large. Another article I found entitled..."Life After A Diet" states that after months of hard work and abstinence, you've reached your target weight and return to your regular eating habits. At first, I stopped reading right there. My immediate thought was that was the problem. You simply can't return to your regular eating habits! I did finally read on to make sure that somewhere, the author brought that up, and yes, she did. I truly believe though, that's the problem with people gaining back the weight they lost. The definition of insanity, per Albert Einstein is doing the same thing, over and over again, and expecting different results.
Diet programs are just that...programs. They start, they stop and you go on. If you have not made the decisions throughout the program to change your lifestyle, then yes, I see where 90% can potentially gain their weight back. Those that go into the program of their choosing, with the determination to make a lifestyle change and not just a temporary solution should be successful in their endeavor to, indeed, change their life.
So, today's weigh in was the first one since May 18, because of the holiday last week. I didn't do as well as I thought I'd do. I anticipated two weeks ago, already being at goal. I did have a loss, however. I lost .6 pounds, my smallest loss yet, but still a loss. That brought the total to 74.4 pounds and 19.5% body fat lost.
Today, Dr. Armstrong and I met to begin the transition phase. What I learned today is that for the next two weeks, essentially, nothing changes other than a decrease in the medication and a slight increase in the amount of food I consume. The same food list still applies at this point. I have already started the medication transition. Not purposely, but the forgetting to take it, not taking it because I didn't feel like I needed an appetite suppressant if I wasn't hungry, kind of thing. I don't anticipate the next two weeks being much different than anything else from the past 23 weeks. He felt as though there was no reason I would not reach my 77.2 pound goal before fully moving into maintenance.
His statements to me were super encouraging. He reviewed with me that in 23 weeks, I'd pretty much lost 75 pounds and 20% body fat. The 20% body fat doesn't really do anything for me. I can't equate that to something. Actually, I struggle equating 75pounds to something as well! He said it was "amazing" (love that word, since he used it!) that the average was about 3 pounds a week and 1% body fat per week. He said I couldn't expect any better than that. It was great to hear from the doctor, himself.
He also told me that the transition phase is something to make participants realize that it hasn't been about the medication. That if I approach the transition and maintenance portion of this with the same attitude as I did the weight loss, there should not be a problem at all with maintenance. He said, I need to remember four key things. 1. Think about what you're going to do. 2. Make a decision. 3. Continue to drink the water. 4. Continue to exercise. By chance one of these things gets 'out of whack' the rest don't always work as well together. It made perfect sense. It's the same thing I did to lose the weight. It's all about making decisions. We all make decisions every day, from whether or not to get out of bed and go to work, to what we'll eat, what we'll wear, where we might spend our time. Thousands of decisions every day. The only thing I need to do is continue to make conscious decisions (think and decide) about the food that I eat.
I'm excited about the transition. I was nervous, but I know that I had the right mind-set when I started, and I know I'm ready to keep the mind-set moving forward. I didn't go into this looking at it as temporary. I was ready to make a lifestyle change. I'm still willing and anticipating continuing making that lifestyle change. There, honestly, is still nothing I miss that I'm not getting in my food plan. On occasion, it would be nice to not have to pick carrot slivers off of salad or to maybe have something a little bit different. I know those things will come, and I'm willing to wait it out, do what needs to be done and continue on.
More on the transition to maintenance next week. It's an 8-week process to completely be in maintenance. That includes the Zone consult, learning how to shop in the Zone, dine out in the Zone, eat fast-food in the Zone, a review of beverages and coffee house survival. As always, I'll keep you posted.
In closing...
There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.
May 26, 2009
Completion of Week 22!
Since this past Monday was Memorial Day there is no official weigh in this week. However it's technically the end of Week 22 and I couldn't let the week go by without posting!
It's been a crazy week, somewhat stressful, busy at work and just a lot going. It would have been an easy week to throw the whole plan out the window, grab some skittles and have at it. Instead I know that I've made a lifestyle change, and when I was stressing out over whatever it might have been, I chose healthy options. I drank a glass of water, I had some hot tea or I snacked on grapes or another piece of fruit. I went for a walk, I wrote my inner-most feelings somewhere other than this blog. I just did something other than turn to food.
I can remember being on "programs" in the past and knowing I'd be skipping a week for a weigh in, either because of vacation or because of a holiday or something. That's sometimes the time when it's easy to say, I can be a 'little' bad, because, there is an extra week in there to fix what went wrong! I was amazed that I didn't do that this week. I stuck it out, knowing that I'd be going two weeks for a weigh in, and made it through, so far!
I did an unofficial weigh in yesterday, as I do every day, at least once :) just to see where I was to goal. I show that I had a 1.8 pound loss, for a new total of 75.6pounds. That leaves a whopping 1.6 pounds to go to hit my goal. There are people who are going to think I've lost my mind, but the past few days, I've considered going 10more pounds. I'm not going to, but the thought has crossed my mind that it's an option. Because this is where I discuss this journey, I've put it in here just so everyone understands that I did have the thought of continuing to go another 10 pounds. It's part of the process. Deciding and knowing for ME that I am ready to begin the transition is a decision, no matter how many opinions are given, that is only mine to make.
I have an appointment scheduled for next Monday to start the transition to maintenance. I'm not sure exactly what that entails. I have been working mostly the whole time with Kristen at the office, who is absolutely amazing. She's become a friend during this and we have found some commonalities in some very special places. I spoke with her tonight and she will not be the one doing my maintenance transition appointment. I did, however, learn from her that "transition to maintenance' means a lot more options, different foods, etc... The Zone Awareness paperwork that I have discusses the basic principles of any meal or snack. They will always consist of lean protein, 'favorable' carbs and a good fat.
It was great too, to learn from a personal phone call from Dr. Garcia a week or so ago, that I've lowered my risk factors and chances for developing chronic disease by over 100% for things like Arthritis, Asthma, Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease and Stroke. It's definitely been a positive health move! I just realized that was in last week's blog too...sorry!
Again, no weigh in "officially" this week, but alas, I do have updated photos. These were taken on 5/23, day 156.
Someone posted on my blog last week and I actually just saw the post. They asked about whether or not I've talked to people who have lost weight on this program and kept it off. I definitely have met people and talk to people every week on maintenance that are keeping the weight off. My comment and honest opinion back to the person who posted was that it definitely is a lifestyle change and not just a temporary solution to a life-long battle and that with the right mind-set you can keep it off. It's all about balance.
In closing, here are some pictures for you and of course, a quote, or two, I couldn't decide which I like better.
“There’s no secret to balance. You just have to feel the waves” Frank Herbert
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving” Albert Einstein
It's been a crazy week, somewhat stressful, busy at work and just a lot going. It would have been an easy week to throw the whole plan out the window, grab some skittles and have at it. Instead I know that I've made a lifestyle change, and when I was stressing out over whatever it might have been, I chose healthy options. I drank a glass of water, I had some hot tea or I snacked on grapes or another piece of fruit. I went for a walk, I wrote my inner-most feelings somewhere other than this blog. I just did something other than turn to food.
I can remember being on "programs" in the past and knowing I'd be skipping a week for a weigh in, either because of vacation or because of a holiday or something. That's sometimes the time when it's easy to say, I can be a 'little' bad, because, there is an extra week in there to fix what went wrong! I was amazed that I didn't do that this week. I stuck it out, knowing that I'd be going two weeks for a weigh in, and made it through, so far!
I did an unofficial weigh in yesterday, as I do every day, at least once :) just to see where I was to goal. I show that I had a 1.8 pound loss, for a new total of 75.6pounds. That leaves a whopping 1.6 pounds to go to hit my goal. There are people who are going to think I've lost my mind, but the past few days, I've considered going 10more pounds. I'm not going to, but the thought has crossed my mind that it's an option. Because this is where I discuss this journey, I've put it in here just so everyone understands that I did have the thought of continuing to go another 10 pounds. It's part of the process. Deciding and knowing for ME that I am ready to begin the transition is a decision, no matter how many opinions are given, that is only mine to make.
I have an appointment scheduled for next Monday to start the transition to maintenance. I'm not sure exactly what that entails. I have been working mostly the whole time with Kristen at the office, who is absolutely amazing. She's become a friend during this and we have found some commonalities in some very special places. I spoke with her tonight and she will not be the one doing my maintenance transition appointment. I did, however, learn from her that "transition to maintenance' means a lot more options, different foods, etc... The Zone Awareness paperwork that I have discusses the basic principles of any meal or snack. They will always consist of lean protein, 'favorable' carbs and a good fat.
It was great too, to learn from a personal phone call from Dr. Garcia a week or so ago, that I've lowered my risk factors and chances for developing chronic disease by over 100% for things like Arthritis, Asthma, Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease and Stroke. It's definitely been a positive health move! I just realized that was in last week's blog too...sorry!
Again, no weigh in "officially" this week, but alas, I do have updated photos. These were taken on 5/23, day 156.
Someone posted on my blog last week and I actually just saw the post. They asked about whether or not I've talked to people who have lost weight on this program and kept it off. I definitely have met people and talk to people every week on maintenance that are keeping the weight off. My comment and honest opinion back to the person who posted was that it definitely is a lifestyle change and not just a temporary solution to a life-long battle and that with the right mind-set you can keep it off. It's all about balance.
In closing, here are some pictures for you and of course, a quote, or two, I couldn't decide which I like better.
“There’s no secret to balance. You just have to feel the waves” Frank Herbert
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving” Albert Einstein
May 18, 2009
Completion of Week 21!
Today marks twenty-one weeks or 147 days on the program. I can't ever find any fun facts about the length of time on the program. I googled 21 weeks and all I get it what happens during the 21st week of pregnancy. YIKES! I Googled 147 days and I got that on April 20, it was 147 days until the Buffalo Bills season opener. Quite honestly, given the two options, I'd rather talk about pregnancy. Don't worry; I'm not going to do that to you!
The past week has been, literally, crazy. It was a long week of being on the road, visiting agents, preparing to go out of town for a convention and still a little freaked out by the 6.5 pound weight loss the prior week. I received a phone call from Dr. Garcia regarding the concern from my blog last week about the high loss. He told me not to worry, things looked good. No issues that he saw on his end. He indicated that I'd cut risk factors for heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes by 100's of percentage points by doing what I've done. He was happy with the success I've had on the program. He reads my blog and told me that I should be proud of this accomplishment as well.
This week I was (again) a little nervous about weigh in. My scale at home didn't move ALL WEEK. I had a stressful weekend and went out for a couple of drinks last night. Not the smartest thing I've done on the program, but I needed a little break. I went out to watch some of the Magic game. Regardless, I did end up with a loss this week. I really thought the NGTG might be done. I lost 1.1 pounds and that brings the total to 73.9 pounds since December 22, 2008.
It's been an amazing ride. After speaking with Dr. Garcia on Thursday afternoon and having another 1.1 pound loss, I've decided that my next appointment will be to begin the transition to maintenance. Dr. Garcia said that I'd still continue to lose a little bit during the transition to maintenance and would as well gain lean muscle mass. So the goal is still 3.4 more pounds, but as I mentioned last week, people are really suggesting to me that I stop at this point. Since I found out that I'm going to continue to lose a little bit as transition to maintenance begins, I'm ready to do that now.
It's been an incredible journey, the best thing I've ever done for myself, by far and now that I REALLY see it, I'm thrilled with the progress. This weekend I bought jeans in a size 4. I refused to believe I was really wearing a four and that the jeans (which I bought the same things in April in a size 10) were just a fluke. Tonight I shopped a little bit at Kohls, size 4 it seems to be. I bought a couple shirts and a jacket and another pair of jeans in the juniors department. I'm not sure I ever shopped in the juniors department when I was a "junior" let alone, at 40! It was definitely an eye-opener tonight. It shocks me how much the stack of clothes that don't fit, just since I moved, has grown. Needless to say, I'm finally proud of the accomplishment and I'm ready for the next phase of the program and of what life brings with it.
In closing, thank you all so much for the love and encouragement you've shown during all of this. Without the people I have in my life making it the center of what we do, I'd never have gotten through it. I'll be indebted to you all forever for putting up with me through it all. Those of you who are reading this that are friends and family, you are amazing. For all that you have said, all you have done and all of your encouraging words, thank you, thank you, thank you. There are so many of you out there that have shown great amounts of support, from my parents, my 'adopted parents', my best friend, my 'adopted daughter', and an entire host of amazing friends, spread out all over the country! You've shopped with me, called and checked on me, posted comments on the blog, watched me eat salad with carrot slivers that I pick off, watch me turn down dessert over and over again and yet, never tried to get me to "just have a little". You gave your honest opinions when it was time to buy smaller clothes, you encouraged me to get up at the crack of dawn to work out, and the list goes on and on! You guys ROCK! I love each of you so very much!
"I would thank you from the bottom of my heart, but for you my heart has no bottom." ~Author Unknown
The past week has been, literally, crazy. It was a long week of being on the road, visiting agents, preparing to go out of town for a convention and still a little freaked out by the 6.5 pound weight loss the prior week. I received a phone call from Dr. Garcia regarding the concern from my blog last week about the high loss. He told me not to worry, things looked good. No issues that he saw on his end. He indicated that I'd cut risk factors for heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes by 100's of percentage points by doing what I've done. He was happy with the success I've had on the program. He reads my blog and told me that I should be proud of this accomplishment as well.
This week I was (again) a little nervous about weigh in. My scale at home didn't move ALL WEEK. I had a stressful weekend and went out for a couple of drinks last night. Not the smartest thing I've done on the program, but I needed a little break. I went out to watch some of the Magic game. Regardless, I did end up with a loss this week. I really thought the NGTG might be done. I lost 1.1 pounds and that brings the total to 73.9 pounds since December 22, 2008.
It's been an amazing ride. After speaking with Dr. Garcia on Thursday afternoon and having another 1.1 pound loss, I've decided that my next appointment will be to begin the transition to maintenance. Dr. Garcia said that I'd still continue to lose a little bit during the transition to maintenance and would as well gain lean muscle mass. So the goal is still 3.4 more pounds, but as I mentioned last week, people are really suggesting to me that I stop at this point. Since I found out that I'm going to continue to lose a little bit as transition to maintenance begins, I'm ready to do that now.
It's been an incredible journey, the best thing I've ever done for myself, by far and now that I REALLY see it, I'm thrilled with the progress. This weekend I bought jeans in a size 4. I refused to believe I was really wearing a four and that the jeans (which I bought the same things in April in a size 10) were just a fluke. Tonight I shopped a little bit at Kohls, size 4 it seems to be. I bought a couple shirts and a jacket and another pair of jeans in the juniors department. I'm not sure I ever shopped in the juniors department when I was a "junior" let alone, at 40! It was definitely an eye-opener tonight. It shocks me how much the stack of clothes that don't fit, just since I moved, has grown. Needless to say, I'm finally proud of the accomplishment and I'm ready for the next phase of the program and of what life brings with it.
In closing, thank you all so much for the love and encouragement you've shown during all of this. Without the people I have in my life making it the center of what we do, I'd never have gotten through it. I'll be indebted to you all forever for putting up with me through it all. Those of you who are reading this that are friends and family, you are amazing. For all that you have said, all you have done and all of your encouraging words, thank you, thank you, thank you. There are so many of you out there that have shown great amounts of support, from my parents, my 'adopted parents', my best friend, my 'adopted daughter', and an entire host of amazing friends, spread out all over the country! You've shopped with me, called and checked on me, posted comments on the blog, watched me eat salad with carrot slivers that I pick off, watch me turn down dessert over and over again and yet, never tried to get me to "just have a little". You gave your honest opinions when it was time to buy smaller clothes, you encouraged me to get up at the crack of dawn to work out, and the list goes on and on! You guys ROCK! I love each of you so very much!
"I would thank you from the bottom of my heart, but for you my heart has no bottom." ~Author Unknown
May 11, 2009
Completion of Week 20!
Today was the end of Week 20 and I have to admit, I'm really not happy about today's weigh in. I had a long and stressful week with work and trying to get settled in the house.
I followed the program for the most part, but I missed lunch a few days. I was working on the road and brought fruit and stuff with me for lunch. I ate dinner nearly every night. I have a protein shake for breakfast every morning. I'm eating, I'm drinking water (although, not enough) and I'm occasionally taking the meds. I don't take them regularly anymore, I forget or whatever.
I also finally have now set the Wii back up and can start working out again. It's been over a week since I got in a work-out and over two since I got in a "decent" one. Unless you count unpacking boxes and moving furniture.
So, why was I not happy about the weigh-in? I know you think I'm getting ready to tell you the "No Gain To Goal" ended, but, actually I lost 6.5 pounds. I was not overly surprised, I'd watched the scale all week, and I knew I'd have "a decent loss". I was really surprised when she said, "Congratulations, you lost 6.5 pounds!" It sort of caught me off guard until she said I was under 140 pounds and I had 4.5 pounds to goal.
I left there thinking that was just ridiculous. That was way too much weight to have lost in a week, twenty weeks into the program. It kind of consumed the rest of my day. Replaying my week, trying to figure out if I skipped meals, how many, what I actually ate, etc...
The program total as of today is 72.7 pounds in 139 days. My tracker on my iPhone indicates that's an average of -0.5 pounds per day. If you add the initial 25 pounds that I lost during the transition from Connecticut to Jacksonville to Tampa, that puts the grand total weight loss at 97.7 pounds since February, 2007.
It seems everyone today had something to say about the weigh-in as well. Please know that I'm really not happy about it, although I'm happy about being 4.5 pounds to goal, for sure. This week people have been telling me too that it might be time to stop. "Maybe it's time to say you've reached your goal." "You're too thin." "How much more are you going to lose?" "Are you eating? Are you purging?" and let me assure you, I am eating, I'm not purging. I have absolutely no desire to purge. I feel like I'm on the witness stand for a bulimic woman on trial, but y'all need to know that there is nothing I hate more than vomiting, so that's the last way I'd ever consider losing weight!!
So, here's the bottom line. I have 4.5 pounds to go to reach goal. I have a weigh in next Monday and the following Monday is Memorial Day. It'll be the first Monday I've not been able to weigh during the whole time. I'm thinking...that where ever I end up next Monday might be the final for me before starting maintenance. I can't weigh in on Memorial Day, the office is closed. I'm on vacation that week and thinking that might be a good transition week to maintenance. I guess at this point, or up to this point, we can call the program a success. My original goal date was July 4, 2009. That was also the original loss goal of 62.2 pounds.
All in all I've been extremely happy with the program. I'm definitely a supporter and definitely recommend it to anyone who is motivated enough to do it!
In closing I hope you all have an awesome week. I'm looking forward to mine, now that I'm done stressing about the amount of weight I lost last week. Time to look forward to better things!
In honor of achievement:
"The person who gets the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore." –Dale Carnegie
I followed the program for the most part, but I missed lunch a few days. I was working on the road and brought fruit and stuff with me for lunch. I ate dinner nearly every night. I have a protein shake for breakfast every morning. I'm eating, I'm drinking water (although, not enough) and I'm occasionally taking the meds. I don't take them regularly anymore, I forget or whatever.
I also finally have now set the Wii back up and can start working out again. It's been over a week since I got in a work-out and over two since I got in a "decent" one. Unless you count unpacking boxes and moving furniture.
So, why was I not happy about the weigh-in? I know you think I'm getting ready to tell you the "No Gain To Goal" ended, but, actually I lost 6.5 pounds. I was not overly surprised, I'd watched the scale all week, and I knew I'd have "a decent loss". I was really surprised when she said, "Congratulations, you lost 6.5 pounds!" It sort of caught me off guard until she said I was under 140 pounds and I had 4.5 pounds to goal.
I left there thinking that was just ridiculous. That was way too much weight to have lost in a week, twenty weeks into the program. It kind of consumed the rest of my day. Replaying my week, trying to figure out if I skipped meals, how many, what I actually ate, etc...
The program total as of today is 72.7 pounds in 139 days. My tracker on my iPhone indicates that's an average of -0.5 pounds per day. If you add the initial 25 pounds that I lost during the transition from Connecticut to Jacksonville to Tampa, that puts the grand total weight loss at 97.7 pounds since February, 2007.
It seems everyone today had something to say about the weigh-in as well. Please know that I'm really not happy about it, although I'm happy about being 4.5 pounds to goal, for sure. This week people have been telling me too that it might be time to stop. "Maybe it's time to say you've reached your goal." "You're too thin." "How much more are you going to lose?" "Are you eating? Are you purging?" and let me assure you, I am eating, I'm not purging. I have absolutely no desire to purge. I feel like I'm on the witness stand for a bulimic woman on trial, but y'all need to know that there is nothing I hate more than vomiting, so that's the last way I'd ever consider losing weight!!
So, here's the bottom line. I have 4.5 pounds to go to reach goal. I have a weigh in next Monday and the following Monday is Memorial Day. It'll be the first Monday I've not been able to weigh during the whole time. I'm thinking...that where ever I end up next Monday might be the final for me before starting maintenance. I can't weigh in on Memorial Day, the office is closed. I'm on vacation that week and thinking that might be a good transition week to maintenance. I guess at this point, or up to this point, we can call the program a success. My original goal date was July 4, 2009. That was also the original loss goal of 62.2 pounds.
All in all I've been extremely happy with the program. I'm definitely a supporter and definitely recommend it to anyone who is motivated enough to do it!
In closing I hope you all have an awesome week. I'm looking forward to mine, now that I'm done stressing about the amount of weight I lost last week. Time to look forward to better things!
In honor of achievement:
"The person who gets the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore." –Dale Carnegie
May 7, 2009
Completion of Week 19-Keep Swinging!
I just realized this week is half over and I've yet to blog! It's been an absolutely crazy week with work, unpacking and settling into the new house and planning for a convention for work and I could go on and on and on. I've had to be creative for the convention, yet, haven't really felt all that creative these days.
The move-in to the new house on Friday left little to be desired. I have a feeling it's going to be a little difficult to get things that need to be done through the property manager, actually done here. We've gotten off to a rocky start. Never a good thing!
That being said however, I love the house. It's perfect. The floor plan is great, the location is great and the neighborhood is great. It should be a happy rental time and if the option came up to buy it, I'd consider it at this point. The home has so much potential for an owner! I'll post some pictures after it's "done". For the most part, it's moving along quite well though. There are about 4 more boxes to unpack and then it'll just be getting stuff on the walls and the like. That can always happen.
All in all it was an odd week on the program. I didn't deviate from plan, but I forgot regularly to take my meds. I don't think I took all three doses any one time during last week (and so far this week, too!). Needless to say, when Sunday rolled around, I was a tad bit nervous for Monday morning.
I ended up with a loss of 2.0 this week for a total loss of 66.2 pounds, with 11 pounds to go to hit goal. I was a little surprised. I thought this might be the end of the "No Gain To Goal" streak. Of course, I was very happy it wasn't!
Eleven pounds to go. Almost single digits to reaching the maintenance program. I absolutely can't wait. I can't wait to have a little more cash in my pocket, as this is costing me every time I go. I can't wait to not have to be there at 9:15 on Monday morning and try to arrange my schedule around that. Although, I'm much closer to that office now. I can't wait to be "maintaining" the weight loss, rather than continuing to say, I'm "almost" at my goal.
Exercise has been a challenge the last week or so as well. Needless to say, I packed up the Wii Fit on the night before the movers arrived, but still struggled with working it into my schedule. Work has been really busy and finding time to get things done seems to have let me depart from the regular work-out routine. Time to get my butt back in gear on something. I think I'd like a little more toning workout for a bit, in addition to the cardio that I get with Wii Fit. I need to do something to start toning the skin from where there used to be more of me.
I realized the other night, getting ready to go out to dinner that I really see it now, finally now I can tell! I know, I should have been seeing a difference. Sixty-Six pounds is a lot, but now, I look in the mirror and I don't see the girl that was there at Christmas. While I still see "me", I definitely see a much, much different me. I'm liking that. It makes me want to keep motivated. There have been a few times in the last couple of stressful weeks that I've considered saying, the heck with this....I'm over it. Then I looked in the mirror the other day and thought...you must be crazy! Look at the awesome job you did at this and you're going to let a little bit of negativity and drama change it? NO WAY!
So, I keep swinging, working toward the goal, every day. Getting closer to the goal, every day and looking very much forward to the maintenance program.
Sorry this is so late, and so brief. It's late and I needed to get something out here for you guys! More next week!
In closing....and in honor of baseball season:
My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging.
Hank Aaron
The move-in to the new house on Friday left little to be desired. I have a feeling it's going to be a little difficult to get things that need to be done through the property manager, actually done here. We've gotten off to a rocky start. Never a good thing!
That being said however, I love the house. It's perfect. The floor plan is great, the location is great and the neighborhood is great. It should be a happy rental time and if the option came up to buy it, I'd consider it at this point. The home has so much potential for an owner! I'll post some pictures after it's "done". For the most part, it's moving along quite well though. There are about 4 more boxes to unpack and then it'll just be getting stuff on the walls and the like. That can always happen.
All in all it was an odd week on the program. I didn't deviate from plan, but I forgot regularly to take my meds. I don't think I took all three doses any one time during last week (and so far this week, too!). Needless to say, when Sunday rolled around, I was a tad bit nervous for Monday morning.
I ended up with a loss of 2.0 this week for a total loss of 66.2 pounds, with 11 pounds to go to hit goal. I was a little surprised. I thought this might be the end of the "No Gain To Goal" streak. Of course, I was very happy it wasn't!
Eleven pounds to go. Almost single digits to reaching the maintenance program. I absolutely can't wait. I can't wait to have a little more cash in my pocket, as this is costing me every time I go. I can't wait to not have to be there at 9:15 on Monday morning and try to arrange my schedule around that. Although, I'm much closer to that office now. I can't wait to be "maintaining" the weight loss, rather than continuing to say, I'm "almost" at my goal.
Exercise has been a challenge the last week or so as well. Needless to say, I packed up the Wii Fit on the night before the movers arrived, but still struggled with working it into my schedule. Work has been really busy and finding time to get things done seems to have let me depart from the regular work-out routine. Time to get my butt back in gear on something. I think I'd like a little more toning workout for a bit, in addition to the cardio that I get with Wii Fit. I need to do something to start toning the skin from where there used to be more of me.
I realized the other night, getting ready to go out to dinner that I really see it now, finally now I can tell! I know, I should have been seeing a difference. Sixty-Six pounds is a lot, but now, I look in the mirror and I don't see the girl that was there at Christmas. While I still see "me", I definitely see a much, much different me. I'm liking that. It makes me want to keep motivated. There have been a few times in the last couple of stressful weeks that I've considered saying, the heck with this....I'm over it. Then I looked in the mirror the other day and thought...you must be crazy! Look at the awesome job you did at this and you're going to let a little bit of negativity and drama change it? NO WAY!
So, I keep swinging, working toward the goal, every day. Getting closer to the goal, every day and looking very much forward to the maintenance program.
Sorry this is so late, and so brief. It's late and I needed to get something out here for you guys! More next week!
In closing....and in honor of baseball season:
My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging.
Hank Aaron
April 27, 2009
Completion of Week 18!
Today is the end of the 18th week of the program. To say this last week has been stressful would be an understatement. It's probably been one of the most stressful that I've had since starting the program. I am a person who doesn't like to be at odds with people and to say I've been at odds this week with someone would, again, be an understatement. It's been a little stressful to say the least.
On top of all of that, at the last minute on Wednesday morning I needed to head up to Jacksonville to sign closing papers on the house because the title company did not give correct instructions as to what needed to be signed before I overnighted the package to them.
If there were a week I could have just said, ya know what, I'm over it....I'm ready to be done, I don't care anymore...it would have been this past week. I considered it for a few minutes. I then thought that I've known that there are people out there who have a negative outlook on this diet program. They are not going to get the satisfaction of seeing me fail on the program or on the maintenance. I opted to start this program because I knew it was something I could maintain at the end. I know what I have to do to maintain and the most important thing, I think, is that I don't feel like I'm making "sacrifices" to eat on program. I've said it before, I'm sure I'll say it again...I enjoy what I eat. I don't want to run out and have a bag of Doritos. I'm quite sure I'd be turned off by the smell as I sit here and think about it. Thinking I had support from people in my life and finding out that they truly don't think anyone in their "right mind" could manage to keep the weight off was a real eye-opener for me to prove to myself that I can do this and will do this.
This week, even through the drama, I managed to lose 1.2 pounds and .5% body fat. I'm at a total of 64.2 pounds lost and 13 pounds to go to reach the final goal.
This week I am working hard at getting things packed up to move into the beautiful new house on Friday. There are boxes everywhere, things all over, but it's a work in progress. It's all for good reasons. I'm moving closer to life, closer to work, a single-family home with some space. I know I have a lot of space now, but it's different. I miss having a yard, I miss having ONE floor and I can't wait to get in there and make it home. It won't take long...I'm pretty quick about unpacking and settling in, and it definitely helps that my mom is coming over this weekend to do some of the decorating stuff with me.
After the move and after getting settled I have a couple of weeks of work craziness. This time of year starts our convention season and we have some other initiatives going on that require me to be out of the office every day for a couple of weeks. It's going to be a stressful May. All I can do is take one day at a time and be the best me I can be each and every day at work and at home for my family and friends. Once all of that is done, I think a nice vacation to the beach for a few days might be just what the doctor ordered!
In closing, I hope you all have a fantastic week, I know I will!
“Vacation is what you take when you can't take what you've been taking any longer.”
On top of all of that, at the last minute on Wednesday morning I needed to head up to Jacksonville to sign closing papers on the house because the title company did not give correct instructions as to what needed to be signed before I overnighted the package to them.
If there were a week I could have just said, ya know what, I'm over it....I'm ready to be done, I don't care anymore...it would have been this past week. I considered it for a few minutes. I then thought that I've known that there are people out there who have a negative outlook on this diet program. They are not going to get the satisfaction of seeing me fail on the program or on the maintenance. I opted to start this program because I knew it was something I could maintain at the end. I know what I have to do to maintain and the most important thing, I think, is that I don't feel like I'm making "sacrifices" to eat on program. I've said it before, I'm sure I'll say it again...I enjoy what I eat. I don't want to run out and have a bag of Doritos. I'm quite sure I'd be turned off by the smell as I sit here and think about it. Thinking I had support from people in my life and finding out that they truly don't think anyone in their "right mind" could manage to keep the weight off was a real eye-opener for me to prove to myself that I can do this and will do this.
This week, even through the drama, I managed to lose 1.2 pounds and .5% body fat. I'm at a total of 64.2 pounds lost and 13 pounds to go to reach the final goal.
This week I am working hard at getting things packed up to move into the beautiful new house on Friday. There are boxes everywhere, things all over, but it's a work in progress. It's all for good reasons. I'm moving closer to life, closer to work, a single-family home with some space. I know I have a lot of space now, but it's different. I miss having a yard, I miss having ONE floor and I can't wait to get in there and make it home. It won't take long...I'm pretty quick about unpacking and settling in, and it definitely helps that my mom is coming over this weekend to do some of the decorating stuff with me.
After the move and after getting settled I have a couple of weeks of work craziness. This time of year starts our convention season and we have some other initiatives going on that require me to be out of the office every day for a couple of weeks. It's going to be a stressful May. All I can do is take one day at a time and be the best me I can be each and every day at work and at home for my family and friends. Once all of that is done, I think a nice vacation to the beach for a few days might be just what the doctor ordered!
In closing, I hope you all have a fantastic week, I know I will!
“Vacation is what you take when you can't take what you've been taking any longer.”
April 20, 2009
Completion of Week 17!
Another week down. I don't have a whole lot to blog about today. There is a lot going on and I have a lot on my mind with the move, work is busy and things are just a little 'crazy' for the next few weeks.
There is stuff everywhere in my house. I need more boxes. It's a bigger chore than I thought to pack all of this stuff by myself. I did decide to hire movers for the actual move day. I can't wait to be in the new place and get settled. I can't wait for SPACE! I can't wait to not have neighbors (whom leave little to be desired) not 'attached' to me on one side. There are a lot of positives in this upcoming move. Anyway, lots going on, and this blog isn't the spot for all that.
I did receive information today on the maintenance program and how that all works. I'm not sure how long I'll be able to afford to continue that part, but we'll see how it goes. I'm not so much worried about the maintenance aspect of this, as I know what I have to do and I'm not willing to "not" do it. I've blogged before about my dad who has lost weight and kept it off for a lot of years, just simply by knowing what he needs to do and doing it. I know I'm motivated enough now to do that.
I've had to shop again lately. I'm having an issue with buying things that only fit for a couple of weeks and then that's it. I finally bought some shorts. Knowing that I'm close to being done, and having two pair that are too big, I went this weekend and finally found some. Shoes have been another issue. My feet are smaller!??! This has caused me to need new shoes. I absolutely hate shoe shopping and I can't find anything that I like. I just continue to wear the same shoes that really don't fit anymore!
So...today's weigh in was great. I was pretty sure I knew where I was going to end up and it was close. I had a busy morning and had to actually leave the doctors office and come back later in the day. I lost 2.8 pounds this week for a grand total of 63 pounds. I also lost 1.8% body fat this week, for a total decrease in body fat of 16.3%. That means absolutely nothing to me though...I can't relate 16% body fat to anything...but it's out there! It's been 117 days and I have 14.2 pounds left to goal.
Things are progressing for sure. Today one of the ladies that works at the check-out at the office told me she didn't remember me from before. When I showed her the "before" picture, she was shocked. Pretty soon, I suppose I'll be showing all of you the actual before picture that was before I lost the 25 pounds I lost between moving from Connecticut to Jacksonville to Tampa.
Once I hit goal, the program total will be 77.2 and the actual, overall weight loss total will be 102.2 pounds. I will have lost almost my entire "new" self. Give or take 35 pounds, but WOW! As I type that, it's a LOT! To know that I had that much to actually lose doesn't make me overly happy. I probably wasted a lot of years not living life to its fullest because of that. I'm just sitting here contemplating things that I haven't thought of about having lost almost 100 pounds.
Prior to beginning the program, I suffered with (let's just call it) stomach issues. Since December 22, I have not taken any of my stomach medicine. It's amazing the difference in not taking those meds, the lack of meds for migraines, because I'm not having them so much. It's rare that I take any meds, other than the 11 prescribed things I take a day for the program!
Well, since I guess I found some stuff to blog about I'll close now that you've made it this far. I just ran across someone else's blog post that listed 101 thoughts on how to lose 100 pounds. There was some great stuff in there, I decided to use a few of them as the closing quote for tonight....enjoy and have a great week!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Restaurants don’t care if you eat everything that you are served. Their goal is to fill you up on free breadsticks, extra soda and alcoholic beverages before your entrée comes so you’ll go home happy…and fat. They won’t be there holding your hand when you get that coronary bypass.
If you eat your meals with overweight people, you will eat more. Period.
If you eat your meals with healthy fit people, you may eat less… and save money.
And, although I disagree with these, here's a few more:
Getting “checked out” is a real mood-booster, even if you are in a relationship.
The first time you walk by a friend you have not seen in a while and they do not recognize you because you have lost so much weight is an amazingly positive experience.
There is stuff everywhere in my house. I need more boxes. It's a bigger chore than I thought to pack all of this stuff by myself. I did decide to hire movers for the actual move day. I can't wait to be in the new place and get settled. I can't wait for SPACE! I can't wait to not have neighbors (whom leave little to be desired) not 'attached' to me on one side. There are a lot of positives in this upcoming move. Anyway, lots going on, and this blog isn't the spot for all that.
I did receive information today on the maintenance program and how that all works. I'm not sure how long I'll be able to afford to continue that part, but we'll see how it goes. I'm not so much worried about the maintenance aspect of this, as I know what I have to do and I'm not willing to "not" do it. I've blogged before about my dad who has lost weight and kept it off for a lot of years, just simply by knowing what he needs to do and doing it. I know I'm motivated enough now to do that.
I've had to shop again lately. I'm having an issue with buying things that only fit for a couple of weeks and then that's it. I finally bought some shorts. Knowing that I'm close to being done, and having two pair that are too big, I went this weekend and finally found some. Shoes have been another issue. My feet are smaller!??! This has caused me to need new shoes. I absolutely hate shoe shopping and I can't find anything that I like. I just continue to wear the same shoes that really don't fit anymore!
So...today's weigh in was great. I was pretty sure I knew where I was going to end up and it was close. I had a busy morning and had to actually leave the doctors office and come back later in the day. I lost 2.8 pounds this week for a grand total of 63 pounds. I also lost 1.8% body fat this week, for a total decrease in body fat of 16.3%. That means absolutely nothing to me though...I can't relate 16% body fat to anything...but it's out there! It's been 117 days and I have 14.2 pounds left to goal.
Things are progressing for sure. Today one of the ladies that works at the check-out at the office told me she didn't remember me from before. When I showed her the "before" picture, she was shocked. Pretty soon, I suppose I'll be showing all of you the actual before picture that was before I lost the 25 pounds I lost between moving from Connecticut to Jacksonville to Tampa.
Once I hit goal, the program total will be 77.2 and the actual, overall weight loss total will be 102.2 pounds. I will have lost almost my entire "new" self. Give or take 35 pounds, but WOW! As I type that, it's a LOT! To know that I had that much to actually lose doesn't make me overly happy. I probably wasted a lot of years not living life to its fullest because of that. I'm just sitting here contemplating things that I haven't thought of about having lost almost 100 pounds.
Prior to beginning the program, I suffered with (let's just call it) stomach issues. Since December 22, I have not taken any of my stomach medicine. It's amazing the difference in not taking those meds, the lack of meds for migraines, because I'm not having them so much. It's rare that I take any meds, other than the 11 prescribed things I take a day for the program!
Well, since I guess I found some stuff to blog about I'll close now that you've made it this far. I just ran across someone else's blog post that listed 101 thoughts on how to lose 100 pounds. There was some great stuff in there, I decided to use a few of them as the closing quote for tonight....enjoy and have a great week!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Restaurants don’t care if you eat everything that you are served. Their goal is to fill you up on free breadsticks, extra soda and alcoholic beverages before your entrée comes so you’ll go home happy…and fat. They won’t be there holding your hand when you get that coronary bypass.
If you eat your meals with overweight people, you will eat more. Period.
If you eat your meals with healthy fit people, you may eat less… and save money.
And, although I disagree with these, here's a few more:
Getting “checked out” is a real mood-booster, even if you are in a relationship.
The first time you walk by a friend you have not seen in a while and they do not recognize you because you have lost so much weight is an amazingly positive experience.
April 13, 2009
OOOPS---I forgot
Everyone has been asking for updated pictures...and I forgot to post them! Here you go, from this past Saturday night...
Completion of Week 16!
Sixteen weeks...It's been 112 days since the start of my lifestyle change. One hundred and twelve days of better decision making where food, drink, exercise are concerned and finally, one hundred and twelve days of people noticing a change in me.
I have blogged about this every week for the past month or so, but it's still something in which I struggle daily. I honestly don't know how to 'get over' the comments, compliments and looks. It's just not something I'm used to. I was out on Saturday night, with friends, for the first time in a long time. I saw people that I haven't seen in a long time. Every time someone made a comment, I tried really, really hard not to roll my eyes, say "whatever" and just blow it off. It's hard. I've given this some thought this week to see what really bothers me about it and I think that it's that I feel like I'm still the same person inside. I guess I feel like people think I'm different and I really am still the same person inside. It shouldn't matter what I look like 'outside' and I think that people are putting more emphasis on that, rather than who I really am. I'm so "not" the "skinny girl". I'm much more comfortable being the girl who would do absolutely anything for her friends and her family. The girl who wants nothing more than for the people in her life to be happy and healthy and who loves God, her family and friends more than anything else.
Okay-so enough about that....the reason you all come here is to see what the result of the Monday morning weigh-in is. Yesterday, I really thought it might not be such a great week. I didn't (still) deviate from the program, but I'm still not drinking the water I should be drinking. I made a pact with Kristin (the MA who weighs me every week) that when I saw her next week, I'd have consumed 7-gallons of water by then! I'm going to do that!!
This week, officially, I went over 60 pounds. I lost 1.5 pounds for a total of 60.2 pounds on the program. From the time I started losing weight, I'm actually down 85 pounds...but we're not tracking that here. I've lost 14.5% body fat and I have 17 pounds to get to the 'updated' goal. I guess (it just hit) that means, if I hadn't changed my goal, I'd have 2 pounds to go, and next week, I'd be starting maintenance! Oh well, it is what it is...16 weeks in, no gain to goal so far and 17 pounds to go.
I'm thrilled about the impending start of the maintenance program. I'm happy to think about starting to add things in that make no sense to me why I can't have today. I mean, it's not like I want to add in a Snickers bar (I hate chocolate) or a bag of Doritos (no desire for them), but to not have to pick slivers of carrot off of lettuce when I eat a salad, or to have an extra piece of fruit or two during the day is something I look forward to! I was discussing eating habits and shopping with a friend this week. We discussed how, really, I only shop the perimeter of the grocery store. Only things that are "from the earth", fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, seafood and limited dairy products. I absolutely love the food that I get to eat. The other night I made scallops and filet for dinner, with asparagus and sliced tomatoes. Can't get much better than that!
Anyway, all in all it was a great week. I'm looking forward to a few more weeks of losses and then starting maintenance. I know I can do it, I know I can stick with it and I know I'm ready!
In closing, have a fantastic week!!!
You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through. Rosalynn Carter
I have blogged about this every week for the past month or so, but it's still something in which I struggle daily. I honestly don't know how to 'get over' the comments, compliments and looks. It's just not something I'm used to. I was out on Saturday night, with friends, for the first time in a long time. I saw people that I haven't seen in a long time. Every time someone made a comment, I tried really, really hard not to roll my eyes, say "whatever" and just blow it off. It's hard. I've given this some thought this week to see what really bothers me about it and I think that it's that I feel like I'm still the same person inside. I guess I feel like people think I'm different and I really am still the same person inside. It shouldn't matter what I look like 'outside' and I think that people are putting more emphasis on that, rather than who I really am. I'm so "not" the "skinny girl". I'm much more comfortable being the girl who would do absolutely anything for her friends and her family. The girl who wants nothing more than for the people in her life to be happy and healthy and who loves God, her family and friends more than anything else.
Okay-so enough about that....the reason you all come here is to see what the result of the Monday morning weigh-in is. Yesterday, I really thought it might not be such a great week. I didn't (still) deviate from the program, but I'm still not drinking the water I should be drinking. I made a pact with Kristin (the MA who weighs me every week) that when I saw her next week, I'd have consumed 7-gallons of water by then! I'm going to do that!!
This week, officially, I went over 60 pounds. I lost 1.5 pounds for a total of 60.2 pounds on the program. From the time I started losing weight, I'm actually down 85 pounds...but we're not tracking that here. I've lost 14.5% body fat and I have 17 pounds to get to the 'updated' goal. I guess (it just hit) that means, if I hadn't changed my goal, I'd have 2 pounds to go, and next week, I'd be starting maintenance! Oh well, it is what it is...16 weeks in, no gain to goal so far and 17 pounds to go.
I'm thrilled about the impending start of the maintenance program. I'm happy to think about starting to add things in that make no sense to me why I can't have today. I mean, it's not like I want to add in a Snickers bar (I hate chocolate) or a bag of Doritos (no desire for them), but to not have to pick slivers of carrot off of lettuce when I eat a salad, or to have an extra piece of fruit or two during the day is something I look forward to! I was discussing eating habits and shopping with a friend this week. We discussed how, really, I only shop the perimeter of the grocery store. Only things that are "from the earth", fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, seafood and limited dairy products. I absolutely love the food that I get to eat. The other night I made scallops and filet for dinner, with asparagus and sliced tomatoes. Can't get much better than that!
Anyway, all in all it was a great week. I'm looking forward to a few more weeks of losses and then starting maintenance. I know I can do it, I know I can stick with it and I know I'm ready!
In closing, have a fantastic week!!!
You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through. Rosalynn Carter
April 6, 2009
Completion of Week 15!
What a week! Things here at home have been a little crazy, a little busy and a little stressed. I've been looking to move out of my current townhouse into a single-family home and have worked this week on finding something, getting paperwork done and making plans for all of the utilities and the like to be turned on when I move. I'm finally moving a bit closer to "life" than where I am now. I can't wait. I'm excited about the house. I'm excited about the neighborhood, and that I will have my friends MUCH MUCH closer to me once the move is complete. The house is closer to everything I do, work, church, friends, shopping, out..you name it! As you can see, I'm ready to go NOW~but just a few weeks and I'll be in there.
I am still fighting with drinking a gallon of water a day on the program. Since I had company at the end of February, yes, over a month ago, I've not completed a gallon a day yet. I really have a hard time thinking about drinking the water. I forget to drink it. I forget sometimes to even eat--so drinking water isn't something that seems to be top on my priority list. I guess I should put it back up there where it used to be. I've noticed since the increased work-out schedule and the decreased water intake I am starting to get muscle cramps in my legs at random times.
Today, as far as weigh-in was concerned was fantastic. I was down an additional 3.7 pounds for a total after 15 weeks of 58.7 pounds. I have 18.5 pounds to go to the new goal and then start the maintenance program that I have been reading about.
I'm ready to start that program, yet still don't mind the program how it is today. I have gotten a little more lax in the "no alcohol" department. There are the occasions where I'll grab a beer now and again. Usually no more than one and no more than one or two days a week. Apparently it's not been an issue! Then again, I'm not eating as much food as I'm supposed to eat and the beer is 99 calories!
I'm still having the same "me" struggles, but I truly don't see them going away anytime soon. It's a self-confidence issue that I have I suppose. I know I've had it for 20 years (at least!) and lately it's been more prevalent. I suppose because for the first time in forever, I'm hearing things from people I'm just not used to hearing. I guess when you lose almost 60 pounds in 15 weeks it causes people to take notice. I'm not used to the "take notice of me" thing. I think I've just sort of been "around" for the past 20 years and there hasn't been a whole lot of reason to compliment me. I mean, that sounds really bad. There are a lot of things I have been complimented on in the past, but none as "physical" as this process has been. It's just sometimes hard for me to believe it about myself.
It's funny, I never doubt the sincerity of the people who do the complimenting...but I find myself thinking, "ya, ok, whatever...it's just me, let's move on to something NOT about me." Yet, there are people who I call and text immediately after my weigh in, just so I can update them~it sounds stupid as I write this, but those are the people that I never doubt their feelings or what they tell me. Anyway, it's what I feel, so it's here. That being said, after I write the last paragraph, I typically go to a quote website I use and look for something that fits the topic. If this doesn't say it, nothing else could! Now, to start believing it!
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
I am still fighting with drinking a gallon of water a day on the program. Since I had company at the end of February, yes, over a month ago, I've not completed a gallon a day yet. I really have a hard time thinking about drinking the water. I forget to drink it. I forget sometimes to even eat--so drinking water isn't something that seems to be top on my priority list. I guess I should put it back up there where it used to be. I've noticed since the increased work-out schedule and the decreased water intake I am starting to get muscle cramps in my legs at random times.
Today, as far as weigh-in was concerned was fantastic. I was down an additional 3.7 pounds for a total after 15 weeks of 58.7 pounds. I have 18.5 pounds to go to the new goal and then start the maintenance program that I have been reading about.
I'm ready to start that program, yet still don't mind the program how it is today. I have gotten a little more lax in the "no alcohol" department. There are the occasions where I'll grab a beer now and again. Usually no more than one and no more than one or two days a week. Apparently it's not been an issue! Then again, I'm not eating as much food as I'm supposed to eat and the beer is 99 calories!
I'm still having the same "me" struggles, but I truly don't see them going away anytime soon. It's a self-confidence issue that I have I suppose. I know I've had it for 20 years (at least!) and lately it's been more prevalent. I suppose because for the first time in forever, I'm hearing things from people I'm just not used to hearing. I guess when you lose almost 60 pounds in 15 weeks it causes people to take notice. I'm not used to the "take notice of me" thing. I think I've just sort of been "around" for the past 20 years and there hasn't been a whole lot of reason to compliment me. I mean, that sounds really bad. There are a lot of things I have been complimented on in the past, but none as "physical" as this process has been. It's just sometimes hard for me to believe it about myself.
It's funny, I never doubt the sincerity of the people who do the complimenting...but I find myself thinking, "ya, ok, whatever...it's just me, let's move on to something NOT about me." Yet, there are people who I call and text immediately after my weigh in, just so I can update them~it sounds stupid as I write this, but those are the people that I never doubt their feelings or what they tell me. Anyway, it's what I feel, so it's here. That being said, after I write the last paragraph, I typically go to a quote website I use and look for something that fits the topic. If this doesn't say it, nothing else could! Now, to start believing it!
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
March 30, 2009
Completion of Week 14!
Time flies...so they say. It amazes me that 1/4 of the year is almost over. It's the end of March. It's Spring (one of two seasons for us in Florida, not counting Hurricane season) and another season has past.
I can remember being a kid and wondering if time would ever go quick enough to get to the next school vacation or the next trip or the next whatever. These days, I wonder on Thursday, where did this week go?! On Sunday, I wonder where did my weekend go?! Speaking of time, today is day 96 on the program. The completion of 14 weeks of a change in my lifestyle and positive, happy changes in my life. So many things have changed in my life in the past 14 weeks, yet I'm still the same person I was on December 22, 2008.
This week was very successful at weigh-in. Today's weigh-in signified a loss of 4.3 pounds and a total weight loss to date of 55 pounds so far. On my post from December 27th, I posted that the goal was to lose 62.2 pounds. Today, that would mean I'd be 7.2 pounds from my goal. Those of you who have been following this blog, however, know that on March 4th, I added another 15 pounds to the total overall goal. That means, today, I am 22.2 pounds from reaching my ideal goal. I could not be happier than I am right now about the progress that has been made along this journey.
I am still struggling with the fact that I am the same person, yet a different person than I was prior to starting this change. I'm the same girl who I was at a size...yeah, not the size I am today! I still like the same things, do the same things and love my family and friends more than life itself. It's just 'different'. I've never really had a like for myself. I don't necessarily see a thinner me in the mirror when I look. I still see the girl who was hiding from so many things, behind a wall of weight, and a wall it was! Quite honestly, I'm not sure that will ever change. I mean, I see that I buy smaller clothes (and lots of them) and I see that I eat completely different things than I did, and much smaller portions. What I don't see is someone who is a size 8 looking back at me in the mirror. I still, just see me, with the same outlook I had before.
I think I can safely say though, that I am a more positive person today, and I definitely see that. I didn't like the negative, cloudy outlook I had prior to starting all of this. I came home from a vacation in September in a big funk and I hated the person that I was during that time. My friends stood beside me, listened to me whine and cry (lots of crying) and all of the sudden, things changed. I put more faith in God, learned to let go of my past, started to count on my friends more, rather than just being there for them and learned who I truly wanted to be.
I was asked by my best friend this week if I "saw it" (saw what, you ask...keep reading!)...actually I think I was told, I didn't "see it." I don't see how beautiful I am, inside or out. Truth be told, that person was right. I guess I don't see it. I've never been good about seeing the good sides of me. I do what I do for others because it's who I am and it's who I've been for a long time. I used to be pretty selfish, but I no longer want to have a life that revolves around myself. I've changed that. I changed it a long time ago and I'm in a better place for it.
Wow, this blog totally didn't go where I thought it would! I guess we've gone from "time" to "changes". I can certainly say that the feedback I receive on my changes is a positive one. I guess it's time for me to take a dose of my own "positive attitude" medicine and start believing what the special people in my life tell me, every day.
In closing, and I think I say this every week. I am so happy to have the people that I have in my life. My family and friends are such an amazing support network for me. There is nothing in my life today that makes me unhappy and I'm so glad that I can count each of you among the many blessings that I have. I love you all, more than you could ever know.
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
I can remember being a kid and wondering if time would ever go quick enough to get to the next school vacation or the next trip or the next whatever. These days, I wonder on Thursday, where did this week go?! On Sunday, I wonder where did my weekend go?! Speaking of time, today is day 96 on the program. The completion of 14 weeks of a change in my lifestyle and positive, happy changes in my life. So many things have changed in my life in the past 14 weeks, yet I'm still the same person I was on December 22, 2008.
This week was very successful at weigh-in. Today's weigh-in signified a loss of 4.3 pounds and a total weight loss to date of 55 pounds so far. On my post from December 27th, I posted that the goal was to lose 62.2 pounds. Today, that would mean I'd be 7.2 pounds from my goal. Those of you who have been following this blog, however, know that on March 4th, I added another 15 pounds to the total overall goal. That means, today, I am 22.2 pounds from reaching my ideal goal. I could not be happier than I am right now about the progress that has been made along this journey.
I am still struggling with the fact that I am the same person, yet a different person than I was prior to starting this change. I'm the same girl who I was at a size...yeah, not the size I am today! I still like the same things, do the same things and love my family and friends more than life itself. It's just 'different'. I've never really had a like for myself. I don't necessarily see a thinner me in the mirror when I look. I still see the girl who was hiding from so many things, behind a wall of weight, and a wall it was! Quite honestly, I'm not sure that will ever change. I mean, I see that I buy smaller clothes (and lots of them) and I see that I eat completely different things than I did, and much smaller portions. What I don't see is someone who is a size 8 looking back at me in the mirror. I still, just see me, with the same outlook I had before.
I think I can safely say though, that I am a more positive person today, and I definitely see that. I didn't like the negative, cloudy outlook I had prior to starting all of this. I came home from a vacation in September in a big funk and I hated the person that I was during that time. My friends stood beside me, listened to me whine and cry (lots of crying) and all of the sudden, things changed. I put more faith in God, learned to let go of my past, started to count on my friends more, rather than just being there for them and learned who I truly wanted to be.
I was asked by my best friend this week if I "saw it" (saw what, you ask...keep reading!)...actually I think I was told, I didn't "see it." I don't see how beautiful I am, inside or out. Truth be told, that person was right. I guess I don't see it. I've never been good about seeing the good sides of me. I do what I do for others because it's who I am and it's who I've been for a long time. I used to be pretty selfish, but I no longer want to have a life that revolves around myself. I've changed that. I changed it a long time ago and I'm in a better place for it.
Wow, this blog totally didn't go where I thought it would! I guess we've gone from "time" to "changes". I can certainly say that the feedback I receive on my changes is a positive one. I guess it's time for me to take a dose of my own "positive attitude" medicine and start believing what the special people in my life tell me, every day.
In closing, and I think I say this every week. I am so happy to have the people that I have in my life. My family and friends are such an amazing support network for me. There is nothing in my life today that makes me unhappy and I'm so glad that I can count each of you among the many blessings that I have. I love you all, more than you could ever know.
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
March 23, 2009
Completion of Week 13!
Today marks 13 weeks in the program. Thirteen weeks, 1/4 of a year and 65% of the way to my new goal!!
This weekend, I spent a lot of time cleaning out my master bedroom closet of clothing that no longer fits. I'd done some dresser drawers, and a little bit of the closet a month or so ago, but this time it was full-on "spring-cleaning". Now, let me start by saying, I enjoy shopping. I enjoy shopping for clothes, household stuff, kitchen stuff, anything, really, except for shoes. I despise shoe shopping. Since I enjoy shopping so much, most of my dresser drawers are packed full of things that I haven't worn in, let's just say....a long time. As well, I had no empty hangers in my closet when I started this little project on Saturday morning. I didn't really even know I was starting it. I had company this weekend. They were still asleep; I was trying to be quiet, so I stayed in my room. Boredom overcame me and alas, the closet project began.
By the time I took the first break of clearing out clothes that didn't fit, I'd developed a pile of 46 things hanging in my closet that needed to get out. I was shocked. That was all stuff I knew didn't need to be tried on, mostly shirts that were hanging there for weeks that have been too big. I took a break and went back to it. When all was said and done there were 73 empty hangers in my closet, a HUGE pile of clothes (still) in the bedroom, a laundry basket full and a Rubbermaid container full. A few people have either gone through some or told me they are coming to go through some, but I hope it's soon, because I'm over looking at the piles. It was depressing, but good depressing. There's a ton of money in that pile of clothes, and really, a lot of it needs to be replaced. It's going to cost a fortune for me to replace all this, but it's definitely a good thing. Look out Macy's, Kohl's, Cato...anywhere! It's so cool to be able to shop in sizes 8 and 10. I'm not sure of the last time I was ever able to do that! I probably was too young to shop by myself then!!
Today, as we all know, is Monday. It's the official weigh-in day. I lost 1.5 pounds this week for a total of 50.7 pounds in 13 weeks. Officially over 50 pounds and absolutely thrilled about that! I was a bit bummed by only 1.5 pounds this week, but considering last week was 5 pounds, I guess there's no reason to be disappointed. I'm still keeping my No Gain To Goal attitude and still haven't eaten off of the program.
I find it's easier and easier every day to do this. I don't miss anything that is "forbidden" at this time. I cooked food all weekend for family and friends that came over for dinner. There was a lot of it I didn't eat. The only thing that bothers me about that is the taste of the food I'm serving to other people. I enjoy cooking. I feel fulfilled when I can make a good meal for someone and I truly love being able to share that with the people I love. My biggest fear in that is what if I'm making something and it's not good?!?! I haven't tasted it for the most part, so I'm going at it on 'a wing and a prayer' and hoping it's going to be okay. I used to taste as I went, being able to add things or change things as I was in the process. Granted, nobody's complained, or died, so I guess that's good! Most of the people I cook for read this blog; I'm hoping y'all would tell me if something was really bad. I mean, you keep coming back, so I guess its okay?!?! :)
This upcoming week and weekend appears, at this time, to be relatively calm. It's been a while since there's been a calm, non-eventful weekend at my house. I think I'm so ready for it. I'm hoping the weather is nice, there's a potential boating day on the horizon this weekend. If that doesn't work out, then there's always shopping for new clothes that I can do!
Lastly, I've really been trying to focus lately on having a more positive attitude. When I first moved back to Tampa things were rough. I was angry and bitter about Tom and the divorce, the sale of the house in Jacksonville, just a lot of things.
I think that the past 13 weeks on this program have really given me a different outlook on how my life can be when I focus on the task at hand. I have a better feeling about the direction my life is going. I definitely feel better about myself, and I think that is mostly weight-loss related. I seem to have lost some of the insecurities that I had 13 weeks ago!
I'm happy with my career and the direction that it is going and I'm thrilled to have the best friends anyone could as for. My friends and my family are such an encouragement to me in so many ways. They are all supportive of the decisions I make in my life and have been there to provide their unconditional love when I need it and shoulder to cry on when I need that too. The people I try to surround myself with are positive people. They have a good outlook on life, with the ability to balance their daily lives as well as their hopes, goals and dreams and work hard to achieve them. I strive to have that balance in my life as well and feel like there are things I can do every day to make positive progress in that direction.
In closing....have a positively awesome week!
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined.
Henry David Thoreau
This weekend, I spent a lot of time cleaning out my master bedroom closet of clothing that no longer fits. I'd done some dresser drawers, and a little bit of the closet a month or so ago, but this time it was full-on "spring-cleaning". Now, let me start by saying, I enjoy shopping. I enjoy shopping for clothes, household stuff, kitchen stuff, anything, really, except for shoes. I despise shoe shopping. Since I enjoy shopping so much, most of my dresser drawers are packed full of things that I haven't worn in, let's just say....a long time. As well, I had no empty hangers in my closet when I started this little project on Saturday morning. I didn't really even know I was starting it. I had company this weekend. They were still asleep; I was trying to be quiet, so I stayed in my room. Boredom overcame me and alas, the closet project began.
By the time I took the first break of clearing out clothes that didn't fit, I'd developed a pile of 46 things hanging in my closet that needed to get out. I was shocked. That was all stuff I knew didn't need to be tried on, mostly shirts that were hanging there for weeks that have been too big. I took a break and went back to it. When all was said and done there were 73 empty hangers in my closet, a HUGE pile of clothes (still) in the bedroom, a laundry basket full and a Rubbermaid container full. A few people have either gone through some or told me they are coming to go through some, but I hope it's soon, because I'm over looking at the piles. It was depressing, but good depressing. There's a ton of money in that pile of clothes, and really, a lot of it needs to be replaced. It's going to cost a fortune for me to replace all this, but it's definitely a good thing. Look out Macy's, Kohl's, Cato...anywhere! It's so cool to be able to shop in sizes 8 and 10. I'm not sure of the last time I was ever able to do that! I probably was too young to shop by myself then!!
Today, as we all know, is Monday. It's the official weigh-in day. I lost 1.5 pounds this week for a total of 50.7 pounds in 13 weeks. Officially over 50 pounds and absolutely thrilled about that! I was a bit bummed by only 1.5 pounds this week, but considering last week was 5 pounds, I guess there's no reason to be disappointed. I'm still keeping my No Gain To Goal attitude and still haven't eaten off of the program.
I find it's easier and easier every day to do this. I don't miss anything that is "forbidden" at this time. I cooked food all weekend for family and friends that came over for dinner. There was a lot of it I didn't eat. The only thing that bothers me about that is the taste of the food I'm serving to other people. I enjoy cooking. I feel fulfilled when I can make a good meal for someone and I truly love being able to share that with the people I love. My biggest fear in that is what if I'm making something and it's not good?!?! I haven't tasted it for the most part, so I'm going at it on 'a wing and a prayer' and hoping it's going to be okay. I used to taste as I went, being able to add things or change things as I was in the process. Granted, nobody's complained, or died, so I guess that's good! Most of the people I cook for read this blog; I'm hoping y'all would tell me if something was really bad. I mean, you keep coming back, so I guess its okay?!?! :)
This upcoming week and weekend appears, at this time, to be relatively calm. It's been a while since there's been a calm, non-eventful weekend at my house. I think I'm so ready for it. I'm hoping the weather is nice, there's a potential boating day on the horizon this weekend. If that doesn't work out, then there's always shopping for new clothes that I can do!
Lastly, I've really been trying to focus lately on having a more positive attitude. When I first moved back to Tampa things were rough. I was angry and bitter about Tom and the divorce, the sale of the house in Jacksonville, just a lot of things.
I think that the past 13 weeks on this program have really given me a different outlook on how my life can be when I focus on the task at hand. I have a better feeling about the direction my life is going. I definitely feel better about myself, and I think that is mostly weight-loss related. I seem to have lost some of the insecurities that I had 13 weeks ago!
I'm happy with my career and the direction that it is going and I'm thrilled to have the best friends anyone could as for. My friends and my family are such an encouragement to me in so many ways. They are all supportive of the decisions I make in my life and have been there to provide their unconditional love when I need it and shoulder to cry on when I need that too. The people I try to surround myself with are positive people. They have a good outlook on life, with the ability to balance their daily lives as well as their hopes, goals and dreams and work hard to achieve them. I strive to have that balance in my life as well and feel like there are things I can do every day to make positive progress in that direction.
In closing....have a positively awesome week!
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined.
Henry David Thoreau
March 17, 2009
Completion of Week 12!
Twelve weeks ago today I started this program. I've been posting here every week. Most of you have been reading every week. You've come here to see how the week went, what the outcome was and what the plan is for next week. Most times there's nothing here other than the whole "program journey". Don't worry, this week isn't any different, for the most part. The only thing is, as I looked back at a few posts, there sure have been some things happening that I've managed to push through, remain on the program and not have any issues with. In the past 12 weeks, we've been through Christmas, New Year's Eve, Girls Night, Superbowl, my birthday party-every one of them, my grandmother's birthday party and out of town company.
This week was a little bit different. It was busy, work-wise, but the parties and the company and the excessive opportunity to mess up the program was non-existent. I am still struggling with drinking the gallon of water, I've not completed that every day for a couple weeks. I'm drinking a lot of water, but not anywhere near a gallon. Tomorrow is a new day and I'm going to try to get it done tomorrow.
For the news you've all been waiting for, though...yesterday's weigh in was fantastic. I knew it was going to be okay, but I was not expecting the result of 5 pounds lost for a total of 49.2 pounds. I also lost 2.3% body fat this week. Because I was a day or so away from the 50 pound benchmark, I got to see the doctor as well.
When I went in to see him, the first thing he said, is WOW, you really don't cheat, do you?! I advised him that I didn't, that I can't see spending money like that on something to just do what you want to do. We discussed my meal options and the food I eat and how I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. I eat really, really good food. I certainly don't miss not eating the things I used to eat. That part has been really refreshing. More expensive, but refreshing!
So, it's really going well. As I mentioned last week, I've added an additional 15 pounds to my initial goal, so I've got 28 left to go. At this point, I'm not sure I remember any longer when the last time I was the weight I am now. Sometime between high school and 1992 I suppose, but I no longer can say...."Gosh, the last time I weighed this was ....." Most of my friends today have never seen me at this size or smaller.
I've dropped 5 clothes sizes in 12 weeks. I'm trying not to shop too much (I know some of you don't belive that), but there are things that I have to have. I had no jeans, that's what started the shopping, then I needed work clothes that actually fit. Then I realized all my shorts don't fit. I have another laundry basket of clothes that don't fit, and I've yet to go through all of the shirts in my closet to get rid of the ones that don't fit. I think I've not done that because then I have only a very few things left. Included in the pile of things that don't fit at all are all of the Rays shirts I bought during last baseball season. We have been to two Spring Training games and my 'Rays Gear' is all too big. It's a good problem to have, but I definitely need some different Rays clothes!
The Wii fit workout changes have been going well. I've realized I don't have time for an hour and 15 minutes in the morning. I am doing 45 minutes (with arm weights for 15) one day and 1 hour withouth weights the next and alternating between the two and it seems to be working well. I'm also walking Cocoa at some point during the day. I live on a circle and we walk the circle. Mostly just to get her outside. I have a basket near my front door that houses her leash and she lays in front of that basket and whimpers until she gets to go for a walk. We were going around 11:00 every night, but we've changed that up a bit and now we go after dinner most nights. There are nights when the walk gets skipped, but the workout happens Monday-Saturday, at some point. 99% of the time it's between 5:30 and 6:00 in the morning. Last week, however, I spent the night at my parents house and worked on that side of the state for the day. After a 3.5 hour drive, by the time I got home and settled it was 11:00pm when I decided that I just couldn't skip the workout. I got upstairs, completed the workout and was still up to do Thursday's workout at 5:30 am.
All in all, things are going fantastic. I've definitely not had an issue with the food plan and if I could just drink the water, maybe sooner than later, you'll be reading about the end of this journey and moving into the maintenance, forever lifestyle change, portion of the program.
I really want to thank all of you who are reading this, all of you who comment on this blog and all of you who comment privately to me about this. My friends and family have been an incredible support network for me during all of this. You all celebrate with me with the rash of phone calls and texts and emails on Monday mornings. You cheer me on and you build my encouragement and determination week by week. You leave your thoughts, love and support on this blog and I certainly couldn't have done it as easily without all of you. I know I tell you all, all the time, but I love you and I have the best ever friends and family! Nobody can say they have a better network of people in their lives than I do.
In closing, I hope you all have a fantastic week.
“Family means too much, Friends are too valuable, and life is too short, to put-off sharing with people, how much they really mean to you and pursuing whatever it is that makes you happy.”
This week was a little bit different. It was busy, work-wise, but the parties and the company and the excessive opportunity to mess up the program was non-existent. I am still struggling with drinking the gallon of water, I've not completed that every day for a couple weeks. I'm drinking a lot of water, but not anywhere near a gallon. Tomorrow is a new day and I'm going to try to get it done tomorrow.
For the news you've all been waiting for, though...yesterday's weigh in was fantastic. I knew it was going to be okay, but I was not expecting the result of 5 pounds lost for a total of 49.2 pounds. I also lost 2.3% body fat this week. Because I was a day or so away from the 50 pound benchmark, I got to see the doctor as well.
When I went in to see him, the first thing he said, is WOW, you really don't cheat, do you?! I advised him that I didn't, that I can't see spending money like that on something to just do what you want to do. We discussed my meal options and the food I eat and how I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. I eat really, really good food. I certainly don't miss not eating the things I used to eat. That part has been really refreshing. More expensive, but refreshing!
So, it's really going well. As I mentioned last week, I've added an additional 15 pounds to my initial goal, so I've got 28 left to go. At this point, I'm not sure I remember any longer when the last time I was the weight I am now. Sometime between high school and 1992 I suppose, but I no longer can say...."Gosh, the last time I weighed this was ....." Most of my friends today have never seen me at this size or smaller.
I've dropped 5 clothes sizes in 12 weeks. I'm trying not to shop too much (I know some of you don't belive that), but there are things that I have to have. I had no jeans, that's what started the shopping, then I needed work clothes that actually fit. Then I realized all my shorts don't fit. I have another laundry basket of clothes that don't fit, and I've yet to go through all of the shirts in my closet to get rid of the ones that don't fit. I think I've not done that because then I have only a very few things left. Included in the pile of things that don't fit at all are all of the Rays shirts I bought during last baseball season. We have been to two Spring Training games and my 'Rays Gear' is all too big. It's a good problem to have, but I definitely need some different Rays clothes!
The Wii fit workout changes have been going well. I've realized I don't have time for an hour and 15 minutes in the morning. I am doing 45 minutes (with arm weights for 15) one day and 1 hour withouth weights the next and alternating between the two and it seems to be working well. I'm also walking Cocoa at some point during the day. I live on a circle and we walk the circle. Mostly just to get her outside. I have a basket near my front door that houses her leash and she lays in front of that basket and whimpers until she gets to go for a walk. We were going around 11:00 every night, but we've changed that up a bit and now we go after dinner most nights. There are nights when the walk gets skipped, but the workout happens Monday-Saturday, at some point. 99% of the time it's between 5:30 and 6:00 in the morning. Last week, however, I spent the night at my parents house and worked on that side of the state for the day. After a 3.5 hour drive, by the time I got home and settled it was 11:00pm when I decided that I just couldn't skip the workout. I got upstairs, completed the workout and was still up to do Thursday's workout at 5:30 am.
All in all, things are going fantastic. I've definitely not had an issue with the food plan and if I could just drink the water, maybe sooner than later, you'll be reading about the end of this journey and moving into the maintenance, forever lifestyle change, portion of the program.
I really want to thank all of you who are reading this, all of you who comment on this blog and all of you who comment privately to me about this. My friends and family have been an incredible support network for me during all of this. You all celebrate with me with the rash of phone calls and texts and emails on Monday mornings. You cheer me on and you build my encouragement and determination week by week. You leave your thoughts, love and support on this blog and I certainly couldn't have done it as easily without all of you. I know I tell you all, all the time, but I love you and I have the best ever friends and family! Nobody can say they have a better network of people in their lives than I do.
In closing, I hope you all have a fantastic week.
“Family means too much, Friends are too valuable, and life is too short, to put-off sharing with people, how much they really mean to you and pursuing whatever it is that makes you happy.”
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