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

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

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

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