Update: June 28, 2003
OK, I'm starting this week's entry with grrr as well. I was a good girl this week - really - and I only lost a half pound again. Oh well, this is that week when I usually don't lose at all. But I've had it! No, I'm not giving up. As soon as I finish here, Keith and I are off to play tennis. Yes, tennis - the game I loved when I was a teenager. Keith used to play professionally. So he bought us a couple rackets. They are so big now - back in the dark ages I played with a wooden Davis racket. I'm actually sort of excited about it. It's a beautiful Saturday (for a change) with low humidity and since it's still the morning I thought we should make a go of it. I simply refuse to give up because weighing in the 190s is not acceptable to me. I will persevere and I will be a gorgeous babe. This will not beat me! OK, off to the courts! Look out world - Lori's got a big racket and she knows how to use it! (Well, she may look a little funny while she's getting used to it but give her a break - she's 40 and hasn't played in over 10 years!)
Update: June 21, 2003
Grrr...I only last a half pound this week. I feel and look good - everyone is telling me that - but I seem to have slowed down on the weight loss front. So I guess it is time to review what I've been doing and possibly make some changes. For the past few weeks, I've been eating turkey salami in my pita sandwiches for lunch, so maybe I will go back to the Healthy Choice mesquite chicken and see if that has any impact. We want to exercise but the weather has been dreadful. Here it is - the longest day of the year and the first day of summer - and it is 61 degrees and raining. I believe we have had rain 11 of the past 12 weekends. We had actually planned to go about 4 hours from home this weekend to take a hot-air balloon ride but it was rained out. This is the 2nd time we've tried - we also tried last October for Keith's birthday. It is paid for, so we'll be trying again this fall.
Keith bought tennis rackets for both of us and we really want to play but everything is soggy. Maybe that will help get my weight loss back into gear. On the happy side, I ordered clothing online from Land's End and it arrived this week. I ordered things in normal misses sizes and they all fit! What are the other positives? (I have to keep looking at the upside to keep myself motivated.) It has been 11 months since I embarked on this journey and after nearly a year, I think it's fair to say my eating habits have definitely changed. Sure, I still have cravings for junk food occasionally, but it is less and less. I am definitely in heaven since I discovered fat-free pizza (www.pizzafree.com) - that helps me with the pizza cravings. I haven't had a french fry in - jeez, I don't know how long. It might make me sick now. I miss my crackers and cheese. This probably sounds disgusting, but I have an ounce of Velveeta light cheese a couple times a week and that helps. But I haven't stopped living. Since our weekend plans got thwarted, we decided to go out to dinner - to an Asian place with some healthy options. Next week is that one week per month when I don't lose so I am preparing myself for that. I am definitely recognizing that it will take me at least another year to get to where I want to be. Hey, Rome wasn't built in a day, and to take my starting weight of nearly 260 pounds and chop it in half is going to take some time. I heard a rumor we might actually have temperatures over 80 and see the sun this week, so that is something to look forward to!
Update: June 14, 2003
I am down a pound this week, to 193.5. So I have officially lost 65 pounds now. Woo hoo! I would have loved a bigger loss but I will take what I can get. My weight loss has slowed down since I hit the 100s, or so it seems. I haven't really changed anything but I am in a lower food points range now that I did struggle with initially but I think I'm with the program now. So I have 58.5 pounds left to lose. It really will take me another year if I keep losing at only a half pound or one pound a week, but I will have to live with that. There is no quick fix for losing 123.5 pounds and I am happy with my achievements so far. I truly have changed the way I eat.
I really need to go buy some more clothing - I realized today (when the temperature finally went over 80 and it was sunny on a weekend, for a change) that I have very little weekend wear for the summer. Right now I am wearing a Disney dress...the tank top I got at Walt Disney World in March 2002 that I am wearing in that pathetic "before" shot on the picture page. It's only in the house, so no one but Keith will see it. I had a victory of sorts today - I officially fit into a women's large shirt and it did fit comfortably - it wasn't tight at all. Could a medium possibly be in the future? Not unless I lose some of this chest, I guess. Hey - baby steps!
Update: June 7, 2003
Well, the scale finally moved...not much, but I'll take what I can get. I was down one freaking half of a pound and now weigh 194.5. I have to keep looking at the positives, and the one I found for myself this week is that I now have less than 60 pounds to go! (OK, 59.5 to be exact, but it's something.) Again, I keep reminding myself I am firmly in the 100s and I am happy about that. I went to the salon this week and a couple people commented on how good I look and how much weight I had lost. And instead of mumbling something, I held my head up, smiled, and said, "Thank you."
We went to a great concert last Sunday night, to see Roger McGuinn, the founder of the Byrds. We were in a small venue - probably about 300 people - and it was so cool to sit 20 yards from a true music icon. He is at least 60 but looked and sounded great and clearly loves what he is doing. I wore an outfit I have only worn once and felt thin (or as close to thin as I can feel right now). I wore it again Thursday to work and got several compliments. It is a pink capri pants and shirt, and both have scalloped edging and stitching along the bottom. The shirt has puffy peasant-style sleeves and I wouldn't have been caught dead in this 60-some pounds ago - I would have looked like a stuffed sausage.
The weather this weekend is dreary yet again. I believe it has rained every weekend since spring began in March, and here we are in June. Of course, it was beautiful on Friday, but today it is pouring, there is a flood watch, and it is only 60 degrees out! This is June, a time when we should be able to walk around the neighborhood. It is supposed to stop tonight so we are hopeful we will at least have a nice Sunday!
Update: June 1, 2003
This is that one week per month I can always count on to not even lose and to sometimes be up when I retain water. Well, at least I was prepared for it - no loss this week. Oh well. It's a bummer when you stick to the plan all week and you don't lose weight, which makes me wonder - if I wasn't dieting, would I usually gain weight this one week per month? How aggravating!
Now that I am over halfway to my weight goal I have started to ponder what life will be like when I get to a weight that I want to be at the rest of my life. I still have 60 pounds to go. 60 pounds!!! I've gone from wearing size 26-28 to size 14-16 losing 63.5 pounds. Does that mean I will be around a size 6 or 8 if I lose another 60 pounds? That doesn't seem possible. I believe my frame (which is medium) couldn't really fit into anything under a 10 since I've never been able to maintain a size less than that. I know, I know - it's not so much about the numbers as much as how I look and feel, but as I keep losing weight, I have to start examing the long-term ramifications and how I will deal with things. I'm not down on myself - just the opposite, but I know this phase will eventually come to a close and I will have to figure out how to live the rest of my life at a good, healthy weight I can maintain. All the best intentioned guidelines in the world can't do it for me - I have to do it for myself. I am definitely hoping for a loss next week!
Update: May 24, 2003
OK, I was concerned I might have another week without a loss. After all, I had a nice gourmet dinner last weekend at a wonderful restaurant (but I didn't go too nuts) and I threw a party for the American Idol season finale this week for a few friends (but I did have low-fat snacks). But this morning it was great news - the scale said 195! I am down 63.5 pounds! I just didn't feel like I had really lost this week but I will take that great 2.5 pound loss!
We had to stop in at the pool and spa store to pick up some chemicals for the hot tub today, and a woman whom we bought our hot tub from a few years ago (and who sees us a few times a year when we get chemicals and always talks to us) asked me if I had lost weight. I confidently said, "Yes - over 60 pounds." She told me I looked great and asked me what was my secret, and I told her. It really feels great to get those compliments and I readily accept them now. Keith and I both pulled t-shirts out of our drawers today we had not previously been able to wear. It's been 10 months as of this week, but losing all this weight has been worth it. I finally am past my mid-point and have 60 pounds left...I don't know if my body can do that. But I sure am going to try!
Update: May 17, 2003
Well, I didn't lose any weight this week, but I also didn't gain, so I am firmly entrenched in the 100s. And besides, after such a huge loss last week, I had prepared myself to face a scale this week that showed little or no weight loss. I am in a lower range for my daily food intake so I was being very conservative and I recognize that I probably under-ate, which can lead to no weight loss because your body goes into starvation mode. I am sure as the weeks pass and I get more comfortable in this nutritional range I will do better.
I did manage to pick up a nasty cold this week which also likely inhibited my weight loss. No matter - this is a new week. It actually got quite cool yesterday and I had to pull out an outfit for work that I bought 3 months ago. Needless to say, it was hanging on me. It is amazing how I am now looking for things that fit me well instead of trying to cover up the fat. I am sure I am standing taller and holding my head up higher.
My wonderful husband is taking me away to a luxury inn this evening to celebrate my weight loss. Since he has lost nearly 30 pounds himself I guess what we are truly celebrating are the major changes we have made in our lives and what a positive impact they have had on us. We are looking forward to the summer and to showing off our new and improved bodies and to participating in physical activities we wouldn't have gone near a year ago.
Update: May 10, 2003
WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!!! I did it!!! I made it to Onederland!!! I kept telling myself all week that because I didn't lose last week I would lose big time this week as long as I stuck to the plan, and that is exactly what happened! I stepped on the scale today and I lost 3.5 pounds which takes me to 197.5! Not only did I get into the 100s, I went a little further. I have now lost exactly 61 pounds. I am halfway to my goal. I honestly don't know if my 40-year-old body can make it to 135 and stay there without killing myself, but I believe my body will let me know when I hit the right weight for me. I believe I can do this, I truly do. Keith took two updated pictures and they are on the picture page. I'm thrilled and I can't wipe the smile from my face!
Update: May 4, 2003
I was a good girl this week but did not lose any weight. But hey - I didn't gain any either and I am firmly at 201. It is that week of the month when I rarely lose so I pretty much expected it, and I know as long as I am good with my food I will lose next week. I am so anxious - I just can't wait to step on that scale and see the first digit be a "1"!
I went to a bridal shower yesterday and saw some relatives I haven't seen for 6 months and their exclamations over my lost weight, new hairdo, and new outfit made it so worthwhile. I need to see people I haven't for awhile just to help me gain perspective on all I have been able to accomplish.
I went shopping last weekend because I have no summer clothing that fits, outside of a few baggy t-shirts. Everything I bought was 14-16! And since I had been stepping out of my shoes I also bought a few pairs of shoes that are 1/2 size smaller and back to my normal size. When I got home with my purchases, I went through a dresser and got rid of nearly everything in there, and it filled up 3 trash bags (which Keith dropped off at a clothing drop the next day). It was scary to let go of that stuff, but as Keith pointed out - it didn't fit, so why keep it. Yesterday morning I went through clothing in my closet and filled up 3 trash bags with some of the nicer stuff for a friend of my mother's. I also filled up a trash bag with clothes that was worn-out or stained (and why was I keeping that stuff anyway). Now my out-of-control shoe collection is visible, so I will have to work on that next. I also have another dresser that I need to address. Hey, baby steps! I am really hoping that next week when I update this website I can say I am 100-something!
Update: April 26, 2003
I am so close to the 100s! Today I weighed 201, down one pound this week. I will take some new pictures of myself and upload them to this website as soon as I hit the 100s. I anticipate that being in 2 weeks. The weather is getting warmer and although I have a handful of work outfits, I have nothing else. None of my summer shorts and tops fit, and my bathing suits are all big, so I will make myself go shopping tomorrow. For so long, I could get away with wearing things that were big, but no longer. I weigh nearly 60 pounds less than I did a year ago and it shows. I'm not a shopper, but this is a great reason to go!
We tried some great new recipes this week and I will have to get them up on the website this weekend. I saw my in-laws last weekend for Easter, and I hadn't seen them for 4 months. My mother-in-law said that between the weight loss and new haircut, she hardly recognized me. It is gratifying to see people who I don't see regularly and to hear what they have to say about my appearance. As much as I keep giving myself pep talks, input from others is so key to making this work for me. The people who see me every day just don't notice as much, which I totally understand. I also try things on once a month so I can see my progress. I truly am looking forward to wearing a couple little sexy summer dresses I had bought that were previously too small! Woo hoo!
Update: April 19, 2003
I was hesitant to get on the scale this week. We went to a wine tasting party last Saturday evening and there was fabulous food available, although it was mostly healthy fare and I was careful with my portions. I also am getting tired of fat-free cheese and used a bit more reduced fat cheese this week. But I balanced things out with light English muffins, etc. Anyway, I lost .5 pound. I didn't expect to have another big loss like last week. At least the weight I have lost over the past 6 weeks since I have started my job is no fluke - I am firmly at 202 pounds and closing in on the 100s.
I am being very careful about my daily food intake because once I hit the 100s I will drop down two points in my daily range. But as in the past, I find I am not eating all of my points, as I have been immersed in this range for a few months, and am eagerly awaiting the day I step on that scale and the first number is a 1!!! My big find this week was light English muffins. I was having a major pizza craving, so on Monday night I toasted 2 light English muffins (4 halves), spread them with pizza sauce and reduced-fat pizza cheese, and indulged myself without sabotaging my food plan. You know, I wonder if I ever thought I would even make it to the 100s. I CAN'T WAIT!!!
Update: April 12, 2003
Holy cow - I lost 2.5 pounds this week! I can't believe it! I was so nervous about starting this job and how it would affect my eating, but it seems it has really helped me to stay away from snacking. I've lost 9 pounds in the 5 weeks I've been working there, which is probably as good a run I've had since I started doing this. I am now down 56 pounds and in only a few pounds...I'll be in ONEDERLAND!
I decided it was time to make another change, so in only a few minutes, I'll be going to the salon for a new haircut. I've got impossibly thick, extremely curly and unruly hair, so it will be great if they can do something with it. It's time for a new look. We had a horrible week in the weather department - we even got a few inches of snow on Monday and it rained all week. Today it is sunny and around 60 degrees, so I may finally be able to wear some of that spring clothing I got next week. Keith and I feel like we are emerging from a long, cold winter, shedding our skins to reveal new, slimmer bodies underneath. Together, we have lost over 80 pounds! My spirits are definitely good and I am feeling like I can do this!
Update: April 5, 2003
I lost another pound this week, so I'm now at 205. I am happy with a one-pound loss since this is that week of the month when I typically don't lose any weight. I am so close to the 100s that I can taste it! Well, I guess "taste" is not quite the right term since I'm eating healthy, LOL. But you'd better believe I am going to celebrate big time when that scale finally reads 100-something. I don't even know how long it's been since I've weighed this much - possibly nine years?
Absolutely nothing from a year ago fits. Shirts are so big that to put them on makes me look bigger so I am hunting through old t-shirts to at least find things to wear around the house on weekends. I know in a few weeks I will have to go buy some bathing suits and shorts. But I won't go nuts, because this is not the weight I will stay at. I did go shopping last weekend for spring work clothing and I have to admit it sure was nice being able to buy "normal" sizes. I even bought non-stretchy material! My one regret is that it took me this long to get my act together!
Update: March 29, 2003
OK, I admit I did something this week that I should not have done. On Thursday morning (two days before my scheduled weigh-in) I got on the scale, hoping to see it had finally moved down a little. To my horror, I was up 1 pound! I jumped right off that scale. I must admit I was feeling a bit discouraged. I've been so good with my food, staying completely on the program, and not only had my weight held steady for 2 weeks, I had actually gained! So you can imagine I got on the scale this morning for my official weigh-in with some trepidation.
Woo hoo! It said 206! Not only did I get rid of that extra pound, I had also managed to drop an additional 2.5 pounds in the past 2 days! I have now lost a grand total of 52.5 pounds and am feeling beautiful today. It is early spring here and we've had some warm days in the past couple weeks, and I desperately need to buy clothing for work, since nothing from last year fits me. But after getting on the scale a couple days ago and seeing that gain, I had told myself I was going to have to wait to go shopping until I lost more weight. This is very much a learning process for me - I should be rewarding and not punishing myself. By castigating myself, I could very easily have gotten into a sabotage mindset and slid backwards. I will go shopping tomorrow - I am thinking I may be pretty much out of the plus sizes (wouldn't that be cool!). I'll restrict myself to only a few outfits, since I plan to lose a lot more weight (I'll wait a bit longer to buy things that fit for the heat of summer). I am walking on air - just 6-point-anything pounds to go to hit the 100s, which I don't believe I've seen for a decade. Now THAT will be one big celebration. My only regret is that I did not do this sooner, but I simply wasn't ready. Imagine - I could have been a babe in my 30s. Oh well, so I will be one incredible babe at 40! Also...Keith got on the scale this morning and has hit his lowest point in a long time - probably since I've known him. Life is good!
Update: March 22, 2003
I got on the scale this morning and it hasn't budged. But the good news is that last week's weigh-in was not a fluke - I am firmly entrenched at my current weight and can confidently say I have lost 50 pounds! My 18s are getting big. Yesterday was the first day of spring and I am realizing nothing from last year fits - I was buying size 26 or 3X then and now I believe I may be out of the plus sizes. I am actually looking forward to clothing shopping but will hold myself to only what I need for the next couple months as I will continue to lose weight.
I am taking my lunch to work every day so I can control my food. It takes planning and extra time (which means I have to get up at the crack of dawn), but it is worth it to not have to agonize over what to eat. I am noticing my legs are so much thinner, and I have so much more energy. I'm trying to set realistic goals, so I'm hoping to make it to Onederland by Memorial Day weekend (about two months from now), since that's what I consider the start of summer. And if I don't make it, I am still a winner!
Update: March 15, 2003
WOW! Somehow I managed to lose 3 pounds in the past week. I got on the scale this morning and it said 208.5. I was so happy about the weight loss it didn't hit me for a couple minutes - I have lost 50 pounds! I remember in the beginning when I had lost 10, 15, 20 pounds thinking...I still have 100 pounds to lose. I'm starting to really believe I will get to my goal. I am still not at the halfway point but there is a real possibility I could get down below 200 in time to wear shorts. Shorts? I don't have any that fit!
I started a new job this week and of course I was anxious. I was especially concerned regarding my food. I am making myself breakfast every morning and packing my lunch. I'm not sitting at my desk all day but am walking all over the place since I'm in the learning process. I am so busy I don't have any time for an afternoon snack and I actually had to make myself eat this week. I bought nice new clothing for this job and already things are getting loose. In a few more weeks I will have to go shopping for spring clothing and my guess is I will officially be in 16s since my 18s are getting loose. It is really happening! I can't say it has been extremely difficult - it was in the beginning, but once my eating habits began to change things just sort of kicked in. I was saying to my husband today that if I even tried to eat something deep fried I would probably get sick. I am loving life!
Update: March 9, 2003
I lost one more pound this week and am now down 47 pounds. I bought some new bras which I really needed - shirts look much better now. I start a brand new job tomorrow and am a bit anxious because I will be managing several people. Actually...I'm more anxious about my food. I am curious about the kitchen set-up. Do that have spring water or filtered water? Will I be able to get in all my daily water? I find if I don't drink all my water each day I get extremely thirsty...now, if I could just find a way to drink my water and not have to get up to use the bathroom so often during the night, LOL.
We tried some great recipes this week and I have added them to the recipe section. We find we never strictly follow a recipe but put our own spin on things and I am religiously calculating points before I put it up here.
Update: February 28, 2003
I have been on Weight Watchers for seven months and have lost 46 pounds. Keith has lost over 25 pounds. This morning my official weigh-in was 212.5. I am doing this website to hold myself accountable. I have now changed my goal to 135, so I currently have 77.5 pounds to lose. That is a bit overwhelming, so I focus on smaller goals. My next mini-goal is to be in “Onederland” (that means weighing in the 100s) by May 1. I will update this page with my progress periodically. For those of you considering losing weight, Weight Watchers is the best program available. It is not a diet but a true lifestyle change. I probably could make drastic changes and be losing weight more quickly, but I want the changes to be permanent.
When I started this diet, I was buying size 26. This week I bought 18s and even some 16s. This week I had a NSV (non-scale victory) when I was in Lane Bryant shopping and one of the women who worked there came up to me and asked if I was looking for 16s or 18s. I said yes, and she explained they didn’t have the shirt I was looking at in that size, but she could make some other suggestions. I got a huge grin on my face – someone actually saw me and thought I was in a smaller size! Woo hoo!
I have some things I am looking forward to keep me on this program. I am looking forward to buying new bathing suits for this summer and trust I will look much better when we go to the beach. (I can’t believe I used to subject the public to my body in a bathing suit at my old weight!) Next winter I plan to start skiing again and I can’t wait!
