"I Got This"

Not sure how many noticed I didn't blog last week...that was on purpose.  I was too angry to blog.  I was only down another .2 on the WW scale for an official weight of 201.2.  I had fully expected to meet my 10% last week and was fuming that I hadn't.  As the leaders and coaches always say, when you don't get the results you had hoped for, it is time to look back on your week to see where you could have done better.  Well, as you all know I HATE tracking, so there is no tracker to look back on besides what is in my head, so that is what I did.  As I sat in that meeting, steaming, I forced myself to reflect on the week.  My eating was not unusual, but my activity wasn't as high as it should be.  So I resolved to be active 5 days a week...and to allow the treadmill to control what I do.  What that means is, rather than just manually adjusting the treadmill, that I submit myself to it's programs (it has like 12 or 15 built in) and just do it!  So I made the treadmill my trainer and started with program one, each subsequent night doing the next program, each one becoming a bit harder.  Program 4 from last night had me jog for a bit which was good as I know a bit of running shakes the weight of me.

So today I weigh in and the scale reads 200.  The gal weighing me in looks at me and says "So close!" and I was like "Close??" Then I gave her that what-you-talking-bout-willis look and called her attention to my card. "I weighed 222 when I started, 200 is 10% of that!"  She laughs and says "It is!  Congrats!  I meant you are close to not being in the 200s!"  So we had a laugh and she congratulated me some more and I went to sit and wait for the meeting to begin.  The leader kicked things off with rewards as she always did, and when she asked for 10% I raised my hand and her praise was wonderful, along with the rest in the room clapping for me, I really was touched and I finally have my lil keyring to hold my WW charms!  I looked at the one charm I have been holding for TWO YEARS and slid it on first with a grin.  Sometimes she asks members who hit milestones to share, but she didn't today as the meeting had started late. I am glad she didn't because I am not sure what I would have said.  I know if I was built for tracking I would probably have met this goal long ago, but my advice to any who do this is that it is truly a lifestyle change and there is no time frame on when you can do that.  You have to do it in your own time and be patient with yourself in order to succeed.

So with that goal met it is time to create another.  I have been thinking about this for the past few weeks, knowing my 10% was right around the corner.  I am not so sure I want my next goal to be a number on the scale.  According to medical guidelines a female for my height should weight about 150 pounds.  I have not weighed that since I was 16!  Then there is my wedding weight...170.  I felt good at that weight but still had concerns about my body.  So rather than focus on a number I have decided to make my major "problem area" my target.  My legs.  I have never liked their shape and weight loss alone isn't going to change that.  Since my husband has experience weight lifting, I have asked him to outline for me what I need to do to sculpt my legs.  I have already made peace with the fact that muscle weighs more than fat so I will see the scale go up more than likely...but in the end things will settle out and I will have legs I don't feel I need to cover all the time.  Once I have sat down with my husband to outline what must be done, I will make my new WW SMART goal!

I wanted to thank those who take the time to read my blogs and leave me notes on Facebook.  Your virtual support means the world to me.

Summer Reading Program Book Review

"I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down" by Jennifer Hudson

Two weeks ago I took my son to the Summer Reading Program kick off in Rancho Cucamonga.  The event was very well done and I was surprised to see that they not only had a Summer Reading Program for the kids, but for Teens and Adults as well. Being the nerdy bookworm that I am, I did not hesitate in signing myself up.  The question became 'What will I read?'  I ushered my son into the library and we set off to finding some books for him first.  Once we had selected a few nice dinosaur books, I set him down to start reading so I could have a look at the books for adults.  I already knew I didn't want to pour over shelves of books so headed right for the new releases to see what caught my eye.  It wasn't too long before I saw Jennifer Hudson's book and grabbed it without a second thought.

Regular readers of my blog know I always write about my weight loss journey, and how long and slow it has been, but with the help of Weight Watchers I am making those fundamental changes in myself that will ensure long term success.  Those changes do not come over night and I know myself, I am very stubborn and must do things my way at times. 

So back to Jennifer.  I will admit I was never a big American Idol fan.  I think I may have watched the season she was on, and saw "Dream Girls."  She is clearly a talented individual and I am not the sort to hate on someone for their success.  Hers is a name I have known for some time, and when she became the spokeswoman for Weight Watchers I began to pay a bit more attention to her.  I knew of her book, but prior to the reading program I was not inclined to read it as I am not one for autobiographies or biographies.  I tend to favor fantasy and fiction generally.

I really enjoyed reading her book.  It was written in a conversational tone as if I was her girlfriend and she was sitting near me just sharing her story.  Everyone has their journey and Jennifer is no different.  Her overall success, personal and professional, is inspiring and I would recommend this book to anyone who is curious about the struggles and successes of a celebrity.

Nearly There

I am happy to say that though I feared weighing up at my WW meeting due to a week that had more eating on-the-go/eating out than I may have liked, I weighed in at 201.4.  That is 1.4lbs away from my 10% WW goal.  I have found myself rather introspective about how close I am to my goal, and how badly I want to meet it and leave it far behind me.  While the road to weight loss has been a VERY long one, I am finally making the life changes I need to make sure that as I lose, I keep the weight off.  As of today I have officially lost over 20 pounds on Weight Watchers.  It pleases me to say that, and I shush the voice in my head that says "Is that all?"  20 pounds is a significant number and as my BBF Sooz pointed out to me in a recent phone conversation, maintaining a (then) 15 pound weight loss for 2 years is a big deal.  Her words have stuck with me and remind me that while I am still not where I would like to be with my weight loss that I have accomplished something...today that is 20 pounds lost, sure it took me 2 years, but as with many things in life weight loss that lasts is a learning process.  I know "quick fixes" don't have the staying power I want for positive changes in my life.  I HAVE to hit my goal next weigh in.  Participating in Meetups has helped give me some new ideas on changing up my exercise and getting me outside as well.  I enjoy a 6 mile walk with some friendly Meetup folks once week and my family and I will be cycling the nearby Pacific Electric Trail in the late afternoon/evening once a week.  I build in physical activities to my outings whenever possible and focus on choosing Power Foods whenever I can.  Slow and steady wins the race right? ;)

Summer Home School, Meetups, Fontana Days, Weight Watchers, Decluttering...WHEW!

Today I did the 57th Annual Fontana Day's 5k walk.  I have done this walk for the past few years with teachers form my school and it is a lot of fun.  It was a great day for a walk and I feel like we finished faster than we did last year!  I don't recall our last year time, but this year was 51 minutes.  I know before my son was born I was able to do a 5k in 45 minutes, so that is my goal for the coming years, 45 minutes or less!  I was thrilled to be able to finish the walk before my WW meeting.  I knew I would weigh up because of "that" time of the month, as well as the water I had drunk during the walk.  But I didn't stress it, I expect a big drop next week!  My official WW weight this week was 204.8.  I am not discouraged though, there are reasons for the gain and I have some activities planned for the week that will keep me busy.

I have really enjoyed the Meetup groups I have joined.  Two in particular are standouts for me...IE Kids Club and Energized! Outdoor Adventures.  Both of these groups are active, have family and dog friendly events that interest me, and are in my area, not to mention the really nice people I have met.  My schedule this past week was quite full thanks to these two groups and my son and I had a blast.  He wakes up each day to ask "Where are we going today Mommy?"  I know I am spoiling him and have to let him down easy when we don't have a Meetup to go to, but I remind him that we cannot do something every day, nor do we have to and that quiet time at home is just as valuable.  He is finding that a hard lesson to learn, but I am sure one day he will understand. *grins*

Decluttering is at the top of my list as well this summer. I have managed to get our living room the way I would like to see it remain, open and free of toys and trash.  Our dining table has become Xavier's workspace and it is really working out well.  I am training Xavier hard to clean up as soon as possible, not to let things linger, and while he fusses some at it, each day is easier.  Overall he is an obedient child, I just have to stay on him, because like many kids, if you don't stay on them they will get away with whatever you let them.

Overall I am pleased with the way the summer has started and I am feeling like I am getting a lot done, which feels great.  I plan on focusing a bit more on clutter this week as I become a bit more selective of which Meetups we go to.