melnhardy

Okay, so yesterday I wrote about how the scale was up 2 pounds for weigh-in.  So, I shorted myself 6 points last night, plus walked 2 miles last night.  When I got on the scale this morning, not only are the 2 pounds gone, but an extra 1/2 pound.  Of course, I still have almost a week until my official weigh-in, but this makes me feel a little better.  Now to keep moving forward.  My hope is to lose 5 pounds this week, 2 for last week and 3 for this week, so I will be back on track of my 10 pounds per month weight loss goal.

Well, just when you start feeling all self-important, God has a way of humbling you real quick.  I was feeling so good about myself on Friday for resisting temptation.  Then I get on the scale this morning for my weigh-in.  I went up 2 pounds (actually 1-1/2 pounds, but I always round up.)  So, that means I just have to work that much harder this week, which will be hard since my birthday is Thursday.  It’s easy to say no to someone else’s B-day cake, but how do you say no to your own?  Oh well, I’ll just have to add a bunch of extra walks this week to make up for it.

Temptation abounded today, but I resisted it. 

We had a birthday in the office today, so as usual, the boss bought lunch for everyone (small office) along with a cake.  I knew about this yesterday, but did not know where he would be getting lunch from, so I brought my usual 3 point lunch just in case.  Well, we had Panera Bread.  He gave everyone a copy of the menu so we could order whatever we wanted.  I was very good.  As tempting as everything was, I had the French onion soup with croutons and cheese = 4 pts. and the fruit cup = 1 pt.  Just seeing how many points were in the salads was an eye opener.  Except for the classic (lettuce, veggies and balsamic vinaigrette dressing) salad, all the salads were at least 10 pts.  So, the soup, apple and my lunch equaled 8 pts. which still leaves me with 12 points for the day.  Unfortunately, they were out of the fruit cup, so they substituted chips and an apple.  I kept the apple (1 pt.), but gave the chips to someone else.  Then came the cake.  I don’t know what kind it was; all I know is that it was chocolate with red fruit (couldn’t tell if it was strawberry or cherry).  It was very hard, but when they brought a slice into my office, I resisted.  I had my WW cherry cheesecake yogurt instead.

I hate sounding like I’m tooting my own horn, but I am so very proud of myself for resisting the chocolate cake.

I started to reply to a message from one of my buddies who had commented on the difference in my updated photos, but thought I would make it a blog instead.

I have been so focused on my goals, that I haven’t really appreciated the progress I have made.  Oh sure, I noticed a difference in the way my clothes fit, but didn’t REALLY notice all the other little changes in myself.

I didn’t think there had been that much change in my apperance until I looked at the pics.  In the December 2007 photo I am actually looking up to help diminish the double chin.  Now I don’t have to look up (as far) to get rid of that stubborn double chin (thanks Mom for the crappy genetic trait!)   

What’s even better though is how much better I feel.  My husband and I go for a 2 mile walk on Monday’s (and any other night we are free).  He was commenting this past Monday that he was actually having to step out farther to keep up with my pace.  That was a huge compliment considering I used to have to wog to keep up with him.

Another change I’ve noticed is that I’m sleeping better.  Before I started WW, I would go to bed by 10pm at the latest, get up at 6am and still be tired all day.  Now, we’re not usually in bed before 10:30pm and even though I now get up at 5am to workout, I have more energy throughout the day.  Now when I have a cup of coffee it’s for the taste, not the caffeine.

Before I started WW, I thought I might have developed carpal tunnel syndrome.  Everytime I would knit, I would have to stop every 10-20 minutes because my right hand would either be numb or felt like it was on fire.  The next morning, I would experience the same thing.  Now I no longer have that problem.

So now I ask you, besides appearance, what other changes have you noticed since you started your weight loss journey?

At one time or another we’ve all used the excuse about not having time to exercise.  I received this from About.com today and thought it to be appropriate:

Having trouble exercising? Here are simple steps to follow to become more active.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: All Day

Here’s How:

1. Get up 15 minutes earlier than normal and go for a walk, or do some pushups, sit ups and basic weight training.
2. When you get to work, park your car in a far-away parking space and speedwalk to the door.
3. Instead of taking the elevator up several floors, walk up one flight of stairs and take the elevator from there.
4. If you sit at your desk all day, get up every hour and stretch or walk around for five minutes.
5. When you go to the restroom, use one on a different floor instead of the one closest to you.
6. On your break, take a brisk walk around your floor or down the stairs.
7. On your lunch hour, save 15 minutes for a walk before you sit down and eat.
8. When you feel the 3:00 slump coming on, stand up and stretch for a moment, then walk to a friend’s office and say hello.
9. Rather than send an email, get up and go talk to the person face-to-face.
10. When you get home from work, immediately change clothes and head out for a walk or a run, or simply work in your garden for a while.
11. While you’re cooking or waiting for dinner, pick up some dumbbells and do some light weight training.
12. Before you go to bed, lay out your workout clothes or pack your bag for the club. That way, you can get up and go!

Tips:

1. Plan your workouts the night before.
2. Schedule times throughout your day for walks or other activities.
3. Enlist a workout buddy to motivate you.
4. Keep track of your exercise and eating habits.
5. Consider hiring a personal trainer for expert advice.

What You Need:

• A workout journal
• Walking/workout shoes 

Also received this:

If you’re like most of us, you may wish you had more time in the day. While I can’t offer you a 25-hour day, I can offer a strategy for increasing your energy so that you can make the most of the time you do have — get regular exercise.Sound easier said than done? The following tips are designed for stressed and busy people who want to sneak in activity to rev up their energy and get more out of their waking hours:

• If you don’t have time to go to a gym once a day, you can save time by bringing workout shoes to the office and walking during your lunch break. You likely won’t get as sweaty as you would if you were doing more strenuous exercise, and you’ll get a good workout without taking much time out of your schedule.
• Find a sport you like, and take a class. If you put it into your schedule, you’ll be less likely to skip the workouts. Plus, officially carving out the time helps you prevent pushing exercise off to the wayside. (Think of it like an office meeting you can’t skip out on.)
• Do yoga in the morning. You can sneak in a good workout and score the serenity and other benefits yoga provides at the same time. Doing yoga before your morning shower can become a part of your routine that doesn’t take up too much additional time — you can even do it in your pajamas. (For more on yoga, visit About.com’s yoga site.)
• Several mini-workouts can be as effective as one big one. If you have a busy schedule, you may find it much easier to split your workout into smaller chunks. If your work day is long, breaking up the day with several 10-minute workouts can even wake you up and make you more productive. About.com’s guide to exercise has two great resources for you:If you’re busy, you may feel you can’t afford to spend time exercising. But the truth is, you really can’t afford not to.

  Not only will exercise give you more energy to accomplish things and help you relieve stress, it can improve your overall health in important ways. The important thing to remember about exercise when you’re stressed and busy is to be as efficient with your workouts as possible. Create Energy By:

There is one “side effect” to weight loss…..I need new clothes!  I’ve bought a few tops since I lost weight, but have held off on buying new pants.  Most of my pants still fit, but I realized today that I’m going to have to.  I’ve been checking my fly all day ’cause it feels as though I forgot to zip up. 

Don’t want to end up looking this…. (hehe)

Another week, another 4 pounds gone.  That makes a total of 29 so far.  Only 71 to go. 

The best part was yesterday, I was confronted with temptation everywhere.  We went to Oktoberfest Zinzinnati where literally every 5 feet, there were all kinds of tempting German food…..brats, metts, cream puffs, giant hot pretzels, etc.  I REALLY wanted a chocolate covered cream puff, but I didn’t get one.  I still kinda’ wished I had, but am glad I didn’t. 

Now, I just have to get through the next 2-1/2 weeks, with a string of 4 birthdays. 

All of my life, emotions and food have gone hand in hand. 

I never really had a lot of friends and the few I did have, I have lost touch with over the years.  So, instead of talking with someone, any time I was upset, I would stifle those pesky emotions with food.   Now, I no longer have that outlet.  I guess that is why I joined Buddy Slim and why I am blogging at this moment. 

When I examine my life, I have absolutely no reason to feel down, yet I do.  Is it the loss of my relationship with food?  Am I mourning what was once my best friend?

Maybe I’m mourning the loss of me.  I have been fat my entire life and while the thought of a new skinny me excites me, it also scares me.  I have always disliked “skinny bi*#hes” mainly because I was jealous, but also because it seemed like they had more advantages than I, just because they were skinny/pretty.  What if I become one of the stuck up skinny little things that I despise so much?  You know the type of person I’m talking about.  The one who relies on her appearance and looks down her nose at everyone.  The one who thinks she’s entitled to the world just because. 

What if the weight loss comes between my husband and I?  He is a somewhat insecure man who has believed from the day we met that I would leave him one day.  What happens if the skinny me causes even more insecurity in him?  Will that insecurity drive a wedge between us?

I guess I’m feeling down because I’m facing unchartered territory in my life and frankly it scares the hell out of me.

Does this make any sense to anyone else, or am I going so crazy I should seek immediate professional help?

I don’t know what is wrong with me.  I am usually pretty positive, but lately, I just can’t seem to be positive.  I have trouble focusing and just feel generally down in the dumps.  I have no reason for this.  Oh sure, I have all the daily aggravations every one else has, but all in all, I have a very blessed life.  I have a home that is almost paid for.  I have a good, steady job.  Two great step-sons and a wonderful (sometimes irritating-but then aren’t they all) husband.  I have lost 25 pounds which is 1/4 of my goal.  This is something that should make me happy and yet as I sit here, I feel like crying.

I just don’t get it.  Well, maybe I do, but I won’t bore anyone with all the details.  Besides, you didn’t come here to listen to me whine, you came here for support in your weight loss journey.

I am proud of you for taking the steps to improve your health.  Keep up the good work!

I lost 2 pounds this week, so I should be happy, but instead, I feel disappointed.  You could even say a little depressed.  Maybe it’s the lack of sleep (I’ve been averaging 4 hours a night since Wednesday).  Or maybe it’s because I know I could have done better this week.  I made some bad food choices over the weekend which prevented me from losing more weight.  So maybe the disappointment is in myself. 

Since the late Wednesday night (early Thursday morning), I’ve been feeling totally out of whack, which makes it hard to focus on eating right.  But yesterday was the start of a new week, so it’s “back to the grind.”

On a positive note, Nick’s wrist is healing nicely.  He is starting to get the feeling back in his fingertips, so hopefully there was any nerve damage.  Thanks for the prayers everyone.