I am not yet at my weight goal, as a matter of fact, I am still about 40 pounds shy of that goal. Yet, I have reached a point in my journey that if I don’t lose any more weight, I will be content.

The reason is I am much healthier than I have ever been in my life. Now when my husband and I walk in the evenings, the only people passing us are runner/joggers. I can walk at a brisk 4 mph for 45 minutes and not feel like I am going to pass out at a the end. Yesterday we went to a local park to play Frisbee Golf. The course we played has lots of hills. This time last year, the thought of playing that course (or any other) would have filled me with dread. This time though I had a great time. I came in last place, but I had an absolute blast.

I am also the smallest I have ever been in my life, ranging from a misses 10-14, depending on the manufacturer. While this is not my goal of the Juniors dept., it is still much better than where I started which was a plus size 22-24. I find myself wearing clothes I wouldn’t have been caught dead in last year. Such as shorts that are more than an inch above the knee, skirts and dresses, even sleeveless tops. I’ll admit, my arms aren’t exactly great for sleeveless, but it’s not like everyone is looking at my arms and saying to themselves, “What was she thinking?” Even if they are, who gives a crap.

See, I even have MUCH more self-confidence than this time last year. Or should I say, at least I don’t have “visual self-loating” like I used to.

My husband told me the other day that he is happy with the new me and doesn’t care if I lose another pound.

Now, all of this doesn’t mean I am going to stop working towards my goal, it only means I am not going to let a number on a scale or a clothing size rule my life.

I had said in my last blog that I expected to gain weight while on vacation.  I had allowed for a 5 pound gain, but I missed it by one pound.  I only gained 4.  Believe me, I am perfectly fine with it.  I had a good time and thoroughly enjoyed myself. 

 Now it is time to get back on track.

On a little side note, while at the airport Saturday, this tiny little thing (about 4-1/2 to 5 foot high, probably a size 6 petite) stepped on the scale and I noticed her weight was 142 pounds.  I have set my goal weight at 130 pounds.  That got me to thinking, ”no wonder everyone looks at me crazy when I say I want to lose another 50 pounds.”  For now, I will keep focusing on that number of the scale to keep me on track, but as I get closer, I think I may start looking at other factors in deciding what my goal should be.

 Anyway, I can’t really think of anything else, so I let ya’ll go for now.  Oh yeah, one more thing, I have attached an updated after photo, so if you get a chance, check it out.

I know I am going to have a setback this week (and probably a big one) but I don’t care. I am in paradise (see photos below).

The name of the place is (CCV) CocoView Resort (www.cocoviewresort.com) and it is geared towards scuba divers. I am not a diver, and my husband & sep-son just became certified divers yesterday, but this is the 3rd trip for my husband and I. We started coming here because of my dad. He loved the place so much that when he passed away, he asked that his ashes be spread over the shipwreck here. We did just that in 2007 and found out why he loves the place so much.

Anyway, like said, this place is geared towards scuba divers, and divers burn a LOT of calories. Therefore, the food is high carb/calories. NOT a good thing when you are trying to watch your weight. I have tried to snorkel at least 30 minutes everyday and walk at least 30 minutes everyday, but the weather has not always cooperated. Besides, I resigned myself to the fact that I was going to gain weight this week and am perfectly okay with that.

As someone pointed out, I have done very well, losing over 50 pounds (pre CCV). As a matter of fact, a few people didn’t even recognize me. As one guy said, “That can’t be Phil’s daughter, she is huge and that girl is skinny.” While I wouldn’t say I’m skinny just yet, but it is a definite improvement over this time last year. I have even inspired a couple of the regulars we meet here to join WW when they get back home.

I feel so very blessed to have come as far as I have, as well as honored and even more committed knowing that I am now an inspiration to others.

Well.  I managed to get through the holidays without any weight gain.  As a matter of fact, from Thanksgiving to now, I even managed to lose weight.  Now I just need to get back on plan so I can lose another 12 pounds by the 31st.  That is when I leave for vacation and my goal was to be at 75 pounds down by the time we left for Cocoview.  There is no way I can make that (that would mean I would have to lose 9 pounds per week), so my new goal is 60 pounds down by then.  That means I have to lose 3-4 pound per week between now and then.  It will be difficult, but not impossible. 

This weekend, the hubby and I stopped at a local dive shop to check into ordering a skin for me.  We snorkel on vacation and since I burn so easily, we decided that a skin was probably cheaper than buying sunscreen by the case.  :)  So anyway, the largest size they had in stock was an XL.  I asked the guy how long it would take to order one and he had me wait for the owner who was on the phone.  He told me, “She can take one look at you and tell you what size you will need to order.”   So we waited and she finally came up and asked how she could help us.  I asked if the manufacturer had any larger sizes than this and how long would it take to order one.  She looked at me and said, “I think you should be just fine in a large.”  I tried it on and she was right!  I was so tickled.

When we got home, I modeled it for my husband.  He took one look at me and said, “Look at you.  You’re a normal girl.”   While I don’t consider myself near normal (I’m still at least 50 pounds from where I would like to be), it is nice to think that when people look at me now, there first thought isn’t, “Wow look at how big she is.”

Well until next week……

Then, my mom told me on Saturday that 1/1/09, she was going to get back on the WW plan because I was her inspiration.  That made me feel so good.  Then, my mother-in-law, who knows the world revolves around her, told me as she was leaving, “I guess the next time we see you, you’ll be Twiggy.” I know that what I’m about to say is so wrong, but I can’t help it.  It made my day to know that I made that woman soooooo jealous.

Last night, I tried to snack like I used to, but found out I just can’t do it anymore.  I didn’t even snack as much as I used to and I still felt sick as I went to bed last night.  No more of that for me. 

Well, I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and may your New Year be even better.  Please stay safe this week! 

 The hubby and I went to Meijer for their one day sale.  He headed in one direction and I told him I was heading over to see what they had in clearance clothing.  So, I get over there and they had jeans on sale for $15.00, but they didn’t have any size 18’s.  So, I decided to try on the 16’s for the heck of it.  THEY FIT!!  I was even able to squeeze my shrinking a** into a size 14.  I haven’t been that small since high school.  I hadn’t planned on buying them, but my husband saw how happy I was to be back in 16’s that he told me to buy the last two pairs they had in that size.  I also was able to get a Misses size XL sweater.  I did end up buying one plus size (1X) top, but even that is a smidge too big. 

I am so happy, because even though I gained a pound this week, I am out of plus size clothes.

WooHoo!!

I also had plan for the rest of the weekend, which the cold both helped and hindered.  The good thing about the cold is that food didn’t taste as good which also kept me from over-eating all weekend.  The bad part is that I wasn’t able to exercise like I wanted, which was to add at least one extra workout to the weekend.  I was able to stick to my normal exercise routine though.  As a result, I managed to get through Thanksgiving while losing 3 pounds this week.

That makes a current total of 44 pounds lost.  I am now only 20 away from my mini-goal, which I hope to reach by 2/1/09 when I leave for my snorkeling vacation in Roatan.  This would also place me more than halfway from my goal.

I have noticed so many changes in myself and my attitude about this journey, all of which are positive,  that I know now that while it may not happen as I planned or as quick as I want, I will succeed this time.  I will reach my goal weight, not when I want, but when it is right for my body and I’m actually okay with that.  

My body, while not yet bikini-ready, is a beautiful work in progress.  For the first time in my life, I feel at peace with my current weight, knowing that it is only temporary.  Of course, it could just be the cold-medicine talking. 

Hope you all are having a wonderful day.

    Weight Watchers has 10 ideas for how to get through Thanksgiving and the holidays without eating too much and feeling rotten. Keep them in mind when you’re faced with the buffet: 
    Slow down. Eat slowly and savor every bite. 
    Plan to indulge. Savor the special dishes you love instead of popping cheddar cheese cubes into your mouth before the meal. 
    Don’t starve yourself beforehand. You’ll be more likely to gobble up everything. 
    Be creative. Practice saying “no.” 
    Drink moderately. Use lowor no-calorie beverages as mixers and alternate alcoholic beverages with lowcalorie drinks or water. 
    Bag it. Remember there is always tomorrow, but if you won’t be able to sleep knowing there’s half a pie in the kitchen, wrap portions for your guests to take home. 
    Lighten it up. Use light recipes for your favorite dishes. 
    Get moving. There are more ways to spend time with family on Thanksgiving than sitting around eating. 
    Be thankful for making good choices. Start the holidays mindful of moderation. 
    Control emotional eating.

Find ways to relax and focus on your overall goals.

So, ’nuff about that.  I ran into a fellow Buddy Slimmer this weekend and we were comparing “snack notes.”  He suggested I post a few that I’ve found on my blog, so here they are:

Skinny Cow Fudge Bars - 1 fudge bar = 1 pt.  (just as creamy and chocolaty as any full fat/sugar bar)

Freezer Pops - 6 pops = 2 pts.  These are the ones in the long plastic tube.  My hubby and I get the 6 flavor variety pack, so all six flavors are only 2 pts.

One final thought/question.  This is for anyone over the age of 35 who has lost a significant amount of weight.  Does your skin “snap” back?  I have a turkey neck going that wasn’t there a few months ago.  I know it’s from losing weight, but am concerned it will stay like this.  I can’t exactly afford plastic surgery and don’t want to walk around looking like some kind of human shar-pei.  Any suggestions/comments?

I am also working on a recipe that would be a free chocolate cookie.  First batch is okay, but I know I can do better.  Once I have it perfected, I will post it.