Re-Focusing

Now that I took some time off of this Journey its time to refocus on my final goal. I was really getting bored and it did not take too much to get me off course.

I returned back to WW on Wednesday and by looks I didn't do too bad by showing a small lose and unfortunately that lose caused me to loose a Daily Point too.

WW Total Lose: 16.6

Goal for this week is to stay within my daily points and drink all my water.

Mary

I Lost a Month!

Ok, with my little slip up I lost a month!

This weeks weigh in has put me back to where I was at the end of June, great to get back to that loss but what a waste of a good month. I'll try not to do that again - right now I'm back to focusing on the plan and hope nothing pulls me away for the next couple of days until I get back in the swing of it all.

Well here are my stats or look back to Week 12 - just a repeat:

Week 15: -2.4lbs
Total WW: -15.6lbs
Total Journey: - 18.4lbs gone

Water, Water, Water!

Mary

I Ate a Plu-ot Today

Yep sure did - I ate a Plu-ot today. A plu-ot is a cross between a plum and an apricot, it was good but at twice the price of plums so I think I will stay with a plum. This week at WW meeting we were challenged to try something different - so I did, challenged finished.

Been struggling lately and am actually down from last week but I had slide backwards. Trying to stay committed but seem to be having a tough time with it of late. So right now I am trying to plan and stay focused one day at a time.

Stats thru WW Week 14:

July WW: +2.4 lbs
Total WW: -13.2
Total Journey: -16.2

Mary

It's Been Along Time

Allot happened throughout the month and I obviously had not been here to update anything. The loss of my precious little girl who had been so tough and came through all her health obsticles left me on June 7th. And in our true style welcomed a little sweet little girl in to the pack of heathens.

Here are my stats up through week 12.

June WW: -3.0

Total WW: -15.6

Total Journey: -18.6

Not really where I hoped to be but still going in the right direction. I need to get back to WW basics and start to write down everything again - it seems I have gotten totally away from that. Also I need to get more water and activity. Since this week 13 is almost over Monday starts week 14 and I will concentrate more to being on program.

Mary

Week 7 & 8 Updates

Boy have I gotten myself behind on updating on all my blogs. I have doing really good following the WW program - had a few slips but always got back on track.

Here is the past 2 weeks with my current week ending with weigh in on Tuesday.

Week 7 on WW: -1.2
Total WW: -10.4
Total Journey: -16.4

Week 8 on WW: -2.2
Total WW: -12.6
Total Journey: -18.6
June 1st Goal: missed by 3.4

Two months in a row I didn't make my 10lb weight loss goal so this month I'm going a little easier on myself with my goal of loosing 7lbs. Since I'm averaging 1.3 loss per week that little smaller goal should keep me on track.

Until Tuesday - later,
Mary

Week 6 Update

Did better this week at the scale - really shouldn't be concerned with the number but I think its just natural to make the number more important than anything else. But other than the number my pants are getting looser - which is a very good thing - so I'm getting there.


So here are the Stats:

Week 6 WW: -1.4lbs
Total WW: -9.2lbs
Total Journey: -15.2 lbs
June 1st Goal: 6.8lbs to go

Mary

Week 5 Update

Seems like the day to be catching up. Had a very trying week that lead up to last Tuesday's weigh in so I was alittle worried about what the scale would show. I was really afraid of a plus and almost did not go to my meeting but decided to suck it up and go. Was pleased but wanted more - of course. So here are the stats:

Week 5 WW: -.4lbs (yes point 4)
WW Total: -7.8lbs
Total Journey: 13.8lbs gone
June 1st Goal: 8.2 lbs to go

June 1st goal is looking alittle tough right now but we will see.

Mary

week 4 update

Looks like deleted the wrong post.

Here are week 4 stats.

Week 4 WW: -1.4 lbs
Total WW: -7.4lbs
Total Journey: 13.4lbs gone
June 1st Goal: 8.6 lbs to go

New Goal

I weighed myself this morning and as of today it looks like I missed my May 1st goal by 3lbs - pretty close I must say.

My new goal is to loose 10lbs by June 1st, which would be fantastic - that would put me 22lbs gone from the start of this journey. We only have one planned event this month that maybe a struggle - Annual Family Reunion - and the rest will be whatever comes up. And hopefully the pool will be ready by the Memorial Day weekend.

Things I need to do to reach my goal:
1. Track every bite, every meal - make the best choice
2. Activity
3. Follow WW Healthy Guidelines
4. Have Fun.

Time to start planning.

Mary

WW Week 3 Results

After that .2lb loss last week and being so bummed about it I weighed in 2.8lbs lighter this week - YIPPEE!

I was alittle worried about it because of Saturday nights dinner - ended going to a restaurant that my brother-in-law suggested - real Southern Cooking. So I tried to watch what I ate and moved on. I decided that meal used up all my remaining weekly points and then I would stay within my daily points on Sunday and Monday.

Each week and for the first 10 weeks of Weight Watchers you get different motivational booklets - this weeks is on Habits, Behaviors that will help you loose weight. Can hardly wait for Week 8 - Beyond Chicken, I think by then I maybe growing feathers and clucking.

OK, here's my stats so far:
Week 3 WW: -2.8lbs
WW Total: -6.0lbs
Total Journey: -12.0lbs (WOW - double digits)
May 1st Goal: 5lbs to go

I know I will not make my May 1st Goal - but sometimes its not just achieving the goal its what you learn along the way. I have set standards for myself - to make the best choice at the time and look past the pitfalls - its all part of my journey.

Mary

Friday and I'm Tired!

Boy am I tired today but rightfully so since I closed last night, got home at midnight, up at 4:30am and back at work at 7. Happy those shifts are very few and very far between and I need to be back in tomorrow at 5am - so to bed I go very, very soon. So not much planning ahead for the meals today but this is what I had:


Breakfast: 1/2c orange juice, coffee, Arnold's Sandwich Thin, one slice American Cheese, and 1 tsp Smart Balance Spread

Lunch: Chick Fil A Chargrilled Chicken Garden Salad with Fat Free Honey Mustard Dressing and grapes (which I actually ate on the way home)

Dinner: Jody wasn't hungry tonight so I opted for Lean Cuisine Mac n' Cheese, Steamed Cauliflower and Milk

So with tomorrow just a few hours away I have made my salad for lunch - grilled chicken strips over leaf lettuce, 2T each shaved almonds and dried cranberries, 2T Light Raspberry/Walnut Salad Dressing. Other than that not really sure what else is on the menu for tomorrow, really kind of thinking burgers for dinner.

I was amazed how warm it had gotten today - 88; too early for that but at least the nights are still cool. It would be a great weekend to ride to the mountains but unfortunately I'll be riding to work. OK enough whining.

Well, I'm off to bed.

Mary

OK - Not Bummed Anymore!

Other than tired this morning I'm not bummed anymore - Brenda and Kim thanks for the comments. Had a good day yesterday following WW program - but I have never strayed since I started always counted everything. So I will keep tracking my food and activity and maybe start blogging more - maybe in both my blogs.

Today's meal plan:

Breakfast: (repeat yesterday) 1/2c OJ, Egg White/Mushroom Omelet, 1c Fat Free Milk

Lunch: Arbonne Protein Shake with 1 scoop fiber powder

Dinner: Subway 6in Sub (either turkey & ham or beef)with lots of veggies on whole wheat, baked chips and apple

Snacks: yogurt, Fiber One Bar

Time to start my day - puppies are hungry.

Mary

I'm Bummed!

Had my weigh in last night and only lost .2 lbs! I was on program, tracked my points, drank my water but missed allot of activity but still had my weeklies left and I'm bummed. I really felt like a 2 pound loss not a .2!

Ok, enough of that - I feel better now - back on program. Today's meal plan:

Breakfast: 1/2c OJ, Egg White & Mushroom Omelet, 1c Fat Free Milk

Lunch: (closing at work tonite) Arbonne Protein Shake w/ 1/2 scope fiber powder

Dinner: Salad (1c Whole Wheat Pasta, Spinach, 2T feta, 1/2c Navy Beans, 4 olives, 2T Light Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing) Yogurt

Snacks: Large Apple, Fiber One Bar, 1c Fat Free Milk

Activity: Since I'm working tonite (my excuse) - I will do extra laps around the store.

Ok, here are the Stats:
Week 2 WW: -.2 lbs gone
WW Total: -3.2 lbs gone
Total Journey: -9.2 lbs gone
May 1st Goal: 7.8 lbs to go

Off to start my day.

Mary

WW Week1 - Journey Week 9

Had a great week, made good choices and stay within my 'points.' At least for this week going to Weight Watchers was the right choice. I planned my meals, wrote down everything and drank my Water....Water ....and more Water. The next thing I need to do is get in more activity each day - alittle hard since my work days are long - I know excuses.


Weekly Stats: -3 lbs gone
Total: -9 lbs gone forever
May 1st Goal - 8 more to go!

I might just get closer to my May 1st goal than I think.

Mary

Update Week 8

I know I missed a week. But last week as I was struggling with my commitment I made a decision, on Monday morning I walked into and rejoined Weight Watchers. I had been on it before and it worked so well - so why not again. A little embarrassed because I'm a fallen Lifetime Member but glad to be back with the support of both the meetings and the online community. I left the center armed with all the new material and a new commitment to continue on with this journey.

Made a great dinner tonight - Penne with Sausage and Roasted Pepper Sauce - quick and easy - plus steamed broccoli and cauliflower. I started off the day with a mushroom omelet and for lunch a boca burger on a whole wheat english muffin and add to the day fresh strawberries and grapes and a banana (small) for the fruits of choice for the day. Oh yeah, how could I forget Water, Water, Water and more Water!


So here are my stats as of now - which I will change and update with my WW weigh-ins next week:

Week 7 & 8 - 1lb loss
Total - 6lbs gone
May 1st goal - 11 lbs to go

I think my May 1st goal is going to be a little tough since I have been dabbling with this.
Oh well, off to plan tomorrows meals.

Mary

Week 6 Update

I'm a little behind this week - did weigh myself Wednesday morning but had not had time to sit down and write a quick post. The week went well with a few bumps but handles them well.

Week 6 - 2 lbs lost
Total - 5 lbs lost
May 1st Goal - 12 lbs to go

Continuing same goals this week - watch portions, drink at least 48 oz water and increase activity (hopefully it will quit raining soon)

Have a great week,
Mary

True Confessions

Time to confess and move on. Its been hard to focus on my goal and I strayed not to far but far enough to put back on 3 pounds over the past 10 days. It is so hard to loose but boy does it find you fast.

Week 4 & 5 - + 3 pounds
Total - 3 pounds lost

Time to get going again and focus on the basics. Get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, watch portion sizes and increase activity level and post much more often.

I need not look at the long journey ahead but smaller goals to achieve.

So here is my 1st goal - Loose 14lbs by May 1st

Wish me luck on staying focused.

Mary

Friday Update

Missed my post yesterday - but the day went well. Started the day with high fiber cereal, then onto a lean cuisine veggie pizza, then last evening I made a Low Fat Shrimp and Pasta Skillet.

Easy dish to make - 3/4c fat free Italian Salad Dressing, small onion, 2c mushrooms and quarter artichokes - cook over medium heat for 3 minutes then add 1lb of shrimp and parsley - cook for 2-3 minutes more. Then add cooked liguini pasta (I measured 6oz dry), toss and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese.

Today is a work day for me and I'm closing - so a pretty easy day to stay on target. Meal plan for today is steel cut oatmeat with dried cranberries/apples and milk - lunch will be a protein drink since I will be driving and then dinner will be a salad and tuna salad problem on triscuits followed up with yogurt. Snack wll be an apple and 2 graham crackers with peanut butter and a steamer to end the day.

On to the day,
Mary

Week 3 Update

OK, week 3 was a little tough towards the end - definitely a stress eater. Had to work this weekend, had to travel through pouring rain Saturday and Sunday until the snow hit - 1 1/2hr to get home on Sunday. Pool cover collapsed and didn't make into work on Monday, etc.

Week 3 results: 1lb gone!
Total: 6lbs gone forever!

Not sure if I should relist my goals but I am going to concentrate this week on portion size and water intake and trying to blog daily updates to keep me focused.

Yep that's what I am going to do.

Mary

Week 2 Update

Completed Week 2 of this Journey

Week 2 Results: 1 lb loss

Total: 5 lbs gone

Struggled at the end of these 7 days. On Sunday we went for a ride and ended up at the Dillard House for a late lunch. Now the Dillard House is family style and the food keeps coming and coming, I wasn't that bad but not all that good (my splurge meal). Monday did pretty good and Tuesday was a pitch in at work. All things considered I did very well at having a loss for the week.

As far as hitting my goals: I drank my water, I got in my fiber and only wrote down my food intake 4 out of 7 days. Snacking before bedtime, fell short on a few days that I closed at work.

Ok, goals for this week - repeat previous goals plus two:

1. Drink at least 48 oz of water.
2. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime (7pm)
3. Write down everything that I eat.
4. Keep track of fiber - goal at least 25g

5. Weigh and measure the portions

6. Add more walking

And try to blog more - it will keep me focused on the journey.

Off to week 3.

Mary

Drum Roll Please!

OK, week 1 loss comes in at 4 pounds gone - TA DA!

Since I didn't meet all my goals I will relist them and do again

Goals for the week:

1. Drink at least 48 oz of water.

2. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime (7pm)

3. Write down everything that I eat.

4. Keep track of fiber - goal at least 25g

Even thou these are simple goals I need to repeat to develop

my routine and eventually it will become a habit in time.

Made a pretty good soup tonight - Bean and Pasta Soup.

Its from RealAge.com - thou I changed it a little only because of timing. If anyone is interested: 4 cans chicken broth, 1 can diced tomatoes with basil, oregano and garlic, 1 can navy beans (mash 1 cup), 1 c small shell pasta and fresh spinach. Bring broth and tomatoes to a boil, add beans and pasta - cook according to directions on pasta, then add spinach until wilted (I used 1/2 bag). Top bowl of soup with shredded parmesan cheese and 1 tsp of olive oil. 6 servings, 133 cal, 2g fat, 4g fiber.

Time to start planning for tomorrow.

Mary

Happy Today is Over

Today was one of those days that I am happy that is over. Not that it was all that bad but it was one where things just didn't go as planned from breakfast to lunch to just plain work. I won't give any work details but there are just some people you can't make happy.

Well anyway tomorrow is my first weigh in, very interested in the reading. The week went fairly well, missed on one goal of writing down everything I ate - but I still did keep a mental food diary. Did very good at drinking my water and not eating within 2 hours of bedtime - except tonight, got home late. Even though I ate later it wasn't all that much, could not figure out what I wanted so I had steamed broccoli with Mrs Dash and some shredded parmesan cheese.

Well its off to bed soon - tomorrow will be another early day.

Mary

Still Going Good

Still following this weeks goals - drinking my water and I have been getting ready for bed right after supper (wash my face and brush my teeth) so I don't feel like night snacking. Tonight is going to tough since I close because I have gotten in the habit to eat something when I get home. I need to plan ahead and have something at 9:30 tonight - maybe graham crackers and peanut butter (untainted and not on recall of course) and just have a skinny steamer when I get home.

Made a great salad for lunch on Wednesday - 2oz chicken, romaine lettuce, 2T dried cranberries, 2T chopped walnuts and 2T lite raspberry walnut vinaigrette - yummy and filling.
I think the hardest meal to plan is when I have to pack a lunch - need something exciting not really a sandwich fan.

Today's meal plan
Morning - high fiber cereal with skim milk and 1/2c blueberries, orange juice and coffee
Lunch - protein drink (since I will be driving) and grapes
Dinner - romaine lettuce topped 3/4c Italian pasta salad made with FF dressing and 1/2c cannelloni beans and 2T shredded Parmesan cheese, yogurt
Snack - apple, 2 graham crackers with 1T peanut butter, skim milk steamer

Need more veggies but usually I'm light on the fruit side but this will work for today, just need to check the fiber yet might have to add fiber tabs to get me up to the 25 gram level.

Off to get my day started.

Mary

Day One!

Ok, day one - to the scale. Not as bad as the picture - but still my private moment.

Goals for the week:
1. Drink at least 48 oz of water.
2. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime (7pm)
3. Write down everything that I eat.

The Journey Starts Tomorrow

I thought I would go semi public with my journey. I thought about starting a separate blog for awhile just like I was thinking of getting serious about this journey I am going on again. So now that I have started the separate blog its time to get serious on about this challenge ahead of me.

Well at least today I had good news. Last week I had blood tests done and today was my Doctor's appointment. Cholestrol 147 (HDL 58 & LDL 76), Thyroid level in normal range (no change on dose needed) and Glucose 95 (little worried since Mom was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in her mid 50's). Then all the rest was in normal ranges for me.

So now that that's done with on to this challenge. I have been reading Bob Greene's Best Life and have started to adapt his plan. Signed up on RealAge.com to track my progress. Get a chance log on to Real Age, there is a quiz (that is rather long) will calculate your real age - not ready to reveal my results just yet even though its not all that bad. One of my suggested things to change that was effecting my age result was the size car I was driving - now at the time I took the quiz I was driving my Mini since then I have gone a little bigger to a Mustang. Not sure if the little bit bigger car will make me younger but I sure like driving it.

Well - its time to start planning for tomorrow - sorry no stats will be posted at this time - like I said I'm going semi public with this journey.

Mary