Holiday Struggles

I am ashamed.  I let myself down. I am still trying to wrap my mind around the weight gain. I know that I totally earned that terrible number on the scale.  Too much Miami.  Too much Thanksgiving. Too much fun.  I knew that I was going to be up - I could feel it.  I just couldn't believe how much. And so now, I will be undoing all that fun stuff.  It's just NOT worth it!  

I was able to celebrate my 50+ loss with my regular Saturday group at WW.  But to me it didn't feel like much of a celebration because I was up so much.  I really thought about telling my leader to keep my 50 pound charm until I was back there.  Instead, I shared my sorrow with my group, who all understand because we are in the same place in our lives.

At work, I heard a lot "oh, it happens" and "you have to be able to enjoy yourself", and "it's the holidays, it's bound to happen" and "don't worry, it will come back off" and all those things might be true.  I just know that I can't slip even just a little.  Because apparently that slip turns into a landslide. Loosely tracking DOES NOT WORK for me.  

This stretch of holiday season - Thanksgiving thru New Years - will be the ultimate challenge.  There will be parties and snacks and all kinds of goodies. During my walk last night, I gave myself a good talking-to.  I had to recenter myself.  I think my head is back in the game.  I hope so at least.  

Count down to 1 year with Weight Watchers and goal weight....88 days.  

The Incredible, Edible Egg

First eggs were good for you.  Then they weren't.  Now they are again.  Make up your minds, people!!  In all seriousness, I love eggs.  I eat one every single morning for breakfast.  Do I get tired of them?  Nope.  Not at all.  Think of all the ways you can eat them...hard boiled, soft boiled, poached (my favorite), fried, and scrambled. 

I saw this article in a magazine and thought I would share it.  A health benefit to eating one IN your salad is BONUS!  

An egg packs a whopping 7 grams of protein (and only 2 points).  Can't beat that.  The once avoided food due to it's high cholesterol value is once again looked upon as a positive addition to your diet.  Yay!  Not that I would've given them up anyway! 

Superstar!!!!

I did it!  I have lost

51.2

POUNDS

I had to weigh in early because we are heading to sunny Miami Beach Florida tomorrow.  I am so happy that I actually hit my 50 pound goal before we left.  And, actually, my goal was 50 pounds by Christmas!  And I did it a month early!!!  I am just so excited and proud of myself.   

With this goal met, it's time to set my next one.  And this will be the biggie - my actual goal, lifetime weight.  Of course, we are getting into the holiday's which are always challenging.  I have to keep my head screwed on tight and hope that the scale is my friend, not my foe.  With the right attitude, I can do this.  

That being said, I think it's realistic to say that by my Weight Watchers anniversary in February, I should be at goal weight.  That's 3 months to get off the 21.2 pounds that I want to lose.  I think it's doable.  Yes?  YES.

 

And Now a Word From Our Sponsor

We all have our go-to products. The foods that we know are "safe" or weight watcher friendly.  Finding the right things to eat and staying within the allotted points can be challenging but they don't have to be yucky.  I thought I would share some of my favorite weight watcher friendly foods with you. Maybe there is something on the list that you might like to try!

Trader Joe's Cowboy Caviar 1 point

Trader Joe's Blue Tortilla Chips 3 points Laughing Cow Mini Babybel light cheese 1 point
Flatout Protein Up Carb Down Core 3 points
Hidden Valley Ranch Lite dressing 2 points
Blue Bonnet Light Butter 1 point

Unsweetened Apple Sauce 0 points

Land O' Lakes Fat Free creamer 0 points
Al Fresco Chicken Sausage 3 points
Weight Watchers Mexican Cheese 2 points
Weight Watchers American Cheese Slices 1 point
Daisy Light sour cream 1 point
Dukes Light Mayo 1 point
Misson Carb Balance Soft Taco Tortilla 2 points
Hi I'm Skinny Sticks (Sweet Onion Sticks) 3 points
Stubbs Original Bar-B-Q Sauce 1 point
Schmidt 647 Bread 1 point
Perdue Perfect Portion Chicken Breasts 3 points
Barilla Veggie Pasta 5 points

Well, these are just a few. If you'll notice, some of these low point foods can be put together to make a meal.  :)

Bon Appetite!  

We Are Family!

This is an actual a text message from my mom that was sent in our family group message:  

I post this because I am also so proud that we have all decided to make life changes.  We coach each other, share our accomplishments, our setbacks and our victories.  Without the support of my family (and friends), I could not do this.  Together, we have lost over 100 pounds!! WOW!!!!  Bravo!

We are also one of those families that takes pictures of our meals and send them in the same group text.  A lot of times, we end up sharing recipes and pins from Pinterest.  Luckily, we all like to cook!  

Last week was a bit of a letdown for me.  I was up a smidgen (.2) so I moved a little bit away from my 50 pound goal.  I totally earned that .2 and know that I have no one to blame but myself.  Maybe I will get it this week.  Just maybe.  If not, there's always next week...

  

Bump in the Road

Last week was tremendously hard. I struggled with hunger all week. I would like to think it was because I added a Pilates class or because I changed my work out schedule. I really don't know what the deal was. Twice I had to adjust dinner menus because I didn't have enough points for what I had planned! 

I still managed to be down a pound (just .4 away from my next big goal!!) even though I had such a hard time not eating everything in sight!

So what worked last week? Well. I worked out 5 days. I stayed within my points. I was flexible in my meals. What didn't work? The pumpkin bars a friend brought to work. The bowl of M&Ms by the door. The high fat popcorn. Changes will be made for the week coming. 

Mid-Life Crisis?

Or just reinventing myself?  I mentioned to my co-workers the other day that I was thinking about getting contacts and that hubby is contemplating Lazik (which we are both doing).  One friend said, "losing weight...new clothes...contacts...Lazik.. are you guys having a mid-life crisis?"  I joked back "yes but without the new, younger spouses or sports cars".  Funny, right? Then I got to thinking.  Maybe this IS my mid-life crisis!

Wikipedia says "A mid-life crisis is experienced by some people as they realize they have reached a midpoint in their lifespan and experience conflicts or dissatisfaction within themselves because of unrealized goals, self-perceptions or physical changes as a result of aging or health issues".  WOW.  That sounds dead on.  I WAS dissatisfied with my physical self and my health issues!  But, at the same time, reinventing oneself is to take control of who we are and who we will become and strive towards that in a healthy way - leaving behind all that "bad stuff".  

Either definition fits. The reason for the change isn't important. I'm healthier and happier than I have been in years.  And if anything, this mid-life crisis or whatever you want to call it, has brought hubby and I closer together.  I mean, he can actually GET closer TO me!! ;)

Scale and non-scale victory last week! I was down on the scale at Saturday's weigh-in!!  And I took a Pilates class that I really enjoyed and will continue to take!  

This is my favorite season.  I take every opportunity to get outside and enjoy the vibrant leaves and the crisp air.  I love the sound of the leaves crunching under my feet!  And the only way I can hear that is to get out there and walk!