Friday, February 26, 2016

Happy Anniversary!

I just celebrated my 1 year anniversary with Weight Watchers.  And what a year it's been!! I went from a size 18 to an 8!  I have lost the weight of a small child, a 5000 BTU air conditioner, the weight of 57 guinea pigs (okay that was silly but you get my drift).  57 pounds of weight - GONE.  Poof.  Just like that.  

No.  Not just like that.  A lot of hard work and discipline and a whole lot of cray-cray went into this life change.  When I started out, even as determined as I was, I was still a bit skeptical that I would be able to lose THIS MUCH weight. And I'm not done yet!!

This last year was full of ups and downs.  We had family weddings, vacations, family visits and we also had sadness, illness and death.  All of those things (good and bad) had challenges associated with them.  And, all of them were dealt with in a non self-destructive way.  

I didn't just lose 57 pounds.  I GAINED back the ability to walk pain free.  I GAINED back long lost confidence.  I GAINED knowledge of a healthier lifestyle.  I GAINED a healthy respect for food. I GAINED a love for exercise.  I REGAINED control of my life.  And I got sexy back.  ;)  

I truly believe Weight Watchers has it right.  It IS beyond just the scale.  It's the whole you that you are working on.  Finding the "me time" in each day.  Planning and preparing menus and meals.  Exercising.  Stretch yourself.  Go outside your comfort zone.  

I learned something really important about myself on this journey.  I am not a quitter.  I have celebrated.  I have stumbled.  I have fallen.  I have picked myself up, dusted myself off and moved past.  I will not fail.  

SO happy anniversary to me!  And thank you Weight Watchers for helping me get my life back!





Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Only??

So many times last weekend I heard the word "only".  "I was only down .4", "I only worked out twice", "I only planned meals for 1/2 the week".  Instead, I should have heard "Yay!  I was down .4!", "I am glad I worked out twice - it's better than nothing" and "I know I can plan for 1/2 the week, let's try adding a few more days".  Turning the negative "only" into something positive is so much more motivating.  

I have been working really hard to remove that 4-letter word from my vocabulary. I told hubby last night that I was declaring it a bad word from now on.  It's a hard word to avoid, that's for sure.  But if you want to be more optimistic and less pessimistic you have to think differently. 

This month, I have decided to try really hard to be more positive in ALL aspects of my life.  Take for instance work - work has been super stressful trying to learn a new system.  I know in the long run, it will be better so I am trying to focus on that rather than how hard it is to get used to it.  I really want a new puppy.  We can't really afford it right now, which is really disappointing.  So, rather than be disappointed,  I am thinking it will happen when the time is right.  It's been so hard to get all my steps in but I am grateful that I can even walk the number of steps that I do because a year ago, I couldn't manage 1/2 of what I am doing now. 

I am also avoiding negative press (i.e. politics), social media and conversations that are filled with complaints and disparaging comments.   It's hard to turn away from toxic people, especially when you care about them.  I know I very can very easily get caught up in the moment and spew negativity as well.  What good does that do?  It doesn't make you feel good/better.  By walking away or by trying to change the tone of the conversation, I can save myself from bad feelings.

Now, if only (ha!) I could change the world...

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Tried and True

One of the things I enjoy the most at my WW meetings is people sharing good ideas, new foods and recipes. Enter Just Great Stuff powdered  peanut butter. I will admit that at first I was like "Um, I don't think so" but the more people around me said how good it was, the more I wanted to try it. I love peanut butter but it's so high in points that I avoid it (as best as I can).  I left my meeting and went directly to Wegmans and bought some. Displayed with them were popped cakes - I bought those too.  I couldn't wait to get home and try them.  I have to say that I am so glad that I did!! It's my new favorite snack - and only 2 points for the popped cake, the peanut butter and banana!! I like it so much I bought the chocolate peanut butter one too and tried that today. One word. Yummy. Go ahead - try it. You will be glad you did!!! 

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Knock, Knock

Who's there?? I used to joke around that deep down inside me was a skinny girl - I knew she was there because I ate her. She's been fighting hard to get out. Well, I am not a "skinny girl" but I am a "skinnier girl". 

Last night we went out to dinner. And while I had already planned what I would eat before we even got there, I still perused the menu (mistake). There were sooooo many yummy things on the menu  that were sooooo bad for you.  I sighed a very heavy sigh, hubby asked what's wrong and I said "I hate being a fat girl". He looked right at me and said "you're NOT a fat girl".  Okay. True. But I used to be. I know that it wouldn't take much to slide back into old habits. And it's those yummy looking, so very bad for you foods that contributed to my downward spiral. 

When I ordered my dinner, I told them to leave off the butter sauces, ordered steamed asparagus and had light dressing on the side of my salad. I did allow myself a small piece of bread. And I boxed up the rice for hubby to eat another night. 

Sometimes I just wish I was one of those people who can just eat whatever they want and never gain an ounce. I secretly hate those people. Not really. I feel like all I have to do is walk down the fresh baked goodies aisle at Wegmans and gain weight. I will never be the person who won't have to worry about what they are putting in their mouth. That makes me sad sometimes. 

Earlier in the week, I decided that for the Super Bowl game, we would order a pizza a Italian salad for dinner. All week it's all I could think of. That is until I saw how many points that would have been. So I decided to make a WW friendly soup instead. Much more sensible. 

I am feeling a bit down (can you tell??). I was up a smidge this week. In the last 3 weeks, I have gained back 1/2 a pound. That doesn't sound like much. But I really wanted to be at goal weight by my birthday! I did the math. I'd need to lose 2 pounds (at least) a week to get there. It's not likely to happen. I will still aim for that but know that I will probably have to adjust my goal weight target date. 

What am I going to do to help myself get there? Well first - no more cheats. I have been bad about that lately - a cookie here, a bite of brownie there. I am going to make really sure I drink more water. I am going to continue my exercise. I am going to get plenty of sleep. And I'm not going stress out too much about this. (Or at least I'm going to try not to). 

I am going to try something new. I will write "2 pounds" on stickies and put them at eye level on the fridge (at home and at work), on my computer, on the door of my office and where ever else I will see it. Maybe that will help me remember to do all the right things. 

This week will be a busy one - a week with 2 dinners out, a cookie decorating class, a concert, and trainings away from my office. These are the kinds of things that can really throw me off because it's not my normal schedule/routine. That could mean trouble. Or not. 😉


Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Out of The Woods?

Thank goodness life is back to "normal".  My normal routine is what keeps me on track.  It's so much better packing my breakfast and lunch each day rather than being at home with limitless choices (even though they may be good for you choices).  Back to working out and walking.  I have missed my Pilates class and - yes even my Barre class.

I equate being snowed in with traveling.  Both have the potential for disaster.  And over the last 2 weeks, I have been and done both. After being snowed in for a week, we traveled to Kentucky for the weekend.  I took grapes and apples to much on in the car.  I grabbed bananas for breakfast.  I snacked on popcorn (ok so that MIGHT not have been the best snack idea but it is my weakness).  I passed on donuts at one of our stops and didn't drink any soda (both of which are "old Sheri" staples while traveling).  I considered that a victory!!

Trying to stick to plan yet still enjoy myself has been and always will be my challenge when traveling.  I tried to make good meal choices.  But I wasn't crazy obsessed like I have been in the past.  I am sure it will show up on the scale this weekend.  The positive thing is that I know to get myself back in control, back on plan and KNOW that it's going to be okay.  I  might be up this week but I know that I can get it back off with determination and my weirdo obsession-like attitude.

It's really not just the eating part when you are confined, it's the exercising, walking and just plain moving (or lack there of) that kills me.  Shoveling and doing the elliptical was plenty of activity when we were snowed in but it was the in-between time that I felt slug-like.  And of course when you are in the car for 9/10 hours, the only movement you get is when you get to a rest area to pee.  

It's only January so I know that there is still a chance we will have more snow day(s).  I would like to think that Punxsutawney Phil is right and spring will come early.  But I don't think we're out of the woods...yet.