I hope I am back

If there is anyone left reading this blog, forgive me for dropping it like a hot potato. I have no excuse.

What have I been up to? Well, still working on my weight. I am at a 93 pound loss as of last Monday. I met with a personal trainer and she re-did my exercise routine and she had me go off Weight Watchers for a little while and "tighten" up my calories for a period of time. It has been good to change things around a bit and I have lost 6 pounds since making the change. Don't think for a minute that I have forsaken WW. I am completely sold on the program and hope that in the very near future I will work for the organization. But watching my calorie intake has been a good change for me and has helped me. These last 20-25 pounds are so hard to get rid of and this change has been good.

I have also gone to work. I am now a Member Services person at the YMCA. The one I work out at. I like my job and am grateful for it. It has helped fill a hole that was in our budget and help us get ready to send William off to college in a year and half. But working has also been an adjustment. My house is not running as smooth as I would like it run so maybe in the near future I will find my groove and things will go more smoothly.

Davis turned 15 in February. He got his driving permit and his life guard certification. He wants to work at one of the Country Clubs here in town but right now that is on hold. So he is hoping the Y will hire him. I think that will be more likely. He doesn't like being taught anything and that make teaching him to drive difficult. He takes instruction as criticism instead of teaching.

Anna turned 10 in February. The day of her birthday I realized that Win and I have no longer have any children in single digit numbers. We have crossed a milestone in parenting. We have less parenting to do (in years). But we also know that the parenting we have left is intense, difficult and oh so important.

Win is going to be gone all summer. He is doing a remote assignment with the Reserves. Now before you go and feel sorry for him, hold on, he is going to Florida, the Ft. Walton area. He will be gone for 90 days. Hopefully this will help him get promoted to Colonel. Now if he can start and finish Air War College, he will be set.

I will try and do better on this blog. I have several things I want to write about and maybe I will accomplish it soon.

84 pounds

Every pound seems to be a struggle now. The first 50 were a breeze. Not the last 50. Last week when I stepped on the scales I had gained 3-4 pounds. This week I lost that plus one so I guess that was a good week but it is so frustrating. I am sick and tired of gaining and losing the same 5 pounds. Please pray for me that I will not be discouraged and I will finally get back to losing 1-2 pounds a week.

We have stopped running at the YMCA on treadmills, at least for now. We are now running outside and it is so different but we love it. We love being outside in the nice weather and having the scenery change with every step we take. Last week we ran in my neighborhood and this week we are in hers. We live a neighborhood away from each other. Next week will go to a different neighborhood. We are going to change up each week to keep us from getting bored. We should be able to do this until Janurary.

So, onward I go...

One Year ago today

I began my journey. I stepped on the scales for the first time in a very long time and I was shocked at what I saw. I knew my weight had really climbed because I had been to the doctor but I had no idea that it had climbed that high. I was tipping the scales at 289 pounds. My goal was a huge one - 100 pounds in one year. That would be on average 2 pounds a week.

The weight started falling off at a incredible rate. By November I had lost 30 pounds. By Valentines I was 50. Then Summer arrived. I gained and lost the same 5 pounds all Summer long. I changed my exercise, watched my points a little better and that helped but I knew I wouldn't make the goal.

So, today I stepped on the scales - I weighted 207 pounds. I have officially lost 82 pounds. My friend whom I have been on this journey with has lost 71 pounds. I hope to hit the 200 pound mark by my birthday - October 15. So onward I go to lose those last 18 pounds and then lose 20 more after that, to be medically not overweight.

Oh, and today is also Win's birthday. He is 51.

So close

I seem to get right up to a milestone and then I just can't seem to get over that point. Today I walked right up to the 79 pound mark and really wanted to hit the 80 pound mark. But I still can't believe that I have lost 79 pounds in 10 months. I had stalled a bit lately but realized that I was not writing down my points or what I was eating. So, last week I made a resolve to be more diligent and that led to a 3 pound loss this week.

I think I have a pinched nerve in my neck. I have a dull headache that won't go away. It is here so much that I have given her a name - Fran. Also my pinkie finger on my left hand feels like it is asleep all the time. I am going to have it checked out.

So, there is my weight loss update. I have lost 79 pounds. My friend Deana has lost 64. She is one pound from her original goal. I have 21 pounds to go.

I ran

again, today, I ran. I can't believe I am running. I ran for 1 minute, walked for 90 seconds and did this over and over again for 20 minutes. Then walked until I had reached 5 miles. Deana is ahead of me on the routine so she ran much more than I did. She ran for one mile without stopping.

I have to tell you - it feels great. Well, today it hurt because I am still sore from Monday but it is a great feeling to be doing this.

But as great as this feels, I can't believe that in a few weeks I will be running for 5 minutes or more at a time. For this girl, that seems like a lot.

I ran and I can't believe it.

Time for a change

When my weight loss journey began I thought I would walk and do Weight Watchers and that would be enough. It would be all I would want to do and no more. But I have found that my body needs to be tricked at times and walking only produces the excitement and desire to take the exercise routine to a new level.

I have hit another plateau so something had to be done. I had a 3 pound gain last week and this week I lost only 1 pound so I knew that my body was settling in and I need to shake things up.

Well, that is what me and my partner have done, we have taken our exercise to a new place. While I was recovering from my surgery Deana began a walk/run routine at the YMCA. So, now I have joined her. I had to or she would have ran and left me!

So, yesterday we moved to the Y and are now on the treadmill. I walked for 1 minute and ran for 1 1/2 minutes and we did this for a half hour. After the first half hour we walked for another half hour. I couldn't believe that I was running. I haven't ran in decades. And it felt great! So great I went out afterwards and bought me better shorts to run in.

I ran! This fat girl, going on former fat girl, ran. So, off we go. To lose the rest of our weight and run/walk into a new lifestyle.

September 8, 2008 - March 9, 2009

6 months.

That is how long my friend, Deana and I have been on this journey. So, today I have lost 58 pounds. I had a two pound loss this past week and she (drum roll) had a 6 pound loss putting her at 46 pounds. She didn't lose anything in the month of February. That explains her big loss this week. I don't think she has had such a loss since we first started.

When we started this, we could hardly exercise and our clothes we either too small or too tight. I lived to eat. But now, we are frustrated because we don't have any clothes and we have eating under control. We both are learning to be content in whatever state we are in.

I am headed out this morning to teach a monthly bible study with my church. I am teaching on the glory of God. The study asks us if our life is bringing glory to the Lord. My prayer is that I bring Him glory through my weight loss and I give Him all the glory for what He has and is and will be doing for my dear friend and I.

I forgot to post

Well, I had a one pound loss last week, so I am now at 54 pounds lost. My official weight in is on Mondays. But I have to admit that I watch it all it week. Right now I am on track for 3 pound loss on Monday.

My partner in all this is down 43 (think) pounds. About every 6 weeks after we exercise we treat ourselves to breakfast at a local restaurant. They have the best omelets and those omelets fit in great with WW. We have them make ours with egg whites. We are going to treat ourselves when we get to the collective 100 pound mark. We are almost there.

So, downward we go...

50 Pounds!

On this day - February 9, 2009, 5 months from the day I began, I have hit the 50 pound mark. These last few pounds have been hard to shed. So, now I have 50 to go and the deadline is September 9, 2009. At times it feels daunting but I just tell myself to continue doing what I am doing - walking in self control and exercising and most importantly -- Praying.

This whole journey is more than just losing weight. My friend and I have really been diligent about taking inventory of our lives as we walk and lose weight. We are working on our attitudes and our reactions to things that happen and to people. This weight loss is as much about my spiritual life as it is about my physical life. They go hand in hand.

So, as my friend reminded me, I am on the down hill slide. I pray the pounds just peeling off and I reach my goal - 100 pounds!

Favorite Things

As I began my Weight Watchers journey last September I began to look for things I eat that didn't cost many points. I have found several things, and I will share a few each week.

The two today are Progresso Soup. I haven't found kind I don't like but I do have a few that I really love. One is the Hearty Tomato. It has a rich flavor and has chunks of tomato in each can. The entire can is only 4 points. That is a great soup for lunch or even if you needed a snack.

The other is Laughing Cow Cheese. I use the light. It only has 35 calories per piece and that is not even a point. Great addition to breakfast.

Give these a try, you might find you like them too.

Downward I go! 48 pounds

Monday's are weight in day. Since I am not a part of a Weight Watchers class, my partner and I are on the honor system. We both weight at home and then report to each other when we meet at the park in a little while. I am always just as excited about her weight loss as I am about mine.

I lost 4 pounds last week. I am down 48 pounds. I had made it my goal right before Christmas to be at 50 pounds on this Monday (today) but I realized I would not make it so I am hoping that comes next week. Actually if I can keep up my 3 pound loss a week I will go over my goal.

Even though I have lost a lot of weight, I still have to fight discouragement. I have as far to go as I have come. My goal is 100 pounds. Today starts week 18. Our goal date is September 9, 2009. So pray I don't become discouraged. I won't give up, I can't, my partner won't let. Neither would my Menagerie. They are all cheering me on.

So, on this cold morning, I press on to walk in the park, teach a bible study at my church this morning and walk in self control.

Stalled

That is how I feel right now. I am stalled at 44 pounds. I gained about 1 1/2 pounds the week of Christmas and then lost them back last week so I remain at 44 pounds. So, I press on. Walked 5 miles yesterday, stayed under the points allotted and today is a new day. I had hoped to be at 50 pounds by next week but hopefully that will have to wait a week.

So, I head to the park to meet my partner and walk our 5 miles. I just pray the rain has left the area and we can get the miles in. We hate to make up miles but we do because we are committed to walking off these pounds.

Wew!

I am about give out!! We have had people at our house for several days. Part of my family on Christmas morning, Win's family on Christmas night and my whole extended family last night. I plan on doing nothing today. We are going to eat left overs for several days. I am back to counting points and pray that I didn't gain any weight. My walking partner is out of town starting today and into next week so I am alone in exercising. I think I will ride Win's bike around our neighborhood. 50 pounds here I come!

I think My Menagerie had a nice Christmas. We really don't mind giving them several things at Christmas because Win and I are not one to give them things throughout the year. I told each one that we would do some clothes shopping after the holiday. I think that will wait until next week.

William, our oldest has a dance he is going to tonight. He dragged his feet on asking someone and now he is going alone. Win and I gave him a time table in asking someone and he let that pass without a date. He did ask one young lady but she said she and her parents had decided that she would not attend. This decision was already made before he asked her. I think he was slack on this matter because the one girl he really wanted to take to the dance is out of town this weekend. Live and learn, that is what he is doing.

I am going to get Win to help me with learning how to post the pictures. Thanks MK for the instructions. So then all the photos I have of my Menagerie in my camera can be posted.

Christmas

I know, I know, I have been terrible about updating this blog. I promise I will do better. Maybe someone can help me learn how to post pictures. That would really motivate me.

Well, it is Christmas Eve. Here is the plans of my Menagerie. Today I am cooking for tomorrow and getting ready for tonight. Our church, Trinity Presbyterian (www.trinitypca.org) holds two Christmas Eve services. Since I sing in the choir, I signed up to sing the 6:00 service. There is also a 4:00 service. I have to be there around 5:15. After church we will come home and have dinner. We started this tradition a few years ago and my children love it. I cook a pork tenderloin, Near East rice pilaf and fresh broccoli. The kids drink sparkling cider and Win and I have a nice glass of wine. I also made a cake last night and we will have that for dessert. We lite candles in the dinning room and turn out all other lights. Dinner by candle lite.

Tomorrow one of my older brothers, Renny and my mother will come for breakfast and Win's family will join us for Christmas dinner tomorrow night. I will cook a Prime rib roast. On Friday night my side of family will come for dinner.

All my shopping is done and just about all the wrapping is done as well. I hate to wrap.

So, let the celebrating begin. I have a plan for my eating - I am not going to count points tomorrow and watch what I eat on Friday night. I am now down 44 pounds. I had hope to be at 50 by January 1 but I think that won't happen and I am OK with that. Maybe if someone helps me learn about posting pictures I can post my before picture and post a new picture now.

So, Merry Christmas to all.

39 pounds

13 weeks ago I began my journey to lose 100 pounds. I am doing Weight Watchers and walking. I have a friend who is also doing this with me and we are holding each other accountable. We have had moments of frustration and elation and we have walked many a mile. But the pounds are coming off.

I didn't really realize how bad my weight had gotten until I saw a picture of myself and I went to the doctor. All my numbers were good but my doctor was very honest with me and told me that my numbers would not stay good. In the coming few years I would be dealing with some serious health issues. She was my wake up call.

This morning when I did my weekly weight in and I reached the 39 pound mark. I am very excited. I would love to reach 50 by January 1 but I am not going to be disappointed if that doesn't happen. That goal will come in its due time.

This whole process has been a family affair. My children and husband have cheered me on, encouraged me and watched me as I have measured my food. They are happy for me and I like having them with me on this journey. That is what family are for - to hold each other up and see each other through.

So on this cold Alabama morning after I take the Menagerie to school I will meet my friend at the park to walk. She is good therapy for me.