My New Ending

Today’s Weight:  191.4

Loss/Gain:  +0.2 lbs

Well, for what I would consider my “worst” week on Weight Watchers so far I’m pretty pleased with only gaining 1/5 of a pound.  

It’s been a week of trying new recipes…

Whoopies Pies – A Lancaster Co. original style recipe… I’ve been looking for one for years and this one was perfect! (Note:  If you make this recipe, use shortening — like stated in Step 1 and not oil as listed in ingredients.)

And tasting them to make sure they are fit to serve.  I don’t believe in serving things I haven’t tried myself.  🙂  

Then there was visiting with friends two different times and only once did I have a choice in the food.  I simply ordered what sounded good and ate til I was satisfied. 

I over did it on the Oreo Cake Balls and that put me in the negative weekly points on Tuesday.  My feeling that it’s best, for me, to save the majority of my extra weekly points for the weekend still stands true. 

It was an awful feeling to see -__ weekly points staring back at me all week, and knowing I had no real wiggle room.  

Even though I was in the negative with my extra points I wasn’t going to starve myself in order to see a loss on the scale.  I got in four good days of exercise and didn’t throw caution to the wind despite my treats.  I think it was Saturday when I decided if I could just hold on til the new week starts on Monday without gaining too much I would be content with that. 

Oh, one more thing… I was a bit stressed out this weekend and I am pleased to say that while I was content to see a maintain or even a slight gain on the scale, I didn’t throw caution to the wind due to my stress.  

So, all in all… points-wise I had the “worst” week on Weight Watchers, but I think I did just fine over all.  

I’m in no rush and I know this is all a [re]learning process.  And today I rejoiced that I didn’t see a multiple-pound gain that I was afraid might happen.  Woo hoo!

Earlier this week my daughter posted this to her Instagram account after our BodyPump class on Monday night: 

You know, when I started my weight loss journey it wasn’t for my kids or my family, as many claim are the reasons for their desire to change, neither was it to set an example for any of them.  I simply knew I needed to take care of myself for my own better health. 

However, when my daughter posted this I was very proud.  

With my oldest children graduating high school and moving on into adult life I find myself thinking a lot lately about whether or not we’ve taught them everything they need to know to succeed. 

Unfortunately, for many years teaching them to eat healthy and stay active never crossed my mind.  They were active on their own, so I think I figured they’d be fine.  (My husband never had weight issues and I was always grateful they took after his side of the family.)

However, in recent years, my healthiness journey has given me the desire to make sure they know “how to take care of your health should you ever not be able to eat whatever you want and stay thin as you do now”.  

In my journey I’ve failed, I’ve done well and no matter what I keep plugging along.  As my children grow up they humor me when I share a tidbit I’ve learned about better health and they [seem to] listen when I share how a healthy balance of good eating and exercise is important.  

If nothing else, I’ve shown them in my actions change is possible.  And while I still continue on this journey primarily for myself,  I’m happy to see my changes are making an impact on my children’s lives as well.

This week’s weight: 191.2 lbs.

Loss/Gain: -1.4 lbs.

I almost sat down and wrote my blog post before going to my meeting on Monday so that you would know how my week went no matter what the scale said.  The leader has suggested doing something to that affect so that you don’t decide how well you did simply by a number on the scale. 

Now I think I should’ve done it, because then all I would’ve had to do was come home, add in the weight and the post would’ve went live right on time.  

Have I mentioned having an Etsy shop, exercising and planning a graduation for twins (on top of regular life) keeps a person busy?  lol 

I love every minute of it, so I can’t complain.  

Last week went really well.  My husband and I went out of town for an overnight marriage retreat where I had no idea what food would be served.  So, I planned for it all week, leaving my extra weekly points saved up for the weekend.  

Friday night a dinner of baked chicken, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans and a peach pie were served.  I had small helping of everything and wasn’t even full.  

I took along my trusty protein bar for breakfast, forgoing the pastries served, and then enjoyed the lasagna and salad served at lunch.  They made these yummy garlic knot rolls.  I took one bite and my husband put out his hand for the rest, insisting he was “helping” me.  😀  I was glad for the help. 

Honestly, I felt I’d be fine for that part of the week, but then he took me for a burger on Saturday night and I thought that would be my undoing.  

But let me tell you… it was the best burger I’ve had in a while.  A medium-sized burger with brisket and A1 sauce mixed in, topped with smoked bacon and a slice of smoked cheddar and lettuce and onion.  Oh my.  Worth. every. bite. 

I was careful on Sunday, and decided no matter what the scale said on Monday I had done well and I would be content.  Of course, when I saw I lost over a pound I was super thrilled.  🙂  Every little bit adds up and in the right direction now.  It’s a good feeling. 

I’m now at 10.6 pounds lost and reached my 5% weight loss goal and my second 5lb star.  Whee!  

Thanks for checking in!  

I’m avoiding cleaning floors…. so, I’ll blog a minute…

For the first time in a LONG time, or like ever in my health history, I wouldn’t mind posting my food because I’m actually making decent choices on a regular basis.  

I’m so proud of that fact.  Because I have nothing to hide.  I’m sticking to a healthy eating plan and it’s working.  AND I’m not starving myself or feel like I’m so restricted in my food. 

I mentioned to someone, I’m not restricting, just restructuring what I eat.  A lot of how I am eating now is how I was eating at maintenance, except I’m making even healthier choices than I did then.  

But one concern I had when starting Weight Watchers is I’d fall into a “diet” lifestyle and end up like the contestants in this article about The Biggest Loser. 

In the past, I never worried about screwing up my metabolism because it took me almost 3 years to lose 70 pounds.  However, now that I’m on a healthy eating plan and losing weight steadily (-9.2 lbs in 4 weeks) I’m starting to feel a little concerned if I’ll screw up my metabolism.

Two things make me think I’m fine: 

There is nothing extreme going on in my life.  

Periodically I’ll transfer my food diary into My Fitness Pal to see where I’m at calorically and it’s been about 1500 and my macros are dead on.   I put in yesterdays diet and it was on the lower end of things, but I wasn’t hungry beyond what I ate.  Plus, once a week we eat out and I definitely have my higher calorie days.  I am eating everything allowed on the plan calorie wise.  

So, I think I’m fine.  I sent a note to a health professional I follow to ask her opinion on the subject and I’ll report back when I hear something.  She preaches exactly what the report of TBL contenstants found out — extreme dieting and high exercise calorie burn will mess up your metabolism and that’s going to cause worse problems than gaining back the weight. 

Anyway, those are my thoughts on health today.  I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing, because I think I’m fine.  I don’t eat super “clean”, but I am eating healthier portions and making good food choices again.

One more thought… (I was sweeping and decided this needs to be added)

On more than one occasion I used the excuse of “I don’t want to ruin my metabolism, so I’m not going on a diet.” to not start,well..a diet.  However, I also didn’t start simply cutting back a little to see my weight get to a healthier place again.

So, for me I think I’m overthinking too much and I’m doing just fine following Weight Watchers and getting to a healthier place.  My local WW buddy and I have agreed that if we have to starve ourselves to reach the highest “healthy” weight WW has in place for each of us we are not doing that.  And another friend promised if she sees me fall into starvation (better known as “Such a good dieter!!”) mentality that she will speak up.

It’s never happened before, so I don’t see it happening again, but just in case…

Okay, I think that’s all for now.  Red beans and rice are simmering and I need to finish the floors.  Sigh…. lol 

Today’s Weight:  192.6

Loss/Gain: -2.6 lbs.

Well, would you look at that… Woot! 

As I was preparing to leave for my meeting this morning my dad was texting me and I felt like telling him, “I’m heading out for my WW meeting. Wish me luck!” but then I reminded myself it’s not about luck.  lol 

I did fine most of the week, though I didn’t have as many “weekly” points saved for the weekend as I like to normally.  

It was enough for the delicious Korean BBQ lunch my husband and I enjoyed on Friday, but the Sweet Tea and Flat White that followed later that day pushed me over the limit.  

The good thing, and a new plus for me, is I didn’t throw the rest of my week to the wind.  Instead I reigned it in over Saturday and Sunday since I knew I only had my daily points to use each day.  *patting myself on the back*  

Today the leader asked us to set a goal for May. 

You get the idea.  

My goal?  To continue taking it one day at a time, while keeping some extra points aside for the weekly eating out we do each weekend.  Basically, plan, but without thinking too much about how far there is to go.  

It worked for April — I’m down -9.2 lbs for the month — and I know it will keep working.  

One more thing… It’s kind of funny, but I have a hard time believing I am down almost 10 pounds.  I do feel like some things are fitting better, but then I think it’s just my imagination.  Oh, the mind..but the scale doesn’t lie!  And my tracker will show that I am sticking to the plan, so I shouldn’t be surprised.  

Anyway, that’s all for today.  I need to get dinner going and then get changed.  Monday night is becoming BodyPump class night for my daughter and I.  Yay!  

Here’s to another good week of taking it a day at a time.  Thanks for checking in!

This weeks weight:  195.2

Loss/Gain:  + 0.2 

A 0.2 lb gain is pretty much like a maintain to me, and I’m totally good with that.  Two weeks of strong losses made me think it would slow up one week.  Add to that I had just been out of town for two days enjoying a birthday mini vacation with a friend and I was happy to make it through with no real weight gain.  

So, I’m good.  

I had planned ahead and been looking up nutritional information for this lunch and I knew what it would “cost”.  And to be quite honest, it was worth every single calorie.  I only ate until satisfied, so I left a little behind and was content with that. 

Well, except the chocolate cake.  I ate all of that, because it was fun to eat something sweet with my tea.  But … In my humble opinion, I make a better chocolate cake than the slice I was served.  However, I was told the coconut cake was delicious and the bite I tasted proved that was true.  

My tea of choice was their Pearl of the Night and it was divine.  With a touch of cream and a packet of Splenda I was in tea heaven.  Seriously.  I think I had four cups over the course of our meal and friendly chit chat.  Then, I went on to buy a bag of it to bring home and I’ve been enjoying a cup a couple evenings this week.  

The tea lunch was supposed to be my “big” meal of the weekend, but we decided to go for Thai food for dinner.  That was also super delicious and I also only ate until satisfied, which hardly made a dent in my Pad Thai and Evil Jungle Curry Chicken.  lol  (My family that stayed home were happy to have the leftovers when I returned on Sunday.)

So, hooray for success with my food choices in real life situations!  

Have a good weekend and I’ll try not to wait too long before reporting my weigh-in coming up on Monday.  [insert giggle and embarrassed grin]

Well, I’m a late, because it has been crazy around here.   A productive kind of crazy, so I don’t mind it.  So, these are stats and pretty much the thoughts I had on Monday when I weighed in after my second week on Weight Watchers…

This Week’s Weight:  195.0

Loss/Gain:  -3.2

I know right?!?!  I stuck to the plan and didn’t go over my points at all during the week, so I knew I should show a loss of some sort.  However, I didn’t expect another 3-pound loss.  I cheered right there at the scale. 

Then I told the receptionist, “The best part is I’m not hungry and I don’t feel like I’m on a diet.” 

To which she replied, “Praise the Lord!”  

  *giggle*  (You know you live in Texas when ….. a reply to good news elicits a ‘Praise the Lord!’) 

Anyway, I agreed.  I am so glad to feel strong after two weeks.  

Along with the joy of a good loss, was earning my first 5-pound sticker.  Yay! 

So, things are going well.  I’m sticking to the “get through today” mindset, while also planning ahead.  

I am going on an overnight trip for a friend’s birthday this weekend and we are going to tea for her party.  This is going to take some planning on the eating side of things as there will be scones and lemon curd, etc.   Since I’m planning the event I know where we are eating and what is being served and I’m going to see what will be best to have and what will be worth spending points on before I get there.  

Me, have a plan?  This is a whole new approach for me.  I actually sound like someone losing weight.  Ha! Sometimes I think it’s a honeymoon stage and one day when my eyes or nose tell me I want that yummy something I’m going to give in and fall right back into my old ways. 

But who knows?  That’s why I really am not thinking beyond each day.  As we’ve all heard… One day at a time.  One choice at a time. 

Bye for now!  I’m off to try a new shrimp taco recipe.  I’ll come back and let you know how it turns out.  🙂

Thanks for stopping by!

When I originally lost 70 pounds a few years ago I did not follow any specific plan, because my success rate with plans was pretty much zero.  I simply began to make small changes to my eating and moving habits and over time the weight did come off. 

For one short time I did sign up for Weight Watchers online, but after my 3-month prepaid subscription expired I did not renew.  The plan didn’t help me only because I didn’t want to follow it.   

I think that is what is key this time around.  I didn’t sign up for Weight Watchers out of desperation to lose weight.  I signed up because I need some structure and I was ready to follow a balanced eating plan that works with my lifestyle.

It makes me nervous to state it so early in the game, but I think the fact that I wanted the structure is why this is working for me now.  

Some people start diets and are like “I got this!  NOW is the time!!  I’m gonna be fit and healthy!!”, but me?  I’m more like, “I’m going to try and get through today.”  [grin]  

And as each day passes, and I turn down something that is not the best choice for me right now, I feel a quiet confidence growing that I indeed do “got this”.  I’m not saddened or feeling restricted by the plan.  I’m ready for the changes and embracing that they lead to better health.

I don’t think my money will go to waste this time.  It’s a good feeling.  

Have a good weekend everyone!

Yes, you read that title correctly.  I have not had any chocolate, or candy period, in over a week.  But not because it’s not “allowed” or “I’m being careful.”  I just realized the other day I have not been feeling the need to have a dessert after a meal since I started on Weight Watchers. 

I’ll tell you simply why I think that is. 

The plan encourages protein, fruits and veggies and a lower fat and starchy carbs intake. 

So, I’m eating just that.  Funny thing is I eat a Pure Protein bar for breakfast every morning and I think having the sugars in that and the sugars in my 2 Tbsp. of poppyseed dressing I’m currently enjoying on my salads is just enough that I don’t crave more. 

Actually, that’s backwards… I think the added protein and less starchy/sugary carbs is lessening my cravings for sweets.  

I’m also wondering if switching from diet sodas to Le Croix has had anything to do with my need for candies?   I just thought of that. hhmmm….  

Anyway, can I just say, whether this is a honeymoon phase or not, I’m very happy with the lack of heavy desire for sweets just now because those are always my downfall.  What makes me even happier is knowing if I want some chocolate I can definitely have it;  I just have to track it and make room for it in my food budget.  

It’s nothing new to me, but I’m in a place where things are looking up on the health side of things and I’m so grateful.  *contented sigh*

P.S.  I volunteered for the concession stand at my son’s baseball game and two of the ladies had M&Ms, hinting it was because we were losing so bad… lol  I did not have anything from there, but I also did not want anything from there.  YAY!  Instead, I finally had a Diet A&W Rootbeer over the yummy Sonic-style crushed ice and it felt like a treat.  🙂 

My official beginning weight with Weight Watchers

last Monday, April 4th:  201.8

Today’s Weight:  198.6

Loss/Gain:  -3.6 lbs.

Well, look at that…. I stuck to the plan 100% for 6 straight days and it works! (After Monday I realized I had to tweak a few things, so I didn’t start tracking until Tuesday.)

I’ll tell you what, my nerves only came down a notch as I began to dress for the meeting this morning.  

First off, I was really nervous about having my weigh-in day be on a Monday.  Seriously?!  I’ve always been a Friday weigh-in girl, so I could do whatever on the weekends and then have four days to make up for it before I had to weigh again. 

Truth.  And I know I’m not the only one. 

However, when I joined last week not only did this meeting day and time fit well into my schedule it kind of made me glad to think that I would have to be careful on the weekends since I’d be weighing in directly after a weekend. 

–> Okay, let me just say the fact that I actually thought that and was okay with having to be careful on the weekend is amazing to me.  It’s one of those things that leads me to think I am finally [truly] ready to start this losing weight thing again.  That and the fact that I’m so nervous about failing that I can’t bring myself to talk about it with many people.  

Back to meeting day…

I won’t bore you with details, but I had weighed myself at home yesterday and not seen what I had hoped for.  I finally left the house thinking: 

Please, dear God let that scale show something, anything, so I don’t feel like a complete failure.  I know I stuck to the plan (which is a HUGE first for me), so I should be down something.  But if I don’t see a loss I will continue to go on with it, because I know the scale can be finicky and I already feel better with my healthier portions and food choices. 

Stepping on the scale and watching it go under 200 made me smile.  A loss made good sense with the changes I’ve made this past week, so I was glad to see their scale wasn’t being as finicky as mine had been earlier.  🙂

So, now I’m on to week #2 on Weight Watchers.  I’m still in the take-it-one-day-at-a-time mode, but I see a slight glimmer of hope that this is really going to happen.  I may actually get back to that healthier “new” Leah.

My WW buddy says she is shooting for becoming a lifetime member, but I’m just shooting to get through each day.  It worked to think like that last week, so I’m counting on it working again this week.  🙂 

P.S.  Last week I told my meeting group I have a blog and today one member announced she came and read most of it.  So, I introduced myself to her in person.  That was fun!