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September
Week One
9/5/02 to 9/12/02
I attended my first WW meeting today at Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa today. Since I am still
vehicle-less, my Mom came over and schlepped us to the mall. The alternator is shot and
quite frankly, right now paying mortgage and gas/electric bills are a wee bit more
important. Thankfully I am a stay-a-home Mom and don't need to get myself to work and
Jamie to daycare. I just have to do my errands etc. after Steve gets home from work. Kind
of a pain, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Anyway, for me to expect Jamie to sit still
and quiet during the meeting would have been insane.
Jamie is a very social little boy. He speaks extremely well for his age and will yak your
ear off even when you are saying things like "Shhh. People are trying to
listen." Or "We have to whisper." Or downright "Jamie, be quiet right
now." And he tells you things (with pip-squeak exclamations) like "Mama, bacon
smells like meat" or "I have lips!" or "There are water pipes under
the sink!" (There is a sudden fascination with water pipes in our house lately.) He
is a very good boy, but very curious, so nothing would have gone unnoticed and everything
would have to be closely inspected. To tell the truth, I was looking forward to ˝ hour of
Mommy time to my self, and my Mom was looking forward to Jamie/Grandma time. So it worked
out well all around.
I digress.
I really like the leader of the meeting I went to. She is a really nice gal. I think I am
really going to like her. Kind of cool to relate to someone my age that has gone through
the same thing. We were talking about great points foods, and she was saying how in NY,
there is a bigger choice as far as the "Smart Ones" dinners and deserts go. I am
going to have to start scouring the city for them.
Other than that, I came out of my meeting to find my Mother feeding my kid chocolate from
Quality Candy at 10:45 am. Not a big deal but then proceeded at 11:30 am to try to feed
him McDonald's which of course he didn't eat since he was filled up with chocolate and a
milk shake. <laughs> But that's a Grandmother's right and we have so much fun
together. I was so appreciative that she had the time to spend with us and drive us
around.
This week is going quite well in my opinion. I have been eating well with in my points
range and find that at the end of the night I am looking for a snack and still have 6
points left to spend it on. I have been cooking low fat and when low fat can't be avoided,
I feed Steve and Jamie dinner and opt for a salad with a lean cuisine or low fat
left-overs. It is 90 + degrees outside with humidity of a heck of a lot. We are having
frozen pizza for dinner. Well, I am having a Lean Cuisine Pizza, and Steve and Jamie are
having a Jacks Pizza. Well, I think it is a good trade off and the house won't get all
heated up from the stove.
My husband is so sweet. In attempts to bolster my self-esteem, he tells me that he loves
me just the way I am, and that he finds me really sexy and I don't have to do this if I
don't want to. I really appreciated the sentiments, but you know, I am just sick and tired
of being "the fat girl". You know what I mean. There is always a fat girl in
every group. There is always one fat girl in every wedding party and you always feel bad
for her. I just don't want to be her anymore. I don't feel good physically. I don't own a
full length mirror. I got a glimpse of my rear-end in a store front window the other day
and I just about DIED. So I am doing something about it. I just need to stay on track and
keep on points tracking.
WEIGH IN
I had my weighed in today and I lost 4 lbs! That makes me pretty excited. It gives me the
motivation to really stick with it.
All in all this week went really great. We were a bit cash poor, so I had to make do with
some things and just forgo others. Not a big deal, and I still managed to stay away from
the Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Now to keep these good eating habits going!
Week Two
9/12/02 to 9/19/02
All in all I think this week went pretty well as far as points went. I made sure we had
low point food in the house and when we didn't, I ate as low as I could. I haven't
exercised much this week. I really need to start doing that or at least walking more.
I watch the neighbor kids in the mornings for an hour and then get them on the bus. I walk
the kids out to the corner and what I should start doing is walking after the kids get on
the bus. I'm already dressed and ready to go. I might as well, otherwise I will never get
out of the house!
This last weekend we went up north to visit my Grandmother. She lives about 2 hours north
west of here in a small town called Wautoma. She has a great log cabin on a no-wake lake.
We went up there to help my Aunt and Uncle (on another lake 5 minutes away from Grandma's
house) put up a deck/steps on their brand spanking new wick home/trailer.
I said to my Dad on the way up "I hope Grandma has some low-fat food for me to
eat." And my Dad laughed and laughed. "Low-fat? Grandma doesn't know the
meaning!" I was hoping at least for a green salad, but I was out of luck. So high fat
I didn't even dare to eat most of the things. I did take some low points food along for
just in case emergency. We grilled out at my Aunt's house and I had a tomato, lettuce and
onion sandwich with fresh veggies on the side. I did break down that night and had a
hamburger, but no cheese, bun or mayo. So overall not too bad. For breakfast at Grandma's
I had a tomato sandwich on whole wheat toast.
I don't get to see my Grandma very often, and it was very nice to spend the night there
too. She had quadruple by-pass surgery last September, and isn't quiet up to snuff yet. (I
think that her age is catching up with her too. She is 75 and tries to run around like she
is 50.) Jamie likes to visit her and Great Grandpa too. I'm glad that he will have great
memories of visiting Great Grandma. She is a really cool lady and I'm glad we had a chance
to see her.
I was VERY proud of my self on the way up to Grandma's house. Every time we go up-north,
we stop at a McDonald's half way up. I ordered an Apple Bran Muffin and my Dad asked
"That's it?" and I was like, "Yeah, it's the lowest point thing in the
joint." To tell the truth, it was a GREAT muffin! Nice crumb thingies on the top,
very moist and dense. Nice sized muffin too! I really enjoyed it with a coffee! (No cream
or sugar) Yippie! It makes me feel like I accomplished something by being able to say
"No thank you" to yummy sausage egg and cheese sandwiches.
We are potty training in our house right now. Well, we have been potty training for a
couple of months, but we are serious about it now. Jamie does very well when he is running
around naked or in "big boy underwear" but as soon as I put him in pull-ups or
diapers, he just won't us the toilet. I can understand at nap time or night time, but I am
going to have to really start cracking down during the day. I was giving him one M &M
every time he went on the toilet, but we were concerned that his teeth were going to rot
out of his head if we continued that way. Maybe we are going to have to go naked again.
Did you know that one cup of Special K with strawberries cereal and ˝ cup of skim milk is
3 points? Did you also know that one cup of Scooby Doo Cereal with ˝ cup of milk is 4
points? I always thought any kind of sugar cereal had such high points. Laugh if you will,
but the Scooby Doo cereal is pretty good! For those of you younger set, it tastes like
Cinnamon Toast Crunch with marshmallows. An no, I didn't buy this for me, but my Mom
bought it for Jamie. We both like it a lot and my sweet craving is satisfied. I like to
eat it dry, however. In Special K's defense, it's pretty good too. Jamie gets the
strawberries and I get the cereal. He really likes them dried like that. He wont eat the
cereal but will eat the strawberries. <shrug> Whatever floats his boat.
Weigh In - Thursday September 19, 2002
Ok folks, Weigh in today. Jamie went with me and did he pretty well at the meeting. Even
though I had a rough weekend, I managed to loose 2.4 lbs! I can truly say that for once in
my life, I am excited to be weighed. Is that cool or what?! Oh, and the 2.4 lb loss
covered my first 5 lbs lost for a total of 6.4 lbs lost! Wa-Hoo!
Week Three
9/19/02 to 9/29/02
"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but rising up every time we fail. -
Ralph Waldo Emmerson
I found this really great quote on the web. I thought it was pretty awesome and also made
me think. Right now I am in the "honey moon" phase of my weight loss. I know
there are going to be days when I just want to mow everything in sight. I know that the
best thing I can do for my self in that case if be truthful with my self and get back on
the horse and start again.
I am involved in a GREAT weight challenge with 5 other great gals that are all doing ww.
It is the OP School Days Challenge. The challenge is to stay on plan, eat in your points
range, drink your water and exercise at least 2 times a week. It is a 21 week challenge
and you move up through the grades. <grin> I'm a kindergartner. (1st week) I'm
pretty pumped about the challenge. Check out Kimberly's site and her great challenge.
This week has gone pretty well. Again, I am finding it very simple to stay OP (on plan)
and eat my points. I have noticed that if I cook low fat for the whole family, I am not
tempted to eat "Steve's food." We all can stand to eat better and Jamie so far
has eaten every thing low fat that I have made. (except a botched attempt at a zucchini
quiche but we won't talk about that.)
Every Wednesday I go to Bayshore Mall and meet Steve's Mom and Grandma for lunch. We have
been doing this since Jamie was born and is a nice little way to keep in touch. Steve's
Mom teaches at Marquette University and his Grandma is in a nursing home so it works out
great for all of us.
Today, however, I saved my breakfast points so I could eat at the mall, and I didn't get
to eat at all! I wanted to get won-ton soup from Ling's Express and they didn't have ANY
soup. Darn it. I was so disappointed. The other option would be to have Rocky Rococo's and
I just didn't want the temptation and I didn't want to spend the points. <laughs> I
love Rocky's! So I came home and inhaled a Lean Cuisine and a toasted English muffin.
Anyhow, I guess it is all for the better.
Not much is going on around here. I'm pretty much stuck in the house/yard still due to no
car. We have been adventuring out on the bus, but Jamie is still a bit squirrly for long
trips or multiple transfers. I've been getting tons of housework done and that is pretty
cool in its self, but kind of boring. I just need to start learning how to clean smarter
not longer....
WEIGH IN
I lost 3 more pounds! I am so pumped! We celebrated with sushi for lunch. Well, I had
sushi and Mom at somewhere else with Jamie at the food court. I am really excited to be
loosing weight like this. :-)
Week Four
9/29/02 to 10/3/03
Fall is finally here. To be honest, I love this time of year. The temps have cooled off,
mosquitoes are dying out, and the colors outside are just beautiful! I love fall so much,
that when I was about 12 or so, my Dad planted a wonderful oak tree outside my bedroom
window. It turns the most wonderful scarlet color. I miss that tree.
Jamie doesn't remember playing in the leaves last year, but he is going to have so much
fun this year. Thanks to my Grandma, he already thinks Santa Claus is coming soon. She
keeps one tree (outside) decorated from the holidays and turns it on sometimes for
"atmosphere." So of course Christmas lights mean Santa Claus. Well, he has
another thing coming. (See a picture of Jamie by this tree in the family pictures area.)
We went to a fall festival this past weekend. It was a lot of fun for everyone. We went
with our neighbor Pam and her friends. Our party had about 7 kids, so it was a blast for
everyone! Pam and her friends all made scarecrows. The fest had the pants and shirts all
ready to be stuffed with straw and this big huge area filled with a ton of straw.
I think the adults had as much fun as the kids. I didn't make one because:
1) I'm cheap and not paying $7 for something I can get for free (Steve's parents have a
hobby farm and I can stuff one on my own if I want.)
2) We rode with Pam and didn't have enough room for the stroller, 3 kids, two adults and
two scarecrows.
3) I didn't want to lug one around all night.
The kids went on pony rides and played in the straw for quite some time. There was a nice
farmers market set up and I bought some wonderful indian corn. Much prettier than I have
seen in the stores so far.
I was kind of bad before the fest. We went to Pam's friends house, who is a Corbel and
Coke fan and indulged in one with them. Diet Cola of course. And then had a beer at the
fest. I didn't eat any of the yummy smelling fair food. I was content to just sniff the
air.
I also went to a baby shower on Saturday afternoon. I felt so empowered to just take just
a taste of what I wanted and not gorge my self. (Not that I was rude in public in the past
or anything) But I just didn't take normal servings of the food. Two Swedish meat balls.
One mini hot dog roll up. Two wontons. One mini veggie pizza, one small piece of cake. I
didn't know how many points it all added up to, so I just gave it all 15 points since
there is really no way of knowing. I tend to guess at the high end since I would rather
over charge points than undercharge.
It is mall day today. I'm not saving points for lunch since the Chocolate Factory has not
responded to my e-mail inquiring about nutritional values. I e-mailed them last Wednesday.
That is fine with me. At least Cracker Barrel will say something like "All our
entrees are made with the best quality foods blah blah blah" and not give values. I
guess customer loyalty and satisfaction are a thing of the past.
I think I might give it one more shot and attempt to call/e-mail their corporate
headquarters. I made the mistake of calling 4 of the eateries and hitting the web site.
You know how it is, you get some 16 year old that is more interested in chatting with
their friends than listening to some broad requesting nutritional information to figure
out weight watcher points. Managers that don't even know if they have nutritional values
and have you call the next eatery on the list or if they even have a web site.
I really like The Chocolate Factory and would really like to eat their food. I hate to
assign points from Cousins to the CF's subs, but maybe I'm just not going to eat there out
of principle. Jerks.
Recently, I did an online survey for some web site. It asked what my occupation is. I was
forced to choose "House Wife" I have also seen "Home Maker" still
used. How 1950's! "Hello, my name is Donna Reed and I bake perfect little cakes for
my perfect little family while wearing dresses and heels." You would think in this
politically correct day and age, a choice of "Stay at Home Parent" would be
listed. My very favorite choice is Unemployed/Not Employed. Yep, that's me.
WEIGH IN
Well, I lost another 1.6 lbs! Nothing to sneeze at, but I know that I ate at my high end
most of the week. I did do some major walking however. So, all in all, I know where I
stand and what I can do for continual weight loss!
My husband said to me last night, "You know, you look different since you started
doing weight watchers." I promptly said "I think my belly is going down! You
noticed too!" he laughed and said "No, you are smiling more and smiling wider.
Like you mean it. Like you are really happy."
You know, it is true. Weight Watchers has given me more happiness. I feel better about my
self, my continual weight loss makes me happy, the wonderful e-mails and guest book
entries that I have been receiving makes me feel really supported
October
Week Five
10/3/02 to 10/10/02
I haven't spoken much about exercise yet, so I figured that would be a great topic for
this week.
Up until this point, I have been walking 2-3 times a week at a brisk pace. In no way am I
spending an hour doing this, but usually walk a mile or two in a half hour. I am usually
pushing Jamie in a stroller or pulling him in a wagon, so I think it is a better work out.
I also am involved in two fitness challenges. One is the crunch challenge that the ladies
from the OP School Days Challenger are doing. The first week I did 20 crunches a day.
Second week I am doing 40 crunches a day. Next week I am going to do 60 crunches a day and
so on. I really need to work on my abs so crunches are the thing to do.
The other is a "Couch to 5K" challenge. I ran across the article on the web and
then also found a challenge on the boards of WW's and joined. Basically what the article
goes into detail is a running schedule that gets you from the couch to running 3 miles at
the end of 8 weeks.
I have never been a runner, and I avoided running if I possibly could. Even when I was in
shape, I really didn't have the mind set for it. My SIL said that I might have some breast
pain due to the bouncing, so I got a really good - strap 'em down bra and I didn't have
any pain. I did find I was breathing very hard and my legs felt like jelly afterwards. No
pains in my legs today! Yay!
I did do my crunches when I was fixing dinner and Jamie got on the floor with me and
raised and lowered his legs exclaiming "I'm exercising with Momma!"
I read an article in "Prevention" magazine that had the cool idea of exercising
while your dinner is in the oven cooking. So they gave some recipes for casserole type
things and then exercises that last as long as the cooking time. Most casseroles/main
dishes get baked for 30-60 minutes. It worked out kind of well. I might just start doing
that.
I had went and did my running/walking at my parents house on my Mom's treadmill. This
morning she called to let me know that she wants to give it to me. I am so excited. It is
a really nice one. There was no way that we would ever be able to afford one or a gym
membership, so this is the answer to my prayers! (I think the fact that I have been the
only one to use it in like 6 months might have been a deciding factor too.) I think we are
going to go and get it Saturday during the day.
WEIGH IN
Today is my weight in day - 1.8 pounds gone forever! That makes a total of 12.8!!! Oh
happy day! The Winning Points system is really working! It is so great.
Week Six
10/10/02 to 10/17/02
I think I have officially exited the honeymoon phase of my weight loss journey. Don't get
me wrong, I am still very excited to be where I am at, but rather, I am settling
comfortably into a really great routine and enjoying what I am doing and where I am going.
I was recently asked what my favorite WW recipe is by a great fellow WW'er. You know, I
still don't have a favorite yet. I am finding that I spend an awful large amount of time
browsing web sites and cook books in search of great low fat recipes that sound yummy and
also aren't going to break the bank. I must say, I have lucked out on the recipes that I
have posted on the web site here, and we enjoy all of them very much. I have noticed that
we are relying on boneless, skinless chicken breasts a lot. It is so easy to sauté one in
some roasted garlic chicken broth and spices and serve with veggies. We have been eating
chicken breasts at least 2 times a week. I'm seriously blessed with Steve. He has been
eating everything I have put in front of him, and eaten it with a smile.
I have been finding my self to be totally starving hungry at 2 am. I'm talking hungry
enough to eat my feet hungry! So I get up, use the bathroom and then wander into the
kitchen. It takes such will power to not make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! I really
don't know how I do it. I just drink a glass of water and go back to bed. Does this happen
to anyone else? What do you do to take care of this?
We finally paid off Steve's truck (1997 Dodge Dakota) today. I can't tell you what a great
feeling that was! The payments were killing us. ($530 a month!) Whoo-Hoo! I am so happy to
be done with that. If we could afford it, I think we would be toasting in Champaign. I
really can't tell you how much of a relief this is.
I think my pants are getting a little loose. I didn't have to suck it in to get them
zipped. Oooo, and it was right after they came out of the dryer. Now that REALLY made my
day! I have been doing crunches ever day and it is really making a difference!
Weigh In
Well, I lost another 1.0 lbs. I was hoping for more, but what can you do? I didn't do much
more than a couple of walks during the week, so I know why the loss wasn't bigger. I will
take what I can get! I was hoping to have Onderland pictures here, but for sure next week!
Week Seven
10/17/02 to 10/27/02
I had a really nice chat with my cousin Sarah last night. In the past we were very close,
but the last few years, you know how it goes. College, work, boyfriends, husbands,
kids&ldots;yadda yadda yadda. No matter how you look at it, even though I don't see
Sarah often at all, I still hold her close to my heart and I miss her a lot. She is
getting married next August, and I am so happy for her.
How does my cousin calling me warrant a journal entry you ask? Well, she had mentioned
that my Mom had told her that I had been doing WW'ers and I was doing so great. Part of me
is overly modest and wanted to protest. You know, I could do better. I could get more
exercise. I could eat more veggies and less meat. I could - I could - I could. But the
other part of me graciously thanks her for the compliments while I think to my self you
know, I am doing good.
Truthfully, I always thought Sarah was the high metabolism type that did the minimum of
exercise and managed to stay slim. But you know, as we spoke, she really does have to work
at it too. She mentioned that she had stood up in a wedding in Atlanta this past weekend
and how she could tell the difference in her clothes just from over the weekend. They were
too tight and how she didn't get a chance to exercise all weekend. You know how things go
when you go out of town. The food, more food and it is always great food. So, speaking
with her, I really didn't feel so alone with the constant struggle I go through in my
attempts to lose weight, because she goes through the same thing just to maintain.
Growing up, I did see a difference between her Mom's refrigerator and my Mom's fridge as
far as snacks went. I must say, that her Mom, is in GREAT shape and always has been. There
was ALWAYS fruit salad in the fridge for us to snack on. Fruit salad as in mixed melons,
grapes&ldots;things like that. Now we always had fruit at our house too, but it tended
to be apples, oranges, bananas stuff like that. But we also had high carb snacks like
Graham crackers and cookies and animal crackers too. Not high fat, but definitely carb
laden. I think that really makes a big difference in my snacking patterns and Sarah's.
Also, from maybe high school on, we could have iced tea at her house too if we wanted. My
mom tended to offer juices. There is nothing wrong with fruit juice, but a big ol' glass
of apple juice is like 6 points or something. That is a TON of points to drink and not
fill you up.
Anyhow, I can see how bad habits start and how bad habits can be over come. It is hard for
me to not want some crunchy carb filled snack. Yes, I want it, but I am slowly weaning my
self off of that. I want to look at fruit and say "Yum, what a great snack." And
be satisfied with it!
This week I finally put my 100 Reasons I Want to Get to Goal up on the site. I was
"Challenged" to do it with the rest of the OP School Days Challenge gals and I
figured since I did it, I might as well share it.
Weigh In
Well folks, I only lost 0.4 of a lb. I know where I went wrong. SNACKS. I was a bit lax on
the exercises too, and I can do so much better! As my WW leader said, at least I lost. I
was so hoping to see Onderland this week. <sigh> I started feeling really kind of
rotten after the weigh in, but did the maintenance for my site and feel a little better.
Like Dotti says, "No Guilt, move on"
Week Eight
10/24/02 to 10/31/02
(Written 10/24/02)
Earlier today I was kind of feeling bad for myself for not losing more weight. I know what
I didn't do, and I need to focus more on not doing the BLT thing. (Bite, Lick and Taste.)
Today the Weight Watchers meeting was about dealing with BLT's and of course I had Jamie
with me and he was not a happy camper at weight watchers. So we left after 10 minutes of
the meeting.
It is so hard not to take a bite of Jamie's grilled cheese sandwich at lunch time. Grilled
cheese is my all time favorite things to eat. It is also so hard not to eat that animal
cracker, M & M or whatever Jamie is "sharing" with me. He doesn't understand
why I won't eat it and gets his feelings hurt when we are talking all the time about
sharing. I don't ask him to share with me, but he is so earnest and tells me that "I
love you Mama, I like to share with you too." So instead of making him cry, I usually
end up eating the food offering and promising my self that I will count it as a point or
whatever. But it is so hard to determine how many points it would add up to.
I guess I am just going to have to say "No thank you Jamie" and talk about
sharing toys instead of food. I really need to get some sort of handle on this if I want
to lose weight.
I also think that I might need some sort of visual, positive reinforcement. I'm going to
have to figure out something, because I know if I put a fat picture of me up on the
bathroom mirror or fridge, I will just get more and more depressed. I have seen in other
people's web sites pictures of that outfit that they have bought that is hanging on the
back of the closet that they are losing weight to fit into. I am REALLY REALLY broke so I
don't have the option of buying something to motivate me, but maybe I can find an online
picture of that outfit that I am shooting for. I'll have to think about that.
October 31, 2002
This past week was really rough for me. I mean "I don't know if I can do this
anymore" rough. The weekend we went to a Halloween party and I ate a bunch of yummy
garbage and Sunday was Trick or Treating and I binged at my Mom's house and then went home
and binged again on Monday at my house. I stayed in my points range, but eating a glut of
candy and then starving the rest of the day just made me feel TERRIBLE and completely sent
me into a tail spin. I don't know if it was PMS or what, but I was so depressed on Monday
I just couldn't stand it.
So I joined the YMCA in Menomonee Falls.
I have been going every night so far and I am struggling not to be intimidated by the
skinny minnies and beef cakes working out. I feel like such a frump in there, but at least
I am doing something about myself! So I just mind my own business and listen to my music.
I am however, very disturbed by one fellow who bellows like a ox stuck in mud when he is
lifting weights.
So imagine if you will, me, frumpy housewife, trying to blend in while picking out which
machine I want to use. Mr. Bellow walks past, who also I might add, is as tall as I am. (5
foot nothing) I get my treadmill going and I tune in my radio. I am happily bopping along
and "Uuunnnnggghhhh! - CLANK" startles me. I should be used to this by now, but
I always want to look and see what is going on. I'm not talking a quiet groan, but on the
top of his lungs bellow. So five minutes go by and I hear "Uuuunnnggghhh -
CLANK" again. I notice that no one else is looking around. It must just be me. I
guess it is totally normal for men to groan on the top of their lungs while lifting
weights. I kind of wish the weight room was separate from the cardio room. Anyhow, this
goes on until I am done with my workout and I leave.
Groaning aside, I have been feeling so great since I have been working out every night. I
feel better about eating PERIOD. I plan on staying with the gym for a while. Besides, my
cousin Sarah told me last week that they brides' maid dresses were strapless! Aaaahhhh!
I'm glad she told me now that they don't have any sleeves let alone straps. I have plenty
of time to get my flabby arms in shape. I did start a weight regime thing at the Y. Kind
of addresses all major muscle groups and it is called Fitlinx and it is pretty cool.
Ok, question for all of you out there that belong to a gym. What is the protocol for going
in the sauna/whirlpool? I have seen women naked in them and women in bathing suits in
them. Is it totally acceptable to prance about naked? Not to be a prude or anything, but I
really don't want to flash my big 'ol self around yet.
WEIGH IN
Hooray! I lost 2.6 lbs which brings me down to 198.6. I feel so great about myself that it
isn't even funny! I really didn't even expect to lose let alone lose 2.6 lbs! I was
seriously thinking I was going to have a gain this week. Boy am I relieved! So, now I
really need to start working out all the time like this. At least 5 times a week if not
more. I can handle doing it. Steve is totally ok with watching Jamie and I think it is
good for both of them to be having more Daddy/Jamie time. So it works out for everyone
November
Week Nine
10/31/02 to 11/7/02
Weight loss is so frustrating! Some people do find it easy, but to me, it is so hard to
stay OP and get exercise. I guess you could say that I am persevering. (PERSEVERE:
per·se·ver: To persist in or remain constant to a purpose, idea, or task in the face of
obstacles or discouragement.) I felt great this week after my 2+ lb loss last week. I had
a great eating week, with exception of last Saturday night (pizza) but did go to the gym
quite a bit. I guess having a good week gives you fuel to continue.
I also had my first affirmation this week. I ran into an acquaintance of mine that I
haven't seen in a while and the first words out of her mouth were "You've lost
weight!" She has lost over 50 lbs with WW'ers and is doing GREAT. She wasn't aware
that I had joined WW'ers, but could tell a difference. Steve says he can tell a
difference, but I can't yet. I didn't have Onderland pictures taken, because I want to
have 20 lbs loss pictures to post. So only 3.2 lbs until you get updated pictures.
Over the weekend I participated in a heart health walk at the Milwaukee County Zoo. It was
a lot of fun and a quite a few people showed up. I really don't know how many people
showed, but it was quite a few. I was invited by my Aunt Mary and Uncle Sam. Uncle Sam had
quadruple by-pass surgery last year and is doing GREAT! He runs all the time and is eating
healthy. I think he has lost something like 40 lbs from running and eating well. He is so
excited about being healthy, is inspiring to be with him. Aunt Mary is battling diabetes,
and is doing well. They both look so good! Anyhow, it was a blast going with them and
their grandson Daniel to the zoo and doing the walk. Everyone enjoyed him selves and the
weather was pretty ok. It was in the 40's but the zoo was pretty sheltered so wasn't all
that bad.
Weigh In
Not the greatest weigh in in my whole life. I ended up going to a meeting on the same day
but at 5:30 pm instead of my normal 10 am time. I lost .6 of a pound. I also had to use a
different scale and had 2 meals in me that I normally don't have. Oh, and I also had
already drank like 50 oz of water. Does all that effect weigh in's? I wonder. I could be
enabling and making excuses, but I felt cheated since I felt I had a good OP week. I
wonder what is up with that? Oh well, these things happen and I feel great.
Jamie is going overnight to my parents house tonight (Saturday) and then to the train show
with my Dad on Sunday. I will be seeing a movie with my Mom on Sunday while the boys are
out on the town. We are going to go and see "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." It is
supposed to be pretty good and it will be nice to get out with my Mom too.
I hope everyone has a week OP week!
Week Ten
11/07/02 to 11/14/02
This week was a rather run-of-the-mill week. I really had a bit of a sweet craving all
week long, and I would find my self in the kitchen searching for a sweet in the middle of
the night. I would find nothing that would be satisfying to me whilst saying low points so
I would end up going to bed hungry. I have started buying the sweets and treats for Jamie
and Steve, but I make sure that the style or flavor I buy isn't what I like in that
treat/sweet. It really makes me think twice about eating some peanut butter or ice cream
if I don't care for that flavor/style.
I did have a very interesting conversation with a complete stranger at Pick - N - Save
yesterday. The free item of the week is cake mix and earlier in the week I had seen that
they had pineapple mix and wanted to get that one. So of course I had to dig through the
entire display to find no pineapple.
The lady next to me was digging as well and we got into a conversation about a recipe on
the side of the box and I exclaimed "Whoa - 2 STICKS of butter? Yikes!" and she
dropped the box like it was on fire and exclaimed "I can't even imagine how many
points are in that recipe!" So we ended up talking about WW'ers and points. She has
been doing WW'ers since April and has lost 30 lbs. She was pretty nice. She also told me
that you can ignore all the water, oil and eggs that you are supposed to add to the mix
and you can use diet soda instead.
I wonder if anyone has tried this? She said she was surprised that I hadn't heard about
that yet. I guess you can use diet sprite/7Up for light cakes and diet cola for dark
cakes. One cupcake from the mix is also only 1 point using the diet soda method. I am
going to check this out because it seems too good to be true.
Weigh In
I didn't feel like I lost anything this week. Usually when I do lose, I can feel it. I did
cheat and weigh my self on the scale at the gym, but I didn't see a major change and was
not expecting such a loss. I lost 1.6 lbs. I feel so GREAT. This brings my total lost up
to 19 lbs and only 2.5 lbs to 10%!
Week Eleven
11/14/02 to 11/21/02
Boy, did this week go fast! The weather has been ok, and Tuesday it was almost 60 degrees
out! Today, November 21st it is like 35 degrees and was snowing but it was rain/snow mix.
Jamie got excited and it didn't stick so everyone was pleased.
My Dad is on nights this week, last week and next week, so he stopped over around lunch
time on Tuesday to visit and also helped me accomplish some odd jobs around the house.
Yes, I probably could have done some of the jobs by my self, but it is always nice to see
my Dad and he needed his Jamie fix before the weekend. <grin> I keep on telling him
that he doesn't have to work around my house but he loves visiting us, and it kind of
kills two birds with one stone.
So helper boy Jamie and Papa changed the furnace air filters, fixed the chain on the back
door, dismantled Jamie's crib and stored it in the basement, (He is in a toddler bed now.)
fixed the handle on the toilet and measured a hole in my second bathroom for a vent cover.
He is going to hang a mirror in the second bathroom for me tomorrow when he comes for
lunch before work. My Dad rocks!
I went to a spa party with my friend Jessica and her Mom last night and it was a blast! We
got to try products, soak our feet, use foot scrubs, salts all sorts of great products. My
foot that I tried all the foot products on feels so soft and silky. I can hardly believe
it! I signed up to have a party in February so it should be fun. I was great to see
Jessica and her Mom. They are both really fun gals and always look forward to seeing them.
I was a very lazy girl this week. I didn't go to the gym a single time! Let me tell you, I
feel great! I did however, really watch my points and I didn't journal (I know, shame on
me.) but kept a running tally on a scrap piece of paper in my kitchen of the points that I
had eaten that day.
Weigh In
O wonder of wonders!. I lost 2.6 lbs for a total of 21.6 and made my 10% as well! I was so
amazed. Since I hadn't exercised all week, I figured I wouldn't have lost all that much at
all. (To tell the truth, I didn't expect to lose at all, but to maintain.) Hey, that is
super great in my book. I do plan on starting up at the gym again, but perhaps only 4 or 5
times a week.
Week Twelve
11/21/02 to 11/28/02
This week has been a rather run of the mill week. Short, so it feels GREAT! Today is
Wednesday and we have Thanksgiving tomorrow and Shopping Insanity on Friday. Which by the
way, I have never participated in. Why in my right mind, would I to to the MALL on the
busiest shopping day of the entire year? Yes, I know, there are a ton of sales, but tons
of people too! My husband and I are not big on malls during the shopping season. He gets
"Mall-its" and I get pissed.
Have I mentioned that I can't STAND rude people? I feel that there is no reason for
someone to be rude. Absolutely NO reason. It doesn't hurt to be nice and pleasant. I
especially can't stand rude sales clerks. Like I am putting them out by having them ring
up my purchases.
Ya know what my Mom hates? She hates it when waitresses call you honey. As in "You
want fries with that honey?" or "I'll be right with you honey." It really
drives her nuts. Oh, or when the restaurant is kind of slow, and the waitress hangs out
and tells you her life story? OMG. We went to Mel's Diner on Greenfield (in West Allis)
last winter (Yuck food BTW, it's no wonder they shut it down) the waitress actually sat
down for like 10 minutes with us after she served our food. We didn't want to be RUDE and
tell her to leave, so we just started ignoring her and ate our food. We just didn't know
what to do!
We got about an inch of snow yesterday. It was nice big fluffy flakes and Jamie was so
excited. He thinks we need to go outside and make a snow man. It is so hard to make him
understand that it isn't enough snow to barely wet your boots let alone make a snow man.
I went to the 76th Annual Milwaukee Christmas Parade with my Dad and Jamie on Saturday.
When I was a kid, my Dad and a friend of the family, would bundle up 13 of us kids and
take us to the Christmas Parade and then to a show, or to the museum or to the zoo
afterwards. It was a lot of fun and made a lot of memories for many of my cousins, my
brother and I and my Dad. After a while it was just my Dad doing it and we were down to 8
or so kids. (I think 8 was the max we could fit in the station wagon.) Anyhow, I think the
last time we did this was when I was 21 or so and all the kids were grown up.
So this year the tradition was started again. We went to the parade, sat in the sun, drank
coffee and cocoa and had a great time! Jamie couldn't believe the bands and was marching
and dancing in the street. He was hugged by several clowns and by Snow White. We all had a
great time and it was pretty warm, 45 degrees. (It really helps that we sat in the sun.)
None of my pictures turned out of the parade since we were facing the sun. Poop! We went
to the Milwaukee Public Museum after and that was a first for Jamie as well. I'm really
glad that we started doing this again. I think my Dad and I had just as fun day as Jamie!
Anyhow, I think I am going to quit the gym. I know it is really good for me to be going,
but I just have a hard time sacrificing 5 or 6 nights a week to the gym. Steve is urging
me not to quit and to keep at it. Maybe I will keep on going. I will think about it.
Weigh In
No weigh in this week due to Thanksgiving. My pants are big on me and don't feel any
different, so I don't think I gained this week. We'll see next Thursday! Happy
Thanksgiving to everyone and have a wonderful day and weekend!
December
Week Thirteen
11/28/02 to 12/05/02
So sorry about getting this out so late. It has been a very busy week around here with the
holidays coming up and all.
I had the great pleasure of meeting a fellow weight watcher this week from Germany. She
was in the states for a work convention in Chicago and we met for coffee. We have many
things in common and communicate almost daily via e-mail. (Hi Simone!) It was so very nice
to spend time together, and I wish we would have had more time to visit.
St. Nicholas was also this week. This year is the first year that Jamie really gets the
concept of St. Nick and Santa. We have been telling him about being a good boy and how St.
Nick will bring treats and chocolate, and that bad boys get sticks and rotten potatoes.
Truthfully, I don't know where the rotten potatoes came into play. It just seems like a
yucky thing to get and we just ran with it. Sticks and coal were the threat that Steve and
I both got as children. (Jamie also thinks that bad boys get donkey ears like in Pinocchio
so when he is being naughty, I have caught him feeling his ears. As soon as I saw him
doing that the first time, I hid the movie and we haven't watched it since.)
Anyhow, St. Nick came and Jamie was so excited. As soon as he saw his stocking he said to
me, "See Mommy? No rotten potatoes! I was a good boy!"
Steve also had his work party on Friday night. It was nice, but out of the 200+ people,
there were maybe 15 from the plant that he works at. We ate alone at a table that seats 12
since we really didn't know anyone. We ate, stayed for the award ceremony and left. We
were home by 9 pm. It was rather disappointing.
Anyhow, it is 5 am and Jamie was just up for an hour. He is running a 103.3 fever and is
not feeling very well. A couple of times yesterday he told me that his mouth and throat
hurts and he didn't eat much, so I hope that it isn't strep throat. We (as in our little
family) just got done with two colds in the last month and a half. All three of us got
colds two times. I just hope and pray this doesn't got into anything bigger.
He was in tears because he went potty in his "night time big boy pull-ups" in
his sleep and then had to make a big production over going to the bathroom. Poor guy. He
can barley stand up and then he feels he has to go like a big boy. He is completely day
time/nap time trained and he has even been going in public with big boy underwear on for
the last month or so. He is so excited to tell everyone that he wears big boy underwear
and not baby diapers. Not a single accident! Woo-hoo! He is pretty pumped too. We know
that night time dryness won't happen for some time, so we aren't pushing for that.
I am pretty wide awake after all that excitement so I don't know if I am going to go back
to bed or not. I don't know if I could even sleep if I wanted to. No biggie, but I hope to
catch a nap later on today.
Weigh In
I ended up losing 1.8 lbs over the last two weeks. I'm pretty happy about that. I'm pretty
pleased that I didn't gain over Thanksgiving. I did quit the gym since I have a terrible
time trying to dedicate 5 nights a week to the gym. It takes away from family time and I
think that family time is so important. So I bought the Leslie Sansome's Walk Away the
Pounds 3 mile tape. Whew! It is 50 minutes long and it really gets you going. I have been
trying to do it every day and have been successful so far.
Week Fourteen
12/5/02 to 12/12/02
I can hardly believe I have been on plan for fourteen weeks! The time has just flown by. I
don't feel tortured or cornered or like I am on a "diet", but instead I feel
pretty much like I could eat this way for the rest of my life. It isn't really depriving
my self of anything, to the contrary, I have indulged quite a bit recently and still
managed to stay on plan.
I was browsing around the web recently and came across a survey on Woman's Day and the
questions was:
Would you rather:
A) Have more sex
B) Be able to eat anything you want and not gain weight
A whopping 73% of women that voted, said they would rather eat anything they wanted and
not gain weight. Now that blows my mind. It kind of makes me wonder about the stress
society puts on thinness and the need to be thin. Most of the people, myself included,
that are participating in weight watchers have a very desperate need to lose weight. I am
still considered very obese according to the BMI calculators and find that my life is
improving drastically just from the bit I have lost so far. That makes every sacrifice
well worth the while.
What I am concerned by is women and especially young women feeling that they have to have
that starving gaunt look about them. My husband is concerned that when I get to goal, I
will have that lean mean starving look. (My husband has never seen me less than 145 lbs.)
We had this identical conversation after watching the Wizard of Oz last week. Judy Garland
in the movie was considered to be plump by Hollywood's standards (even then) and to both
of us she seems very healthy and wholesome. It makes ya' think.
Jessica and Naomi: I promise pictures next week. :-) I plan on posting updated pictures
when I hit a loss of 25 lbs and Naomi, I will have a pic of Steve and Jamie put up too. I
keep on telling Steve that I need a pic of him for the site, but we never seem to get
around to it. If all goes well, I will hit a loss of 25 lbs next week. I am so close.
On the Christmas front, I haven't even BEGUN my shopping! I never start until later in the
month and then I run around like an idiot. So, hopefully I will get a good chunk done this
weekend.
Weigh In
I went yesterday for weigh in and I lost 1 lb which brings me to a total of 24.4 lbs lost!
Yeah! Whoo-hoo! I am in a pumped from that since I expected a GAIN since I ate like crap
all week long. I have been doing Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds 3 mile walk every
other day. I know that is helping me.
Week Fifteen
12/12/02 to 12/19/02
How fast the holidays are approaching. It is Monday, and I am very late on my updating! I
have been very busy with holiday shopping, and spending time with my family. Jamie has
been my shopping buddy and is such a joy to be with. He has been a wonderfully good boy
and has done a great job of behaving as we shop at the malls etc many nights of the week.
I'm so proud of him.
I have been struggling with staying OP, but I feel back on track and running strong. I
have been doing my walking tapes and feel good for that at least. I think my major OP
hindrance has been the treats that people feel they need to give at holiday time.
Steve's work sent home a very large tin of chocolate covered European cookies which of
course, I dove into. They also sent home a container of processed brick cheese spread
which I have kept out of. I love cheese, but not the tubs of it. <grin> So I told
Steve to not even bring the junk home, but to keep it at work or give it away. I don't
even want to see it in the house. I can control my self very well if the crap isn't
looking me in the face 24/7. So out it goes.
We will be spending Christmas Eve with my in laws and Christmas Day with my parents. My
Mother will be making a ham for dinner so I won't have a problem with indulging since I
really don't care for ham, and my Mother-In-law is making a light dinner of clam chowder
(family tradition) and salads. It is very good and not too bad on the points. So, I think
I will fare well food wise. I hope the holidays finds everyone's family and friends in
good health and spirits and the joy of the Christmas season fills your hearts.
Weigh In
I didn't gain or lose weight this past week. I maintained, and felt good about it. I'm not
stressing over it, because quite frankly, anything is better than gaining. I had a very
stressful week and ate like a pig.
Week Sixteen
12/19/02 to 12/26/02
Whew! I love the holidays, but it is sure nice to get back to normal. We did a lot of
chasing around but had such a nice time seeing family and friends. Two birthdays out there
during this holiday season as well. Happy Birthday to Jess and Simone! Yay!
I went easy on the food at the various holiday parties this time around. I did have a hard
time saying no to a few cookies, but felt better for eating just a few. <grin>
Christmas is not Christmas with out the traditional family cookies.
I have put new Christmas pics up in the pics area. Take a peek if you want.
I spent yesterday at my parents house helping my Mom. She had knee surgery on Friday
afternoon and is pretty wiped out by the whole ordeal. She is in considerable pain, but is
managing quite well. Jamie constantly wanted to be in bed with her and couldn't understand
why he couldn't bump her leg until we showed him her bandage. Then he asked her every 10
minutes if her leg was all better. He was a good boy, but I think we tired out my Mom more
than we helped. I may go and help her in the morning tomorrow and Jamie will stay home
with Steve.
Hello to Pixie! I thought of you when I tried the cake mix with the diet 7Up and it worked
out pretty ok. <grin> (Instead of making the mix with the eggs, oil and water in it,
you omit the eggs, water and oil and use one can of diet Sprite or diet 7Up. For a darker
cake, you can use diet Pepsi or diet Coke.) The cake was very moist, but crumbled quite
easily. I made it in a bundt pan and cut it into 16 pieces with 3 points per piece. Decent
sized piece at that too. I would make it in cup cake form next time with 24 cakes at 2
points per cake. I would definitely make the cake this way again.
I have also been doing my "Walk Away the Pounds for Abs" almost every day now. I
think it is really helping me stay OP and eating better. It is getting better and better
doing the walks. I am pretty pleased so far by the videos and recommend it to everyone.
Happy New Year to everyone! Lets ring this year in with great OP attitudes and lots of
energy. I want to make one of my resolutions to have presentably clean house 95% of the
time. I really want to make it work so perhaps this is the year for it to happen along
with my weight loss.
Weigh In
I didn't have a meeting this week due to the holidays and look forward to next weeks
meeting on Thursday. I hope to see a nice loss. I am going to be switching meetings the
following week also. My friend Jess is going to be joining and we are going together on
Tuesday evenings starting January 7th. It is so nice to have someone to go with and I am
pretty excited about getting to stay for the meeting/pep talk. I have missed staying for
them since Jamie has been going with me for the last month or so and he doesn't do too
well at the meetings.
Week Seventeen
12/26/02 to
CRAP! I officially gained 1.4 lbs this last week. I don't feel too terrible about
it. It could be worse. I could have gained 5 lbs. I didn't eat all that bad, just enough
to make me want to kick the cat.
Just kidding folks. Just a figure of speech. I don't really kick my cat, but I caught
Jamie last week nonchalantly walk up to the cat last week and try to give her a boot to
the bum.
He was not successful, but I still had to give the "Kitty is not a toy" speech
for about the billionth time. His other new trick is to try to pick her up, but she is a
bit too long for him to handle. It must not bother her too much because she just slowly
walks away from him glaring at me. Duh you big dope, run from him! Hide from him! Don't
parade yourself by him just begging him to grab a tail in passing. Jeesh.
But alas, my cat is destined to be loved to death by Jamie. It is almost like a Steinbeck
"Of Mice and Men", Lenny thing. I really kind of feel bad for her, but she just
isn't getting the run away idea and Jamie is just trying to love her. (Except for the boot
to the bum thing.) So she is on her own since I can't make her hide and how do you tell
your kid to stop when he thinks he is loving her? Maybe she likes it. <shrug> I just
don't know.
Huge tangent, but what can you do? I gained and don't feel too bad. It wouldn't have been
that bad except for the fact that I got pulled over after my weigh in while I was on my
way to get fitted for my bridesmaid dress. (My cousin is getting married in August) I was
driving Steve's truck, with of course expired plates, but only expired since October
folks. (argh) Anyway, we have managed to avoid any tickets so far, but tonight was just
not my night.
As the police woman was in her car writing my ticket, I tried to call Steve and say
"#*&%" but he was online. So I called my neighbor and hollered the swear
word. I had to vent to someone. She thought it was a hoot that I called her because my
hubby was on the internet. She invited me over for wine if my night didn't go any better.
I declined since I think alcohol over the holidays really made a big difference with my
gain this week.
My night actually got better! The police lady gave me a compliance ticket that stated that
someone in this household need to take the truck to get emmissed (I think I just invented
a new word) by February 12, 2003 and no ticket would be issued. If the truck doesn't have
new stickers by then, I will be issued a $72 fine and God knows how many points taken off.
So YAY for chick cops from Elm Grove! I have never been given a break by a cop and this
was certainly nice. She also thanked me for wearing a seat belt and I was still pretty
stunned and said "Absolutely"
But but BUT my night took another nose dive. While being fitted for the dress, which is
gorgeous by the way, the fitting lady was doubtful over my ability to lose enough weight
to fit in a size 18 or even a size 20 dress. She made a comment that went the ways of
"Everybody says they will lose wieght" My jaw dropped and all that went through
my head was the fact that she didn't know the first thing about me, or how very much I
want to be so much thinner by Sarah's wedding. She admitted to be doing weight watchers
after I told her that I had already lost 24+ pounds since September, but she didn't seem
to have that grit or drive that I seem to feel about my weight loss. She was kind of
ho-hum about the whole thing. I would assume that she hears "I'm going to lose a lot
of weight before the wedding" day in and day out from countless women but those women
ARE NOT ME.
Since the dresses are made overseas and are special ordered and take upwards of 5-6 months
to receive them, I didn't want to stress Sarah and ordered the 20. I know, I know, better
safe than sorry, but the sales lady's doubt really made me want cry. My self confidence
went from great to zero in two seconds. I discussed this with my Mom weeks before the
fitting and we both agreed that getting a size 18 would be the best course of action and
wouldn't be an unattainable goal.
Sarah, I might add was like "If you say an 18 will fit, order it. I believe you can
do it" her vote of confidence really made me feel good, but I still ordered the 20
since that doubt was there in the back of my mind whispering to me. I'm so glad that I had
a chance to get together with Sarah, since we are both so busy with everything and don't
get to see a lot of each other.
Did anyone make New Year's Resolutions? Mine is to have a clean house for at least 95% of
the time and I also reaffirmed my weight loss goals. Steve's resolution is to tell me at
least once every day that he loves me. Awwwwww. I was hoping for him to quit smoking, but
the I love you thing was pretty great. So all in all, great resolutions in our household.