In a recent post I mentioned that I had rejoined Weight Watchers online. I tried to stick with it, I really did. But I didn't. Two weeks ago tomorrow, I rejoined Weight Watchers meetings. And I've stuck with it. Tomorrow is my two week weigh in and I'm excited!! I missed the first weigh in because I had to work, but I will not miss it tomorrow.
These last two weeks haven't been easy, but they haven't been difficult either, or at least as difficult as it had been prior to that. I have been staying on program, counting points, and actually feeling satisfied.
I truly believe that avoiding sugar plays a key role in my success. In the weeks leading up to November 2nd, I was eating a lot of sugar. Candy bars and Starbucks scones and drinks was where it came from mainly. Since November 2nd I have had very little in the way of sugar. I haven't even been eating my beloved Chobani which has natural fruit sugar only. I have been eating fresh fruit, but my cravings for all things bad for me has decreased significantly. That's not to say I'm going to be cutting out sugar completely forever, but for right now until I get my head back on straight, I think it's best to avoid it. I do believe that eating fruit is okay and other things that have some sugars occuring naturally, but I am avoiding added sugars as much as I can.
So what have I been eating? Well, that's changed too. I have switched from my usual an English muffin with peanut butter and banana to oatmeal with peanut butter and banana, or 2 hard boiled eggs. I have been eating a lot of salad with chicken and sometimes a little cheese. Eggs, string cheese, apples, clementines and healthy soups with lots of veggies: these are what's on the menu.
I have given myself a break on the exercise, a break from worrying about it at the moment. But since things have been going well for a couple weeks, I need to think about adding some activity. I'll get there.
So tomorrow, I will weigh in and will hopefully post an update on the weight loss front. I'm sure that I will becauseI can feel the difference in my clothes. In fact, I had to actually use a binder clip to keep my pants up by connecting them to my tank top when I walked over to the store at lunch! Guess, it's time to bring out the belt. I don't have any idea what the number will be, though, because I've put away my home scale for now. No good comes of weighing each day right now so I'm avoiding that.
Anyway, if you've stuck with me through this journey, I am grateful. I'm here to tell you that right now I'm feeling good. My head feel clearer, the sadness is lifting, and I'm looking forward to the holidays. February and March are very difficult months for me usually so I'm hoping to get into good routines before then so that feeling good physically will help me feel good mentally.
Cheers!
Showing posts with label Weight Watchers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weight Watchers. Show all posts
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
I did something stupid yesterday?
Yes, that's a question because I'm still not sure if it was smart or stupid. I'm leaning towards stupid.
So, all last week, as I tried to eat less and count calories, I was thinking about Weight Watchers. Yes, it has its faults, but overall it's a sound plan which has been there for me in the past. It works if you work it (although I'm still not sure that's true for the PointsPlus plan) and it gives you accountability, even if you're only participating online. I made a to-do list for the week and on it I included the item "Decide if you're joining WW or not!". I thought about it a lot during the week and over the weekend. By Sunday night I had pretty much decided, yes, I'm joining. I had yesterday off and so one of the things I did in the morning was sign up for Weight Watchers Online. I chose the 3-month savings plan for the low low price of $65. I felt ready, I felt committed. Here we go!
Long about 7:30 last night I was wondering WTH I was thinking! Weight Watchers? Really? Again? Been there, done that! I celebrated this thought process by indulging in some honey roasted peanuts. As with anything I have purchased or bought in my life, I assumed Weight Watchers would give me 3 days to really make up my mind or change my mind, as the case may be. Right before bed, I sat down to cancel my membship and I couldn't see any other option than to do so at the end of the billing period. Well, I just joined, I thought. I can cancel and get a refund, it's been less than 12 hours for crying out loud! So I sent off a pleasant email that I had changed my mind about membership so please cancel and issue a refund.
I was surprised to see that I had an email response from them already when I got up this morning. I was also surprised by its contents. It was quite lengthy, but the gist of it was: We'll be happy to cancel your account and keep your money.
I am quite irritated by this! Basically my membership can be cancelled at the end of the first prepaid month and out of my $65 payment, I will receive a refund of $16.10. Yes, $16.10 out of $65! What irritates me the most is myself, of course. I read (skimmed) all the disclosures, but I felt like I was committed. Then later when I felt less committed, I thought for sure I would have 3 days to cancel and get a refund. When you buy a car, you have 3 days to change your mind! When you join a gym, you have 3 days to cancel and get a refund. But apparently, once you sign up for 3 months of WW Online, you're in for at least a month and $48.90! I'm so stupid! Aren't I?
I told my coworker my story this morning and she was like, well, I guess you have to use it! And, she's right, I suppose. I can't just let $50 go by the wayside. And since I have until mid-November to cancel for the same amount of refund, I might as well just give it a go and try my hardest to lose some weight! But ugh, it's frustrating because I'm really not committed to using this plan anymore. And now that they've irritated the heck out of me, I feel much less interested. But it's my own fault so I must reap what I sow. And if the consequence is weight loss, then so be it. :)
So, all last week, as I tried to eat less and count calories, I was thinking about Weight Watchers. Yes, it has its faults, but overall it's a sound plan which has been there for me in the past. It works if you work it (although I'm still not sure that's true for the PointsPlus plan) and it gives you accountability, even if you're only participating online. I made a to-do list for the week and on it I included the item "Decide if you're joining WW or not!". I thought about it a lot during the week and over the weekend. By Sunday night I had pretty much decided, yes, I'm joining. I had yesterday off and so one of the things I did in the morning was sign up for Weight Watchers Online. I chose the 3-month savings plan for the low low price of $65. I felt ready, I felt committed. Here we go!
Long about 7:30 last night I was wondering WTH I was thinking! Weight Watchers? Really? Again? Been there, done that! I celebrated this thought process by indulging in some honey roasted peanuts. As with anything I have purchased or bought in my life, I assumed Weight Watchers would give me 3 days to really make up my mind or change my mind, as the case may be. Right before bed, I sat down to cancel my membship and I couldn't see any other option than to do so at the end of the billing period. Well, I just joined, I thought. I can cancel and get a refund, it's been less than 12 hours for crying out loud! So I sent off a pleasant email that I had changed my mind about membership so please cancel and issue a refund.
I was surprised to see that I had an email response from them already when I got up this morning. I was also surprised by its contents. It was quite lengthy, but the gist of it was: We'll be happy to cancel your account and keep your money.
I am quite irritated by this! Basically my membership can be cancelled at the end of the first prepaid month and out of my $65 payment, I will receive a refund of $16.10. Yes, $16.10 out of $65! What irritates me the most is myself, of course. I read (skimmed) all the disclosures, but I felt like I was committed. Then later when I felt less committed, I thought for sure I would have 3 days to cancel and get a refund. When you buy a car, you have 3 days to change your mind! When you join a gym, you have 3 days to cancel and get a refund. But apparently, once you sign up for 3 months of WW Online, you're in for at least a month and $48.90! I'm so stupid! Aren't I?
I told my coworker my story this morning and she was like, well, I guess you have to use it! And, she's right, I suppose. I can't just let $50 go by the wayside. And since I have until mid-November to cancel for the same amount of refund, I might as well just give it a go and try my hardest to lose some weight! But ugh, it's frustrating because I'm really not committed to using this plan anymore. And now that they've irritated the heck out of me, I feel much less interested. But it's my own fault so I must reap what I sow. And if the consequence is weight loss, then so be it. :)
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
A Last Ditch Effort
Here I sit before you back in Twoterville. 200.8 lbs this morning. Remember this post? I certainly do.
But I can't go back, I can only go forward so here I am laying it all out there AGAIN. I have updated the badge on this blog to show pounds to goal instead of pounds lost. That's the number I need to focus on.
I'm moving forward from today. Is today different? Is today the day that everything comes together for me? I don't know. It feels like a good day, I feel motivated to begin. But I know I have felt this way before. Only time will tell.
I still cannot decide to make the break from Weight Watchers. I don't know why. It's like a crutch or something. And then there's that desire I have to be a featured success story, or at least apply! If I cancel my membership, am I cancelling that dream? It's not as if that dream is giving me a whole lot of motivation these days so cancelling shouldn't make too much of a difference. I guess it's just the idea of it. I seem to have the inability to make a decision on this subject. Ugh!
I have a funeral to go to in the coming days, and my cousin is getting married next month. I, of course, have nothing to wear. Do I buy something that will serve both purposes, or do I buy two things. Do I buy something for the funeral now, and wait until closer to the wedding to buy the outfit for that? Like maybe I'll be thinner then...
In other news, my hair is falling out! Not in clumps, but I'm definitely shedding way more than I used to and I can see my scalp way more than I could before. Even my hairdresser noticed! I went to the doctor to rule out any deficiencies or thyroid issues and all is well. Of course, I want to be healthy, but I want an answer to this hair loss. The only other explanation is stress. My doctor said that hair loss in relation to a stressful even usually occurs 3-6 months after the event. Well, this shedding has been going on for awhile now, probably 3 months. So all timelines point to the fact that it could be related to the stress of my husband returning to work, my returning to the bad place, and also switching up medications that I have taken for years. I have since quit taking one (about 4 weeks ago) that "could" attribute to the issue. Nothing is really concrete in that regard. What is certain is that I'm freaking out!! My hair is the one constant in my life. My weight can go up and down, but my hair has always been my best feature. At my heaviest weight ever, I still received compliments on my hair. And now it's falling out! So that's just something else to stress about! It could also be the major dietary change I've made over the last 9 or so months. Less nutrion, way more junk.
So, today, for the sake of my hair, I'm making another last ditch effort to get back on track. (I don't know if it's "last ditch" if you keep doing it over and over, though.) I know that if I was running and eating better, I would feel better. That would descrease my stress level. We have settled into being a two-working-parent family again, and while I still stress a bit over child care, it's not like it was 6-9 months ago. School is starting soon, but I'm trying to remain calm and worry free about that. I just want to focus on me right now. There are three weeks left of summer! That's hardly any time at all. My son is away at camp this week so these first couple days of cutting out the junk should be easier when I only have to worry about me (my husband doesn't get dinner when my son is gone, LOL.) So that's the plan.
I'm also making a last ditch effort with this blog. My URL renewal is in October so I need to decide if I still want towhine blog about my weight issues for all the public (okay, very few public) to read about. I haven't been very active in reading other blogs even though I know I find lots of inspiration from others. So perhaps if I get back to doing the things I know how to do, and know are good for me, I can get back to inspiring others too. My story can be about someone who was sick of being obese, lost 85 lbs and became a runner, gained 49 lbs and became a couch potato, and then lost 55 lbs all the while becoming a runner again.
I hope it's more than just a story. I hope it's my life. My health matters.
But I can't go back, I can only go forward so here I am laying it all out there AGAIN. I have updated the badge on this blog to show pounds to goal instead of pounds lost. That's the number I need to focus on.
I'm moving forward from today. Is today different? Is today the day that everything comes together for me? I don't know. It feels like a good day, I feel motivated to begin. But I know I have felt this way before. Only time will tell.
I still cannot decide to make the break from Weight Watchers. I don't know why. It's like a crutch or something. And then there's that desire I have to be a featured success story, or at least apply! If I cancel my membership, am I cancelling that dream? It's not as if that dream is giving me a whole lot of motivation these days so cancelling shouldn't make too much of a difference. I guess it's just the idea of it. I seem to have the inability to make a decision on this subject. Ugh!
I have a funeral to go to in the coming days, and my cousin is getting married next month. I, of course, have nothing to wear. Do I buy something that will serve both purposes, or do I buy two things. Do I buy something for the funeral now, and wait until closer to the wedding to buy the outfit for that? Like maybe I'll be thinner then...
In other news, my hair is falling out! Not in clumps, but I'm definitely shedding way more than I used to and I can see my scalp way more than I could before. Even my hairdresser noticed! I went to the doctor to rule out any deficiencies or thyroid issues and all is well. Of course, I want to be healthy, but I want an answer to this hair loss. The only other explanation is stress. My doctor said that hair loss in relation to a stressful even usually occurs 3-6 months after the event. Well, this shedding has been going on for awhile now, probably 3 months. So all timelines point to the fact that it could be related to the stress of my husband returning to work, my returning to the bad place, and also switching up medications that I have taken for years. I have since quit taking one (about 4 weeks ago) that "could" attribute to the issue. Nothing is really concrete in that regard. What is certain is that I'm freaking out!! My hair is the one constant in my life. My weight can go up and down, but my hair has always been my best feature. At my heaviest weight ever, I still received compliments on my hair. And now it's falling out! So that's just something else to stress about! It could also be the major dietary change I've made over the last 9 or so months. Less nutrion, way more junk.
So, today, for the sake of my hair, I'm making another last ditch effort to get back on track. (I don't know if it's "last ditch" if you keep doing it over and over, though.) I know that if I was running and eating better, I would feel better. That would descrease my stress level. We have settled into being a two-working-parent family again, and while I still stress a bit over child care, it's not like it was 6-9 months ago. School is starting soon, but I'm trying to remain calm and worry free about that. I just want to focus on me right now. There are three weeks left of summer! That's hardly any time at all. My son is away at camp this week so these first couple days of cutting out the junk should be easier when I only have to worry about me (my husband doesn't get dinner when my son is gone, LOL.) So that's the plan.
I'm also making a last ditch effort with this blog. My URL renewal is in October so I need to decide if I still want to
I hope it's more than just a story. I hope it's my life. My health matters.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Week 1 TBL: Success!
I lost 3.2 lbs this week! I consider that a success. I didn't exercise, but I did eat very well and the scale shows it. I think I would have been down more had I not had a little bit of an off day yesterday. Nothing too terrible, just a couple (5!) too many granola bars.
Last week I didn't follow any particular plan, I didn't count Points or calories, and it worked for me. BUT I don't think it will always work for me because I like having the definitive "on plan" day when it comes to losing weight, especially with this challenge at work. I want to be able to look at the week and KNOW that I was on plan. If you've read my blog these last couple of years (if so, thank you!) you know that I have gone back and forth about Weight Watchers and that I have never embraced their new plan (I guess it's not new anymore since it was introduced in November 2010). I've also gone back and forth about whether I should do the online plan or go to meetings. As I sit here today, I am still wondering what I should do. Part of me wants to see it through with Weight Watchers, but part of me thinks just counting calories is the best right now. Not to mention FREE. I really like using My Fitness Pal online and on their iPhone app. It makes logging calories super easy, especially when your food has a bar code. While most of my food is not prepackaged, their database of items is very comprehensive.
I calculated a typical day on Weight Watchers for 29 Points and the same foods came out to 1,443 calories (my limit has been 1,500). This calculation shows me that either option of Points or calories should get me to my goal if I stick to my daily allowance. It's just a matter of choosing a plan now. And can I let go of Weight Watchers completely? You see, since January of 2010 I have been an active online, meetings, or etools subscriber. Over the many years of trying to follow this plan, I have built up quite a database of favorite foods and recipes. I'm not sure I want to let all that go, but I'm also kind of tired of paying for something too! I think the time has come that either let it go, or go back to meetings. Otherwise, it's not worth it to pay for something I can do online for free (track food). I don't use the site for anything other than tracking so it's not as if I'd be losing all kinds of resources.
So typing all this out has brought me closer to thinking that counting calories is what I should do. So that's what I'll do today. Tomorrow? We'll see.
Does anyone use My Fitness Pal? Do you love it? Do you have any tips or tricks? What other sites have you tried?
I have also used Livestrong and SparkPeople. Both are great options, but the iPhone app for MFP is way better in my humble opinion. One thing I'll point out is that I haven't used any of the applications for tracking exercise so I have no idea how it even works.
Last week I didn't follow any particular plan, I didn't count Points or calories, and it worked for me. BUT I don't think it will always work for me because I like having the definitive "on plan" day when it comes to losing weight, especially with this challenge at work. I want to be able to look at the week and KNOW that I was on plan. If you've read my blog these last couple of years (if so, thank you!) you know that I have gone back and forth about Weight Watchers and that I have never embraced their new plan (I guess it's not new anymore since it was introduced in November 2010). I've also gone back and forth about whether I should do the online plan or go to meetings. As I sit here today, I am still wondering what I should do. Part of me wants to see it through with Weight Watchers, but part of me thinks just counting calories is the best right now. Not to mention FREE. I really like using My Fitness Pal online and on their iPhone app. It makes logging calories super easy, especially when your food has a bar code. While most of my food is not prepackaged, their database of items is very comprehensive.
I calculated a typical day on Weight Watchers for 29 Points and the same foods came out to 1,443 calories (my limit has been 1,500). This calculation shows me that either option of Points or calories should get me to my goal if I stick to my daily allowance. It's just a matter of choosing a plan now. And can I let go of Weight Watchers completely? You see, since January of 2010 I have been an active online, meetings, or etools subscriber. Over the many years of trying to follow this plan, I have built up quite a database of favorite foods and recipes. I'm not sure I want to let all that go, but I'm also kind of tired of paying for something too! I think the time has come that either let it go, or go back to meetings. Otherwise, it's not worth it to pay for something I can do online for free (track food). I don't use the site for anything other than tracking so it's not as if I'd be losing all kinds of resources.
So typing all this out has brought me closer to thinking that counting calories is what I should do. So that's what I'll do today. Tomorrow? We'll see.
Does anyone use My Fitness Pal? Do you love it? Do you have any tips or tricks? What other sites have you tried?
I have also used Livestrong and SparkPeople. Both are great options, but the iPhone app for MFP is way better in my humble opinion. One thing I'll point out is that I haven't used any of the applications for tracking exercise so I have no idea how it even works.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
I am ready to be done dieting!!
Yes, I said it. I know, I know, it's not a diet, it's a life style change. But come on, it is a diet. Whether I'm counting Points, or calories, or servings, or whatever, it's feels like a diet and a diet feels restrictive! And I swear, if it's restricted, I WANT it! Of course I can eat whatever I want IF I count it, but everyone knows that eating Cheez Its or some other wonderful snack food isn't the best use of calories/Points/servings/whatever.
So for the time being I'm going to quit counting. I know HOW to eat, I know WHAT to eat, and I know HOW MUCH to eat. Some people think the key to weight loss is tracking your food. This has been hammered into my head for years by Weight Watchers. But sometimes I think tracking makes things harder, puts more focus on what you're eating (or not eating) and just all around makes your life revolve around food. I posted about this while back when I was getting to know Paul McKenna so this is not a novel or new concept for me. I tried awhile back to toss the food journal, but then I changed my mind and decided that Weight Watchers was the only way I could lose weight. Sometimes I think WW is a crutch for me. But what if it wasn't? What if I could do this on my own just by eating less? What if I never tracked another thing except my hunger level? Because lately I'm so sick of counting! I don't know. My thoughts on this subject change from day to day, even from morning to night. It's a cycle of desperation and self doubt is what it is.
...
This week I am focusing on staying on program for four days. "On program" means not eating chocolate candy bars, not having sugary-fatty drinks from Starbucks, and no salty-bad-for-you snacks like Cheez Its. If I can stick to this for four days, then on Thursday night I'm going to see The Lucky One as a reward. Four days. That might sound like hardly any time at all, but I nearly caved last night. I actually went to the pantry, grabbed the box of Cheez Its and settled back on the couch (while watching The Biggest Loser, of course). I opened the box slowly, contemplating the whole time about whether I really wanted to eat those things, and in the end I closed the box and put it away without having any. VICTORY! It's small, but I made it through. So two of the four days done.
What happens after the four days? Well, more days, of course. At least I hope so.
So for the time being I'm going to quit counting. I know HOW to eat, I know WHAT to eat, and I know HOW MUCH to eat. Some people think the key to weight loss is tracking your food. This has been hammered into my head for years by Weight Watchers. But sometimes I think tracking makes things harder, puts more focus on what you're eating (or not eating) and just all around makes your life revolve around food. I posted about this while back when I was getting to know Paul McKenna so this is not a novel or new concept for me. I tried awhile back to toss the food journal, but then I changed my mind and decided that Weight Watchers was the only way I could lose weight. Sometimes I think WW is a crutch for me. But what if it wasn't? What if I could do this on my own just by eating less? What if I never tracked another thing except my hunger level? Because lately I'm so sick of counting! I don't know. My thoughts on this subject change from day to day, even from morning to night. It's a cycle of desperation and self doubt is what it is.
...
This week I am focusing on staying on program for four days. "On program" means not eating chocolate candy bars, not having sugary-fatty drinks from Starbucks, and no salty-bad-for-you snacks like Cheez Its. If I can stick to this for four days, then on Thursday night I'm going to see The Lucky One as a reward. Four days. That might sound like hardly any time at all, but I nearly caved last night. I actually went to the pantry, grabbed the box of Cheez Its and settled back on the couch (while watching The Biggest Loser, of course). I opened the box slowly, contemplating the whole time about whether I really wanted to eat those things, and in the end I closed the box and put it away without having any. VICTORY! It's small, but I made it through. So two of the four days done.
What happens after the four days? Well, more days, of course. At least I hope so.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
2 Years Later and is it a Coincidence?
So after my post last night, I was really telling myself to believe in myself. And then this morning when I headed over to the WW website, I found this.
Do you think it's a coincidence?
As I said yesterday, today is my two year anniversary of starting this journey. Unfortunately, I have gained some weight so I'm not as light as I was a year ago, but I'm still 60 pounds lighter than I was two years ago. I want 2012 to be my year. 2012! I love even number years so this year is already my friend!
I became a lifetime member of Weight Watchers in the Fall of 1999 with a goal weight of 130. I would like to officially change my goal weight to 145 once I reach it and then weight in monthly at Weight Watchers as a lifetime member. I also heard that lifetime members get free e-tools. Those things are good incentives to keep going and not give up. Keeping up with that monthly check-in will also help me maintain when I get to that point.
That said, I'm not sure if it's best to continue with Weight Watchers online or actually become a meetings member. I have said several times that the meetings aren't really for me, but it seems like they have a new open door format where you can go, weigh in, talk with the leaders, get materials and not sit through a meeting. There is a new center on my way home that has open hours each day for drop ins. I like this idea. I like it a lot, in fact. It would be a nice way to find a leader that I connect with and then maybe meetings would be good for me. For now, I am an online member but I will keep you posted on what I decide. Online is more in my budget right now so I'd kinda like to stay with that for awhile, but I also want to stay motivated so if I need to change it up, I will.
Today is a good day. I did not get up to exercise, but I am eating ON PLAN and I'm drinking my water faithfully. Quick note, I'm not sure if I've mentioned it, but I am a water bottle addict. I have no less than 5 purple water bottles and 3 pink ones. Here's my latest acquisition:
My husband says this bottle is exactly like one I have. Well, no it isn't. The one I have has a black lid while this one has white. And this one is my favorite right now! So there!
And just because I made that proclamation so many moons ago about this blog needing more pictures, here's your daily cuteness.
That is my kitty, Tucker, who nearly died over New Year's weekend. He's doing so much better!! I am so thankful. He's wearing his "party collar" until he gets his stitches out tomorrow. Last night he was clearly helping me work. He also loves purple and chooses that color for his pens.
Do you think it's a coincidence?
As I said yesterday, today is my two year anniversary of starting this journey. Unfortunately, I have gained some weight so I'm not as light as I was a year ago, but I'm still 60 pounds lighter than I was two years ago. I want 2012 to be my year. 2012! I love even number years so this year is already my friend!
I became a lifetime member of Weight Watchers in the Fall of 1999 with a goal weight of 130. I would like to officially change my goal weight to 145 once I reach it and then weight in monthly at Weight Watchers as a lifetime member. I also heard that lifetime members get free e-tools. Those things are good incentives to keep going and not give up. Keeping up with that monthly check-in will also help me maintain when I get to that point.
That said, I'm not sure if it's best to continue with Weight Watchers online or actually become a meetings member. I have said several times that the meetings aren't really for me, but it seems like they have a new open door format where you can go, weigh in, talk with the leaders, get materials and not sit through a meeting. There is a new center on my way home that has open hours each day for drop ins. I like this idea. I like it a lot, in fact. It would be a nice way to find a leader that I connect with and then maybe meetings would be good for me. For now, I am an online member but I will keep you posted on what I decide. Online is more in my budget right now so I'd kinda like to stay with that for awhile, but I also want to stay motivated so if I need to change it up, I will.
Today is a good day. I did not get up to exercise, but I am eating ON PLAN and I'm drinking my water faithfully. Quick note, I'm not sure if I've mentioned it, but I am a water bottle addict. I have no less than 5 purple water bottles and 3 pink ones. Here's my latest acquisition:
And just because I made that proclamation so many moons ago about this blog needing more pictures, here's your daily cuteness.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Doldrums
I'm taking a week. Well, I don't yet know if it's a week but tomorrow is day three and I don't feel a workout suddenly coming out of me. I guess I don't feel it because my eating has been terrible which makes me feel just icky. Not strong, but sluggish and fat. I know it's crazy but I am taking a few days, maybe a week, to get my eating back on track any maybe lose some of the bad food blues. Starting today. I am going to learn this damn PointsPlus system or go crazy trying. I just hate trying to plan my day while not having a clue how many Points most things are worth. I guess it's time to go back to the basics and eat the simple choices and eat them often. English muffin with peanut butter, yogurt, fruit, frozen meal or leftovers, granola bar, some easy dinner, fruit, vegetable. (Note to self: chips aren't listed!) Getting back to control is what I am craving. I just need to remember that during those times when I think I'm craving chips.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Where is this blog going?
I think this blog may have run its course and I am having one of those "where do I go from here?" moments with it. I don't feel like I'm ready to go, exactly, but I definitely feel like I haven't had much to contribute to this awesome community lately.
I continue to gain weight. It was lose, gain, lose, gain, lose, but now I'm just on a gain, gain cycle. At least for the past couple of weeks anyway.
I should probably recap August. My goals were to lose 10 pounds and run 70 miles. I actually did pretty well. I lost 4 pounds and I ran 67.45 miles, and I honestly feel like that was a success.
But as of today, 9/15, I am 7 pounds heavier than I was on 8/31. I'm truly not obsessed with the number, but I have the weight history at my fingertips thanks to my handy iPhone. I don't sit and stare at the numbers all the time, or anything. But just know that these days I am thinking of the numbers constantly. CONSTANTLY. On my way to the fridge and back, especially.
Tomorrow I'm doing something I thought I would never do again in this life time. I'm going to a Weight Watchers meeting. A real, live meeting with the old bitties themselves. I actually bought the WW monthly pass as they are running a special where instead of the regular $39.95 monthly fee, you can pay $43.25 for two months. Two months is what I'm going to give it. I already pay $16.95 a month for the online membership so this isn't too much more, and it will give me the opportunity to connect with others in real life. I'm trying to have a positive attitude about that and hope for the best.
In related news, I rejoined the YMCA last week. That is a really good thing and I'm excited about it. I'm excited to try some different classes and use some of the different cardio machines besides the treadmill. I like the elliptical a lot so far. I'm happy to report that I've even been going before work!
I'm taking these steps to freshen things up and make some changes. I need to do something to get back the fire and motivation that I had before. I'm not sure what that will mean for my blog. I'm not ready to say good bye because I'm not done yet. But right now, I'm the last weight loss blogger you want to hear from.
I continue to gain weight. It was lose, gain, lose, gain, lose, but now I'm just on a gain, gain cycle. At least for the past couple of weeks anyway.
I should probably recap August. My goals were to lose 10 pounds and run 70 miles. I actually did pretty well. I lost 4 pounds and I ran 67.45 miles, and I honestly feel like that was a success.
But as of today, 9/15, I am 7 pounds heavier than I was on 8/31. I'm truly not obsessed with the number, but I have the weight history at my fingertips thanks to my handy iPhone. I don't sit and stare at the numbers all the time, or anything. But just know that these days I am thinking of the numbers constantly. CONSTANTLY. On my way to the fridge and back, especially.
Tomorrow I'm doing something I thought I would never do again in this life time. I'm going to a Weight Watchers meeting. A real, live meeting with the old bitties themselves. I actually bought the WW monthly pass as they are running a special where instead of the regular $39.95 monthly fee, you can pay $43.25 for two months. Two months is what I'm going to give it. I already pay $16.95 a month for the online membership so this isn't too much more, and it will give me the opportunity to connect with others in real life. I'm trying to have a positive attitude about that and hope for the best.
In related news, I rejoined the YMCA last week. That is a really good thing and I'm excited about it. I'm excited to try some different classes and use some of the different cardio machines besides the treadmill. I like the elliptical a lot so far. I'm happy to report that I've even been going before work!
I'm taking these steps to freshen things up and make some changes. I need to do something to get back the fire and motivation that I had before. I'm not sure what that will mean for my blog. I'm not ready to say good bye because I'm not done yet. But right now, I'm the last weight loss blogger you want to hear from.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
If I was a Smurf, I'd be Fickle Smurf.
Remember this post, about how I was saying good-bye to Weight Watchers? Yeah, that was just last Thursday. And today, Tuesday, I reactivated my account. Apparently I'm not ready to sever our relationship. I'm not sure why. I feel like it would be so much easier just to count calories, yet I feel like I want to succeed with WW. I started this journey with WW and it seems like I should finish it with WW.
As of today I am just over 10 pounds above the lowest weight I've seen on this journey. And that freaks me out! I mean, it scares the daylights out of me. How how how can I have gained 10 pounds when my workouts have been consistent? Answer: eating too much! Obviously, right?! Well, why can't I get it together and knock it off?! Honestly, I don't know what isn't clicking in the food department these days.
Each day I wake up with a new resolve. I think about how I will plan my meals and stick to plan. But inevitably something comes along and I'm derailed. Sometimes it's a lunch out with coworkers, not too big a deal, but usually it's something more detrimental, like a big dish of froyo (with toppings) after my Points are already gone for the day, or a bunch of chips, or possibly some popcorn followed up with a few (yes, a few) granola bars. These choices are costing me and I simply cannot do it anymore. If I regain the weight I've lost I will surely go crazy. I cannot go back to that place.
So as fickle is as fickle does, I'm thinking about recanting this decision too. I really think I want a gym membership again, and I really think I want to go to the gym for some group fitness classes; however, my husband still isn't working and we are facing the end of the unemployment very soon. If we reach that point, unfortunately we will have to file for bankruptcy. Remember this? Yeah, we've been paying the bills, but when the bills exceed the income what else can you do? Anyway, I'm not sure a gym membership can fit into the new single income budget. Although an investment into health can be a wonderful thing, right? And if I went regularly, the cost could be justified. But I would have to go in the morning, and how many times can I say I am not a morning person? But I do prefer working out in the mornings and there are some awesome classes available in the morning. So what do I do? Luckily I can join without a contract, but I still have to pay the "joiner fee" which is $50, a fee I already paid once only to cancel the membership 7 months later. $50 can buy a lot of froyo...oh wait, I'm supposed to be cutting that out.
Well, anyway, like sands through the hour glass, these are the decisions of my fickle life.
As of today I am just over 10 pounds above the lowest weight I've seen on this journey. And that freaks me out! I mean, it scares the daylights out of me. How how how can I have gained 10 pounds when my workouts have been consistent? Answer: eating too much! Obviously, right?! Well, why can't I get it together and knock it off?! Honestly, I don't know what isn't clicking in the food department these days.
Each day I wake up with a new resolve. I think about how I will plan my meals and stick to plan. But inevitably something comes along and I'm derailed. Sometimes it's a lunch out with coworkers, not too big a deal, but usually it's something more detrimental, like a big dish of froyo (with toppings) after my Points are already gone for the day, or a bunch of chips, or possibly some popcorn followed up with a few (yes, a few) granola bars. These choices are costing me and I simply cannot do it anymore. If I regain the weight I've lost I will surely go crazy. I cannot go back to that place.
So as fickle is as fickle does, I'm thinking about recanting this decision too. I really think I want a gym membership again, and I really think I want to go to the gym for some group fitness classes; however, my husband still isn't working and we are facing the end of the unemployment very soon. If we reach that point, unfortunately we will have to file for bankruptcy. Remember this? Yeah, we've been paying the bills, but when the bills exceed the income what else can you do? Anyway, I'm not sure a gym membership can fit into the new single income budget. Although an investment into health can be a wonderful thing, right? And if I went regularly, the cost could be justified. But I would have to go in the morning, and how many times can I say I am not a morning person? But I do prefer working out in the mornings and there are some awesome classes available in the morning. So what do I do? Luckily I can join without a contract, but I still have to pay the "joiner fee" which is $50, a fee I already paid once only to cancel the membership 7 months later. $50 can buy a lot of froyo...oh wait, I'm supposed to be cutting that out.
Well, anyway, like sands through the hour glass, these are the decisions of my fickle life.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
An Open Letter to Weight Watchers
Dear Weight Watchers, or as I like to refer to you, "W.W.":
We've spent many years together, but as with many relationships sometimes it's okay to say good-bye and in our case, I think it's time for me to say it. We've had a good run, from Exchanges to Winning Points, to Flex Points. Unfortunately, your PointsPlus and me cannot seem to find a happy place together. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the new you, it's just that the old me cannot embrace this new you. I don't want to relearn everything I already know. I know that my breakfast is worth 6 Points, but now you're telling me it's worth 7 PointsPlus with or without the banana. While I know bananas are healthy, I think eating one should cost me, or not eating on should benefit me. Yes, I know a banana is a better choice over a 100 calorie pack of air, but the basic formula for weight loss will always apply.
As it is, I know these things and don't need you to tell me. I don't need your complicated system in order to keep track of my foods. I also don't need your system to tell me if I'm hungry or not. Just because I might have available PointsPlus does not mean I need to use them, it does not mean I am still hungry. But sometimes I get caught up in your numbers and seeing them makes me "feel" hungry even if I'm not. Again the problem is not yours, it's mine.
I need to learn to live on my own as I do not plan to pay you $16.95 (or more) a month for the rest of my life. Yeah, if Iim a lifetime member at my goal weight, I know I can attend your meetings for free, but your meetings are boring and full of old bitties who are just using you for their seniors day out. I'm sorry there is nothing to be gained from them except what not to wear in old age.
So after all you've done for me, I'm saying good-bye. I have learned from you, I have much to thank you for. If not for our relationship which began when I was 14, I might have grown up not knowing the amount of calories in beer and wine. I might have become a total boozer. If I didn't know the benefits of exercise which activity exchanges and Points taught me, I might not have always carried the desire to be a runner. You're still helping people and I will still recommend to my friends, but our time together has come to an end. I don't know if it will be forever, but I really hope it is. My life will no longer be lived according to your daily and weekly PointsPlus. There will no longer be a "weight tracking day". I shall be free to weigh whenever I want and start over everyday if I want. I want the freedom. I bid you adieu and wish you well.
Take care.
Me
We've spent many years together, but as with many relationships sometimes it's okay to say good-bye and in our case, I think it's time for me to say it. We've had a good run, from Exchanges to Winning Points, to Flex Points. Unfortunately, your PointsPlus and me cannot seem to find a happy place together. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the new you, it's just that the old me cannot embrace this new you. I don't want to relearn everything I already know. I know that my breakfast is worth 6 Points, but now you're telling me it's worth 7 PointsPlus with or without the banana. While I know bananas are healthy, I think eating one should cost me, or not eating on should benefit me. Yes, I know a banana is a better choice over a 100 calorie pack of air, but the basic formula for weight loss will always apply.
As it is, I know these things and don't need you to tell me. I don't need your complicated system in order to keep track of my foods. I also don't need your system to tell me if I'm hungry or not. Just because I might have available PointsPlus does not mean I need to use them, it does not mean I am still hungry. But sometimes I get caught up in your numbers and seeing them makes me "feel" hungry even if I'm not. Again the problem is not yours, it's mine.
I need to learn to live on my own as I do not plan to pay you $16.95 (or more) a month for the rest of my life. Yeah, if Iim a lifetime member at my goal weight, I know I can attend your meetings for free, but your meetings are boring and full of old bitties who are just using you for their seniors day out. I'm sorry there is nothing to be gained from them except what not to wear in old age.
So after all you've done for me, I'm saying good-bye. I have learned from you, I have much to thank you for. If not for our relationship which began when I was 14, I might have grown up not knowing the amount of calories in beer and wine. I might have become a total boozer. If I didn't know the benefits of exercise which activity exchanges and Points taught me, I might not have always carried the desire to be a runner. You're still helping people and I will still recommend to my friends, but our time together has come to an end. I don't know if it will be forever, but I really hope it is. My life will no longer be lived according to your daily and weekly PointsPlus. There will no longer be a "weight tracking day". I shall be free to weigh whenever I want and start over everyday if I want. I want the freedom. I bid you adieu and wish you well.
Take care.
Me
Monday, July 25, 2011
Half marathon last weekend, fat pants today.
Starting weight: 236.8
Last week's weight: 157.0 (actually 2 weeks go)
Current weight: 161.0
Gain/loss: +4.0
Total gain/loss: -75.8
Pounds to goal (136.8): 24.2
Pounds to mini goal (149): 12.0
What's wrong with this picture? I just completed a half marathon 8 days ago. I ran an 8K race this past Saturday (recap to come as soon as I have my official finish time), and yet here I sit in my fat pants.
I have managed to re-enter the 160s over the course of the past couple of weeks and it sucks. Granted, I have not been eating that great. I have been watching it and I have not indulged in crap, but I have gone over my calories or points, whatever it is that I am counting on a particular day. I think I gave myself permission because I was "training". I wanted to train well, and be strong, so I needed to eat, right? Well, apparently I didn't need to eat that much!
So it has come to this day when all must change. I have conquered the half marathon and am no longer officially "in training". It is time to get back to business and refocus on my weight goals. My ultimate weight goal is still listed as 136.8, but my short term goal is 149. Today I weigh in at 161.
I am recommitting to Weight Watchers today. I have been ready to throw in the towel and break up with WW, however, after our long history together, I feel I must make one last ditch effort to become one with the PointsPlus plan. I must remember that "free fruit" doesn't mean I should consume 5 pounds of cherries in two days. It doesn't mean I can eat at least 2 bananas each day. It doesn't even mean that I should eat 2 nectarines for dinner. I know how to eat and "free fruit" doesn't mean it's a "fruit free for all". Do you hear that, Lori, it's not a fruit free for all! One of my very first Weight Watcher's leaders said to me so many years ago, it's not the fruit that brings people to Weight Watchers, it's the fruit pie. Well, I can say that fruit has been a serious problem for me in the basic calories in < calories out equation lately. I must cut back.
I also need to come to terms with my workout schedule and either make peace with the fact that I am not going to be a morning exerciser, or get over myself and just get the fudge out of bed in the morning! Seriously! Every week it's the same ol' thing. I mentally prepare for getting to bed early, getting up early, and getting my workout done first thing. Some days it happens and I feel great, most days it doesn't and I feel like crap. Even if I get the workout done in the evening, I'm so irritated with myself over the missed morning workout that it overshadows the evening workout. Isn't that stupid?! For some reason I have it in my head that I need to workout in the morning to be successful, and I want to workout in the morning so bad. But I hate getting out of bed! I am not a morning person, I'm a night person. Morning workouts cramp my style, yet I can't let go of the idea. Help me! Can anyone recommend some blogs of moms who workout at night? I want to see this plan in action because I can't seem to grasp its worthiness.
One other idea I had was this: run in the mornings, strength train at night. I do not love strength training. I do not even like it, yet I know it's necessary. I have been enjoying Jillian's No More Trouble Zones DVD, well as much as you can enjoy something you don't like, that is, but the thought of getting out of bed and bonding with Jillian before my coffee makes me turn off the alarm and pretend I never heard it. So maybe I should just starting running every morning. Running takes little thought. You get up, put on the gear, leave the house (or get on the treadmill). Not difficult. Then a couple nights a week, as time permits, I can have my sweat sesh with Jillian. How many of you run 5 days a week? Do you cross train?
Anyway, regardless of when I workout, the most important thing is to stop eating so much. So here we are on day 1 of the recommitment plan. So far things are going along well. (Except that I didn't workout this morning.)
What is your typical workout routine?
Last week's weight: 157.0 (actually 2 weeks go)
Current weight: 161.0
Gain/loss: +4.0
Total gain/loss: -75.8
Pounds to goal (136.8): 24.2
Pounds to mini goal (149): 12.0
What's wrong with this picture? I just completed a half marathon 8 days ago. I ran an 8K race this past Saturday (recap to come as soon as I have my official finish time), and yet here I sit in my fat pants.
I have managed to re-enter the 160s over the course of the past couple of weeks and it sucks. Granted, I have not been eating that great. I have been watching it and I have not indulged in crap, but I have gone over my calories or points, whatever it is that I am counting on a particular day. I think I gave myself permission because I was "training". I wanted to train well, and be strong, so I needed to eat, right? Well, apparently I didn't need to eat that much!
So it has come to this day when all must change. I have conquered the half marathon and am no longer officially "in training". It is time to get back to business and refocus on my weight goals. My ultimate weight goal is still listed as 136.8, but my short term goal is 149. Today I weigh in at 161.
I am recommitting to Weight Watchers today. I have been ready to throw in the towel and break up with WW, however, after our long history together, I feel I must make one last ditch effort to become one with the PointsPlus plan. I must remember that "free fruit" doesn't mean I should consume 5 pounds of cherries in two days. It doesn't mean I can eat at least 2 bananas each day. It doesn't even mean that I should eat 2 nectarines for dinner. I know how to eat and "free fruit" doesn't mean it's a "fruit free for all". Do you hear that, Lori, it's not a fruit free for all! One of my very first Weight Watcher's leaders said to me so many years ago, it's not the fruit that brings people to Weight Watchers, it's the fruit pie. Well, I can say that fruit has been a serious problem for me in the basic calories in < calories out equation lately. I must cut back.
I also need to come to terms with my workout schedule and either make peace with the fact that I am not going to be a morning exerciser, or get over myself and just get the fudge out of bed in the morning! Seriously! Every week it's the same ol' thing. I mentally prepare for getting to bed early, getting up early, and getting my workout done first thing. Some days it happens and I feel great, most days it doesn't and I feel like crap. Even if I get the workout done in the evening, I'm so irritated with myself over the missed morning workout that it overshadows the evening workout. Isn't that stupid?! For some reason I have it in my head that I need to workout in the morning to be successful, and I want to workout in the morning so bad. But I hate getting out of bed! I am not a morning person, I'm a night person. Morning workouts cramp my style, yet I can't let go of the idea. Help me! Can anyone recommend some blogs of moms who workout at night? I want to see this plan in action because I can't seem to grasp its worthiness.
One other idea I had was this: run in the mornings, strength train at night. I do not love strength training. I do not even like it, yet I know it's necessary. I have been enjoying Jillian's No More Trouble Zones DVD, well as much as you can enjoy something you don't like, that is, but the thought of getting out of bed and bonding with Jillian before my coffee makes me turn off the alarm and pretend I never heard it. So maybe I should just starting running every morning. Running takes little thought. You get up, put on the gear, leave the house (or get on the treadmill). Not difficult. Then a couple nights a week, as time permits, I can have my sweat sesh with Jillian. How many of you run 5 days a week? Do you cross train?
Anyway, regardless of when I workout, the most important thing is to stop eating so much. So here we are on day 1 of the recommitment plan. So far things are going along well. (Except that I didn't workout this morning.)
What is your typical workout routine?
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
On Track
Yesterday I had a terrific day on plan. I also logged training Run #1 for Week #2. That was one awesome run too. It was only 35 minutes and I felt like I could keep going and going, but I'm sticking to my plan.
Yesterday I weighed 159.8, today I weigh 156.6. See what I said about the salt?
I'm still up in the air about joining WW meetings. Given our change in finances, I really feel like I should not put out any money that's not absolutely necessary. I'm still paying for my online membership and I'm working my hardest to get back on track and stay there until goal.
Thank you for the kind words regarding my husband's employment situation. It truly is the hardest thing we've ever faced. And there is no end in sight. Unemployment is high in our state, especially in our city. While he has applied for a few jobs in western Washington, it would have to be a pretty fabulous opportunity before I would consider relocating. It would also depend on whether I could transfer to our other office or not. Basically, I have absolutely no desire to relocate, especially for a job. I would be so worried about making a huge change and then falling victim to the economy again. I can't imagine it. It's hard enough facing this while we're surrounded by family and friends. Anyway, I don't know what we're going to do. It's time to negotiate with the credit card companies, that's for sure.
I have heard of two situations lately where people I knew "weren't looking" for jobs and a great opportunity just "feel in their lap"! (These people or opportunities are not in our town.) My husband has been looking for work for 20 months and clearly doesn't have the right contacts or experience because nothing is falling on him at all. I get wrapped up in the thoughts of "it's not fair". And it isn't, but neither is life, so I just need to suck it up! It could be worse, a lot worse. I do count the blessings we have and try not to fret, but fretting is in my nature. One day at a time, 609 days later.
Yesterday I weighed 159.8, today I weigh 156.6. See what I said about the salt?
I'm still up in the air about joining WW meetings. Given our change in finances, I really feel like I should not put out any money that's not absolutely necessary. I'm still paying for my online membership and I'm working my hardest to get back on track and stay there until goal.
Thank you for the kind words regarding my husband's employment situation. It truly is the hardest thing we've ever faced. And there is no end in sight. Unemployment is high in our state, especially in our city. While he has applied for a few jobs in western Washington, it would have to be a pretty fabulous opportunity before I would consider relocating. It would also depend on whether I could transfer to our other office or not. Basically, I have absolutely no desire to relocate, especially for a job. I would be so worried about making a huge change and then falling victim to the economy again. I can't imagine it. It's hard enough facing this while we're surrounded by family and friends. Anyway, I don't know what we're going to do. It's time to negotiate with the credit card companies, that's for sure.
I have heard of two situations lately where people I knew "weren't looking" for jobs and a great opportunity just "feel in their lap"! (These people or opportunities are not in our town.) My husband has been looking for work for 20 months and clearly doesn't have the right contacts or experience because nothing is falling on him at all. I get wrapped up in the thoughts of "it's not fair". And it isn't, but neither is life, so I just need to suck it up! It could be worse, a lot worse. I do count the blessings we have and try not to fret, but fretting is in my nature. One day at a time, 609 days later.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Sunday Sobfest
There's no doubt about it, I have just had the most craptastic week on record. I ate too much, I didn't track enough, and I feel awful, just terrible. I did get in all my runs, but I didn't do any yoga. I hate saying this because it was my first week of training, but it's true. I went completely off the diet grid.
Now, I will say that my eating last week as compared to how I used to eat was fairly tame, but that's really of no comfort here. I feel terrible right now, did I mention that?
I have had an unusual craving for salty things lately. Chips, popcorn, roasted nuts. Honestly I don't know what has gotten into me. And it's kind of scaring me because everyday I get up and feel like it's a new start and I'll do better, and then by evening I've done something really stupid like eat an entire 8-serving bag of pita chips. Then I go to bed full of self loathing and hatred of my behavior. I don't like it, not one little bit.
I have been asking myself what the problem is, what's the disconnect, why am I falling into these old patterns? Unfortunately I haven't really come up with anything.
It is disheartening to know also that even though I'm still running, eating extra calories makes me gain weight. I hope a lot of it is water. If I can just get things under control, I know some of the weight will melt away. This morning the scale read 159.8. Who knows what it will be tomorrow.
I am desperate enough to be considering joining Weight Watchers and attending meetings. I am thinking a little change and extra accountability might be a good thing. Or it might just be a waste of time and money. I have been doing this on my own for months. I want to succeed on my own. I just need to get it together.
My husband still has not found employment and this week is our last week of unemployment payments. There is some state money possibly, but nothing is for sure and the timeframe is not guaranteed. In other words, we are now officially a one income family and we have some difficult choices to make. This is stressing me out. I am perhaps eating my way through the stress.
Now, I will say that my eating last week as compared to how I used to eat was fairly tame, but that's really of no comfort here. I feel terrible right now, did I mention that?
I have had an unusual craving for salty things lately. Chips, popcorn, roasted nuts. Honestly I don't know what has gotten into me. And it's kind of scaring me because everyday I get up and feel like it's a new start and I'll do better, and then by evening I've done something really stupid like eat an entire 8-serving bag of pita chips. Then I go to bed full of self loathing and hatred of my behavior. I don't like it, not one little bit.
I have been asking myself what the problem is, what's the disconnect, why am I falling into these old patterns? Unfortunately I haven't really come up with anything.
It is disheartening to know also that even though I'm still running, eating extra calories makes me gain weight. I hope a lot of it is water. If I can just get things under control, I know some of the weight will melt away. This morning the scale read 159.8. Who knows what it will be tomorrow.
I am desperate enough to be considering joining Weight Watchers and attending meetings. I am thinking a little change and extra accountability might be a good thing. Or it might just be a waste of time and money. I have been doing this on my own for months. I want to succeed on my own. I just need to get it together.
My husband still has not found employment and this week is our last week of unemployment payments. There is some state money possibly, but nothing is for sure and the timeframe is not guaranteed. In other words, we are now officially a one income family and we have some difficult choices to make. This is stressing me out. I am perhaps eating my way through the stress.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Weekly Weigh in and PointsPlus Update
First of all, our friend finished the Boston Marathon this morning in 2:55:56!! Woohoo! That is just amazing to me. Wow! This was his first ever marathon, too.
So I didn't lose any weight this week, but I also didn't gain any so it could be worse. The problem is I'm getting discouraged. It is apparent that I'm at a plateau or in a slump of some kind. Everyday for months I weigh between 155 and 157 (with a few weights higher or lower) and I'm getting tired of it. Last week, I had 5 great workouts including just under 14 miles of running. I thought the added workouts would help me bust through, but that was not to be.
After several months following the new WW PointsPlus plan, I've come to a few conclusions. As I posted before, I was not very good about tracking my points from the plan's start date until January/February. Since then I have been tracking fairly well. While I have had a few weeks that I've gone over my points by like 5, I haven't had any major overeating weeks. What I have been doing, though, is using all the daily, weekly and activity points and it's become clear that I cannot consume that much food and still lose. I don't want to blame the plan, but I have become a little bit annoyed that I have no choice but to follow the PointsPlus plan. I know, I know, it's not just the plan. I know how to eat and how much because I was doing that and successfully lost over 75 pounds. The problem is, I know the old WW plan like the back of my hand, but I've been trying to forget all that and learn the new points values. But something just isn't adding up for me. The points values for most things are higher and so is my daily and weekly points allowance. Activity points earned are also higher. But if I use all those points, I'm not losing. On the old plain, I could use all my points and still lose. And that's what I loved about it! I might not lose big, but I would still lose and I certainly would not gain! I haven't taken the time to calculate the points based on the new and old plans to see the difference because I just don't want to. That would take time and effort and what was always so nice about counting points is that it was so easy and effortless. I also didn't have to play and trial and error games to see how many points I could actually consume while still losing weight, however, that seems not to be the case anymore. Ugh!
This week I'll be experimenting a little by trying to cut points out of my days. My goal for this week is to not use any weekly points and very little activity points, if any. I feel like I need to shock my system and kick start the losing process again. That first week of any diet plan always shows large losses and if I cut down from 42 points or so each day to 29, that should be a pretty big shocker for the ol' system, right? It might sound drastic, but it's really not. 29 points is my daily allowance and according to the experts at WW, that should be how many points I consume for maximum (healthy) weight loss. What I don't understand is how 29 is the lowest number of daily points while I still have 20 pounds to lose. Under the old system, I usually lost a daily point or two every 10 pounds or so, but on the PointsPlus plan I'm at the bottom already. How can that be?
I feel like I've given myself ample time to embrace this new program and I just haven't. I think the changes are awesome for people who are just starting out and have no idea how to eat healthy. By putting more emphasis on eating whole foods including fruits and veggies, they have really added to the overall plan and made it less appealing to fill your day with processed low cal/low fat junk. Brand new members of this plan will learn way more healthy habits than under the old plan.
But for this old dog, I'm not loving these new tricks. I want my old plan back and I'm feeling a bit resentful that I have to switch from something that was working to something brand new. I still think there is a caloric component to weight loss and although it might be old school, I want calories to be part of my equation. PointsPlus takes away this component and adds a more complicated points calculation. I can't look at a food label and automatically calculate points. Now it's 4 nutritional components instead of 3 and calories isn't one of them. I cannot change my mindset on this as I know weight loss to be calories in vs. calories out. Period. I don't apologize for thinking this way; it is the facts.
I am seriously considering switching to a straight calorie counting plan, but I'm willing to give WW one more chance. I just don't want to have to think so much about calculations. When I first started WW when they introduced points, it's was new and fun. Then point calculating became old hat. The new calculations seem like work and effort. I'm too lazy for that! I always felt like WW was a tool that would help me reach my goals. Now it sort of feels like an obstacle. And it also sort of feels like a gimmick, a diet corporation like any other. They do not stand out to me like before. I used to find inspiration in the success stories, now every one of them begins with "this person lost weight using a prior Weight Watcher plan". I'll be honest, I did have a dream of being a WW success story, but not so much any more. It has lost it's allure.
******
This morning's run:
5K in 34 minutes
I wasn't feeling it today and almost didn't get out of bed. I had trouble sleeping last night and I was awake several times in the night. When my alarm went off at 5:00, I turned it off and crawled back in bed. But 5 minutes later the guilt won over, I thought about all those running Boston today, and I trudged downstairs. It was a slow run, but I did it. And now my workout is done for the day! That is a wonderful feeling!
So I didn't lose any weight this week, but I also didn't gain any so it could be worse. The problem is I'm getting discouraged. It is apparent that I'm at a plateau or in a slump of some kind. Everyday for months I weigh between 155 and 157 (with a few weights higher or lower) and I'm getting tired of it. Last week, I had 5 great workouts including just under 14 miles of running. I thought the added workouts would help me bust through, but that was not to be.
After several months following the new WW PointsPlus plan, I've come to a few conclusions. As I posted before, I was not very good about tracking my points from the plan's start date until January/February. Since then I have been tracking fairly well. While I have had a few weeks that I've gone over my points by like 5, I haven't had any major overeating weeks. What I have been doing, though, is using all the daily, weekly and activity points and it's become clear that I cannot consume that much food and still lose. I don't want to blame the plan, but I have become a little bit annoyed that I have no choice but to follow the PointsPlus plan. I know, I know, it's not just the plan. I know how to eat and how much because I was doing that and successfully lost over 75 pounds. The problem is, I know the old WW plan like the back of my hand, but I've been trying to forget all that and learn the new points values. But something just isn't adding up for me. The points values for most things are higher and so is my daily and weekly points allowance. Activity points earned are also higher. But if I use all those points, I'm not losing. On the old plain, I could use all my points and still lose. And that's what I loved about it! I might not lose big, but I would still lose and I certainly would not gain! I haven't taken the time to calculate the points based on the new and old plans to see the difference because I just don't want to. That would take time and effort and what was always so nice about counting points is that it was so easy and effortless. I also didn't have to play and trial and error games to see how many points I could actually consume while still losing weight, however, that seems not to be the case anymore. Ugh!
This week I'll be experimenting a little by trying to cut points out of my days. My goal for this week is to not use any weekly points and very little activity points, if any. I feel like I need to shock my system and kick start the losing process again. That first week of any diet plan always shows large losses and if I cut down from 42 points or so each day to 29, that should be a pretty big shocker for the ol' system, right? It might sound drastic, but it's really not. 29 points is my daily allowance and according to the experts at WW, that should be how many points I consume for maximum (healthy) weight loss. What I don't understand is how 29 is the lowest number of daily points while I still have 20 pounds to lose. Under the old system, I usually lost a daily point or two every 10 pounds or so, but on the PointsPlus plan I'm at the bottom already. How can that be?
I feel like I've given myself ample time to embrace this new program and I just haven't. I think the changes are awesome for people who are just starting out and have no idea how to eat healthy. By putting more emphasis on eating whole foods including fruits and veggies, they have really added to the overall plan and made it less appealing to fill your day with processed low cal/low fat junk. Brand new members of this plan will learn way more healthy habits than under the old plan.
But for this old dog, I'm not loving these new tricks. I want my old plan back and I'm feeling a bit resentful that I have to switch from something that was working to something brand new. I still think there is a caloric component to weight loss and although it might be old school, I want calories to be part of my equation. PointsPlus takes away this component and adds a more complicated points calculation. I can't look at a food label and automatically calculate points. Now it's 4 nutritional components instead of 3 and calories isn't one of them. I cannot change my mindset on this as I know weight loss to be calories in vs. calories out. Period. I don't apologize for thinking this way; it is the facts.
I am seriously considering switching to a straight calorie counting plan, but I'm willing to give WW one more chance. I just don't want to have to think so much about calculations. When I first started WW when they introduced points, it's was new and fun. Then point calculating became old hat. The new calculations seem like work and effort. I'm too lazy for that! I always felt like WW was a tool that would help me reach my goals. Now it sort of feels like an obstacle. And it also sort of feels like a gimmick, a diet corporation like any other. They do not stand out to me like before. I used to find inspiration in the success stories, now every one of them begins with "this person lost weight using a prior Weight Watcher plan". I'll be honest, I did have a dream of being a WW success story, but not so much any more. It has lost it's allure.
******
This morning's run:
5K in 34 minutes
I wasn't feeling it today and almost didn't get out of bed. I had trouble sleeping last night and I was awake several times in the night. When my alarm went off at 5:00, I turned it off and crawled back in bed. But 5 minutes later the guilt won over, I thought about all those running Boston today, and I trudged downstairs. It was a slow run, but I did it. And now my workout is done for the day! That is a wonderful feeling!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Confession Time
Alright peeps, I posted before about my excitement about Weight Watchers and upcoming changes to their plan. I also listed a few of the specific changes. And last week I even shouted about my excitment about the free fruit.
Today I come before you with a confession which is this: I have not fully embraced this new program.
The main reason for this is that I don't know the program. I cannot look at the nutrition facts on the package and just know the points. I have to calculate everything. I have memorized some of the PointsPlus values for everyday things like my favorite breakfast, but I haven't taken the time to figure everything else out. It's not that it's difficult, I just need to spend a little time looking over the new program. At this point I can barely keep track of how many daily points I am allowed, and weekly points? Not a clue. Do you know that I have not tracked my points for one whole week since the change? Not one whole week.
Now if we take a look back, we will see that I have not lost any weight since Thanksgiving. Weight Watchers introduced their new plan right around Thanksgiving.
Coincidence?
I think not.
I think you see where I am going with this.
I truly believe in Weight Watchers. I believe it is a program that works IF YOU work it. I believe it is not a fad diet, or a quick fix. I have embraced every single change to the Weight Watchers program through the years. I have even embraced these most recent changes and figured out many of the benefits. What I haven't done is taken the time to learn the new program and figure out how to make it work for me. I haven't figured out how to make it a way of my life.
I know all the information for the new plan is available online, and I enjoy having an online only membership. However, since I was a prior meeting attender, I have all the paper materials and a points calculator in my kitchen. I use the online system for tracking and keeping track of Points, but I like having the program information at my fingertips. I have been missing that information ever since the new program was rolled out, but for some reason I haven't done anything about it. I briefly read some things online and thought about purchasing the materials, but I never got around to it. Now I am getting around to it, but wouldn't you know it, the kits and calculators are sold out. Even the expensive $90 kits are sold out. And would you believe the $12 calculators are selling for like forty bucks on eBay? That is pure craziness, or desperation.
I won't buy the materials on eBay because I don't think it's right and I wouldn't pay that much anyway. I'm just going to have to wait until the supplies are restocked online. Or I suppose I could visit a meeting nearby, maybe they have stock. Regardless, I need to make some changes and start being more accountable. I ask myself if I'm just making excuses and I shouldn't rely so much on Weight Watchers to help me lose the weight. Maybe it's not about a new program or old program, but more about my lack of efforts, period. Maybe a lot of things. Maybe Weight Watchers just works for me and relying on a "program" is not a problem. Maybe I want to be a Weight Watchers success story and tell my story on their website and get a free makeover. Or maybe I'll just be a returning Lifetime member who rejoined Weight Watchers online and lost a 100 pounds. Maybe I should get back to work, both at my job and on my weight loss efforts.
Maybe I'll write more later.
Maybe not.
Probably will; I can't shut up.
Today I come before you with a confession which is this: I have not fully embraced this new program.
The main reason for this is that I don't know the program. I cannot look at the nutrition facts on the package and just know the points. I have to calculate everything. I have memorized some of the PointsPlus values for everyday things like my favorite breakfast, but I haven't taken the time to figure everything else out. It's not that it's difficult, I just need to spend a little time looking over the new program. At this point I can barely keep track of how many daily points I am allowed, and weekly points? Not a clue. Do you know that I have not tracked my points for one whole week since the change? Not one whole week.
Now if we take a look back, we will see that I have not lost any weight since Thanksgiving. Weight Watchers introduced their new plan right around Thanksgiving.
Coincidence?
I think not.
I think you see where I am going with this.
I truly believe in Weight Watchers. I believe it is a program that works IF YOU work it. I believe it is not a fad diet, or a quick fix. I have embraced every single change to the Weight Watchers program through the years. I have even embraced these most recent changes and figured out many of the benefits. What I haven't done is taken the time to learn the new program and figure out how to make it work for me. I haven't figured out how to make it a way of my life.
I know all the information for the new plan is available online, and I enjoy having an online only membership. However, since I was a prior meeting attender, I have all the paper materials and a points calculator in my kitchen. I use the online system for tracking and keeping track of Points, but I like having the program information at my fingertips. I have been missing that information ever since the new program was rolled out, but for some reason I haven't done anything about it. I briefly read some things online and thought about purchasing the materials, but I never got around to it. Now I am getting around to it, but wouldn't you know it, the kits and calculators are sold out. Even the expensive $90 kits are sold out. And would you believe the $12 calculators are selling for like forty bucks on eBay? That is pure craziness, or desperation.
I won't buy the materials on eBay because I don't think it's right and I wouldn't pay that much anyway. I'm just going to have to wait until the supplies are restocked online. Or I suppose I could visit a meeting nearby, maybe they have stock. Regardless, I need to make some changes and start being more accountable. I ask myself if I'm just making excuses and I shouldn't rely so much on Weight Watchers to help me lose the weight. Maybe it's not about a new program or old program, but more about my lack of efforts, period. Maybe a lot of things. Maybe Weight Watchers just works for me and relying on a "program" is not a problem. Maybe I want to be a Weight Watchers success story and tell my story on their website and get a free makeover. Or maybe I'll just be a returning Lifetime member who rejoined Weight Watchers online and lost a 100 pounds. Maybe I should get back to work, both at my job and on my weight loss efforts.
Maybe I'll write more later.
Maybe not.
Probably will; I can't shut up.
Monday, January 31, 2011
TGIF!!
No, I've not gone crazy, I know what day it is. What I'm saying is
Thank Goodness it's Free!!
Fruit, that is. On the new Weight Watchers PointsPlus plan, fresh fruit is zero points, that is free! I love this change so much. I eat way more fruit now, especially bananas. Bananas used to be 2 points which was not a great value to me. I preferred to spend my points on protein or fiber rich foods. I did eat plenty of fruit on the old plan, but not as much as I do now. My snacks or fruit more often now and sometimes I even end the day with leftover points because of it. This is an awesome change.
Thank Goodness it's Free!!
Fruit, that is. On the new Weight Watchers PointsPlus plan, fresh fruit is zero points, that is free! I love this change so much. I eat way more fruit now, especially bananas. Bananas used to be 2 points which was not a great value to me. I preferred to spend my points on protein or fiber rich foods. I did eat plenty of fruit on the old plan, but not as much as I do now. My snacks or fruit more often now and sometimes I even end the day with leftover points because of it. This is an awesome change.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Weight Watchers: A New Beginning
I am really, really excited about the new Weight Watchers PointsPlus Plan, (hereinafter referred to as WWPP). Anyway, I love what I have read so far about this plan! I was so excited to get up and read all about it this morning! I would like to share it all with you, however, I truly feel that it's not okay to give away the Weight Watchers program for free. For this reason, I'm only going to share the highlights as they pertain to me.
Basically, the scoop is this: Points used to be calculated using the calories, fat and fiber of all foods; WWPP are calculated using the carbohydrates, protein, fat and fiber--no calories. The only obstacle with this is that I have been calculating Points using the cal/fat/fiber method for so long, I can do it in my head, but with WWPP I'll have to relearn the values for everything. I'm up for the challenge and luckily the updated iPhone application was available tonight which gives me all I need for on the go calculations.
Another big change is to the number of daily WWPP and weekly points which have both increased. At first glance that sounds awesome, except that the WWPP value of most foods is higher than the old Points value. So I believe it will even out.
The biggest change, and the most exciting one, is the one I predicted: fresh fruits are now worth zero WWPP!! This is awesome. I love eating fruit and will happily reach for fruit over other snacks if they are free. Bananas were always 2 Points because of their sugar content and now they are free! Splendid! That seems almost too good to be true, however, I think the extra fruit consumption will also be accounted for in the increased "cost" of most of the other foods.
Overall, it's a bit daunting to think about learning a whole new plan, but in a way it feels like a fresh start to me. I'm fine with kissing the old Points plan good bye. It's changed a bit through the years, but the program always worked well and I became a Lifetime Member of WW by counting Points. I have lost nearly 80 pounds this year by counting Points, but now I embrace the WWPP plan as something different and exciting, a new beginning. I think it makes perfect sense to leave the calories out of the equation and use more of the nutrients in the food to calculate their value. It all will help promote the benefits of eating more whole, fresh foods as opposed to processed garbage like 100 calorie packs. It's a great change for Weight Watchers because unfortunately some people do get stuck in 100-calorieville and never see the big picture of eating healthy, balanced foods/meals. For example, now someone can eat a 100 calorie pack of Chex Mix for 3 WWPP, or a banana and an apple for zero WWPP!
I do have one concern and that is that some folks are bound to go overboard with fruit. I sincerely do not think a lot of fruit is bad for you in moderation; WW does recommend to stop eating when you're satisfied, but sadly some people cannot recognize that sensation in their bodies. I wonder how people will adapt to this part of the plan. I remember when the Points plan first came around, the Points value could be calculated on foods using fiber up to 11 grams which significantly lowers the Points value of foods high in fiber--I heard people at meetings talking about eating Fiber One by the boxful. The problem was people weren't losing enough weight and WW made a change and limited the fiber to 4 grams. I wonder if in a year or so they'll decide all fruits must be counted in some way. Only time will tell. Don't ruin it for us, people! Just kidding!
Anyway, as I said I am excited for the WWPP and overall I think the changes are awesome. This old dog is ready to learn some new tricks! I thought it would be a great time to change my weigh in day to Monday and start a new week in conjunction with the new program. Unfortunately, they aren't allowing changes to your weigh in day for a couple weeks. Oh well, tomorrow will be here soon enough, and Tuesday has always been my weigh in day; I became a Lifetime Member on a Tuesday. So let's hear it for Tuesdays! And Weight Watchers!
And fruit!
Weight Watchers PointPlus Plan and Points are registered trademarks of Weight Watchers International Inc.
Basically, the scoop is this: Points used to be calculated using the calories, fat and fiber of all foods; WWPP are calculated using the carbohydrates, protein, fat and fiber--no calories. The only obstacle with this is that I have been calculating Points using the cal/fat/fiber method for so long, I can do it in my head, but with WWPP I'll have to relearn the values for everything. I'm up for the challenge and luckily the updated iPhone application was available tonight which gives me all I need for on the go calculations.
Another big change is to the number of daily WWPP and weekly points which have both increased. At first glance that sounds awesome, except that the WWPP value of most foods is higher than the old Points value. So I believe it will even out.
The biggest change, and the most exciting one, is the one I predicted: fresh fruits are now worth zero WWPP!! This is awesome. I love eating fruit and will happily reach for fruit over other snacks if they are free. Bananas were always 2 Points because of their sugar content and now they are free! Splendid! That seems almost too good to be true, however, I think the extra fruit consumption will also be accounted for in the increased "cost" of most of the other foods.
Overall, it's a bit daunting to think about learning a whole new plan, but in a way it feels like a fresh start to me. I'm fine with kissing the old Points plan good bye. It's changed a bit through the years, but the program always worked well and I became a Lifetime Member of WW by counting Points. I have lost nearly 80 pounds this year by counting Points, but now I embrace the WWPP plan as something different and exciting, a new beginning. I think it makes perfect sense to leave the calories out of the equation and use more of the nutrients in the food to calculate their value. It all will help promote the benefits of eating more whole, fresh foods as opposed to processed garbage like 100 calorie packs. It's a great change for Weight Watchers because unfortunately some people do get stuck in 100-calorieville and never see the big picture of eating healthy, balanced foods/meals. For example, now someone can eat a 100 calorie pack of Chex Mix for 3 WWPP, or a banana and an apple for zero WWPP!
I do have one concern and that is that some folks are bound to go overboard with fruit. I sincerely do not think a lot of fruit is bad for you in moderation; WW does recommend to stop eating when you're satisfied, but sadly some people cannot recognize that sensation in their bodies. I wonder how people will adapt to this part of the plan. I remember when the Points plan first came around, the Points value could be calculated on foods using fiber up to 11 grams which significantly lowers the Points value of foods high in fiber--I heard people at meetings talking about eating Fiber One by the boxful. The problem was people weren't losing enough weight and WW made a change and limited the fiber to 4 grams. I wonder if in a year or so they'll decide all fruits must be counted in some way. Only time will tell. Don't ruin it for us, people! Just kidding!
Anyway, as I said I am excited for the WWPP and overall I think the changes are awesome. This old dog is ready to learn some new tricks! I thought it would be a great time to change my weigh in day to Monday and start a new week in conjunction with the new program. Unfortunately, they aren't allowing changes to your weigh in day for a couple weeks. Oh well, tomorrow will be here soon enough, and Tuesday has always been my weigh in day; I became a Lifetime Member on a Tuesday. So let's hear it for Tuesdays! And Weight Watchers!
And fruit!
Weight Watchers PointPlus Plan and Points are registered trademarks of Weight Watchers International Inc.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday Stuff
It seems unfair that tomorrow is already Monday. I am not ready to say good-bye to the weekend. I'm just not.
For those that asked, the movie yesterday "Love and Other Drugs" was only so-so. Had I not gone with my husband, I might have watched it in a different frame of mind, you know, drooling over Jake and such. And I was wondering too much about whether he was hating it, or thinking it was too sappy, which kind of kept my mind halfway away from the movie itself. So, it was okay, not the worst movie, not the best. I'll see it again on DVD without my husband just to see it with a different perspective.
Yesterday I also watched the movie "Julie & Julia". I hadn't heard much good about the movie so I waited until it was on Starz to watch it. I shouldn't have waited; I really liked it! I loved the concept of her blog and undertaking the year long project. Of course it was totally awesome that it all led to a book deal and whatnot, but mainly it got me to thinking about whether I could plan a year long project for 2011 and blog about it. That's kind of what I've been doing with this blog in 2010, but I'm thinking of something unrelated to a running or weight loss goal. Something fun and different. I don't know what it would be, but I'm considering my options.
I got some major organizing done this weekend. I cleaned and straightened out all my kitchen drawers and organized two cupboards. I am an organizing junkie and I don't like when things are just thrown into cupboards and drawers all willy-nilly. I also don't like having things around that I don't use. So I sorted all the plastic containers and lids to make sure there was one lid per container, and I got rid of some utensils and other things that I never use. Purging feels great to me!
I also went through all my scrapbooking paper and most of the embellishments. I now have a stack of paper nearly a foot tall that I plan to give to a crafty mom or some other scrapbooker who will use it. Papers I bought when I first started scrapbooking no longer fit my tastes so there's no point in keeping it all around. I also sorted through some pictures and organized my scrap room/office. It's all leading up to rediscovering the joy of scrapbooking. I just have to know where to begin and that starts with knowing what supplies I have. I am planning a project which involves transferring many, many photos from an old album of my dad's into a new scrapbook. This needs to be done by Christmas when my grandma will be in town so she can help me with labels. I will start this week!
Changing my exercise routine in November/December is not going to happen. There's too many things going on to make big changes like that, I've decided. And beating myself up for not making planned changes leads to no good. For that reason, I am committed to running 4 times a week through December and not worrying about adding in strength training or anything else. I'll run when I can, but I'm not planning to get up and do it before work. I think spring would be an awesome time to switch to morning workouts, but fall/winter is not appealing. And that is okay.
I put off my weekend run until 5:00 pm tonight! And I can tell you that wasn't really smart, but at least I got it done. I have rested my knee since Thursday's Turkey Trot and it felt pretty good today. I ran slow, but I got 4 miles done. So far so good on my new shoes. My eating has been on track since Thursday. I did eat a bunch of popcorn yesterday, but I didn't eat a lot of other things due to my headache. Today I stayed within my points range and ran for 6 extra points! So I'm feeling like I'll see a loss on the scale this week and I can't wait.
Finally, one final point for this Sunday. I'm super excited about the new Weight Watchers plan to be unveiled tomorrow! I really hope I can read about it while enjoying my morning coffee. Every change that has come about from WW over the years has been wonderful and I've no doubt these changes will be good. The teaser email mentioned changing the way we think about fruits and veggies. Do you think that means fruit will count less, or veggies will count more? I can't imagine that it would be the latter. And not counting fruit would be a huge deal since I'm already a little loose with the counting of fruit anyway. After all, as I heard a WW leader say one time, "The fruit isn't the problem, it's the fruit pie." I count the points on fruit, but I usually don't measure it, I just guesstimate, and I've never counted an apple for more than one point regardless of its size. Anyway, I'm anxious to see the changes and will be really interested in reading what other bloggers think about it as the week goes by.
Enough rambling for this Sunday. I'm ready for bed. Good night!
For those that asked, the movie yesterday "Love and Other Drugs" was only so-so. Had I not gone with my husband, I might have watched it in a different frame of mind, you know, drooling over Jake and such. And I was wondering too much about whether he was hating it, or thinking it was too sappy, which kind of kept my mind halfway away from the movie itself. So, it was okay, not the worst movie, not the best. I'll see it again on DVD without my husband just to see it with a different perspective.
Yesterday I also watched the movie "Julie & Julia". I hadn't heard much good about the movie so I waited until it was on Starz to watch it. I shouldn't have waited; I really liked it! I loved the concept of her blog and undertaking the year long project. Of course it was totally awesome that it all led to a book deal and whatnot, but mainly it got me to thinking about whether I could plan a year long project for 2011 and blog about it. That's kind of what I've been doing with this blog in 2010, but I'm thinking of something unrelated to a running or weight loss goal. Something fun and different. I don't know what it would be, but I'm considering my options.
I got some major organizing done this weekend. I cleaned and straightened out all my kitchen drawers and organized two cupboards. I am an organizing junkie and I don't like when things are just thrown into cupboards and drawers all willy-nilly. I also don't like having things around that I don't use. So I sorted all the plastic containers and lids to make sure there was one lid per container, and I got rid of some utensils and other things that I never use. Purging feels great to me!
I also went through all my scrapbooking paper and most of the embellishments. I now have a stack of paper nearly a foot tall that I plan to give to a crafty mom or some other scrapbooker who will use it. Papers I bought when I first started scrapbooking no longer fit my tastes so there's no point in keeping it all around. I also sorted through some pictures and organized my scrap room/office. It's all leading up to rediscovering the joy of scrapbooking. I just have to know where to begin and that starts with knowing what supplies I have. I am planning a project which involves transferring many, many photos from an old album of my dad's into a new scrapbook. This needs to be done by Christmas when my grandma will be in town so she can help me with labels. I will start this week!
Changing my exercise routine in November/December is not going to happen. There's too many things going on to make big changes like that, I've decided. And beating myself up for not making planned changes leads to no good. For that reason, I am committed to running 4 times a week through December and not worrying about adding in strength training or anything else. I'll run when I can, but I'm not planning to get up and do it before work. I think spring would be an awesome time to switch to morning workouts, but fall/winter is not appealing. And that is okay.
I put off my weekend run until 5:00 pm tonight! And I can tell you that wasn't really smart, but at least I got it done. I have rested my knee since Thursday's Turkey Trot and it felt pretty good today. I ran slow, but I got 4 miles done. So far so good on my new shoes. My eating has been on track since Thursday. I did eat a bunch of popcorn yesterday, but I didn't eat a lot of other things due to my headache. Today I stayed within my points range and ran for 6 extra points! So I'm feeling like I'll see a loss on the scale this week and I can't wait.
Finally, one final point for this Sunday. I'm super excited about the new Weight Watchers plan to be unveiled tomorrow! I really hope I can read about it while enjoying my morning coffee. Every change that has come about from WW over the years has been wonderful and I've no doubt these changes will be good. The teaser email mentioned changing the way we think about fruits and veggies. Do you think that means fruit will count less, or veggies will count more? I can't imagine that it would be the latter. And not counting fruit would be a huge deal since I'm already a little loose with the counting of fruit anyway. After all, as I heard a WW leader say one time, "The fruit isn't the problem, it's the fruit pie." I count the points on fruit, but I usually don't measure it, I just guesstimate, and I've never counted an apple for more than one point regardless of its size. Anyway, I'm anxious to see the changes and will be really interested in reading what other bloggers think about it as the week goes by.
Enough rambling for this Sunday. I'm ready for bed. Good night!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
5 Reasons I Love Weight Watchers Online
I have lost weight before. I have tried other plans like LA Weight Loss and Slim Fast, but I firmly believe Weight Watchers is where it's at. This plan WORKS if YOU work it. Here's the top five reasons why I love it.
1. The plan is flexible!
Flexibility is by far the best part about Weight Watchers. You can lose weight and eat anything you want, as long as you count it, and as long as you don't eat too much of it. While I don't think it's exactly healthy to use your points for candy and sweets each day, you could if you wanted to and it satisfied you. I personally choose to eat mostly whole foods, but occasionally I want a treat! And WW lets me have anything I want. Last night I had ICE CREAM!
2. Weight Watchers Online means No Meetings!
I have "been there, done that" with WW meetings. And while I would like the additional rings and charms for my key chain, I'm glad I don't have to fit a WW meeting into my schedule each week.
3. The iPhone WW app is great!
I used to love writing down all my foods and points each day, but keeping track of the weekly points always proved to be a little bit of a pain. I also never logged my activity points because I didn't want to calculate them. Now with the iPhone app, logging everything is so easy and makes life much simpler. I always have my phone near me; I could never say the same for my points notebook! I also love that you can track your weight each week using the app and see your weight history so easily.
4. The Recipe Builder is slick!
I don't actually use this thing to edit my regular recipes into healthier, lower point recipes because after knowing how to calculate points and eat healthy for years, I pretty much know what is healthy and what isn't. If a recipe calls for "heavy cream" changing it to "skim milk" is going to change the entire recipe and I just won't do it. I do use the RB for my regular recipes, though, to calculate the points based on servings. I used to just add up all the points in the ingredients by hand and divide by the number of servings, but not only is that time consuming, it's not exactly accurate. Using the RB is way smarter and faster! I just log the ingredients, plug in the servings and voila! Eventually I might update them with the directions and everything so I can print each one for my recipe book, but for now, it's just a point calculator.
5. The WW website has great info!
Of course anyone who has e-tools also has access to the website, it's not only for WW online. But as an online only member, this is our meeting place! From discussion boards to member blogs, it is an awesome place to get tips and inspiration! I love reading about other people's success. WW usually picks a wide variety of people to spotlight. From male to female, young to old, you can usually find someone you can identify with. Also, the articles published by WW are usually helpful and sometimes just what you need after a long, hard weekend.
So there you have it, my top 5 reasons, although there are lots of reasons to love Weight Watchers!!
1. The plan is flexible!
Flexibility is by far the best part about Weight Watchers. You can lose weight and eat anything you want, as long as you count it, and as long as you don't eat too much of it. While I don't think it's exactly healthy to use your points for candy and sweets each day, you could if you wanted to and it satisfied you. I personally choose to eat mostly whole foods, but occasionally I want a treat! And WW lets me have anything I want. Last night I had ICE CREAM!
2. Weight Watchers Online means No Meetings!
I have "been there, done that" with WW meetings. And while I would like the additional rings and charms for my key chain, I'm glad I don't have to fit a WW meeting into my schedule each week.
3. The iPhone WW app is great!
I used to love writing down all my foods and points each day, but keeping track of the weekly points always proved to be a little bit of a pain. I also never logged my activity points because I didn't want to calculate them. Now with the iPhone app, logging everything is so easy and makes life much simpler. I always have my phone near me; I could never say the same for my points notebook! I also love that you can track your weight each week using the app and see your weight history so easily.
4. The Recipe Builder is slick!
I don't actually use this thing to edit my regular recipes into healthier, lower point recipes because after knowing how to calculate points and eat healthy for years, I pretty much know what is healthy and what isn't. If a recipe calls for "heavy cream" changing it to "skim milk" is going to change the entire recipe and I just won't do it. I do use the RB for my regular recipes, though, to calculate the points based on servings. I used to just add up all the points in the ingredients by hand and divide by the number of servings, but not only is that time consuming, it's not exactly accurate. Using the RB is way smarter and faster! I just log the ingredients, plug in the servings and voila! Eventually I might update them with the directions and everything so I can print each one for my recipe book, but for now, it's just a point calculator.
5. The WW website has great info!
Of course anyone who has e-tools also has access to the website, it's not only for WW online. But as an online only member, this is our meeting place! From discussion boards to member blogs, it is an awesome place to get tips and inspiration! I love reading about other people's success. WW usually picks a wide variety of people to spotlight. From male to female, young to old, you can usually find someone you can identify with. Also, the articles published by WW are usually helpful and sometimes just what you need after a long, hard weekend.
So there you have it, my top 5 reasons, although there are lots of reasons to love Weight Watchers!!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Weight Watchers iPhone App - 4 Stars
Weight Watchers has an iPhone app. It's actually pretty intuitive and gives you access to favorites lists including meals and recipes. You can also view selected recipes, view your weight history and read success stories. It is very easy to use and other than the fact that is has to communicate with the server for each item tracked, it is very very convenient. I highly recommend this app!
At this time you can't use the app to track your weight, only review the history. I assume this will be available in a future release.
At this time you can't use the app to track your weight, only review the history. I assume this will be available in a future release.
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