Halfway to 135!!!

During lunch, I had a couple of deliveries to make, so I walked to the buildings. I even stretched it a bit by walking to another building to drop off a couple brochures while I was out. The walk was good for 3030 steps. Thank goodness because I will barely hit 6,000 today.

I realized yesterday that I was close to halfway to my goal of 135. So today, while walking during  lunch, I was trying to figure it out in my head. I finally had to get out a calculator -  242.4-135=107.4. 107.4/2=53.7. 242.4-53.7=188.7. I'm unofficially at 188.8, which is 0.1 from halfway!!! Can you believe it?

I didn't go to the hospital this evening because my sister said my dad is sleeping most of the time, so I worked until 8:30. I'm off next week, and I have enough work to be able to save some of my vacation time next week. And I got so much done, I'm so happy.

Oh, I almost forgot - I got into another pair of jeans that I had to struggle to get past my hips (forget zipping) before. This morning, they zipped with no problem, but they are a bit snug. This part is fun.

I’m not too excited about trying on clothes in stores yet; I'm still shopping in my closet.. My next purchase is going to be Spanx (I have a spare tire to deal with for Easter and a couple of light-colored pants that need smoothing aids), new panties, and a good bra. It will be nice to have clothes that are in style.

Tomorrow I have an appointment after work, then I'll head to the hospital to visit Daddy. He can use any prayers available. 

10,227 steps!

OK, that's 2 days in a row with more than 10,000 steps! I'm cramping from patting myself on the back.

Honestly, I thought hitting 10K was a once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment. Then I realized it didn't kill me, and if I can do it again, I should go for it. When I realized I wasn't going to make it at the rate I was going, I got back out of my PJs at 4:00 this afternoon after my nap and headed to the mall. I shopped around JC Penney's and then headed to Sears. I'm on a mission to find flesh-colored shoes, and I'd accomplish 2 goals by getting back out of the house. I also went to DollarTree again. This walking session only cost me 7.98. I'm getting better. I've been carrying a cute butterfly printed reusable bag just in case I found something I couldn't live without, but I left most everywhere empty bagged. I thought it was the bag. And that wouldn't be a bad thing.

According to style experts, flesh colored shoes (whatever color is closest to your skin tone) make you look taller, and I can use all the help I can get. Of course, my shoe needs are specific, not too high, wide heel, not a wedge, something that doesn't show my bunion, something strappy, something that will go with pants or a skirt. I've been to DSW, Shoe Carnival, Sears, JC Penney, Wal-Mart, Rack Room. Honestly, I don't recognize myself. I usually buy utilitarian, comfortable shoes, and that's it. But since I've lost weight, I've set higher standards, and I've tried on just about anything short of 4-inch heels.

I have Holy Week off, so if I don't find something this week, I'll head out Holy Week to find the perfect shoes. If nothing else, I'll have to wear my black patent strappy shoes, but I really want something springy, strappy, and flesh colored. Is that too much to ask? I did try on a wedge platform at DSW that really looked good with my slacks, and I think they would have looked good with a skirt, but I'm not crazy about wedges. What gets me is I had a pair that were pretty, but before I started losing weight, I gave them away because I didn't expect I'd ever want to wear them. Maybe they wouldn't fit anyway because of that darn bunion, and just maybe they were out of style. I haven't tried Dillard's or Payless yet. If I don't find anything there, I guess I'll head to North Star Mall to see what they have. I think they still have specialty shoe stores. I don't want to order anything online because my shoe size has changed since I've lost 54 lbs!!!

OMG enough about shoes.

Anyway, I'll probably work extra hours this week so I don't have to use too much vacation next week, plus I  don't want to miss deadlines. I'll visit my dad Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. Those visits are good for about 1500 steps or so, although it feels like 2500 at least.

188.8!!

So, this walking thing works! My reward for babysitting this past weekend was Girl Scout cookies and tortilla chips. I was pretty good otherwise.

When I stepped on the scale this morning I was shocked! I didn't know the number went so low. I really am happy with the changes that are happening. I'm happy with with the food I'm eating. The only thing I'm going to change is to incorporate more cooked vegetables. I've been eating raw vegetables in salads, smoothies, or just the veggies.

The changes don't just include the food. I feel better. I'm more energetic. I don't have to spend too much time finding something to wear. I get around much easier. I'm just happier all around.

Yesterday we went to Wal-Mart, and then later I went to the hospital to visit my dad. I parked at one end of the hospital and walked all the way to the other end and back. After I left the hospital, I went to HEB and then to Dollar Tree. Then I had to unload the car, put away the groceries, do laundry, and make myself comfortable. It was midnight before I went to sleep. I really expected my legs or feet to ache because of all the walking, but I wore Clark's for all that walking, and I didn't have any problems. Yea!

0.5 more and I'm in the 180s!!!

I felt like I was making progress when I went to Perfect Solutions Thursday. The scale showed 190.4!!! All week I followed the plan, except dark chocolate. When I felt like something decadent, I went for Dove dark chocolate. It helped. A list of high-fiber foods showed dark chocolate toward the top of the list, so I took that as a "green light."

Except for last Sunday (5058) and Monday (5064), I walked more than 6500 steps until today. Today, I walked 10,321 so far!!! Of course, it's 10:40 PM and I'm getting ready for bed, but I'll log in a few more steps before I tuck myself in. I'm so proud of myself.

Another milestone - today I washed some clothes and put them all in the dryer - pants, blue jeans, tops, everything - and the jeans still slipped on with no problem!

Again, my brother-in-law called me skinny. It feels so good to hear that someone sees the difference.

I signed up for the Striders group at work to train to run or walk a 5K by May. The group I joined will meet Wednesday evenings beginning this Wednesday (dang I'll have to change a dinner date). I'm doing it because I can't seem to get my butt out there on my own, so maybe this and the $20 it cost will motivate me.

I'm Wearing the Black Jeans!

I've been wanting to get new black slacks because the pairs I have are tired looking, even though they're new. This morning, I wanted to wear black slacks with a cute jacket when I realized my black slacks were still wet in the washing machine. DANG! I looked in my "shopping" closet and saw the black jeans that I kept hoping to get into around Christmas. I had completely forgotten about them. Well, they fit!!! I didn't  even have to struggle to put them on! I was so excited!

My daughter constantly compliments me. I feel so much better, and better about myself.

This losing weight thing has been fun . . . I'm happy with the food choices, mainly because I am satisfied and I'm seeing results. Although I haven't lost weight in the past month, my body is shifting and catching up with itself.

It's been a long time since I thought about getting to my goal weight so I can get back to eating. I realized that eating the way I did was the reason I was the way I was. I'm enjoying the freshness of salads with balsamic vinegar instead of dressing. I've really been enjoying veggie smoothies. I resisted fixing them for a long time. Now I have one or two a day. When I'm hungry, I fix another salad. I can't remember the last time I ate beef. When I go out to eat, the restaurant has to have a great salad or salad bar.

I still love chocolate. OMG! The other day there were tacos in the break room and I wasn't even tempted to get a taco, but I did eat the chocolates that were with the tacos. They were probably from Valentine's Day. The first one was raspberry filled, which I spit out. I ate the other two without incident. I decided that my only "cheat" would be dark chocolate. As long as I have that, I think I can continue this for a long while.

Still Bouncing Around 193

Dang it! I weighed in at 193.5 today. I guess I'll HAVE to add exercise.

Except for yesterday, I was able to get at least 5300 steps in each day this past week. My goal for this week is 6,000 steps. This evening I walked around a circuit in the house until my pedometer hit 6000. I actually sleep with it on so I don't miss my morning routine. I put in between 500 & 700 steps each morning preparing for the day, and it really bugs me when I forget to put it on, so I live with it now.

Another thing I've started is having smoothies every day. I may start making more than one because I really like them. My smoothies may be vegetable with fruit or milk and fruit. Smoothies help get lots of veggies in each day. I eat at least 7 servings in salads, but with a smoothie of cucumber, kale, & pear, or a cucumber, beets and pear, I manage to get in at least 3 more veggies and a fruit with each glass. My blender gets a workout every morning. Thank goodness I live alone!

I'm healthier than I have been in decades. I feel good, have lots of energy, and am looking pretty good too (even if I do say so myself). After my weigh-in on Thursdays, I go to my daughter's and fix dinner. It's my treat to them, and I get to see my grandson. Last week I made spaghetti squash with spaghetti sauce with mozarella. It was the first time they tried spaghetti squash.

This evening I made quinoa and a salad with fat-free cheddar cheese. My son-in-law didn't care for the cheese, but I think he like everything else.

I saw my doctor last week for my 4-month followup, and I was disappointed that my blood pressure is still all over the charts and my uric acid level was high, so I have to take 2 new meds for that. And they're expensive. I thought because I'm eating so much healthier that I could skip the gout meds, but research said that diet isn't enough. My body makes uric acid, so I have to take something to neutralize it, AND to carry eliminate it. Did I mention that they're EXPENSIVE!!!

Just a few more pounds

And collarbones will appear! I'm so excited!

The food plan is delicious, and I'm satisfied. My only problem lately is craving chocolate. All I have to do is stop eating chocolate, and the craving will go away.

Cecilia's goal for me for this week was to walk at least 5000 steps a day.
Thursday - 7137
Friday - 5874
Saturday - 7238
Sunday - 5349
Monday - 5479
Tuesday - 5551

I've walked around inside the house going into just about every room several times to add enough steps a couple of times.

Monday morning I weighed 191.6! So exciting. Then I must have celebrated back to 193 ;O(   Dang . . .

I bought this really cute outfit to wear Easter, and if I don't do something quick, I won't be able to wear it. It's waaaaay out of my usual mode of clothing. It's a bright melon blouse with a flowered flowy skirt. Of course, I'll need shoes. My usual comfortable blacks won't go with this at all.

Last night I looked at some catalogs that I received, and they don't have anything I want to wear anymore. They used to have sooo many things I wanted, but now they don't appeal to me.

The dark blue pants that were the first ones I was able to wear are now getting too big. They are way too long now, so I'll have to hem them before I can wear them again. Am I getting shorter?

193 Again

Since January 4, I've lost 6 pounds, and since January 19, I've lost and gained the same pound. I'm at the point where at 193, I'm considered Overfat, but 193.6 is Obese. I prefer Skinny, but I'll take Overfat for now.

It's time to add activity to the mix. I've been wearing my pedometer for about 2 weeks. I'm working on building to 9,000 steps. My immediate goal is 6,000 steps a day. Yesterday I walked 7137 steps. During lunch, I broke away and walked at the Mall. I even walked up the escalator in Dillard's. Unfortunately, I spent $85 at Sears. Today I walked to our Toastmasters meeting, then after work, I walked around Target shopping for a baby shower gift, and I'm already at 5726 steps. This time, it only cost $58! Walking is expensive! I got something for the baby shower, something for my grandson, and something for me!