OK -- I'm Doing It This Time

As usual, I started out on plan. I had 2 servings of oatmeal for 6 pts.

I went to my Weight Watchers meeting, and the leader kept asking questions that could only be answered if we were actually doing the plan. I was so uncomfortable there. I realized I've been treading water, and wasting time and money. I don't want to count points, but I want to lose weight. I have to admit that the only way I can lose weight is if I follow the plan that many doctors and researchers have developed. I'm not the authority. I go to the meetings so I'll learn the right way to live and eat for my health and happiness. I seriously thought about heading to somewhere for a bad lunch. Then I remembered about the can of chicken and can of carrots that I packed for lunch, and I had a can of chicken for lunch for 4 pts.

OK that left 19 pts for dinner. I wanted to go to the gym for the water exercise class, so I planned to have a Sonic burger afterward. I pulled out my Dining Out Companion and found the Sonic burger with mustard is 15 Since I'm allergic to mustard, I ordered mine with tomatoes only and a wheat bun. I brought it home and put fat-free mayo on it, and I savored every bite. I had an apple with their fat-free caramel sauce (3 pts) and I saw that their Vanilla is 1 pt, so that in my Diet Coke brought me to 29 points!! I actually gained 6 pts for the water exercises. But, like someone in the meeting today said, I do it so I can lose weight faster. I hope to show a 4-lb loss next week.

I actually feel really good that I managed to track the whole day.

Exercising a Woman's Perogative

Once again, I'm changing what this blog is about. The Grandparent's Legacy was too private to put online. Not for me, but for anyone I might mention. Lots of people have problems with putting themselves "out there." I don't. Maybe I have the need to be recognized or to have someone pay attention to me.

Anyway, I'm back on the journey to 135! I joined a gym (Spectrum) in September, but I only went sporadically. I discovered the waterworks class and thoroughly enjoyed it. But, before I knew it, I was watching TV and wasting my time again. Jim Rohn said that watching TV costs $40,000 a year. Even though that number is high, it's an eye opener. It doesn't cost just the amount you pay for a TV and the cable bill, it costs in the lost time. If you make $20 an hour and sit in front of the TV for 4 hours a night, it costs $29,200 a year. What an eye opener! So, I talked my son into joining the gym too. I'm hoping we'll go together. I plan to go every day except Thursday and Friday.

I went yesterday (Thanksgiving) and worked out in the pool for a hour. I used the boogie board and dumb bells following some of the exercises I learned in the waterworks class. Then I'd swim a roundtrip lap and get back into swimming. It was fun. I'm a little sore today. That means I did some good. I can't wait to go back today.

I read lots of Weight Watchers tips about how to handle the food for Thanksgiving. I was prepared. I planned to use a small plate and fill it with vegetables first and only the good things that I can't have regularly.

Well, it didn't happen that way. I sat down to a table already set with paper plates, and the table was so full of food that we just started dishing it out to each other and passing what we could. Before I knew it, I was stuffed and that's when I realized I'd filled and eaten every thing on my large plate. Bad time to remember that I was going to start small.

The good thing is I didn't eat the sweet potatoes, only because they were never passed around. I didn't eat things I'm allergic to like the green bean casserole or the corn. I did eat the 9-Layer salad I made with cabbage and fresh vegetables and the dressing I made with whole wheat double fiber bread. My brother-in-law puts an apple in both ends of the turkey while he roasts it, and I ate the baked apples. So I had those 2 fruits. I had a small slice of the pecan pie, 2 mini cupcakes, and a slice of a carrot roll (sort of a log with carrot cake and cream cheese filling -- yum). I brought some turkey and pumpkin pie home with our leftovers. Then later last night I ate a small slice of apple pie and 3 helpings of the salad. The good news is that I didn't gain weight yesterday.

Today I've been picking at the dressing, and I had a small slice of pumpkin pie along with several cups of coffee. I'm in my waterworks clothes, smelling the chlorine, ready to go. My son didn't sleep well Wednesday night, so he's making up for it today. I may not wait much longer for him to go to the gym. Now that I think of it, there's a class at 10:30 during the week, so I'll either have to hall buns to join the class or wait until after to do it on my own. I'm watching a movie about Barbara Mandrell.

My son and I went to the gym and I worked out in the pool for an hour again. I really work my arms, holding in my tummy. I can feel I'm working out my abs and obliques. They need the work as much as anything.

I'll also be blogging in my Personal Development blog as I start the Jim Rohn One-Year Personal Development Program again. Please join me there.

Fixin' to get ready to go!

I did read some of the WW materials last night. They have a good tear-out chart of how to build meals using different elements that will help me plan.

I usually have a good on-plan breakfast. And lunch is usually good as well. It's when I get home that all hell breaks loose. Sometimes we have foods that aren't on plan, and we run out of food. In those cases, I make do. BUT truly, I should plan for those days as well. When we only have off-plan food, I will plan what we'll have for dinner, THEN eat breakfast and lunch according to that.

I just finished breakfast, and I have 4 small potatoes in the oven, 2 white and 2 sweet. Each potato is 2 points, and they are ready for when I want a quick snack. I can heat them and go.

I'm going to a party this evening and I have 20 points left. Breakfast and the sandwich I'm taking for lunch add up to 9 points. And I'll take lots of fruit for snacks. So, I have lots to play with. I'm taking a bottle of wine, but I think I'll just have water or tea at the party, whatever the non-alcoholic choice is. I don't want to waste the points on wine. Well, maybe one...

OK, I'm feeling really good about myself right now. I hope this continues on through the holidays and I come out the other side weighing less and feeling even better. ;O)

I set up my laptop in the dining room, so I can be online and watch TV at the same time. I'll more likely be here more often now. I hope that's a good thing for us all :O)

I went to a Christmas party this evening with a group of ladies from my church. We had a really nice time visiting and catching up with one another. Then we had a Chinese gift exchange. I drew #2, and I picked a gift that was a fountain. I really thought I'd take it home, but one of the ladies took it from me, so I got another gift from under the tree. I love opening gifts. The second one was a Lenox snowpeople salt and pepper shakers. They are so cute. I'm glad I got to bring them home.

Food:
2 slices double-fiber bread (2)
1 slice 1/3 fat cheese (1)
2 egg whites (1)
2 slices bread (2)
mustard (0)
1 slice cheese (1)
Turkey lunch meat (2)
1 banana
1 orange

Weight Loss Journey, Fighting for Control

I feel like I was out of control last night. I ate way too much for dinner, and I had a craving for something, anything to eat.

Today was pretty routine, so nothing exciting to report.

Food:
2 servings of oatmeal with 3 tsp of sugar
12 baby carrots
1 chicken thigh with rice (leftover from last night)
15 green grapes
3 slices Little Caesar's large pepperoni pizza
16 oz. chocolate milk

Exercise:
Walked 2 miles after work

Weight Loss Journey, Back to a Routine

Well, today is another day. I started out with the usual. I'm back into a routine. I do better eating wise with a routine.

I've had a couple of opportunities to walk today. It's hot, but it doesn't bother me like it used to. When I started Weight Watchers, I decided to walk to the meetings, rain or shine! Then I started walking to every meeting, within reason. Actually, the only meetings I haven't walked to have been in Bldg. 209, which is just a little farther than the building I walked to today at lunch. Maybe I'll walk to it next time I have a meeting.

I planned to make Beef Stroganoff for dinner but found some chicken thighs that needed to be cooked. So I fried 6 skinless, boneless thighs, no breading, just fried on a pancake griddle. Then I put the remaining 4 thighs in a casserole dish with a cup of brown rice and a can of cream of mushroom soup. YUM! The dinner probably set me back a day or so, but it was delicious ;O)

Food:
2 servings of oatmeal with 3 tsp of sugar
1 small gala apple
1 serving Scallops with Pesto
1 serving carrots
23 grapes
4 cups water
1 small red leaf lettuce salad w/light ranch dressing
3 chicken thighs
rice with mushroom soup
16 oz skim milk with lite chocolate

OK, so I didn't do so well today. I was really hungry when I got home, and the food was really good. Not a good combination. I hope the walking will offset the bad food choices this evening.

Exercise:
Walked to and from Bldg. 171 during lunch (11:30 & 1:00)
Walked to and from Bldg. 263 (3:00)

Weight Loss Journey, Preparing for the Journey, 10-07-18

I weighed when I awoke, and according to my scale (not official mind you), I weigh 220. I actually weighed about 225 yesterday on my scale (not official). So, I'm already making progress.

This weight loss journey is so much like taking a trip. First I had to decide where to go, and if it was worth the trouble, planning, work, etc.

Now that I've decided to go to 135, I have to pack. Picking out recipes and preparing a shopping list is much like packing for a long trip. Once I picked out several new recipes, my first thought was to get all I needed. But history tells me that too much is not a good thing. Like taking too many clothes, buying too many fresh ingredients is not smart. I usually tire of cooking something new every night, and the rest of the food spoils.

I culled my list of new recipes and made a list of groceries to get for those. I've spent about 3 hours just planning the menu for this week! Now I'm ready to shop. I have my calculator and budget. Shopping will take at least an hour or more. It's kind of exciting to see what I actually end up with. Hopefully I'll have enough for several good new meals. I've decided on the Salisbury Steak, Beef Stroganoff, Chicken Parmigiano, Black Beans with Rice, Pasta Salad, Oatmeal Scones, Black-Eyed Pea Salad, Macaroni Salad, Fettuccine Alfredo, Ricotta-Parmesan Pasta, Scallops with Green Pesto, and Italian-Style Swiss Steak

After 1-1/2 hours of shopping, I finally got home with lots of goodies, overspending my budget by $40! The only thing I didn't have with me was my Weight Watchers Points counter.

I decided to fix the Scallops with Green Pesto from the Weight Watchers Favorite Homestyle Recipes cookbook. I liked it. I chose to buy the pesto instead of making it, and the brand I chose didn't have much flavor. I used to buy a packet that I added olive oil to, but I couldn't find it this time. My son didn't like the crunchy of the almonds which contrasted with the "squishy" scallops and pasta. Once I added salt, I thought it was delicious. There's lots left, so I hope it tastes good as leftovers ;O).

Scallops with Green Pesto

Pesto (I used a jar)
1 c chopped scallions
1 c fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 c fresh basil leaves
1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1 tablespoon olive oil

Scallops
1 lb, 2 oz bay scallops
1 packet low-sodium instand chicken broth mix
2 oz. toasted slivered almonds
1 tsp grated lemon peel
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp white pepper
4-12 cups hot cooked tricolor fusilli pasta (I used whole wheat)

1. To prepare pesto, in blender, combine scallions, parsley, basil, cheese, garlic, and oil until just blended; set aside.
2. In large skillet, bring 1 cup water to a boil; add scallops. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until scallops just turn opaque, about 3 minutes.
3. With slotted spoon, transfer scallops to large serving bowl; reserve poaching liquid. Add remaining ingredients, pesto, and 1/2 cup reserved liquid. Toss well to combine. Serve immediately.

6 Servings

Per serving: 294 calories, 22 g protein, 11 g fat, 28 g carbohydrate, 146 mg calcium, 306 mg sodium, 31 mg cholesterol, 2 g dietary fiber.

Weight Watchers points: 6

Pinto Beans
I decided to make some pinto beans last night, so I soaked them overnight. I started cooking them first thing when I got up. Then I headed to the store and forgot about them being on the stove. By the time I remembered them, the water had cooked away. I'm eating them anyway. I have never made a good pot of beans. They are supposed to be so easy to make. Even my Dad makes good beans. But, alas, the bean cooking gene skipped me.

I grew up with beans and cornbread, so I decided to make cornbread to go with my beans. When I got to the milk in the recipe, I realized the carton was bad, so I used water instead. Not a good substitute. The cornbread is completely tasteless.

At least one meal worked out OK! ;O)

Food:
2 servings Oatmeal (need the fiber and quality to lower cholesterol) with 3 tsp sugar.
17 green grapes
1 serving of the Scallops with Green Pesto
1 apple
3 cups of homemade pinto beans
1 serving of cornbread
2 spoonfuls of Scallops
1 pkg of WW Cheese Twists
16 oz skim milk with lite chocolate

Exercise:
15 minutes on exercise ball

My Weight Loss Journey, The Beginning

The Beginning

I weighed 6lbs-2ozs when I was born. I was a picky eater, thin, and active as a young child. But for some reason, family and friends equated fat babies as healthy babies.

To make me "healthier," my immediate family rearranged the seating at the dining table to put me next to someone who intimidated me into eating. Their plan worked! After several times of sitting at the table until hours after the meal because I didn't want to eat something, I finally got the message and ate everythying. After a while, I not only ate everything -- I liked everything -- except beets and pickled pigs' feet. Oh, and Limburger cheese. These were favorites of my grandfather, and he tried to get me to eat these. But no matter how big or mean he tried to be, he couldn't get me to eat those.

My German grandmother was one of those who equated fat with healthy, so she had lots of goodies for us to eat. We helped her bake cookies, pies, and cakes. Of course, we helped her eat them as well. I can't tell you how many times we sat in front of the TV watching Bugs Bunny eating powder sugar or brown sugar with a spoon. So, needless to say, it wasn't long before I jumped from too thin to too fat. The summer I turned 8, I stepped over that line.

Then, before I knew it, I was being called "Fatty" by everyone. Talk about confusing!

The struggle started.

Weight Watchers & 5K

I joined Weight Watchers Dec. 22, 2009, because I was 110 lbs overweight and it's time to take care of my health. I joined before Christmas to save myself from having to lose more than 110 lbs! And it worked! I was one of the few people who didn't complain about how much I ate at the Christmas meals, and it felt really good.

I've lost 20 lbs so far. Considering it's already June, that's not really good, but at least it's a loss!

Weight Watchers started a Walk-!t Challenge to walk a 5K on June 6. They had a plan where you can work up to the 5K with a plan that starts you off for 10 minutes, and before you know it, you're walking 3 miles! I started walking by myself, but it wasn't fun at all. I finally enlisted a fellow WW friend to walk with me. We started out walking 2 times a week, about a mile each time. Soon we walked 2 miles, then we mapped out a 3-mile route and walked it the Saturday of Memorial Weekend.

We walked 2 miles the Tuesday before the Challenge, 3 miles that Thursday, and the 5K Saturday! There were 6 of us, and we had fun. It took us less than an hour! I'm pretty proud of myself.

I plan to continue walking, and maybe one day, I'll walk 10K! My friend and I plan to continue the 5K route. Unfortunately, I injured my foot, so I didn't walk tonight, but I will Thursday for sure and maybe Friday too!

Begin at the beginning

A Blog to share my soul? To share my thoughts? To share my life? We'll see. I've wanted to blog for some time, but I never felt I had anything to share. If I don't get started, I'll never get anywhere, and I'll never know if what I have is worth sharing.

2010 has been the beginning of changes for me. I started Weight Watchers right before Christmas so I'd have something to help keep me in check during the holidays. It worked well! Because of Weight Watchers, I didn't stuff myself at every opportunity that presented itself. And that felt good.

Then a friend said she was going to start a Weight Loss Group (6 weeks) for cognitive behavioral therapy. I was so excited. I was finally going to address that damn loud voice in my head that keeps telling me I can eat this and start again tomorrow.

Then something else started -- a Wellness @ Work workshop for 6 weeks that addressed all sorts of health topics such as understanding the nutrition information on food packages, how to understand the ingredients list, diabetes, etc. And Weight Watchers @ Work was starting at my company.

OK, so the weight issue was covered. Then our church began another session of Financial Peace University. I'd gone through it completely in 2008. Started it again in 2009, but when I got to the part about setting up a budget, I couldn't justify the extra gas to the meetings, so I dropped out. I started it AGAIN this past January, and the same thing happened. I got to the budget part and my budget is so TIGHT that I couldn't squeeze out the extra cash for the gas to the meetings.

That's OK because I was a slave to meetings and reconfiguring myself. Before I knew it, I was sitting in front of the TV watching NCIS on DVR and not doing any of it anymore. And that's not good.

One thing that did happen in the past 7 weeks was I realized a huge pattern in my life:
I get excited about a new program. I get started on the program. I work the program for a few weeks. Then I get busy because I'm an entrepreneur as well as having a full-time job. Then I get distracted. And before I know it, I get back into my old patterns. That's what happens with Weight Watchers, Financial Peace University, Avon (Oh, did I mention I'm an Avon rep as well?), everything I start.

So, they say that recognizing the pattern is the first step. So, it's duly recognized. Now what do I do?

OK, I got excited, started, and busy. This past week, I've been on vacation to visit with a friend who came to town, and before I knew it, I was distracted. I've gained about 5 lbs back in just a few days, and last night I put away at least a bottle of wine. So, am I back into my old patterns? I SURE HOPE NOT!!!

I pulled out my diary yesterday and started recording what I ate. But most of what I ate didn't have nutrition labels so I couldn't track it. I'm definitely going to have to do something QUICK! My answer to that was to stay home today and regroup. My son said I should be with my friends because I'd regret not spending as much time with as I can. And I may regret it. But, you know, I like being home. I like my home. I like being alone.