GOAL!

Finally, after 383 days, I hit my personal goal of 125lbs!

In the past two weeks, I switched to Simply Filling, which I've been blogging about. The first week I lost 3.8lbs which left me with 1.2lb to lose in week two in order to hit goal. I did well all week, but the weekend is always tough. We had friends over Saturday evening and ordered a deep dish pizza from our favorite pizza place. I ordered a salad, and only had a little taste of the pizza. I didn't want to work so hard and ruin it by eating a piece of deep dish. On top of the pizza, we had multiple desserts and wine. I had the desserts and drank 20PPV worth of wine. I was seriously afraid for Monday morning.

When I walked into my meeting on Monday, I wasn't feeling confident. In fact, I talked to myself, telling myself it's okay if I don't hit goal, I will next week. I feel that it is a pattern of mine, that when I am so close to goal I destroy myself the week before and gain. I think it's because I know things will change when I hit goal - and almost feel like the learning will stop, although that's silly because I know it doesn't. But again, it's more of a mental/emotional journey than a physical, at least for me.

At any rate, Monday morning I hopped on the scale. I had weighed my shirt and my wedding ring together prior and it came out to 2/10th of a pound. I was fully prepared if I weighed in at 125.2 to take off my ring...and shirt. Silly enough, it's not the first time I've done that. Other weekly weigh-in people will understand the crazy things we sometimes do for the lowest possible number. When I got on the scale, I closed my eyes at first, sure that I had possibly maintained but not certainly lost 1.2lbs. To my surprise, the scale read exactly 125.0 on the dot. I'm not sure I could pull that off again if I tried! I was ecstatic and couldn't believe it. I squealed with joy! Finally, after 2 years and 2ish weeks, I had done it. I had a goal in mind, and I achieved it.

So now begins my six weeks of maintenance. Maintaining a number between 123-127lbs, because after all, if I can't maintain my goal weight, what was the point? I certainly don't want to change habits to where I put 10 pounds back on, right? My goal was 125lbs. and that is where I intend on staying.

Monday night we celebrated. Quite honestly, I wanted to do something that I hadn't done since before Weight Watchers. I want to eat a meal that I wouldn't typically eat anymore. While it might sound counter productive, I live a lifestyle where I am so active and 99% of the time I eat strict to my new lifestyle. Eating like I did Monday is something that might happen only once in a few months, and I think I deserved the opportunity, so long as I was accountable for it. As you can see by my progress chart above, I was accountable as I'm -16 PPV in the hole this week. ;-) What did I eat? Well, we went to Red Robin. We ordered the Towerin' Onion Ring appetizer, split between 3 people. I had ordered the Royal Red Burger, no mayo and only ate about half. Also enjoyed a few fries and a skinny margarita. Afterwards, one thing I've been craving for a while was a Concrete Mixer from Culver's - so I got a Snickers Concrete Mixer. I didn't eat until I was stuffed, I ate until I was satisfied, which is a big change already. Before, I would have wolfed down the burger and friends and probably would have had 2 regular margaritas and a large concrete mixer. So, not only was I held accountable for what I ate - I didn't force myself to eat it all. Positive changes happened. For the rest of the week - it's been back to Simply Filling and eating "Power Foods".

I'm very happy with my journey. Now begins a new journey, maintenance. I never want to go back to the person I was, physically or emotionally. I am a new person in both aspects. A better person.

I want thank everyone who has supported me throughout the weight loss portion of this. Those who have put up with my modifications through every meal. Those who accepted my choices to stay home on nights out because I didn't feel strong enough to make good choices. Those who pushed me to challenge myself physically. Those who called me first when they had clothes to get rid of and knew I was looking for newer sizes. Those who have followed this blog and provided positive support and feedback.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I couldn't do this alone and I was luckily enough to not have to.

Simply...Spectacular!

Last week, I conducted an experiment of trying the Simply Filling technique for 7 days. I was nervous - afraid I might gain because I wasn't to track and weigh all my food, which I've been doing for 2 years now, however, to switch things up, I gave it a try. 


Check out the progress report...

I lost 3.8 pounds in one week! I weighed in this morning at 126.2 lbs from my 130.0 last week! I have 1.2 lbs left until I hit my personal goal of 125. So I am going to continue the Simply Filling technique this week. 


Looking back at last week you can see that I tracked on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Those days I had foods that were not "Power Foods" and I had 49 weekly points plus values to use for non-power foods.   In fact, I exceeded the 49 by 17 and I still lost 3.8 lbs. Unbelievable! 


As far as the food health guidelines go - I got liquids, daily and fruit/veggie every day. I'm out of my multivitamin and haven't pick up another bottle yet, so I didn't get that in. There is no excuse not to get in my 2 tsp. of EVOO everyday because although it's not a "power food", I don't have to track up to 2 tsp. of a healthy oil. Sometimes it just skips my mind. 


Exercising - I haven't been tracking anything other than when I run outdoors. Last week, I was able to handle the chill twice. Wednesday, I when for a 1.98 mile run (21:53) and Friday, I went for a 3.5 mile run (36:29) for 8 activity points plus values. 


A lot of people have been interested in what I ate all week because I had mentioned that it was a lot of food and so strange not to track these items! So - here was my weekly menu!


Monday Feb. 13th
Day 1


Breakfast:
Coffee, black, no sugar
1 Hard-boiled egg
1 Weight Watchers Maple Oatmeal
8 oz. of Skim Milk

Lunch:
Weight Watchers Creme Brulee Smoothie with Strawberries - 1 small clementine

Dinner:
Venison roast - Brussel Sprouts - Sm. Sweet Potato

Dessert:
Tall glass of skim milk - Strawberries w/Splenda


Tuesday Feb. 14th
Day 2


Breakfast: 
Coffee, black, no sugar - 3 poached eggs - 3 slices of Pepperidge Farm light style wheat toast

Lunch: 
Bag of steamed edamame - clementine

Dinner: 
Barilla Whole Grain pasta with green peppers, tomatoes, half chicken breast, & EVOO

Snack/Desserts: 
half chicken breast, Starbucks Skinny Caramel Macchiato (SIMPLY FILLING!!!!!), Strawberries & Splenda. 


Wednesday Feb 15th
Day 3


Breakfast: 
Coffee, black, no sugar - 3 eggs - 3 slices of Pepperidge Farm Light Wheat Bread - Banana

Lunch: 
Leftover whole grain penne with chicken breast, green peppers, tomato and EVOO

Dinner: 
Bowl of Chicken enchiladas soup (I counted as 6p+)

Other/Snack:
2 beers (Counted as 10p+), strawberries with splenda, 3 clementines

Thursday Feb 16th

Day 4

Breakfast:
Banana - Clementine - Coffee, black, no sugar -  Hard-boiled egg

Lunch: 
Steamed edamame - WW yogurt

Dinner:
Venison sandwich (triple decker y'all!): 3 pieces of pepperidge farm light wheat bread, onion, tomato, venison, 1 tbsp light miracle whip (1p+) , vension, 1 small sweet potato

Other: Starbucks grande skinny caramel macchiato

Friday Feb 17th

Day 5

Breakfast:

Coffee, black, no sugar - 2 bananas - 16 oz fat free milk - 2 sm. clementines

Lunch:

3 slices Pepperidge Farm Light Style Wheat bread - 3 eggs - WW yogurt

Dinner: I met my aunt for happy hour/dinner Friday evening...we went to two places.

@Kona Grill - Edamame, 2 glasses of red wine that I counted as 16.5 oz (I'm sure it was less but I'd rather over track than under) for 14 p+

@Redstone - Spinach Salad with grapes & apples, dressing on the side (barely used) and 2 Blue Moons for 11 p+

Saturday Feb 18th

Day 6

Breakfast:

Coffee, black, no sugar - 1 banana - WW Oatmeal - WW smoothie

Lunch:

Steamed Lima Beans - Poached Chicken Breast - Activia light FF yogurt

Dinner: Went to a Mardi Gras party @6pm

Crab legs - 2 crab cakes for 5p+

27 p+ worth of alcohol

Sunday Feb 19th

Day 7

Breakfast:

3 sm. clementines - 2 eggs - 2 slices of Pepperidge Farm Light Style Wheat bread - WW Oatmeal

Lunch: 

Steamed Lima Beans (big breakfast, wasn't too hungry for lunch)

Dinner:

2 sm grilled sweet potatoes - grilled asparagus - grilled chicken breast

So what do you think? That's a lot of food to eat and lose 3.8 lbs in one week, isn't it!? I'm sure you can't blame me for doing it again this week. Also, we've only plan on Saturday so I won't drink as much as I did between Friday and Saturday and it's suppose to be nice this week so hopefully I'll get out running more!

Meanwhile - here is a photo of me at the Mardi Gras party!

I'm looking forward to this next week and hitting my goal, finally. Maybe if I get really good at Simply Filling I can try for 120 lbs...?? 

Simply...Experimenting

If you are a regular reader of mine, you know that I have been struggling to get to my personal goal weight. If you are a Weight Watcher member that has been in some of the same meetings as I have, you know that I'm terrified of trying the Simply Filling technique. This week I'm taking a leap of faith and trying it out.

Yesterday I weighed in at 130.0 - and while that's 2.4lbs more than I weighed in two weeks ago, I wasn't really upset about it. I know that I had been tracking very inconsistently over the past two weeks - and that's why I hadn't even weighed in the week before. So, I take accountability for it and I own my 130.0lbs. It's still a healthy weight for me so I'm not worried about it - but I'd like to sit comfortably in the 120's.

I am all about changing things up when it comes to my weight loss. I look forward to winter when I switch from running everyday to indoor workouts, and now I'm looking forward to spring to continue my running again. I was talking yesterday with my husband how for me, no other workout compares to running. When I consistently run throughout the week I have flat, defined abs. Once I stop running, while my stomach stayed flat it isn't as defined, even though I still workout. I missing running. I also like to change things up when it comes to what I eat. When we switched over from the Momentum plan to the PointsPlus plan, a lot of people were hesitant. Like them, I had lost most of my weight on the Momentum and it's difficult for some people to abandon something that worked for them. I saw it as a change in the right direction - a kick start for our bodies. And of course, it was. My first week on PointsPlus I had lost something like 4 pounds which is an insane amount of weight for me.

While we've always had the Simply Filling option, it's something that I was very scared of. There is little tracking involved and you don't have to weigh out your portions. Simply Filling is a technique used when you eat only Power Foods, or, whole grains, lean proteins, low fat dairy, etc. The only thing you track are any foods that are not Power Foods and you have 49 PointsPlus to use for those. On this technique, you can eat until you are satisfied. That is the part that scared me - do I know when I'm really satisfied? I know that I can eat and eat and eat, that's how I got here in the first place. However, looking at this as a change, I'm going to try this for a week and see how it reflects on the scale. If it goes down, perhaps I'll continue this into next week. If it goes up, I won't be upset, as I'm just simply experimenting.

Yesterday was my first day trying Simply Filling and my verdict so far....I love it!

Here was my intake yesterday:

Breakfast:
Coffee, black, no sugar
1 Hard-boiled egg
1 Weight Watchers Maple Oatmeal
8 oz. of Skim Milk

Lunch:
Weight Watchers Creme Brulee Smoothie with Strawberries
1 small clementine

Dinner:
Venison roast
Brussel Sprouts
Sm. Sweet Potato

Dessert:
Tall glass of skim milk
Strawberries w/Splenda

It was completely foreign to not weigh out my protein or potato, but liberating at the same time. While I didn't "track" my foods, I still kind of did. While they aren't worth and PointsPlus values, I still tracked them so I could review my food intake at the end of the week. My lunch would typically be larger, but I had been running around and didn't get home until 3pm and didn't want to eat a larger lunch that close to dinner.

I'm excited to see the outcome of this and I'm keeping it positive. Hopefully my experience will encourage others who have wanted to try Simply Filling but just aren't sure about it. I can report, although I don't count it because it's Tuesday, not Monday, but I weighed myself this morning, with sweatpants on and I weighed in at 128.5lbs. I know you can't rely on an accurate weight throughout the week, and only rely on the one weigh-in that is the same time and day each week, so I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch.

That being said, if this is what 130.0 lbs looks like that I am a happy lady!

Penance

At this point, I am not on schedule to hit goal by my anniversary next week. While I'm disappointed, I did it to myself. My plan was that I needed to lose 1.8lb in two weeks, or .9lb each week. At weigh-in on Monday I was up .8lb. If I want to hit goal this Monday, I would need to lose 2.6lbs in one week. That's a lot of weight.

Here is what I am accountable for last week:

Since I weigh-in on Monday evenings, I eat less during the day and then have a larger dinner. Since I was down so much I treated us to dinner with gyros. I love gyros. I figured I have a week to work it off, no big deal. We sometimes will do this on Mondays. Although I didn't plan for the rest of my week. Thursday night, my friend came over to watch American Idol like we typically would do. I normally make dinner for us but she wanted to treat us to pizza since we always provide dinner. Then on Sunday, we had my family's annual Fish Fry dinner with my uncle's home craft beers. Had I planned properly, I would have not participated Monday or Thursday evening in the meals and had something different. Secondly, the workout program that I use on the PlayStation comes with sensors that you wear on both arms and one around the leg. The leg sensor stopped working and because I was upset about that I didn't change my workouts to anything else. When one sensor doesn't work you can't perform the workouts because it can't properly gauge your moves. Makes sense. However, it's been beautiful, unseasonably warm weather and I could have ran outside. I was being stubborn.

Last week is over. It's a new week.

I've taken advantage of the fitness center at my school. 4th period I have a plan period and I've been getting into the fitness center and running on the treadmill. Monday I ran a mile and a half on the treadmill and 30 minutes on the elliptical, Tuesday I ran a 5k in just over 30 minutes, Wednesday I ran on the treadmill for 25 minutes and did about 5 minutes on a bike and today I ran another 5k in 29:51. My 6th graders have gym 4th period so they have been cheering me on and running near me. It's really cute! I have been nearly perfect with tracking this week and staying within my DPT each day. I have been making good choices both physically and mentally this week.

Friday is my last day at the school I'm currently subbing at. Some of the ladies I work with and I are going out after school Friday for some drinks. I am prepared for that. I had plans to meet a friend Thursday evening as well but I didn't want to be in the situation two nights in a row, so I've rescheduled Thursday night for next week. Saturday is a very busy day - I was offered a new Weight Watchers meeting on Saturday mornings at 8am in LaGrange. I'm excited to be in a new meeting and meet new people - I'm also glad that it's at 8am and I need to be up by 6am - since this will keep me in check on Friday nights. This Saturday after the meeting, we are heading out to Pingree Grove for a good friends son's 2nd birthday party. This particular friend is always very conscious when I come over and makes WW friendly things. Do I expect this to be the case at her son's party...no...however, I do know her father has done WW and she is aware and tries to cook in a healthy way. Sunday, I work in the afternoon before the Super Bowl game. Afterwards, we are heading to the neighbors house for Super Bowl. She has already told me that she's making a bunch of junk and I'm not sure I'm going to have time to make something healthy to bring - but I am going to plan on eating before hand and not eat there. Since I weigh-in on Monday morning now that I won't be working for a while, I want to have the best possible weight loss, even if it isn't the 2.6 lbs I need to hit goal.

I'm ready to go back to a flexible schedule for a while. I'm off steady work until April when I take over another long term substitute position at the high school. When I have a flexible schedule I eat later in the day and am not as hungry come dinner, unlike now when I eat breakfast at 6:30am and lunch at 11:15am.

In a way, for the sake of this blog, I'm happy I had a set-back this week. You don't hear about the set-backs as often as the successes. However, I'm not perfect. I make mistakes. I give into temptation. Just like you. Now that I've made those mistakes I am accountable for them and have to work extra hard this week. I know that if I had stayed on track last week I wouldn't have to work so darn hard this week. That puts things into perspective for the weeks ahead. It's not worth the pizza overload or extra drinks to have to work out so hard and eat so perfect. Everything in moderation, right? Well, last week I had EVERYTHING in moderation! Now I pay my penance this week.

Poundage

My two year anniversary is February 8th, which is a Wednesday. I weigh-in on Monday's, so by February 6th I have 1.8 pounds to lose if I want to hit goal on my anniversary. I have two weeks. These last two weeks I lost exactly 1.0 lb each. One whole pound is quite a lot to lose at my current weigh in just one week. In order to hit my goal by the date I want, I've got to average a .9lb loss these next two weeks. Not quite a whole pound.

I don't doubt that I can do it. However, the only hesitation I have is that it is still quite a bit of weight to lose in one week - almost an entire pound. At 126.8 lbs, one pound is a lot. So what do I have to do to reach my goal of 1.8lb in two weeks?

Exercise. Duh.

I have really been utilizing my EA Sports Active game for the PS3. It has me on a 9 week program where I have 4 days on and 3 days off. This has proven to be working for me since I've shed 2 whole pounds in 2 weeks.

My schedule right now if a bit hectic in the beginning of the week so the 4 days on, 3 days off is perfect.

Since I weigh-in on Monday evenings, my pre-weigh in "ritual" consists of little food during the day and no liquids after 3pm. I have enough time to flush out any liquid I intake during the day before 7pm. We all have our weigh-in rituals. That is what works for me. Since I eat less than normal for breakfast and lunch and don't drink water after 3pm, I don't workout on Monday.

Tuesday's are my busiest day. I work from 7:15-3:00pm and then I lead my WW meeting at 6:30pm. I have thought about working out in the school fitness room in between 3:00-4:30pm, however, I'd have to shower and get ready for my meeting anyway - so since I've been working I don't workout on Tuesday. I don't get home from my meeting until 8:30pm, and by that time I eat dinner and head to bed.

Wednesday after school I get home and wind down for about 30 minutes or so before we head to my in-laws for dinner.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday are my PRIME TIME for workouts. I find that this works best for me. Since the weekend is the time I would typically use my extra weekly PointsPlus values, the vigorous exercise pairs nicely.

Last week I had nearly perfect days as far as eating on plan went. Wednesday night was the only night I went a little over what I normally would eat. I made a promise to myself that I would not slide down throughout the rest of the week - which sometimes is the case. With the weekends freeing up now that the holidays are winding down, they are easier to manage.

Ironically, yesterday I started having jaw pains. After a little research and chatting with others, we think it's a possiblity that I have TMJ. I have a pain that starts in my left cheekbone and goes to my left ear and then runs down my face. I cannot open my mouth entirely or chew properly without excruciating pains. Last night while I was eating broccoli, I must have opened too wide and a horrible feeling came across my face that immediately made me break down in tears, it hurt that bad. This morning it was very tender, it seems to have eased up a little now but still very sore. It was a difficult task to eat lunch without wincing with every bite.

Perhaps this will help me with my poundage this week...? I certainly won't be eating as quickly as I typically do, thus becoming full quicker...? Also, for dessert I usually will snack on frozen WW mini bars that are a bit chocolatey or caramel flavored - I can't imagine they will be easy to chew.

Changing the topic...

...I have a lot of activities planned for this spring/summer.

First up - March 25th - Shamrock Shuffle 8k.
Next - June 16th - Warrior Dash
July 21st - Great Urban Race
Finally - November 22nd, my New Year's Resolution - Half Marathon Turkey Trot

I am really looking forward to participating in these events and I welcome anyone to join me!

I've Said This Before...

Cheers to a group of FABULOUS women!

...and I'll say it again.

I believe you are a product of your environment.

I was just thinking about this post because last night I expanded my friendships with some new women that are absolutely fabulous. I was raving to my husband how great it was to go out with a group of women, knowing that although some know others better than some (I was the newbie), we all have everyone's best interests in mind and all felt like part of the group.

No one felt silly having special instructions to meal in front of the group (i.e. - dressing on the side, no cheese, please!). We all enjoyed out SkinnyBee Margaritas (only 5 PPV for two!) and just laughed and enjoyed each others company. If only I had stayed for the Wii dance after party, I could have danced off those two margaritas in no time! I was thinking last night as I was sitting at the restaurant - if I were with anybody else, I would make a poor choice just to "fit in". But these women inspire me and I know that we are all on the same journey, together.

In 2012, I will lessen the relationships that are venomous to my lifestyle and develop the ones that allow it to flourish.

I'll cheers to that!

Believe and Achieve

I made the personal decision this holiday season to loosen my mostly strict dietary ways. I reminded myself of last holiday season when I did not fully enjoy myself and was strict enough that I lost weight throughout December. That is where I was though, in 2010. I was still in the phase of needing to lose at least 25-30 more pounds and it was more important to me not to eat that cookie or have an "adult" beverage. In 2011, I have made it so close to my personal goal of 125 pounds and I am so proud and confident of the way that I look now that I made it my decision to enjoy these holidays, guilt-free.
The last time I weighed in was December 12th. I weighed 127.4 lbs. Today I weighed in, after barely tracking my food intake since December 12th at 131.6 lbs. A gain of 4.2 pounds. You know what? I own it. It was a personal decision and I knew I'd gain and I am absolutely, 100% okay with that. Quite honestly, at 131.6 lbs I'm still so proud of the way I look and feel.

I was rockin' the new bod on NYE...if this is 131 lbs, I can't wait for 125 lbs.



I was keeping in mind the saying, "It's not what you eat between Christmas and New Years that matters, but what you eat between New Years and Christmas."

That was my motto for this holiday season. Although I didn't go crazy, I did eat one too many cookies and I indulge in some mid-week drinks that I otherwise wouldn't, and I enjoyed them! And it's O.K.! I remember a year ago when I was very conscious of my holiday choices and I'm glad that I was like that. It makes me appreciate that I've built a lifestyle for myself in the past two years that allow me to enjoy the 2 weeks of the holiday season in December. And I know that once it's over, I get right back on track.

This year, I'm not going to obsess over the numbers like I have. I look great. I feel great. That is what is important and what I need to embrace. Not the small gains or small losses on the scale...although still important until I hit my goal, I'm not going to get down on myself for being 6 lbs from goal.

I am starting off 2012 right. I made a huge pot of fresh vegetable soup and stocked the fridge and freezer with veggies and my "go-to" foods. I'm ready to take 2012 and make it my year! February 8th marks my 2nd anniversary of living a healthy lifestyle. This is just the beginning.

I'm not one to make resolutions because they are typically meaningless and are forgotten by the second week of the new year. But I have a few goals for 2012...

• Hit goal by Feb 8th
• Maintain another year in a healthy lifestyle
• Run a half-marathon

Simple goals. Obtainable goals.

2012 is the year to believe and achieve my friends.