I Think I Can.............

Weight Watchers Quote of the Day

Use your weekly POINTS Allowance.  It can help to keep the plan interesting and livable.

For anyone who isn't aware of WW's terminology I will break it down for you.  Every single thing you eat or drink is worth points.  You can calculate them by using your points finder.  (You receive one when you join WW)  You are allowed a certain number of points throughout the day.  You calculate that by doing a little quiz.  I will show you mine for an example:

1. What do you weigh? 
   Enter the first 2 digits of your weight in pounds.  Since mine was 215.8 you would then enter 21.  The first 2 digits of your weight.
2. Are you male or female? Add 2 points if you are female or 8 points if you are male.
3. How old are you? 
   17-26 Add 4 points
   27-37 Add 3 points
   38-47 Add 2 points
   48-58 Add 1 point
   Over 58 Add 0 points
4. How tall are you?
   Under 5'1" - Add 0 points
   5'1" - 5'10" - Add 1 point
   Over 5'10" - Add 2 points
5. Do you spend most of your workday:
   Sitting down? - Add 0 points
   Occasionally sitting, but mainly standing? - Add 2 points
   Walking? - Add 4 points
   Doing physically hard work? - Add 6 points
6. For nursing moms only, are you:
   Solely breastfeeding?  Add 10 points
   Supplementing breast feeding with some solid foods and formula?  Add 5 points

So my score sheet looks like this:
1.  21
2.  2
3.  3
4.  1
5.  2
6.  0
    29 points/day was what I was allowed.

So to recap that.  Everyone is allowed a certain amount of points/day.  Mine was 29 when I started (it is 28 now)  and everyone is allowed 36 points to use throughout the week.  I use my extra points for a treat every now and then or for something impromptu.  Or for when you know you may overeat.  ie:  family suppers, holidays, going to the bar, things like that. 
The goal is to stay on track.  If you eat your daily points/day and do nothing else, you WILL lose weight.  It goes hand in hand with making healthy choices.  The extra points for the week is so you don't feel deprived or like you are on a diet.  Everyone is allowed to have a treat or whatever every now and then.  Moderation is key.  You CAN NOT role your points over into the next week.  It is 36/week and if you don't use them by the time the week is up they are done!  You start out the next week with 36 points. 

I really like the way WW program is run.  It basically teaches you how to eat healthy, make healthy choices and stay on track.  The support that you get from the other members is so awesome, it really keeps you on track.  Sometimes when I am having a crappy week I tell myself to hang on until the meeting and after that meeting I am ready to tackle another week!  I have a friend who is considering going and I really hope she does!  I know you will enjoy it whatever your goal is!  Please come!  I'll be cheering you on!

Sorry if I sound like an add for Weight Watchers today but after trying so many times to lose weight and get healthy it is so exciting to find something that actually works!!! Weight Watchers does work!!!!  I'm proof of it! 

I did get up and go for my run again today.  It was really windy but I finished.  I need to find a sports clothing stores and get some running clothes.  I've read that you need to have moisture flicking clothes and I would like to get a coat with some sort of reflective material so I don't get run over.  I will be visiting my dad for Thanksgiving this year so I will definitely be stopping at the Running Room for shoes and etc.   I have made a decision to run a 5k next year and I would like to get some information from them as well. 

Tomorrow is weigh in day and I feel confident that I will have a loss.  Hope to be at my 10% goal tomorrow but realistically I think that will be next week.  I'm still doing great and hanging in there! 

Good Thoughts

Weight Watchers Quote of the Day

If you find a path with obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere.

Wow!  The inspiring posts just keep on coming today!  Need some inspiration?  Want to join me on the weight loss bandwagon?  Go and check out these lovely ladies and get a heaping portion of motivation!  Just look on the side and click the links to 266, Ruminations and Destined for 150.  I never thought when I started that my main source of motivation would be from the blogs I read!  My family and friends are there cheering me on but it is really my blog friends that get me through a tough day. 

I ran today!  I started over on the C25K program today and it felt great!  It was tough but I didn't quit!  6 am came early though!  When the alarm went off I jumped out of bed, pushed the off switch and crawled back into bed and cuddled with my cat.  As I was snuggled up to my cat I started having a mental argument with myself.  I didn't want to get up and go.  I wanted to sleep another hour but I knew if I didn't push myself to get up that I wouldn't do it tonight.  I already know there is not enough time in the evenings to run.  So I got up!  I had laid out my workout clothes the night before so I wouldn't have to fumble in the dark.  I grabbed my clothes, threw my hair in a ponytail, ate an apple and a yogurt and left.   
It was dark and a bit chilly but I set out on my regular route and did it.  It was awesome!  I felt so great!  Running in the am is so great.  It's still quiet.  Not much traffic and most of the houses I passed were still dark.  It was just me and my ipod.  I love it.  I will be continuing the am run for sure! 

When I got back to the house I woke everyone else and did my stretches while making breakfast.  I feel great.  Better than I have any other mornings! 

While getting ready for work I was trying to find something to wear!  Seriously, I only have 1 pair of pants that fit nice that I can wear to work.  The rest are too big!  The shirts I have hang on me.  Before I started this journey I used to buy all my clothes big and baggy so I could hide my stomach and back rolls now I don't have any clothes that look good!  I am going to go through some of my small clothes and see what fits and I may go buy a couple pairs of jeans and a few not baggy shirts!

Congrats to all my blogging friends for staying on track and staying motivated.  A special shout out to 266 who is struggling on maintaining but admits her struggles with all of us and herself.  Go check her out! 

Being accountable to yourself and your friends is a hard thing to do.  It's easy to lie to yourself and to others but is it easy to know that you are?  Till next time fellow bloggers.

Photo Day

Finally got my photos done!  Had such a great day today.  Niece and nephew were here plus a friend of the kids, so I had 5 kids here!  Chaos was the word of the day around here!  It was fun though.  Managed to tidy up and my wonderful, awesome, super sexy hubby installed the new dishwasher and cleaned the whole bathroom and washed the dishes too.  Love you babe!

I did some baking today and calculated my points for the banana bread recipe I make.  Now, I'm not sure if I did it right but one slice is 16 points?!  WTH?  I am going to take the recipe with me to my next meeting and confirm because that is insane! 

Anyways,  I will post the pics because I gotta get to bed.  My C25K program is getting restarted tomorrow and I am running in the am.

*I did change clothes for this pic from my pink top and ratty star shorts to my workout attire.  I think the clothes make me look slimmer but I will wear these same clothes for the remainder of my pics throughout this journey. 

So there you have it! 

Goodnight all.

Problem Solved

Blogger help works!  I had a problem with my blog being really, really long.  I posted my question and when I checked this morning I had the solution.  Apparently there is a problem in text boxes with putting in too many line breaks.  If you want to change the information in the boxes often it works better if you create a list.  That's what I did and bingo!  It's not way too long anymore! 

Weigh in was last night and there were so many people at the meeting.  I couldn't find any parking!  The meeting went well.  There wasn't really a topic due to technical errors but we had an open session of questions and comments and I learned a lot.  One of the questions was what should you eat before running/working out in the AM.  I've thought about that since I intend to run in the mornings and I don't want to burn out halfway through.   You should try to eat a small amount of protein and fruit before you go.  Nothing too heavy or you will feel gross!  A fruit smoothie is a good solution or a glass of milk and an apple.  You should also eat within a half hour after your workout for the best results.  Your stomach is a muscle too so eating after a workout optimizes the digestion cycle. 

It was a great meeting!  I lost another 2.6lbs which brings my total pounds lost to 18!  I am 3lbs away from my 10% goal!  Awesome!!!  I promised myself when I reach 10% that I will treat myself to a new haircut, manicure and pedicure.  I hardly do anything for myself so this will be a real treat for me.  I'm not sure how I will get my haircut.  I was thinking definitely shorter (it almost touches the top of my bum) and it is in bad condition.  Lots of split ends and very frizzy.  I was thinking maybe bangs (haven't had them in 15 years) or layered shorter in the front and longer in the back?  I'll figure it out.  Suggestions will be appreciated!

My hip hop class was fun.  I definitely feel more comfortable in it now.  I am starting to get the steps but I still need to figure out the 'pocket of the beat'.   When the class first started there were 20 people in it but now there are 4!  I hope more come back but I know I will for sure be staying! 

I will get the pics taken tonight and posted!  Later peeps.

Problem

There is a problem with my blog.  It is really long!  The length is crazy long and I am trying to fix it.  Does anyone know how to fix this?  I asked in help and changed templates, etc.  Let me know if you do.  Thank you.

Another Weigh In....

Weight Watchers Tip of the Day

Stretching is an essential part of a good fitness routine.  It increases flexibility and helps to protect against injury.

Today is another weigh in day at WW.  I feel OK about it.  I still have not started running again and I feel a bit guilty about it.  There is really no reason not to.  I'm not sick or anything.  I think I am just being lazy?  I don't really know.  It's just after a work day, supper, cleaning, kids homework, bedtime rituals it is about 9pm and I am seriously wiped out!  The last thing I want to do is exercise.  I just want a cup of tea and a half hour with my book before bed. 

Yesterday was a bad day for me.  I went over my points and let my 'just a little treat' get completely out of hand.  I didn't eat any chips, candy or junk food though. NSV!  I had a raisin bran muffin from Tim's.  (7points)  2 slices of banana bread with a large chunk of butter on each slice.  (10 points) Peanut butter and crackers -  about half a bag (who knows how many points) and nibbled off the kids plates after supper.  Even though I was full, I just kept on eating.  I did recognize that I was tired and feeling blagh!?  I was just sad and down feeling.  I spoke to my hubby about it and he said, "You sound like the old Chrys."  I was whining about how hard it is and maybe I should just give up and blah, blah, blah.  He was right.  I was letting my emotions control my eating and myself.  I could've given up for the night and ate the entire loaf of banana bread but I didn't.  I put the kids to bed, made a cup of tea and went and watched Criminal Minds.  "Tomorrow is another day."  I said to myself and that was that.

I need to sort out a schedule for me.  I am so bad at putting everything else first and I know I need to make some time for me.  My runs take a total of 40 minutes 3 days a week and I absolutely love them.  It shouldn't be hard to do that.  Maybe I will get up a bit earlier and go for a run in the morning.  It is light out and I am a morning person so that may work for me.  I think I will give that a try.  I must commit to making time for me!  The dishes and laundry can wait! 

Also wanted to say thanks to Michele over at her blog for commenting on my last post.  She and I started our journey at the same time and it's nice to have someone to bounce comments and ideas off of each other.

I know I am late at posting my pics and I will definitely try to do that in the next couple of days.  Tonight is my WW meeting and hip hop class so I will be busy tonight.  Maybe tomorrow?  Till next time. 

Where does the time go?

I can't believe it has been 10 days since I last wrote!  Sorry guys!  I have to admit that I have been slacking off a bit.  I still kept track of what I ate but the cold I had knocked me right out!  I started feeling better by Wednesday (last week) but did not continue with the C25K Challenge.  I did go to hip hop though! 

This week I am definitely going to start up running again. I really miss the me time and I feel so good after I run that I am totally craving the 'high' from running.   I will start from day one of the program and work my way through again. 

On another note, I signed up for a beginners yoga class which starts in October.  Looking forward to that! 

I was really surprised at last weeks meeting because even though I didn't exercise I still lost weight.  I didn't think I would lose and thought I might have gained a pound or two.  I lost 3.2lbs which brings my total pounds lost to 15.4!  My current weight is now 200.4lbs.  It feels so good!  I know I will be out of the two hundreds this week. 

I also took my body measurements this week and will be posting those on the side column! 

I will try to blog more often.  Till next time. 

Busy, busy, me.

Do you ever wonder why you are so busy?  It seems to me I always have a million things on the go.  It's my son's bd party tomorrow, I have to work today (every second week I work 6 days) and my hubby is still sick which means absolutely nothing will be done when I get home.  After work, I have to go grocery shopping and take my sister (their car broke down), buy presents, come home, cook supper and clean up to get ready for tomorrow.  Also, because it is BTS now, there is the ever present chores of laundry, homework, room tidying, baking for the week and so on.  I also really want to get the yard work done sometime this weekend. 

I always have stuff to do.  My list never seems to get smaller only bigger!  Is this the same for you too?  Do you have any tips to give me?  It is sometimes so hard to fit in time for me and my workouts.  I still do.  Last night I did Day 3 of the C25K Challenge but it was started at 9pm.  I don't know if you are supposed to work out that late.  I finished the run and stretching at 10pm and then I had a smoothie watched some Star Trek and went to bed at 11pm.  That is pretty late for me, I usually go to bed at 10 or 10:30 but I did sleep until 8am.  I am usually up at 6:30 or so.  Today I am sore, probably from the hip hop class on Thursday and the run last night combined to make my muscles hurt.  I have decided to take Sunday off.  No working out on that day.  I will still eat properly but I don't want to overdo it.  Since I will be so busy tonight with everything else I may or may not go for a half hour walk tonight.  We will see.  I still have this cold, which has gotten a bit worse today (stuffy nose and a cough).  I might just skip the walk and go to bed early tonight.  As early as I can anyway! 

Also wanted to send a shout out to my BFF's Lee and Trav on the birth of their second son!  Love you guys and congratulations!  Go check out their blog at knitchenette.  Till next time fellow bloggers.

Looking Forward

First things first!  I lost 3lbs this week!  That brings my total pounds lost to 12.2!  Wow!  I am so amazed!  My current weight now is 203.6!  I am so close to breaking out of the two hundreds!  AWESOME! 

I had such a fun time at the Hip Hop class!  There were quite a few women there that I knew.  Most of them were dance moms.  It was so hard!  My legs were throbbing after the first 15 minutes but I still had a blast.  We learned some basic moves and afterwards a combo.  I was a bit embarrassed but I didn't do too bad I think!  My daughter is in Hip Hop and she is going to show me some of the moves we learned so I can practice at home!  

Tonight is my run and I am actually looking forward to it.  I really enjoy going for them because it is just me time.  I can't believe I am looking forward to exercise.  I feel so good afterwards, even with having this cold!  My hubby has the same cold and he is so sick!  He still goes to work but he is so tired and wiped out afterwards that he just lays down on the couch and stays there until bed time.  I think the reason this cold hasn't got me knocked down is because I started taking care of myself 4 weeks ago.  Eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep has really made the difference!  I'm really proud of myself.  I never really expected myself to make it this far but I'm so happy I have.  Till next time fellow bloggers.

Dance Fever

Today is the day of my first hip hop dance class!  I am really excited and a little nervous. While talking to the instructor yesterday, she told me to bring my 'sexy' clothes!?  Um yeah, I don't have any 'sexy' clothes! Not yet!  Before I headed out for my run last night, I noticed my sports bra really perks up the girls!  Ha ha!  So I will wear my 'sexy' sports bra with my workout clothes.  Whoo! 

I did go for my run last night.  At first, I intended on running downstairs on my treadmill but I lost the key thing to turn it on!  The kids are always down there and playing so I know it will eventually turn up.  At first, I made a huge deal about it.  I was pissed because I wanted to do this run on the treadmill, because it was late and dark and I wanted to dammit!  So after being angry and thinking well I just won't go on my run, I gave myself a mental slap!  No more excuses.  Yes it is dark out but it is warm out.  I planned on running and I wasn't going to let losing the key to the treadmill deprive me of my run.  So I went.  I stuck to well lit areas and actually had fun.  I felt great after I got home.  I wasn't mad anymore and I actually felt a little silly about letting something so small bother me so much.  This run seemed easier than the last one and it will only get easier I'm sure.  I did stretch afterwards and OMG it felt so good!   Stretching is definitely a must. 

Tonight is WI.  I'm pretty excited about it.  I'll let you know how it goes and the sexy hip hop class too ;)

Colds Suck

I have a cold.  A mild cold.  No stuffiness, small aches and pains and a sore throat.  The question I am now faced with is, "Should I go for my run tonight?"  Today is supposed to be the second day of my C25K Challenge and I really want to go, but I don't want to over do it.  Do you work out when you are sick?  I did some research on line and this is what I found.
Working out while sick 
Looks like you can if you have a mild cold.  Cardio is best but take it easy.  Do not work out if you are fevered or nauseous.  Since I have a mild cold, I am still going to go tonight.  I will take it easy.  

After my run on Monday I did not do any stretching.  Oops!  I guess you are supposed to stretch after every run or exercise.  The research I did said you should stretch these areas after a run:  calf, hamstring, quadriceps, and lower back.  If you go to Stretching Exercises you should be able to find the info on how to do these safely.  I will be doing these tonight after my run and will see if I feel any different. 

My daughter's first round of dance classes was last night and while there I was checking the other classes and the Beg. Adult Hip Hop class that I signed up for was cancelled!  Shoot!  So I did the adventurous thing and signed up for the advanced.  Yikes!  I spoke with the instructor and she said it should be fine.  I won't be the only beginner there so that's good.  I will let you all know how that goes.  Tomorrow is also WI day at WW.  I am feeling good about it!  Till next time! 

BTW

Forgot to mention I had another NSV (non-scale victory).  I have exactly 4 pairs of pants to where at any given time.  Before I started this journey I could where them without a belt and now I need a belt to be able to where them!! Whoo! 

Motivation

I was reading some of the blogs I follow today and the theme of them seems to be motivation.  Over at think.stew he had a good list and I am going to copy his idea.  So what/who motivates me?  That is a hard question.  It seems like it should be easy to answer but it's not.  I'm gonna put my thinking cap on and give it a shot.

1. My children.
2. My husband.
3. My dad.
4. 266  (if you get a chance go and check her out, very inspiring woman)
5. Shopping at not plus sized stores
6. Shopping at plus sized stores
7. My health
8. Dancing
9. Summer
10. Wearing a swimsuit
11. Running
12. Double Double
13. McDonald's
14. Smiling
15. Receiving a smile
16. Laughter
17. Good comments
18. Negative comments
19. My meetings at Weight Watchers
20. Carol V
21. Being told I can't do something
22. Proving I can
23. Gumption
24. Fear
25. Sex

There you have it.  My list of motivations.  It will change day to day I'm sure.  Another person that motivates me is skinnyhollie.  She is an amazing woman.  No matter how many times she fails ( I hate that word), she acknowledges it and moves on.  She is the first weight loss blog I read and it was her posts that gave me the courage to do something about my weight.  It is so hard to do this and I don't think anyone really understands unless they are doing it too. 

I had the whole 3 day weekend off this time and it was awesome!  On Saturday I had my niece and nephew over and after breakfast and some cleaning we all went to the Wilderness Park.  It was amazing!  I have lived in this area for 15+ plus years and this was the first time I have ever been out there.  We had a blast.  We walked around the whole park and had a picnic.  We ended up walking for about 3 hours out there.  It was such a beautiful day too and I will definitely be heading out there again.  Sunday was spent grocery shopping and cleaning.  I did get in a good walk with my hubby too.  It was nice to be able to spend time with him, without the kids.  We hardly ever get to do that.  Reminds me why I married him :)

Monday was the big cleaning day.  Laundry, basement and our bedroom were all tackled.  I went through my closet and completely cleaned it out.  It was a big job!  I haven't even gone through it for a few years.  Just kept throwing things in there and slamming the doors shut!  I had to clean it out because I couldn't even shut the doors anymore.  I was amazed at all the stuff I found in there.  While going through it I found so many clothes I can't wait to wear again!  I know I will soon.  I even gave stuff away that was too big for me now.  I was thinking I should keep it just in case!?  Just in case what?  I give up?  I quit?  I knew right then that I was gonna do this.  I put them in a bag and am taking them to the Salvation Army today.  I know I am not going to need them anymore, so I might as well give them away.  Cleaning out my closet made me remember me before.  Before the weight took over me and I began feeling like crap.  I remembered wearing those clothes and being happy.  Actually caring about how I looked.  Trying to do my hair!  Shaving!  Making an effort in my appearance!  Even wearing makeup (GASP) sometimes!  Cleaning out those layers of clothes made me start to peel back my layers.  I actually am starting to feel good about myself and confident.  My hubby commented the other day about how he is starting to notice a change already.  I asked him to clarify because I haven't noticed that I look different.  He said it's the way you carry yourself!  You stand tall instead of slouch.  Your happier than you've been in a while and I see the real you now.  Now my hubby isn't an emotional, mushy kind of guy, when he said that, it made me feel great! 

After cleaning out my closet, I started the first day of the Couch Potato to 5K Challenge.  I downloaded it onto my iPod and off I went.  The first day was hard, but I expected it to be.  I completed it and felt great!  My legs don't even hurt today!  Day two is tomorrow, so I will keep you posted.   When I was waiting for the minute to be up,  I thought about what Adrienne (a woman from WW) said at the last meeting, "Not everyone gets up and goes for a run when its 40 below."  She said that makes her feel better.  She's right.  Not everyone gets up to even go for a run.  Not everyone can do this.  It takes a certain mindset, a feeling of enough is enough, to get up and do something about losing weight.  What keeps me going is WW meetings, encouragement from my family and friends, and other blogs.  It helps knowing that I am not the only one out there struggling.  That we can all do this if we put our minds to it. 

So I want to know, what keeps you motivated?  What was your enough is enough moment?  We are all in this together.  I will offer encouragement, advice when needed and please do the same for me.  Till next time fellow bloggers. 

Feeling Good

Feeling good today.  I had my WI last night and I was down another 2.6lbs which brings me to a total of 9.2lbs lost!  This is officially the longest I have stuck with any sort of weight loss plan.  It got me thinking about goals.  Should I be setting myself goals?  I was thinking of all the things I am afraid to do or tell myself I can't do because of whatever!  Laziness, fear?  Who knows? 

Here is a list of all the things I am afraid to do but want to try...

1. Swimming - absolutely am terrified in the water.  I am fine in the shallow end.  If my feet can touch the ground I am OK, but the minute I get in the deep end.  TERROR!  I have to be close to the ledge where I can grab it, just in case.  I can float and tread water and doggy paddle, but I have this terrible mental block about putting my head under water.  The pool is closed for maintenance now.  It reopens at the end of the month.  I am working up the courage to sign up for swimming lessons.  I'll keep you posted!
2. Skiing - so want to try this.  It looks so fun and I know it is great exercise and since it is mostly winter here it would be nice to have more activities to do outside.  It is pretty expensive though and I wouldn't want to go by myself.  I might check into lessons and see what the cost would be and try to convince someone to come along.
3. Skating - this would be fun to do as a family.  None of us can skate really well and it is another thing we can do outside.  The only thing that has me scared is the ankle support.  A couple years ago I was racing with my daughter and stepped the wrong way and rolled over my ankle.  I tore the tendon and was off my feet for quite awhile.  Did I mention the pain?  Oh the pain!  So much pain!   It makes me quiver just to think about it.  I do not want to go through that again.  So I am a little nervous about that.
4. Horse riding - This would be just fun.  Who doesn't have grandiose dreams of roaming around on a horse?  Problem for me is I am scared of horses.  I fell off one when I was a wee child and have never been able to forget the terror of trying to hang on while this beast was bucking and galloping to get me off.  I flew off and was almost trampled.  Terribly scary for a 6 year old.  Ever since then I have been scared.  I come near a horse and it gets nervous and skittish and I am definitely nervous,  maybe they can smell the fear off me, who knows?  But still want to try this.  One day.

Where was I going with this?  Oh right!  Goals.  Should I make myself some?  I'm gonna think about it.  Small steps.  Right now my goals for this week are to journal, drink water, and get some sleep.  Also. get my damn ipod loaded so I can use it on my walks. 

At our meeting last night we talked about the benefits of exercising:  improved moods, sleep better, relieves stress, enhanced body image, good for your heart and many others.  We learned that 25 percent of people do absolutely nothing for exercise/day.  60 percent do less than 30 minutes/day and 40 percent do at least 30 minutes/day!  I am proud to say that I am in the 40 percent!  I always go for my walks everyday.  It does make me feel good.  I have been getting better sleep and even though  I don't have less stress in my life, I find I can handle it better.  I have been thinking about kicking it up a notch and someone at the meeting said there is an app for ipods that is called Couch Potato to 5k.  I am going to give that a try this week.  As for the gym I am looking into prices and comparing cost.  I do want to start weight training as well which is what I will be using the gym for.  Well I guess that's all I have to say for now.  I am still here and fighting!