Thursday, May 21, 2009

Weekly Check-In

Last night was weigh in! I really watched my points this week because I wanted to win the Biggest Loser competition at work. I lost 2.8 lbs this week!!! Leah was proud of me, but now I'm .6 under the maintenance "window." So, over the next 4 weeks, I need to gain a little. Gain weight? Really? How? I'll figure it out. At least I won't have to watch myself quite as much over Memorial Day Weekend and our anniversary!

So, Biggest Loser at work.... I have lost 23 lbs since the 2nd week in January - 11.05%!!! Was it good enough? Not quite! I got 2nd place. The person who won lost 25 lbs, 12.56%. 3rd place was 10.5%. Everybody else was right around 4%, and a few 1%.

The biggest frustration about the day? Having to DEFEND my weight loss to my coworkers. The other day, I had a coworker tell me it wasn't "fair" that I was still in the competition because I got sick. She didn't understand that I actually gained while I was in the hospital - being chalked full of fluids and greasy hospital food. I made her realize this, and she dropped it.

Today, that coworker and a couple others and I were talking. They asked me about WW - how it works, etc... I was talking to them about it, and coworker #3 says "Well, you haven't lost ALL your weight with WW." WHAT?????? She says, "Well, when you were sick this summer you lost a ton of weight." Yeah, and then I didn't lose for the next 2 months because my body was catching up. I had to defend myself and my weight loss to this teacher. I was SO upset. I think she finally got the point when I got an attitude with her. I wanted to say "You can't say anything to me when YOU have gained at least 20 lbs back from your weight loss."

Nobody has the right to tell me about my weight loss. I know I get defensive about it. I've worked my ass off for my 25% weight loss! I know I need to "gain" a little for a few weeks, but then I can lose it again. I like that number. And I'm NOT gaining the weight back until I'm pregnant.

I'm not letting these people upset me, or make me feel like my weight loss isn't as "good" as their's just because I was sick. And I'm sure as hell not going to turn into them and gain it back! Their comments kind of ruined my high from getting 2nd place. But, I did it! And I'm proud of what I did.

Any thoughts on how to gain .6 in 4 weeks? :-P

Monday, May 18, 2009

A new adventure!

Tonight, David and I went to KFC to try the grilled chicken. Then, we went to the track.

The chicken was good - the "free" coupons we got from the Oprah website? Yeah... now they are making you get a rain check. But, they are sending us the rain checks because corporate didn't "realize" how popular it would be! Seriously? You offer a FREE meal and expect it to be anything besides a mad house? But, we still got the dinners. We had a grilled breast (4 points) and a wing (2 points). I had green beans and a salad. I decided to eat the biscuit because, you know what? I wanted it! And I wasn't overly stuffed after eating. The chicken was good. We definitely won't be going every week, but if we ever want chicken, that's where we'll go!

We went to the practice field of one of the high schools that is open to the public. They have the track resurfaced with the "squishy" tread. So, we wanted to go for a 5K, or at least try for it. It wasn't hot, but it was pretty warm... David went on Saturday and had walked a lap, then run a lap..... So, tonight, I decided to try to jog. I walked a lap to warm up, and then, guess what??? I actually jogged! An entire lap! I did it! Then I walked one more, jogged one more, and walked... I started my 3rd jog (6th lap), when I caught up to David. He hasn't been feeling well, and had been walking and just jogging when he felt right. I stopped jogging when I caught up to him and convinced him we need to leave... He looked like crap and was complaining about his abdomen. (More on that in a second) So, for the first time since before my July surgery, I'm jogging again! No, I'm not going to do it alot, and I probably won't even run an entire 5K, but I can jog a little, and that's what matters. I felt great! I'll see how my knee feels in the morning, but right now, I feel great!

So, back to David... Remember when I told you he learned his lesson about greasy food? Well, his stomach has really been bothering him since then. Everytime he eats, he feels bloated and usually ends up in the bathroom within 30 minutes. He's not digesting food properly and is having trouble staying hydrated. He went to see his dr today, who ordered an ultra sound. David had breakfast, so they wouldn't do the u/s anytime today. It's scheduled for 7:00 tomorrow morning. If that doesn't show any gall stones, they are going to do a nuclear test and see if his gall bladder is even working at all. Chances are, he'll be having his gall bladder removed sometime this week. He starts class on June 1st, and we're supposed to go out for our anniversary May 30-31. He says he'll be okay to go regardless, but I'm worried about him. It takes alot for him to say something is wrong. So, we'll see tomorrow what happens. Keep him in your prayers please!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Product Reviews!

I love my parttime job at the flower shop. The owner eats very healthy and often has finds that I haven't seen/tried yet. So, here are the last few things we've tried...

Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers. Yum! I just had the Cajun Chicken & Shrimp. I couldn't believe that it was only 5 points. Lots of taste and texture. Definitely going to be trying another one soon!

Sobe Lifewater - another yum! You have to be careful, though, because some of them have calories. The Fuji Apple Pear, Black and Blue Berry, and Yumberry Pomegranate are all 0 calories and yummy! It's easy for me to drink plain water, but every once in a while, I need variety. This gives me flavored water with extra vitamins and a great taste!

Ronzoni's Smart Taste pasta - again, yum! This is one we found a few months ago at Walmart. I found it again at HyVee today and I'm now making spaghetti for dinner! :-) Smart Taste is a "white" noodle, but healthier than even the wheat pastas. David and I have had trouble finding a wheat noodle that we like, but now we don't need to try to find it! We love the Smart Taste!!!

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Committed!

If you are a Weight Watcher, you have heard of the Momentum Walk It Challenge. David and I have been talking and decided to join it. Well, I just got done registering us for our first 5K! As far as training, I know that I can walk a 5K, and David is building up to running. We are going to start walking more together this summer to keep preparing. If you are local, and want to join us, just let me know! We don't really have a set schedule right now other than no weekends (at least if he's going to walk), but I can go with you without him! :-)

Fast Forward's Race for MS is August 15th here in Omaha. We are so excited! The website says that registration isn't open yet, but it is. Super simple! Because we committed, we get 3 free issues of the WW magazine. After we complete the 5K, we get walking charms for our key chains.

We also registered for the Corporate Run 10K in September with my school district. David wants to try to run it - I'm walking. This one is for the Lung Association. Once we're in the system, I'll let you know. If you can help us out, and pledge even a dollar or two, I would greatly appreciate it!

Next, we are doing the Race for the Cure 5K in October. I haven't started a team yet, but plan to in a couple weeks. If you want to join the team, or could donate, that would be great also!

The funny thing is... 2 years ago, neither of us would have even THOUGHT about doing these races! Weight Watchers has taught us so much, and it's our way of giving back to the community. All 3 of these races are for great causes, and I feel honored to participate.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

"It's okay to cheat."

Yeah, somebody said that to me today. I'll get to that in a minute....

My workouts this week have been great! I haven't been to the gym much because of time, but I did the Biggest Loser videos a lot and met my exercise goal for another week.

I wanted to go to the gym Wednesday morning but slept in. I woke up with a decent headache and sore neck. So I took the BL Yoga DVD to work and did it with a coworker after school! I've been working out a little with a couple other teachers and this one was good. We were both dripping and felt great! But, don't be misled: Yoga - especially weight loss yoga - is tough! Bob works you so hard! You will be amazed!

Last night was my first weigh-in of maintenance. I gained .2. My leader said that was awesome! She said alot of people either continue to lose their usual 1-2 lbs or GAIN 1-2 lbs the first week. She was proud of me! She said to do the exact same thing - maybe not quite as many weekly points, but other than that I'm set!

I went to tutor afterwards. When I got done, David had texted me. He wanted to go to dinner with friends. At Noodles & Company. Really? Can we be any less healthy? I also found out the dogs had not been out much throughout the day, and David hadn't been to the store yet. I'm thinking: there is so much I need to do! I don't have time for this. But, I decided to go. I got there before everybody else, so I looked at the Nutritional Values and used my slider to calculate points. I decided to get a small buttered noodles (6) with sauteed shrimp (1) and lots of veggies (0). I also got a small salad with fat-free dressing (0). Dinner was great! They offered to go to Dairy Queen, and I knew I could get a small chocolate cone for 5 points.

Well, I got home after enjoying dinner and found out: the noodles were 11. Yeah, that's right. WW has Noodles & Company in their tracker, and it was 11. Even for the small one. And the dressing was 1. Yeah, not bad, but still... I was so frustrated! I took it out on David - he knows I can't go to a restaurant without knowing my healthy choices and noodles are NOT healthy. AND he knew that WW had Noodles & Company points but didn't bother to share that with me until AFTER I ordered and ate. He never did tell me my points for the noodles. It's not fair that I took it out on him.... Yeah, he had more data than I did, but it's not fair. I was just tired and stressed.

So, today... I'm talking to a coworker about the spaghetti. I told her how frustrated I was last night and she says "You know it's okay to cheat! You don't ALWAYS have to eat healthy." I looked at her and said: You're right, I can choose less healthy foods. But, that dinner wasn't worth the calories it cost me. It's not cheating to choose a less-healthy alternative, but I can be upset with it when I wasn't expecting to do something so high in calories! This is also the girl who works out 4-5 times a week but eats junk 9/10 meals. Then she complains that she can't lose weight. Um, duh? She's watched me lose 62 lbs - she knows that what I've done works. That I've had my wine, Chinese, and Italian. I've had my chocolate, emotional eating days, and turned down treats that aren't worth the calories. But, yet, she makes the most assanine statement she could possibly have made! UH! I was so frustrated.

I get home... David had started the kitchen but not made dinner for me to reheat. He forgot he had to work and left the kitchen mid-cleaned. I still don't have clean counters (grumble) to cook on. So, I'm chilling a bottle of wine and planning on eating a lean pocket for dinner. It's about all that's in the house.

I know everybody is allowed to have a bad day here and there... I'm tired, crabby, and hungry. But am I hungry because I'm hungry? Or because I'm emotional?? I'm having trouble figuring that out! Maybe the wine will help me figure it out? I did work out this morning, so I don't have to try to do that tonight on top of my mood. I will probably work out in the morning again because I have to tutor after school. Then, David is taking me to dinner. I know I will be more prepared this time!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Alert: Random Post Ahead!

I'm watching the Biggest Loser finale - loving it! They all look great! I'm surprised Mandy and Aubrey didn't lose more, but they still look good.

So, last night I did some math... at my goal weight, I lost 24% of myself. Wow! I couldn't believe it! I knew I had lost alot, but to put it with a percentage - just like Biggest Loser does - was astonishing! I was talking to one of the teachers today and told her how much I had lost... I had to laugh when she said "And we don't want that bitch back, do we?" HA! I vow, right here and now, that I will NEVER go above 200 again, unless I'm pregnant or losing pregnancy weight. That "bitch" will never come back. I don't consider being pregnant a bad reason to gain weight - obviously - and I will take the initiative as soon as my doctor lets me to lose the weight again!

I have another picture for you. The parent finally sent the pictures from field day. Obviously, I blacked the kids' faces out for security reasons. These were taken the day after I weighed in for my goal weight!


And yes, I was yelling at kids for some reason - you have no idea how hard it is to keep attention on a field full of excited kids! But, the point is: I feel great in this picture! There are always the trouble areas that I want to get rid of: tone my arms, get rid of the stomach.... But, I did it! I've reached a weight that I'm proud of; I'm wearing clothes that I feel comfortable in. My 14s are really baggy, my 12s are a little loose, and I can wear 10s comfortably! I'm proud of where I'm at - I'm proud enough to show you these pictures. That has to say something, right?


Yes, I actually did the sack race! Well, I started to do it, and jumping hurt my one incision. But, this more of a humorous picture than anything.

I told you this was gonna be random! But, there you go! Tomorrow is my first weigh-in of maintenance. Next week is weigh-in at work for Biggest Loser - $150 jackpot! 8 days of school left. That's it! YAY!!!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Quick Update

I really wanted to work out tonight. I didn't get much in yesterday - a walk and mowing... I came home from tutoring and David was sick. He made the same mistake I made a year ago: ate super greasy food after being strict on WW for 6 weeks! Oops! He said he was up for a walk around the neighborhood, but I could tell he wasn't.

I made myself dinner and decided to do a DVD workout. A couple weeks ago, David and I ordered some Biggest Loser DVDs. They are great workouts, but Bob and Jillian are sadistic. Seriously. Sadistic. Especially Bob's Bootcamp! What I like is that they have it in a 6 week plan - 3 different levels that you do for 2 weeks at a time. This weekend, I did Bob's Yoga and the Power Sculpt that has all 3 trainers. Tonight, I did Bob's Boot Camp and the Power Sculpt. Great workout, but damn, I was sweating!!!!!

The rest of the week has gone well. We weren't as busy at the shop as I expected - good and bad. Friday night and Saturday lunch were brought in. So, of course, I used some of my weekly points. But, overall, I've earned 12 activity points, used 25 weekly points (out of 35), and I haven't used all my daily points 2 days. I weighed myself this morning and I'm where I was Wednesday morning. So, as of right now, I'm doing a good job maintaining! Official weigh-in is Wednesday.

We have 9 days of school left. I got selected to teach summer school which is exciting. We need the money, and it's only 3 weeks. The rest of the summer will be spent cleaning and organizing! We're hoping to hit a few wineries this summer as well!

Other than that, there isn't much going on. I'm loving this weather - if only the pollen would go away! Our veggie garden is going good - the 4 tomato plants and 2 pepper plants are growing. I hope I don't kill them! The dogs are enjoying their walks. The girls don't walk very well when I'm by myself, so I may have to switch up how I walk them (boys vs. girls is how it is right now).

I just ate my ice cream... now I'm on my way to bed with my "sick" husband.