New Progress Pic

This morning I put on a shirt that I got 4 years ago. My mom and I went to see Brad Paisley in KC and I got a shirt thinking it would fit. It was a baby-doll style, with the really short sleeves. I bought it in XL, thinking that's what I wear - it will fit. Right?

Well, it didn't. I think that was one of the first times I realized that I was heavier than I thought. But, I wasn't at the point in my life where I wanted to do anything about it. I hung onto the shirt, thinking if nothing else, it would become a good dust rag someday.

About 6 months ago, I tried the shirt on. It was a little snug, but it fit nice. The sleeves were a little tight, and my stomach looked "okay."

Today??



It is super comfortable! This is now my new favorite shirt! :-) And don't mind my look - early morning, just out of shower... not ready for another day!

I had weigh in today. I gained 3.8 lbs. I knew I was going to go up - 2 bottles of wine by myself over the weekend... Every day, I used all my daily points. I also used all my weekly points and about 1/2 my activity points. I didn't earn as many as I usually do (12 instead of 15-20). On a normal week, I use all my daily points (a few days, I will short myself a couple, but not many), and maybe 5-10 weekly points. I never dip into my activity points. So, now I've learned - the point of maintenance - where my limit is! All daily, some weekly, and I need to earn 15-20 activity points!

I'm okay with this gain. I didn't think I'd ever say that. But, I am! WW has taught me how to live the lifestyle - I can have wine and 2 BBQs in one weekend. Next time, I'll work out more or listen to my body a little better! There is always a next time!

This weekend is our anniversary. I can't believe that we've been married for 2 years! Be prepared for a sappy post sometime next week. I love David more each day, and I never thought I could love him more than I did the day I married him. But I do. Yeah, we have our ups and downs. But our love is strong and we can survive it all together.

Adventures in Gardening

If you know anything about me, you know that I do not have a green thumb. In fact, it's probably black. Anything I've ever attempted to grow, I've killed. When we bought our house, there was an established garden. We left it on the outside of the fence "just in case" I ever decided to do a garden - we don't want the dogs messing with it!

Well, this year, I decided to give it a shot! My mom gave us our anniversary present early, and we used the money to get some gardening stuff. I got 4 tomato plants and 2 green pepper plants. So far, they're doing good. They are growing. I'm not very good at the weeding thing, so I have some work to do today.... I'm excited to have tomatoes and peppers this summer!!!!

So, the point of this post: I'm expanding my gardening skills! The owners of the shop got some herbs for their home. They had more than they needed, so I asked if I could have a few. The next thing I know, I have 8 plants - basil, oregano, 2 kinds of rosemary (creeping and the regular tall one), thyme, curry, sage, and chives! I planted each one in their own pot because supposedly (read, if I don't kill it) they will spread and grow on their own! The chives already need a "hair cut," so we may be using chives tonight in our grilled veggies! I can't believe that I WILLINGLY committed to growing something and by potting them seperately, I'm actually trying to KEEP them growing! Our kitchen window is perfect for growing herbs in the winter, so I should be able to have them all year round.

The owners also gave everybody working yesterday a hanging basket. We've had them for a while, and they aren't dying, but the hanging-basket-season is basically over. He would rather them go to a good home than to die in the greenhouse! So I got a beautiful basket with red geraniums and something white (who knows what!). I bought a shepherd's hook at Walmart and put it outside the front door. I think I want to get another hook for the other side of the porch and get matching hanging baskets next year!

When we bought the house, we had pretty nice landscaping - lots of hardy plants, shrubs, etc... I didn't do anything with them last year, and the dogs have eaten some of the plants and dug holes in the landscaping. But without anything, my peonies have started blooming - I haven't even watered them! I do want to rip up the majority of the landscaping in the back just because nobody can see it and the dogs just track the mulch and rocks into the house. I want to get some perennials or bulb plants for in the front. They will come up on their own with little help from me and add some nice colors!

We are looking into getting the huge pine trees in the front yard cut down. One of David's co-fire fighters owns a tree service, so we may be able to get a discount! These things have been here for ages and it's actually not safe - they are pretty close to the road and we can't see traffic coming one way because of them. Plus, I'm allergic to the pine, and we like having the windows open.

So, I'm becoming a gardener! The only thing I've killed are the things I haven't done anything with - and alot of our "pre-existing" landscaping came up on it's own. I can't wait to cook something with OUR herbs for the first time (hopefully some will get used tonight!).

And if you've read all the way through, I'm proud of you!! This was totally random but I'm avoiding mowing and cleaning the kitchen! David's family and my dad are coming over tonight to grill. Then, all of his extended family is getting together tomorrow at his uncles. Totally taking the wine and anxiety meds with me! Say a prayer that I survive and don't say anything that I might regret later! :-)

Monterey Jack Turkey Burgers

I can't believe I haven't posted this recipe before! We make it all the time and it is SO yummy! My father-in-law, who "refuses" to eat ground turkey ate 3 of these one day. When we told him what was in it he said "Oh, these are actually good!"

POINTS® Value: 6
Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 5 min
Cooking Time: 20 min or so

Ingredients

3/4 lb ground skinless turkey breast
2 shallots, finely chopped
1 TBSP reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 TBSP ketchup
1 tsp minced fresh garlic
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
1/3 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
4 strips turkey bacon (we don't usually use bacon and adjust the points accordingly)
4 hamburger buns, split and toasted
1 tomato, cut into 4 slices

Directions

In large bowl, combine the turkey, shallots, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, and pepper. Blend in the cheese, then form into 4 burgers.

Heat an indoor ridged grill sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. (Obviously, we use the outdoor grill when it's nice out but it takes a little more time to cook) Cook the burgers until cooked through, 6-8 minutes on each side. When you turn the burgers, add the bacon to the grill; cook until crisp, 3-4 minutes on each side. Serve the burgers in the buns, with the bacon and tomato slices.

We also add lettuce and cucumbers (instead of pickles). And I usually add a little ketchup or mustard to my bun.

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

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!

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!!!

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.