A Small Series of Thoughts to Ponder

It seems as though recently I've seen, heard, and felt many things that are all pointing out to me that I really do need to do something about my weight, and thus, my health. And the time is now. I've been making small changes, but certainly haven't taken the leap of fully (or even partly) starting Weight Watchers. And in a way I feel bad for wasting so much time, and a little (ok, a lot) for not fully getting going. I guess I'm just still in the "holy crap, I'm really going to have to do this" phase of it. Hopefully the next phase will be the "get my ass in gear" phase.

Huh? Wha?

Really? It was January that I last visited here? Yup, sadly so. And nope, I didn't make it past 2 weeks going to real live meetings. I saw someone there that I thought I recognized, so I was too much of a wimp to ever go back.

I'm signed up online though. But that doesn't mean anything because I haven't done anything with it. I'll need to get going with that.

On a positive note, I've managed to maintain my weight, such as it is.

My big goal for now is to cut down, and eventually eliminate, the amount of soda I drink.

New Year, New Look, New Start

Even though we are well into the New Year, I'm still getting into the swing of things. No New Year's resolutions for me! No sir-ee! I wait until the end of the month, when the crowds thin out. Hehehe. How's that for a little weight loss humor? I know, I shouldn't quit my day job.

This is just a long, drawn out, round-about way of me saying that I have once again jumped on the Weight Watchers Wagon. Yup, I dragged myself to a real, live, in-person meeting. None of this online business for me. However, I was smarter about it this time. I picked a location just a few minutes from the house, rather than a half hour drive away. We'll see if I'm able to last more than 2 weeks this time.

I have lots to say, and lots of updating to do, but it is just way too late tonight. I just mostly wanted to put it out there that I am "officially" trying again. I guess I shouldn't say "trying". Let's go with "doing".

Still Progressing

OK, so I haven't been super awesome about keeping up this blog. At least this time I was only gone for 2 weeks and not 2 months.

I'm pleased to report that in the last 2 weeks I've lost another 6 pounds, bringing my total to 16 pounds lost. Brian has also continued to lose, for a total of 22 pounds. So, that's 38 pounds gone between the two of us.

This trip to Baltimore should really be interesting. On Brian's list of attractions to visit there are also several restaurants. I think that one of the things that has really helped us with losing weight this time is that we haven't been going out to eat. And actually, we haven't even be avoiding going out because it makes it easier to lose weight. We've been avoiding it because it is just too much trouble to go out and take Andy with us, so we just stay home. On the plus side, while on our vacation we will have the opportunity to be much more physically active that we are while we are both working like crazy. Maybe that will help to counter balance some of the yummy things we are likely to encounter.

Impressive, huh?

My dedication and follow through that is. NOT!

I surely didn't intentionally abandon this blog. It just sort of happened that way as life got in the way. I'd love to be able to say that I've simply been busy transforming into a super model, or at least a normal sized person, but that simply isn't true.

I've let life get in the way again. Namely, school.

This is the 7th week of school, and I started working one week before that. It's been hard. Really hard. And that's been a bit of a surprise. I thought that after how hard things were last year that it would be easier this year. So far, that hasn't been the case.

However, I'm pleased to report that since school has started I've lost a grand total of 10 pounds. I pay attention to how many points are in things, but I don't count them up for the day. Hmmm, if I would just add that one tiny step I'd probably see some more actual progress.

A stumbling block I have is dinner time. By the time the day is done I have absolutely no interest in fixing dinner, and truly, I don't care if I eat or not. Brian has really been great though and has been good about fixing WW friendly meals for us.

Anyhow, enough excuses. I'm here and taking another go at it.

Maybe I'm Really Getting Going?

So now I have a whopping 2 days in a row of gym attendance under my belt. It's a start, right?

Nicole, if you are still reading, you are awesome in your dedication to the gym and quite an inspiration. In fact, knowing that you are now 5K wise, do you have plans to do the Dana Point Turkey Trot? I do, since we will be in OC for Thanksgiving this year!

I've been doing much better with sticking to my points the past couple of days as well. My efforts have also led to me having a bit less anxiety . . . go figure!

Today I was in a rush to leave the house to go to my acupuncture appointment, but I still needed to have lunch. My lunch was even planned. However, when I was ready to assemble my lunch I found that all of the salad mixes were too old to be edible and my strawberries weren't looking to lively. I quickly made use of a pretty new head of iceberg, which isn't my favorite for salads and I was able to salvage some strawberry slices.

Look at my salad!

Besides the lettuce and strawberries it also had grilled chicken (courtesy of the frozen food section of Trader Joes, and pre-cooked no less!), feta, and walnuts. I also made a really tasty dressing for it. Yum! You've all pretty much seen me in action . . . . I'm really not so much a salad girl. I need (read: WANT) my carbs with every meal. This salad was so wonderful that while I was out today I got fresh strawberries and salad mix so that I am better prepared for tomorrow.

Anyhow, I finally did make it to my acupuncture appointment. Usually my pulses are "deep" and "tight" which in TCM generally means that I am a stressed out basket case. But today? They were "warm" and "shallow" but very strong, indicating that I am pretty balanced. Also, he feels that I will be ovulating soon, not that I asked.

Bottom line . . . I'm feeling pretty good!

Tara and Stacy, thanks so much for your support and helpful tips, I really appreciate it!

Small Steps

Well, yesterday did get a bit better. I followed thru on my lunch plan and didn't stray one little bit. In the afternoon I took Andy over to the gym and got him signed up for child care. He also spent a bit of time playing, or, in reality, being manhandled by the bigger kids. When Brian got home we had dinner well within points for everyone. In fact, later in the evening when Brian offered me dessert I turned it down. He was amazed.

I've made no secret of trying to get a better handle on my anxiety issues this summer. While a good deal of it is caused by the effects of long-term stress (and yes, even the good stuff. stress is stress.) there is another cause as well. To be completely honest, my weight is probably more a cause of my anxiety than I like to admit. I think yesterday was the first day I was really willing to admit this to myself. I think that by admitting it maybe I'll have an easier time of remembering why I'm doing this.

Last night after we put Andy to bed we went swimming in the pool. While floating around relaxing I shared with Brian what I think about the anxiety/weight connection. That alone took a huge load off! Here's an example . . . I checked my blood pressure after cleaning up after dinner. It was 129/79. I checked it again after my shower following swimming . . . it was 118/59. That's a huge swing!

It looks like we'll be staying in today. Andy has had a cough for weeks and weeks (the doctor poo-pooed it) and today he has buckets of snot. It figures . . . I finally get him signed up for child care at the gym and now he is in no shape to go!