Random Thoughts

I seriously love a good before and after story.  I spent all morning in bed watching Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition.  I cannot believe how much weight those people lose, and in such a short amount of time!  It can't be healthy... but it is motivating, so I continue to watch.  I heard somewhere that Chris Powell, the sexy host of the show that lost tons of weight, gained the weight back and now he's trying to lose it again. Is this true? Pics or it didn't happen.

Anyway, I am currently sitting at kitchen table, after finishing a bowl of fat-free cottage cheese and crushed pineapple (no sugar added, thank you very much).  Me thinks I want to do a workout/dance video because I've been feeling very flabby as of late, but I don't know which one.  Zumba is funner/easier to catch on to but learning an actual dance routine is more fulfilling. Hmm decisions, decisions.  If this was an email, I would sign off with "please advise."

WW Week #17

Good morning! This morning's weigh-in is brought to you by folgers coffee: a hug in a cup.

Anyway, I'm in a good mood! Why!? Oh I don't know... Maybe because I lost two pounds this week! And I'm currently sitting at my lowest weight since starting weight watchers :)

This brings my total weight loss to 17.2 pounds, which averages out to a pound a week. Slow and steady... One day at a time... These concepts are proving to be quite difficult since I'm so impatient when it comes to weight loss. But I'm learning!

Here's a chart of my progress since October:

Things to note:

• I'm thiiis close to my 10% weight goal.
• I've had two big spikes: one around thanksgiving and the other around Christmas/NYE.
• I don't want to jinx it, but it looks like I am (finally) back on the path to decreasing numbers. Only time will tell...

WW Week #14

Another week, another weigh-in.  Here are the results after a full 7 days of sticking with the Simply Filling technique:

• Weekly: -2.4lbs
• Overall: -13.5lbs
• Avg: -1lb/wk

I’m glad I exceeded my goal of two pounds, and I’m hoping to lose another 2 pounds this week.  I am going to do the Simply Filling for one more week (per WW’s suggestion), and then switch back to points.  What does that mean for this weekend? Well, I’m so glad you asked…

To put it frankly, there are a lot of foods that I cannot eat this weekend.  If they are put in front of me, I will be tempted.  No matter what I say, or how I try to rationalize, DO NOT LET ME CAVE!!!

I will save enough points for ONE slice of cake and ½ cup of ice-cream for Little J’s bday, but that’s it!

Foods that I can (and probably will) eat this weekend:

• Fat-free cottage cheese with crushed pineapple canned in 100% juice (no sugar added)
• Fat-free ricotta cheese
• Light English muffins
• Eggs with spinach/mushrooms and fat-free cheese (which I can’t seem to find anywhere!)
• Grillers original veggie burgers (brand: morning star)
• Chicken with vegetables and quinoa/brown rice
• Red potatoes with olive oil
• Lots of fruit (& veggies, but mostly fruit)

Here’s hoping for another successful week! Only 4.1lbs to go until reach my 10% goal. So close, yet so far…

WW Week #13

I lost 0.9 pounds this week. 11.1 pounds to date.

I did not meet my goal of 2.0 pounds…

This week I am switching from tracking points to the simply filling technique.  I am also keeping my weekly goal at 2.0 pounds this week.  I will not be going home this weekend so hopefully that will help me stay on track.

WW Week #12

Week: +0.2 lbs… ugh
Total: -10.2 lbs
Avg Weekly: -0.9 lbs

Week #13 Goal: -2.0 lbs

WW Week #9

Good morning, and happy Wednesday! Just a quick update before I start my day:

I'm officially back in the WW game :)  After a lovely week, I was quite pleased with the scale this morning.

Weekly change: -3.3 pounds
Overall change: -13.0 pounds

• I've been walking to work instead of taking the bus from the parking lot
• I've been planning how I want to spend my points in the morning
• I've been eating more fruits and vegetables
• I've been eating more carbs in the morning and less at night
• I've been staying within my daily and weekly points allowance

In terms of the non-weight related aspects of my life, I've been sleeping more, reading more, knitting more, and just being more productive overall. I am excited to carry this energy through Christmas and into 2014!

WW Week #8

I've been so out of control with eating. Must get back on track!  Must get back to the gym!  I've been a bottomless pit.

This Week: I lost 0.2 pounds.  I'm just grateful that it's not a gain!

I included the weekly progress report that Weight Watchers makes.  So many points!!! Yesterday while watching the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, I ate a GIANT bowl of buttery, cheesy pasta. Oh the irony!

Cheese & Chocolate

Cheese!  Cheese is my weakness.. Cheese and chocolate. Chocolate and cheese.  I talked to my friend the other day, and she knits now.  I think I'm going to give it a try... I can't eat if my hands are busy!

I've been kinda struggling to get back on track.  My sleep patterns are off.  Which means I haven't had the energy to workout.  Basically my whole routine is off.  Ideally, I like to be in bed by 9pm, sleep by 9:30pm, awake at 5:30am and working out by 6am.

Anyway, I'm 100% NOT giving up... I'm still tracking points and planning meals.  So determined to make it through this holiday season in one (skinnier) piece

WW Week #7

It pains me to write this, but I must stay accountable...

Gained 4.4 pounds this week

The worst part is that I didn't even do that bad this weekend... it was last night.  I knew that I wasn't physically hungry; that I was just having a craving. I kept waiting for it to go away and then when it didn't, I caved.  This triggered a terrible, terrible downward spiral because as soon as I gave in to one craving, a new craving would mosey on in to take its place. I could not stop eating. I managed to rack up close to 50 points after work alone.

Grrr... frustrating. BUT I came up with an action plan:

• increase water intake from 64 oz. to 80 oz.
• eat a 6-8 point breakfast (protein + carbs)
• go to the gym after work to avoid mindless eating

Anyway. New week. Clean Slate. Back on track.

WW Week #6

Good Morning!

I bring you this weekly weigh-in from the warmth of my cozy bed. Since I have to be at work in just a few short hours, I'll get straight to the point:

Weekly Change: -4.2 pounds (whoa! best. week. ever.)
Overall Change: -13.9

Anddd bonus for this week: I stumbled across 2 (!!) articles that make me happy with my progress, like really really happy!

ARTICLE #1
I started taking body measurement over the summer, but then quickly forgot about it/couldn't remember where I put my tape measure (such is life).  BUT after reading this article by Dr. Oz, I let curiosity get the best of me.

From the article:

"A waist size over 35 inches in women and over 40 inches in men greatly increases the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and more. The ideal waist size for women is 32 ½ inches and 35 inches for men."

My waist size on May 20th, 2013: 37 inches (unhealthy)
My waist size today: 32.5 inches (ideal!)
Victoria's Secret model waist size: 23-24 inches (hah, I wish!)

Wahoo!

ARTICLE #2
Yesterday morning as I was catching up with the daily headlines*, I came across this article on Plan-B, also known as the morning after pill.

Here's a direct quote:

the drug is completely ineffective for women who weigh more than 176 pounds and begins to lose effectiveness in women who weigh more than 165 pounds.

So that means...

• Me before weight watchers: Plan B is completely ineffective
• Me at current weight: Plan B is completely effective (!!)

And just because I can totally see your face as you read this, I would like to clarify that I have never had cause to take this nor do I plan of needing it anytime in the near (or far) future.  Got it? Phew, okay glad that's cleared up...

The article goes on to give some statistics:

• The average weight of American women 20 years and older is 166.2 pounds
• The average weight of non-Hispanic black women aged 20 to 39 is 186 pounds
• Well color me impressed because while I've been above average in both categories, I am now below the average {insert happy dance here}

*a big thank you to the Skimm for making me appear to be a well-educated young professional

Okay, I'm done. Sorry if this was obnoxious, I just had to share my excitement with someone.