Spring, and Mother's Day

I began working out in the spring. I joined (re-joined) WW and got busy working out. I use Fitnessblender.com and workout in my basement. I LOVE it!! It was VERY hard when I began. Brutal, sweaty sessions that left me sore for days. I'm still at it and it's still challenging but not as brutally painful....most days.

Tuba enjoyed lots of outings with his classmates. As the year wound down we all began feeling the weight of him leaving school for good. Well, he didn't. He just carried on and enjoyed it all. We should all be more like Tuba.

Ummm....this. Equal parts hilarious and frightening.

So many good things about our dogs. Sis especially loves them. She is our animal whisperer.

Mother's Day is the best. I adore all of the homemade cards and gifts from school.

On Mother's Day we went out on the same nature walk we did on my birthday. It was neat to see how the landscape changes in each season.

It's so refreshing to get outside and breathe fresh air. We found lots of beauty to take in, hold hands and laugh together. A perfect day. 

Weigh In

Okay friends! It's been two weeks of Weight Watchers. AND I've been working out like a MANIAC!!

My weight is down 6 lbs.!!! Yeah!! My fat pants feel better but unfortunately my skinny pants still do not fit. Ugh!! I get very impatient. Like on day 3 of WW I started freaking out that I wasn't losing any weight...that my pants didn't fit....that I couldn't rock a bikini. I know, irrational. Cam talked me down from the ledge.


I'm feeling good now. It takes at least a week for my body to adjust and detox sugar for the mad cravings to subside. Instead of thinking about cupcakes every 2 seconds I now only think about them about 2 times an hour. Sigh.

Okay, so one of my kids asked me if I can run. Before I could answer Cam says, "yes she can but she just doesn't". Well I'll be......

Hmpf!!!!

So, I pondered that for a bit. And then I got busy cranking up my cardio. It's not running....cause I hate running and it does hurt my knee.....CAM! But I've been doing these workout my SIL told me about call Fitnessblender.com. I do a 30-40 minute HIIT workout which is High Intensity Interval Training. Whoosh! Can you say sweat?! I've also done some of the ab workouts. Oofda!

Even Cam is impressed with my workouts. That says A LOT. He's even afraid I'll get injured. Actually my knee is hurting so I'm doing some of the low impact workouts. They are amazingly hard even without jumping around.

In all I'm feeling good and on my way to being fit. I've got a whole closet of fun clothes that will fit me soon. Bonus! A new (old) wardrobe!!

Just in case you didn't read it on FB. I sent Cam that pic of myself telling him that I just kicked my own hiney. Except I didn't have on my reading glasses (too steamy) and I had actually typed that I just licked my own hiney!! Dying!! Humor is getting me through. Lots more hiney licking kicking to come!!

Ouch!

See this sweet face?! She really is a sweet girl...mustache and all. She's a tell it like it is kind of girl too. I like that quality. But, sometimes the truth hurts. Yesterday she informed me that my butt cheeks are huge. Yep. Wow. Ouch. She then went on to say that my butt cheeks are jiggly and dimply. Double, Triple ouch. In her defense she was not saying it to be mean. She was just making an observation. 

I took that (accurate) observation and headed straight to Weight Watchers. I need to take off some pounds. Again! Oh how I am annoyed at myself for letting my weight creep up. Again!

So, here I go. Day 1 of get going....lose some lbs....get moving...clean up my eating...exercise regularly. My WW meeting topic today was "All or Nothing". I could really relate. I have an all or nothing process when it comes to food and exercise. If I have an off day and eat more than I should or eat a lot of sugar I tend to mentally throw in the towel. Well, there goes the day I might as well not work out or I might as well eat more junk, etc. 

I recognize that is not a healthy was to think and act. It's how my bad habits spiral...and my weight creeps up. I am going to make a conscious effort to change that thought process. 

I'll be blogging more on my success and challenges. Anyone else working to take some weight off or beginning a new workout routine? 

Friday, Friday

Again, nothing to do with my post. Tuba came home from school like this. They had a Mardi Gras party. Fun!!

It's confession Friday.

I have to confess that I do NOT like (HATE) the new Weight Watchers program. I've always had great success using the WW plan. This time...not so much. I've been back at WW and using this new plan for over a month and have lost a whopping 2.4 lbs. For the first two weeks I lost nothing...even gained a bit one of them. UGH! I complained to the leader that the new system wasn't working for me. She gave me some suggestions and a pep talk.

In case you are not familiar with WW here is my dilemma. Both plans you count food with a point system and are allotted an amount of daily and weekly points based on your height/weight/age/sex. On the old system I was allowed 21 daily points and 35 weekly points. The new plan I get 29 daily points and 49 weekly points. This sounds strange but on the new system many foods have higher point values. BUT....many of the foods I eat...lean meat, dairy, whole grains, etc. have the same point amount. Many processed foods, sugary foods, alcohol, etc. have much higher values then they used to. But...I don't eat those foods. So, I think I'm getting too many points.

Finally after two frustrating weeks I cut out all the weekly points and ate only my 29 points each day. Also, you earn points for exercise and are supposed to add them back in but I just threw them into the wind. That is the week I finally lost 2 lbs. Yeah!! But, it's so annoying to not be able to follow the plan. I'm an EXACT kind of person. UGH! This last week I lost .4 lbs. Not amazing but at least the scale went down. Plus, it's Lent and all the carbs do make it harder for me to lose weight.

Each week when I weigh in I complain and tell the lady how I hate the new plan. How I'm frustrated. How I'm doomed. This last week she handed this pamphlet that she said, "could help explain my troubles". Okay. Good. Finally. Here is what the pamphlet says, "The great majority of our members see their best losses right at the start.....But a few people get off to a slow start...and often we see it in middle aged, petite females who have a relatively small amount of weight to lose". My first thought was WHAT????? Middle aged???? But, my second thought was Ah Hah!!! Yes, so they are recognizing that this new plan isn't working for everyone. I do fit this description. Middle aged....maybe if I only live to be 80...I plan to live to at least 100. Petite....yes, I'm 5'3". Have small amount of weight to lose....I have 10 lbs. to lose.

I am playing with the points and am eating about 29 a day and NO weekly and NO workout points. I hope this will work.

You may be thinking why not just use the old program. 1. I threw out all my old books...so I could embrace this new program. 2. I use the online recipe builders to find out point values. 3. I plan to do WW forever so I might as well get on board.

Wish me luck!!

Weighing In

So I'm back at it. Trying to lose some lbs. that is. I really like Weight Watchers. It works for me. I can't do the online thing....I've got to go in and get weighed. I don't mind so much someone else see my weight. It sounds crazy but having the weight written down in my book works for me. Now, I could do that at home but it's much easier to "forget" about weigh-in day. :) Also, I do like for someone to say, "good job" to me when the weight goes down. Here's a secret about me...more like a neurosis...If I know I did not lose any weight...well, I will just skip a weigh-in, get back on track. Then the next week my book can reflect my loss. I do NOT want a gain recorded in my precious WW book. Of course there are times I really fall off the wagon and months pass without a weigh-in. Then it's really hard for me to go back. But, I have returned.

The good news is WW has a new program. That means a new book! Yeah, I don't have to look at my weight gain...okay, it was only 3 lbs. but still I hate to see it. Worse yet I hate to feel it in the waist band of my jeans! Blech! Back to the new program. I like it! WW stole one of my famous quotes. They should have given me credit for it...I have been saying it for about 15 years. Here it is. "Nobody ever got fat eating too much fruit". Tadaaaaa! Seriously!! The point of them saying that is because there is no longer a point value for fruit. Eat as much as you want! Bravo! I have always said it was silly to meticulously weigh and measure my fruit.

More neurosis on my part. When I get weighed at WW I go on the same day of the week each time. I only go in the morning. I do NOT want to know what I weight at night...thank you. I wear the same outfit each week (sweats, t-shirt, socks), I take off my shoes, and sweatshirt. I make sure I'm wearing my wedding ring and no earrings. This is what I wore the first time I weighed in....some 7 years ago. Now for the really crazy town part. I drink one cup of tea, eat one yogurt and make sure I've done my morning constitutional. I know...TMI...but I already said I was neurotic. Then as I stand on the scale I wonder if I should spit, blow my nose, exhale. I wonder if my haircut will make a difference. Yep. There ya have it. Crazy Town.

Pounds Lost

Picture from 3 years ago....this is the fit and fab I'm heading back to!!!!

Okay...it's going well. I've lost 9 lbs.! That is great. My pants are loose. My former clothing is almost fitting:) I have about 16 more lbs. to go but it's on a roll now and I'll continue until I'm back at my "fighting" weight. That's pre-pregnancy weight...pre-diabetes weight...pre-I think I need to eat everything in sight weight.


What's working for me...is being honest. I follow the WW plan. I write down everything I eat....even if it's not pretty:) I weigh in at the meetings...nothing keeps me honest like having someone else write down my loss for the week.


I figure if I can't be honest about my weight I'm not fooling anyone but myself. I don't want to be in denial.


So...for the whole world to know...I weigh 146 lbs. That's in the buff...in the morning...after a cup of tea...after a visit to the ladies room. Yes, I am THAT anal:) I have to do it the same every time or it gets me all wiggy...that means nutty. I also wear the same clothes/shoes to WW...so that it's also the same. I want to know PRECISELY how much weight I've lost! My size 6/8 clothes are looking really cute sitting in my closet but will look a whole lot cuter on me. Right now I'm in size 10/12....so....I'll keep on keepin' on.

False Starts

After several false starts I think I'm finally on track and making progress with getting this baby weight off. I've been going to WW the last few weeks and I'm down 5 lbs. AND...I've been to the gym twice this week...so far. Yesterday I did the yoga class. Wow, I am sore! It's amazing how strenuous stretching and holding poses can be! I did the yoga at my gym in the aerobics room with the "surround" mirrors....UGH. I spent most of the class trying to shut off my brain...I'm like a chatty Cathy doll to myself...like a crazy person! Seriously, constant thoughts like...

Crap! I look fat...oh, I am fat!

I should have worn a different shirt...my boobs look huge...oh, they are huge!

I really need a pedicure...my toes look terrible. Get some paint on the babies.

I'm having a good hair day. Wow!

Ouch! Man, I'm out of shape.

Ewwww...I need to remember to bring my own mat next week (as I lay face down on the stinky mat from the gym).

I wonder what the kids are doing...is the baby crying...does he need me...is Cam stressed?

How much longer until I'm done? Wow, this is really harder than I thought.

I'm a crazy person...all the other people look so peaceful and relaxed...I wonder what they are thinking in their heads?

Anyway, that's my update. The best part is that my jeans are loose! That is a great feeling;)

What's Next?

So...what does this mean? It means I still weigh 154 lbs.! Whaaaaaa! I've been going to the gym but...no...I haven't been eating less...at least not enough to lose weight. Poopy! That's what I have to say. How come I can't just be one of those people who eats what they want and is still skinny? I know...they probably don't really exist unless they are 12 years old. Cam says..."don't you want to work out to be healthy?". NO, I just want to work out so I can lose weight...believe me if I could be thin and not work out I would be thrilled. I know, I know, yes I do want to be healthy but my main motivation is to lose weight. I do also want to get the extra weight off because after having Gestational Diabetes I am at a 50-60% increased chance to get type 2 Diabetes in my life. Getting the weight off and exercising greatly reduces this risk. Once I get on track I will of course reap the benefits of the healthy part too and start to enjoy them. More energy is the best benefit...I could use more energy for sure:) Tomorrow I start counting my points. I get substantially more points because I'm nursing. I think I'll nurse for the next 5 years at least...LOL...but I'm kind of serious. Making time to calculate and write down my points will be a challenge. I really have very little time in my day for anything extra...although I am finding time to blog...a girl has to have some fun.
PS...notice the little hand in the photo with my WW books...baby girl is such a little helper.

Works For Me

I've been to the gym 3 times this week...yeah! I actually am really enjoying it. It's so peaceful. Nobody needs anything from me...or at least can't get to me;) I am catching up on all of my unread magazines. I do love magazines. I walk on the treadmill and read away. If I have time I also do some ab work...yuck...and then stretch. I haven't been so good about my food though. I have been thinking about the things that really worked for me when I followed WW in the past. Here is a small list:
Soup-I make a veggie broth based soup every week. I put beans or lentils in it or sometimes ground turkey. I eat this for lunch every day. It's filling and helps me get all my veggie servings.
Apple-I eat one every day. You know what they say...An apple a day keeps the fat butt away...isn't that what they say?
Limit simple carbs-I stay away from white bread and other simple sugars. They don't keep me full. I eat lots of whole grains and things high in fiber. Fiber keeps you full and I HATE to be hungry.
Water-Drink at least 8 glasses a day. Keeps me feeling energetic and full too.
Don't get too hungry-If I go too long between meals I tend to overeat or eat the wrong things. I will eat some almonds, an apple, a cheese stick or a yogurt for a quick snack.
I know I need to get out my WW book and start writing down all my food intake and points value. Hopefully today I will have time (motivation) to get it out.

It's Time

It's time to make the weight GO! I gained 39 lbs. while pregnant and I still have19 to lose. I have been at a sticking point and the scale isn't moving. It's time to eat less (boo hoo hoo) and move more...meaning go to the gym. You would think I could burn enough calories at home since I never sit down and I'm sweaty all day long? But...No! It's so depressing. I don't fit into any of my clothes and I can't just keep wearing maternity clothes...at least that's what the folks on What Not To Wear tell me. I bought one pair of jeans the other day to get me through this until my regular clothes fit again. So...this morning I went to the gym. Baby George did fine...no crying or needing to nurse while I was gone. It was only a little over an hour. I hope to go at least 3 times a week. I plan to start counting my 'points' too...yes, Weight Watchers. I lost 40 lbs. a few years ago on the plan and kept it off until the pregnancy...and the diabetes. WW worked so well for me. I need the accountability of standing on the scale in front of someone and the writing the number down in my book. So, until I can get to the WW meetings I'll use my blog and all of YOU to keep me motivated. Today I weigh 154. I was 135 when I got pregnant...so that's the 19 to lose. I weighed 130 when I hit my WW goal and would like to get back there. The scale had crept up a bit just before I got pregnant. So...I guess I really have 23 lbs. to lose. I'm only 5'3" and 130 is a good healthy weight for me. I can maintain it and I feel good in my clothes. I have weighed less but it's too hard to maintain...I do love to eat:) Anyone else out there on WW...anyone trying to lose a few lbs.?