Weigh In 12/26

Why in the world am I posting the day after Christmas?? Why didn't I just write my post yesterday?? When I weighed Christmas morning, I had exactly maintained! Today, I am up a pound.

But, this time, it's OK.

Yesterday, I truly indulged. Big. Time.

I ate about a dozen cookies.

And, you know what?

They were my very favorite cookie and they were delicious! I enjoyed every bite.

Today, I am off work and I am one of the crazy people that actually wants to go to the mall today. But first, a healthy breakfast, plus doing a WATP dvd to get my exercise in. That one pound can be gone next week, and hopefully one more with it. If I don't freak out, all is not lost. I just pick up where I am now and go from here.

In years past, I would gain pounds and keep going. It's all about keeping your head in the game. I thought about not weighing today. I thought about not posting today. That's exactly what the old me would have done. I would have just put my head in the sand (if I don't get on the scale, it means I couldn't have gained weight, right??) and never looked at what I'd done. Just the fact that I am posting today lets me know I am not going back to my old ways.

My main challenge for this week is that Saturday is my husband's bday and New Year's is mine. Two birthdays in the week after Christmas. Yes, it's hard!! But, this is what I've already devised my plan for the upcoming week. I'll enjoy a salad or grilled chicken when we go out for Hubby's dinner and for mine, I want to go to a local Mexican restaurant that serves a delicious veggie burrito. Hubby is getting a bday cake with nuts in the icing (I hate nuts!!), plus I've requested a cookie from the local C00kie Company for my bday "cake." Note that: not a c00kie cake, just a cookie. With icing. I'll split it with hubby, then it's gone! Perfect!

I'll let you know how it goes!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a great, safe New Year's!

Weigh In 12/19

I've lost two pounds this week, putting my weight at 197.5. This is the least I've weighed since my weight gain began in 1999!! My total weight loss since I began in September is 35 pounds!

I wore a green suit to church Sunday and I guess the way it was cut was flattering because several people commented that they could tell I've lost weight. It was so nice to hear! I went out last night and bought a new pair of jeans - size 14! Women's sizes are so crazy!! I also bought a pair of dress pants - in size 16. I bought dress pants last week in size 14. The number on the tag isn't as important to me as the number on the scale. And, that's not as important noticing my other clothes are now WAY too big. I know "they" (the experts?) say not to let a number (clothing size or weight) affect us, but I am a numbers person and I like to have something to measure myself with. And, no, I haven't taken my measurements. I know I should, but I just haven't bothered...

What's your plan for the holidays? My plan is to be extra diligent for all meals, except for the 2 special family meals, one on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I'll also be bringing some crocheting and fruit so that I can keep my hands busy and have something to munch on since it is the day for eating! I also plan on being pretty "good" during my meal, so I can enjoy a dessert - or two - and it not blow the entire week. I've decided if I maintain this week, that is OK. And, I should have some extra time off work, so maybe I can squeeze in an extra workout just to help out.

Merry CHRISTmas to you and your family!

Weigh In 12/12

I did it!! I've reached my goal for 2007 and I will now share that I officially weigh 199.5 pounds. That is down from 232 pounds when I started in September. Now that I am below 200 pounds, I will post my weight on my blog throughout 2008- I just couldn't before. That number really bothered me.

I tried on jeans last night and I think I am officially a size 14 in jeans (keep in mind, I am 5'7"). I didn't buy anything because my current jeans (purchased about 6 weeks ago) are doing OK for now. In tops, I can wear a size large. I am, umm.. quite gifted in the chest, so going down to a size L in tops is definite progress!

My goal is to try to lose 3 or 4 more pounds this year, and fully jumping back in on January 2nd. My birthday is January 1st and I do plan on having a piece of birthday cake. :o)

Weigh In 12/5

I have lost 2 pounds this week, making me 1 pound from my TFTS goal - woo-hoo!

(Just as a reminder, this is not my goal weight, just my goal for the end of the year. When I reach that goal, I will be almost at my half way point. In 2008, I want to lose 40 more pounds)

Oh, and in other news, 3 people have noticed that I've lost weight!! That is so encouraging! I have bought new pairs of brown and black pants just because my others were getting big on me and I wanted to continue to keep the basics in my wardrobe. I have taken the others out and they will be donated to Goodwill this week. I am not keeping anything in my closet that is too big for me. I want no safety net!!

The holidays are coming and people are bringing all kinds of goodies to the office. I am keeping a secret stash of 3 musketeer$ bites at my desk to help curb the chocolate cravings. I have also really increased my water intake to help me to feel full longer. I now drink 1 17 oz bottle with 1 breakfast, 1 before lunch, 2 with lunch, 1 between lunch and dinner, and 1 or 1 1/2 with dinner.

I realized this week that I have not had anything other than milk or water to drink since September!! I'm thinking that when I reach my goal (hopefully next week!), I am going to celebrate with a nice cold C0ke! I've really missed them! I've found an easy low fat pizza recipe that is deelish (recipe below) and I think it will go with my Coke quite nicely! It's not bad with water, but I'll treat myself then.

Actually, my true reward for reaching my goal is this. I've wanted one for a few months now, but I've decided to wait until I earned it. Plus, it's time to renew our contract, so I will get it for absolutely free!!

I hope you have had a great week. Stay strong and come up with plans to stick with it during the holiday season - you're worth it!!


LK's Healthy Pizza

1 whole wheat pita
jar of organic spaghetti sauce (I prefer the one with lots of mushrooms)
turkey pepperoni
package of low-fat mozzarella cheese
1 package frozen spinach, thawed, all water removed

I empty my jar of sauce into a bowl and with a whisk, I let the spinach get spread throughout the sauce. (If this is too much spinach for you, you can use half the package or double the sauce. I just think this is a great way to get in some extra vitamins and fiber w/o sacrificing anything. If I am adding any vegetables like squash, zucchini, or broccoli, I add it to the sauce mixture as well.)

Spread sauce mixture on pita, add turkey, sprinkle top with cheese. Bake at 350 until cheese melts. If desired, turn to broil to continue to melt cheese and make pepperoni crunchy.

I freeze the extra sauce in individual portions so that I have it on hand whenever I need it.

Hope you like it!