The number 60 is front and center for me. I am very close to passing the 60 pounds lost mark. I think I should hit it within the next few weeks. I have lost more than 15% of my body weight. I have taken 230 plus pounds of pressure off my poor knees. And per my Dr it is more like 8 pounds of pressure per pound off my knees when walking down hill or down stairs.
Speaking of my Dr......my visit this week was all good news. Blood work numbers rock!! He is thrilled with my weight loss and TOOK ME OFF ONE OF MY BLOOD PRESSURE MEDS!!!! He has me coming back in 3 months to see how that goes and may take me off something else. I went home with all the numbers and then did the tedious task of looking up each one and finding the normal range. I was in the normal range for every one of them!!!!
I was going to hold out until I hit 75 pounds gone before I bought new slacks but I am giving in and buying a few pairs now. I found out this week I really can't wait. I was walking out of the office and put my car keys in pants pocket. All of a sudden my pants started to fall down. Way down.....like sliding down past my butt. Not that I don't still have a big butt but there is less and enough difference that I can't keep my pants up....LOL. I am also going to look for just a few t shirts since the ones I am wearing now are swimming on me. I am NOT buying much but enough to get me though the next 60 and then I will have to shop again. And I am going to become a regular at the Good Will donation line when clothes start to get too big.
Please don't take this as bragging......that is absolutely not what I am doing.......I just am sharing my progress.
Basically, all the numbers that should go down are going down and the numbers that should go up are going up.......including my age......LOL......I am hanging on to the 50's for dear life....LOL....but in November I will have to face that new decade....ugh.......but I never thought I would head into that new number weighing less than I have in 20-25 years.......I never dreamt this could happen to me.........Chapter 3 is looking brighter........and healthier.......
See you next week..........
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Sunday, May 24, 2015
A Sneak Peak and Some Other Things.......
Last week, I wrote about the "Slush Fest" and how well the first page of my book was received.......well I have decided this week to share the first page with you too.....
OK here goes......minus the type "O's".....
OK here goes......minus the type "O's".....
Chapter One- How This Started
I guess you can blame it on the fact that my mother had
died. When she was gone I felt lost. There were so many things going on in my
life and I needed to make some new decisions. Writing a blog was one, putting
myself first was another and trying to
look ahead toward Chapter 3.
Chapter 3 is all about me and my new adventures. And then I
started to come up with the list. A list of things I have never done before but I decided it is time to do. Some of the items are simple like making a
cheesecake, so more permanent such as a tattoo and some are just for pure fun
such as renting the car of my dreams for a weekend.
When mom died she left each of her children a small amount
of money. I could’ve used it to pay bills or for some other practical purpose
but I didn’t. I decided I would not spend the money until I found a special
reason or purpose of which I thought my mother would approve. I think she would
approve of the list…….
At first I thought I would start with 12 new experiences but
then I thought why limited it to 12. I am not looking at it as a bucket list but
rather as a Donna wants to do list. A bucket list is tasks you want to do
before you die. The Donna list is things I want to do to feel alive.
So there you have it....your little peak into one of the books I am writing........
The "some other things" part of my entry has to do with a few things that happened this week......
I went to have blood work done. The chair you sit in has an arm that is "supposed" to go down in front of you. In the past that would never work with me. But this time the arm went down in front of me with room to spare!!!
I spent over 2 hours working with Jenn out in the yard today. I hate yard work but for a change I was able to do it (with a few breaks due to my asthma and the fumes from the lawn mower). The yard looked great when we were done!!
Friday night I didn't know what I wanted for dinner. I ended up eating pineapple, grapes, some turkey pepperoni and 2 pieces of Weight Watcher string cheese. Not the kind of choices I would have made before......
Once again it is Sunday night and I am cooking veggies. It has become such a part of my routine and thank goodness I love them!!! I am going to try making a new kind of Weight Watcher cookies with oatmeal, peanut butter and banana's. I will let you know if it is a success or not.
The scale did not move for me this week but that's OK. It will move next week (come hell or high water)!!!! My confidence continues to soar in a way that even surprises me. And when you feel good you want to share your happiness.....for example today when we were leaving Aldi's there was an older lady (yes even older for me) walking across the parking lot wearing the most beautiful blue hat (robin's egg blue). I stopped the car and Jenn put down the window and we told her how beautiful her hat was. She smiled from ear to ear. It was a very brief encounter but it made her happy and us too....
I have a doctor appointment on Tuesday and instead of dreading it I am looking forward to it. I am going in about 32 pounds lighter than I was when I went to see him in November and at that time I was down 24 pounds. I am hoping my blood work numbers rock and maybe he will take me off some med's. And that is the point of all this......to get healthier. I do like being able to wear clothes in smaller sizes but knowing I will be around longer to enjoy them and Chapter 3 is what I am really focused on......
I hope you all have a great Memorial Day and we should all remember what the day is really about.......so THANK YOU to all those who served and are now gone.....the gift of freedom they gave us is priceless......GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!
See you next week........
Monday, May 18, 2015
Slush, Repairs, Relaxation, Loss
I am sure you are confused by that title.....LOL......but it will make sense by the time you have finished reading this entry.
Relaxation- I took Friday and Monday off as PTO (paid time off). It was lovely to have a few days off for me. The main reason I had taken off was the South Carolina Book Festival was in Columbia over the weekend. I was like a little kid looking forward to Christmas. I got up early Friday, showered and relaxed. I was going by Jenn's office and she would drop me at the Convention Center so I didn't have to hassle with parking and pick me up when my sessions were over. It was so nice not to rush......so relaxing.........so relaxing I fell asleep. I woke up at 10:50!!!!! I was supposed to leave the house at 10:45!!! Now, I had to run around like a crazy woman. Got dressed still half groggy....where the hell was my notebook......where was the bag I was bringing my stuff in.....where was my water bottle and grapes and yogurt???? I race out of the house at 11:07 and called Jenn to let her know I was on my way. My first class started at 11:30. I made it to Jenn's office by 11:20. I took a road I thought would be quicker.....nope....a detour. We pulled up in front of the convention center at 11:29. I raced (OK raced for me) to the meeting room and asked where I checked in. The lady at the door said just go in they are just starting. Whew!!!
'
Repairs- Saturday, while I was running errands......it happened......one of those damn dashboard lights went on......one I didn't recognize. Off to see my good friends at Goodyear. 3 hours and $340 later the car was repaired. I couldn't complain too much since the part alone cost almost $200.
Loss- I made the mistake on Thursday of getting on a scale other than the one at WW and it showed I was up. Big mistake!!! I should only weigh myself on one scale to be consistent. I ended up stressing for the next 2 days. Fortunately, I was down enough to get to the 56 pound mark!! This is the least I have weighed in 17 years........but as always my disclaimer is I have along way to go. While I am not a big fan of the number 60 (for reasons I will NOT discuss.....I am in total denial until November...LOL)....I am looking forward to the 60 pound mark which I will hopefully hit within the next few weeks or so.
Slush- OK not the kind you can buy at 7-11..... on Sunday at the Book Festival I had a brand new experience a Slush Fest. What happens is you give in one page of a novel you are writing, You do not put your name in it. There are 4 authors sitting at a dais in the front of the room. One reads the one page entry OUT LOUD and each author raises their hand when they do not want to hear anymore. They each then critique the writing. Talk about nerve wracking!!! I have never done anything like that before so I didn't know what to expect. I felt like I was going to get sick as they read each selection. My heart was racing. I wanted to leave the room but felt glued to my chair. After several selections had been read, the lady doing the reading read mine. I waited and waited to see when each of the members of the dais would raise their hands to stop reading......no one raised their hand and she finished reading the whole page I had given in. The feedback was that it was well written, interesting, intriguing, they wanted to know what would happen next and watch my type"o"'s.I had brought page one of my book with the working title "The List". I can't describe to you how amazing it felt to hear that feedback (and it's not that they were so positive with everyone....in fact for some they were very critical but did try to find something good to say).......mine review as all positives!!! I have always thought I wrote well but to hear 4 authors concur with my thoughts and feelings made me feel great. I am a writer.......
OK a few things I did learn.....they said jokingly.....only one exclamation point per novel, the average novel is about 80,000 words long, don't assume because you know your characters that your reader will so you have to be clear in dialog and self-publishing isn't a bad idea. So much to think about and learn.
A few crazy days that when by in a blur......and except for the car issue.....all good things. (I would end with an exclamation point but I have already exceeded the limit in this entry that would be allowed for several novels).
See you next week........
Relaxation- I took Friday and Monday off as PTO (paid time off). It was lovely to have a few days off for me. The main reason I had taken off was the South Carolina Book Festival was in Columbia over the weekend. I was like a little kid looking forward to Christmas. I got up early Friday, showered and relaxed. I was going by Jenn's office and she would drop me at the Convention Center so I didn't have to hassle with parking and pick me up when my sessions were over. It was so nice not to rush......so relaxing.........so relaxing I fell asleep. I woke up at 10:50!!!!! I was supposed to leave the house at 10:45!!! Now, I had to run around like a crazy woman. Got dressed still half groggy....where the hell was my notebook......where was the bag I was bringing my stuff in.....where was my water bottle and grapes and yogurt???? I race out of the house at 11:07 and called Jenn to let her know I was on my way. My first class started at 11:30. I made it to Jenn's office by 11:20. I took a road I thought would be quicker.....nope....a detour. We pulled up in front of the convention center at 11:29. I raced (OK raced for me) to the meeting room and asked where I checked in. The lady at the door said just go in they are just starting. Whew!!!
'
Repairs- Saturday, while I was running errands......it happened......one of those damn dashboard lights went on......one I didn't recognize. Off to see my good friends at Goodyear. 3 hours and $340 later the car was repaired. I couldn't complain too much since the part alone cost almost $200.
Loss- I made the mistake on Thursday of getting on a scale other than the one at WW and it showed I was up. Big mistake!!! I should only weigh myself on one scale to be consistent. I ended up stressing for the next 2 days. Fortunately, I was down enough to get to the 56 pound mark!! This is the least I have weighed in 17 years........but as always my disclaimer is I have along way to go. While I am not a big fan of the number 60 (for reasons I will NOT discuss.....I am in total denial until November...LOL)....I am looking forward to the 60 pound mark which I will hopefully hit within the next few weeks or so.
Slush- OK not the kind you can buy at 7-11..... on Sunday at the Book Festival I had a brand new experience a Slush Fest. What happens is you give in one page of a novel you are writing, You do not put your name in it. There are 4 authors sitting at a dais in the front of the room. One reads the one page entry OUT LOUD and each author raises their hand when they do not want to hear anymore. They each then critique the writing. Talk about nerve wracking!!! I have never done anything like that before so I didn't know what to expect. I felt like I was going to get sick as they read each selection. My heart was racing. I wanted to leave the room but felt glued to my chair. After several selections had been read, the lady doing the reading read mine. I waited and waited to see when each of the members of the dais would raise their hands to stop reading......no one raised their hand and she finished reading the whole page I had given in. The feedback was that it was well written, interesting, intriguing, they wanted to know what would happen next and watch my type"o"'s.I had brought page one of my book with the working title "The List". I can't describe to you how amazing it felt to hear that feedback (and it's not that they were so positive with everyone....in fact for some they were very critical but did try to find something good to say).......mine review as all positives!!! I have always thought I wrote well but to hear 4 authors concur with my thoughts and feelings made me feel great. I am a writer.......
OK a few things I did learn.....they said jokingly.....only one exclamation point per novel, the average novel is about 80,000 words long, don't assume because you know your characters that your reader will so you have to be clear in dialog and self-publishing isn't a bad idea. So much to think about and learn.
A few crazy days that when by in a blur......and except for the car issue.....all good things. (I would end with an exclamation point but I have already exceeded the limit in this entry that would be allowed for several novels).
See you next week........
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Plateau's Suck
Webster's Dictionary definition of a plateau:
I have hit a plateau......down a little up a little then down a little then up a little. It is enough to make a person crazy!!!
I went to my meeting this morning very very confident that I would be down and down a lot. I stepped on the scale and was told I was up a little.... yes, it was a little .4 of a pound......less than 2 sticks of butter. My reaction......I cried and then said I wasn't going to stay for the meeting. Don't worry I did stay. My WW leader asked me about what I ate this week. I showed her my tracker. With the exception of 2 days out of the last 7, I ate less than I was supposed to.......yesterday I ate about 400 calories, the day before maybe 800 calories. I had done 2 1/2 hours of water jogging too.
Kay (my WW leader) talked in class about how people get through the bad weeks and she told me I am not helping myself by not eating enough. She suggested switching things up as far as what I eat, watch the sodium and processed foods. All things I already know from my 90 zillion times as a WW member.
A friend also reminded me that WW had been around a long time and the program works.....so why am I trying to tinker with something that has been proven to work.
Here is part of my dilemma.......in the beginning I was losing quickly......now it is slowing down some. I passed over 50 pounds lost and then ........the plateau. Members talked about how difficult it is to get through them (plateau's) but eventually they do start to lose again. I just have to persevere and not give up.
Jenn and I had planned on going to Top Of Carolina for brunch today. After I weighed in I texted her and said brunch was off. She texted back "it's Mother's Day". My WW buddies told me to go to brunch. Kay kept reminding us (me) to not define myself by the number on that scale......but I can't help it. I want to be successful this time......I know I have shown success up to now and yes the sizes of my clothes have gone down. I don't want this journey to end in failure.
I regrouped and decided to go to brunch with Jenn. I counted the points for everything I ate and didn't do too bad overall. Even at the dessert table, I had pineapple and strawberries. I chose a lot of fruit and veggies from the buffet.....I even went a little crazy and had some bacon (3 slices), a spoonful of mac and cheese, a little bit of grits and some other healthy choices. We had a really nice time and I am glad I went. We then took 11 selfies before we finally found one that we both agreed was OK. At least when I look at that picture I can see my progress compared with some of my older pictures.
Here is my plan for the week.....eat my daily point allotment, continue water jogging at the gym, eat a different fruit each day and push away the thoughts of failure and picture myself in a few months and beyond. I have had to readjust my goals......I will not be 75 pounds down by the family reunion but maybe by the fall......I will not be 100 pounds down by my birthday but I will get there....eventually......
So suck it up Donna.....the plateau will end I am sure and I am not a quitter!!!
Just keep a good thought for me next week.......I know I am not what the scale says....I am more than that!!! I am healthier and happier and funnier than I have been in ages......
But deep inside is that little bit of doubt......I am trying to not listen to it. I can't go backwards now.......there is no way to go but ahead......
Here is the one OK selfie....not great but OK....
Which is better than......
As I always say.....I am a work in progress...
See you next week....
plateau
noun pla·teau \pla-ˈtō, ˈpla-ˌ\toe
: a period when something does not increase or advance any further
I have hit a plateau......down a little up a little then down a little then up a little. It is enough to make a person crazy!!!
I went to my meeting this morning very very confident that I would be down and down a lot. I stepped on the scale and was told I was up a little.... yes, it was a little .4 of a pound......less than 2 sticks of butter. My reaction......I cried and then said I wasn't going to stay for the meeting. Don't worry I did stay. My WW leader asked me about what I ate this week. I showed her my tracker. With the exception of 2 days out of the last 7, I ate less than I was supposed to.......yesterday I ate about 400 calories, the day before maybe 800 calories. I had done 2 1/2 hours of water jogging too.
Kay (my WW leader) talked in class about how people get through the bad weeks and she told me I am not helping myself by not eating enough. She suggested switching things up as far as what I eat, watch the sodium and processed foods. All things I already know from my 90 zillion times as a WW member.
A friend also reminded me that WW had been around a long time and the program works.....so why am I trying to tinker with something that has been proven to work.
Here is part of my dilemma.......in the beginning I was losing quickly......now it is slowing down some. I passed over 50 pounds lost and then ........the plateau. Members talked about how difficult it is to get through them (plateau's) but eventually they do start to lose again. I just have to persevere and not give up.
Jenn and I had planned on going to Top Of Carolina for brunch today. After I weighed in I texted her and said brunch was off. She texted back "it's Mother's Day". My WW buddies told me to go to brunch. Kay kept reminding us (me) to not define myself by the number on that scale......but I can't help it. I want to be successful this time......I know I have shown success up to now and yes the sizes of my clothes have gone down. I don't want this journey to end in failure.
I regrouped and decided to go to brunch with Jenn. I counted the points for everything I ate and didn't do too bad overall. Even at the dessert table, I had pineapple and strawberries. I chose a lot of fruit and veggies from the buffet.....I even went a little crazy and had some bacon (3 slices), a spoonful of mac and cheese, a little bit of grits and some other healthy choices. We had a really nice time and I am glad I went. We then took 11 selfies before we finally found one that we both agreed was OK. At least when I look at that picture I can see my progress compared with some of my older pictures.
Here is my plan for the week.....eat my daily point allotment, continue water jogging at the gym, eat a different fruit each day and push away the thoughts of failure and picture myself in a few months and beyond. I have had to readjust my goals......I will not be 75 pounds down by the family reunion but maybe by the fall......I will not be 100 pounds down by my birthday but I will get there....eventually......
So suck it up Donna.....the plateau will end I am sure and I am not a quitter!!!
Just keep a good thought for me next week.......I know I am not what the scale says....I am more than that!!! I am healthier and happier and funnier than I have been in ages......
But deep inside is that little bit of doubt......I am trying to not listen to it. I can't go backwards now.......there is no way to go but ahead......
Here is the one OK selfie....not great but OK....
Which is better than......
As I always say.....I am a work in progress...
See you next week....
Sunday, May 3, 2015
OK I Give In On The Clothes.....Partly....
I finally broke down and bought a few new tops today.......yes..... yes they were in smaller sizes. I knew I had to get smaller sizes and tried them on just to make sure. I might have been able to go down an additional size but in my head I kept thinking "no way".
I am going to retry them on again tonight to make sure I made the right choices especially since one or two were sleeveless and I am not sure how comfortable I am with my flabby arms being exposed to the world. Last time I was in Steinmart, I couldn't find anything in my size.....this time I found a lot. Now the tops I chose do have some "give" in them which was what I needed. I didn't dare go anything the was fitted and had no room left.
It was exciting to go through racks and choose what I wanted vs what fit me. I think these should last me a while vs what I have that is just getting too lose........still surprising to me.......you think I would get used to the idea of clothes not fitting right anymore but as I have said before my head in not accepting what my body is reflecting. I am so close to another 5 pounds gone and some other milestones on my weight loss journey but the mental part of the trip just takes longer.......I guess.
My leader said today again that I am melting before their eyes. Most people might not see it because they do not see me in my WW weigh in uniform of fitted stretch shorts and a form fitting top (well it used to be form fitting......it is starting to get loose).
I have not gotten new pants yet although I need them as bad as the tops but I just couldn't get myself to spend enough for both.I am really trying to hold off until I lose another 20 pounds for the pants but may look totally ridiculous by the time that happens.
I don't know if I will ever win the mental battle of my self image.....hey that self image has existed for about half of my life and it may never go away. When someone tells me I am looking good I still find it hard to say thank you without the disclaimer that I am a work in progress.....like they would think I am done with so much moire I need to lose.......
My next clothing goal is to buy tops that do not have an X after the number on them or a size that starts with a 1 not a 2......all in good time I guess.......
But at least for today I was shopping "off the rack" yes the women's rack but a rack none the less and that itself is progress and a major step for me.......
See you next week.......
I am going to retry them on again tonight to make sure I made the right choices especially since one or two were sleeveless and I am not sure how comfortable I am with my flabby arms being exposed to the world. Last time I was in Steinmart, I couldn't find anything in my size.....this time I found a lot. Now the tops I chose do have some "give" in them which was what I needed. I didn't dare go anything the was fitted and had no room left.
It was exciting to go through racks and choose what I wanted vs what fit me. I think these should last me a while vs what I have that is just getting too lose........still surprising to me.......you think I would get used to the idea of clothes not fitting right anymore but as I have said before my head in not accepting what my body is reflecting. I am so close to another 5 pounds gone and some other milestones on my weight loss journey but the mental part of the trip just takes longer.......I guess.
My leader said today again that I am melting before their eyes. Most people might not see it because they do not see me in my WW weigh in uniform of fitted stretch shorts and a form fitting top (well it used to be form fitting......it is starting to get loose).
I have not gotten new pants yet although I need them as bad as the tops but I just couldn't get myself to spend enough for both.I am really trying to hold off until I lose another 20 pounds for the pants but may look totally ridiculous by the time that happens.
I don't know if I will ever win the mental battle of my self image.....hey that self image has existed for about half of my life and it may never go away. When someone tells me I am looking good I still find it hard to say thank you without the disclaimer that I am a work in progress.....like they would think I am done with so much moire I need to lose.......
My next clothing goal is to buy tops that do not have an X after the number on them or a size that starts with a 1 not a 2......all in good time I guess.......
But at least for today I was shopping "off the rack" yes the women's rack but a rack none the less and that itself is progress and a major step for me.......
See you next week.......
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