This is my last week at home... *tear*. I will be leaving this Saturday to head back to my apartment and gear up for getting back to work next week. I always hate the end of summer and having to leave my family, but a girl has to make a living! And I am always grateful for the opportunity to have two months off to come home and spend with them.
This year, I am grateful not only for the time to spend with my family, but for the support and opportunities I have gotten for this journey. I've mentioned before that the most successful weight loss I've had in the past was while I was in college. I was a "January Joiner" and went to a Weight Watchers Center in Columbus while I was in school and one across the river in West Virginia while I was home. At the time, that was the only local WW meeting...and I hated it. The people were unfriendly, I was rarely acknowledged (even by the leader), and I felt very out of place. I went for a few weeks and then convinced myself that I knew enough about the program to do it on my own for the summer and go back to my Center when I returned to school in the fall. Well, that didn't happen. I started slacking on the food plan and never went back to the meetings. Needless to say, I eventually put all 38 pounds I'd lost back on...plus more.
I truly think that my continued success, especially through the summer, is attributed to this blog. Knowing that I had all of you reading and watching my progress really was a motivation to keep going. I wasn't a real big fan of the meeting here again (different location) - the people weren't too bad, there were a couple of friendly people, but I just didn't feel like I fit. But, this time, I stuck it out. I went and weighed in every week - I stayed for the meetings even though they weren't my favorite - and this time, I continued to lose. So, I really want to thank all of you for helping me through the last seven months! When I started this blog, I truly hoped that it was a positive change in the way I went about my weight loss...especially since I was telling the world how much I weighed every week whether it was good or bad. Now, I KNOW that it was a positive change that has made all the difference.
I also am grateful for the area YMCA and their awesome pool and Zumba classes! Big thanks go to the ladies at Zumba with Meghan B. and the ladies and gentlemen at Aqua Zumba with Natalie (and Sis for going to both with me twice a week!)! You all made the classes so much fun that I couldn't wait to come back every class - which helped me actually go during those awfully hot days.
And last, but most certainly not least, I am grateful for the support of my family. Not only for their continual emotional support, but for the physical support of going to classes with me and checking in with me on what I was able to eat.
I still have a long way to go on this journey, but thanks to all of you, it has been an enjoyable ride!
Initial weight: 257.2
Week 28: -0.2
Total weight loss: -46.4
Current weight: 210.8
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Elizabeth and the Purple Paintbrush
Now that the temperature has gone back to a "normal" level, it's been a bit easier to get some moving in! Not only did we get our double Zumbas in, but I was able to get some unexpected exercise in by painting my room! I have had the same room in my parents house since I was born...until this summer. Sister and I have shared that room since she was born, and now that we're both grown we each have our own rooms. My new room was, at one time, Brother #3's room when he was little. So, when I got moved in there at the beginning of the summer, it was painted sky blue with clouds and the bottom of the walls were covered with wallpaper that looked like tall grass with bugs. There was a wallpaper tree going up one wall, and apple tree leaf wallpaper all around the top. Not exactly how a 31 year old woman wants her bedroom to look. Mom was sad to see it go (cause, it really was quite cute for a little boys room), but she agreed to let me redo it.
I got a later start than I would have liked because of my trip and then the majorly hot weather of last week. But, I finally got it going this past week! I de-wallpapered the whole room and painted it purple! It's not a PURPLE, but more like a purple. (I hope you've seen that commercial to know the reference...mom and I had a giggle in the store about it) Seriously, though, it's a lighter blue-violet color and I've painted the shelves white, got white curtains, and am using an old white door as a back-board to my bed. I still have to give about half the room a second coat of paint (which I'll probably do this evening), but it looks so nice!
I knew that it would be some extra movement, but I was surprised by how much! The day after I de-wallpapered the room, my arms and my back were SO SORE!! Thank goodness we didn't have the paint yet cause I needed a break! I also underestimated how much I was going to have to move around the furniture...that may have taken just as much energy as the painting itself. Whew! And aside from Dad helping me with a tricky bed move once, I did it all by myself!
Initial weight: 257.2
Week 27: -3.0
Total weight loss: -46.2
Current weight: 211.0
I got a later start than I would have liked because of my trip and then the majorly hot weather of last week. But, I finally got it going this past week! I de-wallpapered the whole room and painted it purple! It's not a PURPLE, but more like a purple. (I hope you've seen that commercial to know the reference...mom and I had a giggle in the store about it) Seriously, though, it's a lighter blue-violet color and I've painted the shelves white, got white curtains, and am using an old white door as a back-board to my bed. I still have to give about half the room a second coat of paint (which I'll probably do this evening), but it looks so nice!
I knew that it would be some extra movement, but I was surprised by how much! The day after I de-wallpapered the room, my arms and my back were SO SORE!! Thank goodness we didn't have the paint yet cause I needed a break! I also underestimated how much I was going to have to move around the furniture...that may have taken just as much energy as the painting itself. Whew! And aside from Dad helping me with a tricky bed move once, I did it all by myself!
Initial weight: 257.2
Week 27: -3.0
Total weight loss: -46.2
Current weight: 211.0
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Elizabeth and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week
Sometimes I feel like Weight Watchers is reading my mind and they send the exact topic to discuss that I need the most that week.
This past week was a really tough one. I started off my food week with July 4th - not exactly a great sign when you start your week with a holiday, but all in all, it wasn't bad. I found that, yet again, I ate less than I normally would have. I had eaten very little leading up to dinner so that I could allow myself to have a burger and some baked beans and not feel guilty about it. I made a most delicious cake for dessert (strawberry lemonade cake...yum), and allowed myself to have one piece (I didn't even eat any leftovers of ANY of the holiday food!).
But, frankly, that was the least of my worries this week. As I'm sure you're all aware, it was crazy hot this week! And our house is three stories tall and over 100 years old...there's no AC (except from small window units in bedrooms)...so that adds several complications to weight loss: 1. Who wants to cook in that heat?? We did a lot of eating out. 2. Who wants to move in that heat?? While we did still go to Zumba and Water Zumba, I didn't do much else. 3. High heat makes me not that hungry, but then when I don't eat much and am finally hungry, then I make not always great choices because I have the extra points to use. 4. You do what you can to cool down...including eating ice cream sandwiches and frozen yogurt. Once in a while they are totally eatable...but you prob shouldn't have them like every day.
Then, on top of all of that, Mom and Dad had their 40th class reunion. What does that have to do with my eating habits? I volunteered my assistance for preparations...which included making sugar flowers for another cake and making chocolate covered pretzel rods. Neither of which is easy to resist in the first place, but with it being so hot the chocolate was extra messy to work with and there was a lot of finger licking. Add PMS to that, and you've got a recipe for DISASTER.
I knew going into my weigh-in that it wasn't going to be a great one, but I hadn't really sat and thought about how bad my week had really been. So when I saw that I had gained, I was pretty disappointed. It was only one pound, but I was still kinda bummed. The topic of discussion this week, however, was turning setbacks into success. Now, the discussion itself isn't really great at the meeting here, but the weekly pamphlet was pretty helpful. There was a quote from Michael Jordan which said, "I can accept failure; everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying." There was also another quote on the chart the leader uses which said "I have failed over and over and over and that has led to my success." Both quotes really helped me put things into perspective. Yes, I had a bad week...but I HAD A BAD WEEK. One week does not my whole diet make. And, as I sat and thought about everything that I had to deal with through the week, I was quite glad that it was only one pound. It could have been so much worse.
Initial weight: 257.2
Week 26: +1.0
Total weight loss: -43.2
Current weight: 214.0
This past week was a really tough one. I started off my food week with July 4th - not exactly a great sign when you start your week with a holiday, but all in all, it wasn't bad. I found that, yet again, I ate less than I normally would have. I had eaten very little leading up to dinner so that I could allow myself to have a burger and some baked beans and not feel guilty about it. I made a most delicious cake for dessert (strawberry lemonade cake...yum), and allowed myself to have one piece (I didn't even eat any leftovers of ANY of the holiday food!).
But, frankly, that was the least of my worries this week. As I'm sure you're all aware, it was crazy hot this week! And our house is three stories tall and over 100 years old...there's no AC (except from small window units in bedrooms)...so that adds several complications to weight loss: 1. Who wants to cook in that heat?? We did a lot of eating out. 2. Who wants to move in that heat?? While we did still go to Zumba and Water Zumba, I didn't do much else. 3. High heat makes me not that hungry, but then when I don't eat much and am finally hungry, then I make not always great choices because I have the extra points to use. 4. You do what you can to cool down...including eating ice cream sandwiches and frozen yogurt. Once in a while they are totally eatable...but you prob shouldn't have them like every day.
Then, on top of all of that, Mom and Dad had their 40th class reunion. What does that have to do with my eating habits? I volunteered my assistance for preparations...which included making sugar flowers for another cake and making chocolate covered pretzel rods. Neither of which is easy to resist in the first place, but with it being so hot the chocolate was extra messy to work with and there was a lot of finger licking. Add PMS to that, and you've got a recipe for DISASTER.
I knew going into my weigh-in that it wasn't going to be a great one, but I hadn't really sat and thought about how bad my week had really been. So when I saw that I had gained, I was pretty disappointed. It was only one pound, but I was still kinda bummed. The topic of discussion this week, however, was turning setbacks into success. Now, the discussion itself isn't really great at the meeting here, but the weekly pamphlet was pretty helpful. There was a quote from Michael Jordan which said, "I can accept failure; everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying." There was also another quote on the chart the leader uses which said "I have failed over and over and over and that has led to my success." Both quotes really helped me put things into perspective. Yes, I had a bad week...but I HAD A BAD WEEK. One week does not my whole diet make. And, as I sat and thought about everything that I had to deal with through the week, I was quite glad that it was only one pound. It could have been so much worse.
Initial weight: 257.2
Week 26: +1.0
Total weight loss: -43.2
Current weight: 214.0
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swimming Swimming Swimming...
I have discovered a new favorite workout...swimming! (As if you couldn't tell from the title...) I mentioned a few weeks ago that we started doing Water Zumba (I'm happy to report that Dad HAS started joining us!). We're still going, and still loving it. On Mondays and Wednesdays, Sister and I like to go to regular Zumba with Megan B. at the downtown Y and then run out to another Y for the water Zumba right after. Mom and Dad join us for the water, but can't make it to the regular. In any case, between loving the Water Zumba and just flat out enjoying the pool time since it's been unbearably hot lately, I've been looking for reasons to be in the pool.
We started taking Nephew C out to the pool (he's a total water baby), so I decided to actually swim some laps while we were there. It totally kicked my butt, in the most positive way! I've done laps before and just tolerated it, but for some reason this time I've really enjoyed it. Aside from the usual delicious tiredness after swimming, I hardly felt it immediately afterward. The next day, however, was a different story. I didn't feel sore in my legs, which was a shock because they were what got tired the most while swimming. Instead, I was sore up my sides and in my back...two areas that I've had difficult working on, especially the back.
Today, I went back to swim again and found that even after only one time swimming, I didn't get quite as tired in between laps. Both times swimming, I swam the entire length of the pool and back 10 times! Today, I am EXHAUSTED after the swim, but looking forward to Zumba-ing tomorrow.
So, how did adding in an extra day of swimming affect my progress?? Pretty well...
Initial weight: 257.2
Weeks 25: -2.2
Total weight loss: -44.2
Current weight: 213.0
We started taking Nephew C out to the pool (he's a total water baby), so I decided to actually swim some laps while we were there. It totally kicked my butt, in the most positive way! I've done laps before and just tolerated it, but for some reason this time I've really enjoyed it. Aside from the usual delicious tiredness after swimming, I hardly felt it immediately afterward. The next day, however, was a different story. I didn't feel sore in my legs, which was a shock because they were what got tired the most while swimming. Instead, I was sore up my sides and in my back...two areas that I've had difficult working on, especially the back.
Today, I went back to swim again and found that even after only one time swimming, I didn't get quite as tired in between laps. Both times swimming, I swam the entire length of the pool and back 10 times! Today, I am EXHAUSTED after the swim, but looking forward to Zumba-ing tomorrow.
So, how did adding in an extra day of swimming affect my progress?? Pretty well...
Initial weight: 257.2
Weeks 25: -2.2
Total weight loss: -44.2
Current weight: 213.0
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