I suppose that it should come as no surprise, but my belief that "months that start with the letter A are the hardest" has been even more solidified. I'm sure some of you noticed that I didn't post last week...make no mistake, I weighed in, I just didn't have time to write a post!
On one hand, I used to think that the beginning of the school year was a great time for me to lose weight. There's so much to do I didn't really have time to think much about food in between meals...and some days you get so busy that you even miss lunch and/or dinner! Plus there's all the running around to various meetings, being out in the buildings getting things ready for arrival, running around the buildings during move-in...you'd think that would have a great influence! Not so much the case, after all.
I decided that my naivete came from only seeing the exercise I was getting. This year, concentrating more on what I'm actually eating has really opened my eyes. I finally saw all the bad food habits that were counteracting the exercise I was getting. I saw how many times we had dessert foods at meetings or social events, I saw how missing lunch and/or dinner just made me even more hungry at the next meal or even worse made me snack in between, I saw how easy it was to get wrapped up in what needed to be done and forget about what was important, and I saw the junk that we buy for our students.
The last two weeks have been especially challenging for me! After reflecting on my last few posts, I had pretty much decided on starting to run and eventually training to do a marathon. I think it is one of the coolest things a person can do, especially if you're raising money for a good cause in the meantime. I did a little online research, I talked to a couple of people I know who have run them, and realized that I needed new shoes. The tennis shoes I'd been wearing weren't old - I probably bought them around February for support while I was dancing and they rarely even left the house! (I wore them often...just not outside much) However, I found that when I was walking in them, my toes would get a little tingly and, frankly, they were Nikes I bought on sale at a small shoe store. Several people said that when running you needed to really start with good shoes or else you could end up hurting yourself even before you get too far into your life running. I went to a local shoe/sports place that had gotten good recommendations...wow do they know their shoes! For maybe the first time ever, I truly got fitted for shoes! They used the little foot measurement thing that all the kids play with in shoe stores, but they also just make you stand there while they look at how you hold your feet. Where do you put pressure? How does your arch look? Then they pull out several different brands and types of shoes and make you try them all on and walk around the store while they actually WATCH how you walk in them. It was amazing to me how this man could watch my feet while I was walking and he could pretty much already guess the feedback I was about to give him on the shoes! Needless to say, I was impressed...and I left the store with new shoes.
I went for my first real run the next day (a Friday)...and I haven't really run since I was in middle school. I knew that I needed to start fairly slowly, so I decided I would try running a mile then walking a mile. Frankly, I didn't really even think that I could run a whole mile...but I did!!! I did have one minor break in the run while waiting for a traffic light at a busy intersection, but I could've kept going if it weren't for those pesky cars. I was THRILLED that I finished a mile...and it was about a 13-minute mile - not too shabby at all for my first time out! I forced myself to slow down and walk the next mile, but when I hit that second mile mark, I decided I would run number three, then I walked number four. I finished the last half mile on a jog...I tried running and it was just not really happening. I really felt GREAT - I stretched, I ate some dinner, I took a hot shower and I went to bed. The next day, my left foot HURT!! Now, I sprained my right ankle in high school so I was a little prepared for some soreness there, but I was not expecting issues with the left one. I thought maybe I just overused it the day before and some rest and ice would help it. The problem was, though, that Sunday early afternoon we were taking our student staff on a retreat...in the woods. I also noticed that in the mornings I would wake up and it would feel pretty good, but by the afternoon it was screaming at me. When we got back from the retreat, I went to the doctor to get it checked out - thankfully, I didn't break anything, but he thought I strained a ligament in the side of my foot...and he said not to run on it until it's been about 3-4 days with NO pain. Well, that's been over a week ago and it's still a little sore at times. But, I at least have been able to walk on it better and did some dancing last night without it hurting! YAY PROGRESS! I do, however, still feel bad seeing my brand-new-only-worn-once shoes sitting on the floor and wishing I could go out running in them. But, I shall be following the doctors orders.
Anyway, foot pain aside, the retreat really put a hurting on my food week. During the week before, we had a staff picnic...where I did pretty well aside from the brownie that I ate. Then we had campfire night...where I had two s'mores. Then at the retreat we had another campfire...and I ate another s'more. And the camp served us nachos for dinner, eggs and bacon for breakfast, and spaghetti and meatballs for lunch. We had taken some of our own "snack foods" for the students, but aside from some bananas and oranges, it was mostly chips and candy. So, when I weighed in the next day, I was not at all surprised that I had gained a pound - and, truth be told, I was pretty okay with it! If I only gained one pound after everything that I had eaten that week...I counted myself pretty lucky!
I had told myself that this week would be different - I was going to be better and get myself on track again. Easier said than done. I made some pretty healthy choices during most meals, but due to my foot and just simply working from 8am until at least 8pm...there was no chance of me getting in much exercise other than walking to our programming sessions. I was totally excited, though, when one afternoon our "energizer" was two Zumba songs that I already knew! It was great to be dancing again! (Though it is super difficult to do Zumba in sandals...just in case you were wondering) I had a minor victory one day - I was walking back to my office and had decided to stop by the cafe to get a drink. I went in there determined to get an iced coffee and a muffin...I got to the counter and felt guilty...I walked out with a Diet Pepsi and a container of apple slices. During move-in I wasn't as good. The boss-lady brought in breakfast for us the students...she got bagels, yogurt, apples, oranges, juice, and doughnuts. I had fully intended on making good choices, but do you know how hard it is to pick the yogurt and the fruit when there are doughnuts staring you in the face?? I did allow myself to have a couple doughnut holes, but at least I didn't eat as many as I normally would have...though I did succumb to the allure of the bagel. In my defense, though, I really did do a whole lot of walking/stair climbing this weekend to make up for it.
Four buildings x Three flights of stairs per building x Three move-in days x Multiple rounds each day = a whole heck of a lot of stair climbing! Not to mention the extra walking I got in travelling each of the floors and in between all of the buildings!
Now, my darlings are all moved in and life can, hopefully, get back to a nice normal pace. I haven't actually gotten to stay for a meeting in about a month and that makes me sad. But, the one thing that I can be super proud of, is that in all my craziness I actually managed to put myself first occasionally. In the past, I would have said "I can't go weigh in this week because I have too much to do" - this time I said "I can't stay for the meeting because I have too much to do, but I am going to make time to go at least weigh in." It was a bit of a revelation for me. Plus, it really helps to have my returning students commenting on how great I look - a real ego booster!
Initial weight: 257.2
Week 32: +1.2
Week 33: -1.4
Total weight loss: -51.2
Current weight: 206.0
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Saying Thanks
So, this week was a little more challenging than I would've liked it to be. I did a lot of eating out and not very much working out. But, you'll have weeks like this all your life, so it's important to learn to manage them. How did I do it? By making some reasonably smart choices at the restaurants and getting in as much of a workout as you can. When we went out for brunch, I got the omelet made only with egg whites and a whole wheat English Muffin. From the Greek restaurant I got the beef kebab (which was super delicious) - but it was lean meat and veggies. I didn't make such smart decisions at Mad Mex, but we've all got to let loose a little sometimes!
In any case, all we can do is to make the best choices we can at the time. Granted, it helps if you're able to work out, but again....you fit in what you can when you can, and noone can ask any more from you.
On a slightly different topic, I did something this week of which I'm kind of proud. It's been on my mind recently to say thanks to some people who have been a big help on my journey. A few weeks ago I wrote a post thanking those who helped me out during the summer, but I realized that I hadn't thanked some important people who helped me this whole time...the creators of the Wii and Just Dance. Yes, I am quite serious.
I got to thinking that people who make things like video games, televisions, and other appliances that we use every day rarely ever actually hear how much of an impact their product has on our lives. Sure they can see how many people BUY them, and sure they make lots of money off of them, but how often does someone actually say thank you for them?? And since using the Wii was a huge part of my success, I thought that I should say thanks...so I did. I went to the Wii website, found their "contact us" page, located the spot for "general questions/feedback", and sent the following message:
I just wanted to send a note to say thank you. By using dance games on my Wii for the last seven months (and along with maintaining a healthier diet), I have been able to lose over 50 pounds. Being significantly overweight, and working on a college campus, I was extremely self-conscious about going to a gym where my students also were. Having the Wii and my Just Dance games at home not only gave me the privacy I needed to begin getting active at my own pace, but it also took away my excuses to not exercise. The convenience of having a fun way to be active in my own apartment that I could do on my own or with friends, and whenever was easiest for me, made it nearly impossible for me to come up with valid reasons to not do it.
I think that too often we forget to thank those who create what we use daily. And as the Wii itself, as well as the Just Dance games, have helped make such a significant impact on my life, I wanted to make sure I took a moment to say thank you. (I've also been sure to mention how great they've been on my weight loss blog so that everyone who reads it knows how much I appreciate your products!) So, thank you!
-Elizabeth Estell
I felt really good after I sent it! I remembered how great it makes me feel when a student expresses thanks to me or tells me that I've made an impact on them, especially when it's unexpected. So, I truly hoped that my message made someone's day the way my students sometimes make mine. Then, this morning I got a response:
In any case, all we can do is to make the best choices we can at the time. Granted, it helps if you're able to work out, but again....you fit in what you can when you can, and noone can ask any more from you.
On a slightly different topic, I did something this week of which I'm kind of proud. It's been on my mind recently to say thanks to some people who have been a big help on my journey. A few weeks ago I wrote a post thanking those who helped me out during the summer, but I realized that I hadn't thanked some important people who helped me this whole time...the creators of the Wii and Just Dance. Yes, I am quite serious.
I got to thinking that people who make things like video games, televisions, and other appliances that we use every day rarely ever actually hear how much of an impact their product has on our lives. Sure they can see how many people BUY them, and sure they make lots of money off of them, but how often does someone actually say thank you for them?? And since using the Wii was a huge part of my success, I thought that I should say thanks...so I did. I went to the Wii website, found their "contact us" page, located the spot for "general questions/feedback", and sent the following message:
I just wanted to send a note to say thank you. By using dance games on my Wii for the last seven months (and along with maintaining a healthier diet), I have been able to lose over 50 pounds. Being significantly overweight, and working on a college campus, I was extremely self-conscious about going to a gym where my students also were. Having the Wii and my Just Dance games at home not only gave me the privacy I needed to begin getting active at my own pace, but it also took away my excuses to not exercise. The convenience of having a fun way to be active in my own apartment that I could do on my own or with friends, and whenever was easiest for me, made it nearly impossible for me to come up with valid reasons to not do it.
I think that too often we forget to thank those who create what we use daily. And as the Wii itself, as well as the Just Dance games, have helped make such a significant impact on my life, I wanted to make sure I took a moment to say thank you. (I've also been sure to mention how great they've been on my weight loss blog so that everyone who reads it knows how much I appreciate your products!) So, thank you!
-Elizabeth Estell
I felt really good after I sent it! I remembered how great it makes me feel when a student expresses thanks to me or tells me that I've made an impact on them, especially when it's unexpected. So, I truly hoped that my message made someone's day the way my students sometimes make mine. Then, this morning I got a response:
Hello Elizabeth,
Wow! Thanks so much for sharing your story with us; it's great to hear that the Wii console was able to motivate you to get healthy! I must admit that I'm very impressed and would love to share your success amongst our different departments. Therefore, I have added your comments to our records so that our other departments can see.
It's worth mentioning that the Just Dance games are developed and published by Ubisoft. As such, I encourage you to share your kind words with them as well; they're sure to be glad to hear that their games had such a positive impact on you. To get contact information for this company, go to the following web address and click on the company name:
http://www.nintendo.com/corp/licensees_third.jsp
It's great to know that we can make a difference in people's lives! Once again, thank you for your continued support. I hope that you, your friends, and your readers will continue to enjoy our products, or give them a chance for the first time if they haven't already.
Sincerely,
Karen Johnson
Nintendo of America Inc
Nintendo of America Inc
It was so great to get a response and know that my words made them feel appreciated! I haven't taken her advice to thank Ubisoft for Just Dance yet, but that's mostly because I spent the day actually working! I do hope to send a similar note to the company and maybe I can make a good day for two people! Sometimes it feels even better to be the one to say thanks!
Initial weight: 257.2
Week 31: -0.2
Total weight loss: -51.0
Current weight: 206.2
Week 31: -0.2
Total weight loss: -51.0
Current weight: 206.2
Hey, after the week that I had, I will take my 0.2 loss and be happy about it! A loss is a loss!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
50 Shades of Me
No, this is not going to be THAT kind of post....
If you've read the Fifty Shades of Grey books, you'll know that it gets its title because the main male character, Christian Grey, calls himself "fifty shades of [messed] up". He uses a slightly more graphic word, but you get the point. Aside from the naughty bits in the books, they are about an emotional journey he takes with a young woman and ends up working to overcome some deep seeded issues. I don't have the major issues that guy has, but I thought I would use this post to talk about 50 changes I've made/noticed have naturally happened in the last 7 months.
Please keep in mind that this is totally stream of consciousness and in no particular order:
1. I have energy almost all the time. This weekend I realized for the first time I couldn't sit still. Usually I was so exhausted by the week, mentally and physically, that on the weekends I would mostly just veg on the couch. While I did go to a movie, and I did watch some of the Olympics, I felt a little restless. I got up and was baking in the kitchen while watching the games...I went for a long walk when I got bored...I don't know that I've ever had such an active yet still relaxing weekend!
2. I go for long walks...and by long walks I mean I walked 6.5 miles in less than two hours on Saturday. I didn't set out to walk that much, but the miles kept getting added and I felt really good so I just kept walking! I discovered that I can walk to my dentists office in about half an hour when it takes about 10-15 minutes to drive there. I didn't even worry about getting too far away from home - I was trying to keep up a quick pace with my walk, but I knew that if I got too tired there was no reason I couldn't slow down and make a leisurely walk home...or if it got really bad there were about 20 people in town I could've called to come pick me up!
3. I can lift my feet to my knees. I know that sounds kind of weird...you know how sometimes when you're putting on your socks or shoes you pick your foot up and cross your knee. Well, for a long time I could only get my foot up so far then I would either grab my ankle or my pant leg and pull it the rest of the way up. I'm sure I've been able to do it for a while now, but I just actually realized that I don't have to pull it up anymore...it goes the whole way on its own.
*I promise not all 50 will be this long...but these ones were new developments.
4. I am a solid 16 now! There was an older pair of shorts that at the beginning of the summer I couldn't get buttoned and I wore them to work the other day quite comfortably!
5. Sometimes I feel like running - I haven't actually tried it yet, but I think I might soon...and who knows, maybe there will be a marathon in my future someday - or at least a 5K!
6. It feels awesome when your clothes don't fit because they're too big and not because they're too small.
7. I can wear everything in my closet.
8. I can wear clothes I haven't worn since around 2005...and maybe even better than I did then!
9. I got complimented on my legs again.
10. I wear spandex in public! It may only been to work-out in...but I don't feel as self-conscious about it anymore.
11. I have meetings in other areas and I don't even consider driving (except for one meeting where I was leaving for my WW meeting directly afterward so I had to...).
12. I LOVE seeing the looks on my friends faces when they haven't seen me for a while
13. I have started correcting myself so that instead of saying "I can't eat that" to "I choose not to eat that"
14. Aside from one chicken salad I had at a mall over the summer (and not including the Hot Dog Shoppe - which actually uses real potatoes for its fries), I haven't had fast food since January.
15. I don't miss fast food...except for Arby's - not once have I driven past McDonalds, Wendy's, Burger King, etc. and wished that I could go get a burger there. Thankfully, the Arby's in town closed so it's not a temptation anymore.
16. I invite people to work out with me! Noone has really taken me up on the offer...but I keep putting it out there!
17. I sleep better - it doesn't take me as long to get out of bed in the morning and I don't nap.
18. My "girl stuff" is more in order than it used to be...to put it delicately...
19. I still SUCK at tracking what I eat...but I'm good at working out.
20. I don't get disappointed if I only lose 0.2 in a week...because while it isn't much of a loss, it's still not a gain.
21. When people ask me how I am, or how my day was, and I say "awesome"...I really mean it!
22. My body temperature has changed a little - I keep my apartment around 68-70 degrees so I don't get overheated when I work out...but then I have to use a fleece blanket, a comforter, and an afghan when I go to bed...
23. I have lost 5.5 inches off of my thighs
24. 10 inches off of my waist (holy cow!)
25. 2 inches off of my arms
26. 7 inches off of my hips
27. I finally bought some new underwear a few weeks ago...I forgot what it felt like to wear underwear that actually fit, or more accurately, I didn't realize that the ones I had didn't fit well anymore.
28. I don't feel bad for ordering what I want when I go out to eat because I know that I either earned it or I can work it off later.
29. I walked up the big hill on campus after dinner, while talking with people, and didn't get winded.
30. I spend lots of time each week trying to narrow down which topic I want to cover in my blog...and not just recount my whole week day by day.
31. I can't wait until I can go ice skating again!
32. My coworker who joined WW is also a regular dinner club member and he asked if we could make a rule about being diet friendly - I reminded him that I spent all of last semester participating in dinner club as the only one on a "diet" and had no trouble managing it.
33. I've actually started thinking about what exercises to do to work on certain parts of my body and not just doing exercise to get some in.
34. Pop is nice for an every once in a while treat, but I can go months without drinking it and not feel like I'm missing anything.
35. I am completely humbled by people who say I am an inspiration - I started this blog as a way to ask for YOUR help to hold myself accountable, but ended up helping others along the way, that is one of the best feelings.
36. I bought a new bathing suit once they started going on sale even though I didn't really need a new one...and I didn't hate shopping for it!
37. Shopping out of your attic is a really cool experience...though it also makes you stop and wonder why some fashions were popular in the first place.
38. I can blow dry my hair without my arms getting tired - I used to not be able to get through even a quarter of my hair without them aching.
39. I love dark chocolate - especially because it's so rich that I can just eat one little square and it satisfies my chocolate craving - it took me a week to eat half a candy bar!
40. Working out with others is more fun than working out by yourself - Zumba in my apartment is NOWHERE near as much fun as taking the class...likewise, "wobbling" by myself just can't compare to randomly "wobbling" with Sis and Bro #3 in the middle of the hallway.
41. It's just as satisfying to bake for friends and not eat what I made as it is to bake and eat it myself.
42. Walking is no joke! My hips were sore for two days after I walked Saturday! And I notice while I'm walking that my back and abs are getting a workout, too!
43. I don't care what I look like when I'm walking, and it's way more fun to put on some awesome music and dance while I walk...I'm sure I probably made more than a few people laugh.
44. I walk faster when there are other people around.
45. I haven't worn my contacts or my tennis shoes this often since I was in college!
46. I found Graeter's ice cream in town...which is a BIG DEAL (my Columbus people know what I'm talking about...). I told myself that if I did well this week I could celebrate with some Graeter's...and I honestly forgot to. I left my meeting and it never once crossed my mind to go get that ice cream.
47. I LOVE Greek yogurt! Plain non-fat Chobani Greek yogurt + a little sweetener + some fresh fruit = excellent breakfast!
48. I just feel awesome.
49. I fidget - the last few days I just seem to have more energy than I know what to do with and I sit in my work meetings and my legs fidget...hopefully I'm not annoying people!
50. I am a happy person again - not that I was completely miserable before, but I just feel like I am happy almost all of the time...and it's a great feeling.
Whew! That was more difficult than I thought it would be!
Initial weight: 257.2
Week 30: -2.2
Total weight loss: -50.8!!!!!
Current weight: 206.4
I promised a new picture at 50...
Original picture - Jan. 2012 New picture - Aug. 8, 2012
And I got new bling!! Here's my 10% keychain with my 25lb "weight", my 16-weeks clapping hands, and my new 50lb "weight"...they look a little scratched up because I actually keep them on my keys to remind me every day what I've done.
If you've read the Fifty Shades of Grey books, you'll know that it gets its title because the main male character, Christian Grey, calls himself "fifty shades of [messed] up". He uses a slightly more graphic word, but you get the point. Aside from the naughty bits in the books, they are about an emotional journey he takes with a young woman and ends up working to overcome some deep seeded issues. I don't have the major issues that guy has, but I thought I would use this post to talk about 50 changes I've made/noticed have naturally happened in the last 7 months.
Please keep in mind that this is totally stream of consciousness and in no particular order:
1. I have energy almost all the time. This weekend I realized for the first time I couldn't sit still. Usually I was so exhausted by the week, mentally and physically, that on the weekends I would mostly just veg on the couch. While I did go to a movie, and I did watch some of the Olympics, I felt a little restless. I got up and was baking in the kitchen while watching the games...I went for a long walk when I got bored...I don't know that I've ever had such an active yet still relaxing weekend!
2. I go for long walks...and by long walks I mean I walked 6.5 miles in less than two hours on Saturday. I didn't set out to walk that much, but the miles kept getting added and I felt really good so I just kept walking! I discovered that I can walk to my dentists office in about half an hour when it takes about 10-15 minutes to drive there. I didn't even worry about getting too far away from home - I was trying to keep up a quick pace with my walk, but I knew that if I got too tired there was no reason I couldn't slow down and make a leisurely walk home...or if it got really bad there were about 20 people in town I could've called to come pick me up!
3. I can lift my feet to my knees. I know that sounds kind of weird...you know how sometimes when you're putting on your socks or shoes you pick your foot up and cross your knee. Well, for a long time I could only get my foot up so far then I would either grab my ankle or my pant leg and pull it the rest of the way up. I'm sure I've been able to do it for a while now, but I just actually realized that I don't have to pull it up anymore...it goes the whole way on its own.
*I promise not all 50 will be this long...but these ones were new developments.
4. I am a solid 16 now! There was an older pair of shorts that at the beginning of the summer I couldn't get buttoned and I wore them to work the other day quite comfortably!
5. Sometimes I feel like running - I haven't actually tried it yet, but I think I might soon...and who knows, maybe there will be a marathon in my future someday - or at least a 5K!
6. It feels awesome when your clothes don't fit because they're too big and not because they're too small.
7. I can wear everything in my closet.
8. I can wear clothes I haven't worn since around 2005...and maybe even better than I did then!
9. I got complimented on my legs again.
10. I wear spandex in public! It may only been to work-out in...but I don't feel as self-conscious about it anymore.
11. I have meetings in other areas and I don't even consider driving (except for one meeting where I was leaving for my WW meeting directly afterward so I had to...).
12. I LOVE seeing the looks on my friends faces when they haven't seen me for a while
13. I have started correcting myself so that instead of saying "I can't eat that" to "I choose not to eat that"
14. Aside from one chicken salad I had at a mall over the summer (and not including the Hot Dog Shoppe - which actually uses real potatoes for its fries), I haven't had fast food since January.
15. I don't miss fast food...except for Arby's - not once have I driven past McDonalds, Wendy's, Burger King, etc. and wished that I could go get a burger there. Thankfully, the Arby's in town closed so it's not a temptation anymore.
16. I invite people to work out with me! Noone has really taken me up on the offer...but I keep putting it out there!
17. I sleep better - it doesn't take me as long to get out of bed in the morning and I don't nap.
18. My "girl stuff" is more in order than it used to be...to put it delicately...
19. I still SUCK at tracking what I eat...but I'm good at working out.
20. I don't get disappointed if I only lose 0.2 in a week...because while it isn't much of a loss, it's still not a gain.
21. When people ask me how I am, or how my day was, and I say "awesome"...I really mean it!
22. My body temperature has changed a little - I keep my apartment around 68-70 degrees so I don't get overheated when I work out...but then I have to use a fleece blanket, a comforter, and an afghan when I go to bed...
23. I have lost 5.5 inches off of my thighs
24. 10 inches off of my waist (holy cow!)
25. 2 inches off of my arms
26. 7 inches off of my hips
27. I finally bought some new underwear a few weeks ago...I forgot what it felt like to wear underwear that actually fit, or more accurately, I didn't realize that the ones I had didn't fit well anymore.
28. I don't feel bad for ordering what I want when I go out to eat because I know that I either earned it or I can work it off later.
29. I walked up the big hill on campus after dinner, while talking with people, and didn't get winded.
30. I spend lots of time each week trying to narrow down which topic I want to cover in my blog...and not just recount my whole week day by day.
31. I can't wait until I can go ice skating again!
32. My coworker who joined WW is also a regular dinner club member and he asked if we could make a rule about being diet friendly - I reminded him that I spent all of last semester participating in dinner club as the only one on a "diet" and had no trouble managing it.
33. I've actually started thinking about what exercises to do to work on certain parts of my body and not just doing exercise to get some in.
34. Pop is nice for an every once in a while treat, but I can go months without drinking it and not feel like I'm missing anything.
35. I am completely humbled by people who say I am an inspiration - I started this blog as a way to ask for YOUR help to hold myself accountable, but ended up helping others along the way, that is one of the best feelings.
36. I bought a new bathing suit once they started going on sale even though I didn't really need a new one...and I didn't hate shopping for it!
37. Shopping out of your attic is a really cool experience...though it also makes you stop and wonder why some fashions were popular in the first place.
38. I can blow dry my hair without my arms getting tired - I used to not be able to get through even a quarter of my hair without them aching.
39. I love dark chocolate - especially because it's so rich that I can just eat one little square and it satisfies my chocolate craving - it took me a week to eat half a candy bar!
40. Working out with others is more fun than working out by yourself - Zumba in my apartment is NOWHERE near as much fun as taking the class...likewise, "wobbling" by myself just can't compare to randomly "wobbling" with Sis and Bro #3 in the middle of the hallway.
41. It's just as satisfying to bake for friends and not eat what I made as it is to bake and eat it myself.
42. Walking is no joke! My hips were sore for two days after I walked Saturday! And I notice while I'm walking that my back and abs are getting a workout, too!
43. I don't care what I look like when I'm walking, and it's way more fun to put on some awesome music and dance while I walk...I'm sure I probably made more than a few people laugh.
44. I walk faster when there are other people around.
45. I haven't worn my contacts or my tennis shoes this often since I was in college!
46. I found Graeter's ice cream in town...which is a BIG DEAL (my Columbus people know what I'm talking about...). I told myself that if I did well this week I could celebrate with some Graeter's...and I honestly forgot to. I left my meeting and it never once crossed my mind to go get that ice cream.
47. I LOVE Greek yogurt! Plain non-fat Chobani Greek yogurt + a little sweetener + some fresh fruit = excellent breakfast!
48. I just feel awesome.
49. I fidget - the last few days I just seem to have more energy than I know what to do with and I sit in my work meetings and my legs fidget...hopefully I'm not annoying people!
50. I am a happy person again - not that I was completely miserable before, but I just feel like I am happy almost all of the time...and it's a great feeling.
Whew! That was more difficult than I thought it would be!
Initial weight: 257.2
Week 30: -2.2
Total weight loss: -50.8!!!!!
Current weight: 206.4
I promised a new picture at 50...
Original picture - Jan. 2012 New picture - Aug. 8, 2012
And I got new bling!! Here's my 10% keychain with my 25lb "weight", my 16-weeks clapping hands, and my new 50lb "weight"...they look a little scratched up because I actually keep them on my keys to remind me every day what I've done.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Friends make everything better
Irony: having writers block the day after I was told that I was a born writer and should try to get my blog published. I've had a number of ideas for this post throughout the last week, but I can't seem to remember any of them at the moment!
I did have a fairly new and interesting experience this week - in a good way. This past weekend I came back to my apartment. I started back to work today, so for the last few days I was getting myself settled back in to the apartment and into my work routine (aka getting out of bed at the crack of dawn). I had planned to slip back into my old Monday night class, but over the summer one of my coworkers and his lovely wife had also joined Weight Watchers and they go on Tuesdays. He invited me to join them on Tuesday, so I thought that I would give it a try before I got too settled into my old ways.
The class was a little smaller than the other two that I've been to, and the leader was a temp, but it was nice. The interesting experience was, though, that I actually had friends there! At my very last meeting before I left here in May, one of the bosses showed up at my Monday night meeting, and that was nice, but these were people who were truly going through the exact same thing I was. They experience what it's like to be adults trying to live a healthier lifestyle while living and eating on campus. (Granted, they haven't quite gotten the meal plan eating on campus experience yet, but it'll be cool to actually have someone to share that struggle with!) Someone who understands the weird hours that this job comes with, and the effect that that can have on your eating habits.
Just after the meeting started, another woman I know from work slipped in. Apparently she and my coworker have been walking together every morning! (They invited me to join them, but they're both like a foot taller than me and I fear I would need to actually jog to keep up with their brisk walking pace!) After the meeting we got to chat for a few minutes (she was sitting on the opposite side of the room from us so we couldn't talk during the meeting), and I had no idea that she'd been reading my blog for months! One of my other coworkers had given her the link...who knew people were spreading the word?! Well, it was this lovely woman who complimented my writing and suggested I try to get published. Coming from someone who works with some seriously intelligent people (not that I don't, but it's a whole different level), that was a real compliment for me!
After the meeting, there were several of us who hung around outside chatting for a few minutes...those I knew, and some I didn't. I've never had that happen before! Usually everyone just leaves...it was pretty cool! I don't know that it happens on a regular basis, but I liked it. Thanks to the support I get from all of you, I've never felt like I was doing this on my own, but having friends/coworkers actually there with me is a really nice change.
Initial weight: 257.2
Week 29: -2.2
Total weight loss: -48.6
Current weight: 208.6
It's so close, yet so far away!! I'm 1.4 pounds away from hitting a total loss of 50 and 8.6 away from that elusive 200 that I haven't seen in a loooong time. I have gotten a few people reminding me that I haven't updated my picture in a while. I meant to at the beginning of the summer, but just kept forgetting! Then I just decided I would wait until I hit the 50 lb mark to make it special - so, hopefully, you'll see one next week! Plus, it was kind of cool coming back to work today without any of my coworkers seeing me since May - I got tons of compliments!!
I did have a fairly new and interesting experience this week - in a good way. This past weekend I came back to my apartment. I started back to work today, so for the last few days I was getting myself settled back in to the apartment and into my work routine (aka getting out of bed at the crack of dawn). I had planned to slip back into my old Monday night class, but over the summer one of my coworkers and his lovely wife had also joined Weight Watchers and they go on Tuesdays. He invited me to join them on Tuesday, so I thought that I would give it a try before I got too settled into my old ways.
The class was a little smaller than the other two that I've been to, and the leader was a temp, but it was nice. The interesting experience was, though, that I actually had friends there! At my very last meeting before I left here in May, one of the bosses showed up at my Monday night meeting, and that was nice, but these were people who were truly going through the exact same thing I was. They experience what it's like to be adults trying to live a healthier lifestyle while living and eating on campus. (Granted, they haven't quite gotten the meal plan eating on campus experience yet, but it'll be cool to actually have someone to share that struggle with!) Someone who understands the weird hours that this job comes with, and the effect that that can have on your eating habits.
Just after the meeting started, another woman I know from work slipped in. Apparently she and my coworker have been walking together every morning! (They invited me to join them, but they're both like a foot taller than me and I fear I would need to actually jog to keep up with their brisk walking pace!) After the meeting we got to chat for a few minutes (she was sitting on the opposite side of the room from us so we couldn't talk during the meeting), and I had no idea that she'd been reading my blog for months! One of my other coworkers had given her the link...who knew people were spreading the word?! Well, it was this lovely woman who complimented my writing and suggested I try to get published. Coming from someone who works with some seriously intelligent people (not that I don't, but it's a whole different level), that was a real compliment for me!
After the meeting, there were several of us who hung around outside chatting for a few minutes...those I knew, and some I didn't. I've never had that happen before! Usually everyone just leaves...it was pretty cool! I don't know that it happens on a regular basis, but I liked it. Thanks to the support I get from all of you, I've never felt like I was doing this on my own, but having friends/coworkers actually there with me is a really nice change.
Initial weight: 257.2
Week 29: -2.2
Total weight loss: -48.6
Current weight: 208.6
It's so close, yet so far away!! I'm 1.4 pounds away from hitting a total loss of 50 and 8.6 away from that elusive 200 that I haven't seen in a loooong time. I have gotten a few people reminding me that I haven't updated my picture in a while. I meant to at the beginning of the summer, but just kept forgetting! Then I just decided I would wait until I hit the 50 lb mark to make it special - so, hopefully, you'll see one next week! Plus, it was kind of cool coming back to work today without any of my coworkers seeing me since May - I got tons of compliments!!
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