Month: November 2018

Day Twenty-Seven…

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The Christmas season has begun in our household. We bought this beauty tonight…

We went with the Fraser Fir. I love the color, the smell, and the whole ritual of picking out the tree. All of it, the music, the decorations, and let’s not forget the cookies! Well, moderation is better than no cookies at all.

This time of year is so thick with nostalgia and I am grateful for my childhood memories of home and family. I do my best to make the season festive and happy for my own children. They are starting to leave subtle hints about what they may like to find under the tree this year.

I’m thinking about how special it is to give the people you love a special gift that they will truly enjoy. I love making them happy and am willing to wait on lines, save up money, and search out the deals just so everyone gets what they want.

As I reflect on this year, I realize this time I’ve spent on my journey has been a gift I’ve given to myself. Getting to goal and working towards Maintenance is my ultimate gift because I got back my own sense of self. Sometimes, it doesn’t seem real, and sometimes I can forget how I once felt. It’s very strange to be so transformed.

My wish for you is that you are feeling well as we enter into a season that is marked by love, generosity, and faith. Believe you can do this because that is the truth.

pretty-wreath-2018.jpg

I forgot one more thing! I did make my 5:15 am spin class and it was so much fun. People were happy to see me and I felt amazing for the rest of the day… Find some kind of activity you enjoy it really helps.

 

Day Twenty-Six…

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Ever eat something first and then scan it for the SmartPoints values? Well, I was on my way home after an extremely long day (7:30 am – 8:30 pm) of parent-teacher conferences and I ate a snack bag of almonds that my husband bout me. Then I scanned it, 8 SmartPoints! Tomorrow is another day.

It’s looking like I’m going to get enough sleep to go to early morning spin class, and that is very exciting to me. Before I sign off for the day, I’d like to leave you with these words, I think it’s better to think about this journey as a choice, not a fight. Yes, some days are very hard, and yet if I always think about it as a fight it makes this so much harder. When I think about this journey as a personal choice it shifts from being a burden to a form of enlightenment.

So make a choice that gets you where you want to go. Be kind to yourself. Honor all your efforts even when things don’t work out as planned. More tomorrow.

Day Twenty-Five…

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Anyone who has been serious about weight loss, and who have committed themselves to weighing, measuring, and logging their foods will relate to what I’m about to share. Sometimes it seems like everyone wants the #WW foods I’m relying on to make this all work.

It all started when I came home from work and was emptying out my lunchbox.  When what do I see in the garbage? My WW Mac & Cheese Potato Sicks! At 2 SmartPoints per bag, they are a nice little treat that makes lunch a little special. My daughter fessed up to eating those, and I couldn’t help but be annoyed. We have other snack bags of chips and that was my last one.

Later, while dinner was cooking, I found myself really wanting a little something. So, I measured out a quarter cup of Wonderful Pistachios and tracked them as 2 SmartPoints. When who should come into the kitchen? My husband who summarily takes a handful from my tiny bowl and now my 1/4 cup went down to a 1/8 of a cup!

Then later, after dinner, I sliced up some apple and baked it in the oven with some pumpkin spice seasoning. When I pulled out of the oven, there was my son saying, “What’s that mom?” So I scooped some up and sprayed some fat-free Redi Whip and made us each a bowl. It was way better than I thought it would be.

Anyway, still on plan and doing my best over here. How’s it going by you? I hope you are making it work. Just remember, you’re amazing. More tomorrow.

 

 

Day Twenty-Four…

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When the question was posed, “Do you want to go to the good Carvel?” I immediately said “YES!” in my mind; but instead, I actually said, “You know it’s pretty late, so I don’t think tonight’s a good night for that..” I’m really proud of myself for turning that offer down. Saying no to ice cream tonight may be the thing that helps me when I weigh in on Saturday.

I have a two-pound range that I need to stay within in order to meet my Maintenance goal and get to Lifetime status. I really don’t want to reset my maintenance clock and start over.  I think I have to get over my presuppositions about how all of this is supposed to go. If I have to start over, then I do. If I get through this next weigh in within that two-pound window then that’s the way it will go. In the meantime, the important decisions are the choices I’m making day-to-day like skipping dessert and packing healthy foods and making room for activity.

This is not simple, it does take quite a bit of effort. In return for that effort, I am feeling (physically, mentally, and emotionally) fantastic. All I have to do is my (honest to goodness) best, and that is good enough for me.

Day Twenty-Three…

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It was a better day today. I was less hungry and didn’t have so many cravings. I think I’m getting over my rough patch. I’m rolling over four points and I’m proud of that accomplishment.  It’s very weird how one day can be an incredible challenge and the next day it is easier.

Words of Wisdom

Pushing through struggle is rough but getting through it feels pretty good. So the next time I’m feeling overwhelmed or like I’m losing ground, I’m going to do my best to remember today. I hope you’re having a success on your journey. Don’t give up, and if your feeling like your beginning to slip up… double down on your habits and just see what happens.

Day Twenty-Two…

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The holiday season has begun and I am feeling conflicted.  I am in a rut and I think I have to change some things up. Today began with a great spin class but it was a struggle most of the day to stay on plan. I went food shopping yesterday, and I bagged all my vegetables today.  After I finish writing this post, I am going to pack and track my breakfast and lunch for tomorrow.

Thanksgiving marks a tricky time of year for me. I struggled this time last year too, and I pushed through it. I just have to gather up my resolve and keep moving. I love feeling energetic, and I also enjoy wearing a smaller size, and I know this is a much healthier way of living. Everything has a price and the cost of living this way is paid through constant effort and reflection.

It would be easy to fool myself into believing that this is my natural way of being. That it doesn’t take work to get to goal and to maintain it.  I could just turn off the reflective part of me and just ignore the warning signs that lead me to gain and lose and gain and lose and continue to the cycle.  I’ve come too far for that now.  I’ve seen the truth about myself and I can’t unsee it – so, here I sit writing these words for you to read.

I’m struggling but I’ll get through it. Want to know why I say that? I believe I can do this. I truly believe in myself. When I feel the tug of old habits I am going to lean into my newer ones. Habits are both a prison and key. Sometimes, they bore you into submission; while other times they set you free. It’s complicated.  If I can keep going, so can you. Just believe in yourself and trust that you can do it. Ok?

As always, thank you for reading and sending me your support. It feels good to know there are others who understand, and also know that I am sending my support back out there to you.  Go us! We can do this… together.

Lunch Box
Breakfast: 0sp Lunch: 4sp Snack: 1sp

Day Twenty-One…

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Today was a “hungry” day.  I spent a lot of it having to examine my hunger cues. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been eating more, or maybe it’s because it was a dreary stay inside kind of day. Either way, I had to call up a great deal of self-discipline to stay on track. I really hope that tomorrow is an easier day. It’s strange that even after all this time and success some days are still challenging.

So, if you are on a weight loss journey, and find yourself struggling just know, you’re not alone. This is not a quick fix situation, there are no gimmicks, and anyone who tells you that it’s easy is just selling you a bill of goods. This is hard and it takes effort and commitment to be successful – but, it’s worth it. So, keep going and remember you are worth it!

Day Twenty…

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The day after Thanksgiving was met with a lot of enthusiasm to celebrate wellness and good health. I missed my 8:15 am spin class because it was so warm and snuggly in bed; however, I did get into the 9:30 am class, and the instructor was amazing. The class offered a high-intensity fun workout and I left the gym feeling fabulous. I am very grateful that I have found an activity that I truly enjoy. I keep thinking about Robert, a fellow #WW member, who shared a study that said people who maintain active lifestyles are more likely to maintain their weight loss. (Click here to read more)

The bagel store was hopping when I got there. I bought three bagels, hard-boiled eggs,  3/4 pound of Boars Head Ovengold Turkey, and a small vegetable cream cheese.  I still have not had a bagel because I am just not ready to give up all the points to eat one. It will happen one of these days just not today. I think if I ate all those carbs, I would crave more and in an effort to do a little post-Thanksgiving detox (as it were) today would not be the ideal day to indulge! So instead…

Featured Image
3 ox BH Turkey; 1 hard-boiled egg; 2 oz cheese, vegetables, raspberries: 6sp

I really enjoyed breakfast. It’s so important for me to eat a variety of foods and that I really like my food. I could have eaten lower fat options for the cheese, but it wouldn’t taste as good to me. I’d rather spend the points on the foods I like to eat.

Word of the Day: Rise

I belong to a community of writers, (#TeachWrite) Teachers Who Write. Each day, Jennifer Laffin sends out a writing prompt into the internet and today I wanted to try my hand. She sent a little push with the Word of the Day, “Rise”.  Being a huge fan of words, I did a quick search and this what I found.

Rise Define

Words of Wisdom

So how do I take this potent word, rise, and apply it me and my experiences? I am not so bold as to think that I am where I am because of my efforts alone. No doubt, I have had to work and sacrifice to be here; however, my rise is like a wave in the ocean. I am brought up by generations of hard work, love, and devotion. Then there is that bit of luck that is thrown in that may or may not be a kiss of divine intervention. I believe in the latter because I believe that this world is more complex than we realize.

I believe the rise is fueled by the embers of a personal belief that burn brightly from within the heart. I believe there is something sacred within each of us that we must stoke with both inspiration and grace. Going into this holiday season, I hope that I may meet that challenge and give more and be more and burn brightly so that I may rise and be worthy of this beautiful life.

Day Nineteen…

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There is no point friendly version of those mushrooms that are my featured image. They were the best stuffed- mushrooms I’ve ever made. It’s late, and I truly have that “Thanksgiving” feeling. It was a splendid holiday with the family…

I am on the road to maintenance but in the meantime, holidays and family events are going to happen. Being a part of these occasions will mean that I will be eating traditional foods that are not great options. I decided to pick and choose what I would eat. So, I didn’t have the cinnamon buns this morning because I knew I’d want dessert tonight.

I did this with the full understanding that tomorrow is not an extension of today. The holiday is over, and now I’m scheduled for 8:15 am spin and returning to all the habits that have helped me to lose the weight. I am looking forward to food shopping and my cut up vegetables and fruit. These are the staples that help me to make better choices when I’m hungry.

I am truly thankful for all the love and support people have shown me along the way. There are so many people who are both inspiring and encouraging.  As I close out this post for Thanksgiving 2018, I am left with only feelings of gratitude and love.  Happy Thanksgiving.

 

Day Eighteen…

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The cold front came in just in time for Thanksgiving. This is one of my most favorite days of the year because I get to spend time with my family. We all get along really well, and whenever we are together we are sure to have a great time.

It was my job to make stuffed mushrooms, turnips with bacon, and to pick up some wine. Let’s be clear the mushrooms are going to be amazing.  So much butter, garlic, and olive oil. It’s easy to over indulge and do some serious damage this time of year. I just have to continue to remind myself of how far I’ve come and stay the course.