Weekly Weigh-In 8/25/14

Not an ounce lost or gained last week, but I'll take it.

Last week's weigh-in (8/18/14): 164.2 lbs
Today's weigh-in (8/25/14): 164.2 lbs

Change in weight: 0 lbs
Total change in weight: -17.6 lbs

Monthly progress photo

August has been busy as heck, and I don't see things slowing down anytime soon! McKenna started preschool this week and I'm becoming much more involved with MOMS Club as the treasurer and coordinator for both Mom's Night Out and the 4 & More playgroup; I'm hoping to volunteer at McKenna's school as well. Holidays are right around the corner, too, and birthdays; soo many birthdays. I enjoy wholeheartedly, though, seeing our calendar filled with family and friends.

We'll be in Orange Park this coming weekend celebrating my Dad's 51st birthday. As much as I feel like healthy eating is starting to become second nature for me, going to Orange Park is always a huge challenge... I gotta stick to my guns!

Weekly Weigh-In 8/18/14

Is it just me or does anybody else have a hard time getting back on track with their normal routine if Monday doesn't go at all according to plan? All last week after our company left/McKenna's party/the Busy Bag Swap I felt like I was playing catch up - piles and piles of laundry, putting the house back together, sleep; then yesterday we took a family day trip to Orlando and didn't get home until midnight when I thought for sure that we'd be back in plenty of time for dinner me to cross the rest of the stuff off of my Sunday to-do list! 

Oy. At least I've reeled it back in as far as tracking goes, though...

Last week's weigh-in (8/11/14): 167.4 lbs

Today's weigh-in (8/18/14): 164.2 lbs

Change in weight: -3.2 lbs

Total change in weight: -17.6 lbs

We met up with The Waldens earlier today for our last "Monday Funday" before Beth and I send our big kids off to preschool next week; "You look really great!" Beth said when we walked in :-D Ugh, it feels so damn good to hear that.

Weekly Weigh-In 8/11/14: Up 3 Pounds

Last week was hectic and stressful, but still tons of fun with our play dates, McKenna's 4th birthday (!), a potluck for MOMS Club, party prep, lots of family in town to visit, and a Busy Bag Swap that I waited until the very last minute to get started on. I think I'm just about all caught up now with sleep and putting our house back together, though; slowly but surely getting there with the laundry...

Last week's weigh-in (8/4/14): 164.2 lbs
Today's weigh-in (8/11/14): 167.4 lbs

Change in weight: +3.2
Total change in weight: -14.4

So, it was a gain week. I tracked and made healthy food choices all week before our company arrived on Saturday, and then there was cake, margaritas, chips and dip, and a big dinner on Sunday night with a family friend right before my Monday morning weigh-in; I didn't track a thing all weekend.

Honestly, I'm not even that bummed about it; all of that junk food did quite a number on my tummy and I was ready to get back on track after everybody left. Still smiling big from the "You look good!" and "I can tell you've lost weight" comments all weekend :-D

I got this.

Weekly Weigh-In 8/4/14: It Feels Great to Lose!

I never thought I'd say this, but I've actually been looking forward to stepping on the scale every Monday morning. I go to bed on Sunday night eager to wake up and see the results of all of the hard work healthy choices that I made the previous week.

On Weight Watchers, you really can eat anything, but it's all about portion control and making healthier choices (veggies vs fries with that burger). You don't feel deprived of any of your favorite foods and that makes it easy to stay on track and LOSE.

Last week's weigh-in (7/28/14): 166.4 lbs

Today's weigh-in (8/4/14): 164.2 lbs

Change in weight: -2.2 lbs

Total change in weight: -17.6 lbs

McKenna's 4th (!!!) birthday is Wednesday and lots of family will be coming into town this weekend to join in on the celebration with our friends at the park. Tracking, planning, preparedness and home-field advantage will help keep me on track. See you next week!

Weekly Weigh-In 7/28/14 & One Goal DOWN!

One goal down, -15 lbs -- WOO HOO!!

Last week's weigh-in (7/21/14): 169.8 lbs
Today's weigh-in (7/28/14): 166.4 lbs

Change in weight: -3.4 lbs
Total change in weight: -15.4 lbs

At 166 lbs, this is where I was last April, my lowest weight after having started Weight Watchers at the beginning of 2013. Next up: -25 lbs.

Weight Loss Goals

Goal 1: 166 lbs (-15 lbs)

Goal 2: 156 lbs (-25 lbs)

Goal 3: 146 lbs (-35 lbs)

Goal 4: 136 lbs (-45 lbs)

Goal 5: 126 lbs (-55 lbs)

Keying in that last one, I started to get a little shaky. It seems impossible right now as I haven't weighed anywhere near the 120s since my early college years; however, breaking it all up into small goals helps me to breathe a little easier.

Patience, persistence, dedication.

I can do this!

Progress Photo & Weekly Weigh-In 7/21/14: Old Habits Die Hard

It's been a while since I've posted my weekly weigh-in, but I haven't been neglecting the scale altogether. Our staycation ended up being a complete fucking disaster and I found myself succumbing to the quick emotional fix of food.

When I first heard the term "emotional eating," I thought Pfft! That's the lamest excuse that I've ever heard! Yet here I am, CRAVING pizza when I'm feeling down in the dumps, completely unsatisfied by healthy food choices no matter how full I am and unable to think of anything else until eventually I throw in the towel and dial up Domino's, usually fighting back the tears.

Here's how it's been going down:

Previous weigh-in (6/30/14, before staycation): 169.6 lbs 

Weigh-in (7/7/14, after shit went down):  178.0 lbs

Change in weight: +8.4 lbs

We ordered pizza the night before I weighed in. 

...And two or three other times that week. 

And one day I had ice cream for lunch, straight from the carton.

^ So guilty :-\

I did get back on track "starting Monday," though.

Weigh-in (7/14/14):  172.8 lbs

Change in weight: -5.2 lbs

My focus last week was just to plan and track, as I still did not have the energy desire to work out... Baby steps? And that brings us to 

Today's weigh-in (7/21/14): 169.8 lbs

Change in weight: -3.0 lbs

Total change in weight: -12.0 lbs

Monthly progress photo

Just 3.0 lbs away from my first goal (-15 lbs)! 

Game plan for next week

Plan, track, exercise. 

Stay positive.

Weekly Weigh-In 6/30/14 & Our Weekend with Uncle Jonathan & Gomer

My brother, Jonathan, and our Gomer came to visit this weekend.

We had a lot of fun just hangin' out at the house and showing them around our little piece of paradise. I wish I would've gotten more pictures, but this one with Jonathan is pure gold - that's the same skirt that my sister and I would put on him when we were little! All that's missing here is some lipstick.

Saturday morning, I ate a light breakfast of coffee and fruit because we were planning to get Long John Silver's for lunch - probably the greasiest fast food around, but my family and I love it and the LJS here is the closest one to them. I filled my plate at lunch - a piece of fish, chicken, a hush puppy and a whole heap of fries; no color, everything fried - but I started to panic a little when I sat down; I did so well during the week and I didn't want to undo it all and undo it so close to my weigh-in day. I whipped out my phone to look up PointsPlus values while I downed a bottle of water and asked myself, "What do I want most right now? It's only lunchtime and I need to be sure to save points for dinner later." So I put the fries back and grabbed some watermelon from the fridge instead, indulging a little without going overboard and leaving enough points for the Chicken and Black Bean Tacos and Cheesy Red Hot Rice that I had planned for dinner. For dessert, though, I did tap into the weekly points allowance for a Weight Watchers Snack Size Chocolate Fudge Bar (1PT) while Jonathan and the girls had Blue Bell ice cream -- my favorite. File that under small victory!

Yesterday evening, we met my mother-in-law and sister-in-law in Port Orange to have dinner at Red Robin and leave the girls with them for a few days.

"You look skinny!" My mother-in-law said when we walked up. Agh, I could have kissed her!

Again, I ate a light breakfast and lunch that day so that I would have plenty of points to have what I wanted at dinner - a Burnin' Love Burger, sub a grilled chicken breast and broccoli instead of fries. Bottomless broccoli, that is. The fries that come with your meal are bottomless, so I thought that was really cool.

Last week's weigh-in (6/23/14): 173.0 lbs
Today's weigh-in (6/30/14): 169.6 lbs

Change in weight: -3.4 lbs
Total change in weight: -12.2 lbs

Another 3.4 pounds down, woo hoo!

What worked for me this week

I planned, I tracked, I exercised.

I made healthy food choices opting for fresh fruit or veggies instead of fries when dining out.

Game plan for next week

Plan, track, exercise, and make healthy food choices.

McKenna and Kendall are going to be with my mother-in-law until Wednesday or Thursday and Alex has taken the whole week off - VACATIONNN, woop woop! We plan on going out to eat a few times and enjoying some adult beverages tomorrow for the World Cup game, but I plan on logging in some extra activity points, too, when I bring Alex along with me to a few yoga classes and hopefully the weather cooperates so that we can do some kayaking!

Weekly Weigh-In 6/23/14

Another great week!

But, WHY am I just now heeding the 'five small meals a day' advice?! When I originally started out with Weight Watchers last year, I would eat bigger meals and no snacks, but I was absolutely starving by lunch or dinnertime! It was much more difficult for me to control my portions that way and I found myself chipping away at the weekly points allowance little by little every day until they were all gone by my next weigh-in. Granted, those extra food choices I made were probably not the best  - sure, you might be able to eat some or all of those points and still see a success on the scale - but right now, until I am more disciplined in my eating habits, I only want to tap into the weekly points allowance for special occasions like Thanksgiving or Christmas or when the day really gets away from us and we're getting points-expensive takeout for dinner.

Last week's weigh-in (6/16/14): 176.4 lbs
Today's weigh-in (6/23/14): 173.0 lbs

Change in weight: -3.4 lbs
Total change in weight: -8.8 lbs

What worked for me this week

I planned. I tracked. I exercised 6 out of the 7 days last week. In Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project, one of her tips for getting regular exercise was to never skip a work out for two days in a row. Before, I would workout Monday through Friday and then give myself the weekend off; not only did I feel kind of off the hook as far as food went (and it's always much more of a challenge to stay on track over the weekends), but it was a lot harder to get back into the exercise groove the following week. I took my rest day on Friday last week, and found it so much easier to make smarter food choices over the weekend after having exercised on those days - even with the Pineapple Bliss Cupcakes that I made to celebrate the Summer Solstice!

Game plan for next week

Plan, track, exercise 6 out of 7 days.

My brother and Gomer are coming to visit next weekend, so I need to make sure that I stay focused and stay on track while they're here - which shouldn't be too difficult with my home-field advantage ;-)

Weekly Weigh-In 6/16/14: Back in the Saddle

We went to a pig roast last weekend and while I had been looking forward to it for weeks, I was also absolutely dreading it at the same time -- it was a pool party. Yep, all day in my bathing suit chasing the girls, playing corn hole, eating, drinking and socializing with other grown ups and me trying to play it cool and enjoy myself while completely writhing with agony on the inside.

You could imagine my relief when there was a last minute change of location and we headed out the door sans bathing suits!

I hate my body :-( But I hate that I hate my body. I don't want to be uncomfortable in my own skin. I want to be a good role model for my daughters and practice what I preach to them about self love. I want to establish healthy eating habits for my children now so that they don't have to struggle with it when they are older like I am.

I have a lot to work on.

But I can do it.

Since January of last year, I've been on and off the Weight Watchers wagon, but I'm ready to get back in the saddle - for good. For real! So, here goes...

Last week's weigh-in (6/9/14): 181.8 lbs

Today's weigh-in (6/16/14): 176.4 lbs

Change in weight: -5.4 lbs

What worked for me this week

I planned my meals. It's easy to stay on track when you're prepared, even when you're out picnicking with friends! 

I tracked everything. This is a good visual reminder of how many points you have consumed and how many points you have left for the rest of the day; slip-ups, "little snacks" and BLTs (bites, licks and tastes) can quickly add up. You're holding yourself accountable by logging in all of the food and drink that you put into your body. You also become more conscientious of the types of foods that you put into your body, i.e. chips versus an apple with your sandwich at lunch.

I put "workout" on my daily to-do list. I love the order and organization that to-do lists bring to my day. Writing down exercise on my list really helps me to prioritize my tasks, and I love seeing that one crossed off!

I tracked before a potentially challenging situation. They were serving pizza - my one true weakness! - at a birthday party over the weekend. I wanted to have two slices, so I tracked it in the morning before I had breakfast and planned the rest of my meals accordingly so as to not go over my daily points allowance yet still be able to indulge in one of my trigger favorite foods. Again - plan, plan, plan.

I drank lots of water. Thirst is often mistook for hunger, so I made sure to always keep a full glass of ice cold water on the counter and would take a sip every time I passed by. If I felt "hungry" before lunch or dinner and I had already eaten my planned snack, I would drink a whole glass of water and the feeling went away pretty much every time.

I calculated the points per serving for everything in my fridge and pantry and labeled it. You'll think twice before reaching for "just a handful" of the kids' Goldfish again!

I ate five small meals a day. By reducing my portions at breakfast, lunch and dinner, I was able to give the 'five small meals a day' thing a go for the first time, and it works! Mid-morning and mid-afternoon, around 10AM and 3PM respectively, I would have a piece of fruit and/or light string cheese with a glass of water and I wasn't starving (or grouchy) by the next meal. This helped tremendously with portion control, especially at dinner.

Game plan for next week

Repeat all of the above.

I can do this!

Alright, Weight Watchers. Let's do this.

Last year was really difficult for me. New job (Alex), new city, new baby - BAM! Just like that. We moved to Melbourne from Tallahassee within the same week of coming home from the hospital with Kendall. Anticipating all of these major changes and aware of the hormonal and emotional mess that I knew I was going to be post-baby, I tried to remind myself to just take it all in stride and that eventually I'll make new friends and fall into a groove here with my two babies under 2, but it wasn't easy for me. At all.

Despite my husband being here and my parents just a short two and a half hour drive away, ready to be there for me at the drop of a hat if I needed them to be, I still felt terribly alone. So sad deep down no matter how hard I tried - or didn't try sometimes - to smile and act like I had it all under control. Of course I adored my new baby, was endlessly entertained by my precocious toddler and had a husband willing to do whatever it took to help out with the kids, but the emptiness lingered. It became so easy to turn to food for comfort, for happiness! I didn't have the energy to workout or even the strength to muster up the courage to put myself out there and make some new friends. It was so much easier to just open up the refrigerator during nap time on an especially difficult day with the kids, hit up the drive-thrus (yes, plural) after a little tift with my mother-in-law, or order way more than my fair share of take-out while Alex was out of town for work or at the dog track playing poker all night and I REALLY had no adult interaction. Emotional eating at its finest. 

Quite the oxymoron.

"I just had a baby, I still have nine months to drop the weight."

"I'll start eating healthy on Monday."

"I need a gym membership so I can workout, but we really don't have the extra money for that right now, so there goes exercising."

"Okay, starting March (April, May, June, July,...) 1st, I'll __________."

Sadness, anger, exhaustion, frustration, loneliness - food was my only remedy. I don't think I stepped onto the scale even once last year and I convinced myself that I only needed larger-sized clothing so that I could be more comfortable getting down and dirty with the kids.

It wasn't until October that the reality of my weight gain slapped me hard in the face. One of my best friends from high school was getting married and I couldn't find anything to wear to her wedding, even in the plus size section. I was in tears because I really didn't want to go to the wedding at all; I just wanted to stay at home hiding in my sweat pants so that nobody from high school could see how fat I had gotten. For months I had been avoiding hanging out with old friends, sex with my husband was pretty much nonexistent and I couldn't even read a book to my kids without becoming short of breath. Then, while celebrating Christmas at my mother-in-law's, I didn't even recognize myself in the picture that she had taken of all of us just seconds before.

I braved the scale when we arrived home after the holidays, guessing that I was 170, maybe 180 lbs at the most...

190.2.

...190.2! That's far above the healthy weight range for someone who is 5'3"! I needed to do something, make some changes, and do so immediately; if not for my husband and for my kids, but for me.

So at the beginning of the year, with a lump in my throat and desperately trying to choke back the tears, I went and signed up for Weight Watchers and made a vow to suck it up and get myself and the kids involved around the community and finally make some friends. While the latter part of my New Year's resolution has been hugely successful - the girls and I have made some great lifelong pals here - the former has been a little rocky lately.

In four months after joining, I had lost 22 pounds and was really feeling great about myself. I had more energy, didn't squirm at the thought of my husband seeing me naked, and loved having my picture taken with the kids! I was always either behind the camera or dodging it before, so there weren't many photos of myself with the girls which was incredibly depressing. Around April, however, we encountered one expensive problem after another with my car. I'm not sure if it was the stress of how we were going to come up with the money to fix the car or being stuck at home completely car-less with two kids for an entire month that sucked the most, but, hey! Domino's delivers, baby. Since then, I've been on and off the saddle, skipping meetings and throwing money down the toilet for it. 

I am so done with that. I felt so much better, so much healthier when I was on track and I really want that back... So let's do this, Weight Watchers!