Stagnation

I seem to get to a couple different weights and just stall. I am quite happy that I have stalled here because I strapped on the feedbag this weekend. I am surprised I didn't gain! But thrilled that I didn't gain!

What I find most interesting is that I bought some fun things for dessert last night. I thought I would love them. I found myself eating them and not really enjoying them. Keep in mind that before I started my weight loss mayhem I would have scarfed them down and enjoyed every minute of it. But now I felt unsatisfied. When I eat fruit, however, I feel completely sated. What gives? Hell, I love it!

My massage therapist told me about an organic farm cooperative near me. I had read about these but wasn't sure there were any local farmers doing this. For an annual fee, you are entitled to a share in the farmer's crop. And the fruits and veggies that this cooperative offers are pretty impressive.

So I called my friend and her husband knowing they would love this. I have to get more detailed information and hope that it isn't too late to join. This is going to be fabulous for my diet, my environment and my wallet!

I love my size 14's!

So I finally graduated from the size 16's I said I would never buy to the size 14's I had been in for years.

My next goal is to get into a 12. I cannot even imagine that glee!

I was so excited yesterday morning that I emailed all the girls in the office and told them to come take a look at my ass in the pants I hadn't gotten into in months! Of course, I meant it in a non-harassing kind of way. But it felt good.

My weight loss to date is 21 pounds. 4 more pounds and I am at my half-way point. I cannot believe that I have been able to stick with this for 3 whole months. And I am showing no signs of slowing down! This is fabulous!

And with warm weather coming, I am assured success since I will be outdoors running, biking, hiking, swimming, kayaking, etc.

Happy trails!

Frustration and then.....

I have been weighing in every Monday to post my weight to my Weight Watchers online program. Of course, I have been weighing myself damn near every day just to make sure I am on track. I read that somewhere and thought it horribly obsessive, but here I am doing it!

I have been weighing in at the same weight for the last 3 weeks. It has been frustrating. I have been doing everything right - except when I was in St. Bernard Parish on my hurricane relief trip in which I ate everything I could see because I was hungry and didn't really like what they fed us. I haven't been exercising as often, but have been eating to compensate.

I did try on a pair of my smaller jeans and they fit! They were snug, yes, but I wore them an entire day without busting anything. It felt awesome. It also felt wonderful when one of my colleagues mentioned that she didn't think they were so snug. She could have been lying and I didn't care! I love her for the comment!

I weighed myself this morning expecting to be at the same point as Monday and - surprise - I have lost a couple pounds.

What I am most proud of is that, despite the fact that the scale hadn't budged in 3 weeks, I did not use that as an excuse to rush out and eat pizza, ice cream, chicken wings and all manner of other bad things because what's the difference. I said, well, at least you haven't gained. And you do feel better when you eat well.

And so it goes.

And I'm Back!

Today is a month mark. That means that in addition to weighing in, I also take measurements. I cannot even tell you how excited I am that things are going so well. Not only do my "big ass" jeans fit loosely (I should get a bet), but I feel so much better.

I lost another two pounds this week - that's 6 for this month - 15 total since starting Jan. 2.

In one month I lost:

• Almost 2 inches off my waist.
• 1.5 inches off my hips.
• An inch from my bust.
• Almost an inch off my thighs.
• A quarter inch off my biceps.

Total in two months:

• Almost 4 inches off my waist.
• 2 inches off my hips.
• 3 inches from my bust.
• Just over an inch off my thighs.
• A half inch off my biceps.

That's rather exciting.

More exciting is that I gathered with friends yesterday, several of whom are also trying to lose weight via Weight Watchers. I hope we can inspire each other. I found myself surrounded by this yummy food - most of which was "friendly" and I wasn't tempted beyond being full. Normally I gorge myself and then eat people's limbs when I'm finished with the dill dip. Not yesterday. I was full and I was fine. I love it!

I also can't wait to get home today to workout. Who says these things?

Disappointed

I weighed myself this week and was sorely disappointed - I didn't lose - I stayed the same. Granted, I did kinda cheat over the weekend. Just kinda. So I tried to talk myself out of the slump. "You know, you did cheat and didn't gain. That's good news."

It didn't do much to soothe me, however.

Then I didn't workout for two days because I was being a cry-baby.

So I said, get your lazy ass out of bed and get thee to the Richter Center.

I wanted to workout this morning as much as I wanted to give myself paper cuts all over my body and jump in a vat of vinegar, but I did it (the workout that is). I told myself I would run for at least 15 minutes and then decide if I wanted to bike or whatever.

I ran for 45 minutes and could have kept going. What a feeling! Now I should make a sign that reads "get your lazy ass out of bed and get to the gym because you will feel much better as a result."

Now I can justify eating Girl Scout Cookies. I hate those damn Girl Scouts and their freaking cookies. On the plus side, the Girl Scouts have a new cookie this year. Cafe Cookie. It's like a cinnamon sugar cookie and it is damn good! Enjoy!

Pants

You know you are successful when pants that used to fit but then didn't fit now fit again.

I have been wearing elastic waistband pants for months. I am now comfortably sitting here typing this in a pair of pants with an actual zipper and button.

And I can breath.

And I am not restricted in movement.

I love it!

Shovel This

Ah - I have to shovel my driveway this afternoon. I love it! Shovelling is pretty good exercise. I don't just shovel, rest, shovel, rest - I bust my ass to get the snow off the driveway and accompanying sidewalks as quickly as possible. It's like a run, but not.

I hope that by the time I get home, the snow isn't too heavy. Then it will weigh on my back. But then I always have yoga! Wonderful zen experience before I go to dinner for V-Day and deal with all that revelry.

So, I look forward to shovelling. Perhaps the weight loss is making me lose my mind. Who can say?

And yet, more!

Another 2 pounds. At this rate, I will be at my target weight by July 1. That's just in time to bust out my sassy bikini. Of course, I will still be white as a ghost because I don't like to tan and those spray on tans scare me. What is in those chemicals, exactly? No thanks.

I went cross country skiing the other day. It was free as part of Alden's Winterfest activities. What fun. Yes, I was killing myself, but I was able to do it. I was out in the woods and it started snowing. It was just perfect standing there, trying to breath, letting the snowflakes fall on my face.

It sounds more serene than it was. I was trying to catch my breath and cool down so I let the snow fall on my face. Wonderful! I think this Fri. I may try to hit an actual cross country skiing area with groomed trails. We will see!

Step N Pump

There was a class I used to take at the BAC when I was a member. It was called Step N Pump. It was a one hour class that incorported step aerobics with weights/strength training. I absolutely loved this class.

Since I have my own step and my own weights, I try this at home from time to time. I remember enough of the routine to make it worthwhile. I just turn on my digital cable dance music station and get my step groove on.

I got home from work last night and, as I expected, I wanted to work out as much as I wanted to hurl myself from a tall building screaming for Jesus, but I did it. And I felt like a million bucks afterward! Why is it that I can't remember that feeling all the time?

One of these days I am sure that I will crave exercise. I hope so! And I hope that day comes soon!

Not a habit

So the new trick seemed wonderful on Mon. morning. It's Wed. and Mon. is the only day I actually got my lazy ass up to get to campus to workout. I did shovel the driveway last night, though.

I just don't feel like getting up so early to workout. I used to do it every day and I used to feel so good. I just have to get that feeling back. But to do that requires that I get up!

Perhaps next week is the week I get up. We will see.

Suffice to say, I am doing well otherwise. Still eating well, planning meals, avoiding crap - and not missing it. Way to go!

New Trick

Woo Hoo - 2 more pounds! I am quite excited! Woo Hoo!

My new trick is to workout before I start working. If I leave it until the afternoon before I leave SBU or, worse, until I get home, I am too tired to do anything and find all kinds of excuses not to do anything. I am the queen of justification.

So I picked today - the day of a blizzard - to get up, put on my workout wear, drive to SBU with my bag packed with work clothes, and hit the Richter Center. Because of the snow I arrived later than I expected, but I arrived!

And I hit the indoor track. It was fabulous! I was able to look out at the snow gusting all around the building and here I was, safe, warm inside the center.

I am quite tired about an hour later, but I did it. And when I get home I don't have to worry about saving time to workout. I already did it. So instead I can save time to sit my lazy ass on my couch and pick my ass. Or watch reruns of the Golden Girls.

Feeling Great

I wondered how long it would be before I started to feel good. The reason I was so upset and interested in getting back into shape is that I gained more weight and weighed more than I ever had. I blamed my boyfriend for getting me fat, dumb and happy. I told him I wanted fit, dumb and happy.

I have been so good about portion sizes, working out, food choices. I feel wonderful!

The size 16 jeans I had to buy this season are now baggy. BAGGY! I don't regret the investment, though. I haven't busted out the size 14s yet. I want to wait a couple weeks. I should invest in a belt. I can get a little more mileage out of the 16s yet.

I find myself with more energy, a more positive attitude, and a general like for my body even though I have a long way to go!

I was looking at the Victoria's Secret catalog for inspiration. I have no interest whatsoever in looking like these unhealthy models (they can verbally abuse me here for insulting them). I want to buy a bikini! Or a sexy top to show up my sculpted arms. And a nice pair of something or other to highlight my legs.

I love that I am muscular. I love that I have large legs that carry me anywhere I choose to go. I love that my arms can lift my house. I love that I have a strong core - getting stronger by the day.

I feel great and have no interest in backing down.

I also find that I have no interest in my former cravings. Potato chips don't hold the same appeal. Cakes, cookies, etc. don't hold the same appeal. Now I want some fruit for dessert. Who knew?

Richter Center at SBU

I am a professor at St. Bonaventure University. They recently opened this state-of-the-art recreation facility on campus, thanks to the generosity of the Richter family. To say that I am impressed with this fitness center is an understatement. It is a wonderful facility.

And it's busy.

I remember being an undergrad. at SBU. We had a fitness center but it was off campus and not at all convenient. I would go once a year to make an effort and then stop. Of course, that was when fitness wasn't so interesting to college students.

I was pleasantly surprised to see a full Richter Center the other day. Students were everywhere on all kinds of equipment. And most of them didn't seem to care what they looked like. That is a huge test of a fitness center for me. Are people there to show off and look good, or to actually workout. And I think students actually wanted to workout.

I do get a bit discouraged because I didn't see a single faculty member or other SBU employees. I stood out like a sore thumb, in my mind. I imagined that students were wondering who I was, why was I at the fitness center because I am not a student and I am old (older than them)!

I am sure they could have cared less. I still enjoy it. And will return. When I feel motivated. I've already been twice which is better than my undergrad. streak.

There are numbers beyond weight

I have been frustrated recently because I have been doing all the right things - eating well, working out, relaxing. OK, maybe not relaxing. But I have been eating well and working out. So why, then, does my scale not move for a week? How is that possible?

Guess what - the scale isn't the only number to think about.

Since I started my weight loss journey (and to paraphrase Mark Twain who said quitting isn't difficult, I've done it many times - losing weight isn't difficult, I've done it many times) I have kept track of my measurements - bust, waist, hips, thigh, biceps. I track the measurements once each month. I have lost 9 pounds since starting Jan. 2. That's awesome! I have also lost a couple inches in most places. A couple inches off my waist and hips, one from my bust, half an inch from my thigh and biceps. That was wonderful news!

So now I can stop obsessing about the damn scale. It isn't the only measure. Thank God!

Obsessed with the Scale

I think one of my problems is that I am completely obsessed with my scale. I know that the key to sustained weight loss is to just lose 1-2 pounds per week. I don't know why I feel the need to get on the scale every morning to see what changes were wrought overnight. I am continually disappointed when I don't see major changes or when - egads - I see a gain!

I have now vowed to not get on the scale until my Mon. weigh-ins. That's it. No more checking mid-week, just to see. Once per week and that's it!

Weight Watchers

OK, I know it seems a cop out. I should be able to figure out how to lose weight and get in shape without resorting to a regimen. But guess what - I CAN'T! And I am okay admitting that.

This is week number 4 on the online version of Weight Watchers and I have lost 9 pounds. I am quite excited about that. What is unfortunate is that since I started dating Jamie, I gained 25 pounds. That's a full 10 pounds over my heaviest weight yet! I love him - in fact I tell him I'm fat, dumb and happy - soon to be fit, dumb and happy. I just want to fit into pants that don't have elastic waists. I want to button pants and be able to breath, sit, walk, etc. Soon. Very soon.

I also started my new job at St. Bonaventure University. I love that they have this awesome new fitness center - the Richter Center. In fact, I set off the emergency exit alarm yesterday. Hey - I have to make my presence known. This center offers everything you need to get and stay in shape - and I get to use it free! Now I have no excuse. I bring lunch to work with me, I have access to the best fitness center, I want to be fit.

Check back for more information on my progress. I will post pitfalls, tips, triumphs. All of it will be here. And - the original purpose for this blog was to document my marathon training. With any luck, I will be back in the saddle (so to speak) by summer and in training again!