Tuesday, December 30, 2008

The worst is over

The holidays are over and I survived; I even went "off" the diet for almost 3 days by not taking my protein supplements for 3 days, just ate healthy meals and snacks, and I managed to still lose a half pound over Christmas;( since last week); that's a win in my book! I was so excited that I'm sure that anyone listening today would have thought I'd lost 10 pounds instead of just a half pound....I believe I'm still sitting at about 28 pounds gone...had a little bit of fluid retention at the weigh in before last, but I'd still lost more fat.
I'm still going to the gym 3 times a week; I sure feel better and have more energy, can see muscle where there was just fat before...it's so remarkable....even my arms.....maybe I won't flap in the wind this next summer...hey.....I'll be able to wear sleeveless blouses and not be so self conscious about it. I feel so incredibly lucky to have been chosen for this gift....I have been given a second chance at life and I promise to take care of my body this time around.
I did buy those size 12 jeans after all.....from a 16 down to a size 12.....in 12 weeks. OMG!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

A Christmas Miracle

I tried on some jeans today at the store.......SIZE 12's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I almost bought them, but decided to wait......with 42 pounds to go, I don't want to have an assortment of sizes in the closet. I'll just get a belt. WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Friday, December 19, 2008

There really is a Santa Claus!

There must be....has to be......to have given me this most wonderful gift. To have lost a couple ounces short of 28 pounds is the greatest gift I could have ever asked for. It's been 12 weeks....almost 2 jean sizes already. My husband said I need new jeans...these are so loose; I don't want to waste the money yet on that since I still have a ways to go, but maybe the next 5-10 pounds will warrant a new pair to get me thru til the end.....and a belt! My will power and discipline is getting me thru the holidays......not a single treat so far...I did lick a spoon once without even thinking about it.....was making pumpkin bread for the neighbors.
Christmas eve is our family get-together and I feel confident about it...we're having goodies, but also healthy goodies and if I have a treat, I'll make sure it's a small one and savor it. I haven't felt deprived, neglected.....the outcome will far out-weigh any "giving up" of cookies and carbs. Those will be long gone and I'll still have my health.....and my new shape!
I still thank my lucky stars for the Fountain of Youth gang, their help and support! I could not do this without them. Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Now that's what I'm talkin' about

Week 11 is history and another one pound gone this week. 24 pounds maybe doesn't sound like a lot to some folks, but it has made a huge difference in how I feel and look. Every single day now, someone comments on my weight loss.....my husband said with his weight loss too, that we wonder what in the heck people were thinking when we were at our heaviest?? Gosh! Did we look THAT BAD?
I do feel awesome.....the 4 protein "meals" a day is now second nature and they are still delicious and satisfying. I have dinner with my husband and 6 year old grandson each evening and no one complains...we have not missed the potatoes or lots of bread and definitely not the sugar. We have come a long way and I feel the "worst" is behind us...it is truely life-changing baby steps that we've made and the future looks bright. We're looking forward to bike riding this summer and they are happy that it won't be "oh, let's stop a minute and let Gramma catch up"....I will even be able to wear those cute bike shorts!!

Friday, December 5, 2008

Still going.....

Since my last weigh in 9 days ago, I did post a loss of almost 3 pounds for a total of 23 pounds up to now week 10. I thank the scale goddess for that one.....since I injured my back and haven't been to the gym for 7 days, I was nervous. But I did lose and after my weigh in, I did head back to the gym just for cardio today and my back felt ok. So, I may restart the weights later this weekend or early next week. It still hurts, but at least it's not any worse. My husband has been cleared now for exercise since his hip replacement 7 weeks ago, so it will be nice to have a partner in "sweat". He's lost weight this year too; 40 pounds since February. I'm still playing catch up, but we both already see such a difference in ourselves, and our clothes, that it has been so rewarding. Only 47 more pounds to go for me!!

Saturday, November 29, 2008

OUCH!

My gym workout on Friday morning proved to be a killer; I tweaked a glut muscle on my last machine before my cardio workout. By the time the afternoon came, I was unable to stand up straight, move from sitting to standing.....absolute misery. I sat with an ice pack on my butt most of the afternoon and night; my husband called and got an appointment for a massage today that helped some....the therapist also gave me instructions for some different stretches to do for the next couple days, plus some "icy hot" rub to put on.......I've never had such pain; including 3 natural child births. My husband had to help dress and undress me too.......it was then he noticed how much my body was changing......he was impressed!! WOW! So sad I was in too much pain to enjoy the attention. I hope I don't miss too many workouts due to this injury; have to stay on track. I don't think I've gained any weight, my swelling is way down and I've kept to the diet over the holiday weekend, so I'm happy about that. Next Friday is another weigh in day, so I'll be looking forward to that; hope my back feels better! Take care, Rita

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Yikes!

It was early weigh-in this week due to the holiday; I gained half a pound since my last weigh in 5 days ago. OH NO! However, my water weight went up and my legs were swollen today...I haven't had a lot of salt the last few days...just one of those things, I guess. And I usually have a morning appointment and today because of work, it was at 5pm. Hmmmm. So, I went to the gym tonight and worked out extra hard just to make sure! Hopefully with there being 9 days til my next weigh in, it should be a big drop.
We're looking forward to family coming to dinner tomorrow.....I'm not nervous about it...I now have the discipline to eat what's right and the right portions. Definitely will go to the gym on Friday or Saturday to stay on track. I hope to post a big loss next week, just like the stock market. Ya'll take care! Rita

Friday, November 21, 2008

20 pound turkey

Success! Today is week 8 and after my weigh in today, I have officially hit the 20 pound mark....actually 21.6 pounds gone so far. To put this in perspective, some of us probably have 20 pound turkeys in the freezer...pick one up and that's what I've lost....Jeremy has lost "2 turkeys"! I don't know how Sharisse and Cindee are doing, but I'm sure they are doing great, too. After the stomach flu this last week, I thought my numbers would be skewed, but I regained the fluid I lost and still managed to lose 3 pounds. With the holiday coming up, I already have a meal planned that I will totally enjoy, as will my family. I plan on having mashed potatoes along with everyone else, just a much smaller portion; as I will need to do for the rest of my life. It's a lifetime change.....not just for this year. I'll be darned if I go thru this program for a year and then gain it all back. This is the most amazing gift and I have to say that it will probably be the one thing I'll be most thankful for....when counting my blessings this Thanksgiving day....besides having a home, a job, good health; and SMALLER JEANS!! WOOOHOOO!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Ugh! Stomach flu!

Gosh, we had the intestinal flu visit our house this past weekend...first our grandson, then I became ill Monday evening at the gym....came home, went to bed and woke up with stomach flu.....eewww....on Tuesday. NOT the kind of weight loss I want to repeat. I lost a quick 5 pounds getting sick and dehydrated.... and not eating for 2 days. Now that I'm able to eat and drink again, I did gain back about 2 pounds now that I'm mostly rehydrated, thank goodness. Guess we'll see what Debbie and the magic scale say tomorrow when I weigh in. Wish me luck!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Woohooo!

Oh my goodness......more good news at the weigh in today; another 2+ pounds gone! Yay!! That makes a total of 18.6 pounds gone in the last 6 weeks; It's so easy to stick to this diet when you have those kinds of results in front of you and when you look in the mirror. Only 52 pounds to go; I'm so excited to soon begin shopping for cute clothes instead of just XL whatevers. Everyday someone now asks "are you losing weight?" And I emphatically answer that yes I am and thanks for noticing. I know how Jeremy feels about buying that new belt; I will soon have to get some new jeans to transition me thru the next 52 pounds....these are getting pretty baggy....not that I'm complaining! Debbie said we'll take pictures next week and I'll get that posted. All the sweat and hard work is paying off at the gym too; I've got muscles.....who knew?!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Still going!

Friday was weigh in day and another 1.3 pounds gone; I was hoping for 2 more, but like Debbie said, it needs to come off slow so it stays off! The exercise routine is coming along great; I'm increasing the weights nearly every week except shoulders....that one is always hard for me, but I do them religiously. I go 3 days a week and the face to face visits have been helpful. So, that makes a total of 16.3 pounds weight gone to date. That's over three 5# bags of sugar.....I picked one up at the store the other day to see how heavy that really was; sure puts things in perspective. No wonder I feel better. That's a lot of weight on joints and feet. I'm still very psyched about my diet and life changes....with the progress to date, it is entirely realistic to see me at my goal weight...at first it was daunting, but oh my goodness, I can do this.....but I could not do without the help from the 2 Debbies and the Dr's at the Fountain of Youth....I don't know how I could ever thank them enough. Guess I'll try to think of something by next September when the program ends!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Another night of red cheeks and sweat at the gym is done. I had to make myself go tonight; it was so chilly out and I didn't get home from work til almost 6; I really just wanted to relax with the family; but no one said that losing 70 pounds was going to be easy, so I went and like always, I feel so much better by going and getting a good work-out! My husband was going to go with me but we still have to wait for the clearance from his orthopaedic surgeon; (he had a total right hip replacement 3 weeks ago and his appt is on Thursday, so he really should wait til then and get the green light). I don't mind going "alone" to the gym; there are lots of other folks all there for the same reason, and you get to making new friends along the way.
I've been tempted to get on the scale at work, but I have come to love the excitement of getting the results from Debbie each Friday.....so far the 15 pounds are quite noticeable as far as my clothes fitting much looser....I was able to get on some scrubs that I haven't been able to wear for awhile....my neighbor's have asked what I'm doing...... Several of them saw our pictures in the paper...I missed that edition....I didn't see it. I've had so much support; it's been awesome. I'm still feeling wonderful, each week I'm seeing results and no dreaded plateau yet, thank goodness; but if and when it comes, I know the Fountain of Youth folks will get me thru it! Well, til Friday then! Rita

Saturday, November 1, 2008

I hope everyone had a fun Halloween; the weather here was awesome....everyone was out in tee shirts or sweatshirts walking with their kids; I don't remember a Halloween like this in years. Today is nearly 70, but good weather doesn't last forever and we have a cold front moving in the next couple days; back to wearing sweathirts and coats.
So far, this diet program has been really quite effortless; I have a delightful shake for breakfast (they really are yummy and filling) and a protein bar for mid morning, another shake for lunch, with another protein bar for mid afternoon; the key is to keep your body out of famine mode and then a sensible dinner to keep burning fat and preserving muscle. My exercise program consists of a short warm up, then stretches; Crossroad Fitness has a total body "circuit" workout with weights.....you just keep increasing the weights to build your muscles; then I finish with 30 to 40 minutes on either the arc trainer or treadmill, then a nice stretch afterwards to finish off the session. I love how it feels, no matter how hot and sweaty I get, I've never said "oh man, sure wish I hadn't exercised". I'm tackling my weight head on and I could not do it without the help from the gals and Dr's at the Fountain of Youth and of course, the gym. Some poeple need the structure and the accountability and I'm one of them. I already am being much more disciplined and making better food choices; I didn't have a single Halloween treat this week.....wasn't even tempted. I didn't feel cheated....my eye is still on that dangling carrot waiting for me at the end of the year when I get to my goal weight.
The first 10 days or so of the weight loss program was hard.....I craved everything, was hungry all day long; but I never cheated because you have to write a food diary each day.....I couldn't let Debbie down! Once that phase was over and my clothes fit looser...didn't have to lie on the bed to get the zippers up......my energy level is much higher, there is no crash after lunch....I love it. If I do get a little hungry, I just eat an apple or have some nuts, cheese, etc. That's enough to satisfy my hunger until dinner time with my family. You also have to make sure to drink at least 64 ounces of water a day...sometimes I don't quite get that, but I try really hard.
The other key to the program is how you look at food....I'd eat just because it tasted good or didn't want to waste it...good grief. It has to be a fuel, not a hobby or as I said before, an Olympic sport. I feel so blessed; this really couldn't have come at a better time; I want to be healthy and am mentally ready to make these lifetime changes......it's now or never, do or die; and I've got a lot of living to do and I want to do it as a size nine (or smaller) and not have to hide behind baggy clothes to try to make myself look thinner or avoid meeting up with old friends because I'm embarrassed at how heavy I made myself. If I can do this, anyone can.....and don't wait....make the call.....the help is there. I still thank the good Lord for showing me that entry form that day....and I wish Jeremy, Cindee and Sharisse all the best! Til next time....Rita

Friday, October 31, 2008

Hey!

Who knew that in addition to losing all this weight, that I'd also have my own blog?! I think with some time and experimenting I'll get the hang of it.
I started the program September 25th; at the end of the first week I'd lost 5 pounds....holey moley. The second week showed another 3 pounds and so far after 5 weeks, my total is 15 pounds! It's incredulous to me that I've had all this "poundage" and did nothing about it.....well, I did try diets in the past and always some sort of results, but I still ate pretty much like it was some sort of Olympic sport or hobby. I'm learning to look at food in an entirely different light....it should be fuel for my body and not a dang pastime. It's quite amazing to see really how little food it takes to maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep me energized, once you learn to eat the right kinds of food/fuel to be healthy. I'm back exercising three times a week and does that ever feel great! The folks at Crossroad Fitness are awesome....they are really interested in teaching the right way to exercise and tailor a program that will shape my new body into what I know it can be...even at 52 years old. At some point I'll tell you what weight I started at and what my goal is; but here's a hint...we all had to be at least 70 pounds overweight. CRIPES!