Day 69 - First Goal Achieved

Today is the day I set for my self to get to 150 pounds. It is the day I chose because I am going to see the show Jersey Boys tonight with my mom. If you remember from my first post from December I got the ticket as a Christmas gift and my goal was to lose the weight and wear a really cute outfit in a smaller size to the show. Actually only 2/3 of the goal is achieved. I have lost the weight, I am in a smaller size, but I don't have the cute outfit. Obviously, everything in my closet is too big (I stood in there yesterday trying everything on and I have no pants that fit and none of the tops work for a cool evening). I went shopping yesterday, when I really felt like shopping for clothes, and could not find anything that I liked. I don't know what is about the style this season but the clothes are all hideous colors and patterns that I would never wear. I would have thought I could find something but what I did like was either too casual, too dressy, or too business-like. So what am I doing? Well, I'm running up to another store this morning to find a black pair of slacks to wear with an okay sweater that I have. I don't think I wore the sweater much because it is off white and it did not hide my muffin top. Why I bought it I don't know but at least it is an option for tonight. Maybe I'll see something else I want to wear tonight when I am getting the black pants. The down side of losing weight (if there could be one) is wardrobe in the transition. You don't want to spend money buying clothes as you are losing but at the same time you want to look half way descent. A good problem to have, perhaps, because it is short-lived. I will hopefully post a first goal picture when I take one tonight with my Mom. Can't wait for the show. I'm already singing all the songs it is going to be so much fun.

Day 64 - Jersey Boys on the horizon.

Okay so here I am starting week 10...Lots of good things going on, weight is coming off and I had a good weigh-in today. I am within 2.8 pounds of my first goal weight, which was 150 pounds. I lost 2.4 pounds this week and my total weight loss is 28.2 pounds. Sunday, March 7 is just around the corner and that is when I am going to the show the Jersey Boys with my mom at the performing arts hall. Mom and dad got me the ticket for Christmas...please reference my before picture in my sidebar. That is what I looked like on Christmas and my goal was to get to 150 by March 7....I don't weigh in again until Tuesday, March 9 but I'm positive by then I should have shed the 2.8 pounds, meaning that I made my first goal! That makes me feel really good, especially after setting goals and failing to meet them so many times in the past. I have never been more committed than I am now and I am so glad that I have the support of Medi Weightloss clinic between the biological support of the shots, supplements, and medication and the one-on-one counseling support every week, I have been so happy.

I also feel really good when I assess the statistics. One great thing about Medi Weightloss is that they give you more to look at when you are losing than just your weight. There are other measurements such as Fat Mass, Fat mass percentage, body water weight, and BMI that they measure. I am just as equally amazed at my progress in those areas as well. For example, When I first started Medi on December 29, 2009, my fat mass was 72.5 pounds. Today, my fat mass measured at 54.0 pounds. That is a decrease in 18.5 pounds. The total Fat % went from 40.1 to 35.3% and my BMI went from 30.1 (lower limit of normal for the obese range agghhh) and it is now 25.1, which is just slightly above the upper limit of normal for the normal weight range. They also measure waist circumference and my waist measurement on signing up at Medi...was 38 inches (ughh, embarrassing) now it is 34. I lost 4 inches off my waist and my loose clothing is a testament to that. I am not usually a statistics kind of person but it is fun to see the changes in terms of numbers and really helps keep things in perspective when I see the progress I am making besides the number on the scale. I am really looking forward to going to the show on Sunday. The reviews have been in the paper and I am even more psyched about how good it is going to be. I am also looking forward already to my weigh-in on Tuesday. My final goal is 140 pounds and that is within reach within the next month.

Thanks again for all your support and for following this journey with me. Have a happy week!

Day 57 - Remember to Always "Be Prepared"

What I learned this week...is to be like the famous Scout's motto BE PREPARED. And what is that other saying, "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail." While the week started out well, by the weekend I guess I had planned to fail because I did not prepare for the weekend as far as getting my 2nd shot at the clinic and having food for me to eat in the house. I had not gone grocery shopping so the variety that I usually have was not here and I did not go to the Medi Weightloss Clinic for my 2nd injection for the week and consequently did not get to replenish my supply of the protein shake or protein bars. I use those to mix up my meals a little bit and they are great when I'm busy and on the go don't have time to make a meal. So on Saturday, I was craving things and was wanting to graze and pick because I did not have anything to make a meal with other than chicken breast and who wants a chicken breast for breakfast...yuck. I nibbled on some pancakes that I made Stan and the kids and then nibbled on some pizza later in the day. Not really wanting to eat a whole piece but just kept breaking off pieces of the crust, which may have amounted to a piece in the end. If I would have had my foods, I would not have been even tempted to nibble on anything else. Anyway, bottom line is that I did lose ... it was only 1/2 pound and I guess I should be glad about that. It could have gone up a pound I guess. So in my discussion with Ileney the dietitian today, she said that after 2 months on the plan it is natural to get a little burnt out and not having my supplies in the house made it a lot more difficult for me to cope. Ileney made a plan for me for this week to only eat the 500 calories protein for 3 days to kind of kick start me back on the path to have a bigger drop in my weight next week. Since I am so close to my first goal (30 pounds) that it would be good if I can finally get there and that will motivate me to get to the ultimate goal (40 pounds). She also wants me to exercise a little bit. There's that darn E word again. It keeps haunting me...I just can't get motivated to do anything. Although, I did walk the dog a little bit longer than just down the street and back yesterday...so I will do that again today. I will do what Ileney recommended and be back next week with another progress update.

Day 50 - Weight Loss Benefit --- Smaller Clothes

I went up to Belk last night to find an outfit to wear to a luncheon. It was fun to pass up the size 12s and large/x-large clothes. It is nice to be the opposite of the cartoon on the left. I knew based on my current clothes fitting looser that I could go down a size. I picked out some size 10 slacks and medium tops and took them into the dressing room. I would like to say I was surprised that they fit but I wasn't. There was no sucking it in and praying to the clothes gods "please let it fit, please let it fit, please let it fit." There was no exhaling after zipping it up and then to look in the mirror and feel like I am looking like Violet, from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. What you see in the mirror in the dressing room is important and I can definitely say, I had a better image of myself after trying on those clothes than I have in a long time. So while I did not leave the store with anything tangible, I did leave the store satisfied in the fact that I am now a size smaller than I was 7 weeks ago.

Today was weigh-in day at the Medi Weightloss Clinic. I am happy to say that I lost 2.2 pounds this week for a total loss of 25.8 pounds. Darlene, the dietitian I met with today was happy with my progress and told me that the weight is just melting off of me. I should just keep doing what I have been doing. So, next week...my prediction will be another 2 pounds. Thanks for the support. I appreciate you good wishes.

Day 43 - Scale Still Going in Right Direction.

It wasn't a big loss this week but I had a feeling it wasn't going to be based on how I felt this week but it was a loss anyway and the scale is still moving in the right direction. There are a couple of reasons for the slow down this week and I have it figured out so I'm hoping for a 3 pound weight loss next week. So what was the result today, 1 pound. Total loss 23 pounds. Nothing to sneeze at for sure. At this point, I am averaging almost 4 pounds a week and I think that is very reasonable. The first thing I think I did wrong was not getting the vitamin B injection at last week's visit. The week before that sucker burned when the nurse gave it to me and I did not like it at all. It had burned before but it was particularly bad that day. So I decided not to get it the next week as it is optional (as with all the medications, shots and supplements) but the vitamin B does cost $10 extra so I thought that I didn't like it because it burned and for an extra $10 maybe it is not worth the burn. I think I may have been wrong. It was not one day later that I started feeling like I was back to my old self on a diet. I was wanting to go rooting in the kitchen for chips, cookies, crackers. I had not felt that way since I started the program and I was mad and confused. I didn't attack the things I was craving but I think I did go over board with my allowed snacks, nuts and turkey pepperoni. In speaking with my brother over the weekend, he asked me, so what is the Vitamin B shot supposed to do for you and I read him the information out of the Medi literature that talks about what it does and he immediately keyed on the fact that it helps keep energy level up. He said that my energy level was low so my body was craving carbs to combat that. He's so smart for a baby brother...I love having him to talk to. The other thing that happened was I could have been PMS. Not to get too personal but after having the hysterectomy (I still have my ovaries) I don't get periods so I don't keep track of my cycles but because of that I don't know when I am cycling. The dietitian today said that my hormone levels could have played a role also. She said maybe that coupled with not having the B shot was a good possibility. And then she said the E word. Exercise. I did not exercise at all this week. I don't know why but I have to really push myself to get motivated to do any thing. It is not like I don't have opportunity. I have a dog, I can walk him for 30 minutes a couple times a week. I have a gym membership. I have the dreaded mini-trampoline that Stan keeps arguing with me about because it doesn't need to be cluttering up "his" garage but I won't get rid of it because I will use it....eventually. The other bad thing that happened was on Sunday, Superbowl Sunday. I was actually taking Steven to Naples for his baseball tournament and knew I was going to be there all day. I planned for the day by bringing 2 Medi Weight-loss Protein Bars so that I could have one for lunch and one for a snack. I didn't know if we were going to be able to leave to get something to eat between games so I was prepared with my bars. I had planned on getting home in time to eat before going over to our neighbors' Super Bowl party. Well the first baseball game went in to extra innings ...fortunately Steven's team won and was going to be playing in the championship game but we had to wait for the 2nd game of the day to be over before that. So we actually did not start the Championship game until about 4:00....That means we left Naples at around 6:00 pm. We drove home 45 minutes got through the door in time to change clothes and freshen up slightly to run over to the Super Bowl Party. Once there and on pretty much an empty stomach, I was not too discriminate with what I ate. While I did not indulge in the breads, potato salad, macaroni salad, etc. I got too many carbs from the sauces in the cocktail wieners and sweet and sour meatballs that I tasted and the Sloppy Joe meat. When I figured it all out I think the total for my day was 41 carbs which is almost twice of the amount of carbs I had been eating a day. So while it was still a loss and I'm so used to it being 3 or 4 pounds a week, I am just feeling okay. But it does really make me want to be sure I do everything right this week. I am planning on exercising at least 3 times this week and see what happens next week. By the way, Steven's team came in 2nd place in the tournament in a game that ended 6-5. It was a good game and he is an amazing catcher. I'll be back later in the week for more updates.

Day 38 - Amazing Weight Loss Story - Jerome Biggars

Simply anyone who has been a diet no matter how much weight they have to loose feels it is a daunting task. Can you imagine wanting to loose 300 pounds? I read about this amazing gentleman, Jerome Biggars on the Medi Weightloss facebook page. His Blog "Watch Me Lose 300 Pounds", chronicles his journey. He lost the weight and looks great. I think the lesson behind his story is to just make up your mind and do it. Set goals whether it is 10 pounds, 30, pounds, or in my case 40 pounds, you should just do it for your health and well being. I read about Jerome's goals such as running a 10k and becoming a personal trainer and now that he is at goal, I know he will achieve them. While I have not openly set such physical goals (mine have been purely the banal "to look good" and "to be healthy") but in reality I do have some things I would like to do that I don't think I would have wanted to do with the extra 40 pounds on my body. I always thought playing tennis would be a fun. It would be a way of getting exercise and just having fun. Since I'm in Florida, are their any indoor tennis courts with air conditioning? While I know I won't do it competitively, I have been thinking about how to achieve that goal when I get to my goal weight. Another goal is I'd like to teach yoga. I would at least like to study yoga and be able to be more consistent with practicing on my own even if I don't teach.

When I started Medi, 40 pounds to me might as well have been 300 pounds, but seeing Jerome's story really put it in perspective for me. It was the way I felt whenever I heard about any body's tremendous weight loss story on TV. If they could lose 100 pounds, 200 pounds, why can I not get this stinking 30 to 40 pounds off. Those "big losers" had finally found their motivation and found what worked for them. I'm so glad I finally came to that point in my life and will be able to appreciate the hard work I am doing and stay motivated to keep it off. People who need to lose weight have a lot in common no matter how many pounds it is. My 40 pounds is just as important to me as Jerome's 300 pounds is to him. Find the right program for you, no matter how many you have to go through to find it and once you find it, stay focused.

My challenges this weekend will be another baseball tournament Saturday and Sunday and then of course a Super Bowl party. I already have planned what I'm taking to the tournament. I am not going to eat pickles and peanuts for my dinner if we are stuck at the field and cannot leave for dinner this time. I will share what I did with you when I see you back here on Tuesday for my weigh-in post.

Day 36 - I FEEL GOOD DADADADADA I KNEW THAT I WOULD DADADADADA

I'm channeling James Brown today after my weigh-in at Medi. because I feel good. So good that I was singing the James Brown song on my way home. Do you want to know why....wait for it...I lost 3.5 pounds this week for a total of 22 pounds! I broke through another 10 pounds. Now the needle on my scale is below 160. I never thought I would ever get it below 170 and now it is below 160. That is just messing with my mind. Not much else to share other than I was told by the dietitian Darlene to make sure when I exercise I don't burn more calories than the protein I'm taking in because then I will start burning muscle and that is not good. I need to keep it a steady mild intensity workout for now and get that 3rd day in this week. Other than that...I'm doing great right on target and averaged about 5 pounds a week. It is nice to hear from a couple of people including Darlene, that I have the right attitude. That is as important as the weight loss for me. I am not only changing my body but I am changing my attitude about food. My brother, Jeff, always told me that you should not live to eat but eat to live. Meaning that food is just sustenance. I think that is true. I have always enjoyed good food and trying out new recipes and going to eat at good restaurants and eating other peoples goo cooking. It was always an event or a celebration for me when I ate. My food now is so much more toned down than it ever was. I am eating just for survival. I have to eat the right amount of protein a day, the nonstarchy vegetables and the fruit to survive. I have learned to like them and look forward to them. The bible says gluttony is a sin...I was a sinner. I was a glutton when it came to food. I said WAS! Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying at some point in the future when I have maintained my new weight that I will never indulge in something decadent or savory but right now, I definitely do not seeing myself getting into the bad habits that got me to 180 pounds and kept me there. This is a mid-life crisis moment for me. I am changing my life and I plan on making it stick...at least until I am 80 and then I'm not going to give a crap anymore and just eat what the heck I want. (just kidding)...Have a great week everyone and thanks for following my progress. All your support means a lot to me.