Why thank you, scale.

This week's weigh in:  +.6 lbs
Total lost: 54.2 lbs


Yes, I gained today.  And yes, I'm thankful.  Why?  Lots of reasons.  First off, I'm thankful that after the ridiculous amount of unhealthy food I've consumed in the past week, I've only gained .6 of a pound.  I'm also thankful that I DID have a gain, because there's no motivation in rewarding negative behavior.

I've spent the past hour looking at progress pictures of many people I've met on the Weight Watchers message boards, as well as other random people who have posted their amazing progress in various places online.  Other than possibly my own success, there is absolutely nothing more motivating to me than seeing the success of others.

Today at my meeting, my leader Carol pulled me aside after I weighed in.  She handed me a form for Weight Watchers "Role Model of the Year" contest, and told me that she would like to nominate me.  I can't explain just how good this made me feel.  She has been an essential part of my entire journey so far, and to know that she believes in me and my success enough to nominate me for something like this makes me so happy.  They choose 6 grand prize winners for the contest that get to go to New York City, get a makeover, clothes, etc, and then are featured in an issue of Weight Watchers magazine!  That would be pretty awesome, so let's all hope I win!

When things get frustrating and difficult, all of these things are a reminder of why its worth it to put the effort in every day to make myself healthier.

We all need a week off sometimes, right?

Okay, confession time.  From last Wednesday until today, I did not follow Weight Watchers one single bit. I ate anything and everything that I wanted, didn't track a single thing that I ate, and probably ate way more than I normally ever would, just because I felt like the week had already gone down the drain.  (Part of this was due to the mini vacation to San Luis Obispo, which is what the picture in the previous post is from)  Either way, no excuses.

Note to self (and readers):  Don't do this.

Today, I picked myself up, slapped myself across the face, and told myself to get with it.  I went grocery shopping and I've tracked all day.

Tomorrow's weigh-in will NOT be pretty.  I can promise you that.  But, I'm going.  I really want to lose 10 more pounds by May, so I need to get my butt in gear.  That's my current mini-goal, 175 by May 1st.

Have you had to pick yourself up and keep going lately?  What are your current mini goals?

A weekend on the coast.

Take that, weekend temptations!

Last Friday, after I weighed in and realized that I needed to kick my butt into a little higher gear, I made myself a promise.  I was not going to go out to a bar all week.  This might not seem like a difficult thing, but I go out pretty often - not always drinking, but just to hang out with friends after work or for trivia that the local pub hosts.  Though I'm not always drinking, it usually leads to eating, and then I end up using all of my weekly points on Friday/Saturday night for stupid mindless food that I don't even care about.

This week, I conquered.  I invited friends over on Saturday night, ate dinner before they showed up, and had some wine.  I saved money.  And, I completed this week with 9 weeklies and all of my activity points left over!!  In response, the scale rewarded me, after barely chugging along the last three weeks.

This week's weigh-in:  -2.8 lbs

Total lost: - 54.8 lbs

I need to do this more often.  Less eating out, less night time eating.  I KNOW it will help.

Inner Reality Check

Today I woke up feeling skinny.  Sometimes I can push my confidence to this level for a short time, but it never lasts very long.  Five minutes into staring at myself in the mirror, I notice my flabby arms, or the loose skin, or the fact that my stomach still just refuses to go away.  Getting ready for work, I put on my size 12 jeans, and still can't quite grasp the idea that they actually fit.  Back at the mirror, I'm picking at the fat that's still pushing over my waistline.

Really, does this cycle ever end?

I've been thinking lately about how much of a mental battle weight loss is... and I truly believe it's so much more mental than physical.  No matter how many successes I have, I will always find the flaws.  I have been trying to focus on the positive, no matter what, and realize that I still have a ways to go in this whole journey. Unfortunately my mind likes to default to the feelings that are normal and easy - the negatives.

My Weight Watchers leader said something in our meeting the other day that really stuck with me:

"Sometimes there will be difficulties along the road, and you will be ready to give up.  Think of it this way - If you planned to take a trip from Florida to Washington, and got a flat tire in Oklahoma, would you move there!?"

With that, it all makes just a little bit more sense.  :-)

Crab and Corn Quesadillas

3 flour tortillas
2 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese
4 oz white crab meat (or lump crab meat)
2/3 cup corn (canned, or already cooked)
1/4 cup roasted red peppers, diced
1 tsp caribbean jerk or cajun seasoning
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/8 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
spray butter
olive oil cooking spray

Combine cream cheese, crab, corn and roasted red peppers in a bowl.  Add caribbean or cajun seasoning, black pepper, and cilantro.

Spray 10" skillet with olive oil spray and heat to medium.  Spread 1/3 of mixture onto one half of each tortilla, and fold over.  Spray each side of tortilla with spray butter and heat on each side for approx. 3 minutes.  Cut each quesadilla into two pieces.  Serve with salsa or sour cream.

Servings: 6
WW Points per serving: 2

Maybe I will really be a runner some day...

It's been awhile since I've updated... sorry!  So weeks one and two of 10k training are complete, and I feel good!  Truthfully, I am so pumped for Week 3 and ready to push myself a little bit harder.  I found a new jogging path this week and it has changed the atmosphere up a bit and made me really excited to get out and run ouside.  So, bring it on Week 3!!

Last week's weigh in:  - .6 lbs
Total lost: -51.8 lbs

This week's weigh in: -.2 lbs
Total lost:  -52 lbs

My weight loss on the scale seems to be slowing down, but I'm seeing a difference physically alot lately.  Unfortunately, my clothes shopping is seriously affected by this.  I'm spending too much money!  Plato's Closest will be my new best friend.

Recipes coming soon!