New Year, New Me :: Weight Watchers

If you're someone that knows me IRL, you probably already know that I joined Weight Watchers last Saturday (January 9th). It's a day that I will remember, as it's the beginning of this journey that I am taking to get healthy, lose weight, and allow the new me to blossom and grow.

I've tried WW before and just didn't really have the drive, motivation, and determination to stick to it. This time is different. This time, I feel like it's just something that NEEDS to happen and I know WW is a proven system that's healthy and DOES work. I know I didn't gain weight over night, and it's going to take a long time to lose it, but I am determined to keep chugging along until I'm healthy.

I know what it's like to be with someone that treats me terribly and takes advantage of me. I endured a life-changing divorce and came out of it a survivor who was stronger, but also knew exactly what I wanted. When I met Steve and realized he WAS the ONE, I didn't want to do anything that could jeopardize the relationship.

He loves me for me, inside and out, and I am so very blessed to have him in my life. He makes me laugh, and brings out the best in me (not many people can say this about their spouse if they're being honest). I NEED to be around as long as possible, so I can spend as much time with him as I can.

And don't even get me started on my two sweet pumpkin pies. They are my world and I am their world, and they deserve to have a mom that's healthy, happy, and around as long as possible. 

So when I think about why I want to do this, it's them. THEY are my reason. Steve, Gus and Hugh are the reason I am changing my life and starting this journey.

So let me tell you about my first week on WW. First, the entire program has changed. It's no longer the Points-Plus program, now it's Beyond the Scale and they use Smart Points (or SP as I tag things on my Instagram). Foods that are lower in fat/sat fat, calories, and sugar are going to be lower points, and foods that are higher in protein are also lower in points. You can imagine, the opposite holds true... sugary foods, fatty foods, and high-calorie foods are a lot more points on the SP program. 

For example, on the old plan, it was roughly 40-50 calories per point.... so a Coke (140 cals) was about 4 points. Now, it's 9 points. NINE.

I decided to sign up and I asked a few friends if they wanted to join too. My best friend, Britt said she was going to do it too, and so we went to our first meeting last week. After talking to her, I decided I wanted to join the YMCA so I could exercise. Not only can I use it, but the boys can swim year-round and I put Gus in a youth yoga class that meets every Monday. :-) He loves it.

Steve and I went grocery shopping and I am SO thankful that he's supporting me through all this. He's eating healthier too and we're both going to benefit from me doing WW. We got a ton of great food, and filled the fridge with fruits and veggies galore. Honestly, more veggies than I've bought in a LONG time.

I went on Pinterest and found some recipes to try and that's what we did this past week. We are only eating out on Saturdays (my weigh-in day). Let me say this is helping more than anything!! I was eating fast food 4x a week and we'd order pizza or Chinese or carryout... it was not healthy living at all. I haven't had fast-food in over a week... and haven't had sweets in over a week. No regular soda either. I've been drinking a LOT of water... like all I drink is water, and then I allow myself ONE Mello Yello Zero or Fresca each day (both have 0 points).

I'm relearning how to think about food and see it more as fuel for my body, than something to put in my mouth when bored. I'm quite proud of myself. :-)

I spend the week "tracking" (logging everything put into my mouth) and stayed within my points for the week. I didn't touch my weekly points and didn't use any of my Fit Points... and when I went yesterday for my weigh-in, I was met with an awesome 5.2 loss. 

I know not every week will be as wonderful as this last week was, but it was awesome and felt fantastic to see results for my determination.

I've been posting pictures of each meal on Instagram and then allowing it to go to FB. My friends and family on FB have overwhelmed me with support and love. I've been getting messages from a ton of people either asking me about the program, or just telling me they're rooting for me and so proud of me. It means more than I can even express. There's something to be said for people supporting you while on a weight-loss journey and I know I CAN and WILL do it... one week at a time.

:-)

My group leader, Sissy, read this at my meeting this week and it really struck a chord with me. It's called "If I Lost A Pound A Week"

By Valentine’s Day I’d be 6 pounds lighter!
I’m telling you – I’m loving it!

By St. Patrick’s Day I’d be 11 pounds lighter!
With the luck-o-the Irish I’ll make my goal!

By Easter I’d be 12 pounds lighter!
I’d be a cuter bunny!

By Memorial Day I’d be 21 pounds lighter!
Won’t let it rain on my parade!

By Flag Day I’d be 23 pounds lighter!
Boy, could I wave my flag then!

By Independence Day I’d be 26 pounds lighter!
That’s a neat declaration of independence from overeating!

By Labor Day I’d be 35 pounds lighter!
What a wonderful reward for all my hard work!

By Columbus Day I’d be 41 pounds lighter!
What a joy to discover what I can do!

By Halloween I’d be 43 pounds lighter!
I didn’t think I’d have had a ghost of a chance!

By Thanksgiving I’d be 47 pounds lighter!
I’d have so much to be thankful for!

By Christmas Eve I’d be 51 pounds lighter!
Talk about being merry!

By New Year’s Eve I’d be 52 pounds lighter!
It’s not just a new year, it’s a NEW ME!!

Stay tuned for more and be sure to follow me on Instagram! 

Does Walking Around Target Count???

I'm going to say that yes, walking around Target for about an hour, most definitely constitutes as exercise. :-) 

I was told not to stay home and do nothing today because it'd make it even worse tomorrow... and I needed to head to Target anyway, so I went. And I walked around the entire store for almost an hour (mostly on purpose).

There's only so much that an almost-two-year-old can handle... and it WAS lunch time, so I had to play my cards right. I also ran into a friend from AAM (Atlanta Area Mommies) and spent a few catching up with her... but other than that, we were moving the whole time.

I was able to get home and put Gus down for a nap and I was able to chat with my cousin Jessica about running and the Couch 2 5K program. I found out that my (TMI-- AGAIN SO SORRY) feelings of instantaneously needing to poop are normal. Apparently, my body will adjust to all the moving around that I'm doing when I'm jogging (and friends... there's a WHOLE lot moving around). I thought it was just me and my nerves... but it's normal (I guess) to feel the sudden need to go. Not sure what can be done about that... since I do my moving at the greenway and there's NO PLACE TO GO but the woods. HAHAHA.

I also came to the conclusion that I do not ever have to RUN an entire 5k. I am totally fine with my jog/walk combo routine. I hope to be able to jog longer as I get stronger and more endurance, but I don't HAVE to jog an entire 5k without stopping. In fact, I'm following another site (Run Injury Free with Jeff Galloway) and feel like his method is perfect for me. You run 30 second and walk 1.5 (which is what I did Monday)... it gradually increases. This is where the C25K differs-- in that program, you eventually just run (without walking) for the entire time. 

I was talking to my dad yesterday (he called to see how my first day went of training) and he suggested that I get a heart monitor watch. I found a Polar (I did some research on heart monitors) for a pretty good price and it even tells you how many calories you've burned. I thought I had ordered a Timex, but I was wrong... It was a Polar (there are so many brands of heart monitor watches... I got lost in all of them). It should be here next week and I'm looking forward to using the chest strap to see my heart rate. My dad said it would be a really good idea to know if I was in the right zone for optimal exercise. I don't want to over do it, but I don't want to under do it either.

So we'll see. I am meeting Pilar in the morning to walk again... round two. What's really odd to me is that my legs don't hurt like I thought they would... but my abdominals seriously hurt. I feel like someone has been beating on me. My arms hurt too... I'm guessing from pushing the stroller. Even my back muscles are a little sore, but my legs are totally fine. WEIRD.

See you tomorrow for an update on training day two. I pray that I can stay focused and just take it one step at a time.

I Am Not A Runner (YET)

 

TRUE DAT

So I was on Facebook not too long ago, and my friend Lee posted that she was so excited to do The Color Run 5K. I had never heard of it, so I decided to Google it. I'm not sure what happened, but I immediately decided that I wanted to run it in 2013. It was like instant motivation for me, and it looked so fun.

It just looks like a complete blast and I want to do it. Maybe I can get three others to join with me and we can run as a team of four. I just think this is just what I need to get myself motivated.

As if the stars weren't aligning enough with a sudden burst of motivation, I sent out an email to my MOMS Club asking if anyone had a jogging stroller to give/sell me and I actually had someone email me and tell me that she had one for me! I was able to go today and pick it up and it's beautiful. It's a Jeep Music on the Move stroller and has a built-in speaker/iPod cord so I can listen to my music while out and about!

So then today, we were at an event and I was talking with some of the ladies about my decision/motivation to start the Couch to 5K and Pilar said she'd work with me and help me built up to being able to run a 5k! I'm so excited! I told her that I am VERY out of shape and it's going to take a while for me to get into the groove, but she said she and a few of the other ladies run and they started off very small too.

 

It's an official program where you can get a plan for running

 

I have an app similar to this for my iPhone. It let's me know when to run/walk/jog and plays my music for the intervals needed

I'm more motivated than ever before. I am not a runner. Yet. I hope to get myself into a groove and run with the ladies three times a week and then Steve wants to start walking after dinner at least three times a week... so between running and walking, I should be moving my behind seven days a week and I'm very excited about what can come from it.

 I ask for prayers as I start this new journey. Ultimately, I don't have a weigh goal, it's more of just feeling good. I want to not be out of breath, not be tired, and live a long life with Steve and Gus. I MUST lose weight... and while I'm sure that running isn't the answer to all the issues, it should at least help me burn calories and get me moving. As my dad says, "You can eat whatever you want (in moderation) if you're regularly exercising and burning calories."  :-)

As one last motivator for starting my metamorphosis into a runner, I bought myself a GOOD pair of running shoes. I did some research and looked at motion-controlled shoes for overweight women and found these:

 

Adidas Supernova Glide 4

Now I just need to get started!! I can't wait until I can say (with pride)... 

I

Am

A

Runner

A Day of Gratitude #97

 

A Year of Gratitude #97: Dave is Okay

I'm not going to go into any details on this, as my brother deserves his privacy... but I am extremely grateful today that he is okay. My mom called me while I was driving home from our Easter Egg Hunt with some important news about my brother.

I'm grateful and thankful that he's okay and that he's being taken care of. Thank you God!!

Update!

So I went to the OB yesterday and was absolutely amazed at what she had to share with me. She had the labs completed and run (from my blood work back in December), and she had my internal ultrasound results from the doctor that I went to last Thursday.

First off, I was very nervous. I wasn't sure what she was going to find, but I was alone and very nervous that it'd be bad news. As I think most readers know, I went because I've been having irregular cycles and bleeding and not been ovulating. She thought the internal would explain some things, but it came back completely normal. My ovaries are full of eggs (GREAT SIGN), and I have a nice uterus (thanks mom and dad) and my cervex looks great too. A girl couldn't ask for more. LOL.

So the internal ultrasound doctor (it wasn't a tech, he's actually a doctor that specializes in this) said it was most likely a hormonal issue because everything on the inside looks wonderful.

The first thing my OB said to me was, "You don't have genetal herpies." LOL. I busted out laughing because I didn't know she was even testing for that... and I said, "Well, that's good because if I did, my husband would be in some trouble." She said that with a woman looking to get pregnant, they always test for that because of complications that can come from herpies. Anywho--- I am STD free (lol). :)

I am also HPV free which was a little surprising because back in Michigan, I had an irregular pap and they said it was due to a strain of HPV. I had to take it very seriously because HPV can lead to cervical cancer. Anyway, I didn't know you could "get over it" but apparently whatever strain I had was mild enough that I no longer test positive for it and two different tests showed a negative result. Yay me! :)

My pap came back normal and everything looked good. More good news. So... where's the bad news? Believe it or not, there really wasn't any. All my hormone levels (with the exception of one) came back completely normal. I'm not diabetic, my insulin was in the normal-high range, but normal none-the-less, and my labs showed that I have eggs but am not ovulating. So, she put me on a prescription for something that starts with an M (can't remember the name), but it's supposed to help with the ovulation AND as an added bonus, will help me lose weight.

Her best guess as to what's happening with things is that I've gained weight and just am not ovulating as a result. This can happen to a 160 pound individual (I am not 160 btw)-- or someone like me (just a smidge more than 160 LOL). She said to focus on eating better (I AM) and to try and exercise regulary (I AM) and those things with this prescription should get things working for me. When I told her about my "New Year, New Me" campaign, she got really excited and actually got emotional about how proud of me that she was. She really is a sweet woman!

So... bottom line, I am good! Nothing really wrong with me health-wise, I just need to lose some weight. She said that she'd like me to lose 30-40 pounds before trying to conceive, because it'd be the healthiest for me and a baby. She also said that just losing 10 pounds will make a world of difference in my health. So I'm starting with 10 pounds, and working my way toward my goal weight which is well past 30-40. :) I think I am going to join Weight Watchers on Thursday. :)

Until next time...
>^..^<

New Year, New Me Part 2

Well... it's almost been a week and things are going strong! I am very proud of myself for sticking to my guns and writing down EVERYTHING that I eat. It's been enlightening to see just how much sodium is in food! Obviously processed food has more, and I'm trying to steer clear of processed foods.

I've been able to do my Wii Fit each morning and Thursday I stayed home for my internal ultrasound appointment, and did the Dance Dance Revolution 2. Talk about buring up some calories! I was sweating like crazy!

Speaking of my appointment, it went well. I had a slight melt-down because I hadn't thought about what I'd do, or how I'd react if he found something bad (tumors, etc.). Steve had meetings all day and wasn't able to go with me, and I was really nervous. Fortunately, he said everything looked normal, and nothing stood out to him. He said that his best guess is that it's something hormonal.

I go tomorrow for my OB appointment. I am nervous about it because she'll have my blood results and his results and we'll be talking about what to do next. Hopefully she'll be able to prescribe me something to restart my system and get me ovulating.

Speaking of ovulating... I feel like now that I've got a good start to my new lifestyle, I want to focus on losing weight and getting healthy before trying to make a baby. Don't get me wrong, if it happens that'd be great, but I think I'd be a whole lot better off if I lost some weight first and just focused on that for a while. I get very fixated on certain things and then they drive me crazy. Trying to get pregnant has been one of those things, and I'm ready to move onto something more productive with my fixation. I'm going to give 100% effort to me... and my health... and then worry about pregnancy stuff later.

Steve is being very supportive about all of this. WHICH IS AMAZING! I am no longer drinking regular soda... and really, have only had soda twice and it was Coke Zero and Diet Coke both times- and he and I shared it. All the rest has been skim milk and a whole lot of water. I've found my cravings for sweets and sugars have kinda diminished and I am not eating as much as I used to. I hope to be able to report some great things as a result of all this soon!

I have a lot going on this week. Tomorrow I go to the OB for my post-blood and post-ultrasound appointment. I'll try to get on and post more about that tomorrow. Tuesday I have my mentor practicum class... and pray that I pass! Friday is the OG staff party and should be fun and then there's no school Monday! WHOO HOO!!

Keep me in your prayers!!!
Until next time...
>^..^<