Week 18

Week 18: 219.0
Last Week: 219.2
Progress: Down .2
Starting Weight: 270.2
Total Weight Loss: 51.2
Average Weekly Loss: 2.84

I was hoping for a better loss this week, but I'll take any loss. I did a lot of mindless eating this week and tonight, again I am just feeling SO hungry. I've made good choices today, much better than the chocolate and chips of last week. I'm hoping my string of big loss-small loss continues and I'll have a good week next week.

This week at our meeting we discussed resources, we discussed a lot about the 4 pilars of success: thinking first, attending weekly meetings, eating wisely and get moving. It turned out to be a good meeting, we all got Bravo stickers as our group has really stepped up to the plate and attended most of the meetings throughout the whole summer. It can get hectic, but I'm doing it because I want to.

Today, I got me cholesterol checked at work. I've never had it checked before and had no idea what to expect. Turns out I had one of the lowest scores: 115. Guess my change in eating habits is starting to pay off.

A Different Way of Thinking

This morning my wife's alarm went off at 5:45am. Normally, on a Saturday I would get all huffy and roll over and yell, "Why didn't you turn that damn thing off last night?" But today, I rolled over to my side of the bed, and thought, "I not tired anymore, what should I do first, my new elliptical or go for a long Saturday morning walk, which I always enjoy." I opted for the walk and went extra long through the fairgrounds. It was amazing to see all the race fans up at the crack of dawn. It's the first time I've actually seen any sign of life on a Saturday morning. I'm looking forward to many more experiences like this from now on. I will not be the one yelling about the alarm going off, instead I may be the one setting it.

No Sweat

I have realized this week, during one of the hottest bouts of the year, that I am not sweating nearly as much as I used to. Chalk it up to one of those added non-scale victories that comes with losing weight. I've always had problems with persperation and this week, I have noticed that I sweat a lot when I'm exercising, but the rest of the day I have been like a normal thin person. No sweat!

Updated pictures after 50 pounds!

I've reached 50 pounds and I thought this would be a great time to take another picture of myself. Don't see much of a change in the last 15 pounds, but I can tell it in the way I feel and the way my clothes are fitting.

Yahoo! I lost my 6 yr. old

My DD1 turned 6 yrs. old on Sunday. Last week, she went to the doctor and weighed in at 48.0 pounds. It was my goal this week to reach 48 pounds, so I could say I lost as much weight as my daughter weighs. Not only did I reach 48, I passed 50. I reached several goals tonight:

Lost my daughter!!
Lost 50 pounds!!
Lost my second 10%!!
Lost the tag of obese!!

I am now officially overweight and I couldn't feel better. I have noticed several changes in the last few months. First of all, I no longer huff and puff when I climb the stairs at home or at work, in fact, I've started skipping steps to get myself moving faster. I have lost 5 inches around my waist. I started out as a TIGHT 42 inch waist and now I am a very LOOSE 38 inch waist. I have actually started looking forward to exercise. The last week, I have been bummed out because it's been raining and I can't take my evening walks. I've still gotten my lunch walks in, but it's not the same without the evening walks to the park with my kids. We've been feeding the rabbits three baby carrots every night. It's really been a fun little game to play with them, looking for the bunnies on our evening walk. Most importantly, I've noticed that I feel more confident. I walking taller, holding my chest out, and smiling much more. Thank you Weight Watchers and GOAD for helping me reach a major goal in my weight loss journey.

Week 17

Week 17: 219.2
Last Week: 222.8
Progress: Down 3.6
Starting Weight: 270.2
Total Weight Loss: 51.0
Average Weekly Loss: 3.00

I have to admit, that I am a bit surprised by this week's WI. I know I did well last week and the scale didn't cooperate, so this is just the scale's way of saying I did well. Tonight at our meeting we discussed intellectual wellness. Last week, I had DS with me when we talked about emotional wellness and I didn't get much out of it. This week, it was back to normal...well, maybe not. There were horrible thunderstorms in the area during the meeting and made for quite an eirie site. Intellectual wellness in terms of taking care of your mind; crosswords, sudoku, learning a new song, foreign language, etc. Our leader challenged us to do something out of the ordinary this week. I always do a crossword, usually learn at least one new song weekly, and I'm always learning German at work. I will work to use my DW's Nintendo DS this week. It has a program which tells you your brain age after giving you several timed tests. My brain has been working at 50 yr. level, gotta try to get at least in the 40's this week.

NSV: Wearing a suit

I had attended my Aunt's funeral yesterday. I was asked to be a pallbearer so I wanted to look nice. I wore a suit and it's the first time I've worn one since beginning Weight Watchers. I tried on my "tried and true" suit coats and I was drowning in them. I dug deep into my closet to pull out a suitcoat I wore for a Voice Recital during my Junior year of college 10 years ago. I fit great and I wore it proudly. Lots of comments from family about how I'm fading away, but I know that's not true. I am still officially obese, so I've got a way to go. I was going to wear my infamous Swinging Knight suit, but I decided a doubled-breasted suit with gold buttons, just wasn't right for a funeral. Kind of looks out of style.

It was a wonderful ceremony and I did great at the lunch afterwards. My daughter ended up eating more than I did.

Week 16

Week 16: 222.8
Last Week: 223.2
Progress: Down .4
Starting Weight: 270.2
Total Weight Loss: 47.4
Average Weekly Loss: 2.96

I had a loss this week. It was small, but I was definitely expecting it. Did a little splurging at a baby shower over the weekend. Lots of unnecessary grazing that adding up to using too many weekly points. I'm just glad I didn't gain. Worked real hard after that to stay on track.

Week 15

Week 15: 223.2
Last Week: 228.0
Progress: Down 4.8
Starting Weight: 270.2
Total Weight Loss: 47.0
Average Weekly Loss: 3.13

I can't believe this week's loss. I was actually embarrassed to admit my loss at my Weight Watcher meeting tonight. I have been to the State Fair three times, but have managed to be very disciplined. We talked about FOCUS at our meeting today and picking one thing to focus on weekly: choices/portions, exercise, water, tracking, etc. This week I definitely watched my water intake. I bought a WW water mug last week and have been trying to drink at least three mugs fill. 32 oz. each time. It seemed to work this week, plus I feel that the exercise I did last week with putting up my fence finally caught up with me.

Today, I also joined a weight loss challenge at work with over 20 other people. We all paid $10 and set a goal for 10/6. If we reach our goal we receive our $10 plus a cut from all those who do not reach goal. I decided to set my goal conservatively and and working for 12 pounds in 8 weeks, that will be 1.5 pounds a week. Looking at my track record, that shouldn't be a problem since I haven't lost less than 2 pounds in a given week yet.

I Could Be a Swinging Knight!!!

I've lost over 40 pounds to date, and this morning I decided to try on a pair of pants that I wore during college as much of swing choir I was in. The Swinging Knights have changed a lot over the past 10 years and so have I. I haven't been able to fit in these dress pants for a long time, but I kept holding onto them because they are definitely the most expensive pants I will ever own. Well, this morning I tried them on and the don't fit. Actually, they are too BIG! What a surprise, I am now below the weight I was during my sophomore, junior and senior years of college. Won't mention that freshman year because that's what got me to where I am. Most gain the freshman 15, I gained the freshman 40 and am still attempting to rid myself of them. I am so excited to be able to wear my Swinging Knight suit, double-breasted with small-plaid slacks. Hope I have a wedding to go to soon before they start falling off of me.

Pigging Out at the Wisconsin State Fair

I mentioned on the GOAD message board today that I went to the fair last night. While I was there, I was watching everyone else eat and the amount of food consumed. It got me thinking because someone asked about how we react to obese people now. I am still obese, on my way down, but definitely still obese. I can't say anything bad about others that are eating food at the fair that seems to be a bit extreme because I've been there. I have always gone to the fair for food. Cream puffs, cheese curds, buttery corn on the cob, carmel apple sundaes, garlic toast, and on and on. Last night, I went because it was cheap and because I wanted to eat supper there. Once I got to the fair, I realized that the food really is secondary to everything else happening. We walked through the culinary, flower, and craft exhibition hall. This is where people submit recipes, flowers and various crafts/art to be judged. It really is a great building to visit plus we have fun picking out names that we know. After walking through that building, we did get dinner for the kids. Pizza was the choice and they ate it well, which was the only reason we got it. My wife got cheese curds and I opted for a baked potato. I stayed within my points for the day and felt great when I got home. Normally, I would be so stuffed and feeling bad after going to the fair.

I'm not sure how to feel about those eating because the food is readily available. I do know that I will be going back to the fair and I will be on plan once again.

Week 14

Week 14: 228.0
Last Week: 230.0
Progress: Down 2.0
Starting Weight: 270.2
Total Weight Loss: 42.2

I was hoping for a bigger loss since I did so much work in my yard digging post-holes and putting up a fence. I know I probably didn't eat quite as well as I should have. Got all my points in, but wasn't really watching my Healthy Guidelines daily. Water was also a challenge, because I hated to take a break when I was on a roll. I also know that all this work will pay off and I'll have a good loss this next week if all goes well. I was a little embarassed at my meeting when I got upset about a 2 lb. loss, but I'm also looking for more. Actually, 2 lbs. is my lowest loss for a week so far, so I guess I'm doing fine.