HARD WORK PAYS OFF

Well it's "weigh day" and I almost took a "no way" day, but decided to just bite the bullet and get on the scale.  WOO HOO thank goodness I did.  I worked very hard this week and kept to my plan to work out in some way every day.  So I stepped very gingerly on the scale this morning and I lost 1.6 lbs. bringing it to 31lbs. total.  Sooooooooo happy.  I quickly jumped off before the scale changed it's mind.  :)

I have a wedding on May 27th (so that's about 4 weeks away, right?)  Well I'm setting a goal to lose 4 more pounds by then.

I have a tip to share that I have to credit my brother with.  I love greek yogurt, but buy the plain variety (less points) and then put fresh berries and bananas in it.  I've learned to like it, but it's very much like eating sour cream with fruit in it.  So my brother swirls sugar free preserves into it.  The other day I tried it with a tsp. of raspberry preserves and then put fresh raspberries in.  YUM and it added no points.  Enjoy!!!

Until next time...........

GET BACK ON TRACK!!!

Okay so I have a lot of work to do this week.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself this weekend celebrating Easter and spending three days with family.  It was wonderful and I don't regret one minute of it or any of the food I ate or wine I drank.  It was great!!  :)  But now I have to do double time to "fix" for  lack of a better word all the fun I had.

My plan is to just get right back on track as far as my eating, which I have already done as well as doing some sort of activity every day (i.e. walking, jazzercise, etc.)

I may not lose this week (in fact I will probably gain) but that's okay I'm back on track and will get back to where I was in short order.  At one point in my life, it would have discouraged me, but I have come to realize that in order to enjoy this journey I am on - I have to be able to ENJOY all parts of my life.  Depriving yourself constantly is a quick recipe for failure.  The trick is being able to get right back on the right path.

So the journey continues and it's quite a trip.

Until next time................

WEIGH DAY

So this week I gained a little bit - .8lbs.  I kind of expected it so I'm okay with it.  I'm very proud of myself for getting on the scale even when I expected a gain.  This week will also be a difficult one with Easter this weekend, but if I gain a little bit again as a result, then I just work harder until it comes off again.  I refuse to not celebrate this weekend - I'll just make better choices than I would have in the past.  Let's face it with going away last weekend and eating all meals out - only gaining .8 is pretty damn good.  So good for me :)
There I feel better. 

I did FINALLY go back to jazzercise this week (only once though)  I could feel the tightness in my hip and leg, but I just did lower impact moves and got through it and I'm fine.  I also took a nice walk this week.  I'm going to up the exercise a little bit more this coming week and maybe that will help get rid of the Lancaster and more than likely Easter gains.

I am bringing dessert to my family gathering this weekend so I wanted to bring something people would eat and not even realize it was light so I'm doing a trifle with angel food cake, fresh strawberries and blue berries and fat free cool whip.  Kind of like a strawberry short cake in a trifle dish.

I'm also planning on trying some new light recipes soon so if they are good, I'll post them here.

Until next time.............

SUPPORT SYSTEMS

I started writing this blog as a way to keep myself accountable in yet another way.  You get to a point where you have to "think outside the box".  I have found that if I feel like I'm accountable to anyone but myself, I do better with keeping on track.

I received an email this morning from my beautiful sister in law (I have many wonderful sisters in law- but this one has been my friend far longer than my sister in law) and she told me that reading this blog inspired her.  What a wonderful thing to hear.  It also got me thinking about just how important a good support system is - it is key to success.  I am very lucky in that respect.  I have a great family and wonderful friends who hold me up when I start to fall and keep me inspired.

That email this morning (and I'm sure she doesn't even realize this) inspired me.  By her telling me the things she did, it kept me going.

Don't underestimate how important your support system is.  It is VITAL.  I hope you are all as lucky as I am.  Thank you to all of you for your never ending support and love.

Until next time...............

CHALLENGES

Challenges have become a way of life - especially the older I get.  But without challenges, you cannot have success, right?

One of the things I really like about the Weight Watchers program is that it is a "lifestyle change" and not a "diet".  I have come to realize that I have to allow myself to relax once in a while on this journey and enjoy my life and the people in it.  I can't always say no, but I can always try and make better choices.

This past weekend my husband and I went away to Lancaster,PA with two of our favorite people.  So now I have two dinners, two breakfasts and one lunch to try and deal with.  I was very proud of myself.  I knew the last night we were there was a dinner theater and I had already decided I was just going to allow myself to take the night off for that meal, but I had the others to still deal with.  Here's where the "better choices" came in.  Breakfast buffets are especially tough for me because I LOVE breakfast - bacon, waffles, oh yum.  I didn't even go over to that side of the buffet - I went right over and got my yogurt, my box of cheerios, and my fruit, sat down and didn't go back up - I was full and enjoyed it.  The second day at the breakfast buffet, I opted for a bowl of delicious oatmeal with craisins and apple - again so good and I was very satisfied.

Lunch we hit up Panera - you can always find better choices here so that was easy.  And Ruby Tuesday was my friend the first night with the wonderful salad bar they have and their fit and trim grilled tilapia.

So I survived the challenge of the weekend and even though I know I consumed more calories than I normally would have, I still made better choices and had a great time!!!  A true success if you ask me.

Until next time............

WEIGH DAY

Today is the kind of day that make all the hard work worthwhile - a day when you actually see results.   Today (weigh day) is also the day that makes me shake with fear before stepping on the scale.  I genuinely never know how I'll do.  Some weeks I'll work very hard and lose nothing or actually gain and other weeks - weeks that I haven't been able to work out at all, I'll have a great loss.  Honestly it's a crapshoot when you are menopausal. 

Thankfully today - for me - it's a GREAT DAY!  This week I lost 2.4 lbs. bringing my grand total so far to 30.2 - I am literally dancing on the moon right now!!!

I am convinced that if you literally don't put a time frame on your weight loss and embrace the fact that it's going to take as long as it takes, you will see results.  The old me would have said - I want to hit my goal before summer.  The new me is happy to say - look at how much better I'm going to look than last summer. 

I have also been enjoying going through my old clothes that haven't fit in forever - and they are all starting to fit again - there is nothing better than that.

The rule of clothes - when they get too big - get rid of them.  Holding onto them is giving yourself permission to put the weight back on.  When they get too tight - keep them as a goal to shoot for again.

For all of you women over 50 reading this - remember we can do anything!!!  I mean let's face it - if you can continue to live a normal life while in menopause - you're already amazing!!! You will succeed!!!!

Until next time..............

HUNGRY GIRL - YOUR NEW BFF

If you haven't already discovered Hungry Girl, you are really missing out on a true find.  I am now the happy owner of four Hungry Girl cookbooks and I have found many many delicious recipes in each one that I cook all the time and they have become family favorites.

Besides the cookbooks, Lisa Lillien (creator of Hungry Girl) has her own tv show on the cooking channel as well as the Hungry Girl Website.  Check out all of these resources - you will discover your new bff just as I did.

Besides giving us all wonderful recipes and tips, she is a very real person and interjects a lot of humor into her writing.  She also (much to my delight) will very often put the WW pts. plus value right next to her recipes. 

Start today by checking out the website     www. hungrygirl.com  I think you'll be very happy you did.  We can always use the extra help, right?

Until next time..........

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS... (cue music)

I just wanted to share some of my favorite food items that have helped me along the way.  If you haven't tried these - stop whatever you're doing and go immediately to the food store.  You won't be sorry.

VitaLicious Muffin Tops (located in your frozen food section - by the breakfast items)  They range in value from 2-3 pts. plus.  Blue Bran is my favorite - I throw it frozen into my bag every day and by 10:00am when I need my mid morning snack - it has defrosted and it's like a large soft cookie - yum.

Laughing Cow Light Cheese wedges - 2 wedges = only 1 pt. plus (but even just one goes a long way) every flavor is delicious - I love a wedge of this cheese with Special K bran crackers (12=2 pts. plus) (this is another of my favorite things)

Special K also now has chips - sea salt and sour cream and onion - 10 chips = 1 pt. plus.  I don't know about you, but I always need a little salty crunch with my lunch and these really hit the spot.

Greek Yogurt - Chobani happens to be my favorite - the personal size containers range between 2 and 3 pts. - most of them 3.  I'm the freak that really loves the plain (2 pts. plus) but to that I add lots of fresh berries (which help sweeten it a little)

Spaghetti Squash - OMG this was a true find.  I love it with a tbs. of fat free ricotta cheese and a little spaghetti sauce on it. 

Well these are some of my favorites that really help me through my days.

Until next time.................

POINTS VS. POINTS PLUS

The first time I lost all my weight was on the Weight Watcher's points program.  So naturally, when I started this time I went right back on that program.  Well Weight Watcher's changed the rules in the middle of my stream (so to speak). 

In November WW broke out the Points Plus Program.  What???????????  I wasn't sure about this - I mean I'm a big believer in "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".  But I decided I would see what it was all about and give it a try.  Then I actually got excited about it.  It was another "fresh start".

Well I'm here to tell you that if you were successful on the points program, you will be even more successful on the points plus program.  Instead of counting calories, fat and fiber - you now count protein, carbs, fat and fiber.  This is actually genius - of course you need to be looking at the protein and carbs - helloooo????

This new program was definitely the kick start I needed and I have really been doing well with it.  It made me look at the way I was eating completely differently and fruits (now zero points plus) have become a much bigger part of my diet.

If you have been following the points program and have been afraid to switch -DO IT.  Does it take some getting used to?  Absolutely.  Is it harder to follow?  It may be at first (especially if you're a carbs lover) but you will be so happy you gave it a shot.  It's so nice to start to see results again.

Until next time.........

WEIGH DAY

I know I'm a freak, but I usually can't sleep Thursday nights because it's the night before my weigh day.  I'm still not quite sure why this is - am I excited? am I nervous?  I honestly don't know, but I know that more times than not I'm up earlier than usual on Friday mornings. 

Most of the time I know what to expect based on how my week went.  There are even times I opt for a "No Weigh" day because there is NO WAY I'm getting on the scale. :)  I'm definitely an advocate of the No Weigh Day but only once in a while.  This process is difficult enough - why destroy your motivation because of one off week?  So take yourself off the hook when you need to, but don't make it a habit - you still have to be accountable.

Well this week I honestly wasn't sure what to expect because I was blessed with my period - this is a crapshoot anymore.  Am I getting it?  Am I skipping it?  Will it be a difficult one?  AAAAAAAAAAHH  I thought I was skipping it, but no after 42 days, there it was.  At any rate, I still did my usual sleepless Thursday night in anticipation of the "the big event"  haha.  And this week I did have a loss.  I lost 1/2 lb., which bring me down to 28 lbs.  I'm happy with any loss on weeks like this.  The good news about getting weighed when you have your period is that you are almost guaranteed a better weigh day the next week. 

Embrace any loss and remember there is no time limit put on you.  Enjoy your journey - there are so many new things for you to experience and even as we all chip away at the weight, we are still succeeding - a 1/2 lb. at a time.

Until next time..........

POWER BANDS - PROCEED WITH CAUTION

Have any of you heard of power bands?  They are actually quite amazing.  They are bracelets that improve your balance, strength and energy and they apparently convince me that I have super human powers and can do anything.  Well I'm here to tell you that I cannot.

First of all, let me just say I think the Power Bands are amazing and they do work, but definitely proceed with caution.

The first time I wore mine - I got on my elliptical machine and I was like this wild woman - OMG I was incredible - I was literally flying and I thought - wow this band is amazing - look at me go!

The second time I wore it I was at my jazzercise class and again out came this wild woman who couldn't be stopped.  Okay now for the reality check - just because this bracelet gives you more energy and it definitely does  - it DOES NOT give you the ability to do moves you have never been able to do before.  It didn't stop me though -lol - so I go right into this crazy side plank (I had never been able to do this before) guess what?  I still couldn't and the result?  I injured my leg involving my sciatic (sp?) nerve and because of this I have not been able to get back to working out.  It's been weeks.......... So frustrating!  I really miss it but I'll be back soon - can't keep a good woman down, right?

So the moral of the story is wear your power bands responsibly.  :)

Until next time..........

THE FIGHT REALLY BEGINS

As I told you all in my last post, on my 50th Birthday I started my journey (or picked up where I left off).  Somehow I had nearly 50 pounds to lose, but this time I was more than ready for the fight - bring it.

Menopause be damned.  It's definitely a slower journey this time, but that's okay - lots of time for sightseeing...

I joined jazzercise which is one of the greatest workouts you will ever experience.  It is not the jazzercise of the 80s - not by a long shot.  It's a great aerobic workout to pop hits followed by strength training and topped off with ab and leg work.  It's a full workout and lasts 60 minutes.  Depending on your age, weight, and how much you put into it, you can bet on burning  between 300-600 calories.  Yee Ha!  :)  There are sites nationwide and you can find one near you by checking    http://www.jazzercise.com/

I also discovered our elliptical machine, which is phenomenal.  There are great 20 minute workouts - I mean come on - who can't spare 20 minutes?

So between the weight watchers food plan (the points system, which I was very familiar with) coupled with my new workouts, I began losing weight - FINALLY.  But I'm definitely chipping away at it.  It has been nearly 7 months and I have lost 27.5lbs. so far.  I'm incredibly proud of myself and have officially moved down to a size 10.  I still have a ways to go, but I know I'll succeed.

As I continue on here, I will keep you posted on my successes and failures (yes I have them all the time) as well as tips that work for me and recipes that I love and you won't believe they are low cal.

The moral of my story is - don't be afraid of being over 50.  Anything is possible if you stay focused.  As my daughter has told me in the past "eye on the prize mom".   Don't look back!

Until next time......

AND SO IT BEGINS.............

I don't know if anyone will ever read this, but I think it will help me to just write it all down and maybe it will help someone else.  I think if I had a blog like this to read and relate to, it might have helped me when I started this journey.

And that's what this first post is about - the beginning..............of this journey actually began shortly after 9/11.  I, like so many people, lost someone very special on that day.  It became so obvious how precious life is and how important it is to live life to the fullest and one of the most important parts of "living life" is "living healthy".  Well I decided then (with the encouragement of two friends) to join Weight Watchers.  I will never EVER forget the terror of stepping on that scale for the first time.  How bad could it be?  I mean I knew I was overweight - that was the whole point of being here, but how bad could it be?  Well it could be as bad as 240 lbs. (I'm 5'5")  It literally knocked the wind out of me.  How did this happen?  I was 41 and the mother of two great girls and the wife of a wonderful man - how did I let this happen to myself?  It was time to start taking care of me and so it began.  I worked very hard and after 15 months, I had lost 97 lbs.  It felt amazing - I felt amazing.  I managed to keep the weight off or most of it for a number of years but when I turned 50 this past September, I had put nearly 50lbs. back on.  sigh.............  Again, I asked - what happened?  Well clearly I let myself relax too much and got completely off track.  I guess I actually believed that all I had to do was lose the weight - and then it would magically stay off.  :)  if only.  Of course throw menopause into the mix and there I was with nearly 50 lbs. to lose AGAIN!!

Okay so I picked myself up, dusted myself off and began the journey again.  Except this time it was completely different.  Hormones are a terrible thing, aren't they?  jeez - they make you act nuts, cry at the drop of a hat, and one of the worst things they do is take away your metabolism.  I mean like it's completely gone.  For a few years leading up to my 50th birthday, I made a half ass attempt to lose the weight, but kept giving up.  It usually went something like lose 2 lbs. one week and gain 1.5 lbs. the next - over and over. 

I finally decided I was worth fighting for and realized that "nothing tastes as good as thin feels" so I really REALLY began the journey again but this time I was going to succeed.

So, on my 50th birthday the gift I gave myself was good health.  I joined Weight Watchers online and started.  I am the type of person that when I get my mind set - get out of my way because I was going to succeed and nothing was going to stop me.  Thank God I was able to get into that mindset.

So that is how it all started - as I continue to blog I will catch you all up to where I am today and share tips and recipes that help me.

Until the next time - remember to never give up