November/December Weight Loss Thread?

[Susan Otcenas]

I just looked at the spreadsheet with everyone's changes for the week. WOW! You are doing great. What's your secret???!!!
Mistie

Thanks. I started doing Weight Watchers on 11/5, and it really seems to be working for me. I have been scrupulous about recording everything in the online planner, and I've been getting a fair bit of exercise. That combination seems to be working.

I'm out of town right now, so I wasn't able to weigh in on Friday. On Weds I was still 153.5, so Possegal, can you use that as my Friday weight?

Right now we are in Arizona, which is experiencing much more pleasant weather than Oregon at the moment. It's been great for my exercise program! I went for a run yesterday morning, followed by a 2.5 hour hike with Jeff and his brother John. This morning, we went on a 1.5 hour mountain bike ride with both of Jeff's brothers. Usually I find it hard to get enough exercise on vacations that involve family, but this has been great so far.

For the first time since I started WW, I'm not recording my WW points while I'm away (4 days totoal). At home, I log on after each meal, but here it's much more difficult to do that. So, I'm just being really careful about small, healthy portions, and keeping the treats to an absolute minimum. I 'm hoping I get home on Monday and see that the scale shows continued progress (or, at the very least, no gain.)

Susan

[kjay]

Thanks for writing about your success, Susan. Arizona sounds wonderful in the winter. I'm in the SF Bay area and would LOVE to find a somewhat easy ride for a week in a warmer climate. Last year I rode in Death Valley for a week, but with a tour group, it's somewhat expensive.

Anyway, it was good to hear about all the exercise you're getting and about WW, too.

[Possegal]

Will do Susan, added in your Wednesday weight for you.

I love the sound of your family holiday! I know what you mean about finding it hard to workout during family visits, but you sound like you have a lot of active folks in the family, so that helps. Winter time is tough for me, but come spring I'm looking forward to being able to ride with my brother in law when I'm back in Pittsburgh. He started riding again last summer after a couple years off due to a bad accident. He got back on the bike to join us in the Livestrong challenge, especially since he's married to the sister that has cancer and we ride for her. Now he loves his bike again, he just won't ride to commute or on the roads, we go to the local parks, which in Pittsburgh are very hilly and quite the workout! I can ride with my other sister and her husband in Philly too, so I'm planning on that. I just have to find a way through the winter.

I just went to the local pool and swam for 45 minutes. Since I've not done that since grad school, many years ago, it was a lot for me to manage and I'm proud of myself for going. Now I just have to keep it up and work up to longer workouts.

I'll weigh in on Monday. I'm in this "fitness challenge" with my sister and 4 of my friends and we weigh on Mondays, so I try to keep it to once a week.

[Susan Otcenas]

I just went to the local pool and swam for 45 minutes. Since I've not done that since grad school, many years ago, it was a lot for me to manage and I'm proud of myself for going. Now I just have to keep it up and work up to longer workouts.

Good for you!! You *should* be proud of yourself.

I need to start swimming again too. I have two tris planned next year (one in May that I do every year, and a longer one in the summer). Unfortunately, I'm a lousy swimmer, so it's so hard for me to get motivated to go. Swimming is a great workout, though - I'm always beat (and really hungry!) after a workout.

[Susan Otcenas]

I 'm hoping I get home on Monday and see that the scale shows continued progress (or, at the very least, no gain.)

Today is my WW weigh day. Last Weds I was 153.5, today 153.0. Soooo, looks like I didn't totally sabotage myself over the weekend in Phoenix/Tucson. I was a bit worried on Saturday evening, as the whole family spent many hours building "gingerbread" houses (in reality, the various houses were made from gingerbread, graham crackers and pretzel sticks) and I found myself snacking on the various decorative candies. But, it looks like I managed to essentially maintain, so I'm pretty pleased with that.

Next big challenge is tomorrow. We're having dinner with friends. Should be a very healthy meal with a roast turkey and LOTS of veggie sides. It's the noshing that is usually my downfall - cheese & crackers, chips, smoked salmon...... Mmmmmmm.

Susan

[firenze11]

I'm really really late posting again but it's hard with family around and presents to buy/wrap. My weight for last Friday was 137. I still feel pretty bloated, it will be nice when the holidays are over and I see what actually sticks.

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season. I'm going to try not to be late posting again this week.

[Susan Otcenas]

Wonder of wonders. 152 today.

On Wednesday I decided to treat myself to a new pair of jeans, one size smaller than the ones I'm wearing now. I haven't received them in the mail yet, but I hope they fit!! My current pair in this style has started to get too baggy.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday week. And that you treated yourself to some holiday yummies. Jeff makes the most wonderful apple pie, and there was no way I was denying myself a (small) piece of that yesterday!

Susan

[Grits]

Holding steady at 140.

I wish you could see me, here, sitting on my couch eating an orange when I have a kitchen full of high calorie, delicious goodies just a few steps away. I amaze myself with my will power

That is because I am now SERIOUS. You should see the resolve in my eyes. I wasn't really serious before. That is why I have basically stayed the same since summer, but that is all going to change. I am motivated to shed some weight since that will be considerably less expensive coming off of me instead of off of my bike.

That will improve my riding and make the pictures of me that they take on all those charity rides and post online be less fluffy. My new jersey will also fit better with a little less tummy to stretch over. Christmas is now over. I am not waiting until New Years. I don't have a lot to lose, but 4 or 5 pounds will make a huge difference in how my clothes fit and how I feel. It has been a great and delicious Christmas, but now it is time to start back to healthy eating! (AND I went to the gym today!)

[Aggie_Ama]

Down to 144.5 this morning. I really didn't over indulge at Christmas but did enjoy the baked yummies. Can't get into the 2 size smaller pants my mom bought but they zip. My thighs are just a tad heavy. Can't decide if I want to exchange, I think I will wait a couple of weeks because I am running more and the scale in moving down.

[Susan Otcenas]

Grits - your renewed determination is inspiring! Thanks for sharing!

When I was coming home from the gym this morning, crunching on a granny smith apple, I too was fantasizing about all the yummy leftovers I have in my kitchen from yesterday's meal.

Aggie Ama - I've never been much of a runner, but each winter I start up again to prepare for a Spring Tri that I do. It amazes me how much work running is, and how it can help the pounds melt off. A good friend of mine ran the Portland marathon this fall. I saw her right after the event, after not getting together with her for a few months, and was astonished at how slim she'd become. She told me that if I wanted to lose weight, I should train to run Portland next year. I politely declined. Nonetheless, I do want to work up to a 10K by June, and hope all the run training I'm doing will make me look as good as she does!

Susan

[solobiker]

still hanging in at 151. I guess that is better then going up. Next year will be my year for the weight loss

[Susan Otcenas]

On Wednesday I decided to treat myself to a new pair of jeans, one size smaller than the ones I'm wearing now. I haven't received them in the mail yet, but I hope they fit!! My current pair in this style has started to get too baggy.

They fit! They fit!! Needless to say, I'm ecstatic. It's been soooooo long since I've bought a pair of smaller jeans. I was last this size in 2003 - 5 years ago! Where has the time gone??

Jeff & I have decided to go contra dancing with friends for New Year's Eve. I don't know a thing about contra dancing, but they have lessons for newbies. I wonder if they'll have a spare right foot to replace the 2nd left foot I have?? I figure it's a good way to burn off the food and drink that will be consumed and keep me on track....


Susan

[tulip]

I have rediscovered Angel Food cake...very low fat and satisfies my sweet tooth. Even better with fresh (or frozen this time of year) berries. Just thought I'd pass that along.

I had a sit-down talk with my parents a month or so ago...they are very sedentary and overweight and I'm worried about them. I told them that I want them around for as long as possible, and that in order for them to do that they need to take as good care of themselves as they possibly can. They may well be taking it to heart; my dad's already lost 8 lbs (most because he got quite sick for a few days), but he's motivated. My stepmother SAYS she's motivated but I'll wait for actions. Based on everyone's good experience here with WW, I might suggest that to them.

Happy New Year everyone!

[Aggie_Ama]

Congrats Susan! Enjoy dancing, I have no clue what type that is but should be fun.

Tulip- and some light cool whip! Angel food, a few berries and fat free cool whip are a really low point treat for the WW clan or just one not to feel guilty about for anyone. Unless you have trouble not eating a whole tub of cool whip like me.

I was holding steady last night when I felt the urge to weigh, lets see how tomorrow looks. Stress from the oh-so-sick puppy and the rather large bill associated with it really kills my appetite.