Weight loss for the week: 2 pounds
This week was insane for a variety of reasons. Work stuff is changing- my assistant had her last week since she is about to start grad school. Which means getting the room and the kids in gear for a new teacher in the room in a week or so. I've been through this a few times before, so I'm getting more used to it. And that's good because change is inevitable and while I'm not always good at handling it, I'm getting much better at just accepting it and going with the flow. After you give me 5 minutes to stress a little.
A little personal drama this week. My guy is going through a bunch of stuff and while he's been giving me the bullet points, he won't talk about it in any real depth. I know, I know, guys aren't supposed to talk about their feelings or whatever and I should just move on. But frankly, if I had to learn how to vocalize and handle all of my dramas and personal hells, men can too. Instead of giving them an easy way out, let's help them learn how to process their emotions. It's 2012, not 1950, we can expect more and quit settling for less.
Also, had to get one of my car windows fixed. I had a garbage bag duct taped to the gaping hole for a few days, so classy I know. Which meant I barely drove anywhere for fear of someone I know seeing the state of my car. I hate dealing with car repairs. I find it embarrassing to have noticeable issues with my car and then get stressed until it gets fixed. And I get stressed thinking about how much I have to spend to get it fixed.
Because of random stresses, I haven't eaten as well as I know I should have. I still stayed within my daily points everyday but Saturday- which has long been a goal of mine. But I was pretty much skipping lunches to get other things done and usually ate a crappy muffin for breakfast. Not much fruit or vegetables during the week. But I still worked with my points each day to try and keep from using my Weekly Points until Saturday.
I am getting myself in gear this week though, especially since I have a three-day weekend. I am going to go to the store and make some meals for the week, and get a few Smart Ones frozen meals. And I will definitely keep up the walking, etc.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Saturday, May 26, 2012
May, Well Most of May, Overview
Yay, we're down to the final month overview- after this it'll be week by week I think. Which will hopefully be a bit easier to write and read as opposed to a month at a time when I sit here trying to recall exact dates and the order in which it all happened. Thanks for bearing with me though!
May began with my European vacation- so AMAZINGSPECTACULARAWESOMEFANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!
My dad treated me to a trip to Munich, Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg and London where I got to decide most of what we did. It was so awesome I could hardly believe we were there seeing and experiencing it all. Now, I know that trips, especially trips like this, are horrible for diets. So, good thing I'm not on a diet, but rather am in the midst of changing my lifestyle. I had a few people tell me to expect to gain a few pounds but to not get discouraged. I had others tell me to keep track of my points no matter what happened with my weight. And still a few others who told me to keep thinking I would lose, or at least maintain, and that that would help me not to gorge while I was abroad.
I did keep track of my points- well, as best I could. Some things over there were not on the Weight Watchers website and since I wasn't always sure of what I was eating I did my best to guesstimate. In the meantime, my dad and I walked all over each city. We took a few bus tours here and there- oh and the Sound of Music Tour- lifelong dream right there, folks. Huge fan. HUGE FAN. What I did on the days when I knew we couldn't guarantee a ton of walking was to eat smaller portions. I didn't deny myself the experience of trying what I wanted to try or eating what I wanted to eat. I simply took smaller amounts or split the meal with my dad.
It worked. I lost 1.5 pounds during my trip. I have never been quite so proud of myself.
Upon my return home, I have done my best to get back in the swing of things. I am still exercising and planning my meals. So far, so good. And I just got a binder full of recipes from one of my directors that I am going to go through during the holiday weekend to see what new recipes I want to test out :)
More on this past week tomorrow!
May began with my European vacation- so AMAZINGSPECTACULARAWESOMEFANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!
My dad treated me to a trip to Munich, Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg and London where I got to decide most of what we did. It was so awesome I could hardly believe we were there seeing and experiencing it all. Now, I know that trips, especially trips like this, are horrible for diets. So, good thing I'm not on a diet, but rather am in the midst of changing my lifestyle. I had a few people tell me to expect to gain a few pounds but to not get discouraged. I had others tell me to keep track of my points no matter what happened with my weight. And still a few others who told me to keep thinking I would lose, or at least maintain, and that that would help me not to gorge while I was abroad.
I did keep track of my points- well, as best I could. Some things over there were not on the Weight Watchers website and since I wasn't always sure of what I was eating I did my best to guesstimate. In the meantime, my dad and I walked all over each city. We took a few bus tours here and there- oh and the Sound of Music Tour- lifelong dream right there, folks. Huge fan. HUGE FAN. What I did on the days when I knew we couldn't guarantee a ton of walking was to eat smaller portions. I didn't deny myself the experience of trying what I wanted to try or eating what I wanted to eat. I simply took smaller amounts or split the meal with my dad.
It worked. I lost 1.5 pounds during my trip. I have never been quite so proud of myself.
Upon my return home, I have done my best to get back in the swing of things. I am still exercising and planning my meals. So far, so good. And I just got a binder full of recipes from one of my directors that I am going to go through during the holiday weekend to see what new recipes I want to test out :)
More on this past week tomorrow!
April Overview
April seems like a bit of blur to me, to be honest.
I know it started with Easter, the first big holiday meal where I was going to need to figure out my points without seeming crazy or awkward. No worries, the meal was nice, somewhat awkward for other reasons, but fine overall.
I had finally started exercising regularly and planning the week's meals, etc. I was even getting good at factoring in eating out with friends. I knew how much I could drink, what meals I could eat and how to tweak the meals to make them less points so I could splurge a little if I felt like it.
April is when Spring finally hits Memphis, so the flowers were all finally blooming, it was warm enough to wear shorts and flip flops again- and for the first time in over four years I actually wore shorts! When you get bigger and bigger you want to hide the weight as best you can. You don't want anyone to see just how disgusting you really look. Clothes that can semi-hide it become your best friend. Now, I know they don't suddenly make you seem skinny, but if they can make people wonder if maybe your shirt is just too big and flowy, then that's a plus. Fitted clothes make you hate yourself. Anything that clings is your enemy. Shopping is usually so upsetting that it requires a few days to get out of the funk/depression it caused.
I'm not saying I'm totally okay with clingy, fitted clothes yet, but I'm doing better. My mom and I went shopping to prep for my fast-approaching European vacation and I didn't hate it. I actually liked that I had gone down a few sizes. Which led to me trying on and getting a pair of shorts.
It was a good feeling, definitely validating all that I am working on with my weight and lifestyle change.
This was the month where, due to all my planning ahead with meals, I ended up with a large amount of points for dinner a few nights. Those nights I tried to treat myself and splurge with meals I used to eat before starting Weight Watchers. I could not finish those meals. They made me feel so bloated and sick. And what was sad is that they weren't even the whole meals I used to eat, just the main dishes. I could not believe that I used to eat such large quantities like it was nothing. I was so glad to see that my lifestyle change is working and that even when I have the points, my stomach has started going "Uum, hell no, not that much." It means it's working and I'm on the right track.
I know it started with Easter, the first big holiday meal where I was going to need to figure out my points without seeming crazy or awkward. No worries, the meal was nice, somewhat awkward for other reasons, but fine overall.
I had finally started exercising regularly and planning the week's meals, etc. I was even getting good at factoring in eating out with friends. I knew how much I could drink, what meals I could eat and how to tweak the meals to make them less points so I could splurge a little if I felt like it.
April is when Spring finally hits Memphis, so the flowers were all finally blooming, it was warm enough to wear shorts and flip flops again- and for the first time in over four years I actually wore shorts! When you get bigger and bigger you want to hide the weight as best you can. You don't want anyone to see just how disgusting you really look. Clothes that can semi-hide it become your best friend. Now, I know they don't suddenly make you seem skinny, but if they can make people wonder if maybe your shirt is just too big and flowy, then that's a plus. Fitted clothes make you hate yourself. Anything that clings is your enemy. Shopping is usually so upsetting that it requires a few days to get out of the funk/depression it caused.
I'm not saying I'm totally okay with clingy, fitted clothes yet, but I'm doing better. My mom and I went shopping to prep for my fast-approaching European vacation and I didn't hate it. I actually liked that I had gone down a few sizes. Which led to me trying on and getting a pair of shorts.
It was a good feeling, definitely validating all that I am working on with my weight and lifestyle change.
This was the month where, due to all my planning ahead with meals, I ended up with a large amount of points for dinner a few nights. Those nights I tried to treat myself and splurge with meals I used to eat before starting Weight Watchers. I could not finish those meals. They made me feel so bloated and sick. And what was sad is that they weren't even the whole meals I used to eat, just the main dishes. I could not believe that I used to eat such large quantities like it was nothing. I was so glad to see that my lifestyle change is working and that even when I have the points, my stomach has started going "Uum, hell no, not that much." It means it's working and I'm on the right track.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
March Overview
March began with my septoplasty- surgery to fix my completely deviated septum. I have had severe sinus and allergy issues ever since high school. And after a decade of being plagued by them, I finally decided to do something about it- again going along with this year's theme of getting my health issues on track.
The surgery was not too bad, the pain pills were good. And being required to take a week off from work was a definite plus. I recovered pretty quickly all things considered and got to use my required week off as a little staycation. I went to the zoo with a friend and her daughter. I wandered all over the Botanic Gardens and made it to the Tulip Festival at an art gallery. All this walking really added up in terms of Activity Points.
That was the week I began to really see the value of upping my activity while staying within my daily points. I lost 4 pounds that week while doing that. I mean, I know it seems obvious and I definitely understood the concept before this, but it was good for me to see it actually happening for me. This was the week that I really started taking my exercise seriously again and increased my weekly activity, which was good since I needed to start my prep for my big trip to Europe in May- more on that later.
I also started planning ahead more with my Weekly Points (Weight Watchers gives everyone extra points each week in case you have a big function or something). St. Patrick's Day was in March and being an Irish Catholic, I knew I would be out drinking to celebrate. And drinks are SO MANY POINTS. So the week before St. Patty's Day, I hoarded those weekly points like a miser hoards his money. And what was awesome was that I didn't even use the half of them. I hadn't been drinking too much since the start of the year since drink are so many damn points and by St. Patty's Day my tolerance was down enough that I only needed a few drinks to be good for the night :)
And, this was the month I began looking into Weight Watchers recipes. It had been awhile since I had taken the time to cook really anything. Finally, I was ready to start not only cooking for myself again, but to begin making healthy foods for myself. Thank God. In the words of one of my mom's friends, fail to plan, then plan to fail. Prepping a large dish that I could section off and eat for the week is one of the best things I'm learning to do for myself and my weight loss.
Ok, so lots learned in March, woot!
The surgery was not too bad, the pain pills were good. And being required to take a week off from work was a definite plus. I recovered pretty quickly all things considered and got to use my required week off as a little staycation. I went to the zoo with a friend and her daughter. I wandered all over the Botanic Gardens and made it to the Tulip Festival at an art gallery. All this walking really added up in terms of Activity Points.
That was the week I began to really see the value of upping my activity while staying within my daily points. I lost 4 pounds that week while doing that. I mean, I know it seems obvious and I definitely understood the concept before this, but it was good for me to see it actually happening for me. This was the week that I really started taking my exercise seriously again and increased my weekly activity, which was good since I needed to start my prep for my big trip to Europe in May- more on that later.
I also started planning ahead more with my Weekly Points (Weight Watchers gives everyone extra points each week in case you have a big function or something). St. Patrick's Day was in March and being an Irish Catholic, I knew I would be out drinking to celebrate. And drinks are SO MANY POINTS. So the week before St. Patty's Day, I hoarded those weekly points like a miser hoards his money. And what was awesome was that I didn't even use the half of them. I hadn't been drinking too much since the start of the year since drink are so many damn points and by St. Patty's Day my tolerance was down enough that I only needed a few drinks to be good for the night :)
And, this was the month I began looking into Weight Watchers recipes. It had been awhile since I had taken the time to cook really anything. Finally, I was ready to start not only cooking for myself again, but to begin making healthy foods for myself. Thank God. In the words of one of my mom's friends, fail to plan, then plan to fail. Prepping a large dish that I could section off and eat for the week is one of the best things I'm learning to do for myself and my weight loss.
Ok, so lots learned in March, woot!
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
February Overview
February began with the issues with the guy still happening, but getting resolved. This made figuring out food and meals a bit easier since I was no longer too stressed to eat and also not so depressed that I only want a bunch of crap.
I began looking into different Weight Watchers meals in the freezer aisle of my grocery store. Mini Ranchero Chicken Wraps are my fave, so tasty and filling. Totally recommend.
This month did present a few new challenges. I teach young children. And five of them had birthdays this month. Which meant five in-class parties, i.e. cupcakes, cookies, etc. I had to start more pre-planning in terms of meals for the day and how to ration my points and how to portion control all the junk coming in. I know, I know, it seems like I should have just told the parents I didn't want any of the sweets. But we're Southern. There is no telling a host or hostess that you don't want something. They will ask, and ask, and ask if you want something. And if it seems like you just don't like what they're offering, they begin to offer to go and buy you something you want. It's a hassle and a half. So, I know better than to start that whole song and dance and just take a damn cupcake or cookie and make sure to get an extra walk in or to eat lower point meals for lunch or breakfast.
That aside, this was also the month when I told my friends and the rest of my family that I was on Weight Watchers. This way, they would know that if I wasn't eating what I used to or needed to know about eating out a bit more in advance it was because I was monitoring my points and getting used to the whole system. They have all been beyond supportive and helpful.
I started figuring out the points on my old favorites and realizing just how unhealthy my lifestyle had been. I began to figure out how to get the same tastes, etc. for far less points and still feel full and satisfied. I know my downfall with so many previous diets, etc. has been when the cravings just became too much and I would fall off the wagon. Then I would just totally jump ship, tell myself that one day, soon of course, I'd get back to it. And then it would be months, or at times a year, before I really tried again. This allowed/allows me to figure out when I can splurge, when I can't and how to splurge without totally undoing all my hard work for the week.
February ended with me getting more on track and me seeing the purpose in planning ahead in terms of my meals.
I began looking into different Weight Watchers meals in the freezer aisle of my grocery store. Mini Ranchero Chicken Wraps are my fave, so tasty and filling. Totally recommend.
This month did present a few new challenges. I teach young children. And five of them had birthdays this month. Which meant five in-class parties, i.e. cupcakes, cookies, etc. I had to start more pre-planning in terms of meals for the day and how to ration my points and how to portion control all the junk coming in. I know, I know, it seems like I should have just told the parents I didn't want any of the sweets. But we're Southern. There is no telling a host or hostess that you don't want something. They will ask, and ask, and ask if you want something. And if it seems like you just don't like what they're offering, they begin to offer to go and buy you something you want. It's a hassle and a half. So, I know better than to start that whole song and dance and just take a damn cupcake or cookie and make sure to get an extra walk in or to eat lower point meals for lunch or breakfast.
That aside, this was also the month when I told my friends and the rest of my family that I was on Weight Watchers. This way, they would know that if I wasn't eating what I used to or needed to know about eating out a bit more in advance it was because I was monitoring my points and getting used to the whole system. They have all been beyond supportive and helpful.
I started figuring out the points on my old favorites and realizing just how unhealthy my lifestyle had been. I began to figure out how to get the same tastes, etc. for far less points and still feel full and satisfied. I know my downfall with so many previous diets, etc. has been when the cravings just became too much and I would fall off the wagon. Then I would just totally jump ship, tell myself that one day, soon of course, I'd get back to it. And then it would be months, or at times a year, before I really tried again. This allowed/allows me to figure out when I can splurge, when I can't and how to splurge without totally undoing all my hard work for the week.
February ended with me getting more on track and me seeing the purpose in planning ahead in terms of my meals.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
January Overview
Ok, I began Weight Watchers back in January, as previously mentioned.
New year, new start, time to get my health in check.
It was weird at first, micromanaging every single bite I took and how much of each food I ate. I felt intimidated, like some person at Weight Watchers was going to come up on my computer screen and lecture me about what I was eating and how much I was eating- and I was staying below my Daily Point Limit those first few weeks.
It took some time, but I began to understand the point of it all. To actually see what the hell I was eating and how much I was really eating. Not an easy thing for a girl like me to do. But it had to be done. Also, after finally telling a few people I had started Weight Watchers, I learned that I was supposed to use my Daily Points- whoops.
I quickly learned that most fruits and vegetables are no points, or practically no points. And that Double Stuf Oreos are 2 points a piece. That I learned while going through my three weeks of hell with my guy. That's when I became impressed with Weight Watchers approach. They don't tell you exactly what to eat and what not to eat. They let you make that choice. I got to decide what I used my points on. It helped give control to an out-of-control me.
Any other time I have ever gone through any kind of personal hell, I eat like shit. And I wondered if my new weight-loss attempt could survive the intensity of what was happening to my love life. Surprisingly, it did. I got to have my Oreos, only a few a night, but I still got my fix. And I found out about Activity Points during this. I like to walk to clear my head and figure out what to do with my big issues. And doing this meant I earned Activity Points, which I could use to eat something worth more points if I wanted to do so.
Luckily, my love life and my weight-loss attempt survived the dilemma. January was ending and it seemed that I may have just found a plan that would work for me.
New year, new start, time to get my health in check.
It was weird at first, micromanaging every single bite I took and how much of each food I ate. I felt intimidated, like some person at Weight Watchers was going to come up on my computer screen and lecture me about what I was eating and how much I was eating- and I was staying below my Daily Point Limit those first few weeks.
It took some time, but I began to understand the point of it all. To actually see what the hell I was eating and how much I was really eating. Not an easy thing for a girl like me to do. But it had to be done. Also, after finally telling a few people I had started Weight Watchers, I learned that I was supposed to use my Daily Points- whoops.
I quickly learned that most fruits and vegetables are no points, or practically no points. And that Double Stuf Oreos are 2 points a piece. That I learned while going through my three weeks of hell with my guy. That's when I became impressed with Weight Watchers approach. They don't tell you exactly what to eat and what not to eat. They let you make that choice. I got to decide what I used my points on. It helped give control to an out-of-control me.
Any other time I have ever gone through any kind of personal hell, I eat like shit. And I wondered if my new weight-loss attempt could survive the intensity of what was happening to my love life. Surprisingly, it did. I got to have my Oreos, only a few a night, but I still got my fix. And I found out about Activity Points during this. I like to walk to clear my head and figure out what to do with my big issues. And doing this meant I earned Activity Points, which I could use to eat something worth more points if I wanted to do so.
Luckily, my love life and my weight-loss attempt survived the dilemma. January was ending and it seemed that I may have just found a plan that would work for me.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
A Little Background and Back-tracking to Start Us Off Here
285 pounds.
That's how much I weighed before I started Weight Watchers. Wow, I've never actually told anyone that. I mean, my friends and family and frankly anyone who has seen me could tell I was, well, fat, obese, and completely out of control when it came to my health. But I never ever wanted anyone to know how far it had gone.
My weight has been the bane of my existence for as long as I can remember. Mirrors are one of my sworn enemies, along with the scale. Especially the scale at the doctor's office. Most humiliating moments of my life have been when they've added and added and added to make it balance. I know I'm huge, no need to start off low like you're doing me a favor. It just prolongs the agony.
I suppose I could blame my parents, my life, etc. for how out of control my weight got. And I'd imagine when it came to my weight issues in my youth, that's how it all started. They probably could have set better examples and provided healthier options. But I'm 25, almost 26 now, and I am fully aware of what it means to eat and lead a healthy lifestyle. I simply did not want to do so for a long time. Finally, towards the end of last year, I just couldn't deny that my weight impedes the life I want to have and how I want to look and the fact that I want to look how I feel and that I want to feel pretty, not pretty even though she's fat, but just pretty. I know it sounds vain, but anyone who's truly overweight understands what I'm saying.
My mom, dad and stepmom have encouraged and paid for me to try almost every diet, workout, etc. to try to get a handle on my weight issues for years. And while most worked in brief periods, nothing ever stuck. And it didn't help that when they're funding it, they take an insane amount of interest in it. Which does nothing but piss me off. It finally occurred to me that whatever program I chose to do, I needed to do it on my own and completely for myself.
I have heard a lot, A LOT, about Weight Watchers over the years. Different family friends have done it and had success. My mom has been doing it almost a year and gotten a really good handle on her weight. So, I decided to try out some of it before officially trying it out. I tried some of the recipes, looked into that whole Points system and became a bit more aware of what I was eating and how much I was eating. Before officially signing up, I had lost about 5 lbs. That was enough to convince me to do it for real.
One Sunday, back in the middle of January, I signed up and began the program. And I didn't tell anyone for a week or so. I wanted to make sure this was all about me. And I wanted to make it clear this wasn't some New Year's resolution. This is the beginning of a lifestyle change. 2012 is the year I work on getting all my health issues under control. And I started with my biggest one, my weight.
I have lost 34.5 lbs so far and cannot wait to lose the rest that I need to. In the next few posts, I will do a few quick overviews of the first few months of weight loss. Then, it's probably going to be more of a weekly update on Sundays. And once we get to that, the posts will likely get shorter- thanks for bearing with me through all of this!
Peace & Love, Kaitlin
That's how much I weighed before I started Weight Watchers. Wow, I've never actually told anyone that. I mean, my friends and family and frankly anyone who has seen me could tell I was, well, fat, obese, and completely out of control when it came to my health. But I never ever wanted anyone to know how far it had gone.
My weight has been the bane of my existence for as long as I can remember. Mirrors are one of my sworn enemies, along with the scale. Especially the scale at the doctor's office. Most humiliating moments of my life have been when they've added and added and added to make it balance. I know I'm huge, no need to start off low like you're doing me a favor. It just prolongs the agony.
I suppose I could blame my parents, my life, etc. for how out of control my weight got. And I'd imagine when it came to my weight issues in my youth, that's how it all started. They probably could have set better examples and provided healthier options. But I'm 25, almost 26 now, and I am fully aware of what it means to eat and lead a healthy lifestyle. I simply did not want to do so for a long time. Finally, towards the end of last year, I just couldn't deny that my weight impedes the life I want to have and how I want to look and the fact that I want to look how I feel and that I want to feel pretty, not pretty even though she's fat, but just pretty. I know it sounds vain, but anyone who's truly overweight understands what I'm saying.
My mom, dad and stepmom have encouraged and paid for me to try almost every diet, workout, etc. to try to get a handle on my weight issues for years. And while most worked in brief periods, nothing ever stuck. And it didn't help that when they're funding it, they take an insane amount of interest in it. Which does nothing but piss me off. It finally occurred to me that whatever program I chose to do, I needed to do it on my own and completely for myself.
I have heard a lot, A LOT, about Weight Watchers over the years. Different family friends have done it and had success. My mom has been doing it almost a year and gotten a really good handle on her weight. So, I decided to try out some of it before officially trying it out. I tried some of the recipes, looked into that whole Points system and became a bit more aware of what I was eating and how much I was eating. Before officially signing up, I had lost about 5 lbs. That was enough to convince me to do it for real.
One Sunday, back in the middle of January, I signed up and began the program. And I didn't tell anyone for a week or so. I wanted to make sure this was all about me. And I wanted to make it clear this wasn't some New Year's resolution. This is the beginning of a lifestyle change. 2012 is the year I work on getting all my health issues under control. And I started with my biggest one, my weight.
I have lost 34.5 lbs so far and cannot wait to lose the rest that I need to. In the next few posts, I will do a few quick overviews of the first few months of weight loss. Then, it's probably going to be more of a weekly update on Sundays. And once we get to that, the posts will likely get shorter- thanks for bearing with me through all of this!
Peace & Love, Kaitlin
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