Always, Alli

Saturday I went to my first Weight Watcher’s meeting in three weeks. I missed two weeks because of travel and one week because of flu. I was worried I would have to pay the registration fee again, but my leader just had me pay two weeks and I was good to stand on the scale.

The funny thing about this meeting is we were only weighed, given a recipe (Cindy gives us one every week), and sent on our way. Poor Cindy had no voice, so there was no way she could lead a meeting. It was nice to see we now have a receptionist who helps Cindy. I don’t know her name, but she lost her weight via Weight Watchers and going to the same meetings we go to now.

I was thrilled that even being gone for three weeks I still lost almost 4 pounds. I think it was all the walking I did at Disney. Or the flu our family suffered for two weeks. Either way, a loss is a loss.

Over all, I have lost over 11 pounds since I started. I’m thrilled to say that. To me, 11 pounds is a big deal. I did it through more activity and better eating. I didn’t resort to diet pills like Orovo, alli, or hoodia (though I was sorely tempted).

I still have a long way to go to reach my goal, but I’m working toward it!

Technorati Tags: health wise wednesday, weight watchers

I have a doctor’s appointment this afternoon to deal with what I fear is an ear infection. The great thing about me is anitbiotics really work quickly on me. I hope it kicks out whatever else is in my system dragging me down. I hate the way I have energy for about 10 minutes and then I’m on a downward spiral to “needing a break” for the next 30 minutes.

As of this minute I am still planning on my trip to Florida, which involves flying in an airplane. And it leaves tomorrow morning. So along with doctor’s appointments (Fuller gets to go to one too), I need to get into the attic and find Florida appropriate attire. And I have to pack. And I need to do a little house work so I don’t overwhelm my guys while I am gone. (The freezer is stacked with pizza though.)

This illness isn’t the end of my world, I just need for the illness to end.

Germs and family mix pretty well. It usually guarantees everyone gets sick. And that is exactly what happened.

I’m pretty much over it, even though if you were to talk to me, you might wonder why I’m not in bed. (Hello, I have a three year old.)

But, being ill hasn’t crushed my dreams of leaving for Orlando on Thursday morning. In fact, I had my first travel dream (nightmare) last night, so things seem to be right on track! I am looking forward to warmer temperatures (but I have a big frown for the rain expected) and hanging out with Courtney. And a small bonus is getting to see my aunt and cousin for a bit while I am there.

Yup, no germs or coughing can keep me from my vacation. Let’s just hope I can get packed in time!

I had a little annoying, kind of lady like cough yesterday. And when I woke up around 4 a.m. my head was under so much sinus pressure I wanted to cry. I was stuffy and couldn’t sleep.

Then morning came and I had to take the dog to the vet. As the vet went on and on about Maple’s skin condition and behavior drugs, I started to feel my head swimming and regret sunk in that I didn’t demand Damon do the vet trip. As I hobbled back into the house, body aches started to be the main symptom of illness.

When D left for work, I cuddled on the couch with Fuller and realized he wasn’t doing so well either. I put Fuller down for a nap at 1:30 and we both slept until about 4:15. It was a good nap, but we both woke up with low fevers and over all misery.

I blame the internet and all the blogs I have recently read where moms and kids are ill with fevers and aches. I didn’t know it was contagious through the cable modem, but no I know. Always use hand sanitizer after reading blogs with sickos.

Technorati Tags: flu, mom ill

The folks over at Two Moms In A Blog have changed Weightloss Wednesday to Health-Wise Wednesday, so I will do the same.

Due to travel I missed my Weight Watcher’s meeting this past Saturday. I am looking forward to going again this Saturday and seeing how much, if any, I have lost.

If I were to be honest, I would have to say these past few weeks have been hard. (If I weren’t honest I would say something like, “Losing weight is FUN! And EASY! And I lost 20 pounds in 3 minutes!” or something.)

At the meetings Cindy asks if we have trouble spots to share and a lot of people said they have a hard time at night. But for me, I am realizing the hardest part of the day for me is the afternoon. I’m not a night time muncher. I feel nonstop hungry from noon until after dinner. And after 7, I’m feel no hungry.

Which brings me to a bit of a rant: I’m getting a bit sick of people who talk about their WW journey and how when they follow the points they never feel hungry. I think that is crap. I am counting my points, writing it all down, very aware of what I put in my mouth and in what portion, but I am still hungry. I. AM. STILL. HUNGRY. And finding zero point foods is exhausting. There are only so many celery sticks and pickled okra you can eat. I crave carbs (specifically tortilla chips and potato salad) in large quantities.

And since I decided to be honest and ranty today, I admit I am having a hard time with exercise. I know I can’t lose weight with just changing my food habits. I have to move and groove. And moving and grooving seems to go against my love for sitting on my butt. I’m hoping once the weather changes, we might be inspired to move and groove more outdoors. But I can’t hope for the future, I have to do something now. (Someone ask me next week how many times I did my Walk Away the Pounds DVD.)

So there it is: honesty (it is hard and I’m hungry) and ranty (stop telling me I won’t be hungry!).

Do you have any Health-Wise Wednesday posts?

Technorati Tags: Health Wise Wednesday, weight loss, rant

Saturday I went to my third Weight Watcher’s meeting on Saturday and I was thrilled to know I met my one week goal of losing 2 pounds. I actually lost 2.8 pounds, so I’m a loser!

But the neat thing is… I am a winner too! A few weeks ago, I entered a contest on my friend Retta’s excellent blog, Just Not Martha. And how happy I was to learn I won! Today my prize, A Dieting Diva’s Diary, arrived. It is a nifty weight loss journal with inspirational verses from the bible.

This is going to be great for tracking my points and exercise during this journey. And I am thrilled to be a loser and a winner this week.

I’m looking into antioxidant rich foods to help me in this weightloss journey.

Technorati Tags: weight watchers, dieting diva, weightloss wednesday

Speaking of making right choices and wanting to make my own food- anyone have an awesome hummus recipe? I love, love, love garlic hummus, but have yet to find one that rocks my boat. The store bought stuff makes me drool, but the cost is annoying. Plus, I like to use my food processor.

Anyone? A little help?

Technorati Tags: Hummus, recipe

Went to Weight Watchers on Saturday… lost 4 pounds! I was kind of surprised because last week was that “special time” in a woman’s life and I tend to eat a lot. My sister says I was probably just more aware of what I was eating.

The meeting time was with a substitute leader, who I felt was just trying to kill time. She kept asking what kinds of “good choice” foods we eat. And while she came off as someone trying to kill time, I still came away with some interesting low points alternatives. Pickles peaked my interest. So I picked up some pickled okra at the store. And fat free refried beans as opposed to the black beans, corn, and rice combo I was eating.

But one theme throughout the meeting was starting to bother me. The food people were calling out were mostly prefab stuff. And I’m just not down with all the premade foods out there. But the thing is, I prefer to make food. I want to make my own tortillas, bake bread, and enjoy making waffles with my son. Unfortunately, all those options mean I have foods with higher points in my kitchen. If I go and spend the money on things like Nutri-grain waffles and Nature’s Own Bread, I have lower points in my kitchen.

Does that make sense? I want to make food to save money, but to get lower points, I have to buy the food already made.

I need to make the right choices for me AND my family. I can’t keep buying things that are only for me, but are fair game for my whole family (fortunately I am the only one who likes spicy V8). It looks like I’m going to have to dig around for better recipes.

I should note here that I have to make sure I keep dairy to a minimum since a lot of dairy products are migraine triggers. I take a calcium supplement, to make sure I get my dairy requirement.

Technorati Tags: Weight Watcher’s, recipes, weight loss

Yesterday I finally admitted I am sick. I had a sore throat and my nose was stuffed up and general fatigue was settling in. And since misery loves company, my husband decided to succumb to the illness as well. I’ve been guzzling Airborne and taking sinus medicine, but I think I just have to see this things through.

The interesting part of all this, at least to me, is what it is doing to my appetite. I have a weigh-in tomorrow and I am a bit nervous. When I have severe congestion I crave spicy food. It ranges from salsa and chips or Thai food. I just want it hot, hot, hot. Since I’m counting points (even when I’m sick) I just made a taco salad mix of ground turkey, brown rice, corn, and black beans. I added taco seasoning, served it over tortilla chips, and kicked it up a notch by adding spicy melted cheese. When the salsa was liberally poured on top (zero points!) the spice factor was off the charts. And soooo good.

Unfortunately, my nose is still stuffed up. I didn’t think it would cure me, but at least relieve me. And I over spent my points by having a second helping. Wonder what my weigh-in will look like tomorrow.

Technorati Tags: home remedies, spicy food, Weight Watcher’s

I went to my first Weight Watcher’s meeting on Saturday. It was a lot easier since I had a friend there and she basically talked me through the whole meeting. Margaret was really sweet when I showed up and panicked because I didn’t have a checkbook (we don’t have a checkbook!) or cash… so she paid my meeting fee for me. I was able to asked her questions and hear a little bit of her story.

After the meeting the leader, Cindy, met with me and went over the program. Margaret stayed with me then as well, which was nice. She told me later it was kind of like a shot in the arm for her, since she hadn’t been for several weeks.

I weighed in, got my little started kit, and enjoyed the meeting. I really liked the leader, something I fretted over. Since my sister has been doing WW, she has had several leaders and said having a leader you like really makes a difference. Margaret agreed and reassured me Cindy is really sweet and inspiring. Cindy showed me her pictures from her 80 plus pounds of weightloss and just right there I was inspired.

Going to meetings are strongly stressed in the WW program. And I know I was scared to make that commitment. But if I want to make any progress in this lifestyle change, I need to get over myself and admit I need the help. So meetings will be a part of it.
I’m looking forward to going back Saturday, even if I haven’t lost a pound.

Technorati Tags: Weightloss Wednesday, Weight Watchers