Damage control

I did great for Thanksgiving. Then.... there were the leftovers, and the football game. Who can say no to mint oreo cookies? Well I should have! Yesterday (Sunday) I was back on track, and today hopped on the scale to check the damage. I'm up 2.5 pounds. I guess it could be worse. It could also be better.

I realized that because I was mentally up for Thanksgiving Day, and had a plan I conquered it, and did awesome. It was when I didn't have a plan, or determination that I struggled. So, the lesson I learned? Plan ahead, even for the unexpected. And when I fall down, jump up, brush myself off, and get right back at it!

What do you do when you have a setback??

Surviving Thanksgiving

Yeah! I made it through Thanksgiving without totally screwing up! I had a wonderful meal with Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and even a little sliver of pecan pie. It was very yummy. I think it was the first time I can remember that I haven't used Thanksgiving as an excuse to stuff myself. It felt good.

I hosted Thanksgiving this year, which kept me running the whole day. It was good. After dinner we went for a walk to the park and played with the little kids. It was good to see family that we haven't seen for a while. Some of them were surprised to see me smaller than I have been. That was fun.

I am so thankful for my family! For my wonderful children and my amazing husband. He has loved me through thick and thin. Literally. I still have a ways to go on my journey, but I'm so glad I have him by my side.

Well, off to put up the Christmas decorations.

To weigh or not to weigh

I have a confession. I weigh everyday. Usually at least twice a day. (Sometimes more) Once in the morning, and once at night. I know it's a little psychotic. I recently tried to have a "weigh in" once a week, but found that just didn't work for me. I think I need to be more accountable. If I know I'm getting on the scale tomorrow, I tend to stay on track better today.

Sometimes I get on the scale and think, "I can't believe I've lost that much." So I hop back on a few more times to "check." OR I think that I should have lost more that the scale says, so I give it a few more tries to see if I can get a different number that I like better. It doesn't work.

So what works for you? Do you weigh every day, every week, every once in a while, or as little as possible?

The Biggest Loser

I watched The Biggest Loser tonight at the gym. I usually like to work out to music, but I was not going to miss this show! (It was very motivating, and I got a great workout.)

I did about 40 minutes on the elliptical machine and 25 minutes on the bike. The time totally flew by, cuz' I was so immersed in the show.

I'm cheering for Danny. I think he seems like such a great family guy. Although it would be great if Amanda won too.

I did a great job eating today... almost. I picked up some small packages of chips for the kids for lunches, and thought it would be a good idea to eat a small bag of sun chips. And then another one. Oh well, I finished strong, and tomorrow is a new day.

Thank You Susan Boyle!

Susan Boyle is my inspiration. Last April (2009) she had the courage to get up on a stage for Britain's Got Talent and put her heart out there. Everyone doubted her. She might have even doubted herself. But she did it. She put on her best dress, walked out on that stage, and laid it all out there. I was mesmerised. I followed her hits on YouTube. I read all I could about her.

One thought just kept returning to my mind. What if Susan Boyle had chickened out that day. What if she had decided that it was easier to just stay home, and not risk the embarrassment. She would never know the success that awaited her, and the world would never know of her talent. Her life would have gone on, just as it always had in her quiet town with her cat. No one would have known who Susan Boyle was.

So what would happen if I just put it out there. Gave it my all to lose this weight, and break free of this self imposed prison. I might be capable of great things, and never know if I don't try. I decided to follow Susan Boyle's example last April 17th. I've now lost 67 pounds. (as of today) It hasn't been easy. I've made lots of mistakes, but I just keep trying. Thanks Susan!

My Journey

This is a record of my journey. My struggles to lose weight and get healthy. I have so far lost a total of 62.5 pounds and am working toward 100. I started last April 18th and have lost on average about 10 lbs a month. I am doing it the "old fashioned way" with eating less and working out. I was really cruzing along, but have struggled this past month with staying focused and motivated.

This blog is an effort to help me get my feelings out there, and be able to look back on my progress and keep going. Hopefully I will help others see that they can do it to.