Little by little....

Today was the big weigh in and I lost another two pounds this week. Wow, I don't know why I expect more but I do. I want to see bigger and better results. I realize I didn't gain it all at once, so why would I expect to lose it all at once. I will continue on and be happy with two pounds a week - and realize some weeks may not even be that much.

This week is my Birthday week, so I will work hard on sticking to the program and saving some of my weekly points allowance for a special birthday dinner.

Weigh In ... and the results are...

My weigh in day is Saturdays and when I weighed in yesterday, I wasn't that excited about the results. I only lost 2 pounds and I was really hoping for more. I know, a loss is still a loss. The thing is, I weigh and measure everything. I have been eating so well, I really thought I would do better. I thought about just waiting until today and doing the weigh in again. I was also going to buy a new scale as was suggested by Christina and my mother, but this is the scale I started my journey with.

Christina called me last night and asked what my loss was. When I told her, she said "Mom, that is good - a loss is a loss". Others said the same thing.

I really hope next week is better. Wish me luck with today - we are taking my inlaws out to dinner for their birthdays. I know I can make good choices and I will.

A Night of Temptations

Even though much of the area businesses were closed today for Martin Luther King Day and will be closed tomorrow for Inauguration Day - I had to work today and also have to work tomorrow. I wanted to give myself a little treat, so I planned on playing Bingo. Since Mom was out of town visiting Michele and the kids in Fredericksburg and Emily had to work - one of my daughter's from another mother, Taylor and her sister Jamie went with me. They were offering a free dinner of Chicken Cordon Blue, potatoes, fried shrimp and rolls. I really didn't know what the dinner was and was hoping there would be something I could eat and stay within my points for the day.

After leaving work, I had an appointment to donate blood. Things went well there and while I was getting my snack of pretzels and water after the donation, I chatted with several people also waiting to leave. Before I new it, I had met Jennifer who is also on Weight Watchers. As I talked about my journey of weight loss and my goal to become a healthier me - I realized I was putting myself in a terrible position this evening. The Jaycees Hall has great food! The best fries, fried chicken strips, and of course there is always desert. Was I tempting fate?

I picked up Taylor and Jamie and after we got settled into our spots, we walked up to check out the buffet. I knew I could not stay on program while eating this, and the girls quickly jumped in and suggest I go to Subway and get my favorite Veggie Delight Sub. So that's exactly what I did.

For the rest of the evening, I had Taylor get French fries on my right and another Taylor (one of Christina's baton twirlers) eating french fries on my left. Little Taylor’s Grandmother was eating ice cream across from me and little Taylor was eating sherbert. Have I mentioned how great there french fries are? Well, I managed to make it through the evening without indulging.

Once I arrived home, I was able to have a Weight Watchers Peanut Butter Cup Sundae and two glasses of milk. It was worth the wait and I stayed on program and within my points for the day.

The moral of the story is - I know I can't avoid these types of situations. I just have to stay strong and make good choices. It really helps to have those around me who know what my goal is and encourage me to keep reaching towards it. Thanks Jamie and Taylor for encouraging me.

Oh yes, I did win $25 on an early bird game. Not a big win - but a win none the less:)

Little by little

Okay, so I lost 3 pounds. Not a huge loss, but a loss none the same. As I have said often, I did not gain all of this weight quickly - I don't anticipate losing it quickly. Hopefully next week will be a little more. Well, I must go shopping - so let me prepare for the 8 degree weather outside. It could be worse - I could be in Chicago. Just kidding - If I were in Chicago I would be hanging with Cindy - INSIDE!

The end of week one

Okay, so today is the last day of my first week doing Weight Watchers Online. Tommorrow is the big weigh in day. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I know I did a good job on the program, but I am still worried I won't lose. Regardless, I know I am eating healthier and I did say I wanted to be healthier. We will see!

The Journey Begins

This Christmas was one of the happiest I have had in many years. We were able to provide some awesome gifts for our children, family and friends. The fact is we did so without using any credit!

Christmas morning is different now the kids are not little, but this is not a bad thing. Now that they are older, they get excited about us opening our gifts from them and from each other. This was no different this Christmas.

My son Joey gave me and Emily tickets to see "Legally Blonde the Musical" at the Kennedy Center. Even though I knew about the gift, it was a wonderful surprise for Emily and we had an awesome time.

Emily made me a CD in which she created herself. She recorded dual tracks of herself playing Josh Groban's "Believe" with her trombone and she sang the song. She added pictures of me when I was a little girl and through the years, each of my kids through the years, and finished it off with a wonderful dedication thanking me for being her mother.

Christina made me a Picture Book entitled "Our Wedding Story". She gathered pictures from our wedding album and with the help of my best friend Robin, was able to name and label each picture. Since we never did have larger than snapshot pictures done from our wedding, this was a fabulous gift.

Of course, I spent a good part of the day crying each time I looked at my gifts. I also made up my mind it was time to do something about the me I have become. For the most part, I am extremely happy with myself and my life. Seeing the pictures of the me from way back when made me realize I want that me back. I don't want to be as thin as I was in 1986 - but I need to be healthy. I need to be able to stand without pain during church. I need to be able to walk all day in an amusement park with my family. I need to be able to run and play with all of my nieces, nephews and someday - many years from now - with my grandchildren. I am tired of missing out on the fun the family is having because I need to sit and rest.

I was encourage and inspired by Marissa - Cindy's friend - to begin this journey and to document it. Marissa thank you for your inspiration! Cindy thank you for your love!

I ask all of you to keep me in your prayers and to check back often for updates on my journey.

Life is not a spectator sport - It is time for me to stop watching life pass me by.