Weekly Weigh In, 02/18/12

Total weight loss goal: 60lbs

Weeks weight difference: +2.6lbs

Total weight loss thus far: -12.4lbs

Total weight loss to go: 47.6.0lbs

Goal achievement to date: 21%

Yep, that is a big fat plus sign in front of this week’s weight difference. I guess it was too good to be true. It’s interesting from a Weight Watcher’s perspective in regards to daily point target values this is where I always hit a wall and struggle.  I am hitting an obstacle, some internal challenge that I am not acknowledging or ready to accept.  Since I have no job time, I have wallowed thought deeply about the reality.  These are my current obstacles (and I am sure I am not alone):

·         Portion control – The size of my meals/portions needs to shrink

·         Food quality – The quality of my food needs to greatly improve.

·         Consistent movement - A sedentary life (some my own doing, but other areas are just part of the computer technology age), that needs to change even when I can’t control the areas.  I need to be conscious of counteracting.

On food quality, I was shocked to find out how poor my food quality really was.  I mean I know it wasn’t the best but sheesh it certainly wasn’t that bad, right?  With weight watchers you are given daily points to meet and as well to meet your 5 fruits and veggies a day, please.  However the online app, while good doesn’t give you everything you need.  I came across an app for my iphone called, calorie counter.  I joined cos it was free, which then made me think about another app I read online (from Newlywed's on a Budget blog) so I joined my fitness pal as well.  I am hooked and will use these in addition to the WW app.  They all have similar themes; myfitnespal looks to be more tailored than calorie counter but I really loved the graphical nature of the calorie counter.  Either way, wow I was in shock how many nutrients I am really missing out on.  My only wish is that it offered all the nutrients we need in a day, but hey this is still pretty cool and hits the big ticket items.  In the last week, I have yet to meet the nutrient levels recommended, and I wonder why I am low on iron, duh? My ultimate take away is this; I had always bought the blanket concept that we live in the US of A and that it’s very EASY to meet the minimum recommended dietary allowance (which is apparently now called reference daily intake).  Well for me, it’s not true.  Check the apps out and see how well you fare?  I should warn you, calorie counter does send a daily email, but maybe I forgot to un-check a box?

How can you expect your body to run at optimum level if you feed crap or even just half way decent food?

Weekly Weigh In, 02/11/12

Total weight loss goal: 60lbs

Weeks weight difference: -3.2lbs

Total weight loss thus far: -15.0lbs

Total weight loss to go: 45.0lbs

Goal achievement to date: 25%

Yeah! I weighed in earlier than normal but I am so excited I reached my 15 pound goal!!! I hope it stays true to next week when I weigh in, in the evening.  Please, please, please fingers crossed.

Weekly Weigh In, 02/02/12

Total weight loss goal: 60lbs

Weeks weight difference: -0.2lbs

Total weight loss thus far: -11.8lbs

Total weight loss to go: 48.2lbs

Goal achievement to date: 20%

Slowly, but surely.

Weekly Weigh In, 01/27/2012

Total weight loss goal: 60lbs

Weeks weight difference: -7lbs (two weeks)

Total weight loss thus far: -11.6lbs (yeah!!)

Total weight loss to go: 48.4lbs

Goal achievement to date: 19%

Body fat percent difference:  NA

I had a great two weeks for weight loss.  However, I’m not sure how real the loss is since I recently had abdominal surgery.  It seems like a huge jump? I don’t have those kinds of jumps since I usually have to work for every freakin pound ounce lost. I fully expect this number to even out in the next few weeks.  But hey, I will keep my fingers crossed.

Since surgery, I have blown off tracking my food intake. I need to get back on track since it’s an area that’s key for me.  It really does make or break my weight loss/maintenance success. Just haven’t had the physical or mental energy as of yet. 

As well I bought a body fat scale, so I will start tracking fat loss percentage. I think this will be a good motivator later down the road when the scale barely budges but you know your body’s changing.

I haven’t really exercised yet since surgery but today was the first day I did get some “store shopping” walking in.  The slowness and fatigue is killing me… It’s tough when you expect your body to do more cos it should be able to.  It’s amazing how everything is really connected to your abs!  

Weekly Weigh In, 01/19/2012

You may notice this post isn't exactly a weekly weigh in, and there will be none for this week. Last Tuesday, I came face to face with the reality of "would I" or "wouldn't I" follow through with my ultimate goal of extreme self care; would I treat myself with the respect, caring and love that I deserve and take care of my medical needs.

As I was faced with this dilemma I couldn't help but think of the irony that just weeks prior I publicly proclaimed to the internet that I would indeed take care of me!

I have suffered from gallbladder attacks off and on now for 12-15 years and I thought I had "beaten them" so to speak; mostly because I hadn't had an attack for several years. Well apparently I hadn't beaten them as I was in the midst of a weeklong mild attack. As I sat in the doctor offices trying to list out the pro's and con's to available solutions I could literally hear the fates/guardian angels laugh at me yet again in trying to find a way to wiggle out justify not having surgery.

In the end I finally chose to do the surgery and am now home recovering. I am beside myself really that I let myself live with such chronic pain and inflammation for years just because of my fears.  

I will leave you with the words my surgeon told my son; wow your mom had one of the worst gallbladders I have ever seen (my surgeon is still young so she hasn't seen THAT many gallbladders, ok!), surgery time was doubled, we almost went to open surgery but didn’t, we pulled at least 3 gallstones the size of golf balls out so her scars are going to be bigger than we talked about, but all in all... YOUR MOM TOOK IT LIKE A CHAMP!

I took it like a champ, eh?

So are there any medical needs you've been putting off and need to take care of?

“Without health life is not life; it is only a state of languor and suffering – an image of death” ~ Buddha

Weekly Weigh In, 01/13/2012

Total weight loss goal: 60lbs

Weeks weight difference: -2 lbs

Total weight loss thus far: -2lbs

Total weight loss to go: 58lbs (oiy)

Goal achievement to date: 3%

The program I joined is Weight Watchers, mostly because I really love the fact that you can tailor your food likes into the program.  I will be attending the weekly meetings mostly for support, accountability and real life inspiration.  There is nothing like actually seeing other folks achieve their goals to keep you motivated, especially during the rough times.

Two pounds down is not a bad start. I am really struggling to remember to track my food intake.  It’s so easy to do and yet so challenging… I guess the most challenging part is facing what you actually gobbled down for the day! Can I get a re-do please? J