Not Going There ...

I attend Weight Watcher meetings on Monday evenings.
I didn't go today. Hubby asked me not to go. Our finances are in a critical condition right now.

I'm participating in a book sale this weekend. I hope the proceeds of the sale will ensure that I can continue to attend the Weight Watcher meetings : )

I'm making a point of choosing NOT to think anxious thoughts of the opposite.

Reasons For Freaking Out

Speaking of freaking out, guess I need to say that we're no longer going on late night walks together. On our last one, we were told by one of the "regulars" that we'd see in the park, that we needed to be careful because he and his friend had encountered a couple of guys a few nights before. One of the guys had a knife and waved it in their faces. They said there was a third male who waited in the dark behind trees to jump out at passer-bys.

That's all I needed to hear! I was in a major freaking out mode. I wanted to instantly be at home, but we still had to make our way back through the dark park to get home. After that night we haven't walked again.

On a side note, I developed a "skin fungus" (or so the Dr thought it was). He said probably from perspiring a lot. Well, I am sweating more and more with my workouts at home. So if I had to get something, I guess that's a good thing to get (for a good reason that is). Just so you won't have your own "freak out" let me share with you what my symptom was .... I had what looked like hickeys on parts of my body that I KNEW that I didn't have a hickey on. Now if you, or your dear spouse should get them, imagine the freak out that COULD happen if you didn't know that it can be a symptom of a skin fungus. Who knew?

Freaking Out

It's been two weeks since I last weighed in (due to Memorial Day holiday). I was hopeful for a loss and thought that a couple of pounds would be a great pleasure. Imagine my surprise when my leader smiled a big smile and told me I was about to freak out, but that it would be a good freak out.

I know HOW to freak out. I've done it many a time, mostly for "not so good" things. I can exhibit a good "Woo Hoo" freak out, if need be. Well, I was blown away when she told me I had lost 5.4 pounds!

Wow! The rest didn't even register to me (I was busy freaking out). She told me that I had hit the "25 pounds lost" mark (actually exceeded it) and that I am very close to having lost 10% of my starting weight.

Weight Watchers awards charms for different milestones. I received my first one tonight for losing 25 pounds. I'm so very happy! I am feeling wonderful. I am feeling "thin" (even though I have a long way to go still). It's amazing! If I look at each day (I've been through) it has been hard, but when I glance back and see where I am at NOW, I have to say it's been incredibly easy! It has been God at work inside of me and the evidence is showing on the outside. To HIM and HIM alone goes all the praise and glory for what HE has done in me.

Yippee

Made it to the 20 pounds lost mark! You are given an "I LOST 10 POUNDS" ribbon from Weight Watchers for every ten you lose. Little rewards motivate me : )

Every week at our WW meeting, our fearless leader, asks what we want to brag about whether it be a food victory or anything else. I think of at least one thing to share every week (whether the scale goes down or not). It's amazing to me the "little" and "big" changes I've been making already.

One area that seems to trip me up is the weekend. Before I know it, it's here and we are "off schedule," and life seems a bit "out of control." I am thankful for the Monday night weigh-ins to get my mind back to task.

"FOCUS" is my motto. Life keeps getting in the way, and off I go on a tangent. Lately, I've been working on decluttering instead of eating when I've felt that old familiar restlessness deep inside.

Changing Thoughts

Ookie ... the feeling you had before walking into a Weight Watcher's meeting ...

This was the topic for one of our discussions at a weekly meeting. No matter what our history is, we all had at least one "ookie" moment (and often countless others).

One of my ookie moments was when my best friend from school asked me to be her matron of honor. I was at my heaviest (at that time) weight and I was very self conscience about it.

Another ookie moment was realizing that I may need to ask for a seat belt extender on an airplane.

We're not to dwell in the ookiness ... but were challenged to turn our thoughts to what we're dreaming about or looking forward to. What do we want to do (that we couldn't or THOUGHT we couldn't do with the extra weight on).

I am looking forward to being able to shop in "regular" clothing stores (and "regular" sized departments).

I am looking forward to being more active ... being able to keep up with my grandchildren!

I am looking forward to a whole new wardrobe !!

I am looking forward to not hiding from the camera (and having a family portrait done !! ) AND sending a photo with our Christmas cards !!

I'd like to participate ..... (do I dare say it?!) ... in a 5K event.

Still on track

Quick update

Weight loss to date 18.8 pounds. I've been inching my way to the 20 pound mark (some weeks I've gained a little, some lost a little and other maintained).

I'm still riding the exercise bike 4-5 days a week, using resistance bands and a dumbell for working out my arms and upper body and have added a daily walk too. I'm EXTREMELY grateful to my daughter and husband who are walking everyday with me. We are doing this as a team (the walking) and it's been so good for all of us!

Have marked improvement in my sleep!! I'm taking a medication to help make me drowsy (but a very low dose) and am going TO bed much, much earlier than I have for the past couple of years. Getting more sleep has done WONDERS for my life (mood, outlook, energy, quality, etc ...)

To God be the glory for what HE has done in me !!

p/s I'm not up all night anymore, so I'm not on the computer for as long as I used to be. I"m busy living my life : )

Time to do some catching up

Last night's weigh in: down 3.8 pounds. Total lost to date: 18.2 pounds. I received my "Sixteen Week" charm from Weight Watchers last night too! It's applauding hands (very nice) because actually sticking with it for 16 consecutive weeks is to be commended. Feeling good about it all and don't plan to stop.

I've been taking a new (different for me) medication to help me fall asleep. The results have been favorable. I AM falling asleep. I'm still waking up, though, but can usually fall back asleep pretty easily. The "sleep hangover" (feeling sleepy the next day) is not as extreme as other medications I have taken in the past. I have been taking this medication for approx. 3 weeks.

My exercise of choice continues to be the exercise bike. I have added some resistance band/hand bell arm workouts as well.

I am processing a lot of "mind clutter" by journaling, list making and thought mapping. It has been good therapy (and quite eye opening at times).