Saturday, October 31, 2009

End of the month roundup…my 20 tips on weight loss

It’s time for my monthly wrap-up. I went back through my postings and picked out the “nuggets” that worked best for me during the month of October. They are in no particular order, but I believe that number 20 is really the key to the whole weight-loss thing.

1. Walking, for me, works better with a destination.
2. 50 weeks is a long time. It’s easier to think in 90 –day chunks.
3. About 3.5 hours between meals, and I’m hungry.
4. Planning for an occasion and eating before hand helps.
5. Going to Weight Watchers meetings is more fun with family and friends.
6. Gold stars are good incentives for me to perform.
7. Free lunch isn’t free if you eat when you are not hungry.
8. Clean plate club doesn’t apply my plate AND to other peoples’ plate, too.
9. Buy only what you are going to eat, if you think having extra will sabotage you .
10. Lose weight for your health not for an occasion.
11. Plateaus and gains happen, so get back in the saddle.
12. Plus size women do enjoy fashion.
13. Leftovers can be turned into fun and satisfying meals.
14. Little things you can control make life more enjoyable.
15. Excitement keeps my mind off eating.
16. Bring your own snacks on the plane.
17. Half a great pancake is better than missing out.
18. Order the kid’s meal.
19. Buy Halloween candy on Halloween, and give it all away.
20. Time passes anyway, so why not use it to lose weight.

“Stats” recap:

I have lost 8.6 pounds in my first 6 weeks on Weight Watchers.

“Nerd” recap:

I have lost 17.2% of my 50 pounds goal in 12% of my 50 weeks goal.

Summary:

I’m on track to lose 50 pounds in 50 weeks.

Happy Halloween…get out there and look for trick or treaters so you can get rid of the candy.

Talk to you soon.

Friday, October 30, 2009

It's good to be us

My husband was born and raised in Marin County. Because he is a very outgoing, social kind of guy, he has maintained many of his friendships since his school days. I entered the picture about 18 years ago, and his friends have become my friends over the years. I’m always amazed by how many people he knows, and we can rarely go anywhere in this area without him running into a familiar face.

Which brings me to this evening. Even though he knows so many people, there is a small group of three couples that tries to meet every month for dinner. We have been doing it for a long time and even though we might miss a month or two, it doesn’t stop us from picking up where we left off. We call these dinners the IGTBU Club get -togethers, which stands for “it’s good to be us.” Through good times and bad, we are just happy to have each other’s company over dinner.

Tonight’s event took place in Santa Rosa at Syrah, a restaurant with a very interesting menu. We started by sharing a cheese course that included a selection of cheeses from our region and ended with several decadent desserts that also made the rounds. Two bottles of red wine, a variety of entrees, and three hours later, we were on our way home.

What did I learn this evening? I learned to pass the cheese platter and the desserts, and have no regrets about not sampling them. I don’t drink, so the wine thing wasn’t an issue. My entrée was delicious, and I substituted a dollop of mashed potatoes for the original cheesy grits that came with it. I didn’t have any qualms about speaking up and ordering the dinner the way I wanted it, even in a very upscale situation.

Most of all I learned that I didn’t care what we ate for dinner. I was glad to be with our very good friends spending an evening catching up on stories and laughs. IGTBU.

Talk to you soon.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

I'm becoming a caricature

The house is very quiet today…just the dogs and me enjoying a sunny, Fall afternoon. Because I’m alone, I decided to pull out the tape measure and see what my measurements look like six weeks after starting Weight Watchers. The scale is not one of my favorite tools, so you can imagine that the tape measure isn’t enjoying much love either.

I entered my “stats” on the online e-tool when I joined. I actually forgot I did that and think that I forgot, on purpose, my original measurements. I like all the bells and whistles on the Weight Watchers site, so in was only a matter of time before I found the place where I had entered the original data.

I’m not one for caring much about the actual measurements. I like seeing pounds come off, but the rest is too much to care about for me. I know that when my clothes feel more comfortable, inches must be coming off, and comfort is the name of the game these days.

But, my curiosity got the best of me, and I measured everything. The good news is that there is 5 inches less of me on my hips, waist and bust than there was when I started six weeks ago. Just think, if things continued to work that way, at the end of the 50 weeks, I could be 50 inches smaller. You wouldn’t even see me anymore. I don’t think it works that way.

Talk to you soon.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Boycott on dinner

I was tired last evening. Too tired to want to eat. I made dinner for my husband, looked at it, and decided that it just wasn’t what I wanted. Has that ever happened to you?

I put his meal in front of him and sat down with nothing. He thought I was sick. I wasn’t…just tired and “turned off” by an entire meal. The “pre-WW” me would have sat down and eaten it anyway, because I made it. Or, I would have fixed myself a bowl of ice cream with a few cookies and sat at the table to keep him company.

The new, “at WW” me sat at the table and kept him company. I was happy to have the time to talk without worrying about having a plate of food in front of me that I really didn’t want. For about a minute, he thought it was weird, but he was too hungry to want to analyze the whole thing.

Two hours later, I was hungry. A bowl of Greek yogurt with some fresh raspberries did the trick. Sometimes, you just have to do things a little differently and the results can be surprisingly good.

Talk to you soon.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Time is flying...weight is dropping

Today is weigh-in day. I think I’ve said this before, but the weeks seem to fly by a lot faster at age 57 than they used to when I was a kid. Christmas used to feel like it took years before it came around again, and now, it is holiday season starting in August, and I’m thinking about gifts and preparation by Labor Day.

I think there is one advantage to the feeling that time is flying, and that is how fast the first six weeks of Weight Watchers has flown. Like Claudette says, the time is going to pass anyway, so why not do something that makes you feel better. I have now lost 8.6 pounds, which is another two pounds this week. I feel better. And, my buddy and son, Alex, is down 8.2 pounds in three weeks. He feels better, too.

As we walked home from our meeting today, Alex pointed out that I no longer make us stop along the way so that I can breathe. I think that my body is actually getting in shape, one stride at a time. This is a first for me; so, once again, I feel better.

Thanks for sharing my blog with your friends.

Talk to you soon.

Monday, October 26, 2009

1000 hits...a toast to us!

Today is dedicated to us. Together, we have passed the 1000 hits mark on the blog in just over one month. Pretty nifty milestone and one that continues to keep me excited about losing weight and sharing the day-to- day news with you.

Speaking of news, I’m getting ready to head out for a walk with Alex. The two of us originally had a “big plan” to get flu shots and to walk to CVS. I was on the phone at 9 this morning checking on the pharmacy supply, only to learn that there was none. The nearest supply is at my doctor’s office, which is about 10 miles away.

I don’t think I’m ready for that walk quite yet. My walking tour of Disneyland may have been about 10 miles, but rides and fireworks broke it up. The walk to the doctor’s office offers none of these distractions.

Tomorrow is my meeting day, so I know where I’ll be walking. Today, it will be a surprise.

Happy birthday to my daughter-in-law, Amanda!

Talk to you soon.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Football Sunday... time-out with my kitchen


Are you ready for some football?  It’s Sunday morning and to be honest with you, I have very little knowledge of how the game is played.  You’d think with two sons and a husband who are avid followers, I would have picked up something.  I haven’t.

But, the part I do like about Sunday football is the fact that we sit around the television as a family unit.  The guys are jumping around from one game to another, mostly yelling at the television.  I, on the other hand, catch up on my reading.  I sit with the group, but I leaf through the magazines and catalogs that have piled up on my coffee table during the previous six days. 

When it comes to the snacks that go with the games, I am totally out of the picture.  Both before and since joining Weight Watchers, I have avoided preparing, serving or cleaning up the food.  It’s the day I turn the kitchen over to the guys and let them do whatever they feel like doing….another reason I like Sunday football.

I hear a Crate & Barrel catalog calling my name. 

Talk to you soon.






Saturday, October 24, 2009

Disneyland is the place...even without the kids

Wow, Disneyland was a good time.  My sister lives about 40 miles north of the Park, which was three hours driving time in LA traffic.  Our plan was to arrive late in the afternoon and stay for the fireworks.  It’s Halloween at Disneyland, so the decorations were in full bloom.

Our first stop, before parking, was at a McDonald’s outside the Park.  We had not had our lunch yet, but we knew that the food in Disneyland had to be more expensive than the food at McDonalds.  So, I had a grilled chicken wrap for six points.  It turned out to be a good move.

The Park was jammed, and when it came time for dinner, which we started searching for at 8:30, we found lots of places to eat. Unfortunately, there were also lots of people waiting on lines for the food and very few spots to sit down.  We lucked out and had a great dinner at River Belle Terrace, home of the carved turkey. 

Taking Claudette’s advice about ordering the Kid’s Meal, I had a terrific turkey sandwich, grapes, apple slices, and a bottle of water for $6.99.  Not a bad price considering the venue.  Best of all, it was served in a plate shaped like Mickey, ears and all.

I’m back at home now and reliving the experience through pictures.  It’s amazing how much fun three adults whose combined ages total 156 could have on a day out.  Can’t wait to go back!

Talk to you soon.




Friday, October 23, 2009

Mickey mouse...and me


I have a date with a mouse.  I’m on my way to Disneyland, for the first time in my life, and I am almost as excited as I imagine I would have been 50 years ago.  It’s a one- day adventure, complete with fireworks and the Halloween extravaganza. 

When I told Claudette, our meeting leader, that I was heading south for my day with the Disneys, she gave me some tips that I intend to follow.  I will be visiting the New Orleans outdoor scene for the shrimp salad.  And, the Dole pineapple area seems to be on everybody’s list of a great place to stop for no points’ treats.

I’d love to stay and chat, but “it’s a small world, afterall,” and I have to go tackle it.

Thanks for sharing.

Talk to you soon.


Thursday, October 22, 2009

What to do with a giant pancake


When I visit my sister, we have a tradition of going to breakfast at the wonderful Griddle Café, in Hollywood.  Famous for hundreds of varieties of pancakes, French toast and other goodies, I begin salivating as we drive towards our destination.

Today, was that day.  Before leaving the house this morning, I remembered the discussion we had at Tuesday’s meeting, led by Scott, on the point count of pancakes versus waffles.  What Scott didn’t factor in is the size of a Griddle Café pancake. 

Coming in at 10” in diameter, it is a pancake on steroids.  A “normal” order has three of them, which no human being can really finish without a food-induced coma. But they will sell just one.  And if you travel with my sister, you get to split the one pancake in half. 

So, she and I split a fresh raspberry and lemon pancake.  She used the butter and the real maple syrup because she is skinny.  I savored every bit of my pancake without those added points because the pancake stood its own.

Add the French press coffee to this picture, and you know how I spent the first part of my day.  And, I’m still awake. 

Thanks for telling others about the blog.

Talk to you soon.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Bye, Bye Airline Food

I waived good-bye to my Weight Watchers buddy and son, Alex, yesterday and headed to the airport with my husband.  Alex will be tracking his points under the supervision of our two Labrador retrievers who have been instructed on healthy eating while Alex house/dog sits them. 

As I boarded the Southwest flight, I started thinking about the pretzels and peanuts that come with my seat.  Even though the total amount of flying time is under one hour, something weird happens to me when I fly.  I immediately begin worrying about getting hungry.  Since I know that I always exhibit this behavior, I brought my own snacks for the flight.  A package of Nature Valley Oats n’ Honey Granola bars and the airline’s diet coke, and I was half way to LA and ready for a quick nap.

When we landed, my sister was there to greet us and to drive directly to Randy’s Donuts for a walk-up jelly treat.  Her treat, not mine.  I smiled, said no and remembered my granola bar.  I wasn’t hungry anymore.

Thanks for sharing this blog with your friends.

Talk to you soon.


Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Weigh-in day...victory!


I have to admit that I was a tad nervous about going to my Weight Watchers meeting today.  Remember, last week I had gained a pound.  I told you that I expected that week would arrive based upon my historical knowledge of ….me.  I followed the program perfectly, tracked my points and it still happened.  Although I was disappointed that I didn’t show a loss on the scale, I was proud that I was in control of my eating.  And I certainly wasn’t going to eat a bunch of junk after that weigh-in because I was feeling a little sorry for myself.

I am pleased to report that the pound I gained last week fell off along with another 1.4 pounds.  So, 2.4 pounds lost this week and a total of 6.6 pounds gone since I joined on September 15.   I am also proud of my son, Alex, who has lost 5.8 pounds in the two weeks since he joined.  We make a good team, both in planning our meals and as walking buddies. 

The team is now going to eat lunch and toast our weight loss success with diet cokes.  Go team go!!!

Thanks for sharing this blog with your friends.

Talk to you soon.


Monday, October 19, 2009

Excitement...the antidote to hunger


There is definitely a correlation between excitement and eating.  This is not a scientific study, although it probably has been written about many times before.  This is my observation about me.

When I am in a celebratory state of mind, my desire to raid the refrigerator disappears.  It’s the opposite of what happens to me if I am “down in the dumps.”  Although, now that I pay attention to what is motivating me, thanks to Weight Watchers and this blog,
I am in total control of my hands and mouth.  I am my own puppeteer.

Time to share the reason for the excitement with you.  Some of you know that I wrote a book that was published by Simon & Schuster in June. Today, What’s a Mother (in-Law) To Do?  5 Essential Steps to Building a Loving Relationship with Your Son’s New Wife, was selected as the winner of the National “Best Books 2009” Awards in the category of self –help/relationships.

If you read my previous blog about gold stars, you’ll understand why this gold book seal turns me on. 

Thanks for sharing my blog with anyone you think might enjoy it.

Talk to you soon.






Sunday, October 18, 2009

Look who's walking...for bargains


It’s a gray and dreary Sunday, and I’m planted in front of television watching an endless stream of something called Bridezilla, which I clearly have become hooked on or I would have turned it off.  The afternoon is ticking away, and I have done nothing constructive.  But, I don’t think I’m going to worry too much about it.  I have one plan for the day, and as soon as I finish the latest installment of angry brides, I’m heading out.

It’s walking time.  Last Tuesday, the day I walk to my Weight Watchers meeting, was the day of our first big storm, complete with rain and wind.  I actually got up early to see if I could tough it out and walk, but the weather was really foul.  So, my son and I drove.  I was disappointed that we had to take the car.  That was a first!

Today, before it rains again, I’m going to make up for missing that walk.  I’m looking forward to my destination, which is the new CVS that sent me a coupon in the mail.  It’s like the free food thing, but with stuff.  I don’t eat food just because it’s free anymore, but I do use the “welcome to the neighborhood” coupons when I need stuff at the drugstore.

By the way, speaking of welcomes, welcome to the members of the Weight Watchers group from San Bruno.  One of the members of our group shared the blog address with a friend from down south and she, in turn, passed it along to other Weigh Watchers members.  Keep sharing…I appreciate it.

Time to check the bargains.

Talk to you soon.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Manicures, pedicures and weight loss

This morning was my monthly manicure appointment.  Thanks to the skills of Vi at Helen of Troy, my neighborhood salon, and something called a “pink and white”, my nails wear like iron. 


So, I entered the salon and was greeted by a “hello, Jane” from a fellow Weight Watchers member from my Tuesday morning group.  We chatted a bit as Vi finished up with her pedicure.  As she left the salon, she mentioned that the whimsical Halloween theme that Vi had painted on her toes was just what she needed to start her day right.

I thought about what she said as I sat down to write today’s news.  Since arriving home, I have looked at my new manicure and smiled.  I also appreciate how much faster I can type with shorter nails.  It was what I needed to start my day right.

Even though controlling my weight issues will take some time, it’s the little things that you can control quickly that make the time more enjoyable.

Do something special for yourself today, and put a smile on your face.

Talk to you soon.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Auditing the leftovers...how to eat well and clean the refrigerator

Today is Friday, and Friday is cleaning day.  I love how it all turns out, but I’m not too fond of the process involved in getting there.  It really begins on Thursday evening, when I audit the refrigerator and clean out the leftovers.  That routine has two positive outcomes.  The leftovers get eaten, for the most part, and the refrigerator gets washed down.

Now, let’s concentrate on those leftovers.  My husband doesn’t like Thursdays very much because he’s not a “leftover aficionado,” but he rolls with it most weeks.  I, on the other hand, take pleasure in the challenge of figuring out how to use as many of the parts and pieces of stuff we have eaten during the week and turning them into a meal.

Last evening, my husband wasn’t rolling with the challenge and ordered a pizza.  I was secretly pleased because it left me all the leftovers and most of them were vegetables.  I knew the point value of the entire audited refrigerator was going to be low.

I began by taking a baking sheet and spraying it down with PAM.  PAM gives me a sense of power because I can spray freely and enjoy the benefits of no points and easy clean-up.  Then, I proceeded to decorate the pan with eight asparagus stalks, a pile of mushrooms, half of a baked potato which I sliced thin so it looked like more, two rogue carrots and four ounces of Monday night’s marinated flank steak.  I put it in my oven at 450 for about 20 minutes and waited for the dinner I wasn’t sharing.

I loved all of it.  It filled my plate with colorful, yummy options.  It had a low point value.  And, there were still points left to get in the last Giant Fudge Bar from the freezer.

Good thing Friday is also grocery delivery day. 

Talk to you soon.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

More weight loss...thanks MORE magazine!


Today is a good day.  Not weather wise, but getting the word out wise.  As some of you know, I decided to write an article about the 50- pound journey and submitted it to MORE magazine, a few days after deciding to join Weight Watchers.  And today, that article was published.  Take a peak at http://www.more.com/2010/8616-aiming-to-lose-50-pounds.

For some people, admitting to the world, through a magazine, that the need exists to lose a lot of weight might be a “different” way to tackle the issue.  For me, it’s the only way.  I need to set a goal, be accountable and show my results.  And the more people that know about my goal, the more fun it becomes to achieve it. 

So, in addition to my new friends at my Weight Watchers meeting, I have new friends all over the world, thanks to MORE magazine.

Talk to all of you soon.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Not a size 6...and love fashion


Last evening, I was watching one of my favorite shows, Shark Tank.  If you haven’t watched, it’s another reality show, but this time the subject matter focuses on inventors.  As a business coach, the show is like a magnet, and I am drawn in every week.

One of the presenters was a plus -sized woman who designs beautiful high- end clothing for women who wear sizes 12 to 28.  As she pointed out, over 60% of women fit into these sizes, and she was looking for funding to build her business.  The relevant part of this story as it relates to my Weight Watchers journey centers around a comment passed by one of the potential male investors, affectionately referred to as a “shark” on the program.

He actually had the nerve to ask the designer if larger women really care about clothing and how they look.  The other sharks, the designer and I all moaned our disgust simultaneously.  I was tempted to reach through the television and shake him.

I have loved fashion since I was a kid and appreciate luxurious fabrics and flattering styling.  Whether I am a size 6, which I have been, or a 16, which I now am, I look for fashion that accentuates my positives.  Assuming that I don’t care because I don’t look like the models in most of the fashion magazines is just wrong.

I may not invest in new items for my wardrobe right now because I am only four weeks into my 50 -week journey.  But, I won’t stop looking at the magazines and appreciating the fall fashions.

See you at the Mall.

Talk to you soon.


Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Three amigos weigh-in

It’s another weigh-in day at Weight Watchers.  Tuesdays seem to come around faster as I get older.   And today, in addition to having my son with me, my friend Tammi has come on-board.  Yeah team!

I knew that the day would come where I would either plateau or even gain a pound.  And today was the day.  Four weeks into the program, I gained that pound.  I’m not a psychic nor am I a pessimist.  I know my body from 57 years of owning it.  And, I know that each time that I have been a Weight Watchers member, I get to this point at about this time.  I can’t explain it other than to say it just happens.  I have been a “perfect” program follower and points tracker all week. 

The key to my success will be to carry on.   It’s that simple.  Sure I’m irritated that the scale didn’t reward me with a negative number, and I thought about taking my frustration out on this innocent weighing device.  But, why bother?  As Claudette says, “the time is going to pass anyway,” and next week will be here before I know it.  So, why would I ruin my newly formed good eating habits with my past behavior?  

The tally is now 4.2 pounds in four weeks.  That scale and I are going to have another go at it in seven days.  I’m planning on winning the next round.

Talk to you soon.








Monday, October 12, 2009

Happy #13


Thirteen years ago today, I slipped into my wedding dress and married my wonderful fiancé.  The operative words in that sentence are “slipped into” and I could do it because I had been to Weight Watchers and lost enough weight to make that happen.

My dress hangs in my closet to remind me how much I enjoyed my wedding day and almost every day since then.  But, slipping into it is no longer an option.  That’s okay.  I have learned that losing weight for an occasion, no matter how important the day, is not a good enough reason to keep it off. 

That’s why I gave myself 50 weeks to lose 50 pounds, or however many it actually takes.  This time, for the first time, it’s about changing my lifestyle choices in order to maintain a healthy weight….not for a dress, not for a day, but for the rest of my life.  It makes perfect sense now. 

So, Happy Anniversary to my husband, Mark.  Happy Columbus Day to the rest of you.

Talk to you soon.


Sunday, October 11, 2009

Food for a cat…really?

Here’s the difference between how a perpetually thin woman, my sister, and a not so thin woman, me, buy food.  It may unlock the secret of my family’s discrepancy in body size.

My sister was ordering her dinner from the fish counter at the supermarket.  She asked for four ounces of salmon and the butcher showed her the cut piece for her approval.  An overweight woman who was next in line asked her, “Is that piece of fish for your cat?"

My sister, who lives alone, buys as much food as she needs for her meal.  I, on the other hand, would have bought a pound of salmon and planned to eat part of it.  Of course, the “before Weight Watchers me” would have eaten all of it because it was there.

I’m still wondering about who buys salmon at the fish counter for their cat.  I’m glad I have dogs.

Talk to you soon.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Happy Birthday...even without the cake


Last evening, I faced the beast and won. Have you ever been in the same room with a Costco sheet cake and didn’t give in to its call?

Let’s go back.  We were invited to a birthday party, so there was definitely going to be a cake in attendance.  About an hour before heading out to the soiree, I decided to plan my evening’s eating strategy.  Besides the cake, there was also dinner.  I had half my daily points ready to go, plus I could dip into my weekly allowance, if needed. 

I didn’t want to show up ravenous, so I had some popcorn before jumping into my car.  I enjoyed a dinner of pasta and vegetable kabobs.  It was a buffet, so I could sample several bites of pasta and go heavy on the kabobs.

And then the song started…Happy Birthday was being sung, the candles were flickering and the Costco sheet cake with strawberry filling arrived on the scene.  I sat six inches from the entire cake, helped pass out plates to guests and had NONE of it.  I wasn’t even tempted.  I kept thinking about my giant fudge bar, topped with fresh raspberries, that I had set aside for my return home.

It worked.  I left the party happy that I had attended and pleased that I had resisted the cake.  I could have used those weekly points, but I liked it better not using them…more leftover cake for the birthday girl today.

Talk to you soon.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Playing food referee...with my dogs

Today, I watched my two black labs eating their first meal of the day.  They eat the same thing at the same time, everyday, and mealtime may be the most exciting event of the day for them.  Sound familiar? 

Anyhow, I have to stand between the two bowls because the 55- pound female, Tess, who gets less food than the 75- pound male, Talbot, usually eats faster.  When Tess is done with her food, she immediately looks over to the other bowl to see if Talbot is still eating. She would have her head in there with him, if I didn’t stop her.

I am also a fast eater. I have been known to watch my husband’s dinner plate while he is eating, hoping that he looks away for a second so I can grab an extra bite.  With nobody standing between that plate and me, I got away with it.  That ship has sailed since joining Weight Watchers.  Now, I have a “point tracker” between that plate and me, and it keeps my hands in my lap.

If I could only get the labs to a Weight Watchers meeting, I wouldn’t have to play food referee twice a day.

Talk to you soon.







Thursday, October 8, 2009

The great yogurt mystery...solved


Yikes, out of yogurt.  No big deal for most people.  Big deal for me because I get up in the morning and look forward to my breakfast which contains, in part, thick, creamy, Greek yogurt.  What happened?  I ordered enough to last until Friday’s Safeway delivery, and it’s only Thursday.

Another Weight Watchers member visiting my house happened.  My son joined on Tuesday, and he has been visiting from his San Francisco apartment ever since then.  The refrigerator is open to anyone who lives here or visits, but I wasn’t keeping an eye on its content until this morning.  And that’s where the yogurt went.  He made snacks out of it.

I bucked up and ate a multi-grain English muffin.  Then, I cleaned out and audited the refrigerator, so I wouldn’t be surprised again.  My final step was to update my Safeway order because, let’s just say that yogurt isn’t the only thing that disappeared. 

Oh well, he’s 26 and has a lot more points in a day than I do. 

Talk to you soon.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Caught in the middle...to eat or not to eat


Today, I headed north to a meeting that was scheduled for 1:00.  I thought about my food plan as soon as I woke up, knowing that there would be no food at the meeting.  I chose to eat a late breakfast, at 11:00, and figured that it would hold me together for about four hours.  By all calculations, I would be back home by then and could eat lunch using my own ingredients.

I arrived in Santa Rosa and was pleasantly surprised when I learned the CEO was treating us to lunch in a nearby restaurant.  But…I wasn’t hungry.  All of the thought that went into my original plan was out the window because I was caught right in the middle of “just ate” and “need food.” 

My BWW (before Weight Watchers) solution would have been simple.  Order lunch, in an amount that looked like everyone else’s orders.  But, I have learned a new lesson in my three short weeks in the program.  I wasn’t hungry, and just because the food was “free,” I didn’t need to order a lunch like everybody else’s.

I ordered an appetizer of mixed vegetables...no points, tasted great and was healthy. And when I arrived home, four hours after breakfast, I ate lunch…because I was hungry.

Talk to you soon.


Tuesday, October 6, 2009

My gold star…it still works like it did in Kindergarten

When I was starting out my school career, I was the teacher’s pet.  I followed the rules and lived for the recognition that doing a good job earned me.  My “chores” were executed flawlessly; I didn’t act up in class, and I was all about getting… the gold stars. 

There was a big poster board on the wall with all of the kids’ names and each activity of the day had the potential for earning a star.  I lived for those stars.  I wanted to have more than my classmates, which most likely was the reason that I was alone at recess.

And now, 52 years later, I got a gold star for losing my first five pounds.  It actually was 5.2 pounds at the end of the third week on the program.  Can you hear me cheering?   I’m going to try to less noisy about it in class, however, so I don’t end up alone at recess again.

Talk to you soon.

Monday, October 5, 2009

What's better than a Weight Watchers friend?

What’s better than going to a Weight Watchers' meeting by yourself?  Going with a friend, or in my case, going with one of my sons.  Tomorrow, he and I will make the three-mile walk together. 

When I first mentioned that I was joining, he said he would like to join, too.  But, I suggested that he take a few weeks to think about it.  And, because he was planning a visit to see his brother, I knew that they would indulge in whatever men in their 20’s and 30’s indulge in, food and drink wise.  Why not have that last "hoorah" before getting serious?

He returned from his trip on Sunday and appeared on my doorstep today, ready to complete his online registration…and to do his laundry.

Some things never change, but hopefully, his weight won’t be one of them.

Talk to you soon.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Oktoberfest...Bavarian pretzels and a great fresh fish


There was advance planning for today’s visit to San Francisco.  The annual Oktoberfest celebration on Pier 48 was the destination, and our plan was to be there all afternoon.  The beer was not an issue for me.  I don’t like it.  But the German cakes and bratwurst could have been calling my name, if I didn’t have a strategy.

I knew from past Oktoberfests that Bavarian pretzels were a feature, and I love pretzels.  So, I ate a late breakfast and looked forward to the pretzel, until I found the booth that featured them.  While the rest of my group enjoyed sausage, sauerkraut and beer, I was perfectly content with my Bavarian pretzel.  I also made a deal with the family that we would stop for an early dinner on the way home.

One really great, grilled halibut later, I’m back from a day filled with German song, dance and a terrific fresh fish.  A fun time was had by all.

Talk to you soon.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Woman eats same meal for 10 years...and likes it


I have spent the past few days figuring out when I am REALLY hungry.  It’s an experiment in using the clock and my growling stomach to determine how long a meal will hold me, until I need another one.  I am emphasizing the word “need” rather than “want” as a way to determine how many hours tick by before the rumblings begin.

My findings have been fascinating…to me.  I eat the same breakfast every morning.  Before you think that I am making a mistake and should be having a variety of items to ward off boredom, let me clarify a family trait.  Everyone in my genetic line can eat the same meal repeatedly, for decades, and not get bored.  My father ate the same tuna plate for 30 years when he was working, and I ate its cousin, Starkist tuna and crackers, all in one pouch, for over 10 years.  Once we find something we like and it’s easy, we stick with it.

So, my breakfast of yogurt, fruit and a granola bar works for me.  And, it holds me for 3.5 hours.  Unfortunately, lunch seems to be a moving target.  Yesterday, I had a shrimp and avocado salad and was hungry one hour later.  That wasn’t a good feeling, and I tried to figure out what went wrong.  I decided that I was missing bread.  The shrimp and avocado seemed to be like eating air, so I popped a 1-point multi-grain Thomas’ English muffin in the toaster.  It was the missing link and bought me two more hours of satisfaction. 

I have charted my findings, showing the true nerd-like behavior of one who likes to see numbers on a page, and now know when I have to eat.  The revelation…every three hours, I’m going to feel hungry, and I will be prepared ahead of that time with appropriate solutions.

Check back with me in another 10 years, and you will probably find me eating the same “appropriate solutions” at every meal.  Oh well, it works for me!

Talk to you soon.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Weight goals...the 90-day way


When you have a plan that lasts 50 weeks, and you are in the third week of it, it can be difficult imagining the finish line.  That’s why I try not to think that far out. 

When I work with clients in my business coaching practice, I tell them that most things need to be thought of in 90-day increments because a lot can be accomplished in three months.  For me, losing this weight is a combination of one day at a time and thinking what things are going to look like in about nine more weeks. 

I believe that I will be about 10 pounds lighter than when I started.  I think that I will be one size smaller in the clothing arena.  And, I have old pictures kicking around at that lighter weight, so I know how I could look.  That’s enough to imagine right now.

Have a great weekend and remember...don’t get hung up on how much weight you have to lose or how long it might take to lose it.  It’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon.

Talk to you soon.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Walking...with a purpose

I’m heading out for a walk.  Yes, you read that correctly.  My husband is home today, the weather is beautiful, and I have mapped a route, thanks to my friends at Google, that gives me a destination.  I think that walking, for the sake of walking, is good for many people but not for me.  I need to be going somewhere, even if it is somewhere contrived.

So, today, I mapped the route to the closest shopping center, 1.2 miles each way, and then I can pop in and get a soda at the mid-point.  I will enjoy the scenery en route and the company of my husband,  but the motivator will be that soda. 

Time to get those socks on and head out. 

Talk to you soon.