I figured it out ...

I figured out why my weight loss wasn't what I had wanted it to be. After several days of not being able to log online, I finally managed to log my foods at Sparkpeople for the last several days. Holy cow! Two of those days I was on the verge of 2000 calories and one day I went over that! How in the world that happened ... I know. Let's just say I'm going to be a lot more aware of what I'm really eating. Sheesh! It felt good to have an answer to my question of why or how, though.

Today I did my first workout with the PBS series "Sit and Be Fit". It went rather well. I felt it was kind of basic, but maybe that's what I need right now. I figure any moving is moving so it's a good thing. I'm also going to get the VCR hooked up so I can get back to working out with Richard Simmons on my fitness ball. I also have the DVD player ready so I can "walk away the pounds" with Leslie Sansone again. If I can do one of the three each day I figure I should be good to go. Add to that a short walk of at least ten minutes a day working up to 30 and I should be well on my way to making this a lasting weight loss program.

Gosh but it feels good to be back in control again.

Another Week Down

I am still here and kicking. Have been working strange hours lately (sometimes day shift, sometimes evening, and other times overnight). Since I generally have to go to the library (which is crowded with teenagers online at myspace.com and youtube.com) or go to Panera Bread (which offers free wi-fi) my online time has been seriously diminished!

My second week has resulted in two more pounds gone so that makes a total of fifteen in two weeks. I was a little wigged out about it, but as Tim said, "It's a loss and that's a good thing." I have since decided that I'm okay with two pounds down. That's still well over the average of two pounds per week I'm ultimately shooting for.

LIfe continues to click on. Tim ordered new glasses Friday morning. Sheesh, but why do they have to be so darned expensive?! My sleep study is scheduled for the end of July. I go back to see my regular doctor before that. Still no word from the pulmonary doctor about my pulmonary function test or the CAT scan of my lung. I figure if it was going to be bad news, I would have heard from him by now. All appears to be well.

I'll try to check in again before the weekend, but no promises.

Drum roll please ...

Okay! I re-started eating the NutriSystem way one week ago tomorrow. I couldn't wait any longer to step on the scale. Wow! I am shocked and amazed at the loss of weight this past week. I knew it would be a better than average loss as I hadn't really be making an effort of late, but the number blows me away. It's the best weight loss I've ever had, EVER!

Are you ready for the number? I went down from 425 to 412 in a week. Yes, that's right. I lost 13 pounds this past week! I am so psyched and so excited and so darned motivated to keep the momentum going. I am proud of myself and thrilled that what I knew would get me going again has definitely done that and more!

Woo hoo for me! And it hasn't been difficult. I haven't felt punished. I haven't felt like I was missing out on anything. I ate what I was supposed to eat. I managed to still go out with Tim, make the right choices, and do what I needed to do.

Now I need to get off my big butt and move it more. I really have to start walking. I promised the doctor I would. It's been so hot and work hours have been weird and I just can't seem to make myself do that one little thing. The doctor isn't asking much. She's asking me to walk at least five minutes three times a day and build to 30 minutes at least five days a week. Why am I struggling so with getting it done? I honestly must just be a lazy person. I continue to tell myself I have to move more if I seriously want to keep the weight off in the long run, and I do. Oh yes, I do! So what is my issue? How do I get started? How do I make myself just do it? That is the issue I will try to deal with this week and I'll keep you updated on the progress.

Oh, and I found one NS meal so far that I absolutely could not eat. Orange Beef with Noodles ... it was so nasty last night that three bites was all I could manage to choke down, and I do mean choke! UGH Taste was horrible, texture was ick, and though I told myself I needed the calories and protein it contained I couldn't force myself to eat it. That resulted in my feeling hungry for the first time since starting NS again. Not a good thing, but I resisted all snacks at work last night and feel pretty darn good about that!

It's so easy

You know, I totally forgot how easy the NutriSystem program really is. I've been at it since Thursday and not strayed once from the program. I eat out with Tim, taking one of my entrees that just need water added (or eating my entree at home) and having a salad. I add fresh fruit or a veggie serving for dinner and it's been going GREAT! I'm down more pounds than I thought I would be in my first week back at it! I'm very happy about that.

Went to the doctor yesterday. She seemed pleased that I'm doing NS again, but worries I will become dependent upon it. I assured her this is only for a few months until I get myself going again. The majority of weight I've lost already was lost post NS before so I know I'll be just fine. She said I definitely need to start walking, which I promised I will do ... starting Sunday! LOL

I went for the CAT scan of my lungs this morning. Should hear from the pulmonary doctor about the results in a few days. Need to call his office to get the number for the sleep study center as they still have not called to schedule that. You'd think they would have done it already, but maybe the order got lost along the way. Who knows?

I have my evening packed and ready to take to work with me. It should prove interesting, to eat something different than what is being served to the girls. It won't be an issue, but when someone has something else they almost always raise a fuss.

Off I go and check back after the weekend for my week one weight loss. It's gonna be a good one!

Peeking In

So I did a sneak peek on the scale this morning. In spite of having eaten just a couple hours before, I was showing a decent loss already this week. I won't make a formal announcement until Sunday or Monday as one of those will likely be my "official" weigh in day. Suffice it to say, I'm pleased with the progress already and delighted that I decided to return to NutriSystem if only for a few months.

Mandi and the baby went home today. I enjoyed them being here but I definitely don't miss a crying baby. Chloe is doing quite well. She still eats quite a bit more than most babies, at least to me, but she seems pretty average in size. Her momma is back down to pre-baby weight within five pounds. She still has the stretched skin but is accepting it pretty well.

To the doctor I go in the morning. Thursday I have that darn CAT scan. If I don't hear from them tomorrow, I have to call about the sleep study. I think it's unneccessary, but I'll go. Maybe they will be able to do something about my restless legs that happens from time to time. Not sure I want to take medication for it, but we'll see.

Cabbage on the grill

Janet asked in my comments from yesterday how I do cabbage on the grill so I figured I'd share that this morning. It's really easy to do. I cut the cabbage into wedges. Spread each side of the wedge with ICBINB spread (or use your favorite 'butter' spray or spread substitute). Wrap in aluminum foil and throw on the grill. I tend to cook mine until I can smell it cooking. Sometimes, it gets a little brown but that only adds to the flavor in my opinion. It is really yummy.

My newest grill food is the ole potato. I slice one potato thinly. I spray the aluminum foil with cooking spray. Place the potatoes on the center of the foil. Spray with cooking spray. (I use a butter flavored one.) Sprinkle with Mrs. Dash. Wrap and toss on the grill. Another yummy way to eat one serving of potatoes.

Recently a friend suggested grilled asparagus. I've not tried it yet, basically because I don't know how she prepared it. Maybe one day soon I'll ask and share that with you as well.

So far so good

My first day back on NutriSystem is going quite well. I had the strawberry toaster pastry for breakfast. It sure isn't a poptart, but it wasn't all that bad. With it I had grapes, 1/2 an English muffin with ICBINB spread (thinly) and a slice of 2% swiss cheese. To wash it down I had two glasses of water.

For my mid-morning snack I had more grapes and one string cheese. I really love cheese and am happy to be back eating it again. Funny how you don't eat things you really enjoy when you aren't really focused on what you're eating.

Lunch was at McDonalds but do not fret. I took my NS Italian Minestrone with Beef soup. Asked for a cup of hot water and made the soup there. It was very good! With it I had a salad and a flatout wrap. I totally enjoyed my lunch.

I'm looking forward to dinner. I think I'll have the NS meatloaf with mashed potatoes. It's new, at least to me, and looks good. With it I'll be having cabbage I cook on the grill, a fruit, and yet another flatout wrap (this one Italian herb flavored). Yum!

Mandi and Chloe will be here soon to visit. They'll be here a couple days and then they'll be gone again. I'm looking forward to seeing the changes in the baby. Of course it goes without saying that I'll be holding her and just enjoying having her in my arms again.

I've tracked my foods at Sparkpeople and am well withing my calorie range and even in ine with the percentages of protein, fats, and carbohydrates that they recommend. Ah but life is so good and it feels great to be back in the swing of things. I've even downed six glasses of water thus far and will get at least four more before bedtime.

Tomorrow is the day

Tomorrow is the day I will re-start NutriSystems. Already I feel motivated and excited to beging anew the journey I started over two years ago. I have put my ticker back on so that my friends can watch my progress and I WILL have progress. I refuse to accept anything else!

The foods are sorted and on the shelves. I'm off to the grocery store shortly to get my fruits, veggies, proteins, etc. I have my list and my determination and I will not be deterred. I will not give up on me and I will get to the end of this journey and continue living happy and healthy.

I got the results of my bloodwork and my blood glucose levels were fine. No worries about diabetes for me and I'm happy about that. I have enough to deal with for Tim and that. My thyroid test was a totally different matter. Even after an increase two months ago, it is not working up to par. So yet another increase and we'll see where we are in two months.

I had another kick in the pants this week as well. I had to schedule a CAT scan to have my lungs checked. They found a nodule last fall and it's taken me this long to have it checked out. Anyway ... calling to set it all up and what do you know? The imaging centers the doctor told me to contact couldn't help me because of my weight. (Yet one more discrimination against morbidly obese people is equipment not able to handle our girth and weight.) I ended up in tears and couldn't go any further. My dear sweet hubby got on the phone and called the doctor. They referred me to the hospital and voila! I will go for that test next week at the hospital. Whew!

It was yet another kick in the arse to get me moving in the right direction, though, so it's all good.

I did it!

This morning I placed an order to resume Nutrisystem. I found that a lot of the foods I used to enjoy are either not there or have "new recipes". I sure hope that means the flavors are improved and not worse. Admittedly, some of it was pretty bad and there are things I'd never try again. I ordered a few new things that looked and sounded good. Guess time will tell.

My official re-start weight is going to be a whopping 425 pounds. I hate to admit it, but that's the stark reality. The good news is that I know that number won't be showing on the scale for long, nor do I intend to return to over 400 ever again! I know the NS program is going to work for me. I know this because it worked last time and also because it costs money. I don't throw money away so I know I will stick with this program to get the most for my money.

I'm actually feeling excited about getting started again. I know it's going to be some work, but it is familiar. I have my wonderful group of Howdy Girls at Sparkpeople and the few who still stop and post here. I don't know how many are stopping by anymore. I had a tracker here and when Sue did the new design for me, I forgot to add it back. Not sure I'd know how now. *laughing at myself* IF I get brave, maybe I'll try it when I am logged in on a much faster wi-fi connection. Right now I've hijacked someone's and it is sometimes very SLOW.

That's all the news from me today. Please feel free to leave comments when you drop by. It's a comfort to know others out there care. I really need to get back to supporting those who want or need my support as well. It's such an important part of the journey.

Gearing Up

Life has been very busy lately. Work has kicked me in the butt. The baby being here had interrupted my sleep pattern. And with no internet at home, getting online has been a real issue. As it is, I am right now sitting at Panera Bread for the fast internet connection.

Mandi and the baby moved out mid-week. She had enough of us, I guess. We did our best to do right by her and Chloe but for reasons of her own, she just didn't want to be here anymore. I miss that little bundle but am coping with the loss.

I'll be ordering Nutrisystem no later than Sunday evening so should be starting that in the next couple weeks. I'm excited to get back on track and have the numbers go down on the scale. I know that this is going to give me the push back that I need to renew my journey!