Bending with the Winds of Change...and...Happy Anniversary to me!!!

Happy Hump Day---AND Happy Anniversary to me!

Today is the two year anniversary (to the DAY) of me getting fed up for the last time and going back to Weight Watchers.  I wanted to make a concerted effort to issue the newsletter TODAY.  This date is a turning point in my life, and in my mind was the ‘do-over’ that I so desperately needed.  On that day, I made the conscious decision to become healthy and put myself back on the list.  I also started working out on a regular basis by joining the gym here in the office.  I held true to my promise to myself and have not missed a single meeting in two years.  If I don’t attend my regular Monday noon meeting, I find another.  Along the way, I met some very inspiring members and leaders, and added them to my distribution.  For those of you who haven’t been following me since the beginning, I want to share my “last straw” story with you.  I am sure that you all have had your own moments! This is mine.

The Last Straw

Weight has been an ongoing battle for as long as I can remember.  While I was able to maintain during my school years, the struggle really began when I entered the work force.  I was heavy throughout my 30’s and for the first year of my 40’s.  I managed to lose around 40 pounds in the mid-90’s, but eventually gained it back plus an additional 50 pounds.  I didn’t have much self confidence and lacked the energy or desire to do any physical activity. 

Last summer I was looking at some pictures taken of myself while on vacation, and I was shocked at what I saw in those photos.  I didn’t recognize myself.  At that point, I hit my limit.  I decided that I needed to do something, and I went back to Weight Watchers, but this time with a new attitude and determination that I hadn’t experienced before. 

I went back to Weight Watchers because I knew that this was a plan that worked.  I told myself that this was the LAST time I was joining, and that I would make Lifetime.  I didn’t set any unrealistic goals for myself.  I took baby steps.  My first goal was to attend the meetings; my next was to keep a food journal; then to reach my 5% goal; and finally, most importantly, to start strength training, exercising, and just being more active.  I achieved these goals by telling myself that I am worth it, and by enlisting the help and support of my family, friends, and trainers at the gym.

To date, I have lost over 50 pounds and 44 inches.  My cholesterol dropped 56 points, my triglycerides decreased 90+ points, and my sugar and blood pressure are normal for the first time in 5 years.  I feel and look better than I did in my 30’s.  I have so much more energy and am now able to keep up with my toddler and my 9-year old!

I have become an inspiration to my co-workers and friends because of my determination.  I issue a weekly newsletter documenting my progress to hopefully motivate others to make healthy changes to their lifestyles!  I keep my eye on the prize and maintain a positive attitude toward my weight loss journey and, at the prompting of my own leader; I am considering becoming a Weight Watchers leader after reaching my final goal!

As a post script to this story, I have gone from clothing size 22 into a VERY loose-fitting 14.  That’s 8 sizes.  I can shop in normal stores, and purchase clothing right off the racks.  I no longer wear elastic-waisted pants, and I have donated all clothing that I “undergrew”.   I only have one pair of capris in the old size so that I can take one last “after” picture once I get the last 30 pounds off.  It’s gonna be one happy day when that finally happens!  There WILL be a party. Just sayin’!

As I type this week’s issuance, my parents and Morgan are on their way back to Dallas.  Steve got home yesterday, which was a nice thing for me.  I think things will be back to normal, or at least as close to normal as they CAN be!!!

I survived my week alone with the three year old, although I am very tired.  I took him with me on Saturday to get the oil changed in my car, and then we went to breakfast.  Saturday afternoon, I braved Chuck E Cheese with him.  He had fun on all the rides and he even played a few games.  I tried to survive there with no purse, but I think next time I will take a tote bag with me.  I figured out that you actually need 2 pairs of hands to properly survive an outing to this place.  Two hands are used to hold all the paraphernalia (tokens, tickets, souvenir cup…) and another two hands are needed to steer the kids around the place!  We had a nice couple of hours, and bonus? He even napped on the way home.

Sunday, I took Adam into Fort Worth to visit my 94-year-old grandma.  This made her entire month.  My cousin also came in with his boys, so she had a houseful.  It was all good though. Here she is, with Adam hamming it up next to her!  She doesn’t look bad for 94, RIGHT? I should be so lucky!!!  Needless to say, on the way home, he fell asleep the second we left her house, and woke up the second I got off I-35E at my exit.  All in all? About an hour nap.  This made the ride home much more bearable.

I was down for another consecutive week, although it was only .2.  Still…that’s a stick of butter. You know the routine! Losses are losses, no matter how big or how small.  Today’s beating…er…torture session…I mean WORKOUT with Dwayne was very grueling.  Before we even started the circuit, I did 20 minutes on the elliptical trainer.  After that, Coach Dwayne started me out with walking double lunges with a press after each one using the 10 lb dumbbells, followed by alternating toe touches on the Bosu.  The second set was double-deadlift single upright row with the 18 lb. body bar alternating with 15 Bosu crunches. The last set consisted of alternating single leg step-up front raise/side raise on the aerobic step using 5 lb weights alternating with bicep curls with the 10 lb dumbbells.  I am not sure how I will feel in the morning or if I will be able to stand up.  Even the shower didn’t really help much to cool me off.

Since Anniversaries are times of reflection, I wanted to put this photo into this newsletter.  This photo is a chronology of the progress I made so far while on the program.  Sometimes, non-scale victories can tell a greater story.  Pictures truly are worth a thousand words.  WHAT A DIFFERENCE TWO YEARS MAKES!!!!

Okay.  The meeting topic for this week was “Bending with the Winds of Change.”  The gist of this is to be flexible. Keep it real.  We want PROGRESS, not PERFECTION!

Acknowledge your Accomplishments:

Answer these questions:

I know I am making progress because ______________

In the past when I would slip up, I would _____________. Now when I slip up, I __________.

I can be more realistic if I __________.

My answers:

1. I know I am making progress because I have gotten healthier and am wearing smaller clothes.  I make smarter food choices and have made this a real lifestyle change!
2. In the past when I would slip up, I would quit.  Now when I slip up, I acknowledge that, and I move on. No more quitting!
3. I can be more realistic if I take big goals and break them down into more manageable ones.

How would you answer these??? Think about it and do some soul-searching! 

One quick public service announcement:  Coach Dwayne is trying to get me to put together a team for the White Rock marathon being held in December.  He told me that this can be done as a RELAY and he asked if I would be interested in forming a team. Do I have any takers?  Please email me if you want to get a team together!!!  Please make this a great week, and I’ll be back next week with another issue!!!

A closing (yet very fitting) quote:

“Blessed are the flexible

for they shall not be

 bent out of shape!”

- Unknown

RECIPES

Watermelon Salsa

This fresh, fruity salsa is delicious with grilled or broiled fish, chicken, pork, or beef.  Use balsamic vinegar instead of lime juice for a deeper flavor.  If you plan to make this recipe ahead of time, chop up and toss together the watermelon, vegetables and herbs, but wait to combine them with the sugar, olive oil and lime juice until just before serving.

POINTS® Value: 1

Servings:  12

Preparation Time:  25  min

Level of Difficulty:  Easy

Ingredients:

4 cup(s) watermelon, seedless, chopped into small pieces  

1 cup(s) cucumber(s), seedless, chopped into small pieces  

1/2 cup(s) scallion(s), chopped into small pieces (green and white parts)  

1/2 large yellow pepper(s), chopped into small pieces  

1 large jalapeno pepper(s), seeded, finely minced (do not touch seeds with bare hands)  

1 1/2 Tbsp cilantro, fresh, minced  

1 1/2 Tbsp mint leaves, fresh, minced  

1 tsp sugar  

1 Tbsp olive oil  

2 Tbsp fresh lime juice     

Instructions:

Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Yields about 1/2 cup per serving.

Garlic-Herb Grilled Corn

Herb butter gives corn on the cob amazing flavor. If you buy corn without the husks, wrap the ears in foil before grilling.

POINTS® Value: 2

Servings:  6

Preparation Time:  8 min

Cooking Time: 20 min

Level of Difficulty:  Easy

Ingredients:

6 medium corn on the cob, in husk  

3 spray(s) cooking spray  

1 Tbsp butter  

1 Tbsp olive oil  

1 Tbsp thyme, fresh, chopped  

1 tsp minced garlic  

1/2 tsp table salt  

1/4 cup(s) parsley, fresh, chopped  

Instructions:

In a large pot filled with cold water, add unshucked ears of corn; soak for 10 minutes.

Preheat grill or a stove-top grill pan.

Remove corn from pot; pull back husks (be careful to leave husk attached to corn) and remove as much of silk as possible. Coat kernels with cooking spray; cover corn with husks again.

Grill corn, turning every few minutes, until husks are blackened and charred and corn is tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt butter in a small microwave-safe bowl or cup. Stir in oil, thyme, garlic and salt.

To serve, pull back husks to expose corn and use husks as handles. Place on serving platter and brush butter mixture over corn; sprinkle with parsley (and additional salt, if desired). Yields 1 ear per serving.