FOURTY TWO!

Apparently I haven't blogged for a bit on here.. oops.

Two weeks ago I finally hit the 40 pound mark.  YAY!!!!

Last week I was down the day before weigh-in.. the day after weigh-in.. but figures, the same thing ON weigh-in day. 

Today I'm down 2 pounds!!  *happy dance* 

I'm also down a 1/2" on my hips and a 1/2" from my 'I've had four kids' muffin top (although truthfully, it was Kaitlyn's pregnancy that really stretched me out there). 

I only made it to the gym on Monday this week.. I've been really, really tired this week and have enjoyed not waking up so early.

On Monday I ran for 1/2 a mile (ok, a slow jog.. but it felt like running to my short chubby legs), walked for 1/16 so I could get a good drink in and then jogged another 1/4 of a mile.  I walked an additional mile.  I'm so pleased with myself and being able to run.  When I started, it was SO HARD to even go for a minute.  Seriously.

On that note, I know I never get comments on here, but PLEASE leave me one if you have any thoughts- I need to buy some actual jogging/running shoes.  I think that will help a lot..  What brand do you suggest?  I've heard great things about New Balance but that's all.. and does it matter what type of New Balance or are they all basically the same?

Outback the healthy way!!

I loooove Outback. 

Back in the 90's, Drew had a tradition where he'd go to Outback every Thursday night with friends (including my step-brother Dan that we hang out with all the time, that's how I met Drew).

They even had their picture taken and posted in the back area.

Once I was a Senior in high school, I'd sometimes drive out with my sister and we'd join them.  They were nice like that.

Obviously when I started dating Drew (post high school by a few months) I went every Thursday.  Loved it!

We continued on with that tradition for YEARS.  We were even good enough friends with one of the waitresses that we once let her babysit Aubrey.  Seriously. 

ANYWAY.  Outback has a special spot in my heart because of the memories.. and the good food.

This past Saturday we had a fantastic sitter and so we went to Outback with my step-bro. and another couple.  It was sooooo much fun getting out with no kids.  Hour wait?  No biggie.  Not inhaling food?  Fabulous!  Great conversation?  B-E-A-utiful!

What also made the night great is that I researched the food ahead of time so there was no impulse decisions and the pressure to make a 'smart' choice was gone.  Outback's online nutrition calculator is super user friendly now, much better than what it was a year ago when they had nothing and their advice was to order items sans butter. 

I looked up a few different selections of what I used to order... it was definitely one of those, "no wonder I was fat" moments.  Yikes!  I bet on occasion that I ate three days worth of points in just one meal.  Nice.

First up, Appetizer. 

Previously I would have gone with the cheese fries at 8 points per serving.  However, they say there is enough for 6 people there.. they're THAT good that I'd say it's like 4 servings.  Which means we're REALLY talking about high points! 

In researching the choices, I finally decided that my best bet was surprisingly the Bloomin' Onion.  The portion size is 1/6th which is totally doable (it really is a lot!) and the point value is 6.. it helps that the onion has a lot of fiber and I'm sure if you skimp on the sauce, that helps too.  I ate slowly and in control and less than a serving size so I'm counting it at 3-4 points. For a fun night out, I was very happy with that.


For my meal, I probably would have previously ordered the No Rules Pasta with Chicken and Scallops.  Yum.  And a big fat ouch at 33 points.   I generally make it a 'rule' to take half of my meal home so at least I had that going for me.. but it still made for a 17 point meal.  And another 17 points for lunch the next day. 

In going through the menu options, I was very surprised at what I decided to order.  It was the Roasted Filet Tenderloin With Port Wine Sauce.  

At first glance, the meal looks painful at 21 points.  But with the interactive menu, I was able to see that it was actually the garlic mashed potatoes that was the 'problem' (hard to call them a problem because damn, those are SO GOOD!!).

By simply swapping out the potatoes for a second serving of seasonal veggies with NO BUTTER (don't forget to tell them!!) it lowered the meal down to 10 points.  TOTALLY doable for a meal out.  

Everything was tender and fantastic.. I didn't feel like I was missing out at all by not ordering my usual.  I do believe it was even better than my husband's steak (his meal was cough:thirtypoints:cough).  I did finish my plate because it was less food but I was quite full by the end.  Did I mention how delicious it was?



I'm really glad I took the time to do a little research.  And I do believe the icing on the cake was waking up the next morning and seeing that the scale was actually down a little.

Doesn't apply to me.

You know how you're always teaching and reminding your children to share?  And you try to be a good example by showing them how nice it is to do it?

Yeah, turns out that wasn't necessarily the best life skill to teach them.

I'm not always a huge fan of frozen convenience foods but I really like the Lean Pocket Garlic Chicken White Pizza variety.  Yum. 

I know it's not exactly the BEST choice I could be making.. but it's only 5 points (they post the point values on the back!!) and cooks in ninety seconds.  I pretty much always keep a box in my freezer for when I need a quick lunch.

Anyway, back to my sharing problem.

My children have developed a taste for this Lean Pocket as well.  It's horrible!   HORRIBLE!

As soon as the microwave makes that lovely garlic smell come to life, the kids flock like baby birds, chirping for a bite.  

I'm considering buying a microwave for my closet so that I can dine in peace and eat the entire Lean Pocket by myself.. of course that also means I'll need to invest in a bottle of Febreeze so that I don't walk around smelling like Garlic Chicken White Pizza... but I think it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make. 

Anyone else ever have this problem???

My body hearts me.

I forgot to report my weight loss yesterday! 

My body is just loving being on Weight Watchers again.  Healthier foods.. less sugar snacks.. more activity.. hmm, seems like I've heard about that being key for weight loss before... hahaha

I was down 3.4 yesterday for a grand total of 39 pounds.  And it feels great!

The last time I weighed this amount was back in 2000 and Aubrey was a couple of months old.

(this is totally a picture of a picture, in case you can't tell, but aren't we so cute?  and young?)



Looking back, it's crazy that I've allowed myself to be this way, plus heavier, for 10 years.

But it is what it is.  And I just wasn't ready before now.

All is well. 
                                                                       

Becky the Tracker.

I'm doing so well... two full days of tracking and beginning a third. 

I know, I seriously rock.  ;o)

I def. need to get more fruits and veggies in.... time to start using my vita-mix more!

Oh, and I'm changing my weigh in day to Fridays.   I originally chose Monday thinking it would help me be more accountable over the weekends.  And it did.  But now that I know that I'm very capable of eating appropriately and that I'm not going to go completely crazy and eat everything in sight (it could happen), I don't' feel that I need that additional accountability. 

In other news, I finally made it to the gym.. it's been a few weeks (since the week before Christmas).  Hit the treadmill.. just did a fast walk for today.  I want to be able to walk tomorrow.  Then I jogged two laps around the track.. just under 3 is a quarter mile.  Yeah.... it's much more difficult when it's not on a treadmill.  I'll have to work on that.  :o)

One year later.

It's been a year!!  Technically in another two days.. but I started with the idea of it being the day that my kids were back in school.

I've lost 35.6 pounds as I still have another 1.5 holiday pounds hanging on.  Oops. 

As for measurements, I've lost:
6.5" from my waist
6" from my hips
6" from my ribcage
3" from my thighs
2.5" from my arms

I've gone down one size in pants but when I started, I was on the tighter end of things and now I'm on the looser end of the size I am.  Hopefully I can scratch this size off the list sometime soon.  I used to wear spanx all the time but now I hardly ever do.

My shirts, I was wearing mostly 2X shirts from the chunky women's area.  Now I am wearing XL (and a few Larges!!) and size 14/16 from Lane Bryant.  It feels GREAT.


Overall, I feel SO much healthier.  I'm happier and I have more energy.  I'm proud that I'm (usually) a good example of portion control, moderation with treats and making smart choices- choosing healthier options.

Just this past summer when I started at the gym, I had to stop doing the elliptical after just two minutes because I thought I was going to die.  I can sprint for 2 minutes now or just jogging, I can go for 8 minutes.  EIGHT.  I still shake my head at that.  And this is with still feeling the effects from the car accident.. I can't wait to see what I'm capable of once my back/neck/hip stop bothering me.

I'm so glad for good friends and family that have kept encouraging me and supported my lifestyle change.

This next year is going to be just as successful and I plan to lose the last 48 pounds.  Woo hoo!!  I'll be smokin' hot!!!  :-D

Update on taking a break..

Just thought I'd update on my non-point counting, taking a break, lifestyle.

It's working well for me.. I was gaining a little at first but for the most part I've stayed with in a two pound range and this past week it's been dipping down a little more (even with Drew's work party at a yummy Italian resteraunt).

Today I was down .6 from my last 'official' weigh in day- love having new numbers show up on weigh in day, even if it's so small.

Last week I had my bra measurements taken since it's been since Feb. that I've purchased new ones (I know, you're welcome for me sharing) and I'm a 36D or 38C. I totally laughed out loud when she told me that. Me? A D size??? Uh, yeah, must be the shape my current bra has to it but I'm thinking those might need to be a cup smaller on each of those. LOL

Go figure, in doing my measurements today, my rib cage is a full INCH smaller than last week. Just great. I still have 45 more pounds to loose! :-S By the time I get there, I'm going to be so flat.. if you've seen The Proposal, you know what I mean when I say it's going be like an Easter Egg Hunt.... :-D

Gotta love being a pear shape.