Stop Talking About It!

Not everybody wants to hear about your weight loss. I learned that lesson this week. All I said was that "I get cold now that I've lost..." and the response was "You really have to stop talking about it! We ALL know that you've lost 100 pounds." [eyes rolling at me]

I think about all the people that have been inspired to lose weight because I did talk about it. You can share your story, just know your audience. Lesson learned.

I'm reminded of another lesson about how we respond to others. I do not know who the author is, but I am always touched with the lesson.

There once was a little girl who had a bad temper. Her mother gave her a bag of nails and told her that every time she lost her temper, she must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the girl had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as she learned to control her anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. She discovered it was easier to hold her temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the girl didn’t lose her temper at all. She told her mother about it and the mother suggested that the girl now pull out one nail for each day that she was able to hold her temper. The days passed and the young girl was finally able to tell her mother that all the nails were gone. The mother took her daughter by the hand and led her to the fence.

She said, “You have done well, my daughter, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one.”

You can put a knife in a person and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one. Children are very rare jewels, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open their hearts to us.

I want the heart of a child. I want to share words of praise not tear others down.

A Letter of a Lifetime

Dear Shannon,
You did it! You achieved Lifetime Membership with Weight Watchers. I want you to remember this day and how good you feel. Your journey is not over.

You must make a promise to yourself to do the following:

1. Always keep track of what you eat. Continue to plan your weekly meals and stick to it.
2. Always attend your weekly WW meetings.
3. Always weigh in...accountability equals success!
4. Never think that it just doesn't matter if you gain back the weight because it does!
5. Continue to share your story because you never know who might need to hear it.

Here are some of the accomplishments over the last year and ten months:

1. Lost 101.8 pounds
2. Went from a size 22/24 pants to a size 8...oh yeah! Remember that dance that you did in the dressing room?
3. Stopped shopping in the plus size section. The lady at the store even told you that you might be in the wrong store and that their other store would have your size. You floated down the mall...your feet never touched the ground that night.
4. You did two 5Ks in one day!
5. You've formed healthy habits that you can pass down to your children.

I'm writing you this letter today, because I don't want you to start listening to those people that keep asking you when you are going to stop "dieting" and when are you going to get back to "eating normal" again? During the Christmas season of 2008, you bought a winter coat for your best friend. It was beautiful. You said that you wanted to be able to wear a coat like that someday. Well, I've attached a picture to this letter of you wearing a coat very similar in style to that coat you wished that you could wear. Well, your wish came true and you worked hard to make it happen. So, wear it with pride and know that you achieved lifetime today.

Love,
Shannon

Team You!

Do you find that you are spending so much of your time is spent taking care of others? As a wife and mother with a full time job, I know that "yes" would be my answer to that question. I had not been taking care of myself at all and my weight was out of control. Finally, I figured out that I had to take care of me too.

Your needs are important and worthwhile.

You can't do this alone. You need a support system. Who does that involve? Your family, friends, co-workers are all possible players to include on your team. My friend told me the other day that her husband is supportive...sometimes. He told her that they weren't going to switch to sugar-free syrup because he and the boys weren't going to suffer just because she was trying to lose weight. After I picked my chin up off the ground, I said, "Then buy both kinds of syrup and don't let that stop you." You will find that there are people out there, who should be supportive, but instead will sabotage your efforts by making you feel guilty.

Do you have someone in your life that says "Here, I made this just for you." If you don't feel that you can be assertive in this case, then the solution to the food giver is to smile and say, "Thank you. I'm going to save this for later." Then throw it away. They really don't care that you eat it...they just want to know that you took it.

I have had the best support system and would like to take this opportunity to thank all of them for being on my team! A day doesn't go by that I get a message from someone who tells me that I have inspired them to lose weight. What they don't know is that they have held me accountable and each of them have played a part on my team through their kind words.

Now, go hand out the pom-poms and let's gather your support system to rally around YOU today!

Two Weeks of Maintenance Update

Maintain...what does that mean? So, I looked it up. One of the meanings is "to carry on; continue." At the end of my first week, I lost 0.2 pounds. I said to her, "that is maintaining, right?" She said, "No, that is a loss." Now, it depends on how you look at it really. If you are trying to lose weight, then I would say celebrate that loss. However, when trying to maintain, I would say that is pretty darn close.

Another meaning of maintain is "to defend or hold against criticism or attack." Now that is powerful. The saboteurs are coming out. I've heard a few times in the past few weeks that now it is finally over and you can eat again. Well, you'll just gain it all back. It is as if they are watching me and waiting to say, "I told you so." So now more than ever, I need to defend. But I am also in need of defending against myself...my own stinkin' thinkin' that comes out from time to time. I have these four extra points that I'm supposed to be eating everyday in addition to my other daily points allowance. This can really play with your mind. It is so easy to fall back into bad habits. Which leads me to the next meaning...

...of the word is "to support a style of living." I've done a lot of thinking about that meaning. This wasn't a diet, but a live it! A way of life. A style of living and good healthy habits. I encourage all of you to look at weight loss as a life long journey and a way of living. It isn't temporary...it is forever. It is a challenge to maintain. I have a love affair with cookies and they are a "red light" food for me. I can't have them in my house. Now, I'm not talking about Oreos...I'm talking about fresh, baked cookies right out of the oven. I just can't do it in moderation no matter how many extra points.

Well, I lost 1.2 pounds this week at the scale. Not sure what is happening. I'm still trying to get into that maintenance mode and out of the weight loss mentality. It is hard, I'm not going to fool you. And I am scared. So, stay tuned as I journey through the maintenance avenue. I'm looking forward to becoming lifetime.

PS...Weight Watchers asked me today, if I'd be interested in working for them! What do you think I should do?

Celebrate!

I woke up this morning at 5:30 AM because I just couldn't sleep. I was so nervous and excited all at the same time. As I headed to Weight Watchers this morning, I was filled with such anticipation. When I stepped on the scale, I watched Velva's face. Velva is the lady that weighs me every week. I go to the same scale because I'm silly that way. She never shows any emotion. As I stared at her face looking for some sort of sign, I became nervous. Maybe I didn't really do it this week. But then I saw her eyes get real big as she took another look on the screen. Then she said, "You lost 100 pounds!"

My arms went up in the air and tears began to flow. Cheers from my friends standing in the line behind me. Hugs and high fives all around. It was one of the best moments of my life.

During the meeting, Nancy called me up to the front. She announced that I had lost 100 pounds. The members in the room stood to their feet and started to applaud. Nancy asked me for my "before" picture because she knows that I carry it around with me. She showed everyone my picture and talked a little bit about my journey. As I talked to the crowded room, I had big tears in my eyes. Tears of happiness.

At Weight Watchers, we work for stickers and charms. Today, I received my additional 5 pound sticker, a bravo sticker, a 100 pound GOLD trinket to go on my 10% key chain, the 100 pound magnet, a sticker that said "perfect", the trinket that represent GOAL, and a certificate of accomplishment signed by the President of Weight Watchers and my leader, Nancy. I also received a bouquet of beautiful flowers from my friends, Dennis and Carol.

I am truly appreciative for programs like Weight Watchers. Losing weight is very hard and not everyone can stick with it. What I like about the program is that you don't have to deprive yourself of your favorites. If you tell yourself, you can't have pizza or ice cream then you are only going to want to eat pizza and ice cream. Have your favorites in moderation. One of the ladies at the meeting said it perfectly today, "I learned to only eat one M&M at a time. One M&M tastes the same as a handful of them."

So as I head into the next six weeks of maintenance, I am reminded that this is not the end, but only the beginning of a new chapter in my life. Won't you join me at the next Weight Watchers meeting? Because people who attend WW meetings lose 3x more weight than people who don't. Because sometimes you need a meeting, but sometimes a meeting needs you!

Twas the Night before Weigh In

Tonight I am feeling a little like it is the night before Christmas. As if something big is about to happen. I love Christmas and waking up on Christmas morning to all of the excitement of Santa.

So, I know that it is only August 27th and that Christmas is a few months away, but that is how I am feeling. You see tomorrow morning is weigh in for me at Weight Watchers. I have been on this journey since January 2009 trying to lose 100 pounds. I think that tomorrow will be the day that I wake up and achieve that goal.

Here is hoping that tomorrow morning, I will step on that scale and hear Santa say "Congratulations on your weight loss and to all a goodnight!"

Remember Me

I was told this week by two different people that they do not remember me any other way than I am now. I'm still the same person, but my outside has changed.

I remember...

I started to reflect on who I was and who I am now. I used to be the person, who rushed to the front of the food line and yesterday at the church picnic, I waited patiently for everyone to go through the line. By the time that I went through there were two apple slices and several empty casserole dishes/bowls. I managed to open the lid of one of the dishes and to my surprise there were fresh green beans. Now I never would have wanted to eat those green beans before and well, frankly it doesn't appear that anyone else did either because there was plenty. Lucky me!

I used to be the person, who lounged on the couch after dinner and now I walk for two hours. When I first started exercising, I wasn't the fastest and didn't walk very far. There are times when I am out walking that I will pass people, who are about the same weight that I was when I first started, but when they look at me walking by, they only see someone who is thin. They don't know that I've lost almost 100 pounds. I want so badly to go over and tell them that I am so proud of them for walking and that I can relate. Now, I know that they would think that I was crazy, which is why I don't, but just know that I am out there secretly cheering them on!

There are so many things that I remember and as I approach my goal, I want to remember who I was so that I don't ever forget.

Garage Sale

In preparing for our garage sale, I started going through my closet. I pulled out sizes that range from 12 to 22. I've gotten rid of some clothes along the way, but have held onto some. Specifically, I've held onto one pair of the size 22 jeans because they are a reminder for me that I don't ever want to go back to that size.

I realized as I was folding the clothes that I had the feeling that I should HOLD on to the size 12 and 14s just in case I gain my weight back. What was I thinking? Should I really hold onto those pants? The answer is NO. Give them away...get rid of 'em! Holding onto those pants would be telling myself that it is okay to go back and it isn't.

We didn't have much traffic at the garage sale. So on Monday, we will take these clothes down to a place called Clothes Mentor. They buy gently used clothing and I will donate what they don't purchase.

I encourage everyone that is going through this journey to not hold onto the bigger sizes. Dance your way out of the size and give them away. Are you holding onto something just in case?

The Tortoise and the Hare

The last three days, I have been running on the trails by my house. I like to run on the trails because nobody can see me (or so I think). There is a certain spot on the trail that I've come to find a little bunny rabbit along the edge of the path. And as I run by, the bunny rabbit runs with me. What really makes me chuckle is the rabbit will run ahead and then dart off into the trees toward the end of the trail. It reminded me of Aesop's Fable:

The Hare was boasting about his speed before the other animals. "I have never been beaten," said he, "when I put forth my full speed. I challenge anyone here to race me."

The Tortoise said quietly, "I accept your challenge."

"That is a good joke," said the Hare; "I could dance round you all the way."

"Keep your boasting until you've beaten," answered the Tortoise. "Shall we race?"

So a course was fixed and a start was made. The Hare darted almost out of sight at once, but soon stopped and to show his contempt for the Tortoise, lay down to have a nap. The Tortoise plodded on and on, and when the Hare awoke from his nap, he saw the Tortoise just near the winning post and could not run up in time to save the race.

Moral of the story: Slow and steady wins the race.

Today, I weighed in and lost 2.4 pounds. I am now 4.6 pounds away from my overall weight loss goal of 100 pounds. I was frustrated the last few weeks because I gained 3 pounds after vacation and my class reunion. I don't think that I've hit a plateau at this point. I've just been trying to run toward that finish line a little too fast. The bunny rabbit has reminded me that the process is slow, but if I keep on a steady pace (as well as keep running with the bunny)...I will win the race!

Saturday Stories

Such a busy Saturday!

Well, the scale reflected an increase of 0.2 lbs this week. Last week, I gained 2.8 lbs after vacation. Now, on vacation, I followed the plan...with a few extra points added in. Actually when I arrived home from vacation, the scale showed quite an increase...must have been the "salt" water. That folowing week, I worked diligently to get the weight back off, but there was still an increase on the scale. Then last weekend, was my 20th high school class reunion. What a great time! This week, I walked six days out of seven days and expected a drop on the scale...no such luck! See, sometimes my body likes to hold on to the weight. I have no idea why, but it can be rather frustrating at times.

I was so excited that one of my oldest and dearest friends joined Weight Watchers this morning. I am so proud of her and can't wait to ride along on this journey with her.

Funny story...we took a walk as a family today to a garage sale because I saw some shorts that Noah, my oldest son, likes to wear (I don't like them because they look sloppy, but he likes them). Anyways, when we started out on our walk, Patrick, my youngest son, asked me, "Mom, how long is this walk going to be?" I laughed because I must be walking them long distances lately. We walked in the Stow Parade last Monday and it was a little over 2 miles and HOT! Such troopers they are.

Finally, I spent the afternoon having lunch with two friends. One is going through a challenge right now and I just ask that all of you keep her and her family in your prayers. Just lift them up, the Lord knows why.

Slender?

I received the best compliment today..."your neck and shoulders are slender." Slender? What does that really mean? The definitions of slender range from being of delicate build to having little width in proportion to height...or thin; gracefully slim; very narrow; well-formed.

This is not a description that I've ever been used to hearing when describing myself. This journey has had its ups and downs, but I really had an "UP" moment today. A definite "non-scale" reward.

I've really tried to avoid feeling sorry for myself along this weight loss journey and instead I've tried gratitude. I feel grateful for the opportunity to change and grow, feeling and looking better each day!

Slender...I kind of like it!

The Pledge and My Declaration to Thindependence

As we head into the 4th of July weekend...faced with barbeques and fireworks, I encourage all of you to take this pledge with me and declare your thindependence. At Weight Watchers this morning, our leader provided us with the following inspiration:

The Pledge
I pledge allegiance to myself in quest of my weight goal
And to the healthiness for which it stands
One body...
Under control...
Indisputably
With confidence in new clothes for fall!

My Declaration of Thindependence
I have a right to a healthy body
I have the right to enjoy activity
I have the right to feel good
I have the right to say "no"
I have the freedom to make sensible choices!
God Bless America (...and Weight Watchers)

My 19th 5 lb. Sticker

At Weight Watchers, we work for stickers. Today, I received my 19th sticker representing 95 lbs total lost since I started this journey 18 months ago. My total is 96 lbs, which means that I am only 4 lbs away from my weight loss goal. Boy, does that scare me. When I first started, it seemed so far away and now it is within my reach.

Receiving my sticker at the scale today was uneventful. You see, I like to celebrate with my WW Buddies. The 7:30 AM Saturday morning meeting is one of the best around because of the leader, Nancy, and all of the people that attend weekly. This week I had to weigh in on Friday because we will be leaving for vacation Saturday and will have been well on our way by the time the meeting took place. I missed celebrating this goal with Nancy, Lisa, Carol, Dennis, Rich, Tom and Marsha.

Nancy always asks us when she gives us this sticker, “What was the one thing that you’ve changed to get you to this goal?” Sometimes, I say, “I stopped eating like a lumberjack!” Or “I track everything that I eat.” Or “I try to walk or do something active everyday.” What would I have said today? Probably that it is the meetings that have kept me on this path. Research has shown that people who attend weekly meetings loose 3x more weight than people who don’t because sometimes you need a meeting, but sometimes a meeting needs you!

Weight Watchers Walk-!t Challenge 2010

On April 4th, Weight Watchers (WW) challenged us to walk a 5K by the end of six weeks. It was designed to motivate people towards physical activity and gradually build from “Couch to 5K”. Well, like most things that I do, I decided that I would try to walk a 5K everyday. So, I mapped out my 3.1 mile route. My goal was to walk it under one hour. Amazing through those six weeks how I developed endurance and stamina. I feel energized when I finish my walks.

Today, June 6, 2010, was WW National Walk-!t Day and I walked not one, but two 5Ks! I signed up for the official WW event in Canfield, Ohio then the group from my 7:30 AM Saturday WW meeting decided to map out one for us to walk at Firestone Metroparks. Why not do both? I couldn't come up with a reason either.

Walking is one of the best exercises you can do. It’s low impact, takes no special equipment and is available to you at just about any time, in any location. Walking has really jump started my weight loss and I walked myself right out of that plateau that I was in.

What a wonderful day this has been spent with my sister, my husband, my kids and my WW friends. I accomplished what I set out to do. Life is good.

Teetor Totter

I can't believe that it is June already. The month of May flew by with activities and celebrations. My weigh in two weeks ago resulted in a gain of 1.6 lbs and then last week, I was down 1.4 lbs. Sometimes the body just goes up and down and settles for a little bit before letting that weight go.

Lately, I've been thinking about the teetor totter. This piece of playground equipment has always intrigued me because you can't play on the teetor totter by yourself. You need someone else to play along with you. You just can't do it alone. Sometimes the person on the other end will balance there along with you and sometimes they will push you up in the air or get off and you drop instantly to the ground. There is a lot of trust needed to play on the teetor totter.

Similar to the teetor totter is the weight loss journey. You can't do it alone. You need to make your mind up that you are committed, but to actually do it, you need accountability to and the support of others. You could have the support of a friend, who will balance or lift you up. Then there is the food saboteur, who will lift you up with food and then jump off ultimately leaving you to drop off the plan.

Success on the teetor totter is based on relying on the other person to give you a push every once in a while and returning that favor. Go out and find someone to play on the teetor totter with you!

Move More

Today's walk consisted of 11,308 steps, 4.919 miles, 309.4 calories burned, three up hill climbs and one down hill. Yesterday at Weight Watchers, they challenged us to move more and increase the activity over and above the normal workout. I normally average about 7,400 steps and walk about 3.2 miles at least 5x per week.

Walking is an adventure, but can sometimes get boring. I try to change it up by walking different paths. Yesterday, there was a green snake on the walking trail. It took a minute to realize what it was, but it didn't take long for me to jump and take off running. When I got far enough away, I turned to make sure the snake wasn't following me. Crazy, I know.

I don't believe in running unless someone is chasing me. I've tried running on the treadmill and outside, but I prefer to walk instead. A lot of my friends are avid runners and I think that is fantastic. Whatever your exercise of choice is...challenge yourself to move more and take a few more hills along the way.

New Reflection in the Mirror

Just had a moment to sit down to read the latest issue of People magazine. Jennifer Hudson, the celebrity spokesperson for Weight Watchers, is on the cover. Something she said caught my eye about doubting that she can really fit into her new size 6 wardrobe. "In my head, I am still the same weight I was before," Jennifer says. "It takes a while to get used to it."

I recalled a few months ago, when I had gone on a shopping trip to the mall with my husband. We had split up to look at different stores and I wandered into CJ Banks, a 14+ store for women. I was browsing when the sales clerk approached me. She asked if she could help me with something and I responded that I was just looking around. "For a gift?" she asked. "Oh no, for me." I responded. Then she said it! "I believe that you might be in the wrong store. You will find your sizes in our other store, Christopher Banks. They will have what you are looking for." I smiled and floated down the mall looking for my husband. A true Pretty Woman moment.

I'm getting better at realizing my new size, but there are times when the old image of myself comes creeping back. This past Saturday, Hollie and I ran into Target so that I could grab a hoodie before going to Cedar Point. I hadn't realized how cold it was and didn't want to freeze. There were only two sizes (looking only at the hanger)...Large and XL. I grabbed a large and tried it on. Perfect! When I hung it back on the hanger, the inside tag grabbed my attention. It was a medium and it had fit. I'm always amazed that I have the larger image of myself. Like Jennifer Hudson, I will adapt to my new reflection in the mirror.

The Millenium Force

Millennium Force remains one of the tallest, fastest, and longest steel roller coasters in the world. It's tagline is "The future is riding on it."

Two years ago, we went to Cedar Point with our friends. We waited in line for the Millenium Force rollercoaster ride for at least an hour. We get to the top and it's our turn...then it happened. The seat belt wouldn't latch! I turned to my husband and said "What am I going to do? It won't latch." I frantically began to try to get the seatbelt to hook. The guy came by and said to me, "If the seatbelt doesn't secure, you can't ride." I was horrified. All of sudden, it latched and we were able to ride. All day, we walked through the park and waited in lines. I worried the whole time...would it happen again? I started looking at other people and thinking is this happening to them too? Nobody knew what had happened except my husband. As the day went on, we rode rides and had a great time. Later that night, we went back to the Millenium Force to ride in the darkness of the night. Cool, right? No! This time when we entered the line, the ride attendant stopped me and said, "You might not fit. Try the seat first before entering." So my friends wouldn't hear her, I quickly responded that I had already rode the ride earlier that day. I was embarrassed and worried as we waited in line.

That was the moment that I decided that I needed to do something about my weight and I joined Weight Watchers a few months later (deciding and doing are two different things).

Yesterday was my birthday. I went to Cedar Point with my friend, Hollie, so I could conquer the Millenium Force! I wanted to prove to myself that I could fasten that seatbelt and ride! I'm proud to report that the seat belt fastened and I rode the ride!

Life Happened This Week!

It is Friday night and I am starting to worry about the scale tomorrow. As I look over the last week, it is apparent to me that I ate out for 43% of my meals and ran out of time to exercise everyday.

We went out to dinner for my husband's birthday on Saturday, El Campesino on Monday to support our church, two days of training sessions at work with Panera for lunch both days, Wednesday night dinner with my HR team at Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse, Thursday night at Chick-fil-A to support the youth group and birthday cake at work on Friday.

How did I handle it? Well, for the birthday, El Camp and Wasabi dinners, I cut the portion in half and took the rest home for my husband's lunch the next day. I looked up the nutritional information ahead of time prior to ordering my Panera lunches. I chose the You Pick Two options...half of sandwich and a half salad with dressing on the side. The cookies look good, but beware of the high point value. You can easily eat at Chick-fil-A by choosing the Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich and a Diet Lemonade for a total of 5 points. As for the birthday cake at work...I always refuse, but it was for my birthday tomorrow. I took a sliver of the ice cream cake...took 2 bites and threw the rest away in my office. The first bite tastes just as good as the last bite.

Not sure how I will fair on the scale tomorrow, but one thing I do know is that life happens...it rains and pours...celebrations will always pop up on the calendar. My doctor asked me this week how I handle the celebrations? I told her that it isn't about the food for me anymore...it is about the people. I enjoyed my time this week with all of the people who I was able to share a meal with...thanks for the laughs.