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!