Day 24

I feel better! I'm more empowered right now having gotten myself through two days of mourning a very mild weight loss. My husband was terrific and entirely supportive, doing his best to keep me focused on the other things that I did accomplish (like 2 inches lost overall!). I tend to forget the good when when I haven't lived up to my own expectations. He's wonderful! I've focused on getting in all of my "GHG's" and have succeeded each day so far this week. We'll see what the scale has to say on Sunday morning!

Day 23

After only 0.2 lbs lost over the course of last week, my enthusiasm was rather deflated. I did practically nothing on Sunday, paralyzed with disappointment. So I resolved to work harder one one aspect of my weight loss journey with Weight Watchers: eating more nutritious food. Even though the program teaches you to eat the same as everyone else, just in moderation with better choices, it does emphasize getting in certain quantities of fruits/veg, fat-free dairy, healthy oils, grains and lean meats. So my resolution for this week is to work on getting all of my goal amounts into my diet each day (including my vitamin and daily exercise). Monday began the efforts and went well! I was still a little off mood-wise, but I got my head back into the game, ate a better variety of foods and felt more satisfied throughout the day and very yummy meals. I am back in the game mentally today, Tuesday (yes I'm blogging Monday a day late... lots of studying yesterday).

Day 22

I lost 0.2 lbs as per the scale since last Sunday. That's frustrating. I keep hearing people tell me that my body will balance out, especially if I'm honestly working the plan (which I am). I just have a hard time with lack of scale results. On the plus side, I have lost another 2.5 inches overall. Some more around my hips this week, which is much needed. I can't wait to be able to wear a smaller size of pants. I really can't wait to get back into the teens in size. Ah, well. Off to play outside with the boys, the Easter Bunny brought a nice new soccer net. Then to watch my Buffalo Sabres take the playoff series against the Flyers this afternoon. Let's Go Buff-A-Lo!!!!

Days 19, 20 and 21

So... I've done well and have a new focus for this upcoming week. I'm going to keep exercising (no change there) but I'm going to work getting in my GHG foods. As per Weight Watchers, Good Health Guidelines support nutritional health and help your body to more efficiently burn it's fuel. I have been working mostly on portion control (weighing EVERYTHING!) and now to focus on what I'm eating. I get to hop on the scale tomorrow (get it, hop on the scale, on Easter? yeah? lol) and track my weight change as well as measurements. I'm excited! I've been feeling better, I have more energy and am able to sleep more soundly. It's felt good to do better for my body.

Day 18

Today was a little odd... I ate less than my daily allowance of points and was not hungry for more. I did work out, a very intense workout, but it didn't generate any new hunger. Well, I stayed on plan and I completed my exercise for the day. It was a win.

Day 17

Today was a little tough- I stayed on plan, but barely. I didn't eat the best and most nutritious foods and was left still feeling hungry because of it. I'm beginning to understand the full benefit of nutritious foods, beyond simply being healthier they are more filling and satisfying. Also, I had what Weight Watchers community members call NSV (non-scale victory). My pants that I had just taken out of the dryer (and curvy girls know that at that point they are typically a little more snug than we would prefer) slid down my backside a little : )  I haven't had that happen in over 10 years! It felt wonderful to feel a difference in my body and not just see changes on the scale.;

Day 16

Today started well: up earlier than usual (and ok with it!); exercised after a healthy and yummy breakfast; got the kids together and one of them off to school; took the little one to the park to play with his cousin; came home for dinner with the family... Then... Sweet Cravings!!! Ugh! I managed to battle it and stay within my daily points allowance (not dipping into any of the extra points) having what remained of some Baskin Robbins BRight Choices Premium Churned Light Cappucino Chip Ice Cream. It satisfied my craving and I feel much better now : )  Still on plan and on track!

Day 15

I LOST 5.4 lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And, not to be discounted, I lost 2 inches overall between waist/hip/thigh/arms/bust measurements!

This makes me feel motivated again. I cannot wait to get this new week done and step on the scale again! When was the last time I said (or felt) "I can't wait to weigh myself again"?!?!?!? This feels wonderful. My husband, who is on this journey with me, started at 250 as well and has lost a bit more than me. We both do the same workouts and eat the same types of food in proper proportion. He has two big advantages- he's a man (luck of the draw) and he works a physical job (I sit in classrooms and libraries most days). But I'm happy for him because I want to have him around for a long time, and being healthier will help that.

My weight loss included a daily PointsPlus reduction with Weigh Watchers from 39 to 38. It's not a big deal to me because I have found ways to satisfy my hunger with healthy foods and leave just a little room every so often for a treat. The new daily points allowance is a success, telling me I've moved into a different phase of my weight loss journey. I feel great : )

the P90x workout we've been doing changes the routine this week. No real weight lifting or muscle building workouts, things like yoga (which is NOT easy), cardio and Kenpo. There's something else in there, too, I just don't remember what. Hmmm. Let's get today underway and go look!

Days, 11, 12, 13, and 14...

Ok, so I've been a bad blogger. I was feeling very off this week. I don't know if it's the stress of changing my eating and exercising that has created an imbalance in my life, but I needed to collect my thoughts and refocus on my goal.

I've stuck to the Weigh Watchers eating plan perfectly, tracking every last thing that entered my mouth and stayed within my daily points, not using any of the additional, discretionary points that I have accumulated. I missed two days of exercise and regret it. I could have pushed myself harder to get through it. I feel better right now and have snuck onto the scale a few days early, hoping for some kind of motivation-- it was there, waiting for me : )  I've lost weight so far this week and can't wait to step on the scale tomorrow for my official weekly weigh-in.

I've been watching Ruby, the show on Style network about the morbidly obese woman who is just the funniest and sweetest southern girl. She is a HUGE motivator for me. I've watched every episode I could find n Netflix and I enjoy being able to relate to her struggle. She has the same types of goals and wishes I do. Things like going simple places in confidence, wearing cute clothes that fit well and being able to eat healthy without struggling. We're going to get there, one pound at a time.

Day Ten

I did good with points (eating) today. I found some good-lookin' new recipes to try out with the hubby, we're going to cook together tonite. I did not, however, exercise... I'm very disappointed in myself. I did find other ways to get some physical activity in, with the hubby ; D   Back on track Tuesday.

Day Nine

Well, this morning was weigh-in and I lost 2.4lbs! That's right on track for my year-long goal of 100 pounds. I'm looking for more friendly foods to add to my diet and re-evaluating which ones could be removed to add to my success. Someone said recently, "If you don't buy it, you can't eat it." How true! I have to stay away from buying the things that work against my goals. This will be tough, but I'm up for the challenge!

(ps- Have I mentioned my biggest obstacle? I'm currently a student at The Culinary Institute of America- baking and pastry arts. This is a HUGE obstacle to overcome considering breakfast could be eggs benedict and bacon everyday, lunch could be duck confit or coq au vain, and dinner filet mignon with a wonderful potatoes gratin. I'm learning.)

Day Eight

So today I feel really good, energized and motivated. It's 2:45pm here on the east coast and I feel like I've gotten much more accomplished so far today than many other days in general. Finished my workout early, had a healthy and delish breakfast and lunch, got the laundry accomplished, cleaned the fridge (food and general upkeep) and I have been playing baseball outside with my two boys (3 years and 6 years). My six year old is starting baseball season on Tuesday, so he and mommy need to get their arms back in shape! And since this is what I'm doing wile we rest briefly and rehydrate, I'm being rushed back out the door for more fun! Oh! And tomorrow is weigh-in day... I'm excited to see what I've accomplished this past week : )

Day Seven

I had to take the day off from the P90x routine. I have deduced that my knees do not like the legs and back routine. I think I may need to remove that from my repertoire till I lose a bit of weight. Well supplement with a different workout. Still doing well with my eating; I made a wonderful chili that is packed with veggies and beans and 85% ground beef. Since it's light on the ground beef, I was o.k. using 85% rather than a leaner 90%. The little bit of fat and protein from the beef helped with feeling satisfied for a longer time after eating and only affected the point value of the 12oz serving by one point. It was perfect! I froze the rest in Ziploc baggies in the meal size portion to make grabbing one later easier- points already portioned and ready to go!

Day Six

Ah. Hungry today. Crazy hungry. Got more meat in and it helped. Pushed my way through the workout and I feel good. I accomplished what I wanted to today. It was a good day : ) Ooh! And if you've never had Buffalo style chicken salad made with Frank's Red-Hot WING Sauce, you must try it! (I'm Buffalo born and their wing sauce is the real thing, the only one I've been able to find outside of Buffalo)

Day Five

Back into the exercise mix-- Yoga X today. I took it easier on my joints though. Still sweated a whole lot, but can't kill my knees by doing things that were not meant for a 250 lb person. Good eating, saved 4 points during the day for Jelly Belly jelly beans as a treat : ) I'm a sucker for the carmel popcorn ones! I did sneak onto the scale early (I'm not suppose to weight in until Sunday) and I have lost weight! So excited and motivated!

Day Four

I have followed my eating, though not very well spread out during the day, leaving me ravenously hungry at dinner. My knees are very strained from the workouts for the last 10 days--I'm taking the day off from P90X (it wasn't exactly meant for 250lb. people at that intensity) but I shall resume full force tomorrow. Rest up knees!

Day Three

As I begin to type, I am still dripping with sweat from my P90X workout. Cardio day today. I like cardio, you keep moving the whole time and it has many different types of moves and exercises. I ate well today, though I did dip into my weekly allowance points with Weight Watchers. I was STARVING going into dinner because I didn't eat much for lunch (for no particular reason besides nothing was appetizing). I paid for my overly large portion at dinner when I began working out: cramps galore! But I forced myself through the discomfort and now I feel great : ) Can't wait to weigh in on Sunday! Pretty sure I can accomplish a lot this week--I feel motivated.

Day Two

Today I decided to work with an eating plan that has worked well for me in the past, Weight Watchers. I had worked with them about 10 years ago and with only changing my eating habits I was able to lose weight. This time though, life won't get in the way and stop me from following through with the plan. I have joined the online forum instead of going to meetings, as my life is crazy and some days I wonder when I'll find the time to take a shower, let alone add a meeting outside of the house. I feel determined to accomplish this this time around.

Day One

Currently, I am doing a modified version of the P90X "Lean" program. I was an athlete throughout school and I understand what is enough and what is too much for my body. I know when to stop, slow down, or push harder. This is the kind of regimine that I like, as it changes things up everyday. Today was Kenpo (a kind of cardio karate) and I enjoyed it alot. I worked hard and pushed myself and I felt great at the end of the workout. I will be discussing with my husband (who is also doing P90X) a eating/nutrition plan later today: there's no point working out hard and not following up with good eating. I'm interested to see what we accomplish.

Day One: Welcome!

Hello and welcome to my 365 day jouney!

I begin my journey today, April 2nd, 2011 at 250 lbs. and rather unhappy about things like buying clothes. Or looking in the mirror. Or the ever impending swimsuit season. I have two very exciting trips coming up this year, and though I know I won't be to my final goal weight by then, I hope to be at a much more comfortable weight, where I can feel a little more confident. My goal is to be a healthly weight for my height and body type and to improve my overall health.

So here I begin, shedding my discomfort, my weight, and my self-consciouness.