Weight Loss!

Today is weigh in day! I lost another 2 1/2 lbs for a total of 47 lbs now! I've done weight watchers before and have lost weight before but gained it all back! This time really feels different! It feels final...I'm working harder to lose it. I haven't set a goal for myself I just want to lose as much as possible in a slow healthy way. I've exercised more this time than in the past. I have much more support this time around too! My whole house is eating healthier. Everyone has the same meals for dinner! There's no bad food in the house!

I had a good week of exercise! I worked all 5 days and walked to and from work everyday. Along with one day at the gym at lunch. 1 day walking at lunch, and 2 nights of water aerobics. A lot of moving! Last night at water aerobics class my instructor gave out handouts on portion sizes. I thought that was really cool. And he made a good point that if you want to lose weight you can't do it by only working out. You have to both exercise (about 30 mins to an hour a day) and eat a healthy diet.

One thing I am trying to work on is trying to think of food as fuel to live and not as yummy treats! That is hard I think because it seems my whole life I always got excited for meals and when we ate out to eat. My mom liked eating out and fortunately we could afford to do it 3 or 4 times a week...but that was not fortunate for our waist lines! Now that I live in NY and away from my family in TX (accept my sister that is visiting for the summer of course) I cook most of my meals, bring my lunch and breakfast for work, and only eat out once maybe twice a week.

In high school I worked the last 2 years. Every morning I would stop and eat fast food for breakfast and then go out to lunch and eat fast food for lunch. And then eat out 3 to 4 times a week for dinner, whether is was take out or we went out to eat. I have now completely changed my eating habits! I make it a point to pay attention to my bodies signals. When my body is full, I stop! I used to keep eating until the food was gone because it always tasted soo good! And then I felt sick all night from over eating...but did that stop me from doing it again the next day?? Nooo!

I make a point to drink more during the day also. Drinking fluids helps fill you up too. It keeps you hydrated and helps with the snacking through out the day! I don't drink a lot of diet sodas anymore but if I do it's only 1 can with dinner and that's only like every other night, maybe only 2 or 3 times a week. Soda really isn't that good for you anyway. During the day I bring those individual Crystal light drink mix packets to work and keep refilling my bottle with water from our water cooler. There are all sorts of flavors, I like the Raspberry Lemonade and Pink Lemonade and also tea ones. I also drink diet snapple and fruit-2-o a lot and sometimes Vitamin water zero. All these choices are no calories and I think taste great!

My workout in water aerobics was a tough one last night! He steps up the pace each week and last night he did big time! My legs were feeling it this morning during my walk to work. I was running a few mins late this morning so I was trying to walk faster to make up a few mins time and I could feel the burn in my legs!! ha ha If you ever thought about trying water aerobics? I would Definitely suggest it!! It's a great work out, not so hard on your joints, it can be fun :), and you keep cool while exercising in the water!

So another great weight watchers week to go! Feeling better everyday! I think back to how big I let myself get and I just can't believe it! But that is in the past and I am in the present right now...and Feelin' Goooooood! :)

Complements and Confidence!

I've had a busy couple of weeks! My sister is visiting for the summer and I've taken a few vacation days and had some long weekends. Back to normal this week. Working all 5 days this week. I walked so far over an hour today and plan to walk home and maybe again later after dinner. The past 2 nights after dinner we've been walking and its been nice. It's not as hot after 8 pm.

I weighed in on Friday and lost another 2 lbs. I am now up to 44 1/2 lbs. total! I had several opportunities for pictures this weekend and I am really starting to notice a change in my face and neck. I had an opportunity to shop for a few clothes also. I was never able to fit into Old Navy clothes and now I can plus I am wearing a size smaller than the largest size they carry! Big accomplishment for me!

I started a weight loss photo album on Facebook with pictures every few weeks showing the change I am making. I posted the 2 pictures I included here, from this weekend and have been getting tons of complements today. Feels great! My weight loss is giving me such confidence. I know I have so far to go still but I am feeling better everyday! I try to think about how long and hard the journey is going to be but how much better I am feeling everyday and how much better I will feel in the end.

I tried a few new dinner options this weekend. We had steak fajitas one night on whole wheat wraps with light sour cream, salsa, and guacamole. They were delicious! We also make personal pizzas one night using wheat flat bread for the crust and turkey sausage and turkey pepperoni for toppings. My sister is eating our healthy dinner with us but she still eats not so healthy things for lunch and breakfast and large quantities. She also is still yet to go walking with us when we go in the evenings. So, still working on instilling my healthy lifestyle on her. :)

Will do my best to write more soon!