Blog Goes "Public"

I may have a new URL soon for this blog. My weightloss blog may become one of the blogs on the "blogroll" for the Monroe Evening News. Our local newspaper has a list of local bloggers on their website with topics ranging from parenting to pop-culture. I think a weight loss blog would be an excellent addition. It would be an opportunity to share with a wider audience my journey, both the ups and downs. So, for me it means increased accountability and visibility. Not totally sure how I feel about that yet, but I think it could be a really good thing for both me, and for other people who need information/inspiration. What do you think? Would you do it if you were me?

Hungry and Full

Here is an interesting paradox I have been pondering....it is entirely possible to be hungry and full at the same time. I haven't been thinking of it so much in terms of physical hunger or satiety--but emotionally. My new gratitude journal has been helping me to realize just how full my days are with blessings. In the past I have had such a hunger for more, more, more....and while I still feel hunger, I realize that at the same time I am completely full. Not sure if that makes sense to anyone but me, but has been a very important realization for me in my journey to be healthier.

Down 2 pounds

This has truly been a victorious week for me. I ate real food--very few "products" (protein bars or protein shakes) and still lost weight!! I felt like a real human being this week. I went to dinner with Jeremy, enjoyed eating healthy meals with my family, and still was down 2 pounds. The key for me is being organized and planning ahead. This makes me feel very confident that I can continue to take the weight off at a slower pace here....Hooray!!!

What am I doing?

Almost on a daily basis people ask me about how I am losing weight. I don't have a specific "diet" plan that I follow (South Beach, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, etc.), but I think I will share what I find works for me. I started by using Optifast--800 calories a day, divided into 5 "products" (protein shakes and protein bars). Really, this part of the weight loss program is super easy once you get past the hunger and the food withdrawls. When I am eating "real food", this is what I am finding works for me:

1. Eating frequently--every 2.5-3 hours--to keep my blood sugar levels steady.

2. I have begun recording every single thing that I eat, and it's complete nutritional information (Thanks, Melissa @ GLWW for great recording sheet). I track my serving size, calories, fat, carbs, sugar, protein, fiber and sodium for each thing that I eat. I have a few websites that help with this (http://www.my-weight-loss-advisor.com/calories-for-weight-loss.html, http://www.nutritiondata.com, http://www.my-weight-loss-advisor.com/protein-fat-and-carbohydrate.html), as well as an awesome electronic food scale, that allows me to enter a code for the food I am eating and gives me the complete nutritional information(http://www.amazon.com/Chefmate-Nutritional-Digital-Scale-Silver/dp/B000LWPZDO)on many foods.

3. I limit refined sugar and carbohydrates, and eat lots of lean protein and fiber.

4. I exercise, cardio and strength training, and stay as active as possible.

5. I attend weightloss support groups/weight management education classes weekly, where I am weighed, to help maintain accountability throughout the week.

6. I try to "nourish my spirit" with non-food things--time with family/friends, music, reading, writing, etc.

These are the things that help me to stay on track!!!

Shake Shake It!!!

I tried something tonight that I doubt I would have done at 275 pounds--my first Hip Hop dance class!!! It was a complete and total blast! I loved every minute of it. My daughter's dance studio offers a free class for parents, so I decided to try it just for fun. One of the things on my "list" to do this year was to take a dance class--check! Our song is "Come on Shake It" by MC Shy D--most awesome 80's hip hop song EVER. The best part is that in June we get to be a part of the recital! I have always loved to dance and think that I'm not too bad of a dancer, but now I can really "shake shake it"! Fun, fun, fun!!!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Pudding

I know--it sounds completely sinful and decadent, but believe it or not, I have come up with a yummy recipe for this really tasty treat. JELLO pudding sells fat free/sugar free cheesecake pudding, which I make with skim milk. Then, mix in 1 cup of pumpkin (just canned, plain, pumpkin) and sprinkle with a little cinnamon and nutmeg. Soooo delicious for the calorie count--and the pumpkin is rich in potassium, magnesium, iron and beta carotene. Hooray for dessert!!

Blast from the Past

I was uploading photos for Flickr and Facebook, when I stumbled upon an old friend. Here are my "before" photos and a more recent photo....Wowsers. So glad we did the backside as well--as if one couldn't tell how big I was from the frontal view...Yes, in case you are wondering, that is a maternity top, and no, I was not pregnant! Click on the pics for an even closer view!!!

Sloooooow Dowwwwwnnnn

If you could hear me read the title of this post it would sound like I am speaking in slooooow moooootion. I have been thinking A LOT the last few days about my weight loss journey. And while yes, it has definitely been a real trip, I don't know that I can call it a "journey" yet. This has all happened so fast. My lifestyle has definitely changed, but the weight has come off so fast, I worry a lot about a rebound gain sometime in the future. And so, now that I am so close to my goal, I feel that I need to sloooow doooown a little bit and let my mind and body catch up. Rapid weight loss is awesome. The results are enough motivation to keep at it each week. And I would not change anything about my "journey" thus far, but I do feel that for this to be a permanent change I am going to need to re-evaluate how I get to the end. I have been pleased that I did not need surgery or pills to get this far--not that there is anything wrong with that--everyone has their own path. All changes in my body have been directly influenced by both change in diet and change in physical activity.

So I am at a point now where I am feeling that there is no rush. I like the way I look. I feel great. I can buy clothes at a regular store (size 14 now, btw!). I am determined to finish what I started, but need to move my thinking to 5 years from now...where will I be? What will I be eating then? What will I look like? Will I maintain my healthy lifestyle. I need to find balance and middle-ground for myself. I'll let you know how that goes :)

Wooosh!!!!

Woooshh!!! In the blink of an eye I have lost over 100 pounds...It has taken me my entire life (30+ years) to get to this point, and now that I am here (wherever that is) I feel as though I have not yet had time to fully take in and process my success. I've always been a little slow to process life events--stuffing my feelings away with food until I'm ready to deal with them--so I guess it should not surprise me that this is no different. Honestly, it still really weirds me out when people don't recognize me...I know that mathematically I have lost a lot of weight, but in my mind mind's eye I am still the same me. So I think I have a little catching up to do mentally. Am always a work in progress!!!

I am home sick with the flu today, so I have had more time than usual to think about this today...and, fortunately I have had time to catch up on a most fabulous read. A few posts ago I mentioned Shauna Reid's book "Diet Girl". I have read almost the entire book today. I wholeheartedly recommend it for anyone wanting an inspiring and funny read. I found myself nodding my head in agreement every few pages when Reid shares her most honest feelings of what it is like to be big and to shed the pounds. Link to her blog is on my blogroll at the left side of the page.

Staci's You Tube Posts

Staci--you are awesome, and an inspiration to me too :) Here is a link to Staci's You Tube video blog--she is a fellow blogger, friend and I recently learned a cousin!! So glad our paths have crossed!!
Okay--so having a tough time posting the link for some reason--here is the URL:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InmjM9srQ2o