Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Weighing In - Week Thirteen

I went to an All-Class High School Reunion on Saturday night, and actually felt good about the way I looked.  I'm nowhere near my goal weight, but I am making steady progress and feeling better about myself.  

My numbers for the week:
Pounds lost (-) or gained (+) this week:  -0.6
Total weight loss:  11.8
Inches lost (-) or gained (+) this week:  -1.0
Total inches lost:  22.5

This week I'm adding more water to my diet. The regular trips to the water cooler give me an excuse to take breaks from my computer. (My eye doctor would be so proud.) I'm also still packing my lunch. That's working very well, and I like having healthier choices.

The Empty the Junk from the Trunk 10-week motivation project has come to an end.  I did not meet my goal for the final week, but I did lose 6.6 pounds during the challenge, and I'm looking forward to the next one.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Weighing In - Week Twelve

I worked out just as hard last week as I usually do, but my results weren't quite what I had hoped.  Was I disappointed?  Why, yes, I was.  Until I put on a pair of shorts that I bought at the beginning of last summer, and they were quite loose.  Then I took them back off again... without unzipping them.  Awesome!

My very smart friends at Empty the Junk from the Trunk keep reminding me that the way my clothes fit means more than the numbers on my scale, and they are so right. I love that my clothes are fitting better, and that some are even a little too big. It won't be long before I have to go shopping, which I usually hate, but now I'm actually looking forward to it.

My numbers for the week:
Pounds lost (-) or gained (+) this week:  -0.2
Total weight loss:  11.2
Inches lost (-) or gained (+) this week:  -0.5
Total inches lost:  21.5

I've decided to make another change in my eating habits. I work in an office where lunch is provided (free) almost every day. Unfortunately, the hot lunches are not very healthy and the salad bar is not always available. So, I've decided to start bringing my lunch. This way I can have a healthy lunch and use up some leftovers. (I still haven't gotten used to cooking for two again.) I'm also hoping that this change will provide another boost to my weight loss.

Only one more week left in the Empty the Junk from the Trunk 10-week motivation project. If I meet my weekly goals, my name goes into a drawing for a small cash prize. Will I meet that 2 lb weight loss goal this week?  We'll see...

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Weighing In - Week Eleven

It seems like I've always struggled with my weight. I've tried different diets and different exercise programs - some more successful than others - but nothing ever seemed to stick.

This time something's different.

I know I've expressed disappointment that the weight is coming off slowly - about a pound a week - but I haven't been depriving myself of anything. I eat whatever I want, I just try to make healthier choices most of the time and take smaller portions. Today, I even had ice cream! I'm finding it much easier to make those healthy choices now, and the smaller portions are just enough - leaving me satisfied instead of stuffed.

My real secret weapon for weight loss is exercise. That's right, I decided to get off my couch and move it. I'm not much of a morning person, so I do my exercise when I get home from work - before I have a chance to get too comfortable. Thankfully, my family has been very understanding and hasn't complained that dinner comes a little bit later these days. 

My favorite workout right now, is Zumba.  I have a set of DVDs that lets me alternate between three different workouts. When I want to really challenge myself, I put in Jillian's Yoga Meltdown DVD. I still can't make it all the way through that one - even on the easiest level. I do occasionally take the day off due to scheduling issues or sometimes just because I feel like it, but I don't let that happen too often.  I try to work out four or five times a week.

So what's different? 

I think it's me. I'm tired of wishing I could lose weight and am doing something about it. It's not quick. It's not easy. It's a lifestyle change, and hopefully it will be permanent. If it takes me sixty-nine weeks to reach my goal of losing sixty-nine pounds, then so be it. 

My numbers for the week:
Pounds lost (-) or gained (+) this week:  -1.0
Total weight loss:  11.0
Inches lost (-) or gained (+) this week:  -4.0
Total inches lost:  21.0

I've joined my friends at Empty the Junk from the Trunk Facebook group in a 10-week motivation project. If I meet my weekly goals, my name goes into a drawing for a small cash prize. I haven't hit all my goals lately - exercise, water, and eating are all good, but I haven't managed the two pound loss. Maybe  the goals are too high?  Nah!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Another Good-bye

Last week was another tough one. With emotions still running high after moving my son to college, I had to say good-bye to someone else who is very dear to me. My boss of 17 years retired on August 31.

Ken was easy to work with from the very beginning. His cheerful demeanor and mischievous grin put me at ease in my first ever temporary job. So much so that, after working with him for just over a week, I handed him my resume and insisted he forget all about his short list of job applicants and hire me full time.  Luckily, he agreed.

Ken has been the best boss I've ever had. He was easy to talk to and he always listened to what I had to say.  We didn't always agree on everything, but I never felt like I had to censor myself with him. He encouraged me to think things through and form my own opinions. 

Over the years we've faced many challenges together and had more than our fair share of successes. We've enjoyed the good times and weathered the bad times. Through it all, I've always felt secure in the knowledge that he was there supporting me.

We all expected Ken would retire soon. In fact, he had set a date - four years in the future. But things don't always go according to plan. An opportunity to retire earlier was presented and Ken accepted. We were all happy for him, but it was still hard to accept that he won't be around any more.

On his last day at work, I wasn't able to speak to anyone without the threat of tears. There were so many things that I wanted to say, so much I wanted to thank him for, so many memories to share.  But I couldn't get the words past the lump in my throat.

Now that he's gone, the office will never be the same. I will miss his smiling face and his silly little songs - often accompanied by graceful dance steps. I will miss his practice of "managing by walking around". I will miss his words of encouragement.

I hope Ken knows how much he means to me and how much I will miss him.

Thank you, Ken, for everything.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Weighing In - Week Ten

I thought I would do something different this week and post my results on weigh-in day instead of waiting until the middle of next week.

It was a rough week, but I stayed on track.  I exercised 4 times, didn't eat too many desserts and lost one pound. I was hoping for two, but I'll take it, because it means I've hit a milestone.  I've lost a total of 10 pounds!  Of course, it also means that if I plan to wear a bikini next summer, I'm going to have to step it up and do better than a pound a week.

My numbers for the week:
Pounds lost (-) or gained (+) this week:  -1.0
Total weight loss:  10.0
Inches lost (-) or gained (+) this week:  -0.5
Total inches lost:  17.0

I've joined my friends at Empty the Junk from the Trunk Facebook group in a 10-week motivation project. If I meet my weekly goals, my name goes into a drawing for a small cash prize. We're starting week 8 and I'm hoping that I'll meet my weekly goals at least once more before the project is over.  Next week my goals are to exercise at least 4 times, increase my water intake, and lose 2 pounds.  Wish me luck!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

The Hardest Day

One of the most satisfying things about being a parent is watching your child learn and grow into a responsible young person. It's also one of the hardest things about being a parent.  Because you know that the day is approaching when your child will be an adult.

It's frightening.

A parent's first job is to protect and provide for our children. We naturally want to give them the best of everything and do whatever it takes to help them succeed. As they grow, our efforts to help are eventually met with, "Let me do it, Mom." This is our cue to step back and watch as they demonstrate all their newly learned abilities. Ah, sweet success!

Then comes THE DAY.  Your baby is ready to venture out on his own. His bags are packed and he is ready to leave the nest.

That day came for me last week.
~~~~~

It's time. Time to load his boxes and bags in the truck. I resist the urge to check the contents, and satisfy myself with a few reminders about key items that I suspect he may have forgotten. Last minutes items are retrieved and we are on our way. During the drive, we discuss seemingly random things like vehicle maintenance, health insurance and credit cards.

We arrive at the university, locate his dorm and wait patiently as he navigates the check in process. Then we help him move his belongings into the room that will be his home for the next nine months. After all that hard work, everyone is hungry, so we head to the local pizza place for lunch.  Lunch is followed by a trip to the grocery store to stock up on snacks and drinks.

Suddenly, it's time to say good-by. Somehow I manage to hold it together through hugs and kisses, and then we're gone. On the way home, I hold back the tears.

My baby has grown up and now he's on his own. He's been preparing for this his entire life. He's ready. He will be fine - great, in fact. 

I'll be fine, too. After all, it's only college, it's not forever, and the relatively short drive will make visits easier and (hopefully) more frequent.

It has been one of the hardest days of my life... and one of the most satisfying.