Success hasn't tasted sweeter

-11.2 pounds down total since beginning the 52 week journey on January 17th. Whew, I feel better. It's time to take a photo to "celebrate" the shedding of 10 pounds. I want to keep up the photos to see my progress not only on the scale but on my body as well.

I'm down with a sinus infection. Went to the doc and received two shots, one in each hip (lovely). Steroid and antibiotic shots. I fear the steroid shot will make me want to eat everything in site -- so far, I haven't had a problem. I have chicken soup in the crockpot for later (no noodles, just chicken and veggies).

I'm going to for a walk later -- in hopes of walking at least another mile at a decent pace for being sick :P

Later that day...

I went for my daily walk right after originally posting this blog, but I decided to update it.

I walked 1.59 miles in 35 minutes for a 22 minute mile pace -- I'm getting better (even sick!). I did a different route than before -- used some of the same roads, but I thought I was taking a "short cut" and not walking as far or long, but I really did surprise myself by walking the distance I did. I am by no means up to the 3.1 miles required for the 5K in March, but I am getting there. I have found out there isn't a time limit and the course for the 5K. I don't want to "chicken out" and just do the 1 mile fun run/walk. I think I can get to 3.1 miles in a decent time by March 10th.

For dinner I did eat the 2 cups of chicken soup -- I could actually taste and smell the soup by the time I went to eat it (THANK YOU STEROID AND ANTIBIOTIC Shots!). And for dessert I realized I could enjoy something that is healthy and yet sooooo delicious! 3/4 cup honey nut Cheerios and 1 cup Silk Vanilla Soymilk. LOVED every bite. I was like 200 calories, which is way better than chocolate cake!

The Scales don't lie, or at least I hope not!

I did end up weighing myself on Sunday after the weekend at "home." I weighted 292.4 -- that's just 2/10ths shy of 10 pounds! A great accomplishment considering my forays in the 'Ville.

Today is another day. I ate too much at lunch (which was a day out of the office from the "normal" lunch of cabbage soup) Steak Fajita Quesadillas. Ate waaaay too much. I should've stopped at 2 slices instead of eating all six. Live and learn, correct? I learned at dinner. I fixed a special sized hamburger steak and then watched my portion size. I made sure to eat on my "special" dinner plate which is really a salad plate. It makes me feel like I have ate a ton -- which is a good psychological trick that works for me.

Mama said there'd be days like this...She just didn't know she'd cause 'em.

I'm "home" for the weekend visiting my mom in the 'Ville. So, that usually doesn't spell as much trouble as you would think because my mom is also a bigger lady and usually "diets" with me when I do -- even though it's from afar. I thought this weekend wouldn't be so hard, but I realized it is hard -- when there are snacks in the cabinet--which are healthy, but obviously only in moderation. Birthday dinner for my cousin who is turning 12 -- that includes a oh-so-healthy meal of grilled chicken (which is healthier) and Fetticini Alfredo (not so healthy with the 2 quarts of whipping cream used to cook the damn sauce...) that's not to mention the MAYFIELD chocolate ice cream (which is right up there on my favorite ice cream list) and chocolate cake to boot -- at least the chocolate cake had dark chocolate shavings? Okay, I'm not pulling myself out of this one EXCEPT: I did eat a small portion of the noodles (and a second helping of that small portion--so it's really a bigger portion) and grilled chicken and a green salad sans croutons, cheese, or Caesar dressing, but to top it off I had a SMALL slice of cake but a nice-sized scoop of ice cream. That's the beside the point, I had Mexican for lunch. I probably failed miserably on Saturday. I haven't even weighed myself yet because I fear what I am going to see on the scale, but I realize this can't set me back. I have to chalk this up as a loss, or as a gain?, whatever, and keep on going forward.

This is 2 weeks of calorie counting. 21 days makes a habit, so 7 more days of counting, tracking, exercising, etc and I think I can have my brain retrained to think in a way that is positive towards meeting my 52 week goal. I only have 49 more weeks left in the journey. I can do this.

On a more positive note, I did go walking/jogging (as best I could jog) it wasn't even a full mile, but

Oops?

So I haven't been posting like I should have been. 

However...

On January 1st, 2012, the scale said 226.8.  Wednesday, February 1st, it said 216.8.  At the doctor's office, I'd had an 8 pound loss since my last visit.

This morning, it says 214.8. 

The trend is going down, and I'm satisfied with what I'm doing for it to go down.

More later when there's more time.  :)

The results are in...

1/22: 302.6 pounds 1/29: 296.6 pounds = -6 pounds I have to keep up the good work. Not that I am expecting results like this every week, but this will help in the future when the loss gets tougher. Side note: I've been asked to rejoin WW by a friend I did WW with before. I don't want to not go with her, but at the same time, what I am doing at the moment seems to work for me-- which is the same as WW (calorie counting) and its a free community website. Thoughts?

Too much.

Last night I ate an extra helping of dinner -- which was way too much food. I left horrible. Too full to really do much of anything. I was uncomfortable even way past I went to bed (too full to sleep well). Lesson: Put down that extra serving lard butt! Moving on.

I didn't exercise last night because... well, I was too full. Not a good excuse at all. So, today, I came home -- earlier than expected because school was let out due to the impending bad weather. I got comfortable and tried a few yoga poses. Yes, yoga. To be exact, I did Mountain, Crescent, and Goddess posses. I feel... better and more relaxed. Could I make this into an afternoon routine to wind myself down from the day? Sure. If it makes me feel better and less stressed maybe my 52 week journey will go smoother. Almost 2 weeks down, and we will see the results on Sunday.

I have never publicly stated my weight, or weight goals, but I think I will be strong and brave enough to do so.

Starting weight: 302.6 (Heaviest I've ever been)
Goal weight: 150

Warning: Post contains mentions of food!

Okay, so in my effort to be successful in my 52 week... journey?... I am going to post my meal plans for the week. Honestly, being the cook in the house, I can overhaul a lot of my cooking, but then only I would eat it and end up having to cook almost 3 separate meals. I'm already busy enough just cooking two meals (one for us and one for Thomas, when needed). The meal plans will be a balance of healthy versions of favorites and then straight up healthy stuff.

My lunch for the week: Cabbage soup -- in the crock pot as we speak (My newly purchased smaller crockpot, oh yeah.)

Tonight: Sautéed center-cut pork chops with corn casserole and green beans

Monday: Slow cooker Polynesian Chicken with rice and broccoli

Tuesday: Beef and broccoli in the slow cooker with rice (for me) mashed potatoes (for the hubby)

Wednesday: Chicken enchiladas healthy version (slow cooker chicken with salsa shredded, flour tortillas, sauce and a little bit of cheese) with Remixed Refried Beans (Black beans + rotel blended) and Mexican rice

Thursday: Stuffed bell peppers (turkey not beef) oven baked French Fries

Friday: Ribeye steaks (yeah, I know, but I love red meat and a grilled steak) baked potatoes and green beans

I have realized the key "ingredient" I have been missing since I went on Weight Watchers the first time in 2009: PLANNING. Planning down to the very last detail what I am going to eat: breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. The less I have to think about food and what I want to eat in the moment, the less likely I am to careen off my path in to the ditch of binge eating -- which I do, a lot.

So, I am planning everything. Went to Walmart despite the rain and my feelings toward the store and have my week planned.

I want to be successful. I want to be successful. I can do this. I CAN do this.

I found some inspiration from this woman's blog: http://www.runsforcookies.com/