The Past Year

This is a picture taken of us a year ago. The other picture was taken early Feb. after a 30 lb. loss. I hope I can add 10 to this in the next couple of months! I had to tell my trainer that I could no longer afford him. He understood and said he was sure I could do this on my own. He also said he would be watching me. I am nervous about doing this on my own!

If I can accomplish this (me, a nonexerciser!) I'm sure anybody can! Exercise has been the key that I have been missing in the past.

I also joined a bible study at church which is using the Lose It for Life program. I felt I needed an additional support system. That has been going well. We have had some good discussions about our situations.

Holding Steady

This is a recent photo of me with my birth son Will and his family. I thought I'd check with you guys today to let you know that my weight loss in December is holding steady. The ten pounds I got off are definitely off, but now I'm stuck again. I plan to up the exercise regime by going to Curves every day I can, and I'm going to try to eat at home as much as I can. Restaurant meals are the biggest enemy I have found. I don't know whether it's the portion size or the salt or the spices or just the calory count. Anyway, please wish me well that the scale starts down again soon... Til Later, Linda

It Is A New Year!

It is a New Year! My only resolution this year is to continue on my journey of weight loss. I do have some new info to report to all of you. I went to the doctor in November to have my diabetes and cholesterol checked. My total cholesterol went from 180 in August to 163 in November. My A1c lowered and my doctor considers it under control. She no longer is asking me to take medication for my bad cholesterol. In December (right before Christmas) I had my trainer do my measurements. I did not add up all the loses but I did lose 5 inches in my waist, 2 inches in my upper arm, and 1 inch in my calf. When I started July 1 my body fat measured 45.8 and now measures 38.4. My gym is even asking me to let them use me in their brag book!

I saw some of you last Saturday and I can't tell you how much it meant to hear you tell me how good I look! My trainer asks me occasionally if my family and friends have noticed. Unfortunately I have tried to lose weight so many times and always gained it back plus more. I think they have become immune to commenting. Since I have now lost 23 (as of today) pounds, many are noticing and letting me know they notice. We all need those positive pats on the back and I hope I can do that for all of you.

Christmas Goal

When I started the Curves six-week diet in November, my goal was to get 10 pounds off by Christmas. I'm happy to report that I made it. My pants that were getting too tight are now feeling comfortable again. I've stayed at size 12 for the past four years now, and I'm determined to keep my weight in a range where those beautiful clothes continue to fit me. I've had years where I've had to totally overhaul my closet, either because of gaining or losing weight. I'm praying that those days are over.

The Curves diet teaches that you should weigh yourself often to monitor any weight gains. As soon as you've gone up three or four pounds, they want you to get right back on the diet to get it immediately back off again. I let my weight go up ten pounds this past time, and that was too much, but overall I've been sticking to this regime for a long time now, and it really works. May we all start the new year off with joy in the way we're now eating. Good luck to all of us in 2009.

Til later.... Linda

Still Working On Weight Loss

I had my next to last session with my trainer today. My trainer told me I have lost 20 pounds since starting to work with him on July 1. I have to get past Thanksgiving before my last weigh-in and workout with him. After that I will be on my own. It scares me a little but I do believe I can handle it. I will probably do at least 1 more session with my trainer after the first of the year. I did treat myself this week and bought a new workout outfit in a smaller size than I have worn in a long time! Wish me luck with the month of December looming on the horizon!

Finally.... A Losing Week

I wanted to share with all of you how successful I'm feeling at the end of my first week back on the Curves food plan. They have the theory that you have to start with your metabolism working properly, and to get it there, you spend at least a month of eating the typical American diet with chips and desserts and pizzas, etc. My trip to D.C. was an eating extravaganza like that, and I guess my metabolism must be up to speed now because cutting back to 1200 calories for this whole past week has resulted in a weight loss of 7.4 lbs. This has never happened in my whole life of dieting. Each morning when I weighed this week, the weight was really coming back off. I realize that most of this is water weight from the retention my body did while eating "normally," but it's still amazing. I have to say that the food suggestions were also very satisfying all week. I went to Logan's twice. Once I had grilled salmon and broccoli, and the other time I had a grilled chicken breast and skewers of grilled veggies. Just delicious!!

This morning I started on Week Two, which has food suggestions that add up to 1600 calories per day. I'm actually going to Casa Manana tonight to have two chicken fajitas. That's what the plan suggests, without the guacamole and the sour cream... I'll be on 1600 calories until I hit a plateau at which time I am again supposed to try to get my metabolism back up to running order again. Curves claims that this is an eating plan that you can do for your whole life. I'd like to think it will always work this way. Anyway, I'm ecstatic about the scale for the first time in a long time. I hope you guys are doing well, too. 'Til later, Linda

Every time I go on a trip, I come back pounds heavier. Eating out, especially enjoying ethnic foods that I can't get back home, is the culprit. My trip in October to the D.C. area turned out the same. My weight's up again, and I'm trying to get it back down. I wish it weren't the same old, same old, but it is. I ask all of you guys to support me as I begin again. I hope you're all having a successful autumn.