tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58632275019047636242024-03-12T18:20:57.606-07:00Losing the Baby Weight: This Mom's Journey to a Healthy and Fit LifestyleGarrett arrived on September 20, 2012 and I couldn't be happier with my new family of five! I could, however, do without the extra baby weight. So, follow me on my journey to lose the weight and get back to a healthy lifestyle.Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-75559275614560165642014-03-06T06:18:00.001-08:002014-03-06T06:18:37.991-08:00It's Been A While...I haven't blogged in months, not because I've fallen off the wagon or because I've given up. Nope, I'm still trucking along and so so very close to my goal weight. I hit the big 150 mark on my home scale, but have yet to get there at my Weight Watchers meetings. As of Tuesday, I was 153.2, so I'm only 3.2 pounds away from hitting my goal for WW. Yay!!! This is big because, after I hit my goal weight and maintain it for six weeks, I become a lifetime member and get to stop paying. Big yay there! <div>
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The hard thing is, it seems like the last few pounds do NOT want to come off. That paired with the fact that this winter has been so horrible and depressing makes for a long, drawn out process of getting to goal. In the past couple of months, I've slacked a lot. I missed out on the gym for a while because of a foot injury (that kept me in a walking boot for four weeks) and because of crappy weather.</div>
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But, Tuesday night at my WW meeting, I really did some thinking about how I am not 100% in the WW mindset anymore. And I really think that the cold weather and boredom have been killing my momentum. So, I gave myself a pep talk and am going to push through!!! I had a great day yesterday and am planning another great day today. I'm back at the gym (though low impact for a while since I'm still rehabbing my foot) and feeling good.</div>
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In the past couple of weeks, I've been asked by a few people to share some of my recipes and WW tricks and tips. And, since I have this so lonely and neglected blog, I thought I'd revamp it some to not only keep me motivated and accountable, but to share some of the tips that I have accumulated over the past six years of WW (and a lifetime of watching my weight!).</div>
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So look for some changes in the next couple of days. And, be sure to come back to check out lots of recipes, tips and tricks (and maybe share some of yours, too!)</div>
Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-31573407248283675062013-06-17T06:23:00.001-07:002013-06-17T06:26:08.556-07:00Big Milestone!!This morning, I weighed in at 159.2... Yep, I am back into the 150s!! I haven't been here since I got pregnant with Jackson five years ago. I must say, it felt great to see that number this morning on the scale! I am so proud of myself for finally making my health a priority and working hard to look and feel better. And to celebrate, I bought some new summer clothes -- size 10 shorts and small and medium tops :)<br />
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I am still doing Weight Watchers and making sure to track my points online every day. I am avoiding eggs because Garrett is allergic, so that makes a lot of temptations off limits (like the amazing wedding cake that I had to pass up this weekend!) I am also doing cardio and weight training at the gym. So far, the combination has been working really well.</div>
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I don't have a lot of time to write because I need to get ready for my Monday morning Zumba class. All I can say is that I feel SO much better, physically and emotionally, than I did this winter. So bye bye 160s... don't want to ever see you again!</div>
Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-52247509455069608512013-05-20T04:42:00.001-07:002013-05-20T04:42:56.655-07:005k and TodayThe Race 4 Recess 5k went really well on Saturday. It wasn't too hot, only 65, but it was very humid. And the course had lots of long, gradual hills. These combined made for one sweaty mess for me! But, I finished in my best time yet - 33:58! The only reason I know this is because of my new watch :) The finish line didn't have a visible clock, so I relied on my watch for that time. They're supposed to post official results and pictures at some point, so I'll add those when I get them. All in all, it was a nice course, a good morning and a fun time. I can't wait to run another race!<div>
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So, today is Monday -- weigh in day for me! This morning, I was 164.2, which is only 0.3lbs down from last week. Meh. I was expecting more since I worked out a lot this week and stayed on track with my points. However, I did have Five Guys with the family (using my extra weekly points) and played Bunko with snacks last night. That's a lot of sodium for one day. We'll see how it shakes out next week, but I'm not too bummed out with that. A loss is a loss!</div>
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Today, I'm heading to Gold's for Zumba, then playing with the kids outside and doing laundry. It's already pretty warm , so I have a feeling we'll be breaking out the water toys soon. Garrett is going to LOVE playing in the baby pool!</div>
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As for my weekly workout plan, I'm doing Zumba today, running intervals and lifting tomorrow and Thursday and hopefully fitting in another Zumba class on Saturday morning. I may just run instead. We'll see. Either way, I'm planning for another active week!</div>
Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-81693666433165305892013-05-17T11:53:00.001-07:002013-05-17T11:53:32.492-07:00This Girl is on FireIt's been a pretty good week for me, especially getting in my workouts. I took a Zumba class on Monday, which is so much fun! I love the instructor and the energy level of the people in the class. Then, I ran intervals and did my lifting circuit on Wednesday.<br />
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On Wednesday afternoon, I got my Garmin running watch in the mail, so I had to try it out ASAP! So, on Thursday morning, I got up with Joe and ran while he was getting ready for work. I did two miles at about an 11:30 mile. Not too bad for me at 6:30am!<br />
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Then, this morning, I went to the gym and did a quick warm up on the bike, then did my lifting circuit. I'm running my first 5k of the season tomorrow morning, so I decided to skip intervals and save my legs for the race tomorrow. I haven't run a 5k in over a year, so I'm really excited to get back out there. I'm leaving in a little while to pick up my race packet. Then, it's relaxing with the kids for the rest of the night.<br />
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So, I have a few running songs that push me along when I'm getting tired or bored, so I'm loading them onto my Ipod shuffle for the race tomorrow. There is one song that is pretty corny and actually from a cheesy movie that I happen to love (Center Stage, anyone?) but it always keeps me moving when I hear:<br />
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"There's a passion inside, an inner strength that drives<br />
Can't nobody take that away from you<br />
It's the greatest high, you set the floor on fire<br />
when you come alive"<br />
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So, with that song in my playlist, I'm going to run tomorrow morning. I'll update with race results sometime tomorrow. I'm not fast, but at least I get my butt out there and try! And, I have a good time. I love races!!<br />
<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-59170406025816587122013-05-15T05:31:00.002-07:002013-05-15T05:35:08.089-07:00Back to BloggingThings have been insane in my house. We've had lots of sicknesses (LOTS, including a month-long round of pneumonia for me), Garrett's baptism, visitors on and off, the March for Babies, winter vacation to Florida, etc. In all the craziness, my blogging went out the window. Thankfully, my healthy lifestyle did not. I just didn't blog about it.<br />
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Here's the update: I am doing great and am down to my pre-pregnancy weight (with Garrett, anyways!) This Monday, which is my weigh-in day, I weighed 164.5 lbs. I'm down almost 25 lbs since October and 44 lbs since giving birth to Garrett almost eight months ago. Yay!! My goal weight is 150, which was my pre-pregnancy weight with Jackson. I'd like to get closer to 140, but we'll start with 150, which is within my healthy BMI range for my height.</div>
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So, here's what has been going on. I started back to the gym (with the kids in the gym's daycare) and have been going at least three days a week since March. I had three personal training sessions where I learned how to use all the machines and created a circuit to follow. Since then, I have been lifting two days a week, running intervals on the treadmill and doing Zumba one or two days a week. I'm also starting to run outside since the weather is getting nicer. I'm running my first race, a 5k here in Charles Town, on Saturday. My goal this year is to run a fall 10k. I've never run farther than 4.5 miles, so I'll need to train for that this summer.</div>
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As for nutrition, I am still following Weight Watchers. I'm careful to track my points every day online and am finding lots of new foods to try out to keep things interesting. I'm also drinking a lot more water (especially during and after workouts) and eating tons of fruit now that it's coming into season.</div>
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Just as important as what I'm doing is who I have been working with - my friends! A group of us have been encouraging each other via Facebook and we're all losing weight together. We weigh in on Mondays and check in to keep each other accountable. It's been going so well and I couldn't imagine going at this alone. Thanks, ladies... you know who you are ;)</div>
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Overall, things are going really well. I feel much better about myself and am fitting into a lot of my old clothes. I still have some work to do to get to goal, but it's much less daunting now and seems easier because I have a routine established. And, for reaching my pre-pregnancy weight, I bought myself a Garmin Forerunner 10 running watch! Yay!! It is supposed to be delivered today, so I'm planning an early morning run tomorrow to try it out. Can't wait!</div>
Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-26389015232192638752012-12-17T20:12:00.000-08:002012-12-17T20:12:41.391-08:00More Than Just Slightly EmbarassedWell, I gave up.<br />
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I gave up on tracking calories. I gave up on measuring portions. I gave up on running. I gave up on myself.<br />
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It's time that I start valuing me and what I need. And what I need is to lose this baby weight and start feeling better about myself.<br />
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So I broke down, splurged and signed up for Weight Watchers again tonight. I wanted to do it myself, without anyone's help. I thought I could track my calories and get motivated through another site. But I am not comfortable with that method. I am comfortable with WW because I know it works. So, I'm back on the horse. I need this. I need to start feeling like myself again.<br />
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I know everyone says this. It's such a cliche, the "I'm really going to do it," and "I need to focus on myself," and "this time I am going to change" mantras. We get on the horse, do well for a week, a month, a year, then fall back into the same lousy patterns that made us fat and lazy and unhappy in the first place.<br />
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Truth is, I know I am going to fail. I am going to revert back to bad habits. I am going to get lazy. But, I am going to fall down, forgive myself, then get back up again and keep going. This is not a diet, not a short-term solution, but a lifestyle change. I know this - I say it all the time. I really need to start living it (yes, the cliche is making me nauseous too!).<br />
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So, some short term goals:<br />
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- Measure and track every meal and snack<br />
- Get active everyday, even if it's just for a few minutes<br />
- Give myself a break ( I <i>am</i> the mother of three young kiddos, after all!) and try not to be so negative<br />
- Write at least one blog post a week<br />
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I'm going to try to focus on my health, both mental and physical, to get back to a place where I can say that I am happy to be me. Right now, I'm just in a little bit of a slump. But, I'll be back. <br />
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And no more avoiding the blog just because I'm not doing so hot. I need the accountability!<br />
<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-44666456474180877372012-10-24T12:30:00.002-07:002012-10-24T12:30:53.541-07:00I'm Baaaaack!Well, I didn't fulfill my promise of keeping my blog going while pregnant. I tried to be "good" and continue with the healthy lifestyle I'd begun last year, but it was really hard to maintain while pregnant. The cravings and exhaustion and soreness crept up on me and, before I knew it, I had given up on my healthy eating and fitness plans.<br />
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So, it's no surprise that I gained 44 pounds during this pregnancy. I guess it's par for the course - I gained 50 with Jackson and 46 with Natalie. At least it was a downward trend instead of the other way around, especially considering that I was pregnant longer with Garrett than with the other two! <br />
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Now that Garrett is a month old and I'm feeling back to normal physically, I am ready to start tackling this extra baby weight. As of this morning, I weighed 189 lbs. I've lost almost 20 pounds since Garrett was born and need to lose another 25 to get down to my pre-pregnancy weight. After that, I'd like to lose another 20 lbs, but I'm going to take this one step at a time, focusing first on losing the pregnancy weight.<br />
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How am I planning on losing the weight? Previously, I'd relied on Weight Watchers to take off the pounds. Unfortunately, WW and I had a falling out a few days ago (long story - message me if you want details!) so I am going to try another method for tracking my daily food intake. It's a site called babyfit.com (a sister site to Sparkpeople) and it caters to pregnant women and new moms -- perfect for me! Based on my stats, the site calculated my target calorie intake. I can track my meals and snacks via my personalized site, which is very nice and very similar to what I did with WW's online program.<br />
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As for fitness, I haven't been cleared by my doctor to work out yet (but I'm hoping that happens at my 6 week appointment next Tuesday) so I have just been taking walks around the neighborhood. I'm planning to start running again soon, and am hoping to be in good enough shape to run a 5k in December. We'll see how that goes!<br />
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So, that's the plan! I'd love to hear any stories, tips or encouragement, so feel free to send any of those my way!<br />
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<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-25194492995376937862012-02-07T06:50:00.000-08:002012-02-07T06:50:59.285-08:00The Cat's Out of the Bag...For those of you who wondered where the heck I went... SURPRISE! After reading the new title of my blog, I'm sure you've figured out that I was on a weight loss blogging hiatus because I am <strong>pregnant</strong>!!!<br />
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I planned to continue blogging about eating healthy and staying active, but I wasn't quite ready to share the news with everyone. But, I'm ready now. And, now that you know, I'm going to start blogging again and am looking forward to sharing this journey with you.<br />
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As for my pregnancy, I am currently 9 weeks pregnant, and am due on September 11, 2012. I have seen the tiny little heartbeat twice, and am so excited to be adding to our already wonderful family. While having three kids under the age of four scares the crap out of me, I think it will be a fun adventure!! *<em>insert unsure, but naively optimistic smile</em>*<br />
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So, what have I been up to since I stopped blogging a month ago? Surviving. My morning sickness kicked in around 6 weeks and I have been feeling pretty lousy since then. I'm nauseous and tired pretty much all of the time, but I know lots of coping mechanisms from dealing with this during my last two pregnancies. Still, it's not too much fun. I can't wait to feel normal again.<br />
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As for diet and exercise, everything has pretty much gone out the window for now. I'm eating whatever sounds good (which isn't much) and haven't run or been to the gym in a couple of weeks. Ugh. I know from experience that this won't last, and that I'll feel better soon. As soon as I do, I'll be making my way back to the gym. Until then, I'll continue in survival mode :)Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-87855899096389370452012-01-09T14:44:00.000-08:002012-01-09T14:44:32.836-08:00Going Great!Last week: 164.5<br />
Today: 164.2<br />
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The weight is still coming off. But, more importantly, I'm getting fit and feeling really good about that. I've been going to the gym and working out regularly, and am actually enjoying it. I especially like the cardio cinema, where you can watch a movie and work out simultaneously! I haven't gotten to a Zumba class yet, but I'm hoping to do that soon.<br />
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As far as food goes, I'm trying new recipes and we are all enjoying them (well, except for Jackson, but he's a hard one to please in the food realm!) Last week, I made chicken stir fry and it was a huge success! I also lightened up my stuffed pepper recipe with brown rice and egg beaters with great results.<br />
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I'll post my chicken stir fry recipe later. Now, it's time to make dinner because the kiddos (and I) are hungry!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-82555476776405614292012-01-04T16:38:00.000-08:002012-01-04T16:38:52.866-08:00Turning Over a New LeafI always said I'd never be a runner. I even rolled my eyes at the people I'd see on the side of the road in 25 degree weather, thinking they were crazy for running in the bitter cold. Oh, how the tide has turned! This past Monday, I was the girl on the side of the road in the bitter cold, dodging snowflakes and happily completing my 3 mile run.<br />
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I also said I hated the gym. That I wouldn't go even if membership were free. So tonight, where was I? I was sitting at a desk in the local Gold's Gym, signing up for a membership. And I was excited about it! Haha. I am a changed woman. Instead of dreading it, I'm really really looking forward to taking some Zumba classes and working out on the weight machines.<br />
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So here I am, a runner (albeit a slow one) and a gym member. I'm not sure where all this motivation came from, but I hope it sticks around for a long time. Because I am finally making myself a priority, and it feels great!<br />
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-24628521659027536872012-01-02T06:00:00.000-08:002012-01-02T06:11:43.426-08:00Big Loss!!Last week: 167.1<br />
Today: 164.5<br />
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Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!! That's a 2.6 lb loss this week!! I was so thrilled to see those numbers on the scale this morning. I guess my "no leftovers" mantra worked out great. I didn't have any cookies in the house (or I would have been tempted to eat them, I'm sure!) and I didn't take anything from dinner, other than a couple of lean pieces of ham. I did have ice cream cake for Natalie's birthday and champagne for New Years Eve, but other than that, I was pretty good.<br />
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So, on to my resolutions. I made a new dinner last night: Pork Au Poivre from Food Network's Healthy Appetite show. I found the recipe online, and tried it out for our New Years dinner. It was pretty good, and low in points. I'll tweak it next time I make it (I tend to do that will all my recipes!) and it'll be really good. If you want the recipe, let me know!<br />
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I'm also heading out for a run this morning while Joe watches the kids. I usually only get to run on the weekends lately because it's too dark before Joe leaves for work and after he gets home. But, I haven't run in two weeks due to the holidays and all the craziness. It'll feel good to get out there, especially with all my new gear. Thanks, Mike and Aunt Diana!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-84749904671359612312012-01-01T17:09:00.000-08:002012-01-02T06:12:14.838-08:002012, Here I Come!Last January, I began Weight Watchers again after giving birth to Natalie. I weighed 193.2 lbs as of January 23, almost a month after having her. As of last Monday, I weighed 167.1 lbs. <br />
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That's 26.1 lbs lost in 2011. <br />
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Now, I would be lying if I said that I've been 100% dedicated to WW the entire time. In fact, I took a pretty long hiatus this summer/fall while packing and moving into our new house, going on vacation, etc. I found all kinds of excuses not to track my weight or points. When I got frustrated in July, I started running instead of going back to WW. While I'm glad I got into running, it wasn't helping me lose the weight. Sure, it kept me from gaining, but I wasn't losing.<br />
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So, I started this blog in November. In a month and a half, I managed to take off 5.1 lbs. It's a great start, but I'm hoping that 2012 will get me to my goal weight of 145 lbs. I still have over 20 lbs to go, but I know I can do it! <br />
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Now on to the resolutions, since it's New Years Day and all...<br />
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1) Prepare healthier meals for myself and my family. This means more veggies and lean meats and less carbs and fat. I can already hear my kids and husband grumbling :) haha<br />
2) Train for, and run at least a 10K by the end of the year. I know I can do this, but I just can't seem to get my runs in lately.<br />
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So, weigh in is tomorrow and I'm not sure how it'll go. I've been doing pretty well this week, but forgot to track my food a couple of days. I always feel out of control those days, like I can eat anything and it won't count since I'm not writing it down. I know - this is a bad habit, so I need to keep tracking everything I eat everyday. It's so easy to backslide.<br />
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2012, here I come! I will cook healthier. I will finish a 10K. I will stick with WW and track my points. I will reach my goal weight!<br />
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Now, here's a couple of pics in honor of the new year:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9LZM7dFAm_4/TwEBjujLP9I/AAAAAAAAAA8/TO5cyDMYyag/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9LZM7dFAm_4/TwEBjujLP9I/AAAAAAAAAA8/TO5cyDMYyag/s320/IMG_0185.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here I am, two days before Natalie arrived. Probably around 210 lbs here. Oy!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P6IRp-aqA5A/TwEB75FWePI/AAAAAAAAABE/dP3XnuyqNpo/s1600/Moms+Natalie+pics+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P6IRp-aqA5A/TwEB75FWePI/AAAAAAAAABE/dP3XnuyqNpo/s320/Moms+Natalie+pics+046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Natalie's about three days old here, and I'm around 195 lbs (a rough guess)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H5Woi61WaX0/TwECRCynRyI/AAAAAAAAABM/jgW_LJPf7_w/s1600/IMG_2383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H5Woi61WaX0/TwECRCynRyI/AAAAAAAAABM/jgW_LJPf7_w/s320/IMG_2383.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> August 2011 - around 175 here</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AcsaM_VFtsQ/TwECfUXEGfI/AAAAAAAAABU/aCSZdofxl1Y/s1600/IMG_3622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AcsaM_VFtsQ/TwECfUXEGfI/AAAAAAAAABU/aCSZdofxl1Y/s320/IMG_3622.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center">January 1, 2012 - roughly 167 (we'll see where I weigh in tomorrow!)</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"></div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-68300337516668570612011-12-27T05:55:00.000-08:002011-12-27T05:55:15.686-08:00Beating the OddsLast Monday: 167.5<br />
Today: 167.1<br />
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So much for that average 7-12 pound weight gain over the holidays. I totally kicked that statistic's butt!! Instead of gaining over the holiday season, I lost 2.4 pounds instead (between Thanksgiving and Christmas)! Yesss!!<br />
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I wrote a long, awesome blog post earlier, but my computer ate it and I don't have time to write it again. It's my daughter's first birthday, so I'm getting ready for a day of fun!<br />
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I'll write more about my holiday eating later. But, for now, I'll just end with...<br />
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YAYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-63081866904617628272011-12-22T05:40:00.000-08:002011-12-22T05:40:30.374-08:00Boredom = EatingThat's what I realized this week: boredom = eating (for me, at least). I didn't realize this by being bored and overeating, though. Just the opposite. I have been keeping myself busy all week, finishing a book, Christmas shopping, getting packed and ready to head to PA. And, I haven't been snacking.<br />
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Hmmm, maybe that's the key. Stay busy to avoid mindless eating. I think I can do that, especially now that I have my Kindle, and my energetic kids. Instead of picking up the snacks, I'll start doing something instead.<br />
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Speaking of doing something, today's tasks are calling! Here I go.....Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-64516037122875765912011-12-19T05:36:00.000-08:002011-12-19T05:36:36.530-08:00Another Loss!Last week: 168.2<br />
This week: 167.5<br />
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I know I've been a bad blogger. Things have been very busy, with the kids' birthdays and Christmas coming up. But, I'm still doing well with WW, and still losing! This past week was a tough one, with all the cake and goodies from Jackson's birthday and temptations from a holiday party. So, I'm pretty happy with my 0.7 lb loss. I have a feeling that next Monday won't be so pretty, after all the holiday craziness. <br />
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Ok, so here's my plan for this week:<br />
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1. Stay on track with WW Monday through Thursday, while we're home. Exercise as much as possible.<br />
2. Be good on Friday, and try to track while at the in-laws' house.<br />
3. Splurge a LITTLE on Saturday. It is my birthday, after all!!<br />
4. Taste everything on Sunday (just like I did on Thanksgiving) but don't go crazy.<br />
5. Monday = back to WW and stay on track!<br />
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This seems like a pretty good plan to me. I'm not expecting to be perfect this weekend, but I'm not saying that all bets are off and I'm going to eat anything I want. It's a good balance, I think.<br />
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I'll try to blog some this week, but I'm not promising anything. I still have gifts to buy, bags to pack, house to clean, laundry to do... Whewww! Only 6 days until Christmas!!!!!!!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-84112867437124939092011-12-12T04:51:00.000-08:002011-12-12T04:51:39.251-08:00Slooooooow, but SteadyThis week: 168.2<br />
Last week: 168.3<br />
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Well, this week's loss was a bit disappointing, but I have to remember that a loss is a loss. That is 0.1 lbs gone and, in the grand scheme of things, I know the weight will continue to come off. I'm not looking for an instant cure, after all. Like I've said before, it's a lifestyle change so, if I stick with it, the weight WILL come off.<br />
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This week will be a challenge, as Jackson is turning 3 and we all know that birthdays aren't complete without the cake! I'll just have to be careful, have a small piece, and count WW points for it. No problem - I can do it. And, if I want more, I'll just drink some water and pop a piece of gum... and send everyone home with the leftovers!<br />
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While I'm planning for the inevitable cake-fest this month (which includes Jackson's, Natalie's and my birthday), I should also start preparing myself for the holiday season. Last year, when I was enormously pregnant with Natalie, I was eating all of the Christmas goodies I could get my hands on - cookies, candy, chocolate. This year, I'm avoiding. Well, not completely avoiding, but just tasting instead. Ugh, it's hard. But I can do it. After all, I did manage to lose over Thanksgiving. But, that was only one day. Christmas eating has seemed to engulf the entire month.<br />
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I can do it. I can do it. I will stay strong. I will not eat my weight in cookies.<br />
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Stay tuned to see how cake-fest (part 1) turns out!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-44025287087769289532011-12-11T05:58:00.000-08:002011-12-11T05:58:19.094-08:00Happy Birthday to Me!Ok, not quite yet, but my birthday is coming up in two weeks. I told my husband that, for my birthday, I wanted a night out (sans kids) for dinner and a movie. Since my parents are in town this weekend, and offered to watch the kiddos, we had my birthday celebration last night.<br />
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When Joe asked me where I wanted to go for dinner, I said I wanted sushi. I haven't had it since before Natalie was born (and even then, I only had the cooked stuff since I was pregnant). So, we went to Leesburg to a place my brother recommended - Noku. It was great! Since it was my "birthday" and since I had run in the AM and saved all of my extra weekly points, I just ordered what I wanted. Miso soup, salad and a spicy roll combo. Yummm!!<br />
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Then, since we didn't like the movie selection, we headed to the casino to check out the horse races and play some slots (read: deposit money into a machine and leave empty handed). That was fun, and, since I was so stuffed from dinner, all I had was a Coke Zero. No need to use any more points. <br />
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So, this morning, I tallied up the damage on my WW e-tools... not too bad! I would have eaten MANY more points if we'd have gone to a different place. Luckily, sushi is not too unhealthy (unless you get anything "tempura" aka fried!). I'm pretty proud of myself, and hope to see another loss tomorrow morning.<br />
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Stay tuned!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-15047661380643412682011-12-08T07:00:00.000-08:002011-12-08T07:00:13.673-08:00Run Run Rudolph...I started running this past summer, and really got into it. I did the Couch to 5K program (which I would HIGHLY recommend!) and completed my first 5K on Oct. 1. I did my second 5K on October 28, in a freak snowstorm! I loved the races, and can't wait to do my next one. <br />
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However, I am finding it hard to keep running over the winter. During the summer and early fall, I'd get up and run at 6am, before the kids woke up and before it got hot. It was so great to go out and run with the sun coming up. Now, since the sun has practically disappeared in the morning and evening, I haven't found a good time to run. And I hate the dreadmill (read a couple of weeks back about that).<br />
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So, the last time I was able to run was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Ugh. I miss it.<br />
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Now, I'm hearing about an impromptu Reindeer Run 5K this Saturday morning in Frederick. It's not timed, but just for fun. I think I might have to run it, just for a chance to get out there again. Plus, it'll be fun to dress up in festive garb and don my favorite reindeer antlers to run :)Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-35443709309431414302011-12-06T20:12:00.000-08:002011-12-06T20:12:30.411-08:00Starving!!I'm sitting here, kids in bed and wanting to snack. Must. Resist. Temptation. Now, I didn't go over my points today, which is amazing and pretty surprising, but I didn't eat a whole lot either (which is why I'm starving). Let me explain...<br />
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It all basically revolves around Christmas cookies. Now, I LOOOVE Christmas cookies, so I have a hard time saying no. Today, I was in a situation where I had lots of yummy cookies in front of me, so what did I do? Did I say "screw it" and eat whatever I wanted? Nope (although that crossed my mind!) I did, however, taste a few cookies. We're talking bites, not whole cookies. Luckily, I have two kiddos who were happy to finish Mommy's cookies for her :)<br />
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When I went to calculate my WW points, I guessed how many points my bites added up to. That, combined with my slice of pizza for lunch, didn't leave me with a lot of points for the rest of the day. But, I did it. I resisted temptation. And my stomach is growling.<br />
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Time for a big glass of water and bed!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-9245544694916469172011-12-05T11:22:00.000-08:002011-12-05T11:22:36.280-08:00All About Food (and my weekly weigh-in, of course!)Today: 168.3<br />
Last Monday: 169.5<br />
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Yay! 1.2 more pounds gone. Lots to go still, but I'm inching closer and closer to my goal of 145lbs - slow and steady. This past week, I did well tracking my points and measuring my portions, even though I ate out quite a few times. I had Chick Fil A twice, Panera Bread and even Papa John's pizza. <br />
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So, today I wanted to blog about favorite go-to foods. Even though I track everything I eat in my WW online program, I still like to make lists every now and then so that I can see what's working and what's not. Here's what I've been eating and snacking on lately:<br />
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- Brown ricecakes and peanut butter (very filling, and really good!)<br />
- Banana-blueberry smoothies with milk, splenda and vanilla extract<br />
- Flatout brand wraps<br />
- Buffalo chicken deli meat<br />
- Nathan's NY style kosher pickle halves (SOOO good!)<br />
- Orbitz bubble mint sugar-free gum<br />
- Baked Lays (BBQ)<br />
- Walmart brand sugar-free drink mix (cherry and grape are my favorites - tastes just like koolaid)<br />
- Diet Dr. Pepper (I'm a borderline addict)<br />
- Yoplait 100 calorie yogurts - I love lemon meringue pie and french vanilla<br />
- Polly O string cheese<br />
- Tacos on soft corn tortillas - delicious and surprisingly low in points<br />
- Chicken kabobs with rice<br />
- Smart pop mini-bags of microwaved popcorn<br />
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I also love getting ideas for healthy snacks and food swaps from <a href="http://www.hungrygirl.com/">http://www.hungrygirl.com/</a>. This website is great, and posts WW points right on the recipes. So easy! <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/">http://www.skinnytaste.com/</a> is another website that I'm always browsing. The blogger has some great recipes, and also lists the WW points. <br />
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Anyone have other great ideas for healthy snacks, dinners or swaps? I'll post mine here and there, but I'd love to hear other ideas!!<br />
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-Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-20563563957718525142011-11-30T19:06:00.000-08:002011-11-30T19:07:41.537-08:00Must. Get. More. Exercise.Foodwise, I'm doing really well so far. I've rediscovered lots of WW-friendly foods that I used to eat all the time (I'll mention those goodies later!) and am staying within my points allowed. I have noticed that, for the past couple of days, I've been picking at the kids' plates a little again, so I need to make sure I am aware of that temptation and staying away from their food. I've also noticed that I've been getting to the end of the day with extra points, so I need to make sure that I'm snacking throughout the day instead of hoarding points.<br />
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Now, exercise is a whole other issue. I want to get out and move, but I just can't seem to get myself out there. The weather has been crappy, and the kids make it hard for me to work out during the day. Ugh, I know these are excuses, but I'm just not sure how to get in more exercise. I did take the kids to the mall today to walk, so that was good, but not nearly enough to break a sweat. I will definitely be running this weekend while Joe watches the kids, but running once a week isn't going to cut it. Any suggestions would be welcome :)<br />
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So, about those WW friendly foods, here's a list of some of my favorites. I like to make a list so that, when I'm in a rut, I can come back to this post and say "Mmm, that sounds good - I forgot about that!" Oh, and feel free to share your favorite healthy foods!<br />
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- Laughing cow cheese wedges (on Wasa crackers, tortillas, sandwiches...)<br />
- String cheese<br />
- Grapes<br />
- Baby carrots<br />
- Smoothies<br />
- Banana with 1 Tbsp melted Nutella (YUMMM)<br />
- Tortilla pizzas<br />
- Baby dill pickles<br />
- Apple slices<br />
- Grapefruit with splenda<br />
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The list will go on...Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-20537737378730646502011-11-29T05:16:00.000-08:002011-11-29T05:28:47.391-08:00Not Too Bad at All!Yesterday was my second weigh-in: 169.5 <br />
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I am down 0.3 lbs from last Monday and I'm pretty happy with that. No, it wasn't a big loss, but it was a very tough week! Temptation stared me down literally every day I was at home in PA - from Thanksgiving meals to Vincent's Pizza (legendary at the Brewers!) to leftovers and desserts, I had my work cut out for me!<br />
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I'll admit - when I first saw the number on the scale, I was a little disappointed. After losing almost 2 1/2 lbs last week, I was hoping to see a bigger loss. Then, I came back to reality and realized that losing ANYTHING over the holiday week was a success.<br />
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This made me curious about weight gain and the holidays, so I just Googled the average weight gain during the holiday season. I was thinking it was probably 2 or 3 lbs. But nope: the average American (according to <a href="http://www.healthguidance.org/">http://www.healthguidance.org/</a>) gains 7 to 12 pounds over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season. WOW... that number surprised me!! I know that the next few weeks will be tough, with Christmas cookies and candies and treats at every corner, but I'll just have to be strong and avoid the temptations! Of course I'll indulge every once in a while, but I'll make sure to be smart and use my WW points wisely to fit in some treats.<br />
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So, here's to staying strong and sticking with WW during the holiday season!! I know I can do it, and will be so happy when I do. Instead of going into New Years with another new resolution to lose weight (like every year!), I'll go into New Years lighter and fitter than I was before Thanksgiving. <br />
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Take that, Mr. Healthguidance.org statistic!!!!!!!!!!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-13048465527987084832011-11-24T19:00:00.000-08:002011-11-24T19:02:36.547-08:00Operation Thanksgiving: Success!Happy Thanksgiving!!!! I had a great day with family, and felt so blessed to spend the day with them. I could go on and on about how thankful I am for the MANY blessings in my life, but this blog is about weight loss. So, let's get to it... <br />
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Joe's and my parents live pretty close together, so we did the double turkey dinner today. So, not only was I battling with my inner eat-a-holic self, but I had to do it TWICE. Oy!<br />
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So, a few days ago, I told myself that I wanted to:<br />
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1. Taste everything in small portions<br />
2. Save all my WW extra weekly points for Thanksgiving dinner<br />
3. Go for a run on Thanksgiving morning<br />
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Here's how that went...<br />
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When it came to the dinners, I was able to taste everything - just like I'd planned. I had a little of everything, which was plenty to fill me up and left me feeling like I didn't miss out on anything. It felt great to walk away from the table comfortable instead of overfull and lethargic, like most other years. I also stayed busy in between meals, so I skipped out on the snacking and tasting in between.<br />
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As far as WW weekly points go, I have stayed within my daily points all week, so I had all of my extra points to play around with today. Since there was no good way for me to calculate points for the dinners, I just relied on portion control to make sure I was doing well.<br />
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Then, because we had to go to two different houses, I decided to do my run yesterday morning instead of this morning. That actually worked out great, and Joe and I ran about four miles (well, we ran most of the route, but walked up the enormous hill!). Today, we rested, and tomorrow we'll go run again. <br />
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Overall, I think everything went according to plan and I'm pretty proud of myself, which feels great! For the rest of the weekend, I'll skip the leftovers and head straight for the fruit and veggies!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-20118412622663774812011-11-23T08:35:00.000-08:002011-11-23T08:35:19.068-08:00Here We Go...It's the start of the long Thanksgiving weekend, and I'm feeling pretty good about my game plan so far. Just because I'm not at home doesn't mean I can't stay on track and eat healthy. So, this morning, I pulled out my mom's measuring cups and measured out my breakfast, like I always do at home. Then, I came online and tracked my breakfast on my WW online tools like I always do. And, I came online and blogged. So... so far, so good.<br />
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Now, if any of you know my mom, you know that she's a great cook. She is also an amazing baker. So, I need to be careful that I don't overindulge in all the goodies she makes. Luckily, she also reads my blog and cheers me on, so her fridge is stocked with fresh fruit and healthy snacks. Thanks, Mom! I'll make sure I'm munching on fresh berries and pineapple when those cookies and pies come my way!<br />
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Ok, gotta go play with the kiddo... he's been chanting "Mommy go play!" for the past couple of minutes, so I'm off. I'll check in later to let you know how I'm doing!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863227501904763624.post-74493683673690884112011-11-21T05:26:00.000-08:002011-11-21T05:26:03.278-08:00Goodbye 170's! Don't Come Back.I weighed myself this morning: 169.8! <br />
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Last Monday, I was 172.2 and bummed out. I was frustrated and ready to change. Now, I'm excited and proud and 2.4 pounds lighter!<br />
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Here's what I noticed over the last week:<br />
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- I'm hungry more often, which means that instead of fueling cravings or boredom, I'm actually fueling my body.<br />
- I'm drinking more water and less soda, and actually liking it.<br />
- I'm very conscious of everything that I eat and drink<br />
- I'm making good decisions<br />
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All in all, I'm happy with how the week went, and with the weight change. I was able to go out to eat, go away for the weekend, and snack while losing weight. Now, I just need to keep up this positive momentum going into this week, which will be a HARD one. <br />
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Yep, I'm talking about Thanksgiving. Ugh. I'm not looking forward to all of the temptations I'll encounter this week, but I need to remember how good I felt looking at that lower number this morning. I need to think about how I'll feel next Monday morning. Will I be proud, or disappointed? Is eating that big slice of pie or that second helping of turkey worth the disappointment? I don't think so. <br />
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So, here's my strategy:<br />
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- Try a little of everything, but just taste... don't shovel :) And, drink lots of water. And chew gum directly after dinner to avoid snacking!<br />
- Save all of my extra weekly WW points for Thanksgiving day. That way, if I want that slice of pie, I can have one. But, just one. And, if I don't finish my extra points that day, I can use them for the rest of the weekend if I want to.<br />
- Go for a run Thanksgiving morning. Joe already said he'd come with me!<br />
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If anyone else has any strategies to add, I'd love to hear them. Let me know!! Now, it's time to make some breakfast. Good thing, too, because I'm hungry!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00762532175903943588noreply@blogger.com0