Struggles and Recovery

So as many of you have mentioned...repeatedly...at considerable length...I have been slacking in the blog department.  It isn't that I have fallen off the Weight Watchers wagon completely but I have to admit that maybe I slid off the back of the wagon and was hanging on by my fingertips for a little bit.  Also I have just not been interested in blogging lately.  It is weird because usually I cannot wait to blab on and on about my life.

In March I started exercising on a very regular basis and my weight loss took off like a shot.  I found myself not having time to blog because I was going to the gym and becoming so involved with that part of my life that the computer didn't interest me.  And April was a great month.  I was happy and couldn't wipe the smile from my face.

Then May arrived.  May was not my best month.  I gained back about 6 pounds as I went through some very tough things.  And I am disappointed to say that my eating and my choices reflected my struggles.  I was slowly starting to slip back into very bad habits.  I found myself thinking, "As long as I don't gain so much that I won't be under my 50 pound weight loss, I am okay."

And so I ate.  May started with a scary trip to the E.R. and then my husband left for 2 weeks shortly after that for some Air National Guard duties and I found myself making bad choices about my food because 1) I was being lazy and 2) There was no one there to see me eating poorly.

This was bad enough but then my child got sick while my husband was away and I felt very alone.  Staying up with a sick child also made me very sleepy during the day which I found also influenced my eating choices.  And if all that wasn't bad enough, the middle of May hit and I totaled not only my car, but also 2 other cars involved in the accident.  BRING ON THE FOOD!

And sadly, my Grandpa passed away at the end of the month leaving an emotional hole which I promptly filled with ham and rolls provided by the local church ladies.  The only bright spot was that my wonderful sister had her baby boy which, of course, I celebrated with the appropriate snacks and goodies.

Top all of this off with a couple different nights of parties where I got supremely drunk and ate who knows what and it is sort of amazing I didn't gain 16 pounds instead of just the 6.

But this is a new month.  I am recommitting to myself to take control of my life again.  I cannot let this slip burry me alive.  It is not a mountain but a molehill that I faced during the month of May.  And I am stronger than all of that.  I have now (almost) lost the 6 pounds that I gained in May and I working hard to getting the scales to tip back in the right direction.

Thank you all for all the support and love you have been sending my way.  I hope that I can get to being an inspiration to others.  And more importantly, I hope that I can continue on my journey to a healthier life.

P.S. Pictures to come soon!

Back to Business

March 27, 2013:  I have decided to revamp this blog a little. Rather than update it daily.  I am going to do it about once a week, after I have weighed-in.  Doing the tracking thing once is hard enough.  To do it daily here too...not gonna happen.

So here is the deal.  I will bring you up to speed.  I have lost a total of 37 lbs as of my weigh-in last week on March 21.  Wait...go back and read that again.  Yep!  37 lbs!  And it feels amazing.  It is life-changing.

I also won a trip to Disneyland which we hope to take in the middle of October.  This trip has come at the perfect time.  With my weight loss I will be able to keep up with my kids and not be so worn out. It has been really great for my motivation.

Thanks to everyone for sticking with me while I fell off the blogging bandwagon.  I am going to try and be better.  Pictures to come soon!  Promise!

Sunday 3-3-13

Sun. March 3, 2013:  Another great family dinner tonight.  My mom even made my Weight Watchers mashed potatoes.  I love that she is so thoughtful and makes the effort on my behalf.  My mom is such an inspiration.   I know you read these Mom, so thanks again.

Breakfast:
Multi Grain Cheerios w/ Skim Milk- 5 Points

Lunch:
Leftover Baja Chicken Tacos- 8 Points
Leftover Spanish Rice- 3 Points
Diet Coke- 0 Points

Afternoon Snack:
Weight Watchers Candies- 5 Points
Diet Cherry Pepsi- 0 Points

Dinner:
Pork and Beef Roast- 8 Points
Sour Cream and Garlic Mashed Potatoes w/ Gravy- 5 Points
Sauteed String Beans- 2 Points
2 Dinner Rolls- 5 Points
Green Salad w/ Wishbone Salad Spritzer Dressing- 0 Points

After Dinner Snack:
Weight Watcher Ice Cream- 3 Points
Dill Pickles- 0 Points

There is really not much else I can say tonight other than I love my family.  I love them so much.  And I could not be changing my life were it not for their support.

Saturday 3-2-13

Sat. March 3, 2013:  Wasn't feeling like cooking tonight so we ordered some food in.  I know...SLACKER!  But I did get to spend almost 2 hours outside in the sunshine with my son and it did wonders for my soul.  I love the sunshine and cannot wait to start earning some massive amounts of activity points from walking and being outside.

Breakfast:
Egg White Omlete w/ Ham & Cheese- 3 Points
Salsa and Fat Free Sour Cream- 0 Points
Whole Wheat Toast w/ Parkay- 2 Points

Lunch:
Tuna Salad in Wheat Pita- 6 Points
Simply Natural Cheetos Puffs- 4 Points
Diet Cherry Pepsi- 0 Points

Dinner:
Pho Hoa Pho Tai Soup- 10 Points
Diet Pepsi- 0 Points

After Dinner Snack:
Weight Watchers English Toffee Candy- 4 Points
Dill Pickle- 0 Points

Tonight we had a little bit of a family emergency and I jumped into action.  I didn't stress eat and so I am feeling the need to pat myself on the back a little.  I am glad that everyone is safe and will be just fine.  But it was a stressful situation for me in a lot of different ways and I didn't cope with food.  I hope I can keep up these good habits when things really get tough.

Friday 3-1-13

Friday Mar. 1, 2013:  Another new month and another day in my new life.  Today was little bit of a challenge because I went to lunch with Ryan and Gabe to a local diner and even their salads are packed with fats and carbs.  So today was an exercise in portion control.  Today proved that I can still eat richer foods-I just have to focus on how much I am eating.

Breakfast:

Egg Whites w/ Salsa- 1 Point

Whole Wheat Toast w/ Parkay- 2 Points

Skim Milk- 2 Points

Lunch:

BLT Sandwich on White- 9 Points

French Fries w/ Ketchup- 7 Points

Diet Pepsi- 0 Points

Dinner:

Baja Chicken Tacos- 8 Points

Low Fat Refried Black Beans- 2 Points

Spanish Rice- 3 Points

After Dinner Snack:

Frozen Fruit Bar- 1 Point

I didn't get a chance to take my son outside to play tonight because we were so busy which is a bummer.  But the weather is supposed to be really nice tomorrow so hopefully we will get out and enjoy some sunshine.  I am so excited for spring weather!

Thursday 2-28-13

Thursday Feb. 28, 2013:  I love my job and I love the ladies I work with.  Tonight I got a text from the girl who sits next me that she started Weight Watchers tonight.  I am so excited for her.  I am even more excited that I have a partner in crime at work to help me stay on track.  And I know that she is going rock it even more than I am!

Breakfast:
Light Vanilla Yogurt- 2 Points
Whole Wheat toast w/ Parkay- 2 Points
Apple- 0 Points

Lunch:
Leftover Cheesy Chili Mac- 7 Points
Sliced Bell Peppers- 0 Points
Diet Pepsi- 0 Points
(I also had a bite of grilled steak and 2 tortilla strips...oops!- 1 Point)

Afternoon Snack:
Fun Size Red Vines- 1 Point
No Sugar Added Pears- 0 Points

Dinner:
Jimmy Johns Turkey Sandwich w/ No Cheese or Mayo- 8 Points
Jimmy Johns Thinny Chips- 7 Points
Dill Pickle- 0 Points
Diet Coke- 0 Points

After Dinner Snack:
Simply Natural Cheetos Puffs- 4 Points
Weight Watchers Ice Cream- 2 Points

I am also happy to report that I am down another 3.4 lbs after tonight's weigh-in.  I am not sure if ya'll are keeping track but...that is a total of 25 lbs.  Yes, you read that right.  25 lbs!  It feels so good both inside and out.  I also got a cool little key ring charm that I proudly am displaying on my keys.  Thanks to everyone for all you support and kind words.  They really do help me keep going.

Wednesday 2-27-13

Wed. Feb 27, 2013:  Dinner with some wonderful people tonight!  I didn't get to pick the place where we went to dinner so I had to be on my A-Game when it comes to what I order.  But once again, Weight Watchers prepares you for this by suggesting that you go over the menu before hand and plan ahead.  But I would have risked using 2 weeks worth of points for a chance to see my wonderful friends again.

Breakfast:
Light Vanilla Yogurt- 2 Points
Whole Wheat Toast w/ Parkay- 2 Points
Apple- 0 Points

Lunch:
Leftover Chili Mac- 7 Points
Green Salad w/ Sesame Ginger Dressing- 0 Points
Leftover Tropical Fruit Salad- 0 Points
Diet Pepsi- 0 Points

Afternoon Snack:
Tiny Pretzel Twists- 1 Point

Dinner:
Red Rock Brewery Vegetarian Sandwich- 16 Points
Side of Rice- 5 Points

After Dinner Snack:
Frozen Fruit Bar- 1 Point

After a great night, I am sleep so I am going to bed now.  You may think I am a loser but Weight Watchers also advocates getting plenty of rest so I am going to blame it on my new lifestyle.