ahhh backslide already

When I weighed in at WW last Thursday, I had gained 1.6 lbs (!) so technically I am over my goal weight- oops. But it's by less than 1/2 a pound. Not fun to gain like that, but I don't really find it that big of a deal at this point. It was my birthday week and I had fun with that and a GTG the night before. Since last week was my final week of WW and we don't have a scale at home, I guess I'll just have to rely on the fit of my new tight pants to keep me in check! I can't let myself outgrow a new wardrobe.. (which I had lots of fun picking out by the way- yay for new clothes!)

I am still doing well with making it to the gym considering the extreme constraints with my schedule- I've probably averaged about 3 x a week. I think I can see some differences in the tone of my arms but it is weird that I don't feel any stronger. Like today, I was just really sapped of energy or something, b/c I was having problems doing the same weight/rep amounts that I have done since the start. I also wish my legs were moving along a little faster. It is so annoying to be bony in some places but then have tons of fat and dimples in my thighs and belly.

Just like everyone else, this week is going to be about some major self discipline and willpower! I found this recipe for pumpkin pie and hope it will satisfy my sweet tooth so I won't go overboard!

1 Tbsp packed light brown sugar

2 Tbsp butter, melted

2 large egg white(s)

1 large egg(s)

1/2 cup(s) dark brown sugar

/4 tsp table salt

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, or less to taste

1 cup(s) canned pumpkin

1/2 cup(s) fat-free evaporated milk

1/4 cup(s) lite whipped topping

Instructions

• Position rack in middle of oven. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
  
  
• Place graham crackers and light brown sugar in a food processor; process into crumbs (or smash into crumbs in a sealed plastic food bag with a rolling pin). Spoon crumbs into a small bowl; add melted butter and combine with fingers into a coarse meal. Distribute crumbs evenly on bottom and up sides of an ungreased 9-inch pie plate. Chill for 30 minutes before baking. Bake until crust starts to turn golden, about 8 to 10 minutes; remove from oven and let cool.
  
  
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, using an electric mixer, whip egg whites until frothy; fold in egg, dark brown sugar, salt, pumpkin pie spice, canned pumpkin and evaporated milk. Beat pumpkin custard until smooth and pour into pie shell. Bake until a knife inserted in center comes out clean, about 45 to 55 minutes. Slice into 8 pieces, top each piece with 1/2 tablespoon of whipped topping and serve warm or at room temperature. Yields 1 slice per serving

It's a WW recipe so of course they gave it a points value- 3 pts per piece in case you cared, so that probably pans out to about 160 ish calories and 2 or 3 grams of fat. I'll let you know how it turns out!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Big News!

No update last week b/c I had no change- 0.0 lbs difference was the official Weight Watchers verdict. But now I am back with some big news..... down 3.4 lbs so I've lost 31.2 lbs total since the end of May and slightly surpassed my original goal!!!

And wouldn't you know it, I just canceled my monthly membership on Monday now that I am only 0.6 lbs away from what I set as my WW goal. I am paid up until the 25th, but I don't know if I want to stick with it after that for another 6 weeks (assuming I lose that last 0.6 lbs). I guess I'll leave that decision until it needs to be made.

How did I lose that much this week!? Maybe the increased strength training is catching up with me, but I know I was less than health conscious with my eating this week. For instance the brunch that we had at the Hibernian on Sunday (which I encourage everyone to try- sooo good....pumpkin pancakes....yum...)

This weekend I am looking forward to some more food treats but I am going to try and stick to moderation. For my birthday, instead of letting someone make/buy me a cake, we are just going to pick one cupcake for each of us- that way the portion size is controlled and I won't be tempted with leftovers! Also I am expecting to get a lot of walking in on Saturday as I FINALLY go on my new "skinny" wardrobe shopping spree- yippee!!!! If only I had an unlimited budget I would be in heaven, but I see a lot of price comparison and restraint in my future :-p

So that's it! I hope everyone has a great weekend and this freakin' weather clears up b.c it is seriously depressing (esp since it has made evident there is a leak somewhere in my car- sunroof is most likely culprit- that will probably cost our savings to fix) oops- this is supposed to be a happy thoughts post ...cupcakes ...clothes ...cupcakes ....clothes ....cupcakes...................

Halloween has been hard!

I haven't really been into Halloween festivities for the last several years, so I guess I kind of forgot how damaging Halloween can be. Now with a child that will be getting more and more excited about Halloween each year, it's going to be in my life for a while!

I did not weigh in last Friday, so I guess I won't know exactly how far back this little holiday will be setting me. Maybe a good thing? I have been able to make it to the gym 3 to 4 times each week, and even though I am not doing anything intense, something is better than nothing.

I don't know what to do to get myself geared by up to lose these last few pounds. I should be excited to be so close, but I'm having a hard time envisioning myself getting there right now and it is really frustrating! And then I am looking ahead to the next few weeks and month, and can't help but feel defeated already with my birthday, then thanksgiving and Christmas coming up- this negativity needs to stop- blah.

ugh..bummer

I'm up 0.2 pounds this week! Not the right direction. And even though I can't say that I am surprised (hello pizza, cake and cupcake on Wed!), that doesn't mean that I'm not disappointed.

In other news. I have been able to make it to the gym twice this week, and will go again today on my way home from work, so I am pleased with that. Additionally, I have done a quick ab routine every night plus walks when this nasty weather has allowed. So it's not all bad news. At least I did some good things exercise wise even if the scale didn't reflect that.

As far as continuing with weight watchers... I'm going to give it one more month. I honestly think I've gotten what I can out of it right now, and just need motivation to get me through, which apparently needs to come from somewhere else. Therefore, I've decided that since I am so close to my 30 lb goal that the new "deadline" is going to be right around my birthday (which is Nov 14th). This change comes mostly b/c I want new clothes!!! I know my mom is going to give me some $$ for my birthday and I am just sooo ready to spend it on a new wardrobe, that I don't want to be in a situation where I have that few extra pounds to lose before I get to go shopping!

weigh-in nerves!

Leaving in about 10 min for WW meeting and weigh-in. I feel like last week I was spoiled with such a good weight loss that I am going to be really down-heartened this week and it makes me nervous to go! Esp being soooo close to my goal!
Stay tuned...

Biting the bullet

I enrolled at Planet Fitness last week! It is only $10 a month, but not really what I am used to in a gym. I enjoy attending the group fitness classes, but this is just your basic gym with weights/machines and cardio equipment. But I have decided to stick with WW for a while longer, so I can't justify paying more to get more.

There is a section there called "30 min express" that has a selection of weight machines designed for a full body workout. They have a stop light that lets you know to switch between the machines and a cardio interval (they have a stair step) to finish a good workout in.... 30 minutes! It will probably get boring pretty quickly, but it's a good place to start and if I am able to get this done about 3 times a week, I hope to see some toning and definition in a few weeks!

Weight-loss is still going pretty well, even though I am still a tracking loser! I did gain 0.8 lbs a couple of weeks ago (too much celebration for Michaels birthday!) but overall I am down about 27.5 lbs. I'll have to check my weigh-in book later to make an official update.

Unfortunately I got stupid and instead of setting my WW goal at a loss of 30 lbs, I set it for 150 since it would have been sooo close. So instead of having about 3 lbs to lose I still have about 5..... Hopefully they will go by quickly :)

To quit or not to quit

Weight Watchers that is.

It's not as if I don't like the plan any more, I'll try my best to continue it no matter what my decision, I'm just getting tired of paying for it :-p The stupidest part is, that since I am kind of blah about the program right now, I haven't been following like I should, which is just wasting more money. I figure if I had actually been doing well the past three weeks, I could conceivably be about 3 pounds away from my goal weight and that much closer to achieving lifetime (ie free) membership.

I need to get SERIOUS about re-committing, at least for the next month, which I think I have already paid for anyway. After every meeting lately I say I'm going to start counting points tomorrow, so this time I'm going to have to beat myself over the head with it. TRACK TRACK TRACK COUNT COUNT COUNT!

Oh and I'm probably just getting my hopes up, but I may have even another reason to lose my 30 by the end of this year. Michael's mom thinks she might finally get a contract on the house they are selling, and if the offer is acceptable she is taking us all to the Bahamas for Christmas! I'll be pasty white, but hopefully I'll at least look better in a bathing suit :)