A Smidjin at a time

I made it all week at work successfully avoiding all temptations (the CNO's candy basket, the leftover pizza from the meditech party, the cafeteria). I was little afraid for the weekend, the structure is not the same. When I went to work I would pack my little lunch bag and everything I needed was right there in the fridge. Weekend, with errands out of town, totally different story. So I planned and I did what I could. Usually if i had errands to run I would have grabbed something at the coffee shop while getting my latte. Today I had my breakfast at home before heading out to grab an Americano with a splash of half and half. And before i left the house I was sure to grab a couple of the meal bars to throw in the glove box and have ready. I knew I would be in Salem over lunch which meant needing to figure out a safe place to have a safe lean and green meal. My coach had said  that the Baja Ensalada at Baja Fresh with salsa as dressing is a safe choice, if you have them not put on...

As many know, I recently decided to take at least a break from Weight Watchers. I have been a stale mate for a while and my head and my heart could no longer take the lack of progress. Which lead to finally making the decision to try something I first thought about almost a year ago. At least I know it wasn't a spur of the moment decision. I decided to start Medifast. For those who don't know, Medifast is a very regimented program built on the 5 and 1 concept. 5 medifast prepackaged meals and 1 "lean and green" meal. A Lean and Green is pretty much what it sounds, lean protein and non-starchy vegetables. And it's actually a lot of food on the plate. I think I have seriously doubted my ability to finish every time I am done measuring out my food. There is an adjustment curve that is for sure, no fruit, no breads and not all the packaged meals are as good as the others. I love the Hot Chocolate, I know that is one I will keep drinking. Not a fan of the chocolate p...

Well, it's time to make some changes. I am very proud of the 32 pounds I have lost in the last 2 years. But to be honest, with you and myself, the first 24 were in the first 6 months. Meaning these last 19 months have been an up down, up down battle with the same 8 pounds. I have tweaked my weight watchers every which way in that time and I have finally decided to say "I'm Stuck". Which is why I have made the decision to back burner weight watchers for a while and try something else. I still love Weight Watchers and everything they have taught. I know that without the tools they taught me I would have regained those original 24 pounds in these last months. I still recommend them whole heartedly to anyone looking to lose weight. With that said however, at this point, my head and my heart aren't there. They can't handle the up one week down the next up the next down the next. I would like more than one week in a row where I have a loss on the scale. Which is why...

Slow and Steady wins the race...right? That's what "they" say. And by they I really really hope it means scientific research. Cause if it's just hearsay I am gonna scream. Because even though I hate hearing it said by others (it is not encouraging when you are hearing it for the 587th time in a couple of months), I cling to it as well because it is one of the things keeping me going. When it takes "normal" people only like 6 months to lose 30 pounds, it has taken me 2 years. I really hope what they say about the slower you lose it the more it stays off is true. Cause at my pace I should never have to worry about those 30 pounds again. Warrior Dash is coming up in September. I just requested that weekend off and I really hope I get it so that I can have a near goal to train for. I know it will help. As long as I don't get sick for the weeks leading up to it. 

You've all heard the song Yesterday by the Beatles. Well this is my ode to TOMORROW. Tomorrow is 2 years since I "officially" started my weight loss journey. For many June is an end. It's the end of the school year in whatever form it applies to you. But for me, June was the beginning. The beginning of taking my life and health and future seriously. And oh my goodness that changes I have made that aren't even conscious thoughts any more. Like the other day I'm driving home from Portland and realized that I had completely missed getting cake at my friends wedding the night before. And it was not because they didn't have enough, it was cause I was having way to much fun out on the dance floor. I without even realizing it choose calorie burn over calorie consumption! I am so excited to see what healthy choices I make for my future tomorrow.

Not that there, the other there. It has almost been 2 years since I walked the half marathon. It's almost been 2 years since I joined Weight Watchers. And  almost 2 years since I found out I have PCOS. And what an amazingly long, and short, and fabulous and frustrating 2 years it has been. I am not even sure Roller Coaster is the best way to describe it. I have learned so much about eating and working out and how to best treat the PCOS. And yet I have so much more to learn and grow. It can certainly be overwhelming if I let it be...even when I don't let/want it to be. I try to focus on what I have learned and who I have taught and how far I have come. I know that I am in a much better place than I was then. Every time I feel like Olivia is trying to kill me in spin class I just think of how much simply walking wore me out. And every time I go to the doctors and we have to add/change another med, I try to remember the lab values we have fixed and that it's better to catch al...

I actually made it back to the gym today! And not just to the gym, but to the always intense Cycling and Having a Ball class. It felt so good to be back. Boy do you get out of shape fast though.  Hoping that the only muscles not hurting tomorrow are the lungs. With that said, I have seriously been slacking off on the weight watchers...again. No wonder my weight loss has plateaued...again. But, I have done so much better today (minus the chex mix). And tomorrow will be a good day too. It really will, I just know it.