Today's WI

I just got back from a business conference and I think I made great choices!

First, I made sure to book a local hotel with a fridge and microwave in the room. I was able to pack a SmartOnes (rigatoni w/ chicken and broccoli -- my favorite!) with part of a fruit tray I found on sale, and several bottles of water. This kept me and my roommate from doing a Denny's run at 11 p.m.

Next, the motel also provided "continental breakfast." They were setting up the freebies just as my roommate and I were leaving, so I grabbed a two-pack of banana nut muffins. When we got to the lecture, I checked the label and saw that there were too many calories to eat both (5 WW points for each)! Needless to say, to avoid tempting myself, I threw one muffin out before eating the other one.

For lunch I ate a bagel with half a pack of cream cheese and a 100 cal Chips Ahoy. When I got home I had some of the fruit tray in which I had packed in another container (enjoyed the rest today after WI) and a small 1 pt yogurt.

Finally, on my birthday (3/4) I was in The Avenue and bought a pair of shoes in my size (12W) without trying them on. I decided to bring them to this conference -- not only did my feet float in them, but when I sat down I was able to stick my index finger down the back of the shoe with my foot in it! It dawned on me that the weight loss has finally hit my feet -- I'm not a wide width anymore! (Heck, I may not even be a 12 anymore! And I've worn a 12 since I WAS 12!)

Two weeks ago I gained 0.2 (which I was prepared for), and last week I maintained (after a marathon week of exercise, and I never maintain!). I was thoroughly disgusted -- it poisoned my entire day.

Well, this week I stayed the course and went down 3 lbs. I received my 125-lb star today at WW and my leader gave me a 25-lb magnet to supplement the 100 magnet on my fridge.The receptionist even said I looked thin before I got on the scale.

I say this to anyone who might be struggling out there: don't quit, no matter what! If you have an off day, pull yourself together ASAP!

Birthday WI & Eighth Grade Weight

With TOM on the horizon, I was absolutely prepared for a gain today. But I lost 0.8! Yay!

I was especially surprised since I ate Popeyes for lunch yesterday in a moment of despair (11 points) and had a couple pieces of sesame chicken at the club I went to last night. (But then I went and danced some of it off, LOL.)

Today's WI puts me at my eighth grade weight -- more or less -- of 185 (I graduated in 1986). My next goal is to be overweight and not obese, and I need to lose 6 more pounds to do that -- hopefully it will happen by the end of March!

I am having a special lunch or dinner today and tomorrow I am taking a mental health day -- I am debating whether to see Zodiac, Black Snake Moan or Pan's Labyrinth.

The Tale of The Tape (February)

I had my latest measurements taken at Curves today ... here are my new stats (then is when I first joined in 2003).

BUST - Then: 64"; Now: 43.5"
WAIST - Then: 55.5"; Now: 40.5"
ABDOMEN - Then: 58.25"; Now: 42"
HIPS - Then: 51.25; Now: 42.75"
THIGHS - Then: 33.75"; Now: 23"
ARMS - Then: 18.5"; Now: 13"
BODY FAT - Then: 48.6%; Now: 33.4%
Total Inches Lost: 94.25
Total Pounds Lost: 122.25
Body Fat Pounds Lost: 87.95

Major Shopping NSV!

I went shopping today and bought regular sizes for the first time in almost 20 years! (I will be 34 next week.) Here is a recap of my day:

• Macy*s -- I found a pair of discounted Ralph Lauren slacks in a size 16 and they were too big! I tried on a skirt in a 14 -- it fit but I didn't love it, so I didn't buy it.
• Old Navy -- I looked at a pair of 16 slacks -- too big!
• The Gap -- I tried on two 14s and a 16. The 14 capris were tight, the 16 jeans were OK, and the 14 jeans were snug but I was able to button and zip them. Although I have a million pairs of jeans, I bought the last pair with two T-shirts -- hey, they're my first Gap jeans!
• Browsed through NY&Co, Victoria's Secret and Lane Bryant -- oops!
• Back to Macy's -- I found a top and tried on some Liz Claiborne slacks. I took 16s and 14s into the dressing room, but the 14s won hands down. I ended up just getting the shirt when I found out the pants were not on sale.
• Back to Old Navy -- I saw a few pairs of 14 slacks in the color I wanted, but I just didn't love them. Instead, I found a size 12 that I was able to put on but I would like to lose a little more before wearing in public. Grabbed a sports bra and checked out.
• Back to New York & Company -- I ended up buying two pairs of exercise pants in Large, a pair of black slacks in size 14, and a silver chain belt that I had seen on the web site but couldn't find the first time. I saw an outfit I loved but didn't feel comfortable spending over $100 on all three pieces.
• Steve & Barry -- just wanted T-shirts. Grabbed three 1Xs and was out of there! (My old 2Xs are big now.)

In all, I spent a little less than I thought I would. I concentrated mostly on bottoms, but that's okay -- eventually the top will catch up but in the meantime I don't mind the discrepancy. A lot of my bottoms now are size 18 and I seem to have skipped the 16s completely!

If doing what I'm doing right now is going to bring me these kinds of wonderful surprises everytime I shop, I don't ever intend to quit!

125 Pounds Down!

Today I lost 2.8 at WI, qualifying me for my diamond earrings. After some investigation, I decided to stick to my original plan and get half-carat studs and a cute shoe pendant as well.

Tale of The Tape (December)/WOW Moment

I had my latest measurements taken at Curves today ... here are my new stats:

BUST - Then: 64"; Now: 44.25"

WAIST - Then: 55.5"; Now: 40.75"

ABDOMEN - Then: 58.25"; Now: 45.5"

HIPS - Then: 51.25; Now: 43.75"

THIGHS - Then: 33.75"; Now: 23.5"

ARMS - Then: 18.5"; Now: 12.5"

I was able to get the "girls" in a size 16W blouse (non-stretch) at Catherine's today! I guess the changes are really real! (I remember when I had to buy everything big on top, so I wore very few dresses.)

I Am in Onederland!

At today's WI I needed to lose 1.4 lbs and I lost 3.2! I am less than 200 lbs for the first time since age 17!

I will never forget going to my pediatrician in the spring of my senior year for my college entrance medical exam, seeing him write 202 on my chart and then add, "Overweight but otherwise healthy." I will never forget going through college and the work world in a 200+ (and later 300+) body. I never intend to cross this bridge again!

As speechless and happy as I was at that meeting, I cannot help but be sad that so many people in my life (mom, grandmom, many relatives and friends) are no longer with me and were not able to see my progress.

My next goal is to no longer be obese (under 180).

Off to take a new photo!