WLB Post - Week 8 - Post 3 (Thank You!)

Originally posted on my Win, Lose, or Blog blog when I was a Win, Lose, or Blog season seven contestant.

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I know getting over the initial hurdle of getting started is sometimes the most difficult part but it is completely worth it when you achieve what you imagined. I am a different person now than I was seven weeks ago and writing in depth about my journey contributed greatly to that achievement. I hope that one (or more) of our journeys has inspired you to start on your own better health journey.

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Thanks to everyone who stopped by and read the posts and commented. Thank you to the WLB team members who have developed a fantastic resource for individuals interested in bettering their health. Also thank you to all of the sponsors! Your contributions are the icing on the cake. While the weight loss alone is a great self reward it is nice to receive other rewards as well.

Source: tumblr.com via Aoife on Pinterest

A special thank you go to my fellow contestants. You ladies are AWESOME! We lost 78.4 lbs!! That is fantastic. Thank you for the inspiration and motivation; I could not have been in better company. Good luck everyone as you continue on your journeys!

WLB Post - Week 8 - Post 1 (Seven Weeks = Done)

Originally posted on my Win, Lose, or Blog blog when I was a Win, Lose, or Blog season seven contestant.

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Source: five-words.com.au via Five Words on Pinterest

It is the end of our seven weeks but it is not the end of our journey. We have all accomplished so much. We all have such a great start, I can't wait to see what is to come for all of us!

WLB Post - Week 7 - Post 2 (Where I Am)

Originally posted on my Win, Lose, or Blog blog when I was a Win, Lose, or Blog season seven contestant.

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Source: loseweight-safe.com via Myra on Pinterest

For me, at this point in my life, this could not be any truer.
I hurt the day after a session with my trainer.
I am dedicated to becoming toned and physically stronger.
I have the willpower to return on Thursday after a grueling training session on Tuesday.
I make the healthy decision to meet with the trainer.
I make the sacrifice of eating lunch at my desk and not leaving early so I can workout during my lunch hour.
I push [my] body to its max.
I fight the temptation to skip workouts.
I am working towards my goal of becoming toned and physically stronger and it is going to be COMPLETELY worth it!

WLB Post - Week 7 - Post 1 (Week Six Weigh In Results)

Originally posted on my Win, Lose, or Blog blog when I was a Win, Lose, or Blog season seven contestant.

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I moved up to 2nd place! That was a fantastic thing to see. I didn't work out as much as I wanted last week but I kept my eating in check and tracked diligently. I can see the difference in my scale and my pants. I think the walk/hike I went on while following my husband around as he scouted for turkeys helped as did the session with the trainer last Tuesday. Yes, I truly enjoy the walking/hiking excursions with my husband whether he is hunting or scouting. I like how the fresh air, changing landscapes and scenery, interesting finds (a moose skeleton, animal tracks, etc.), and time with him help make it not feel like exercise.

Source: loseweight-safe.com via Myra on Pinterest

WLB Post - Week 6 - Post 3 (Let's Talk About)

Originally posted on my Win, Lose, or Blog blog when I was a Win, Lose, or Blog season seven contestant.

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The subject of weight is such a touchy one. It seems as though it is one of the hardest attributes to accept about yourself. The non-acceptance can then lead to depression or other not healthy feelings which can lead to eating which then exacerbates the problem. It is a horribly vicious cycle. There aren't many/any other attributes about yourself that have such a cycle. So you have a big nose. It isn't like your negative feelings about it can make it any bigger. Or maybe you hate your small lips. Again. . . like your negative feelings about them can make them any smaller.

Source: healthy-is-the-way-to-go.tumblr.com via Ami on Pinterest

It is sad that more individuals can't be more accepting of their flaws (weight, nose, lips, etc.). I fall in with the group that is not accepting. For example, I love that I am losing weight. . . I hate that my boobs are shrinking. (Shrinking back fat would be so much better.) But oh well I am getting healthier and that is what is important.

Source: andoverit.blogspot.com via Chrissy on Pinterest

Another thing about weight is how difficult it is to talk about. It can either be a personal issue with talking about it or an issue that another individual may have. I have been on both ends of such conversations. Two things I believe can help those conversations are 1 - if a friend says, "I am fat." Don't brush it off by saying, "No you aren't." That is a legitimate feeling they are having and if they mentioned it then it deserves to be discussed. 2 - Even if you feel your friend doesn't have an ounce to lose you need to acknowledge what they are feeling (just because they look skinny doesn't mean they are at their healthy weight).
I feel that having someone to talk with about my weight and my health has been one of the factors that has helped me the most. One of the biggest hurdles for me has been starting to discuss it more with my spouse. He sees me every day and he knows when my weight fluctuates but it was SO difficult for me to even mention my weight. It is still not my favorite subject but we can talk about my successes and my non successes and I don't feel like crawling in a hole. (Thank you again PE!)

Source: lolsotrue.com via Lilian on Pinterest

WLB Post - Week 6 - Post 2 (Week Five Weigh In Results)

Originally posted on my Win, Lose, or Blog blog when I was a Win, Lose, or Blog season seven contestant.

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I moved up a place this week! Woo to the Woo! It is a great feeling. I struggle a little though. Yes, I would love to win but at the same time, I want all of us to win. I know that when you join a contest you are fully aware that there will be winners and those who don't win, but even with that understanding it could be hard to be proud of your accomplishments if you don't win. I truly hope every one of the contestants is proud of being a contestant and of what they accomplish no matter how big or small. Great job so far ladies!

Source: believe-toachieve.tumblr.com via Li on Pinterest

WLB Post - Week 6 - Post 1 (To a Better Week)

Originally posted on my Win, Lose, or Blog blog when I was a Win, Lose, or Blog season seven contestant.

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I mentioned in my last post that I was going to write more about the Once a Month Mom diet menu that K2T2 and I tested but with a little more thought I decided this really isn't the place for that. Other than I want to say it was a great opportunity to try a lot of new diet recipes and to have some new items to add to our menu.

Moving on. . . this last week was okay. Not horrible but not anywhere near great either. On Tuesday during my training session I wanted to quit after five minutes. I just didn't feel well. I wasn't able to breath and I felt a little light headed off and on. I finished though. My trainer modified a few of the circuits but other than that I did what she had planned. After that I experienced some chills mixed in with my after-workout sweating which was a little strange. Thankfully, The training session on Thursday went so much better. I made it through without problem. I felt great after too especially since working out my sore muscles helped them feel a bit better.

Source: Uploaded by user via UZANI on Pinterest

This week I need to make sure I get to the gym on M/W/F too. Last week it didn't go quite as planned and I need to make sure I am getting my cardio workouts on those days. I can't wait for the weather to warm up and for the ground to not be a horrible muddy mess because then I will be able to go walking/hiking. I am sure there are die hards out there that would think some of the weather we have had would be perfect for that but slipping and sliding in the mud is just not my thing. At the end of last year I was getting out pretty regularly with my husband and it was great.

Here is to a new week and to kicking some serious butt.

Source: loseweight-safe.com via JenifferGiannini on Pinterest

WLB Post - Week 5 - Post 3 (Delicious Food Resources)

Originally posted on my Win, Lose, or Blog blog when I was a Win, Lose, or Blog season seven contestant.

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This is a deviation from what I have been posting but I figure everyone eats and most people cook. For the most part I enjoy cooking. Lately I have liked trying new recipes as part of being healthier. As I learn more about ways to cut fat or add protein I have found it easier to modify old recipes too. One recipe I have modified was our favorite barbecue recipe. In place of the ground beef I used ground turkey and lentils. Everyone enjoyed it and I will make it again. I wanted to share some of my favorite places to find recipes. While some of them are specific to low fat/Weight Watchers recipes others have recipes for anything and everything including low fat/Weight Watchers recipes. I hope you find one of the sites helpful.

For my day-to-day meal planning I LOVE LOVE LOVE skinnytaste. For each of the recipes Gina lists the nutrition information including Weight Watchers Points. I find that extremely helpful but what I LOVE about the recipes is that they are all delicous and you don't feel like you are giving up on taste just to shrink your waist (hee hee. . . I rhymed). Skinnytaste is the first place I look when I need recipes. Three recipes I highly recommend:

1. Easiest Pasta and Broccoli
2. Red Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp
3. Skinny Buffalo Chicken Dip (Excellent with celery.)

I am a lover of all things Pioneer Woman. I fell in love with her quirky sense of humor and recipes many years ago. So when she started Tasty Kitchen I was all over it. Many recipe bloggers I enjoy post their recipes on Tasty Kitchen. In addition to recipes from those familiar names there are recipes from other Tasty Kitchen members. My favorite recipes I have found to date are:

1. Fresh Peach Bread
2. Tomatillo Salsa Verde
3. Carrot Squash Soup

When I need recipes for the monthly freezer meal swap I am a part of I enjoy the recipes at Once a Month Mom. The site is devoted to once a month cooking. There are "diet" recipes on the site that include nutrition information (including Points Plus) which is helpful. I don't restrict myself to the diet recipes I usually make what sounds good (and easy) when I am looking through the recipes. A side note - I had a moment of craziness a couple months ago and signed up to be a test cook for the traditional or diet menu and I had the crazy pleasure of testing the diet menu earlier this week. I will have to tell you more about it another day. Three of are favorite recipes are:

1. Cheddar Butter Burgers
2. Buttermilk Herb Chicken Breasts
3. Lentil and Wild Rice Soup

When I am trying to stick with Weight Watcher themed recipes during my menu planning another great site is LaaLoosh. (In addition to the recipes there are some Weight Watchers resources.) Our favorite LaaLoosh recipe is Healthy Szechuan Chicken

A few other recipe sites I frequent are:
my recipes
Food.com
allrecipes.com
I feel each site offers a little something different.

WLB - Week 5 - Post 2 (Fitness Assessment)

Originally posted on my Win, Lose, or Blog blog when I was a Win, Lose, or Blog season seven contestant.

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A couple weeks ago I mentioned I had a fitness assessment. My employer provides the fitness assessments free of charge to employees and at a very low cost to the community. I had my first fitness assessment last October. I was about 6 weeks into living healthier and wanted a starting (although delayed) point so I could see my progress by more than what my scale and my clothing told me. While the drop in the numbers on the scale and in my clothing size are fantastic, they don't really tell me about my health. If I am living healthier I should have some proof.

Source: yes-butno.tumblr.com via jnet on Pinterest

At the fitness assessment they start by taking a resting hear rate and resting blood pressure. Then grip strength is tested. Then the ever so fun weight, waist circumference, BMI, and percent body fat. Once those are taken care of cardiovascular fitness is measured by putting on a heart rate monitor and walking on the treadmill (4 minutes a 0% grade and 4 minutes at 5% grade)--the individual preforming the fitness assessment adjusts the speed on the treadmill to keep your heart rate at a predetermined rate. After the treadmill comes flexibility (sit-and-reach), abdominal fitness (crunches), and pushups. For flexibility the best of three is taken, abdominal fitness is the number of crunches completed in 60 seconds, and pushups is the number completed without resting.

Source: annagoesfit.blogspot.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

In a little over four months I lost 22 lbs. which resulted in improvement of my BMI, waist circumference, and percent body fat. I also had improvement in my cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, and abdominal fitness. My resting HR and BP were both higher than last time and I am not quite sure why. I am going to go have them taken another day to see if they are still higher. If so, I might want to look into that. I also didn't do as many push-ups but I was still in the "good" classification. It is my hope that the strength training I do on Tuesdays and Thursdays will help this.

Source: health-girl.tumblr.com via Deanna on Pinterest

All in all, I can't complain about the results and I am interested in seeing future results from my continued healthier living.

WLB - Week 5 - Post 1 (Week Four Weigh In Results)

Originally posted on my Win, Lose, or Blog blog when I was a Win, Lose, or Blog season seven contestant.

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Soooo. . . . I again was less than 200 but greater than 199. So yeah that means I lost less than 1 lb last week. Heck. . . I am thankful I didn't gain weight. It was sort of of a bad week as far as my eating went. I hope to do better this week.

Source: eat-clean-train-mean.tumblr.com via Megan on Pinterest

WLB - Week 4 - Post 2 (Food)

Originally posted on my Win, Lose, or Blog blog when I was a Win, Lose, or Blog season seven contestant.

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From my post a couple days ago I don't want you to think I worry about food all of the time. I actually worry about it less now than I did previously. I am not to the "I don't live to eat, I eat to live" stage but I can't say I really want to get there. I enjoy food. I think it is perfectly fine to enjoy food. I am now better at enjoying food in moderation. Sometimes I don't do as well as I could/should but I don't let it keep me down.

Source: health-girl.tumblr.com via Deanna on Pinterest

The longer I am at this the easier it gets UNLESS I slack off. It is such a slippery slope to fall back into the old habits. It is so easy to make excuses "Well, it is my anniversary and I didn't eat bad on my birthday or Valentine's day sooo. . ." or "I towed the line the last time I ate here this time I can go out of the lines. . ." I am not saying that I can't/don't treat myself sometimes I just try to make sure I don't do it very often. I do the best I can and pick up and carry on if I falter.

Source: letsmakeahealthiertomorrow.tumblr.com via Brandy on Pinterest

I realize I am lucky with regard to my food options. I don't have any food allergies and I like most fruits and vegetables (most food items in general). I know there are people who struggle with eating certain food groups because they don't like them or they have an allergy to them and the extra modifications that are required can sometimes be the disconnect between wanting to eat better and actually doing it. If you want to change the way you eat but have those restrictions, ask your friends, search online, just do whatever you can to make little changes that can progress into bigger changes.

Source: thechive.com via Sarah on Pinterest

One thing I truly believe in is that if you don't like a food item, make sure you try it periodically to see if your tastes have changed. (Your taste buds literally change every 7 to 10 years.) A lot of times the preparation of the item can be the magical difference. For example, I know several people who disliked Brussels sprouts. Those same people described them as mushy. I then shared with them how we prepare Brussels sprouts at our house (steamed with a little kosher salt and sometimes tossed with Italian dressing and Parmesan cheese) and they are never mushy. (Another great way to cook them is to toss them with a little olive oil and roast them in the oven.) Those same people now like Brussels sprouts. I have surprised my husband with various items cooked different from what he was use to. He dislikes sweet non-dessert items such as glazed carrots or butternut squash with brown sugar. So I have added thyme and onion to the grilled carrots and curry to butternut squash and he enjoyed both of those. **The key is to not tell them what is in there until they comment about how delicious the food is. This works especially well with children.**

This quote sort of fits with the second paragraph but the quote above was more profound. But I think this quote is sadly true but still hilarious so I had to share it.

Source: pink-bones.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

WLB - Week 4 - Post 1 (Week Three Weigh In Results)

Originally posted on my Win, Lose, or Blog blog when I was a Win, Lose, or Blog season seven contestant.

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I moved up a place. Woo woo! I am pleased. I did get to under 200 but only to that 199.8. Grrr. Yes, success but not really. For some odd reason my weight from Sunday morning to Monday morning fluctuates by almost 3-4 lbs. (I weigh on Mondays for the group I am in other than that I don't step on the scale.) Yeah yeah I know there is water weight and blah blah blah. But until I am to like 198.8 I just don't feel right saying I am under 200.

Source: soon2befit.tumblr.com via Robyn on Pinterest

I am pushing hard this week to help me with that. I did 30 Day Shred Level 2 Monday morning and then 30 minutes of cardio during lunch. Yesterday I started working with a personal trainer for strength training. (For completing my fitness assessment last week I received four sessions with a personal trainer and once I use those up I can pay $10 per 1 hour session. Yes, my place of employment ROCKS wellness.) I have plans to keep that routine going (M W F - 30 Day Shred & Cardio then T R - strength training with personal trainer) from now on. Although I was up this morning and ready to do the 30 Day Shred and my DVD player wouldn't play the disk. Grrrr. I need to make a plan for that and have an alternative ready to go. I have workouts on Pinterest that I need to make sure I understand all of the exercises and that I have the items needed in one area.

Source: eat-clean-train-mean.tumblr.com via Molly on Pinterest

(LOVE this so much more than "Nothing Tastes as Good as Skinny Feels".)

WLB - Week 3 - Post 3 (Not a Diet)

Originally posted on my Win, Lose, or Blog blog when I was a Win, Lose, or Blog season seven contestant.

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I have been working on losing weight since September. I have had ups and downs as anyone will and should expect when trying to lose weight. I have found it important and helpful to not dwell on the downs.

Source: d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net via Katrina on Pinterest

I am pleased with my success. For the most part, it hasn't been too difficult. Had I put myself on a diet I would have wanted to shoot myself months ago. More accurately, had I put myself on a diet I would have FAILED miserably months ago. I am glad I opted for using Points. While I don't do all of the Weight Watchers "stuff" I think the food part has helped me change my life and not just my eating.

Source: sweatsparkles.tumblr.com via Lauren on Pinterest

While using Weight Watchers Points Plus as a guide for my eating I have been able to eat pretty much anything I want. I may not get to eat as much as I would like to at times but that is what has contributed to the positive change in the numbers on my scale. Once I started using Points I was able to better understand what the serving sizes were for items and realized I was eating two servings of this and three servings of that.

Source: fitisthenewblack.tumblr.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

My greatest success to date: I lost weight during the holidays. What do I think was the key? I prepped myself. During the entire month of November leading up to Thanksgiving I envisioned what would be on my plate at Thanksgiving dinner. I visualized what my plate would look like and what items I would have on my plate. I knew beforehand which items would most likely be higher in points. I knew that by filling my plate with salad first would limit the room for all the other items which in turn meant I took smaller portions of the higher point items. I had some of everything I wanted even dessert and I didn't go over my points for the week. I handled Christmas dinner in a similar fashion.

I know what works for me won't work for everyone but I know that thinking about what I am going to eat ahead of time really helps. Before I go to a restaurant I will check out the menu and find the options that sound the best and will still fit in with my points for the day. By checking out the menu I can also see all the items included in the meal so I can decide if I need to ask for a high point ingredient (extra butter, sour cream, mayonnaise, etc.) to be left off. I can also look to see if there are items I can substitute (salad instead of french fries or steamed vegetables instead of mashed potatoes).

I will continue this tomorrow. It is a long enough post as is.

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WLB - Week 3 - Post 2 (Week Two Weigh In Results)

Originally posted on my Win, Lose, or Blog blog when I was a Win, Lose, or Blog season seven contestant.

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Sorry for my absence. I was sick Monday and Tuesday then yesterday was my anniversary and I chose to spend the evening with my husband instead of writing blog posts.

First things first. . . I am in third place this week! I am pleased with that. I really need to push this week I want to get below 200. I don't care if it is even 199.8 on my Sunday weigh in. More would be better because then it would mean I was REALLY below 200 and not just a glass of water away.

Being sick on Monday and Tuesday wasn't very helpful because I didn't exercise but maybe the fact that I didn't hold onto my food will work in my favor. My appetite came back pretty good on Wednesday but I didn't over compensate for the emptiness so I think that is good.

I had a fitness assessment today (another free service provided by my employer) and I am excited to see how it compares to the one I had four months ago. I will talk more about that after I receive the results.

I will write more tomorrow. Have a good evening.

Source: healthyisalwaysbetter.tumblr.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

WLB - Week 3 - Post 1 (What Was I Thinking?)

Originally posted on my Win, Lose, or Blog blog when I was a Win, Lose, or Blog season seven contestant.

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Source: coloredmondays.tumblr.com via kleinkunst on Pinterest

I reached a point where that is sort of how I felt. The bigger I got the less I wanted to go out. I don't mean go out partying. I don't mean go out on a date with my husband. I don't mean go out shopping. I don't mean go out to my children's functions. I mean go out of my house. I hated going places and being the fattest one in the room. I didn't want to go to parties because I didn't want to be the fattest friend at the party. I didn't want to go to soccer games/swim meets/school meetings because I didn't want to be the fat mom. In general I don't like the mall but I especially hated it at my largest because I always felt like the fat chick in the skinny people stores. (That one isn't too far off base depending on the store. I mean you could be an average size woman and in some of those stores you would be hard pressed to find something that fit.) It was so bad at one point that I hated going in my front yard to do anything because I didn't want people driving by to see "the fat lady's" ass as I was weeding the flower beds. (I have a lot of cleaning out to do in my flower beds come spring.)

Source: google.com via kjenks on Pinterest

As I have been losing the weight I have started feeling less self-conscious but the thoughts are still there at times. Those negative thoughts are not conducive to achieving my goals. They are not good for my mental health or my physical health. I know that. In the past when I have had small weight loss victories it has been at times when I was comfortable with how I looked and what size I was.

Source: Uploaded by user via Amaya on Pinterest

I am so lucky to have such a great spouse that doesn't comment on my extra weight. I have been there before and it isn't helpful. Sure you may say "for better or worse" but some people (i.e. my ex-husband) don't always include "for fatter or thinner" in with that. I will say that the bigger I got the sorrier I felt for my husband. I didn't want to see me naked. . . so sad that he had to. THANKFULLY he never seemed to mind. His affection never changed and the way he looked at me never changed. He never made me feel as though I was less attractive to him. He has always been supportive of any of my efforts. He is happy with altering menus to help with my weight loss goals and he doesn't mind altering his hunting route so I can go walk along with him to get in some exercise while spending time together. [THANKS PE!!]

Source: soon2befit.tumblr.com via Taylor on Pinterest

From now on this is my mantra. I am going to work on building myself up and looking at the positive no matter my size.