Tracking!

So this past week, I tracked again for the first time in a few weeks.
The results were easily reflected on the scale with a 3.6lbs loss! Pays to pay attention to detail.

With the holidays ahead, I'm pretty confident that I'll do fine. I have a renewed sense of drive to achieve and confidence that I can find the balance. Wish me luck.

For the love of food,
~The Food Lovin' Diva

Check this out

I haven't been updating because I've been working on my new website. Check out this link to see some before and in-progress photos. :)

http://squigzella.com

For the love of food,
~The Food Lovin Diva

5 Months...

Well I'm 5 months in this weekend. Down just under 30 pounds. I think that's pretty awesome. I'm only gonna blow my own horn for a second. I never thought I would make it this far, let alone be willing to continue the journey. I still have just under 60 pounds to go. I sort of wish I had measured instead of the scale, but now that I'm this far I can't really switch as much as I can do both.

To some 30 pounds doesn't seem like alot. Heck, not a single person I have seen to date has said a word or noticed... or maybe it's that fear that I didn't lose and they will sound foolish saying something... I don't know. Either way, that has been a bit disconcerting only because those who know me, love it or leave it, I like getting a good pat on the back for my hard work. However it's my closet that rewards me.

I still have my size 40 jeans folded on the top shelf to remind me what I never want to fit into again. Sitting here at my desk in my size 34 hip huggers from Bluenotes speaks for my hard work I guess. The last time I wore a size 34 jean I was in High School.... So for this victory I am proud of myself and the success.

Now, I need to channel those feelings into the next part of this lifelong journey. I know realistically I will not achieve my weight goal for Christmas. However I have moved that goal to my 30th Birthday. February 1st, I want to have lost 50lbs total. This commitment means 20 pounds in 3 months. This will entail a major commitment to physical activity. I want to spice it up over the winter. I'm secretly hoping Santa brings me an Elliptical Trainer. A girl can dream.

So with the past 5 months behind me, I know now what works, what doesn't. I know that sure I can eat take out once a week, but I have to balance it out. So with that, I go forward.

Bring on Fifty gone for Thirty!

For the love of Food,
~The Food Lovin' Diva

"For success, attitude is equally as important as ability"

So far so good....

Last week I cleaned up my act a bit and it was reflected on the scale. I am down 2 more pounds...YAY! This week has started off excellent. I usually have treat day on Saturday. It is the only day I use any flex points. This weekend I did not use a single one. It was odd. But more so because I just wasn't hungry for them.

Today I walked the nature park, which is 6.5 kms. I wouldn't mind doing that one more time this week and of course I plan on mixing the gym in there too. 1.4lbs to reach 30!! So close.

I guess I realized I didn't work this hard since June to give up now. Rough patches happen. Just gotta get through them. Pebble, not a mountain. ;-)

Thanks ML for the encouragement!

For the love of food,
~The Food Lovin' Diva

"For success, attitude is equally as important as ability"

The Struggle

I may have survived Florida, and the week after. However some stress in my life has me all topsy turvy. I gained a bit last week, and I know it was mainly because of stress. I didn't go over points as much as I filled them with crappy foods and didn't get to the gym nearly enough. Now this week it's Thursday. I've only been to the gym once this week. I've eaten within my points all week and for the first time I feel like I'm losing my grip on this weight loss.

I'm very much aware of what I need to do to lose. But due to some real life curve balls the drive just shot right out of me. I still think of when I'm at my ideal weight and not if. Just feels like this *pebble* is becoming a mountain.

I'm gonna be at the Meeting on Saturday.... I'm hoping it can get me out of this rut before it becomes a sinkhole.

I know I can do it, I just gotta find my ambition that seems to have deflated.

If anyone out there still reads, feel free to message me with some kick start ideas!

For the love of Food,
~The Food Lovin' Diva

"It's just a pebble, It's just a pebble, It's just a pebble" ~ me

Survived Florida!

We got home Saturday night.
The trip was fantastic, the weather was never below 90 degrees, which made for very hot days. We walked about 12 kms each day in that heat. We kept hydrated. We also ate some amazing food....

Was it worth it, hell yeah. Did I think I gained about 3 pounds on vacation, hell yeah. Did I?

Well I went to the gym today, and if the scales are remotely correct, I've lost a 1.5 pounds! LOL

However I think the walking and sweating buckets likely helped with that. Either way, the trip was fun, and I am glad to be home and in routine. Looking forward to our meeting on Saturday!

For the love of Deep Dish Pizza....

~The Food Lovin' Diva

~It's not how you eat for one day... it's how you eat for the rest of your life.~

Still sick but...

Still sick, however I managed to have a loss this week.
YAY! 1. something... I don't remember at the moment. However, I got my 10 percent key chain, my 16 week charm, and my 25 pound disc for my key chain! YAY!

Still fighting this cold. Hoping it's gone by Friday as Florida is only 6 sleeps away! Going to go to the WW meeting on Thursday at 6:30, sadly we will miss the Sat meeting the following week, as that's the day we get home from Fla!

Wish me much luck in my vacation eating!

~The Food Lovin' Diva

Sicky icky

So I have that cold that's going around. Which means no energy for the gym and because my throat is sore I can barely eat....

I let it bother me this morning, but I realize it's just a small hurdle and it might not hurt my week any. Gonna rest up. We head to Florida in 11 days, I don't want to have any sign of this cold left by the time we leave.

For the love of food I'm too sick to eat,
~The Food Lovin' Diva

Don't hate me cause I ate two cheezeburgerz....

Ok.
So perhaps I didn't eat right on plan this weekend for two reasons. We were out of town. I really have been doing so well, it was damn time I had a treat that was well worth it.

However, I wasn't stupid about it. Both Sat and Sunday was consumed with much walking. Like at least 5kms or more each day. So I got some exercise in. We went to Montana's on Sat eve, I had a Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich and Mashed Potatoes. They were good. Didn't feel horrible after. But boy, could my body tell I haven't been eating fatty foods.

Yesterday, I had a grilled burger with mushrooms and Mozza at the Argyle, but I had soup with it in stead of a potato or rice. It was nummers, I didn't eat again til the evening on the way home. It was there, I was most evil. I got a Bacon cheeseburger with fries and gravy at the Big Stop. I ditched the bread, ate the beef, cheese, bacon and onions, along with my fries (which I didn't finish)

How do I feel today? Not guilty at all... why? I walked my butt off while away, and I'll be hitting the gym all week. Either way, I wanted to know how eating like that would impact me anyhow, because we go to Florida in less than two weeks, and while there I will want to try different foods, and I need to know if I can eat them for a day, or two and exercise and still find a balance. So this weekend will tell the tale.

Wish me luck.
Back on track, back on plan. Hoping for the best.

For the Love of Food
~The Food Lovin' Diva

It feels good...

Weighed in this morning since I am gonna miss tomorrow's meeting.

I'm down 3.6lbs.... bom bom bom

Which means I hit my 10% and my 25! I'm at a total loss of 25.6!

I feel great!

Off to Hali!

~The Food Lovin' Diva

Slacker on posting not on Plan!

Been slack... I know I know... been working an obscene amount of hours at work, so I'm just so focused on work, gym, sleep. Don't spend near as much time on the puter as I used to.

However I am down 21.8 pounds in total! YAY! So I am 2.2 from my first goal, and 3.2 from 25!!!
Sooo exciting. Sadly I am going to miss my meeting this week as I am going to Halifax. Going to go weigh in on Friday morning before work.

The following Saturday I'll be there to celebrate week 16! Then, the following two Saturday's we will miss as we will be in Sunny Florida! Again, weighing in on Friday, then missing the next week altogether. But no fear, I plan on sticking to plan while away. Fortunately we have a Condo, and are ordering groceries to prepare meals while there. Bliss! Mind you, I am saving points for a Turkey Leg, A Frank (as the yanks call 'em) and promising myself one dessert while we are away. :-) But I also plan on taking full advantage of the fitness club at the resort... even if we walk between 5 and 10 miles per day according to my Unofficial Disney Guide.

In a few more weeks I am going to start wearing some slim clothes... and show you the difference. I've been kind of pulling an Oprah and intentionally wearing baggy clothes, so when I finally wear some fitted stuff... well it will be dramatic!

Me... ever the drama queen! ;-)

I'm gonna compile my Christmas Goals this week and post them.

That's all for now,

For the love of food,
~The Food Lovin' Diva

"That chocolate cake is gonna taste so much better when I'm a size 10. Pass the celery!"
~Me

Buzzing Busy!

I haven't forgotten you dear blog! With a wedding on the weekend, and working a bit of OT this week I haven't had a moment really til this morning to update. On sat I was down .4! I can look at my book and tell you, every 28 days this happens. Well at least now I'm prepared.

Eating this week has been very random. I used 6 bonus points on Sunday. Every other day was alright. Last night we had a Bday BBQ for Chris, and it was good. Surprisingly for how very full I was with Fish and Chicken goodness, I think I still had 2 points to spare! However the gang has prepared itself for a gain this week just because of how we ate at the wedding on Sunday, and the gym was closed til Tuesday. However since it opened I have gone every day... so we'll see.

I'm .6 away from 20.... so close I can taste it. I can only hope the gym helps with the bit of extra that was consumed over the weekend. :-)

See ya on Sat!
For the love of food,
~The Food Lovin Diva

~Live happy, laugh hard! ~ me.

Orange is not my colour!

Sunday night I got smoked in the head with an orange ball hockey ball. It was coming at me fast enough that I had to go to the Hospital.

Anyway, I just wanted to vent my frustration that it laid me up for two days. I'm all good now, but I can't imagine how some people feel who are in a fitness regimen and following WW, and are stuck being unable to go to the gym or take alot of time and effort into their meals.

Glad it was only for two days.

~For the love of Food
The Food Lovin' Diva

Mountains and Molehills

Well I made it into week 11. For reference I don't count the first day I joined as a week obviously. So week 11 started on Sat AM after weigh in.

I'm down 4lbs this week! It would appear that joining the gym and sticking completely to plan paid off for me. I felt pretty good after getting off the scale, but I didn't expect such a big loss this week. I am one pound away from my 20lbs star, and 5lbs from my first goal. It's starting to not feel so far away.

What really made my day though yesterday was going to Reitmans in search of a new shirt for a friends pre Wedding party last night. I got two new shirts. BOTH of which were NOT from the Encore section. What was better is when I tried on the first one in the changing room, I even shocked myself. I honestly can't remember the last fitted item I wore.... maybe 9 or 10 years ago...

Needless to say, I got the two shirts and a hot new pair of shoes to boot. Getting smaller is gonna get pricey!

Remember... it's just a pebble... ;-)

~For the love of Food
The Food Lovin' Diva

And the Beat Goes On....

No fear I am still around. I notice that my posts are less and less, but I realized exactly why! I am spending LESS and LESS time at my computer.

However today is a rainy day and I am home so I have a moment. I did join the gym this week, and I am very curious to see how that impacted my week because I didn't find I ate more, but I found what I did eat was more satisfying if that makes any sense. I also found that I consumed a lot more water with ease, upwards of 8 or more glasses opposed to the 6.

The next few weeks will be a test. Pre wedding bash on Sat, Greg and Chris's wedding next Sunday and another friends wedding the following week. I have a few strategies....now to employ them.

I'll keep you posted on how I make out tomorrow morn.

For the love of food,
~The Food Lovin' Diva

~If you are going through hell, keep going!~ Winston Churchill

Keep the faith!

Let's see... how was my week last week...

I'm down .4lbs. Yep, there is a period in front of the # 4. Wasn't my best week, however a loss is a loss. It's even more ironic how I know I lost... I wore jeans for the first time to weigh in. Luckily, I weighed them before I went. Laugh if you will, however I had a feeling I wasn't a shining example of following plan completely last week, so I wanted to soften the blow. Finding out I was still down something sure made me feel better after getting on those scales.

Psst. Just for reference in case anyone out there didn't know 16oz is one pound.

So this week I have the fridge stocked with fresh stuff, and good lunch food. I made a chicken lasagna on Sat to supply me with high fiber lunches for at least three days. I'm ready to take on the week. However the most exciting part of my week is that I am joining the gym today!! I couldn't be more excited. I'll be going after work with friends to start. During winter I think I might stick to that routine, however when spring comes again, I may contemplate going in the morning before work so I don't miss any sunshine after work. We shall see when the time comes.

Either way, I'm cruising along, I'm happy with myself and my progress. I got a bit sidetracked last week, but I think I was just letting some personal stuff impact how I felt about myself and how I was eating. This week I have to realize eating well, exercise actually make me feel good, so even when some things aren't going well, I have those two outlets!

One other interesting thing. This weekend I purged my closet of clothes I a) haven't worn in more than a year b) were too big. It felt very liberating 3 garbage bags later.

Now off to enjoy my day off with some housework, brunch with out of town friends, and the gym.

Have a great week, for the love of food!

~The Food Lovin' Diva

~“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one” ~ CS Lewis

Closer to 20 than 10...

First off let me say I expected with certainty a gain this week. I ate every single flex point. The most I have used of those flex points before week 8, was 4!!!

So going in, I prepared myself for the worst. Then I got on the scale. Down 2.6! I was a bit shocked, then I realized perhaps in some of the other weeks where I had struggled to eat all my points I had in fact been under eating.

So with glee, I am sitting at 15.6 at the beginning of week 9. I couldn't be more pleased. However, this week I commit to more walking, and more veggies. About every second week I eat less fresh veggies and fruit, I realize it's because I get groceries every two weeks. This week I am going to start picking up my fresh stuff every week, and the rest on every second week. I want to see if this helps improve my fresh legumes intake!

Also I discovered Fiji water... I know I sound like a walking advert, but something about it... the 0 sodium, the lack of taste... something, but I can drink a 1L bottle in a few drinks. Somehow it made it much easier to get all my water in this week. So I'm gonna spend the $2.50 every morning and pick up a bottle. It's better than buying something at Tim's that I really don't need.
Thats all for now!

For the Love of food
~The Food Lovin' Diva

~We are not defined by the hand life deals us, but by how we play it. ~ Me

Sweet up and down.

It's crazy....

I'm up early and I really think I might actually be stressed out about Weigh in this week! But for no good reason. I stayed within my points. I got out and walked. But I just feel blech. Mostly in part because of two reasons.

1) That time of the month is approaching, and I always feel like a cow then.
2) Going from being able to move all the time, to being stuck at my desk for 8 hours a day is really making me feel less active.

What can I do to make this better?

- Remember that once a month this is going to happen, and if I have stuck to plan, I have to remember that it's just a #. I should remember that I had to buy smaller clothes, that I can see my bellybutton when I stand up straight. It is no longer in hiding. Remember that for 8 weeks I have been dedicated to this very positive change in my life. Remember that I am making progress, that shouldn't be measured in weeks, but in the fulfillment I feel from my success.

- As for the 8 hours of sitting... I can always take the stairs. Stay away from all the caffeine that tempts me. Remember that even thought I'm tired at the end of my day, walking/running recharges me once I get going. Make lunches more often that include more salads! Sandwiches even thought healthy are subconsciously making me feel like I'm not eating the right things!

There! For my negatives, I have given my positive attitudes towards making them more *productive*.

Now I just gotta relax.

Oh, and a fun little personal note before I go.

This eve I have a family reunion. I see my family in large numbers twice a year. Once at this event, and once at Christmas. I tend to stop in to this gathering but at Christmas it's hours with them. Each year they tell me how obese I am, how it must be hard to find the nice clothes I wear...they make me feel like a whale. Even though I was only wearing a size 20 at my largest, they made me feel like I couldn't find clothes in most retail stores...

So to my point, I haven't told anyone in my family besides my parents that I am doing WW. I bought this very cute empire waisted dress/top (everyone is wearing them). I am going to wear it with jeans today to hide the weight I have lost. Why you ask?
Because gosh darn it, at Christmas when they see me, they are all gonna feel real bad for telling me I'd never lose the weight or be small.

I'm doing this for me, but seeing the shock on their face at Christmas... and that feeling of pride that I proved them all wrong... well that's just a little bit of icing on the cake for me.

For the love of food
~The Food Lovin' Diva

Hot hot hot!

Well the heat wave is still in progress... as are my good eating habits. Going into weeks 7, I have lost 13.6 pounds in total. I am 10.4 away from my first goal! So close! So far!

Everyone is doing great, and the rough days are few and far between. I was a bit worried this week because I didn't get as much exercise in, but I did ok with 50 000 steps.

Glad to see Mary Lou back at the meeting, really missed her last week.

Off to enjoy the day! Now that I am in the swing of things with work, posts will be more frequent.

For the love of food,
~The Food Lovin Diva

~To thine own self be true~

Blue Monday

I had a very stressful weekend. A few things happened that stressed me out in a big way. Both Sat and Sunday were messed up for eating. I didn't go over points on Sat, but I didn't eat the right things either. On Saturday I usually try to have a *cheat day*. If I am using bonus points during the week, that's the day I do it. However due to the crappy food served to me at the Ale House that I couldn't even eat... that was botched.

On Sunday I couldn't resist eating at Kredl's but I did watch what I ate the remainder of the day. I did have pasta in the evening, but walking was done as well, so I think it all balanced out.

When I weighed in on Sat, I was down another pound! Woot woot! Going along smoothly, but this week I want to kick it up a notch. I think last week I struggled with water a bit, because quite honestly, I'm in training at work, and I hate having to run out to pee so frequently...
But I know. I know... I need that water.

So let's see how the week goes!

For the love of food,
~The Food Lovin' Diva

~Today is the beginning of the rest of your life.... make it count!

Ruby Tuesday

It's Tuesday.

My pedometer reads 27000 steps! So far so good this week.
Oddly been under in points the past few days. But feeling full. Likely all the water I'm consuming. I went shopping and was able to buy lots of size 16's! I had to, all of my clothes are feeling rather roomy, and I just didn't feel comfy. So now, the size 16's will do me for a few and when I am done, I'll hand them down to Jenn!

Anyway, just wanted to update!

For the love of food
~The Food Lovin' Diva

~"The person who gets the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore." Dale Carnegie

The end of the first month!

My first month rounded out with a 2 pound loss this week. My total loss is just over 10 pounds! Not bad if I do say so myself. I finished my week with just under 60 000 steps which is about 42 km's! Craziness!

Went to the car show today, put on over 7km's there! Good start to the week. Very tired. Promise to post more later!

~The Food Lovin' Diva

~I'll put a quote on my next post, promise. ;-)

TGIF...TGIF

It's Friday! I couldn't be happier.
My walk last night didn't get me too far, I ran into a friend and decided to go with them for their first time trying the local Sushi place. Sense of Tokyo. Just as a note, you get an abundance of food there for your point expenditure. Highly recommended.

Anyhow, I didn't eat much there as I had eaten a light supper, but I had about 17 points left. I may have eaten 10. Either way, it was nice to just do something unplanned while I was out on my walk. It really helped me unwind. I found this week because of stress I did want to eat. I never really noticed that about myself til this very week. However I managed to stay on track! This week I did spend 5 bonus points. But they were well spent. My pedometer reads 52 000 steps as of this morning. Should be interesting to see how weigh in goes tomorrow. Can I crack 10 pounds, or will it be another . something loss? Either way, a loss is indeed a loss. A gain is a gain right now. I'm following plan, and being more active than I have in a long time. That counts towards a success.

I had planned on walking to work today, however a few other things came up, and it's likely easier to have the car today. However next Friday, should the weather be good, I will be walkin!

For the love of food,
~The Food Lovin' Diva
“Success is a ladder that cannot be climbed with your hands in your pocket” ~ Unknown
~

Slack on the update but still truckin!

This week has been super busy with my new job. By the time I get home the last thing I have wanted to do was sit in front of my computer, so I have been walking. My target was 36000 steps again for this week, and I am already at 47 000. I've been taking the stairs at work, and walking on my lunches. It really makes a difference.

I've had a good food week, but I feel at a strange standstill. Not sure if it's just the stress of the first week of a new job or what. Need to get groceries on the weekend. Excited for that. I always love finding new foods to add to the menu!

Btw, lunches are hard... I want to have a good balance of fresh and easy meals. Sometimes it's hard. Gotta come up with a better plan.

Thinking of joining the Aquatic Centre Gym next week. Thinking of going after work... or before. I'm torn.

Speaking of exercise, I am gonna head out for my walk since the sun is out!

~The Food Lovin' Diva

~“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.” ~Unknown

Monday thoughts...

I start a new job today. So I have to promise myself, no matter what stress comes my way, eating will not cure it. Not that I've ever relied on food to relieve stress, but I am definitely more aware of when and why I eat.

The challenge this week... Lunches. To make lunches that will satisfy. Being home, I could grab something whenever I had the chance (apple, banana, yogurt) at work, not so easy. I am certain today will give me a clue to the environment I have, and how easy it will be to sneak a stockpile of veggies and fruit to work.

Yesterday, by the end of the day I had walked 21 000 steps! In the evening I walked down to the basketball court to take some photos of my friends playing ball hockey. The walk down the hill, and back up was a perfect way to end the day.

Today's commitment is to go for a walk along Harbour Passage tonight after supper.
If anyone who reads this walks in the evenings around that area and would like a walking buddy just let me know. I'd love the company once in awhile.

For the love of food,
~The Food Lovin' Diva

~“Success comes in cans; failure in can'ts”~ Unknown

Starting Week 4!

Yesterday I was down .6. It is a loss and that is what so totally counts!!
I know why it was how it was, and we'll see what next week brings.

This week I want to eat more veggies. Eating a fair bit, however I am still a bread lover. Need to fill that gap with more veggies!

I already have in 16 000 steps. I went this morning and walked about 8000 of those. Off to a good start. With starting a new job tomorrow, I think this week will be a busy one. Hopefully I fit everything in I want. Well cooked meals, and walking!

For the love of food,
~The Food Lovin' Diva

~“Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success” ~ Napoleon Hill

Eve of Week 4.

I have weigh in tomorrow morn.
My monthly friend showed up yesterday. I can't stop worrying about water retention! How silly is that. Really silly considering my whole life, I've never had that bloating thing happen to me anytime of the month.

I stuck to plan all week. I got in 29.5 kms = 40880 steps. I spent zero bonus points.

Yet I worry. Expecting a gain. Let's see what the morning brings.

But my positive is this: I went and bought a dress for a wedding today. It's the first size 16 I've bought in more than 8 years!

~The Food Lovin' Diva

~“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude” ~ Zig Ziglar

The strange guilt...

Today wasn't a bad food day. I ate within my points, however I had pizza and I feel guilty. Where is this guilt coming from? Maybe it's because I know those points are filled with more fat that I've eaten most days. Either way, I had it, it tasted yummy. But I've discovered it is definitely a treat only.

Otherwise, I have about 6000 steps to go to achieve this weeks goal, so not far off. I find walking really helps me unwind, so it's a good activity for me.

Thinking I am going to start saving money for an elliptical machine. It's something I find myself wanting to have around a lot lately when the weather isn't the best for walking. Time to crack out a piggy bank and start saving! I think in a few weeks I will vow, for every pound I lose I will put $10 in the bank for the equipment. Sounds like great motivation!

I have no idea how weigh in will go this week. However I have noticed one very important thing. I need a belt. This makes me happy.

For the love of food, even when it doesn't love my hips,
~The Food Lovin' Diva

~“The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yourself.” ~ Mark Caine

Hump Day, sap that hunger!

This morning I had cereal. I should have eaten some fruit with it, but at the time I didn't feel like it really. But the tummy actually grumbled within the hour for fruit so I had some cherries!

Walking is at 28 000 steps, only 8000 more to go. I have a feeling I might get those in today and tomorrow with ease. Haven't used any bonus points yet this week, though I thought I did on Saturday night, I was right on the nose. If I am going to use any it will be today on supper. I am making Whole Wheat Spaghetti with a nice chunky veggie sauce with extra lean ground sirloin. I only used half of the small pack of meat. Depending on my portion size, it will fall between 8-10 points.

I have a remainder of 21 left so I'm good.

Finally feel like I am getting in the groove of eating, and what to eat, and when. Fear the groove will somehow cause a gain this week. 2.4 lbs... it's my mantra!

Enjoy the sunshine!
~The Food Lovin' Diva

~“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” Colin Powell

Survival of the BBQ

Just as a note I managed to survive the BBQ on Sunday. I made a 1 point per cup spinach, whole wheat pasta salad. Everyone loved it! I enjoyed a very small hamburger, but it so hit the spot, as well as a small chicken breast. Nummers!

It was topped off with wonderful Angel food cake and fresh fruit! I still had a few points to spare!

So it wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be with all the friends and food. So I am proud of myself for not going over.

Walked 6400 steps yesterday, and felt great. Ate too much salad yesterday, well so it seemed but I wasn't hungry between them. Likely all the water I drank!

My walking goal for this week isn't going to be has hard to attain. I'm already over 20 000 steps!

~The Food Lovin' Diva

“To succeed you need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you” ~ Tony Dorsett

Goals for the week ahead.

Last week I walked 34 000 steps. I want to increase that again this week. Since I increased by 10k over one week, I am going to lower my goal a bit to 36 000. Two reasons to this, I'm not going to over do it. Secondly, I need to do it at a place that prepares my cardiovascular system for running. Once I hit 50 000 steps a week, with ease, then I can start running, and build on the distance with the same increments. That's my overall plan.

Secondly, I want to try and get more milk in. I find it the hardest to fit in some days. The water has been quite easy. Points wise I usually have a few left every day, but not a large number. I also only use about 4 of my bonus points each week. This week I want to stick to plan, but fill those points with only snickers bars.... I'm so kidding! I don't even like snickers. No, this week will be Salad, Chicken and Fish. Err.. well a variety there of.

Since I have had two weeks of approximate 4 pound losses, I don't want to come to expect losses like that every week, but at the same time, my body feels great, I feel great and I want to keep on going. So, my weight goal for this week is 2.4 pounds. It gets me to my next 5 pound sticker.
If I surpass that goal, it's all frosting. If I don't lose 2.4 and am under... IT'S STILL A LOSS!

Just have to remember there maybe some bouncing in these first weeks. I can handle it. I can carry on past it.

Here is to a successful week!

~Food Lovin' Diva

“Success is focusing the full power of all you are on what you have a burning desire to achieve.” ~ Wilfred Peterson

The weigh in conquered!

It's very late. But the first time I've gotten to my puter since this morning.

Weighed in this morning. Down 4 more pounds! Color me surprised. One of my friends who is in the program with me had me prepared for a possible gain in my second week. To my surprise I was down. I am not going to let my small victory go to my head.
I will continue to increase how many steps I am walking and speed up the pace, as well try to fit all my water in, and more milk!

I am sure I will post again later when I am more awake, but for now that's my good news. 1/3 to my first goal.

Woot!

For the love of food,
~The Food Lovin' Diva

To outwit the weekend

We are coming up on a long weekend. Canada Day. Otherwise known as BBQ and Beer weekend. Not that I ever drink that much, but it's always an opportunity to have a few.

Weigh in is tomorrow. It's around 10am. I want breakfast, but not sure at all what to make today. I want to keep the foods light, as I really carb'd it up last night AND to be honest I felt like crap after eating it. The cheesy goodness tasted good. Didn't feel so good in my tummy. Never again. Gah!

So today I am going to try to think of something for the BBQ on Sunday eve, and at the same time how I can perhaps fit a drink or two in.

For the love of food,
~The Food Lovin' Diva

“The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure.”

Isn't it ironic...

So I make my first post, then tonight I end up going to Pizza Hut with friends. Totally miscalculated points... luckily, I am right on the nose for my daily points. Even though I didn't go over... I feel guilty? Is that normal?

On a more interesting note, I picked up the Pocky sticks at the Fortune Market uptown. They are 1 point for 4 sticks. Good snack idea! They are pretty tasty too.

I have achieved all my steps for the week. However tomorrow I plan on getting in another 5000. Maybe it's the Pizza Hut guilt... maybe not. I just enjoy walking. So the challenge is to survive a Canada Day BBQ on Sunday evening. I'm going to search for something satisfying and tasty. Wish me luck!

For the love of food,
~The Food Lovin' Diva

The Beginning

Well today is the first day of this new commitment to myself. Two weeks ago this Saturday I will have started Weight Watchers. I began on June 16th. Easy to remember as an anniversary as it is the birthday of a dear friend.
So I joined. For the first time in a long time I saw my weight on the scales. Two hundred and forty eight pounds. 248...

To be quite honest, I expected 268, which is what I weighed the last time I looked at a scale. So I started off being surprised that even though I hadn't been dieting, I had lost 20lbs somewhere in the last while. Starting under 250 much less intimidating than over. Silly what a few pounds can make you think.

So I went to my first meeting, ever the skeptic. I found it completely inspirational. Not soft music and heart a flutter, but I felt a sense of comfort in knowing I'm not alone in this, and that all of the people in that room are there to help each other. But truly we have to help ourselves first.

I think this process has been building for me. In February when I turned 29, something in me clicked. I realized by 30, I wanted to be thinner. I wanted to be able to buy clothes at Le Chateau! Silly I know. But something to aim towards. Then they put my Dad on insulin because he could no longer control his diabetes with diet and pills. I am a candidate for it, especially if I am over weight. So I'm taking ownership of my body, my life and how I treat it.

I'm starting this blog to help me on my journey. So I can look back and see where it was hard, and where it was easier.

So far, the past two weeks have gone very well. In the first week I felt I ate so much food, that I certainly had to be gaining weight. But I lost 3.6lbs. Weigh in is in two days, I wonder if I'll hit my first 5lbs loss? Either way, I know it could be slow going, but it will be worth it in the end.

Last week I walked 24600 steps. I promised to increase that to 28000 this week. I have 8000 more steps to go! I can do it!

That's all for today,
~The Food Lovin Diva