February Comes To An End

I’m closing out the month of February with a lot of successes.  

This has been a rough week with stress and feeling like I want to eat…something.  Many times this week I was craving sugar and/or carbs and I had to talk myself out of going off the rails a lot.  Thankfully Kenyon didn’t want to indulge which kept me from also indulging.

Tuesday through Thursday I had a work training that was really difficult, stressful, and often times confusing or frustrating.  I was also balancing wearing both my virtual training hat and my supervisor hat.  I ended up working the console for some overtime on Tuesday after my training and was really glad I had prepped a meal for an easy dinner when I got home.  I passed the course which was a relief!

Wednesday I let off some steam when I met up with Phoenix and Stacey to check out the new Loose Screw Brewing location.

Off The Grid food truck was there serving up amazing pizzas.  We loved every bite.

Thursday was a fundraiser for Phoenix’s school at a restaurant we have not been to, The Broken Yolk.  I tried the sope eggs benedict.  It was very underwhelming.  My tastebuds were not satisfied and it lacked flavor.  The ranchero sauce was so spicy that besides there was no flavor, there was also too much spice.  

With my tastebuds left underwhelmed but my stomach full, I managed to talk myself out of indulging further.  That just seemed to be the theme of the week.  We were responsible and talked ourselves into eating at home on Friday.  Meal planning allowed me stay on track through the remainder of my work week.  Now that March is quickly approaching, I’ll have to stay focused on new goals and continued food hurdles.

I completed my February goal by logging 21 workouts.

February is all wrapped up and I’m ready for March.

Oprah's Your Life In Focus: Be The Love You Need Virtual Experience

I spent some time last week watching Oprah’s Your Life In Focus: Be The Love You Need Virtual Experience.

Similar to when I saw Oprah in person, there have been two "boosters" to her Your Life In Focus event.  This most recent one was offered to me through my WW membership and while I did sign up to attend live last Saturday morning, working night shift is difficult for getting up early.  Later that day, I was sent the link to watch it on You Tube.  I spent part of one day watching a little before I had to go to work and I finished the rest while I was walking on the treadmill earning my activity awards.

It was an amazing boost to my WW program and I loved every minute of it.

Oprah just has this gift for energizing people.  She is so open, real, and honest.  She stressed many times how important it is to love yourself, at every stage of our weight loss journey.

 

We ended the session by filling out a contact.

 

I am committed to being the love I need in the following way:

• ·       Recognizing the struggles are part of being human
• ·       Replace negative self-talk with kindness
• ·       Remind myself I am worthy of compassion and acceptance
• ·       Create rituals that get me back on track
• ·       Helping someone else be kinder to themselves
• ·    Other ­­­­________________________________________

 

What will you commit to?

Meet George, My New Friend

During the Christmas season, I spotted an electric folding bicycle at Costco. 

The Jetson Bolt Pro Electric Bike had a price point that was reasonable at $299.  The bike looked like exactly what I wanted for those summer months when meeting my friends to ride bikes on the greenbelt.  While I own a decent cruiser bicycle, it needs the chain put back on and new inner tubes, all of which I just don’t want to mess with.  I keep thinking I will take my bike to a repair shop for an overhaul, but then trying to manhandle it into the back of my car feels like so much work.

You can imagine why this foldable bicycle looked so appealing.  At just 41 pounds, it would be easy to fold up and put in the back of my car.  This would allow me to transport it anywhere for a ride.  Imagine the possibilities of not having to ride a bicycle just in my neighborhood.

Another reason this bike appealed to me was for the pedal assist option you get with an electric bicycle.  I have never had pedal assist and while I didn’t know anything about it, I was still curious.  I don’t love bike riding.  The hardest parts, like going up a hill, would be much more enjoyable with some power behind it.  This electric bike as a battery range of 14 miles if you use the full power or up to 30 miles if you use the pedal assist.  I am not sure my lady bits can even take 30 miles of bike riding so it sounded like this battery range using the pedal assist would be perfect for me.

I could see myself riding this bike over to our local Walmart when I needed to pick up a few grocery items.  It would save me to ride vs. having to go on foot as it is 1.3 miles roundtrip.  I used to bike all the time to my local stores when we lived in our hold apartment and our old house.  I think I would bike more now if I had a working bike (I know…I know…just fix my old bike…).

The only reason I talked myself out of buying this bike in November is that winter was coming and it seemed silly to buy a bike I wouldn’t be able to use.  It also meant I would need to make sure I was disciplined enough to keep the battery fully charged while not being able to ride. 

We had a very mild winter, except for this last week of February.  When I spotted the bicycle back in stock at Costco, I just knew I really wanted it.  I spent a little more time researching and looking at reviews.  I was sold.  I dragged Kenyon back to Costco to help me load the large box and watch over me while I put it together.  The electric bike, which we are calling George since it is a Jetson, made its inaugural ride last week during a very brisk 32 degree day with slight wind and no sun.  But hey, I just had to try it out!

 

I LOVE IT!  I still don’t love bike riding, but I do love this bike.  It is perfect and exactly what I was looking for.  I almost get giddy right now to get out and ride again.  Now, if only this weather would improve…

**edited since I typed this to add....I had my first bike crash.  On Monday, I was out riding on a main roadway with on bike shoulder.  When I tried to move out of traffic, I got too close to the road edge and went down.  I am so thankful there was not a car being me since I fell into traffic.  I was able to get up quickly and get out of the road.  With no broken bones and no broken bike, I made it off the road into a park-and-ride.  I took another survey of myself, which my right elbow and forearm was the worst of it.  I also tore a hole in both my gloves and my favorite bright colored fleece.  But, I was alive and I think my bike is okay, or so it seems.  It was scary.  I will get back out there but I will make sure that I find a safer place to ride. 

Weekly WI: A Scale Experiment

Good Morning.

I have a work training the next three days which will prevent me from attending both my virtual and in-person WW Workshops this week.  I had yesterday off work (which was touch and go with some sick call outs) and decided to get on the scale Monday vs. Tuesday.  I was a bit deflated when I saw the scale number, which ties into the workshop technique this week.

I had a great week and nothing out of the norm.  When I saw 200.4 on my home scale I was instantly sad.  Other than a different in scales and time of day, I didn’t have anything that pointed to why I would have had a gain and what was really getting me down is that I was back in the 200s.  I was just not ready to be back in the 200s especially when my week on on track and “normal.”  

I knew I had to dig deep and focus on that positives and all the Non-Scale Victories that played a part in my last week and this last month.  I also was leaning towards making the decision to re-log last week’s weight so that I could still rejoice in Onederland and stay focused for the week ahead.  

I also made the decision that I would go about my day and try to treat it as if it was my evening weigh-in and I had not yet stepped on the scale.  I guess you could say I was going to do a scale experiment of sorts.  I weighed in later that day, after having water, exercise, light meals, and a bowl movement (the really important part before you step on the scale).  The scale number as 200.2, which came down slightly.

I am up waaaaaay too early but our crazy wind woke me up and I needed something to eat before I try and nap a bit more before getting up for my training today.  I dressed as I would for the scale and stepped on it again today.  It showed 199.6.  Whew.  While I still had a gain of 1.0 pounds, I am really glad it came back down under 200.  For at least one more week, I am still in Onederland.  

I really hope that this is just a natural swing and I continue to work my way down the scale.  We go out of town in a few weeks for a two week vacation and I need all the buffer I can get.  It is just as much pressure to try and stay in Onderdland as it was when I continued to keep that 100 pounds lost under my belt.  Eventually, I consistently saw that 100 pound marker and I will again consistently see that one in front of the scale number.

Persistence Not Perfection.

How Life Is Going...

I thought I would check-in and bring you up to speed at how life has been lately.

I started my morning with a walk and chat via Facebook.  My friend Cindie, who moved to California, met up with me for a walk.  I am super jealous of her sunshine but each time we meet up for a virtual walk, our windy days seem to die down.  I swear to you she is the wind whisperer.  I went for a bit of an extra loop as we got to taking about life, COVID, and all the craziness of the world today.  It sure gets you amped up and makes the time fly by.

I’ve got a few more days of Activity to complete before the end of the month.  There is supposed to be sunshine and 48 degree temps on Monday and I will for sure get out and ride my new bike.  

Oh…I guess I owe you a post on my new bike!  Coming at ya soon.

My food has been on track all week.  I had one high point day and other than that, blue dots are good.  I ate into my Weekly Points quite a bit, which I think my body likes.  At least that is where I am starting to thinking some of my weight loss success is coming from.  I need to really make sure I stay focused on giving my body enough food and enough of the good food.  Don’t think there isn’t some fun planned this coming week.

I’ve not been logging very many quality sleep hours this week.  I am actually trying to turn my sleep around for an upcoming virtual training Tuesday through Thursday.  I also must have a lot on my mind because I just have’t been sleeping well.  It clearly shows now that I am logging my sleep in my WW app.

I need to work on more consistent sleep ours, specifically 7.5 hours a night which is where I feel my best.  

Other than that, I am ending my WW strong.  

Mentally I am still a little down and the abundance of snow and colder temps didn’t help.  I am itching for warmer weather and some time off work.  I still have three weeks to go.

The Worst Four Letter Word In The English Language: SNOW

I have been earning awards like a fool lately.

 

I had a week where I filled my Movement, Exercise, and Stands circles each day for a seven day stretch.

 

I also earned an award for logging a workout during a seven day stretch.

And finally, there was a special award for Valentine’s Day which I earned 60 for completing minutes of activity.

 

I am exhausted!  What has caused this burst of energy?

SNOW

 

I was forced to shovel snow multiple times on Friday and Saturday at home and at work.  Oh man is my body tired.  It is February and a winter storm rolled through dumping almost 10 inches of snow on us in 24 hours.  Oy. 

 

Some days I forget it is February and I think it is December again.  Living in Boise we don’t get much snow.  I guess Mother Nature was making up for lost time.

 

We have snow coming this week as well.  Send Help!

 

Weekly WI: ONEderland, It's Great To See You Old Friend

I had no idea what to expect while I was driving to my WW Studio last night.  I had a great week with six blue dots and really focused on eating my daily points.  I also navigated Valentine’s Day treats very responsibility ending my week with about 20 weekly points, which can often be my “sweet spot” for showing a loss.  I guess having no expectations is good because I stepped on the scale and saw that I have once again dipped below 200 and on the “official” scale, I am back in ONEderland.

Folks, I am not joking around here.  This time I am here to stay for good.  I am not going back.  I am making a vow now to myself and to all of you that I will make sure no matter how out of control I get or whatever craziness life throws at me, I will not get back over 200 pounds.  I really feel my best when I keep 100 pounds off and staying focused on ONEderland is the key to staying where I feel my best.

I reflected back on my weight record after a WW Buddy asked if this was my lowest WW weight.  I’ve only known her about two years or so and she hasn’t been on this long journey with me to know my full story.  I realized that I am back where I was six years ago.

This means that I have lost 54.4 pounds of my re-gain weight where I got back up to 253 in July of 2016.  It has been a true commitment these last few years and I am so proud of myself for finding the courage to make that commitment to myself and to my health and start losing again.  

20201 could be the year I reclaim my WW goal (new doctor’s note of 190) but I am not going to put pressure on myself.  I will continue to stay the course and keep focused.

Travel Memories: Florida

Now that I have filled you in on the time I saw Oprah, the first part of our vacation last year was to Orlando, Florida.  This trip was part of promotional travel from buying a timeshare.  The main focus was Disney World and Universal Studios.  We had some other fun thrown in there too.

 

What would a trip down memory lane be without also looking back at our 2012 Florida Vacation?  I love reading over my travel blog posts and reliving all the fun experiences.  Travel really does feed my soul and is 100% my happy place.  Our 2012 Florida vacation, including a NCL cruise to the Bahamas was amazing.  I really enjoyed this trip.

 

February 2020 was also one for the record books.  This was the year we visited five theme parks and the Kennedy Space Center, which I have never been.  Oh boy were our legs absolutely aching.  But we were also smiling from ear to ear with all the fun.  I’m also not used to such high humidity living out west.  That is an adjustment for sure.  Kennedy Space Center was amazing.  Kenyon booked us an extended tour on the military base which was well worth the money.  While we had the opportunity to see a rocket launch, it would have meant making the 1.5 hour drive back up in the evening time.  Thinking back now, we should have done it.  Maybe we will be lucky on a future trip.

 

We visited Disney Hollywood Studios, which was a new-to-us park.  I really enjoyed being among movie magic and I think Tower of Terror is my new favorite ride.  Kenyon didn’t love it as much as I did. 

 

Epcot is always fun.  I really enjoy all the sights and food as you tour around the world.  The also added a new Frozen ride which was really fun but very popular.  The wait was long!

You can read about the first half of our trip here ß

 

Universal Studios and Island of Adventure were where the real movie magic happens…Harry Potter.  We have been to Island of Adventure but since they opened the addition to include the Hogwarts Express, we knew we would need to spend the money to go to both parks and have the park hopper option.  It is really expensive but totally amazing!  I loved Universal Studios and would go back for sure.  Island of Adventure is just okay.

 

During my travel research, I found a dinner/theater show called Capone’s which was amazing.  We had a blast and I even had my debut onstage with the performers.  Yep, that is how I roll!

 

We saved Magic Kingdom for our final day.  After all, you must safe the best for last!

 

You can read all about the second part of our trip here ß

 

All this travel reminiscing makes me miss it so badly.  I am so thankful we have had the travel opportunities we did.  Life is short and it is meant to be lived!

Oprah - A Bucket List Item

In September of 2019 when I booked tickets to see Oprah in Dallas, Texas as part of her 2020 Your Vision In Focus tour, I had no idea just how momentous decision it would be.  When the actual event rolled around in February of 2020 I still couldn’t have predicted that by March of 2020, a global pandemic would cause a multi-state shutdown.  Not only would any further travel cease for a while but in its wake, travel as I knew it would be changed forever.

 

I mean I always knew Oprah was big but this big?  Okay, I’m kidding.  It wasn’t Oprah’s fault the world shut down.  Reflecting back on it almost one year later, I am really humbled and delighted that I made the decision to purchase those tickets and travel to Dallas, Texas.  Of course I am also thankful my husband was on board with the idea too!

 

Oprah’s tour was amazing.  I loved every minute of it.

 

I was able to meet so many wonderful people including Coach Daniel from New Jersey.  Thanks to WW having to go virtual with their weekly workshops, I was able to pop into a couple in Daniel’s location and re-connect.  WW is pretty amazing.

 

I also like Dallas and would definitely go back.  We didn’t do much on this trip as it was at the tail end of our Florida vacation.  I fell in love with the Tex Mex restaurant Chuy’s and I can’t wait to go back in another location where our travel takes us.  I’ve already scoped one out in Dayton, Ohio and Nashville, Tennessee.  Oh yum….

 

Oprah’s 2020 Vision Tour was all about regaining focus in your life.  Whether it be food/weight loss, activity/movement, or mental/mindset.  These are the important pillars the WW program is designed around.  WW most recently added sleep as part of the pillars.  These have all been so important to both my weight loss and maintenance journey.

 

14 years later, WW continues to be a large part of my life.  Seeing Oprah was definitely a bucket list item. 

You can read about the entire experience here ß

Making History

I received my first round of COVID vaccine thanks to a First Responders Clinic provided by the Canyon County Paramedics.

There was so many pros and cons in making a decision to get the vaccine or to not get the vaccine.  I have been going back and forth for month and made the decision to partake in the opportunity presented to me.  Instead of dwelling on all the negatives and unknowns, I am choosing to look at this decision as being on the ground floor of making history.  In 20 years, I will have the honor of being one of many to receive the first ever vaccine developed to hopefully reduce the spread of the pandemic.  

The reason I say reduce the spread is because there are still so many unknowns associated with the vaccine and it is also unknown on 100% immunity and/or 100% transmission rates.  It is just not known.  I would never judge the decision somebody makes on whether to get the vaccine or not as it is a personal decision and one that only you can make. 

I managed the first round like a champ and I am hoping the second round goes just as smoothly.  I was super nervous as I don’t love being sick or having flu-like symptoms.  I have many that were already given the first shot before I schedule mine and I have been hearing about their experiences.  It helps me think about what to expect and perhaps how to combat some of what I could possible also have to deal with.

My tips for the first dose:

• Drink lots of water
• Move your arm
• Take Tylenol every 6 hours for at least the first day
• Rest and take it easy if you need to 

Weekly WI: 200.0

While I had thought I’d see a loss last week, this week I feared a gain.  After blowing my weekly point out of the water earlier in the week, I regained control and was feeling better later in the week.  Much to my pleasant surprise, I saw 200.0 on the scale this morning.

WOW!  I am stoked.  I am also slightly scared because I am not even closer to that line of seeing a 1 in front of the number instead of a 2.  As usual, it is really easy to overthink things.

Instead of overthinking, I am going to focus on honest tracking.  I had an enjoyable day meeting up with a friend I used to work with for some much needed girl time.  We met at The Ram for lunch.  I had a chicken sandwich with coleslaw on the side and one of their house porter.

As I typically do, I deconstructed the sandwich, eating all of the chicken breast, and some of the rest of it to not only satisfy my craving but also keep the points in check.  Regardless, it was a higher point meal and has left me without earning a blue dot today.

But you know what?  That is okay.  When I track honestly, even if I don’t get the blue dot I desire, it means that I am more accountable to how many actual weekly points I have left thus swaying my food choices more throughout the rest of the week.  I also really try to focus on balance.  I like being more relaxed on my days off.

The plan this week is not to overthink thing.  It will be to trust the program and keep working the plan.  I got this!

Staying Positive When In A Funk

I’ve been working hard to get back on track after two days of over-the-top eating earlier in my week.  I am still in the negative with my weekly smart points allowance but I am feeling a lot better being on track again.  It only takes a few days of eating on track to feel great again.  It helps remind me that I really do like healthy/balanced eating.  When I am eating on track and keeping myself accountable, I feel so much better.  I am less sluggish and tired.  I have more energy.  I feel less bloated and my clothing fits better.

  

Often my inner toddler will throw a tantrum (or two) and I find myself arguing with what I “should do” and what I “want to do.”  Sometimes I event fall down the hole of “why do I always have to count calories?”  Obviously, if I wasn’t so focused on my weight loss journey, I’d easily still be 300+ pounds.  It has taken me four years to re-lose 50 pound and dang it, I worked hard on that.  I don’t ever want a bad mental place to take me down again.

We are all human and we all struggle.  I know I struggle and sometimes it feels like I struggle often.  This mental hurdle I am trying to get over has been rough.  I took a nice long walk today and visited with my favorite WW Coach, Cindie, via Facetime.  It felt so good to take a walk with a friend.  I have really been missing a lot of social interactions this last year and part of being depressed is that feeling of dread in knowing COVID isn’t going to get better anytime soon. 

Earlier in the week, I went for a walk and since I needed a boost, I loaded up some WW Aaptiv audio workout from the WW app.  One was 10 minutes and helped with mindset and one was 10 minutes for positivity.  

It definitely helped my mood.  I am met up with Phoenix for a walk and talk.  

Hopefully soon we can also have some much needed social girl time.  I know I need it!