Two Weeks Down

Update at the conclusion of Week 2 of Operation Get Back to Lifetime Weight by July 31:
Well, well, well, what do you know? When I follow the four guidelines I committed to two weeks ago, good things happen.   I am down 4.8 pounds in two weeks, leaving me with 2.2 more to lose to reach that Lifetime weight. Crazy huh. And it's not like I'm starving myself. I've enjoyed treats at many occasions the past two weeks, but the boundaries of tracking have kept me reined in.

Sometimes boundaries seem restrictive and make me feel rebellious. Right now, the boundaries of tracking are making me feel in control and safe! Strange.

During these hot days, I have found these to be a very refreshing treat!

You can get them at Costco. They scanned as 2 points but when I calculated them from the nutritional info on the box they came out as 3 points. Strange, huh? But it's pretty sweet, on days when I don't have the spare point, I can choose the scanned option! Just kidding. Maybe.

Feeling great. Loving all the berries and the abundance of fresh crab I've enjoyed lately.

Consistency. Determination. Never give up.

Three Years Ago Today

My Facebook post three years ago today:

"Pretty excited about reaching my goal weight at today's weigh in. Feels great to be 56.8 pounds lighter. It's amazing how well Weight Watchers works when I actually follow the program consistently! Now for a lifetime of maintaining."

And my reply to all the kind comments:   "Wow, thank you all. I have reminded myself over and over that "Satisfaction does not come from indulgence, satisfaction comes from achievement." (Calvin Coolidge) Every day of making healthy choices is a satisfying achievement!"

Three years. One thing I have learned about maintenance is that the encouragement and accountability of weekly Weight Watchers meetings are essential. Today was my regular weigh in day, and I weighed in at two pounds over my weight 3 years ago today. So that doesn't seem too bad.

The part that's not so good is that three years ago, I actually lost another 6 pounds during the next 6 weeks of the required maintenance before becoming a Lifetime member, and I then reset my goal weight to 5 pounds lower. Which means I am now seven pounds over my Lifetime weight.

Seven pounds is not a big deal. Being disciplined and having healthy eating habits is the "big deal" to me. And boy, have I slid back into some bad habits the past year!

I'm still committed to physical and spiritual fitness. I've made many mistakes and had many failures, but the God of grace keeps helping me get back on track. I love to run and work out, but I've cut back the amount of time I spend doing those things to an average of 30-45 minutes a day in order to balance the things and people that are most important to me. In April I was inspired by Laurie Smucker, our women's retreat speaker, to use my running time as prayer time. Awesome. Just awesome.

Anyway, I'm posting this to be publicly accountable that I am committed to get back to that Lifetime weight by my three-year anniversary of reaching Lifetime on July 31. I will do this by following the guidelines I was using during that time, which are as follows:

1. Track all my food, with the majority of it power foods (the healthy stuff!)
2. Don't go over the recommended number of daily and weekly points ("Follow the WW program consistently!")
3. Keep exercising regularly, and be as active as possible

Plus one more, more important than all three above:
Start every day with God's word and prayer, asking Him for guidance, wisdom, strength and love.

Never never never ever give up! I never again want to feel as exhausted and depressed and pained and lethargic as I felt when I was at my heaviest.  I love feeling healthy and energetic and buying "medium" sized clothes. I want to feel good that I am doing my part to reduce my risk of cancer, heart disease and a multitude of other diseases that are lurking around waiting to strike me as I age! I want to take care of this old body so that it lasts me a good long time!

As the receptionist at Weight Watchers reminded me today as I was talking to her at my weigh-in: