Shoulda Woulda Coulda

Well folks, tomorrow may not be pretty! Last week I didn't get to weigh in as we were out of town and I was NOT comfortable driving around a town I'm unfamiliar with in a winter storm. I now regret that decision as I'm not to sure that tomorrow's weigh in will be a good one. I hate excuses so I will try not to blame being a woman, having company last weekend, changing medicine, or having an EXTREMELY stressful week... Nope, it's all my own responsibility/ fault! I shouldn't have allowed myself to not track while family was visiting. I should have found alternative ways to deal with increased stress other than finding solace in chocolate. I could have realized this week would be more challenging thanks to increased water retention and made fitness and nutritional adjustments to compensate. But, here I am, unable to change what has already happened this week and facing the music (aka scale) tomorrow.

The thought of quitting has, more than once, crossed my mind. It is a challenge to think about what I'm eating and when I'm going to workout daily. It IS a lot easier than it was at the beginning but I find myself wondering if it will ever become a habit? Will I ever be faced with my favorite unhealthy indulgences and be able to eat only a small amount or avoid it altogether? Will I EVER reach the middle of my BMI range (my true personal goal)? Will I ever be content with how far I've come and where I am? Oofda, too many questions for a Friday evening!

I think I will just stick to what I know. I know that tomorrow I will head to my WW meeting with the understanding that it won't be a pleasant experience but will be another step in my journey of betterment. I will go to the Y and workout tomorrow and Sunday. I will track my food this weekend! I will also be planning my meals for the week including the Thanksgiving feast. I will get caught up at the school and look forward to a shortened school week. I will be doing the Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning and, instead of Black Friday shopping, I plan to attend an early morning spin class and burn off some of those extra Thanksgiving treats! Maybe a little shopping or sledding later would add in some extra steps and burn some more calories. :)

So maybe I shoulda tracked better this week, woulda loved to have lost some more weight, coulda prepared a little better but I know that the journey isn't over. I still hope that this blog encourages and supports other in their efforts. Don't give up, know that others are dealing with the same issues as you and use that information to overcome your hardships, I know I do!

Goal Achieved!

Today, November 8th will be marked on my calendar as the best day of 2014! After about 10 months of watching what I eat, running, lifting weights, becoming certified to teach aerobic classes and dedicating my self to a new life of taking care of me, I FINALLY reached my weight watcher goal and became a lifetime member!

This morning I was VERY frustrated before going to WW because my scale wasn't showing all the work I had put into this week. I even went for a short run before the meeting just to see if I could make the number move (felt a lot like a wrestler trying to make weight). When I came into the meeting and was asked by the nicest WW leader ever (Ona) how I was doing, I wasn't very positive. I didn't even want to look at the darn scale... but lo and behold, the WW scale was much more kind and supportive. I loved every part of the tiny moment, the hug from Ona, the fight to hold back tears, and the pure elation while thinking about how much time and mental strength I have put into this endeavor.

This would be the point in my past where I would stop and ever so slowly gain back every pound, but not this time! I have every intention of maintaining and possibly even losing a teensy bit more (I'd like to be solidly in my BMI range with no worry of slipping out). I have many safe guards in place:

1) I would love to be a WW leader and to help others on their journey to success, in order to qualify i need to maintain.

2) I am leading a holiday weight loss/maintenance group for the next 8 weeks and definitely want to lead by example (and not lose my money) and plan to, at the very minimum, maintain... a loss would be even better! 

3) I will be subbing more at the Y and may be added to the teaching schedule this winter.

4) My beautiful boys that I love so dearly in one sentence congratulated me for making my goal and in the next encouraged me to run more so that I can get even more "flat". (I did inform them that my goal was to be healthy so I can be around for grandchildren and great-grandchildren... Cooper informed me that he has no interest in having a wife).

5) I purchased a size 6 dress that fits that was not cheap and I plan on wearing it MANY more times to get the full value of the dress! I also intend on purchasing many more new clothes (when the money is available) and have no intention of keeping the clothes that I have grown out of.

Before I end this super exciting post, I'd like to thank my wonderful hubby that has been SUPER supportive and encouraging! I know I couldn't have done it without your help! And to all my friends, family, and coworkers that have lent a listening ear, offered advice and encouragement, thank you (especially my WW leader, Ona)!