Sue - has she regained?

So you are probably wondering (if anyone reads this?) whether since my last post here was in late 2010, if I have regained (like I did after every other attempt at weight loss I've tried).

And the answer is no.  I have actually stayed around 157 lbs (a loss of 110 lbs) since March 2010.

I do track every day.  I also exercise daily - not for weight loss - that never took weight off me but for health!  Slowly getting a new wardrobe.  (someone should nominate me for TLC's "What Not to Wear" (*LOL*).

I love being this size.  If you have followed my journey, you know that I initially began this to get rid of GERD which has been nicely in remission since 2008, Feb, my first day OP (that's Weight Watcher talk for "On Program") but I have to say, having all this weight off has reduced my joint pain drastically!!!  I can move around a lot better.  I fit in every chair I've tried to sit in.  No more do I worry in going out whether my butt will fit.  The down side is I lost some friends along with the weight although I have never really mentioned it.  They were all waiting for me to regain (as a few told me!) and annoyed some family members.  But I do enjoy being where I'm at.

Frankly, if I knew that being this weight (which, I've been only very briefly in 1973) would feel so nice, I might have done this much sooner.  It's so work keeping it off but I find it's really true that "nothing tastes as good as thin feels" and that the Weight Watchers program really works!  Photo was me fooling with my iPhone - I'm in my biking outfit - taken in May 2012!

size huh?

Just a quickie update! Today I got a lovely outfit from my son and DIL but the pants were in size 8. I have never in my life worn a single digit size before. With trepidation I tried them on and ..... (drum roll please...) they fit perfectly!!!! I saved one of labels which was marked size 8 (like people save their first dollar for their businesses etc!) And I took a photo of it (attached photo). Way cool!!!

update - 2010 is almost over

Well, unbelievable as it is, I have actually stayed at 27 lbs below goal now, since March and celebrated my year's anniversary of lifetime membership in Weight Watchers in Oct (and this Saturday is my monthly weigh-in).

I still haven't gotten new clothing and really need to do that - I did get a couple of new pairs of shorts and pants from Sports Authority which is a bit less annoying to shop at than the clothing stores. I've decided I need to ask my DIL to help me with shopping because being a computer software developer and such, I'm definitely the type who would wear my "army boots to work because you never know what you will encounter in the computer room." (from the joke, THE REAL PROGRAMMER). Luckily my DIL who is an artist herself, is not only talented at putting together clothing but also seems to be able to find the best bargains.

Anyway, be that as it may, this is the first time I have stayed at an ideal weight this long in my adult life (and probably before that).

I still journal daily and watch my portions. Weight Watchers is not a diet but a lifestyle. And feel lucky that I've been able to keep the weight off, so far. (still exercising also, of course).

Stay tuned! :)

7th monthly weigh-in

I haven't written for a while - life has been sort of busy. But I have been losing slowly. In March I got my 100 lbs lost award (this is a sort of a washer thing in gold - not real gold.. *LOL* with 100 lbs on it) in March 2010. I got to get up before the class, show a before and after shot etc. This last monthly weigh-in my my 7th monthly weigh-in - I'd lost another 1.4 lbs bringing the "off" total to 105 lbs! And 14 lbs heavier than what I weighed on my wedding day. I can sort of get into my wedding dress but have developed a more muscular upper body from the years of working out and weight training so it would be tight on top. Kind of a thrill. A friend got some size 12 jeans for me at the GoodWill and they are getting too loose but I got a smaller pair that will work - same size but very tight cut like women like to wear them today. I also have a pair of black pants which fit and between these two, that's mostly what I wear. The clothing issue gets to be a pain after a while especially if you are like me and hate to go clothing shopping. Generally speaking though, I feel the difference of the weight off mostly in my joints - I've been able to cut down arthritis pain meds to very little and can move around much easier than I could even as a fit and fat person.

3rd month lifetime weigh in

Got a "good job" comment from the leader on my 3rd monthly lifetime weigh-in. It's nice to be weighing once a month. My lifetime manual says when we go to lifetime membership, we go from member to "role model". Imagine ME a role model for weight maintenance! Wow! Wonders will never cease. :)

On a not so good note, my favorite leader is no longer with WW and I miss her a lot.

I've come a long way, baby! (from an old cigarette commercial)

Shopping woes

After several shopping trips, I finally found out what size I am and could actually buy some clothing. Also, my savy DIL bought me some nice clothing, all of which fits and looks nice.

What was kind of strange is looking at a pair of size medium pants and thinking my butt will NEVER fit in these and then, trying them on and seeing that they fit great and feel comfy...

During one frustrating shopping trip, I went into Lane Bryant's, my former favorite store where I could REALLY "buy clothing off the shelf" and where the sizing is fairly predictable and the clothing is nice with a good variety of choices. The lady looked at me and asked "for whom are you buying clothing?" I answered, "Me" and she laughed and said "You're too skinny for THIS STORE - we don't have anything to fit you!"

Bottom line, "buying off the shelves" when you are average sized is a myth...

Amazing. I'm still getting used to this.

Second monthly weigh-in for WW lifetime membership

This last Saturday was my second monthly weigh-in for Weight Watchers' lifetime membership and I was 7 lbs below goal... wooo hooo....

I got the official lifetime membership guide and it says our part in the meeting changes from member to either leader, receptionist or "role model".

Imagine me, a role model... wow... who-da thunk it?

Lifetime membership is so worth it! :)