Weigh-in Wednesday: March 4th

I know, I haven't posted a Weigh-in Wednesday in a few weeks.   February has been an all around tough month.   I did go to all my weekly Weight Watchers meeting except one on the 18th because I was out of town on a girl's trip with my mom and sister.    

Overall I've gained 1.8 pounds in 4 weeks.  That number probably would have been higher if I had weighed in tonight but I just couldn't bring myself to step on that scale.   Knowing deep down I didn't feel good about my week or how my body was reacting to it. 

This go around at losing weight has been the hardest to date.   What's ironic is that I've never stuck with Weight Watchers as consistently as I have (been a loyal member since Sept.3rd 2014)  I've never tried to be more active as I have in the last 6 months and it's a bummer to have done all this work and only have 12 or 13 pounds to show for it.  Now don't get it twisted, it's not like I joined a gym or anything and have been doing 2 spin classes a week and am complaining about not getting good results.   But for myself and my lifestyle, this is the most consistent I've been compared to the past. 

After my last post on February 4th  I did go out and purchase a FitBit.  I love it.  It has made me more aware of my daily steps or lack of daily steps. I have a few people I'm friends with on FitBit and we've done some challenges together.  I find myself walking around in circles in my kitchen to get in extra steps, or even marching in place in front of the TV.  Which by the way, I totally made fun of my WW leader for doing and here now I'm admitting to doing myself (Sorry Cathy).    It makes it fun, we can chat, taunt or cheer for each other through the app. It really has helped.  I even went out in this frigid weather and walked to get in more activity.   Did I mention I CANNOT wait for Spring to get here?   Not even wishing for 75 degree weather yet, just having it be above freezing or maybe 40 degrees for more then one day would be nice!?   

Do you have a FitBit?  Want to connect?  You can add me via email, tinavandeusen@gmail.com

GoodBye February.... Hello March

I'm not alone on this one, am I? February 2015 (for lack of a better word) SUCKED!

Here in Connecticut it went down in the history books for being the coldest month ever with an average temperature of 16.1 degrees.  Then there were the countless snow storms which dumped roughly 30+ inches of snow across the state.  I've barely left my house this month. Hell, I've barely showered this month, I didn't see much point in it.  

February was and will forever now be an emotional month for my family.   Last year my husband lost both his brother and father all within a week of each other.  It's been tough and having to deal with this horrible weather on top of it all, hasn't made it any easier.  I've learned a lot about myself and those that are around me. 

I am grateful we do end the month on a happy note with celebrating my oldest son Nick's birthday on the 28th.  He's the best kid a mom could ask for, smart, funny, talented, calm, cool, collected. (I know, where the hell did he come from?) 

But now that March is here, I'm excited.  I'm excited Spring is one day closer.  I'm excited for changes in my personal growth and excited for the changes coming to my site!   I'm going to be doing a whole re-branding of The Decorating Dork.   I've decided I'm way more then just a Decorating Dork, I'm more like a "Dork of all Trades."   (hint hint) 

So, Hello March! I'm happy you are finally here! 

Weigh-In Wednesday: February 4th

Oh.My.God. FINALLY a loss!  

Whewww... I can't tell you how good it feels to see a minus.  Although I do feel like it should have been more.  I'm going to shut my mouth and take it.  

I worked hard this week on tracking and trying to follow the Simply Filling plan.  I did pretty well, tracked every single day but eating only power foods wasn't working out for me.  So I concentrated on eating as healthy as I could and to track every single point (good or bad) 

   

Superbowl Sunday was the probably the hardest day of the whole week.  Just knowing everyone else was going to be pigging out on all sorts of wings, pizza, dips, chips and desserts was messing with my mind.  

I had been thinking about cake/cupcakes for a few days. So I thought if I just bought a box of mix and a container of frosting and get it over with, I could stop obsessing about it.  I made the mistake of buying sugar free cake mix and frosting.(thinking I was somehow being "good") 

MISTAKE, BIG MISTAKE.  

It tasted gross and didn't have less points plus value, so I felt myself constantly looking for something else to satisfy the craving.  When I make a cake mix I always use either egg beaters or egg whites and applesauce instead of oil.   So, in hind-sight I should have just bought the regular stuff, made 12 cupcakes (throw out the rest of the batter) and been done with it.  

LESSON.LEARNED. 

At this week's meeting we talked about activity and how to make it more fun.  Not sure how that really works, exercise isn't my thing.   Don't get me wrong, I love going for my walks but I wouldn't exactly call it "fun" and the Gazelle I have sitting in my living room is more like slow torture.  Holy hell, that thing is a workout for a fat girl like myself.  To look at it, you think "oh it's easy, you're just gliding your feed back and forth."  NO. after five minutes I am breathing so hard, my heart is thumping right out of my chest.  But because it's been so cold and snowy here in Connecticut getting out to walk has been almost impossible so I forced myself to do it 3 times this week. 

My meeting leader Cathy had the suggestion to try walking indoors at our local Armory.  Actually she said she's available Monday and Friday mornings and wants to do it together along with my friend Donna who's also at the meetings.   That should be fun, we're always laughing and having a good time.   

I've also been thinking about getting a fitbit for a while.   Cathy said it makes her pay attention to her daily steps because she syncs up with friends and they have a bit of a competition going.   I never thought of it that way.  It's another great way of being accountable.  If I know my friends can see me being lazy or slacking off, maybe it'll be motivation to get my ass in gear.    

What activity do you do that's fun?  Do you like to workout alone or with a friend?  

Weigh-In Wednesday : Jan. 28th

Ugh... that wasn't really the result I was hoping for but I'm not shocked by it either.  I had only tracked my points for one day this week.  I just can't seem to get in the habit of tracking.  I have the app on my phone.  Hell, it even sends me notifications every night!  

On a positive note, despite the cold temps and "The Great Blizzard of 2015, I was able to get out and go for a walk a few times earlier in the week.   Even though it never got above freezing, the sun was shining and it just felt so good to breathe in some fresh air.  I can't wait for Spring so I can get out and walk more often.  (Only 50 more days... but who's counting?)  

At tonight's meeting we talked about setting goals and how we can make them more realistic and obtainable.  I know I've already set a long-term goal of losing 18 more pounds by my birthday in May, but I thought it might be a good idea to set small weekly goals for myself. 

Thinking about my eating this past week, I decided that I want to try the Simply Filling plan to get my eating on a more healthy track.    Sure, I can stay within my points every day but having them consist of snacks, pizza and low sugar ice cream isn't going to get me to my birthday goal.   

So my leader Cathy made me a challenge, to eat and track following the Simply Filling plan for 3 out of the next 7 days and bring it to her at next Wednesday's meeting.  I can do that.  I am also going to track my points plus values for the other 4 days and bring those too.  This challenge will be all old school, I'm actually going to write it in a tracker instead of using my phone.  

It's going to be a challenge for sure, but I'm going to kick butt this week and prove I can do it!   

What's your biggest weight loss challenge?  What goals have you set for yourself?  Want to connect? I'd love to give and get support.  

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Weigh-In Wednesday

I just realized that today Jan 21st, is my 21st week back on Weight Watchers.   I'm not sure if that's some sort of "sign" or something, but I'm going to take it as one.   It has not been easy at all, as you can see by this week's weigh in, I gained.   I kinda knew that was going to happen, it's been a week of emotional eating, not really tracking and no extra activity.   Although over the holidays I had lost 2.4 pounds, I ate a lot of sweets.   Let me tell ya, trying to kick a sugar addiction is a hard as hell.       

In the beginning of January I wanted to set a goal of losing 45 pounds by my 45th birthday which is at the end of May.    Sounded good to me, but that would mean I'd have to lose at least 2.5 pounds each week.    My Weight Watchers leader told me that it's unrealistic and I'd be setting myself up for a let-down.  After thinking about it, she's right.   I have to take a more manageable approach to this long-term goal.    

With all that in mind, I counted the weeks til my birthday and it's 18.   If I can lose another 18 pounds (just 1 pound per week) that would put my total weight loss at a little over 30 pounds.  I'd be happy with that!  

So, in order to make sure I stay on track and hit this goal I'm going to concentrate on one new healthy habit each week.    

At this week's Weight Watchers meeting we talked about "Partying Without Panic."  Obviously it's getting us ready to tackle all the food and drinks that are at Super Bowl parties.   This doesn't really apply to me because we normally stay home and watch the game.   But we go to and have parties all year long, so in the spirit of committing myself wholeheartedly to this process I'm going to find, make and figure out the points plus values for two "party" recipes. (1 appetizer, 1 dessert)   Oh, my leader Cathy is going to be so happy with me and of course I'll share it here on my next Weigh-In Wednesday post.  

 

Are you on a weight loss journey?  I'd love to connect, give and get support. 

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My "One Word" For 2015 Is....

I really like the idea of coming up with one word instead of resolutions for the new year.  Let's face it, everyone's list is basically the same....

• lose weight 
• exercise 
• eat healthier 
• save more money
• organize home/life 

Of course I am working on all of the above, but I've been thinking about one word that could sum up how I want to look at 2015.

I'm not sure where I first saw transform, but once I did, I couldn't get it out of my head.

Definition:  "To make a thorough or dramatic change in the form, appearance or character of."

A thorough or dramatic change!  To me, those words are powerful.  It's the perfect way to describe what I want for myself this year.   I mean that's it, I want to transform myself, my thought processes, my surroundings, etc.  

I'm going to print out my one word Transform with the definition, in some sort of fancy font, frame it and hang it up somewhere in my house so I can see it everyday.  (I'll post the project when it's complete next week)

Having that one word to look at throughout the year will remind me of the goals I've set for myself whether it be a physical, personal or financial one.  I believe it will make more of an impact and look nicer then a list I make on a piece of paper that I eventually throw in the garbage because it becomes clutter that I swore I'd clean out in my January resolutions.   (HaHa..see how that works?) 

Have you thought about what your one word will be?   It truly is amazing how one word can change your whole outlook on life.   

The Age Old Question.... To Blog or NOT to Blog?

I ask myself this question every day and every day I get a different answer.   I know I don't want to completely walk away from my blog, but I need to find a way to continue that will make me happy and feel good about myself.
I have those days, weeks, months where I say, "I'm just going to walk away and forget about blogging."  I feel there is no way to keep up with all the hundred's of thousands of great blogs just in my niche alone.  How can I fit in and find my spot?  Maybe this niche isn't for me?

I know I'm not the only one in saying that I constantly am comparing my site and writing to all the others out there.   You wouldn't be human if you didn't have those thoughts or doubts.   It's a matter of getting past all that, and doing the best I can to move forward.

I've been doing this long enough to know what I have to do and how to do it.   It boils down to content, commitment and confidence.

Ya know what?   I think I just I answered my own question.  I'm not giving up.  I don't know exactly how it will all turn out in the end but i'm going to find a way.   My way!