Recap from biggest loser seminar

I'm at the library as I have some free time but am away from home so thought I'd write a quick recap of that biggest loser seminar last night. One word, DISAPPOINTED! It wasn't what I thought it would be at all. First problem is that they pack 1000 people into theater seating so chairs are right next to each other and that's trouble when the majority of people there were overweight and couldn't comfortably fit into the chairs so lots of thighs squishing together with your neighbor! There was an local newsman as the emcee and then one speaker was the head of a medical company here and just the regular stuff about that we need to get healthy. Suzy Preston spoke for 10 minutes and half the time was joking about her nylons having a run in them and acting goofy and airheady and kinda flirting with the doctor (the head of the medical company). She also seemed real nervous and flustered. She didn't talk about your wt loss journey much as she said if we watched the show we would know her story. The one point she did make was you need a reason to lose weight. A permanent one, not a temporary goal such as a wedding or for your hubby. She said her reason was that she feels so much better about herself and confident now that she's lost the weight. She did look good and her hair is red now! Her hubby, Matt, was there but he was in the front row and there was about 1000 people there so I couldn't get a look at him.

Then Dr. Dansinger came out to talk and had kind of a funny intro about god vs. the devil and the devil is McDonalds and the like. He kept saying that we live in a obesiogenic(?) world and that convenienence food and fat food is everywhere and easily accessable and it is hard to be healthy. He showed a lot of charts and graphs on how the country is getting fatter and fatter and some charts you couldn't even see well. He did talk about a study he conducted comparing weight watchers, the zone, ornish, and atkins and said that on all of them you can lose some weight over the course of 12 months but the key is adherence to the program. He runs a wt loss clinic at Tufts Univer. and said he uses the biggest loser books among some others and has had success at getting people to lose about 35-40 pounds in 6 or more months. He said the formula he used for calories to be consumed on a wt loss program is 7 calories per pound of body wt. So, I think he means that if you weigh 200, take (200lb x 7cals = 1400 cals. per day). He also recommends working out 30 min 5 times a week at the minimum but an hour or more would be better. He showed clips of success stories from the biggest loser and stated several times that even though the average joe shmoe doesn't have personal trainers and can't go and be on the biggest loser show and away from everyone that you can do this! He said that the people who had lost wt on the show needed to keep on exercising most days of the week and for 90 minutes to keep the wt. off. He said that of the contestants that had been on the show that 1/3 have kept the wt off, 1/3 have put some back on and that the other 1/3 had gained about all of it back. He thought that was pretty good statistics considering they say that 90-95% will gain all the wt back. He equated the wt loss journey to climbing a mountain, like our rainier here, and how it's hard and there are pitfalls and treacherous terrain but when you get to the top the journey is so worth it and the view is beautiful (those aren't the actual words but that was the jist of it).

I feel that the info presented is out there in most wt loss books and I didn't learn anything new. I won't go to this type seminar again. I mean, I really didn't think I could learn anything new as I have read so many books on wt loss, fitness, diet. What I was looking more for was was a shot of inpiration to motivate me but it wasn't that kind of presentation. When I was walking out a lady was saying to her friend "I wanted more how to lose the weight, what I can do on a daily basis rather than all those graphs and statistics charts, I can get those anytime". I tended to agree.

In other news, I've been real sick with a cough and cold so no progress or news on the wt loss front for now. Hope everyone is having a good week!

Success story

Here's a ladies success story of losing 100 lbs and she still has some more to go. http://www.weightwatchers.com/success/art/index.aspx?sc=17&SuccessStoryID=9401
I get ww newsletters from time to time and like to read the success stories. Last time it was a lady that lost 19 pounds. I mean, good for her, but I just can't relate to a small loss so I like these bigger ones. The lady mentions having a inpirational leader named Janice. Hey, that's the name of my leader but I can't tell where this lady is from.

I'm back to jogging again. It's darn hard but I think I notice a slight improvement. I will try to up my distance a little each week. I am darn slow but that's ok. Everyone passes me on the indoor track but oh well. Some of them have so much stamina and seem to go a long distance but others are on the walk one lap, jog 2 laps, that I do for now. I'm doing more wt training and I am sore. I'm doing some hour and half workouts doing 1 hr or more of cardio and then wt training. I'm going to incorporate a little swimming and biking soon. The food intake isn't that great but don't think I'm gaining though I know I am going to be up for not weighing in for a while. I will face it this week and won't look back. I'm not throwing in the towel, it's just a hard time for me right now but I'll get back into the swing of things. It's a weird thing but as I am driving down the road as see restaurants and new places I haven't tried, I'm thinking "I want to eat that and that and that!". Not a good thing, I had gotten rid of that voice for quite a spell and now it's rearing it's ugly head again. I'm trying to figure it out and it takes time. Trying to fake it till I make it on the food front.

Can anyone give me a tip on how do to a hyperlink to a web site. It used to link on it's own when I copied and pasted but not anymore. Thanks.

Hope everyone is having a good week!

Biggest Loser Seminar

(Mt. Rainier right before sunset.....like the pink)

I signed up for this weight loss talk/seminar being held in Tacoma this coming Monday. They were advertising it at the Y and it is by Michael Dansinger, MD a expert on diet and obesity. I guess he was a consultant to the Biggest Loser show on diet and fitness plans that helped contestants shed pounds quickly and healthfully. Also speaking will be Suzy Preston from season 2. She is the one that married the winner Matt recently. She is from this area so think that is why she is speaking here. She will talk about her battle with weight, her experience as a contestant on the show, and how she continued to be committed to a healthy, active lifestyle - without personal trainers and tv cameras.

I really haven't watched this show much but it struck my interest and I know some you bloggers out there follow this show. I will let you know what it's like. I'm hoping this will give me some inspiration to keep fighting the weight loss battle.
Hope everyone is having a good week!!

WW dropout?

I usually don't go for the cutesy type stuff but this picture was sent from a good old friend and thought it was cute. I needed it today. Maybe I will go visit this old work friend of mine, I haven't seen her in a really long while and she is only and hour away.

As you could prob. tell my some of my previous entries, I haven't been feeling myself these past few weeks. Seems like my mood and other things going on in my life really have affected my weight loss progress. There is no progress. I didn't go to ww today due to being tired and really not wanting to go. I guess I'm in a time out period. I am feeling guilty about it though. I am exercising quite a bit but my eating is out of line. I'm not sure how to stop it as I don't feel in control. I'm not eating huge amounts or food just the wrong stuff. I would welcome any wise words of wisdom in how to get out of this rut if you have any previous experience with it. Thanks. I will go to the gym today no matter what as that always seems to help me. Well, I thought it could get me with the program and eating right but it hasn't. Really, I'm not quitting and I'm not letting a lapse turn into a large gain just dealing with some personal stuff and a little depression though I'm not sure of the cause. My hubby things I'm distant and unhappy lately and my son is asking if I am cranky today. I need to take notice and do something about it, I'm trying. Another blogger, Jen, was talking of SAD (seasonal affect disorder) and with all our yucky weather sometimes I think I have this. It's due to not having enough sunlight and it can affect your mood. Of course, I think we feel the affects in the winter around here. I really haven't spent too much time outdoors due to hating the cold. I guess it's something to think about. Palm Spring is only 6 or more weeks away.....why do I feel like hopping a plane to Maui?

I been tagged! And other workout stuff

I really haven't been in to blogging lately as it just seemed to me this week I was saying the same old crud. About doing well on the diet and exercise and then not doing so well with it. Was going to write about the zen of weight lifting and how I'm getting into it. I will do a post soon about positive or negative motivation thing/pictures I've had up for some time on my pantry door. One is a fat picture that I hate when we went to Hawaii a few years ago and we had this luau pic done of everyone and I just couldn't believe how fat I was. The other is of me on my honeymoon at a normal weight. I have them up side by side for years on the inside of the pantry door but I rarely look at them. The other day I saw them and was wondering, 'did this ever do me any good as far as motivation?' I'll try to scan them or something to show you or get them on disc so I can post them. My workout has been good, I've been doing long workouts a few days this week and doing about 1 and 1/2 hours and some days and feeling pretty good though I need to pick up some new running shoes....hopefully tomorrow!
I've been tagged by Amanda at 'What about your hips' (sorry can't figure out how to do a hyperlink right now). I enjoy reading her blog as she is one of the most honest and real bloggers out there. Here's the tag:
A- Available or single? Available or single? Isn't that the same thing? I am married :)
B- Best Friend? Her name is Dawn and she lives far away and we really don’t see each other but once a year but I still count her as my best friend though I have others as we can talk about anything and just really have a good time together.
C- Cake or Pie? Chocolate pie or boston cream pie.
D- Drink of Choice? Diet coke but drinking more of the flavored waters.
E- Essential Item? Lately, workout clothes and running shoes.
F- Favorite Color? I like any kind of blue, especially Caribbean blue but like the dark sapphire shade too.
G- Gummi Bears or Worms? Gummi Bears!
H- Hometown? Oak Harbor, Washington, usa.
I- Indulgence? Chocolate yogurt but lately ww ice creams.
J- January or February? February... valentines day and my birthday month!
K- Kids and names? Yes, Chase.
L- Life is incomplete without? Family, friends, and my health.
M- Marriage Date? August 1991. Man, we’re old married farts.
N- Number of Siblings? 2 sisters Shawn and Denise... both older than me.
O- Oranges or apples? Like them both! But if I had to choose, we love our applies out here in Washington, usually like the red delicious or the braeburn.
P- Phobias/Fears? Snakes, spiders, mice.
Q- Favorite Quote? "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right.” Or “It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get up.”
R- Reason to Smile? When my son or hubby says ‘I Love you’ for no reason.
S- Season? Summer... love the sunshine and warm days.
T- Tag three people! Christie, Sarah (living to feel good), and Fat bitch (if you are reading this) and Spider63! Ok, that was 4 people, oh well.
U- Unknown fact about me? Can’t think of anything too unusual, maybe that I was a scuba dive instructor for years and lived in far way places like Hawaii and Cayman Islands. Seems so long ago now.
V- Vegetable you hate? Brussel sprouts, or cooked spinach. Yech.
W- Worst habit? Nail biter sometimes.
X- X-rays you’ve had? Chest xray for physical, seems to live in the Caymans it is a requirement also that you have an hiv test that is negative…seems like they don’t want anyone working there that is sick. Funny because if they are so paranoid then what about the millions of visitors that can fratanize with those workers? Ha ha. I’ve also recently had a back xray due to a fall I had last spring and also an xray of my finger when I broke it.
Y- Your favorite food? Love pizza or most kinds of pasta but really limiting these types of food lately as they are trigger foods for me.
Z - Zodiac? I’m a pisces and that seems to fit me. I love the ocean and sealife and live in a dreamworld (just kidding) and can be wishy washy and change my mind a lot or have trouble deciding on something and I think I have quite a bit of intuition about people sometimes.
More that you wanted to know I’m sure!! Have a great day!

no weigh in

I admit it, I was a big chicken this week. (bawk, bawk!) I used my "no weigh in" coupon they give you like every 6 months at weight watchers. I didn't want to weigh in, felt that a gain this week would really hurt my morale so I used it. I didn't miss the meeting though. This week wasn't about weight loss but it was a once a year meeting where you spend your fake money you made all year by losing weight on particular weeks or for meeting goals you set. It was like an auction where you bid on things, such as pretty bowls, mystery gifts, haircuts, massages, etc. I ended up getting a mystery bag that had a makeup bag set in it and a gift certificate toward a haircut. It was kind of fun but nothing to do with weight loss really.

I worked out hard yesterday and it felt pretty good. Started jogging again but my toe is bothering me. I think it may be time for a new pair of running shoes. I have asics but thinking maybe they don't really fit my foot well so may try getting some new balance this time. Think I will go to the new balance store but it is a ways away from here. Here is an article mostly about exercise http://www.ediets.com/news/article.cfm?cmi=2424228&cid=1&code=24429. And here is another one on diet tips http://www.nutrisystem.com/newsletter/weekof/010707/story2.cfm?IID=9087&fc_c=BFpXACA6LtcO&fc_u=AEXhV2. I get these newsletters and some are from wt loss companies and though I don't do their diets sometimes I get some helpful tip from these newsletters.

We got the stinking snow again! Seems each time we get ready to go to preschool, it snows. That's the 4th day of cancelled classes now. Arrgghhh. I notice that on weeks such as the holidays with no school or with the snow days that I get off track on my working out and healthy eating plan. I like the schedule! And when he is in school I get 2 hours to myself and that I miss. If the roads are ok, I will go to the gym as he is supposed to go swimming class later but we'll see if it still is on.

I will weigh in next week! I have to. I guess I'm in a time out period right now and I guess that's ok for now, I'm not going to beat myself up over it as that doesn't accomplish anything. I'm going to work on a list of "things I look forward to when I'm at my healthy weight" or something. Hope everyone is having a good week!

Feel like I'm climbing a slippery mountain

Here is Mt. Rainier from the view from the back of our house. Some days you can't see it very well but today it's out and it's beautiful. I especially like looking at it when it's late afternoon and the sun is going down and the mountain has a pink hue to it. Awesome. I hope that sucker never blows cause we'll be in trouble. You never know cause, Mt. St. Helens did years ago but I lived farther away then. Ash even came as far north as I was then about 5 hours away by car.

Well, I feel like I'm climbing a mountain these past few weeks. One step forward, two steps back. Exercising like crazy, then not exercising much at all due to weather. Eating good, then eating crap food like long ago, eating out way too much and too late at night. Not sure how I'm gonna get my head right. I haven't gotten really out of control but it's a reminder how far I need to go to get my head, body and health in order. Sometimes, you lose your way a little and it takes a while to get that mojo back. I mean I want this, I want to get to goal and to a healthy weight. What is holding me back?? The million dollar question I suppose. All I know is I can't throw in the towel as I really have made quite a bit of progress this past year. What the he*l is it? Fear of failure? Couldn't get my daddy's love? Self esteem telling me I can't or don't deserve it?? I tell you it's mind boggling some days and I get tired of the fight. But what is the alternative?? Going to a fatter body and not moving as much and feeling like crap?? NO WAY! I'm not going back, hear that fat! It's war and I will win this time. I think exercise is the key for me to stay on track so off to the gym in a few minutes as the roads are better.

On a happier note, my son and I are going down to Palm Springs at the end of February for my bday. My parents and another couple are going down there (snowbirds) instead of Arizona this year. I hope it's warm, and I can't wait!! My sis is going to Maui this summer and would love to go but don't think it's going to happen. It's for their 25th wedding anniversary and they are taking their boys too. Would be fun too as we still have some friends on Maui since we lived there years ago but most have moved on. Sometimes you get that island fever. Believe it or not, it is paradise but I got the island fever too and couldn't stay too long. It is so far away from family and from everything. You can't just get in your car and drive too far. Just around the island. I do miss the laid back atmoshere and slower pace of life, that's for sure! Have a great week everyone!!

Snow again

We have had snow again in Washington the last two days! We have been busy building snow men and going sledding. My son is happy there is no school but he's bummed if we can't make it to his swimming lesson. Here's a picture of chase and his snowman and one of our view out back. Usually we have a beautiful view of Mt. Rainier out by those trees but today there's clouds in the way. We are kinda out in the country and near a few of the last remaining farms in our area. They have done major development and house building north of us. We are worried that if the old farmer out back ever sells or passes on, the property will be sold and then there will be a view of a bunch of houses some day. We do have a wetland that buffers a little.

I haven't been to the gym the past few days due to the weather and I suppose sledding isn't cutting it. So, if the weather doesn't improve I will try to get on my treadmill or do a exercise tape. Sometimes I don't feel like working out at home I find it boring and easy to procrastinate. The gym gets me motivated, as long as I just get in the door! I hope everyone is having a good week!

Latest update and felt need for a separate private blog

I thought I'd update that I'm up a pound this week. No real surprise there for me. I have been a little off track since Christmas. But I'm not sweating about it cause I know I can get it off. If not this week then next for sure! It seems some of my food cravings or past addictions have come back. I have felt so in control most weeks since I began this journey on May 1st.

I actually made a post called 'the dark side of addiction' having to deal with the past and some of my family problems, specifically my father, and how that has affected me today. After putting it on this blog, for all in blogland to see, I thought better of it. It was too real and too painful for me to share with the world. Now that I've got your interest, ha! I decided to create a private blog where only a few can see. This will help protect me and my family with things I'm not ready to share with everyone and in case any of my family have found their way here. If you really feel the need to read it, leave me your email and I'll let you see it.

I will keep this blog for the intention that it was created - for a weight loss and fitness journal and a few details of my so called 'life'. This will still be my main blog. I hope everyone is having a good week!!!

Working it

Went to the gym 3 days in a row and very happy about being back on track with working out. (Love the endorphin high!) I did some punishing workouts, I mean longer for me at 1hr 45 minutes for 2 days and 1hr 30 today. Doing mostly jogging, elliptical and other cardio but started doing weight lifting again yesterday. I felt I needed to up the intensity and really get going on trying to get my fitness to a higher level. I talked about it before but my goal is to do the danskin mini triathalon in August so I want to step it up this year. I think I need a training schedule and will come up with one soon so I can incorporate jogging, swimming and biking. Now I just have to figure out how to keep the motivation going, some days you gotta dig deep as I like to call it!

Funny thing is that because I was tired today, thoughts of food kept on popping into my head. Especially comfort type foods like mac n cheese, pizza, potatoes and couldn't relate it physical hunger just emotional? Or because I was tired? Once I started doing my weight lifting then I focused on that and forgot about the food. Once in a while I find myself fighting this battle with thoughts of food, food that isn't so good for me. Usually I win this food battle and it goes away. Funny how it always comes around when I don't sleep well. Anyone else notice this pattern in themselves? Here's an article about 'killing your food cravings and taming the beast within' http://www.ediets.com/news/article.cfm?cmi=2078473&cid=33. I think a lot of us already employ these tactics. I wish it was easier at times and we just want to eat healthy all the time but temptations are everywhere and they aren't going away. I didn't get to my size by hating food that's for sure!!

In other news, nothing too exciting happening in my life right now. We want to go up the mountain and try some snowshoeing or go sledding and we will one of these weekends. How's everyone doing out there on their working out and wt loss this week? Not sure if I will see a loss next week as I'm making up for lost time.

No excuses

Here's some of my favorite gifts from xmas. It's one of those ipod nano's that I'm gonna wear on an armband to work out with some tunes and a ironman watch to start timing my running or swimming. I'm psyched to start using them tomorrow!

I didn't weigh in today as I had to go up north of Seattle to pick up my son as he decided he wanted to be up at Grandma's with his cousins for some new year's eve fun. I don't think I'm going to WW this week and I am offering up no lame excuses, though my regular monday meeting was on a holiday. I probably should go just to get by head in order as I feel myself slipping at times on my healthy eating plan. Nothing major except for maybe that Red Robin bbq chicken burger, or those quesadilla chicken roll ups or that Dave's BBQ Chicken burger w/ fries! Yikes! See a bbq theme here. Ha! But I have been having good days too with eating healthy veggies and salads. My weigh in at home shows me up a pound up so I will attempt to get that off this week. I got in 2 workouts last week and will strive for 4 this week. My hubby was home all week and we ate out more than usual and the holiday, yikes. We were both pretty lazy this week compared to our usual weeks. We didn't make it up to the mountain or to a movie, just spent some good quality time together and had a quiet new year's eve at home. (Maybe these are lame excuses!)

Here's a photo of us at xmas eve at Mom's. She said, "Patty, you don't have to hide behind anyone anymore!" Old habits die hard I suppose. I hope everyone has a good week!!