The Bright Side of 2010

June 2010 (189): Almost pass out while shopping in an Ulta. Go to doc, get blood work. Have thyroid disease. Makes E and I fight, bc I refuse to drive the 2 hours to see him when I feel like passing out. Cut my hair off, super short (classic breakup move). Move back home to NY, break up with E. He didn't take it well, but it took a lot of courage to get out of a 5 year relationship that had been going sour for a while. Feel guilty, but start to feel free. Begin a social life, and return to working @ VS on Long Island.

July 2010 (192): Worked at VS a lot, drank a lot, hung out with friends, and generally enjoyed being home for all that it was/is worth. Got my PWC license so I could operate a jetski.

August 2010 (195): Enjoyed final month of summer, rode the jetski on open water! Got offered a job in a Catholic school, took it, and prepared my classroom for the fall. Say "goodbye" to VS until Holiday. Struggled with, and upped thyroid medication.

September 2010 (196): Began teaching Kindergarten (again!) in a Catholic School. Stayed very busy with school events. Took road trip to Atlantic City with friends from home. Joined Planet Fitness!

October 2010 (196): Began researching and applying for Graduate schools. Was sick with a cough, but no health care yet. Develop a HUGE crush on a friend of ExDBF, and obsess over it...(Yes, I'm 27)

November 2010 (196): Made my list of 101 things to do before 30! Went to my first Black Friday sale, celebrated my BFF's birthday, and just generally enjoyed a Thanksgiving where I did NOT have to do any extensive traveling. Began Points+ at WW! Signed up for online dating services, to put myself back out in the world.

December 2010 (196-185): Recommit to WW via P+! Sign up for LI Half Marathon, ROCK OUT on the new plan and lost 11 lbs! Start talking to "P" a boy from okcupid.com. Make plans to hang out with P during the first week of January. Have an amazing Christmas surrounded by the people I love.

Can't WAIT to head into 2011. I feel like THIS is going to be my year!

Year-End Recap: Inspired by J over @ Kissing Frogs....

So, after seeing (and being thoroughly entertained) by J's year-end post, I figured today would be a great day for reflection. This year was a WHIRLWIND of struggle for me, so I'm using my livejournal (personal blog) as a reference...

January 2010 (200 lbs): Returned to NC from NY after Christmas, and cried for the whole 10 hour drive. It was miserable, and I realized at this point I HAD to move back to NY and be with my family/friends if I wasn't teaching. My BFF Kat came down for my birthday, and I got sick right before she left. I remember eating my tasteless birthday dinner @ Cheesecake Factory. I was SO grateful she was there! Was starting to see the flaws in my relationship with E (exDBF), but didn't have the courage to move on.
GOT SO SICK with flu & Bronchitis, but had no health care. Dad drove down from NY to take care of me.

February 2010 (200 lbs): E and I fought over his birthday as I recovered from the flu. Watched the Superbowl alone. Began working at my friend Katie's Coffee shop while I worked @ Victoria's Secret - working about 60-68 hours a week over 3 jobs. Killed myself working, for the sake of paying the bills. Still miserable.

March 2010 (200 lbs): Bo (college BFF) came to visit! We had a fantastic time together, but I was HORRIBLY saddened when she left. I began SERIOUSLY counting down till when I would move back home. I was still with E.

April 2010 (Rejoined WW @ 200 lbs): Bill (my brother!) came to visit over Easter break. We spent the holiday together and I made a delicious seafood dinner. Attended the wedding of co-worker, Sarah, with E. He drank, I could not bc I drove...I was angry, as this was a recurring event with him. Started to struggle with migraines and the feeling that I was going to pass out @ any time. E told me I was being drammatic.

May 2010 (195ish): Prepared my dance students for their recital. Missed a college friend's wedding because of the recital. Counting down became more serious. Told E I was definitely moving back home in June. He took it horribly, and very selfishly. I was deeply hurt. Gave my notice at the Dance Studio and Victoria's Secret. Began packing. Moving home started to feel REAL.
....to be continued...

January Goals(Thanks, Lindsey!) + Some Pics...

Lindsey (on the 20's board) posted a thread today about Goals (but not Resolutions) for January 2011....So here's what I wrote...I'm doing this here to keep me focused and accountable.

- Log about 50 miles (training for half marathon)
- take 2-3 classes (zumba, dance fitness, dance classes, etc)
- Lose 4 lbs (hopefully, and will not beat myself up if I don't)
- Begin INSANITY workout as my cross training (I started this in August, but wasn't fit enough - so now I'm going to do it 1-2 days a week)


I can't WAIT for January!

Anyhow, here's some pics.

This is a picture of the "before" pic I carry with me to WW each week (230 lbs, pictured with my brother, 2003)


Here's some pictures from today, in my NSV size 14 jeans...I realized though I am 23 lbs higher than the lowest I was on WW (in 2007) - I am down 45 lbs from my original (highest weight!) I'm feeling pretty good today! :-)




And a side view, more coy pic (Note, Rowdy is chilling in the back of BOTH pictures...he loves his momma):



These are in my dad's room, as I do not have a full length mirror. I'm ready to keep rocking WW and hope to lose the last 35 lbs in 2011! That's my goal/plan!!!

Goals and Rewards.....

So, now that I'm below my 5%, I'm going to take the next piece of my WLJ, and chunk it up a little. I'm trying to focus on 5 lbs, 10 times.

I've completed 3 times, I have 7 left. Seems SO do-able for 2011.

My next "Major" goal is my next 5%, 180 lbs. I'm trying to figure out how to reward myself when I hit 180 lbs. I got SO many things that I want for Christmas, that I am not REALLY sure what to get for myself, but I am thinking I will get the next season of Scrubs that I need for my collection.

So, I've done this about 1,000 times before, but here are my tentative goals and rewards as I move forward:

180: MacBook (will be buying this with old savings bonds, so not paying much "out of pocket")
175: 25 lbs! New Tattoo "Carpe Diem" design
170-171 (Next 10%): Mani/Pedi
165: Scrubs, Season 4
160: Scrubs, Season 5
154 (Next 10%): Massage
150 (Goal?): iPod touch + Seven Jeans

I am not sure yet if my goal will be 145, 150, or 155. I've never been that small before, so I'm not sure where I will be at a "happy" weight. I've been as low as 162, but my body still had some work to do - not sure if the 7 lbs to 155 would make it...We'll see.

I'm so psyched to keep moving forward with P+. I love it!!!

BMI 29: Overweight!!

^ My NEW favorite cooking toy!! Purchased for myself while I was Christmas shopping.

Best Christmas gift ever? I was down 4 pounds when I had WI today! I'm really stoked - last week was TOM week - and I maintained, hence the big loss.

I am still completely LOVING P+. I am SO satisfied. Today's loss means I'm down another P+ value, to 30 P+ a day. The change from 32 to 31 was easy, so I think the change from 31 to 30 should be fairly easy, too.

I was disgusted by something I discovered today - 2 packets of Truvia is 1 P+ value bc it contains 6 carbs....I guess I need to re-evaluate how I sweeten coffee w regular Half & Half! Mostly, I use creamers every morning (2 P+ for 2 tbs) and don't add sugar, bc they are sweetened...I thought I was using LESS points this morning with my Half & Half and Truvia - SADLY, I am not! booo. So ladies & gents - check your sugar substitutes!

I'm registering for the Long Island Half Marathon and I begin my training today!
http://www.run-li.com/2011/index.php?id=49

I have a few girlfriends running it with me - I've run a full before with Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training, but felt that its time to conquer the half.

I'm psyched bc running changes my body and my super-athletic look comes out. I'm psyched to finish a half, and earn some more bragging rights...but I'm mostly just excited that my body is getting to a place where I can be a RUNNER again, not just someone who runs. :-)

Hooray! Hope Santa/Hanukkah was good to everyone!

21 days in - and MAINTAINED!

It's PMS week, and I maintained this morning! How happy am I??? I LOVE P+. I also finished my first cycle of OP 2 Overcome - my goal for that cycle was simply to track EVERYTHING that went into my mouth - and I did! I am so proud of myself. I did go into the red a little bit this week bc of PMS/no APs, but I'm happy to have maintained and been much better about my GHGs. The 2nd cycle - I am going to focus on having "Perfect" GHGs every day - that means getting every single check box checked, every day (According to my "Ultimate 3 Month Tracker):

6 Liquids
2 Healthy Oils
1 Multivitamin
5 F/V
2 NF/LF Dairy

Do-able...I am capable of doing this, when I plan. I am GOOD when I plan. I thrive on organization and preparedness. From a former colleague in my school in NC, I learned the phrase "Fail to plan, plan to fail." Of course, she was talking in terms of lesson plans, but I think this applies to many, if not all areas of my life.

My new recipe of the week will be THIS tomorrow night:
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/12/spinach-tortellini-en-brodo.html

with a salad my dad makes, that includes some cheese - I count it as 4 pts/serving, and this seems to be working, so I will stay with that...

Today, I threw some stuff in the crockpot & it already smells delicious:
2 chicken breasts
1 can crushed tomatos
1/2 packet mild chili seasoning
1 can black beans
1 small onion, chopped
cumin (maybe 1/2 tsp)
red pepper seeds (maybe 1/4 teaspoon)

Before it's ready, I will take out the chicken, shred it, and put it back in for about 1/2 hour. Then, I'm going to serve each serving (4) over 1/2 cup of brown rice, with 3 tbs FF sour cream.

Yum. Smells good already, and should be hearty and filling.

I'll be wrapping Christmas gifts today, even though I still have 1 more person to buy for, and am waiting for a package from Zappos.

Merry Christmas to ALL who celebrate it! I'll probably be blogging and on the boards a LOT this week as a coping strategy! I'm hoping for a loss Sunday (WI the day after Christmas??? who AM I???)

Day 16 + going strong!!

OK, so I'm being lazy with the menus this week. But, it's the first week in about 3 weeks that I am not completely bombarded with my students' stuff @ home, so I'm taking advantage of that.

I've been OP for 16 days and feel great! I even bring a piece of candy with me to work every day.

I've tracked every bite from beginning to end, and this week I am putting more emphasis on GHGs...I think getting in my healthy oils has really been helpful since Sunday...

Tonight, I am meeting a teacher-friend who I haven't seen since the beginning of the school year, at my FAVORITE place, Panera. I planned yesterday so I didn't have to go into my WPA for this:
You-pick-two: 19 pts
Broccoli Cheddar
Turkey Artichoke Panini
Side - French Baguette

SO stoked for this meal. It's been supercold here in NY and hearty soups and hot sandwiches seem to always hit the spot for me. :-D Haven't decided if I am going to get a soda yet....hmmm...Decisions, decisions.

:-D

Week 3 of P+ Begins

And I WI @ home, but I'm down another 2 lbs! 6.8 over the last two weeks! I know it will slow down from here, and I may even see maintenance over the next week or so, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't completely stoked!

I still have 31 P+, so this week, I am REALLY going to focus on hitting ALL of my GHGs, every day. When I started up again in April, I was really good at that. This time around, I find I have the most trouble getting in my healthy oils, and nonfat/lowfat dairy - since I have been eating a lot of full-fat cheeses. (mmm, cheese)

SO, for this week:
I am going to make it a personal goal, no matter HOW busy I am, to post what I have eaten for the day, in order to reflect on whether I have hit all of my GHGs. Hold me accountable, reader-friends! I need to focus on making sure I use all of my daily P+ to hit my GHGs, before I start dipping into the WPA.

I'll be back later with my menu, BUT, I had a great breakfast, and already managed to get in 2 types of lean protein, an oil, and a serving of fruit. :-)

BTW....

I lost 4.8 on Sunday when I had WI - 1st week of P+ = success!!!

DAY 10

OP, after 20-some odd student conferences. I even had a BEER within my points.

Off from work tomorrow, THANK GOD.

I feel like such a sicky-poo tonight, and I'm not getting to the gym this week.

Boohiss.

Night, WW world!

xoxo

OP2P/P+ day 7

Still on plan!

Smoothie AND Dinner were delicious today! I'm loving this! Trying to down lots of water tonight, and hope that the 500mg of sodium I had today don't have me bloated huge..

BUT, I have to say, on the new plan, with all of the additional fruit I am eating, I am finally "going" to the bathroom...Thank God! Last week for WI I hadn't "gone" in 3 days!

Tomorrow I'm going to try the Skinnytaste Pumpkin Latte. I'm going to make it before I head out to Weight Watchers, and then drink it after my WI (I have this weird "thing" about not really eating/drinking too much before my AM WI).

I peeked 3 days ago, and I was down, usually I peak in the AM before WI, also. I am going to try to skip that tomorrow morning....I stayed on plan all week, tracked everything, and I made healthy choices. If I didn't maintain the loss I had two days ago, it's due to some freak-of-nature occurrence.

I threw out my back today. I'm a bit upset. I was unable to workout, and I worry that this will ruin my week also...

But I guess, two workouts missed didn't MAKE me fat, so it's not going to RUIN my week.

Hope I can at LEAST get to walking on the treadmill tomorrow.

OP2O/P+ Day 6

Feeling really good, still OP. Tomorrow is the last day of the week, my WPA will reset on Sunday with WI!

Making an attempt tomorrow to stay AWAY from high-sodium foods, get in my healthy oils, and eat non-processed, home-cooked stuff. This means that I am trying TWO recipes from Skinnytaste tomorrow (Gina has updated the P+ on both):

Breakfast (I am cutting it in half to make for 1, but subbing in Lite Silk Vanilla Soy...keeping amount at 1/2 cup though, cause I like it thicker, but still liquidy)
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/10/pumpkin-smoothie.html

Dinner: (with 1 c cooked angelhair and homemade sauce, which I will control P+ value of)
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/04/baked-chicken-parmesan.html

So right now, am planned for minimal sodium. Going to stay AWAY from Garlic Bread this time, and try to have a really vegetable-y lunch...haven't planned lunch yet.

Need to get more f/v when I'm at the grocery store tomorrow!

Loving how liveable this plan is for me - I had planned for wine this evening (4oz) but was feeling munchy, so for the same P+ value, I was able to sub in 1 serving of BBQ potato chips.

Delish, and I'm SO satisfyed all of the time!

OP2Overcome/P+ Day 5

Day 5 is in the books, my job is in jeopardy, so still trying to deal with that in lieu of blogging.

Exhausted. Out of WPA bc I indulged in 1/2 cup of regular Vanilla Bean ice cream tonight.

It.was.so.worth.it.

Now, just to get some more workouts in, and make it till Sunday!!

OP2Overcome/ P+ Day 4

Still going strong despite emotional stress today. Job woes, will post tomorrow, I hope -

Need to go to bed so I can get up and go to work early :-(