Wow, this week flew by!  When I woke up this morning, I couldn’t believe it was already time to weigh-in again.  I feel like I just weighed in two days ago.  

Today’s weigh-in was another good one.  I lost 1.8 pounds, for a total of 48.6 pounds gone!  I’m very pleased with this steady progress, and I can’t believe how close I am to 50 pounds off.  I really want to push myself for the next two weeks, so I can look my best for my Boston trip.  

I’m feeling better than ever, and the clothes that I recently bought are already starting to get a bit loose.  Some of the pants I bought were a bit snug, and now they’re fitting just right.  I’m glad I bought the clothes, because it was long overdue, but I’m looking forward to buying “normal sized” clothes at some point in the near future, I hope.  

This week’s goal: workout 4 times, active all 7 days.

It’s strange, but I was really looking forward to today’s weigh-in. Maybe avoiding the scale last week made me stick to my diet even more closely than usual? Whatever it was, it was a great feeling to be excited to get on the scale.

This week I’m down 5.1 pounds for a total of 46.8. Very steady progress, and -50 is just around the corner!

The thing I tried to do last week was be active in some way, shape, or form almost every day. If I wasn’t at the gym working out on the elliptical, I was riding my bike. I didn’t exercise all 7 days, but I did it more than I didn’t which is good. I’m planning on continuing that again this week.

In fact, tonight I’m going to meet 2 of my former yearbook students (who are just back from their first year of college) for coffee. I asked them if we could meet at a Starbucks in my neighborhood so that I could ride my bike to meet them. I think they’re going to love seeing Lola, and I’m hoping that they notice a big difference in the way I look. It’s been about 2 months since I saw either of them (they came back to school quite often this year to say hello), and I think they might notice a difference. I definitely do.

I’m getting down to the wire with my Boston trip, and even though it doesn’t look like I’m going to have lost the 80 pounds I was hoping to in order to be under 200 lbs, I still think I’ve made amazing progress. No matter what, I look and feel better than I did in December when I began this effort in earnest, and that’s really all I can ask for.

Lately I’ve been feeling so happy, so content, so proud. It’s all due to my weight loss and finally feeling like I’m me again. I was discussing this with BFF and DRMK this weekend, and I realized that this is the first time in over 5 years that I’ve weighed this little. (Not that I weigh a little, but you know what I mean, this is my lightest weight in 5 years).

Not only do I feel and look better, but I have more pep in my step. More energy, more va-va-va-voom, if you will. I love how I move around in the world now. Plus, lots of people are noticing the weight loss because it’s finally becoming more dramatic, especially for those who haven’t seen me in 4-6 months.

I know I have quite a ways to go, but if I feel this good at this point, I can only imagine how great I’ll feel when I get to my goal, 100 pounds from now.

This cooking idea came from DRMK, who has become a really great cook. DRMK told me that the last time she made turkey burgers, she added a couple of squirts of honey dijon mustard, and that they turned out so well.

The next day, I decided to grill some boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I sprinkled some lemon pepper on both sides of each breast and then added some honey dijon mustard to them. I let them marinate in the fridge for about 30 minutes and then grilled them up. They were delicious! The only thing I had to watch for was that the flame on the bbq wasn’t too high, because the honey in the mustard does burn.

Last night I made the turkey burgers, and they were truly wonderful. The honey dijon adds a nice kick, without being overbearing.

Just a little condiment tip from me to you.

My friends and family are really supportive of my weight loss efforts.  They all know how hard I’ve been working and how much success means to me.  I’m really lucky to have such great people on my side, cheering me on every step of the way.

BFF is no different.  For my birthday this year she got me a $50 gift card to New York & Company.  NY&Co is one of BFF’s favorite stores, and whenever I go shopping with her, we usually make a pit stop there.  It makes me feel “safe” because it’s set up in a really similar way to Lane Bryant.  They have lots of choices, and different styles of clothes to choose from.  Everything from career wear to more active/lounge clothes.  I’ve told BFF several time that I can’t wait until I can fit in the clothes at NY&Co.

She said that she decided to give me the gift certificate there because “they go up to a size 18, and I’ll be wearing that size before you know it.”  She sweet.  I’m currently in a size 22, but I do think 18 is around the corner.  I’m hoping that I can buy some clothes from NY&Co in the fall/early winter, just in time for the season change and cool-weather clothes.  

How fun to have something to look forward to.  It makes losing weight more of a reality, somehow.  Knowing that I will soon be able to shop at New York & Company means that I’ll finally be out of the fat girl stores!  And if that isn’t inspiration, I don’t know what is.

Saturday I used the money that my parents gave me for my birthday gift and bought a bunch of new clothes at Lane Bryant.  Oh, how I look forward to the day when I don’t have to shop at that store anymore!  Not that they are all that awful, but it’s just the idea of having 4 plus sized stores to choose from that drives me crazy.  My inner fashionista is crying because she wants to be able to get creative, get a true style, and show her stuff.  

Ms. Fashionista is happy about the purchases I made, though.  All of the clothes were in smaller sizes!  Exciting.  I went down 2 pants sizes in the “right fit” jeans (from 6 to 4), 1 size the crops/bermudas (now in size 22), and I stayed the same in tops (18/20).  Actually, I fit in the 14/16 tops, but with the tighter pants, I feel more comfortable wearing the looser tops.  

The funny thing is the pants really don’t look tight, but because all of the pants I’ve been wearing have been so big and baggy on me, these new pants that fit correctly feel tight.  I just have to get used to it, I guess.  Plus, as I lose weight, they’ll get bigger.  

So, here’s what I got:

• 1 pair bootcut, right fit jeans in a dark wash
• 1 pair capri length jeans
• 1 pair capri pants - brown
• 1 pair denim bermudas, dark washed
• 2 pairs cropped “yoga” pants - red and gray
• 3 cotton camis (great to wear under tops or alone) - black, brown, fushia
• 3 cotton scoop neck tees - black, rust, purple
• 2 “fashion” tops that I can wear to work, multicolored pattern - turquoise/black and brown/rust
• 5 pairs of panties in fun summer colors/patterns

After the 4 1/2-day long celebration for my birthday, the 4th of July, etc., I’ve decided not to step on the scale this week.

Some of you might say this is denial, and it’s better to face whatever numbers might come up. I disagree. I’m just giving myself a break so that I don’t get upset with myself and whatever number I may see. I look at it as a catch-up so I won’t get discouraged.

Not that I ate that badly. I just didn’t follow the Medifast plan, but if I was doing something like WW, I’d have been within my point-range, for sure. I indulged, but in a smart way, I think:

• I had sushi on Wednesday for the first time since December, and it was amazing.
• I also had a glass of wine, but it was my birthday, after all.
• Thursday BFF and I went to Red Lobster - I had fire grilled shrimp and lobster. Oh, and I did have two of those cheddar Bay Biscuits, which might as well be labeled, crack. So good and too hard to resist.
• Friday I had my parents over for the 4th of July and we grilled chicken and steak kabobs, corn on the cob, and had a Caprese salad (tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil with a light Italian vinaigrette). More wine was consumed, of course.
• Saturday I went to DRMK’s house and her husband grilled Chicken Tikka, which was fabulous. Tikka is an Indian spice rub mixture with lemon, garlic, and ginger. So good!
• Last night I went to a bocce night for BFF’s birthday. I did have a small piece of cheese pizza, but it was really tiny and thin, so I think I’m ok. I also had 2 beers, but I passed on dessert.

What a great birthday present! I now have new bling! That’s right, I’m finally down more than 40 pounds!!! Plus, I’m seeing numbers on the scale that I haven’t seen in years, and it feels great.

I lost 3.5 pounds this week, for a total of 41.8 (almost -42!!). Not only does the scale reflect great numbers, but I feel wonderful, and I’m becoming more active than I have been in years, which is awesome.

This week, beginning with today, is going to be a bit challenging because of my birthday, the 4th of July, and a few other celebrations happening this weekend. But, I’m going to enjoy myself in moderation, ramp up the exercise, and hope for the best.

I have about a month before I leave for CTLB’s wedding, and I want to try to lose as much weight as I can before then.

I woke up late today and had to rush around to get ready so I wouldn’t be in too late to work.  In all of the chaos and confusion, I forgot to weigh myself.  So, tomorrow will be my weigh-in day and I’ll make sure to post an update then, as well.  

Tomorrow’s my birthday, so I hope the scale has some good news.  Making -40 lbs. would be a wonderful present, and I have a strong feeling it will happen!  

During the school year, my weekends usually consist of running a few errands, cleaning the house, grading, and getting ready for school the next day. Not a lot of room for fun in the mix.

This weekend has been what I consider the perfect summer weekend.

Saturday

Yesterday my sister, mom, and I went to Santana Row and shopped, had lunch, gossiped, had some wine, and had a wonderful time enjoying each other’s company. It was really special because our schedules don’t let us all get together too often.

Afterwards, I headed to the library to pick up some books I had requested and then went to Starbucks to begin reading one of them.

Then I decided it was time to take Lola out for a spin, so I rode the new beach cruiser all over my neighborhood. Talk about great exercise! Within about 10 minutes, I was out of breath and breaking a sweat, but loving every minute of it. Riding Lola around was a great way for me to build my confidence up on the bike. I’m still a bit hesitant with the stopping and starting, but once I start rolling, I’m great.

Today

DRMK, F, and I had agreed to meet at 8am to play tennis at a local park that has courts. I admit that the notion of waking up at 7am so I could shower and get ready to be there by 8am wasn’t thrilling. But I did it. And I felt great to be up and at ‘em so early. Yes, it was a break in my normal Sunday morning routine of coffee and the newspaper, but it was so invigorating to be out and about so early. I did have to stop at Starbucks for a burst of caffeine, and it was pretty cool to find it slow for once.

Tennis this week was a vast improvement over last week. F gave me some tips on my form, and my wrist didn’t hurt at all. I feel like I didn’t hit as many balls as I did last week, because I was trying to make sure to follow through on my swing, but I know that if I keep this up, I’ll get there eventually. How did I improve on my wildness? Um, not so much. It was like I had a checklist - through the trees, check; over the fence and across the street, check; almost hitting a parked car, check. Too funny! Still, I had a blast, and lasted for an hour out there this morning, so I’m proud of myself for that.

After tennis, I went to Target and spent $200 on all the “essentials” I need, plus gift wrap, a present for my niece, and a few impulse buys. I never make it out of Target for less than $60.

Then I headed to Trader Joe’s to buy the makings for my lean and green meals. I was in and out of there pretty quickly, which was great.

When I got home, I put away all the groceries and the purchase from Target, emptied the dishwasher, made coffee, ate breakfast, and read the paper.

I can’t believe how much I’ve done, and it’s only 1pm! On most Sundays, I would just be finishing the paper, and maybe I’d have a load of laundry going. I’m amazed at how active I’ve been today, and really happy that I’m not feeling lazy at all.

Later today BFF and I have planned to meet at at Starbucks halfway between our two houses. (Yes, I’m aware that this will be my 3rd coffee intake for the day, and so what? I love coffee, and I drink plenty of water, so I’m not worried about any ill effects). I’m not sure how many miles it is to the Starbucks, but I’m guessing it’s at least 2 miles, each way. I’m definitely wearing the helmet for today’s excursion, no matter how dorky it looks. As my dad said, “getting a concussion is a lot dorkier than wearing a helmet.”

The one thing I haven’t done at all this weekend is clean the house. Everything is neat and tidy, but the floors need a good mopping, the carpets need to be vacuumed, and the surfaces could use a dusting. I have Thursday (and Friday!) off this week, so I’m planning on doing my deep cleaning then.

I’m finding that being active is something that I really enjoy. I love having lots of things to do, including making some time to improve my health and fitness level. All and all, a wonderful weekend that I hope is the first of many just like it this summer.

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Update: BFF and I rode for at least 5 miles, and it felt great. Right now I have that wonderful drained feeling that come with a really active day. I’m sure tomorrow I’m going to be walking around work like a zombie, because I’ll be sore, but it’s a good kind of soreness.