Updates and such

It's been 5 months since moving to Sacramento. And it's been 2 weeks of taking a new set of "natural" drugs to lift me out of the doldrums of being homesick, lacking motivation, and declining sexiness. And from the readings of various blogs, I'm not alone in this blah-ish feeling: http://fitbottomedgirls.com/2011/07/fitness-and-depression-the-defining-moments/

Well, these past 2 weeks have been better. I am feeling more like my "old" self. I am looking forward to working out most days and I'm not beating myself up for the weight gain, for looking like a frumpy middle-aged woman, and making more of an effort to getting out to learn and enjoy Sacramento (big fun at the California State Fair) and reignite my girlfriend-side at home. And to add to the new found happiness, I am even down 1 lb. Woo hoo.

I am, however, still envious of women I see at the gym who claim to workout only about 30-45mins a day and change their eating habits from eating less junk to more fruits and veggies.  I have to constantly remind myself that we are all different and at different levels on our journey and to congratulate her on her hard won progress.

The nutritionist tells me that I need to stop talking in collective "yous". I need to start talking about myself/issues using the first pronoun - to own it. This is a hard one for me because I learned somewhere down the line that it's not always about "me" and therefore to not use the first person pronoun, I. Well, that's changing as well.

I am also working on shutting off negativity. Negative friends, negative thinking, negative events. At this point in my life, I may not look at life through rose-colored glasses, but it's not all gloom and doom.


I am thankful that My Fella and I can have rational conversations about the things we miss and need from each other. Our relationship wasn't conventional by any means but I have to say we've had less bumps along the road.

So because you're worth it, I am putting more effort into US and I know that you are too. As the lyrics played last night state, you're the finest I've ever known.

Weight loss, the quick and the easy…

Let’s face it - that’s what most of want - To take a magic pill at night and wake up being a size 4 the next day.

In the short span of 2 hours, I have received 1 FB message promising that I would lose 15 lbs in just 2 weeks by drinking some all-natural shake and a Living Social e-mail promising a 4-week weight loss program using a prescribed medication, supplements, nutrition plan and exercise regimen for the low cost of $90 (I didn’t inquire on the cost of the shake diet and I highly doubt the 4-week program is supervised by a real physician).

Yes, I am an exercise DVD junkie (just recently bought Zumba from QVC). I’ve purchased the Nike+ for my shoe, a heart rate monitor, 2 kettlebells, and slew of other fitness accessories. I do this as a form of motivation (and it also aides my desire to shop).

But I know that by just having these items will not make my thin overnight. I also know that doing a shake diet and taking diet pills will not provide long-term HEALTHY weight loss.

 And isn’t that the point of all this?  Maintaining the weight loss long term and being healthy?

I can’t say I haven’t considered options like Quick Weight Loss, Jenny Craig, FitFoods. I can’t say that these programs aren’t beneficial to some. They do work – for some.

Call me hardheaded and stubborn, but I want to do this the old fashioned way. Maybe I will be stuck at 170 (yes, that damn 7lbs weight gain is sticking around) for a bit longer that I truly like. But I am working on eating right and working out (I restarted my gym membership) and as long as I don’t see 203 again, I can be happy.

It's a new Weight Watchers

At least that what all the hype seems to be about.

As many of us on the weight-loss train can attest, we've tried WW in the past. For some, it works(ed) and for some...eh?!?!  Well, I tried the At-Home version in 2004-2005 and lost 10 lbs. But I took issues with the apparent promotions of their products (frozen meals, frozen treats, protein bars, etc).  This new WW program seems to take that into account and now pushes REAL food (fruits and veggies are 0 points) and working out. Sheila is a lifer, group leader, and provided a great review of the new program.

So, one final thing I am thinking of taking advantage of from my job before I depart is the deeply discounted WW program.  I may be a group exercise class junkie, but I'm not sure how I feel about group weigh-ins so I'm leaning towards the online program. The other pitfall for me is that I know how revved up I get about new weight-loss endeavors (especially about tracking my food) and fall off part way through. So, do I spend the $$$ to track my points thinking I fall off mid-way or even early into the game? Or do I just keep plugging along with my paper journal (so far 1 week down) and new eating plan of a protein shake for breakfast and dinner, 2 snacks and a sensible lunch (sounds like a commercial, huh?)? Or should I put my $$$ into the fitbook?

I'll decide tomorrow after the on campus info-meeting.

Do you WW?  Are you good with tracking points or counting calories? What other tools do you use (Calorie Count.com anyone?) to track your intake and exertion?