Compare and contrast

This is my first before pic right next to November's pic. Besides the obvious need for a hair cut and the cut off (hulk) pants, I can really see change. I could be over critical about Nov. but I've come a long way and know I can keep going. I have a winning smile in both pictures!

The weather outside is frightful

So we'll walk together inside.

Weigh-in woes

I did go to WW this morning (one of the few.) I was up 1.4. Instead of sitting home feeling sorry for myself, Mike and I went to Benihanas and then to see the Sherlock Holmes movie. This was actually our anniversary treat, besides having the peace and quiet without the children. Before the guy filled my drink he said I could get a larger one for 50 cents more. It was already like 80 oz was the big one a gallon? I hope those new tennis shoes help me burn all that junk off! I'm going to watch my points the rest of the week (including Ken's b-day and the Pixton wedding) and work out to burn off the holidays.

Dress up

It even zipped all the way up. Now to shrink all the way out of it!

So, where's my gift?

Under the Christmas tree were some exercise goodies.First there was a pink Polar heart rate watch. There is a strap that goes around your chest to give a more accurate heart rate. My other watch was getting the nickname the H1N1 watch because I would have to lick my finger to get the button to make the heart monitor work. Multiple people in the family would lick their fingers and try to get a heart rate.

Second, Sketchers Shape-ups shoes. These babies are like walking in the sand. They are suppose to help one lose weight, tone muscles, and put less stress on my heels. The heels have been so much better but less stress on them is always a good idea.

All is good.

Merry Exercise!

Even though it is Christmas week and the weather has been cold and snowy, Mike and I have done Jillian and run on the clothes hanger (the treadmill). I think it has taken some of the stress of the holiday off.

Feeling a little hungry?

He's watching me, really he is...

When I got home yesterday from WW, I started seeing Hungry in the strangest places. I guess someone thought this week would be difficult to stick to the plan. I did feel a little strange with Hungry watching me in the bathroom- just what I need, a Hungry Peeper.

Monday weigh-in

I should be bummed out to be at 200.6 today and not at 199 but what can I do but keep trying. Officially it is 43 pounds down. Yet, it is December and what December have I ever lost weight? I usually have gained (except when I lost 8 pounds when I delivered Kenneth 2 years ago.) This week is about making good choices and enjoying.

Watch out

Mike decided to run around our block- which is exactly a mile if you round the cul-de-sac. He ran it in 9 minutes and 6 seconds. I thought it sounded great too. I took off jogging and about 2 minutes in I wondered what am I doing. I was huffing and puffing like crazy. Then I thought, I am challenging myself against the clock. I stopped jogging and began power walking, I ignored the trash men, I watched out for ice on the walk and made it home in 14 minutes and 22 seconds.

Orange sticks, I will resist

I had these hiding in my closet since November for presents for the neighbors and teachers. I didn't even raid them for a yummy treat (nobody but me knew they were in there, no one would notice a box gone...) My WW leader would say, "What you eat in private shows in public." I feel good that I didn't need to sneak them.
I gained .4 ounces this week. I had expected a loss, so I chalked it up as the scale doesn't reward Beth weekly. I have to give it a go this week because next week the kids will be home and Christmas, Anniversary, Kenny's birthday, and the Pixton wedding festivities are filled with rich foods like twice baked potatoes.

A Pepper Popper

I found all the Diet Peppers open on my nightstand. Kenny has a new skill- pop can opener. He didn't think I could stay in my points for 7 days? After I drink all those 0 point pops I don't think I'll be hungry- so there!

It's a mystery

Mike made lunch- luckily mine wasn't a triple, only a single.

This week the weather has been horrible. The high today was 8 degrees. I'm glad that I had the treadmill. Yes, I know, I have a hate hate relationship with that clothes hanger but it was way too cold to walk outside and I didn't feel like doing Jillian's shred. Tonight Mike and I went to the movies- 2012. The movie was lots of main characters almost getting hit by stuff, it was ok, but the good thing was I had a diet pop and Mike and I split a small candy bar. I didn't want to have the 2,000 calorie a cup popcorn. I didn't even miss it or want it. Why don't they serve 1 pt. Kettle Corn?

Losing weight in December!

Kicking up a notch really helped at the weigh-in today. I weighed in at 202.0. I lost a 3.2 lbs, making up for two weeks of gains I am down 41.6 lbs! Hooray. I really think doing the extra treadmill plan A and B's during the week made the difference. My muscles hurt like they did over the summer when I was shedding the weight like crazy. So, hurt and tired equals happy at the scale.

I got home and made the Avocado BLT pizza, half a pizza for 12 points. It was great. Who knew lettuce on a pizza could be so good?

Motivation

Yesterday's incentive to stay in my points and do all my B plan on the treadmill was a diet Dr. Pepper. I accomplished that little goal. So, I bought a whole box of them today to bribe myself all week. Zero points and yummy.

Is Mrs. Malm wearing spandex in the 6 degree weather?

I made the onion rings. It made two cookie sheets full and if I had eaten them all it would only have been 8 points, one pan 4 and half= 2. They were good and dipped in some ketchup they were great.

I made myself wear my exercise clothes until I walked the A plan on the treadmill (the one where you increase the speed until you fall off or die.) Well, I wore the spandex all day, even when I had to go up to the school (scary). I walked it during the show Survivor. I survived, now I can take a shower and wear some pajamas.

Below Zero

The weather forecast is more snow and below zero for a few more days- it is too cold to walk outside. Luckily it was a little warmer when I walked to WW on Monday. I did workout B today- walk for 20 minutes at 4.0 and cool/warm up 5 and 5 down at 3.0. I couldn't sustain the speed for more than 10 minutes so I had to slow it down some. Then I did the squats and lunges- and my thighs felt like jelly for an hour.
I didn't have time to make the onion rings today but there is always tomorrow.

Fire up!

With a .8 gain this week at the weigh in, I totally have to reel myself in. I am hitting the exercise and keeping within my points! I even got a little magazine at the check-out stand on Saturday with Strength and cardio workouts to rev up my results! That is propaganda I can buy into. So I did their 30 minute "speed ladder" (upping the speed on the treadmill until you almost fall off at 4 minute intervals) and the special sit ups and dry land breast strokes. I then went on a walk with Mike, but we walked it 5 minutes faster. Whew, I feel revved up!

At the WW meeting a lady mentioned that she cooked from one of the WW cookbooks over Thanksgiving weekend and they were fabulous. At the end of the meeting there was a rush on that cookbook- yeah, I bought one. This afternoon I made Burritos with a side dish of one of the recipes- coleslaw with a peanut sauce. It was wonderful and I ate half the bowl- 2 1/2 cups for 4 points (1/4 would have been 2 points). Tomorrow, I'm going to make the onion rings 2 points for 8 rings (vs. Sonic's 11 pointers).