tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-158331242024-03-13T22:58:36.478-04:00Sliding weigh down....Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-46881208792294518502011-03-01T11:45:00.000-05:002011-03-01T11:45:00.380-05:00Swish SwishI might be dating myself here but do you remember <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgGGyK22Gm0">this song</a>? I tried to embedded it here but Blogger is not liking it today!<br /><br />The very first line is "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Woop</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Woop</span> that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">da</span> sound of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">da</span> police".<br />When I was walking <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">thru</span> my house today my thighs were signing "Swoosh Swoosh that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">da</span> sound of your legs". Really. I could hear it clear as a bell. :)<br /><br />Today, I became brave and tried something I haven't in years. Actually, today is the second time in over 10 years that I have worn tights/stockings.<br /><br />My thighs, even at my healthiest weight in the 130s, have a very close relationship. They don't like to be apart and would rather graze, rub and now....never separate unless forced to by some clothing material. (extract your minds from the gutter) This would explain why I have been wearing pants exclusively since I gained all the weight over 15+ years ago.<br /><br />This is an email that I recently sent Sheryl. I really hope that she has some useful advise for this plus size girl!<br /><br /><blockquote>Hi Sheryl,<br /><br />I always always loved wearing skirts and dresses. When I was<br />at a healthy and fit weight I was wore stockings and leggings all the time as<br />well. As I started to gain wait I realized one day, while walking down the<br />hallway at work, that that whooshing sound was my legs rubbing together!! I went<br />straight to wearing pants and never looked back until about two years ago.<br /><br />You have blogged about the great changes your legs have gone through but<br />when you were still working towards goal, did you have this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">whooshing</span> effect? Any<br />advise on how to handle it? I now wonder if it was the brand or type of<br />stocking. Anyhow, any advise is greatly appreciated since I want to get back to<br />wearing the skirts and dresses with confidence.<br /><br />Thanks!</blockquote><br /><br />Here are some shots of my legs today. I love when I walk on tile since the clacking of my heels drowns out the swooshing sound! :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5485487591/" title="Self portrait stockings by yahisha, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5299/5485487591_90e3d9b5c8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Self portrait stockings" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5486089414/" title="Self portrait - stockings by yahisha, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5053/5486089414_9d9bc462b8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Self portrait - stockings" /></a>Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-68592896811544974852011-02-28T10:30:00.000-05:002011-02-28T10:30:00.733-05:00Progress Prompt #10<em>I skipped # 9 since it refers to holidays. I will go back and use that one when we are approaching the holidays later this year.</em><br /><br />[10.] Among many online weight loss journalers, rewarding themselves for meeting goals is a big part of their weight loss journey. Does planning a reward really work for you? Is it for your short-term or long-term goal? What are the rewards you usually give yourself? Is it a good idea to reward yourself with food? Why or why not? What's your ultimate reward for when you meet your goal weight?<br /><br />This is a tricky question for me. I have been such a yo-yo weight loser for such a long time that I still haven't quite figured out what works for me. I will try to answer these as I feel today but I may have to come back to this idea after I have learned a bit more about myself.<br /><br /><strong>Does planning a reward really work for you?</strong><br />Historically it hasn't but over the last few years my views on finances, instant gratification and patience has really changed. I hope to incorporate some rewards but haven't come up with anything yet.<br /><br />Lately, I have been looking forward to the reward of how my body and muscles will feel, of how I will feel proud of myself, of what I have to look forward to be able to do (like skiing. Something that I have been fearful of doing). I don't focus on what I will be able to purchase at a store as much. Although, lets be honest, being able to shop at any store and possibly buy items that have a lower number is highly motivating. :)<br /><br /><strong>Is it for your short-term or long-term goal?</strong><br />Weight goals:<br />My immediate goal is to break into the "22_".<br />My short-term goal is to get into "19_".<br />My long term goal is to be in the low 140s.<br /><br />Other goals: become a runner. become a better dancer. learn how to ride a bike.<br /><br /><strong>What are the rewards you usually give yourself?</strong><br />N/A<br /><br /><strong>Is it a good idea to reward yourself with food? Why or why not?</strong><br />WW doesn't think that it is a good idea. I agree and disagree. Going along with another WW philosophy, nothing is off limits I would like to think that I could congratulate myself with something that I love to eat. Checkout what <a href="http://msbitchcakes.blogspot.com/2010/07/day-i-reached-goal-weight.html">Sheryl's post </a>on what she did when she hit her WW goal. I now know that food isn't what got me to this point, it was my mind. My lack of self-love and care that translated into no portion control, poor choices and using it as inappropriately. I hope and pray that when I reach goal I will be so much further along on this path that a treat won't throw me overboard.<br /><br /><br /><strong>What's your ultimate reward for when you meet your goal weight? </strong><br />I have three major ones: plastic surgery to remove the organic apron that is now my lower abdomen, compete in a large ballroom competition fancy gowns and all, go to Italy. Now, I can just hit the lottery at the same time I hit goal so that I can fund these dreams? :)Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-70176868456771936022011-02-25T12:50:00.003-05:002011-02-25T13:11:13.690-05:00Happy FridayI am feeling so wonderful today! Go and embrace life this weekend! Thank you so much for reading my blog. I appreciate you today! xoxo<br /><br />Here are a few self-potrait pictures from this week.<br /><p align="center"><a title="Self portrait by yahisha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5473913539/"><img height="375" alt="Self portrait" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5473913539_79a113e577.jpg" width="500" /></a></p><br /><p><br /></p><p align="center"><a title="Self portrait by yahisha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5476378731/"><img height="375" alt="Self portrait" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5052/5476378731_7744d443df.jpg" width="500" /></a></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p align="center"><a title="Self portrait - friday feb 25 - feeling good by yahisha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5476982502/"><img height="375" alt="Self portrait - friday feb 25 - feeling good" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5135/5476982502_d7a995dfdc.jpg" width="500" /></a></p><p>Found this gem in the Whole Living magazine at my endocronologist office this week:</p><p></p><p align="center"><a title="Got this gem out of the Whole living magazine @ the doc office by yahisha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5476988934/"><img height="375" alt="Got this gem out of the Whole living magazine @ the doc office" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5132/5476988934_cfb1b9887b.jpg" width="500" /></a></p>Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-20071695826245173612011-02-23T12:50:00.000-05:002011-02-23T12:50:15.479-05:00Week 11: Weight Watchers Weigh-In<strong>February 16 to 22, 2011<br /></strong>Current Weight: 232.5 lbs<br />Week to Week loss: -.5<br />Total gain/loss: -9.0 lbs<br /><br /><br />Helen, my WW leader, is always screaming at us to share non-scale victories. And yes, I really do mean screaming. She is a little thing but she has a great voice!<br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="Helen, my WW leader by yahisha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5468282019/"><img height="375" alt="Helen, my WW leader" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5468282019_b73538f3de.jpg" width="500" /></a></p><p align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Lets breakdown my Monday.<br /></p></span></strong><p align="left">Monday was a really hard day at work. </p><p align="left">Hard.</p><p align="left">Let me give you a taste - ever have a project that you have been working on, updating, compiling and just about ready to share? Imagine that 4 business days worth of data, just sitting out there, on that nice server, just waiting for you to send it along on Monday morning. Now imagine coming into work and finding out that the server had a bit of Alzheimer's over the weekend and only has the version from....lets be generous....three weeks ago. And then the IT gurus shrug their shoulders and say "Nothing we can do, but this here server is the best in the world". {insert curse words here}</p><p align="left">Getting to Zumba:<br />Somehow I got roped into taking my neighbor to the Zumba classes each night. Don't get me wrong, most evenings I don't mind but my driving time is the only "me" time that I have. I can listen to my music, make calls, cry, pray and just enjoy being with me. :) Having a passenger cramps this process significantly. I feel <em><strong>so</strong></em> guilty for feeling this way and don't have the heart to make a change yet but I will need to figure something out. </p><p align="left">At the Gym:<br />We got there a full half hour earlier than usual. Since my neighbor had to fix her account I was looking forward to jumping on a stair climber or treadmill. A girl can have dreams! I ended up having the translate to resolve the issue. Then when we get the treadmills I had to set it up for everyone. Going 1.5 mph was too fast for them. It would have been really funny if I wasn't so tensed by this point. I regrouped and thought that what the heck - I am going to get in a great cardio class and don't need to get bent out of shape with this. A girl can have dreams!</p><p align="left">Tony had taught the 6pm class but had left the sub for the next class. She got her certification last week. She is a very nice person and did a decent job. It was her first time flying solo so there were many oops and restarts but it was a decent job. That being said, I was pissed as hell. I had a crappy day, a crappy drive over, a crappy time on the treadmill and now I couldn't even get my cardio at the level I needed. </p><p align="left">Anger is definitely not my go to emotion. I was so angry that night.<br />I was angry worked sucked.<br />I was angry that I didn't get the workout I needed.<br />I was angry that I "needed" such a high intensity workout.<br />I was angry that I needed to lose 100 lbs.<br />I was angry that I allowed myself to get to this physical place.<br />I was angry that I participated in it. I am not a victim.<br />I was angry that I have to try so hard.<br />I was angry that I wanted to eat because I was angry!</p><p align="left">Let me just say that I didn't expect this reaction from a little computer glitch at work and a Zumba instructor change. If you ask me, I overreacted but I couldn't control the anger once it started to flow. {That explains why anger isn't my go to emotion. I am too neurotic. I want to be able feel like I have a semblance of control}</p><p align="left">I cried on my hubby shoulder, took a shower, journaled for a few minutes, talked on the phone, laid on the bed and watch the fan spin but I did not go and eat. That is my non-scale victory. I didn't go medicate my feelings with food {although eating was all I could think of} and I didn't allow myself to stay in pity party mode. I went to my WW meeting at lunch yesterday and Zumba in the evening. I told Tony that I need his workouts and he gave me a heck of a workout last night. I am victorious!</p>Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-86336048642567466122011-02-21T12:17:00.001-05:002011-02-23T11:58:47.573-05:00Progress Prompt #8<p><strong>How many sizes of clothes do you have in your closet and drawers? How do your "thin clothes" make you feel? Why do you keep your "fat clothes?" What would happen if you gave away every single piece of clothing that didn't fit you? Are you willing to do it?<br /></strong><br />About a year ago I cleared my heart and mind....and closet of all the old clothes baggage. I gave away a lot of my brand new lingerie, bras and panties that I have held onto for 10+ years. The majority of the panties were sizes five and six. Want to take a stab at what I wear now? Let’s just say that it isn't that number. It took me a long time to realize that having these didn't help me but were a sad and hard reminder that I continued to disappoint myself. As I try to honor the woman I have become I also realize that I am worth purchasing new stuff for the new me. I don't have to fit into the clothes, thoughts or body of that young girl any longer. I am a grown woman now and should honor this new phase in my life.<br /><br />I thought that I was being frugal in saving things that I could use some day. I think that I was keeping a keepsake of my failure. A physical item that I can take out of a drawer or closet, hold up and show as a hard proof of not what I once was....but of what I failed to achieve. It was so hard to forgive myself for failing. It is still hard to do. But keeping onto the clothes was more of a self punishment than a treat.<br /></p><p>I have selected a few pieces of clothing that have emotional value and have kept those. My prom dress with the broken zipper, the dress I wore to most parties as a teenager, a skirt, two slacks and the dress I changed into after the wedding reception. I keep them because I recognize them for what they are. Hope that makes sense.<br />I am currently using size 20 in pants. I have allowed myself one container with clothing under my bed. In there I am storing blouses and pants that are sizes 16 to 18. I am borderline ready to get into size 18s but I hate feeling like a sausage about to explode in tight pants so I might wait a few more weeks.<br /><br />Here I am in my closet. I have to close the door in order to get a good picture. :)<br /><a title="Self portrait in closet by yahisha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5464699685/"><img height="375" alt="Self portrait in closet" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5464699685_0b15e79f70.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />I am striving to honor myself. To honor all the work my hubby put into the new closet. The way I am doing that is by not placing clothing that I don't like and doesn't fit in the closet. I deserve better.<br /></p><p>Edited: Posted on the wrong day. Update the date. Hang in there while I get the hang of blogger. Thanks!</p>Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-15861643327527968272011-02-18T11:54:00.003-05:002011-02-18T12:49:17.055-05:00Biggest LoserI have been watching the Biggest Loser since season 2. I really like the show, get annoyed with the game play but realize that is just part of the show. My all time favorite players have been Ali, Tara, all the Tonga boys and the crying brothers. :) <br /><br />When <a href="http://www.nbc.com/the-biggest-loser/">this season </a>started I was shocked as to how many people chose the other trainers. From a game play and weight loss perspective it makes sense to get stay on campus for as long as possible regardless of the trainer....but I would still have choosen Bob and Jillian. Call me crazy but I just knew in my marrow that it would have been the best choice <em>for me.</em><br /><br />Fast forward a few weeks and the others are back. Again, I know that it is a game and a TV show but the word "others" just iggs me. We are <strong><em>ALL</em></strong> trying to get our lives back on track, get healthy and get to living. Anyhow.....we now get to meet the new trainers.<br /><br />Boy, boy, oh boy am I happy with my original decision. (You see how easily I get to jump into an alternate universe were I am really on the biggest loser? :) ). I like Brett but am not too crazy about Cara. I am certainly not crazy about using boxing as my primary cardio exercise to lose weight. How is that my little nephew put it when asked if he wanted karate classes, "Mama, I'm a lover not a fighter". LOL Well, I am a wimp not a boxer. It is great for others. It is great cardio. It is not for me. If only I could dance my way to my goal! I would so have regretted joining Cara and Brett's team.<br /><br />The other thing is that the way the show is edited in such a way that it looks like other teams just stand there and watch while two people are boxing. That seems like an oxymoron to me.<br /><br />Beyond that - the fact that they didn't learn about nutrition from the get-go was another turn off. It seems awesome but unless you are going to send a live in chef to be with me for the rest of my days I need to learn about portion control, healthy cooking and calories.<br /><br />My favorite ones that I cheer for every week so far are:<br />Moses and Kaylee - told you I had a thing for those Tongans!<br />Hannah and Olivia - sisters rule!<br /><a href="http://www.nbc.com/the-biggest-loser/contestants/courtney/">Courtney</a> and Marci - that girl just has such a fire in her! She motivates me!<br />Irene - I can see the inner hottie in her. Watch out for her at the finale!<br />Rulon - because he reminds me of my hubby. Lost their way and fighting hard to find his way back.<br /><br />I cheer for Arthur as well but I have a love-hate relationship with him. I want him to do well so badly but he continues to make poor choices. Sometimes, it is like looking at myself and that can be pretty uncomfortable. He has a very long way to go and it is hard to stay focused and dedicated. I feel the same way when I look at my own 100 lb jourey. I am only 9.5 into the 100. It feels like an ocean to cross with only a small paddle boat to travel on some days.<br /><br />I literally got out of my chair and cheered for him when he got that huge loss this week. I hope that the mental shift sticks and he continues onward and downward!Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-18468509971162280182011-02-16T08:53:00.001-05:002011-02-17T16:25:24.178-05:00Week recap + a videoI haven't really done much in the past week. My hormones have been kicking my ass, literally. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Pre</span>-menstrual hormone surge caused me extreme intestinal pain for much of the week. This is a throw back to over 15 years ago. I was so happy when that stopped but here we go again! On top of that my mood has been on a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">rollercoaster</span> ride too. I am sure that my hubby would have love to send me to the moon. Shoot, I would have loved to go! :)<br /><br />What I did do, besides eating cookies, chips, soda, candy, gum, etc when I wasn't doubled over in pain, was go to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Zumba</span>. That has to be the only reason I held my weight this week. Here is a video they recorded last week. You'll get to see me in my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Zumba</span> glory around 1:02 minutes into the video. There are designated colors for each day but I didn't get the memo and was in blue. ;) <br /><br />I am starting fresh.....starting right now. <br />Okay, maybe a few minutes from now.<br />Darn it! Don't be so demanding! <br />I will start fresh. Immediately.<br />Unless.<br />Oh, well - I'll try my best this week. <br />Cross my heart.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fPcnmFSZ9JQ?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425" height="344" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-61112366468302383772011-02-10T08:39:00.002-05:002011-02-10T08:59:18.556-05:00You are what you read....or watch on TVYesterday, I went to the café for my breakfast burrito. I have been going to this place for nine years now and know the owner and staff really well. We got to talking about the great job my hubby did in making over my walk in closet. He is an incredible handyman type of guy and really knocked it out of the park on my closet! I will post some before and after pictures of it soon.<br /><br />Anyhow, Alexis was saying how she needs a walk-in closet because she has too much stuff. She is in her early twenties and about three years ago lost about 25 lbs. She is also in the mists of planning her wedding. In her closet she has clothes that fit her now, clothes a few sizes larger and a few size smaller. At this point I started to channel the hoarder whisper lingo, <a href="http://www.oprah.com/own-enough-already-peter-walsh/enough-already-peter-walsh.html">this is the one I watch</a>. Here are a few of my beautiful regurgitated lines:<br /><br /> "Remove one item for every new item you purchase"<br /><br />"You don't need new clothing if you already have ones that still have the tags on"<br />In response to Alexis saying she can't get rid of any of the clothes because many still have tags!<br /><br />"Honor your new body with new clothing. Stop holding onto the past"<br />In response to Alexis saying that she needs them just in case she loses or gains.<br /><br /><br /> "Recognize when you are holding on due to sentimental value versus true value. Limit that to a few pieces"<br />In response to Alexis saying there are things that she really still likes, regardless of the size.<br /><br />"You are not going to want to be in your fat clothes. You are going to want to honor and enjoy your pregnant body"<br />In response to her statement that she was holding onto the bigger size clothes in case she became pregnant.<br /><br />At the end of our chat she said that I was channeling Oprah. :) Hey, I'll take the compliment.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, I have just very very recently have figured this out for myself. The new closet design has also helped me clarify my vision for my "stuff". I am just so tired of seeing so much "stuff" that I can't possibly use. <br /><br />It isn't just clothing, towels, books, etc it is all the stuff that I carry around in my head. The anger of things that happened in the past, the disappointments, the running monologue that doesn't help build me up, the debt, the fear. I am just plain tired of it all. <br /><br />I have started to address my physical environment in the hopes that it will help with my mental clutter. I think it is working. And if I have to channel Oprah every now and again to get a step closer I am good with that. :)Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-81368074557014954512011-02-09T14:40:00.007-05:002011-02-09T15:02:35.652-05:00Week 9: Weight Watchers Weigh-In<strong>February 2nd to 8th, 2011</strong><br /><strong>Current Weight:</strong> 232 lbs<br /><strong>Week to Week loss:</strong> - 1<br /><strong>Total gain/loss:</strong> -9.5 lbs<br /><br />I am a coward.<br /><br />I am afraid of failure.<br />I am afraid that due to my weight I will never be a mother.<br />I am afraid of pain.<br />I am afraid of feeling pain again from the IVF cycles.<br />I am afraid of feeling the heart breaking pain of being successful at weight loss and still not be a mother.<br />I am afraid of feeling the pain from pushing my body harder than I did yesterday.<br />I am afraid of failing again after I have moderate success.<br />I am afraid of being completely honest with myself because I might not like myself.<br />I am afraid of being completelyhonest with others because they might not like.<br />(ironically enough people feel that I am too honest with them. If they only knew what I hold back!)<br /><br />The one thing that I have come to realize is that being afraid is no way to live. So, inspite of my fear I am making great progress<br /><br />I can do the high-intensity jumping in Zumba now.<br />I can keep up with the instructor in all the songs instead of taking a marching break.<br />I go workout even when I am not in the mood and without much convincing.<br />I am honest with myself every day. I can't hide from myself!<br />I am honest with the people that matter the most in my life and work thru the fear of hurting them or myself.<br />I have identified another thing I like about myself.<br />I don't feel like I am on a diet but on a life long change. And that is a momentous moment people!<br />I am getting comfortable with being angry.<br />I am realizing that not having the life that any woman in my family has ever had is okay. It is okay to charter my own course.<br /><br /><a title="Good hair day :) by yahisha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5425420013/"><img height="375" alt="Good hair day :)" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5134/5425420013_df5c119bff.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a title="What I like by yahisha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5426027074/"><img height="375" alt="What I like" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5216/5426027074_6c8a2bf902.jpg" width="500" /></a>Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-72841993558798451502011-02-07T11:31:00.002-05:002011-02-07T11:41:03.913-05:00Progress Prompt # 7<strong>Now that you're on a weight loss program, what's it like being with your loved ones? </strong><br /><br />I think that it has taken everyone a bit to adjust. My sister tries to out guess me with what I can and can't have. I think that she has finally settled down and realizes that she can suggest any place for lunch or dinner and it won't throw me off track. She trusts me to explain that I don't have enough points or prefer something else. (see the next question how this hesitancy of hers affects me)<br /><br />My hubby feels it much more dramatically. He has to deal with the changes I make in the food that I purchase. I only buy what suits me. Like whole wheat high fiber bread instead of his beloved white wonderbread. :) I keep a lot of fruit and veggies in the house now. He says he likes fruits but the proof is in the pudding since I end up eating it all myself. He also has to deal with me going to workout each evening. That is a good two hours that I am out of the house, including the 9 hours I am out working, so the "us" time is greatly affected. He doesn't mention it but I know he would prefer that I did a video at home instead of drive at night. He has this really bad habit of worrying like crazy about me driving at night. Anyhow, he is adapting.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Do you find losing weight easier if you have the support of others or do you prefer to keep your weight loss efforts private? </strong><br /><br />I am not a shy person at all but I tend to prefer to not discuss my weight loss goals with others, friends and family. Obviously, you four blog followers and lurkers aren't included since I over share with you! <br /><br />I feel that I have much more control of my journey when I don't add their expectations to it. This sounds so horrible but I feel weighted down by all my previous, failed and not failed, attempts and their expectations. I just don't need that on top of all my own self-talk. That being said, there are a few that are really aware of my goals - for everyone else I am just doing my own thing.<br /><br />Happy Monday!!Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-16731132014496777752011-02-04T09:16:00.009-05:002011-02-04T12:19:48.282-05:00Making a positive changeThe universe is bashing on my head to make a change.<br /><br /><strong>Sheryl's blog posts</strong><br />It shouldn't be a secret to anyone that I am fairly motivated by Sheryl's weight loss journey and blog. One of the very first posts I read on her blog was regarding her change to removing artificial ingredients from her diet. I can't find the original one from when she first explained it but read <a href="http://msbitchcakes.blogspot.com/2010/11/weekly-meeting-topic-metabolism-what-we.html#comments">this one </a>and <a href="http://msbitchcakes.blogspot.com/2010/11/follow-up-to-last-weeks-fake-food-post.html">this one </a>if you are interested in what she has done so far.<br /><br /><strong>Dr. Oz</strong><br />I found her posts to be incredibly interesting because a few years ago I had read both <a href="http://www.amazon.com/You-Owners-Manual-Waist-Management/dp/0743292545/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1296829146&sr=8-2">You: On A Diet: The Owner's Manual for Waist Management </a>and YOU<a href="http://www.amazon.com/YOU-Updated-Expanded-Insiders-Healthier/dp/0061473677/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1296829146&sr=8-3">: The Owner's Manual</a>.<br /><br />Interesting enough, although I found the section regarding the five ingredients that Dr. Oz recommends to eliminate from any diet interesting it just felt too much like a....well diet. It didn't seem sustainable long term for myself and much less my husband. Now, don't get me wrong. Years ago I released the need to bring him over onto the healthy path with me. I simply now just purchase things that are good for me and rub off on him in good ways. *wink* I talking about food people! FOCUS! :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.oprah.com/health/YOU-On-a-Diet-Basics/2">Dr. Oz plans</a> is to eliminate: hydrogenated oil, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, enriched flour and bleached flour. Dr. Oz makes an excellent point when he explains that sugar can be called a multitude of things: High fructose corn syrup, Evaporated cane juice, Molasses, Sucrose, Corn sugar, Dextrose<br /><br /><strong>Oprah</strong><br /><em>DISCLAIMER</em>: I have been an Oprah fan since I was teenager. If you don't feel the same way, that is okay, just skip over my posts about her because I really really love me some Oprah.<br /><br /><p></p>I dvr all of Oprah shows so I am usually a few days late on seeing the shows. Two nights ago my hubby and I watched the episode of the <a href="http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Oprah-and-378-Staffers-Take-a-Vegan-Challenge">Harpo staff going vegan </a>for a week.<br /><br />A few years ago, my niece was vising from New York. We a long discussion a few years ago about what it means to be vegetarian or vegan. Not only from the food consumption perspective but also from your moral and spiritual perspective.<br /><br />Another benefit of having lived in a third world country as a teenager is that from I was well aware of where my food was coming from. Not only the animals but the fruits, legumes, rice, sugar, etc. Shortages are well know. Fruits aren't in season or have to be imported. Cattle, chickens and pigs are raised for consumption. The food was planted and harvested. It is hard back breaking work. Cows were milked and the milk wasn't sold to us in containers ready for consumption.<br /><br />While I do not have an issue with consuming animals and their products I do have an issue with irresponsible raising and slaughtering of animals. I agree with the comments made on the show that we need to honor the life that was given. There <strong>is</strong> a right way to treat animals, even in death.<br /><br />Unfortunately, here in the US I don't have much visibility into where the food is coming and how it was handled. This has been bothering me for a few years. Yet, I haven't done much to do anything about it. Lets be frank, getting it at the supermarket is just so darn easy and affordable.<br /><br /><strong>Combination of Sheryl, Oprah and Dr. Oz:</strong><br />For the last six months or so, I have been focusing on eating things that have a mother or come from the earth first, before eating crap. I find that this aligns well with both the new WW Points Plus program, (hey, I was ahead of my times), Dr. Oz recommendations and what Sheryl has done.<br /><br />Hubby, like myself, is a carnivore. <em>He</em> isn't remotely interested in going Vegan for a week, day or even meal. He <em>is</em> open to being Veganish (check out the Oprah link). He is open to purchasing, and spending more, on food that is harvested and produced in ways that we agree with. It was fascinating to talk to him about the process and the ideas explained on the show. He is also on board with eliminating artificial ingredients in our diet. Like I explained before, I was just going to do it and he would buy/eat whatever suits him. But having him on board with this idea is awesomeness.<br /><br /><strong>The plan:</strong><br />I am going to review the nutritional labels for the products we eat most often. Then take a little field trip both thru Google and Whole Foods to find some alternatives that we can both tolerate. I recognize that this may mean that we will a) eliminate a food completely, b) have to make it from scratch or c) settle for an alternative. By no means do I expect to this to be an overnight process but over the course of the next few weeks we should be at a much better place.Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-9273083522189016832011-01-27T12:32:00.003-05:002011-01-27T12:44:45.257-05:00Sea ShellsHelen, my Weight Watcher's leader, gave us each a sea shell as we left the meeting this week. She shared that the first time she had come to Florida she was a recent graduate from nursing school and was walking along <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Daytona</span> Beach. She felt so happy and calm walking along the beach that she decided that she wanted that forever. She went back to the hotel, shower, changed and walked over of the first hospital and applied for a job. She got that job and she started herself on the path to happiness.<br /><br />Her parting thought was go after your happiness.<br /><br />This weeks Weight Watcher's topic was activity. Here are some of the points that were made<br /><ul><li>Activity isn't about putting on a thong and going to the gym. :) (Helen loves talking about thongs).</li><li>Looking good in a thong isn't worth crap if you are dead.</li><li>Don't short change yourself on activity. Cleaning the houses, walking the dogs, taking a flight of stairs, etc are all activity.</li><li>Helen has completed half-marathons in 3.5 hour or less, walking only! She never saw herself as an athlete but setting these kinds of goals have helped her stay in shape.</li><li>"Members of Weight Watchers that didn't include activity as part of their plan during the losing phase end up going somewhere to have portions of their bodies <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">lopt</span> off. It ain't pretty and looks even worse if they don't maintain!"</li><li>Start out by doing what is necessary. Then what is possible. Before you know it you are doing the impossible.</li></ul><p>She went around the room to see what people were doing as a fun activity. These are a few that were mentioned.</p><ul><li>Line dancing</li><li>Ballroom dancing (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">woohoo</span>!)</li><li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Zumba</span></li><li>Walking</li><li>Gardening</li></ul><p>Helen's suggestions on Points Plus</p><ul><li>Eat your daily points, all of them. </li><li>Eat your happy crap with your 49 weekly points.</li><li>Always eat your weekly points before your activity points.</li><li>Eat your activity points whenever you want!</li><li>When a member tells Helen "I can't get all my daily points in" her answer is "Yes, you can. That is how you got here!"</li><li>Over all her years being a leader she never had a member that came in from binging and overeating on veggies and fruit. Don't be afraid of the zero points veggies and fruit. Just eat it!</li><li>Try veggies prepared four different ways. Suck it up and put on your big girl panties and start eating veggies.</li></ul><p>Power Foods</p><ul><li>Reduced calorie bread is a Power Food.</li><li>Potato is a Power Food.</li><li>Not all Power Foods are zero points.</li></ul>Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-45662235025682308192011-01-26T09:55:00.000-05:002011-01-26T09:55:25.792-05:00Week 7: Weight Watchers Weigh-In<strong>January 19<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> to 25<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span>, 2010</strong><br /><strong>Current Weight:</strong> 232.5 lbs<br /><strong>Week to Week loss:</strong> -1<br /><strong>Total gain/loss:</strong> -9.0 lbs<br /><br />Something you should know, I weigh-in at home since I was only using the online tools when I first started WW (for the final time as <a href="http://msbitchcakes.blogspot.com/2010/11/weekly-meeting-topic-what-i-learned-on.html">Sheryl</a> says!) in December. I started attending meetings in January.<br /><br />When I was last attending Weight Watchers I had found Helen, a great leader, at the center by my house. Those meetings are at 8am on Saturday mornings. That is hit or miss for me depending what I do on Friday night. So it isn't surprise that I was absolutely thrilled that she offers a meeting during my lunch hour on Tuesdays by my job.<br /><br />Something else you should know, I really hate weighing-in during the day but I love weighing in first thing on Saturday mornings.<br /><br />The compromise that I made with myself are the following:<br /><br />I weigh-in at WW on Tuesdays at noon with the following conditions:<br />- full clothed<br />- take off shoes and jewelry<br />- eat breakfast and drink my water<br />That number I will now put on my progress chart only.<br /><br />I weigh-in at home on Wednesday mornings with the following conditions:<br />- butt naked<br />- after I have peed<br />- as soon as I get up<br /><br />That is the number that you see posted at the top of my weekly weigh-ins and what I consider my official number. One of these weeks I will go weigh-in on Saturday and am sure that the numbers will catch up with eachother. I am not worried about it but wanted to explain it to ya'll. This way I feel completely accountable in all ways and it works for me.Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-59969198341330208952011-01-24T09:01:00.001-05:002011-01-24T10:53:12.084-05:00Progress Prompts # 6<p><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">Name 10 good things about yourself.<br /></span></strong></p><ol><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">Have a great smile.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">Am excellent at dealing with diverse people and situations. Barely anything makes me shy or nervous.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">I understand that I am not in control....although I would love to be!</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">I am the most improved at almost any physical activity I attempt.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">I am intelligent.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">My hair is awesome: naturally curly, manageable and malleable. (remind me of this when the summer humidity kicks in)</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">I have rhythm, lots and lots of it. </span></li></ol><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">I can't think of three more to add. Interesting is that out of the seven only two were physical attributes. I will have to come back to this one later in my journey. I think that this exercise has opened my eyes that I have things to learn about how I view myself. There is an extreme room for growth.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">I called my best buddy to have her answer it for me. Here are her answers about 10 good things about me.<strong> </strong></span></p><ol><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">Sexy</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">Intelligent</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">Heart of Gold</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">Logical</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">Honest</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">Giving - is too little a word</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">Trustworthy</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">Go Getter</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">Sensitive</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">Am a woman</span></li></ol>Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-50126082078544622262011-01-20T16:45:00.003-05:002011-01-25T14:47:26.403-05:00Week 6: Weight Watchers Weigh-In<strong>January 12<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> to 18<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span>, 2010</strong><br /><strong>Current Weight:</strong> 233.5 lbs<br /><strong>Week to Week loss:</strong> -3<br /><strong>Total gain/loss:</strong> -8.0 lbs<br /><br />A few minutes after posting my stats for last week I received a call that my grandmother was in the ICU in NYC. I left very early on Friday morning to be with her. My grandmother Elena is the proud mother of 11, grandmother of 34 and great-grandmother of 17....but I still felt that I need to touch her and be with her.<br /><br />I didn't return until Monday night, after an exhausting weekend spent in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Milstein</span> Building of New York Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. I also managed to get food poisoning on Sunday and Aunt Flo on Monday. Talk about a stellar week.<br /><br />I ate very week prior to the food poisoning and very well afterwards as well but the -3lb loss is still surprising!<br /><br /><strong>This weeks accomplishments:</strong><br /><strong><ul><li></strong></li></ul>Made good food choices while traveling: fruit, fresh made salads and yogurts!Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-47378284145582481712011-01-19T13:57:00.003-05:002011-01-19T14:06:57.874-05:00Progress Prompt Monday #4<span style="font-family:verdana;">I apologize for the delay. My grandmother Elena was in the ICU this past week and I flew up to New York City to be with her. I got back in late on Monday and am still recovering from this long weekend.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Progress Prompt Monday #4</strong><br /><strong>Is exercise part of your weight loss program? </strong><br />Hell yeah!! That is the integral part of my weight loss program this time around. Incorporating the Weight Watchers plan and moving more is what I know will be the key to my long term success.<br /><br /><strong>If so, what exercises do you do? </strong><br />Currently, I participate in Zumba three nights a week. I also signed up for the Biggest Loser program at work. I anticipate incorporating treadmill/stair/elliptical workouts to my routine in the next few weeks. I also plan to add pilates and yoga classes to help with my non-existent flexibility.<br /><br /><strong>Do you exercise at home or at a health club?</strong><br />I have mention this before but I manage the Corporate Fitness Center at work. The membership is free to all employees. I also am a member at a </span><a href="http://www.genetic-fitness.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">local gym</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">.<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>How often and how long? </strong><br />The local gym: 3x per week<br />Work gym: 5x per week<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>How do you feel after a workout? </strong><br />Sweaty.<br />Extremely tired.<br />On a super high.<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Do you love it or hate it? </strong><br />L.O.V.E. it.<br /><br /><strong>Are you at peace with your exercise program? </strong><br />Yes because although I know it is exercise I view it more as just moving. I only take classes that I enjoy. If I absolutely hate the exercise class I just don't do it. There are enough things out there that I can do that I do like.<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Are you also at peace with knowing that you have to exercise for the rest of your life?</strong><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Absolutely.</strong></span> After spending this weekend with my Grandmother Elena I realize that the reason she is so strong at 86 is because she never stopped moving. I look at my other Grandmother Eva, who is completely sedentary and the difference is night and day!</span>Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-81484168122701642872011-01-13T13:40:00.004-05:002011-01-25T14:37:28.754-05:00Week 5: Weight Watchers Weigh-In<strong>January 5th to 11th, 2010<br /></strong>Current Weight: 236.5 lbs<br />Week to Week loss: 0<br />Total gain/loss: -5.5 lbs<br /><br />Holding steady. I did so much emotional eating this week but I balanced it out with a lot of working out so instead of having a gain, I held my own. Feel proud of that but regrouping for this upcoming week. Yeah me!<br /><br /><strong>This weeks accomplishments:</strong><br /><ul><li>attended 3 Zumba classes alone. Burned 1017 calories in one session alone!</li><li>joined the Biggest Loser eight week program at work.</li><li>went to Zumba in the evening on the same day I did the Biggest Loser workout at the fitness center at work. Felt incredible!</li><li>did really well with evening snacking.</li><li>didn't binge during emotional week.</li></ul><p><strong>Working on for next week</strong></p><ul><li>do five workout sessions (3 zumba, 1 biggest loser, 1 home video)</li><li>track, track, track</li><li>get some non-workout exercise in (like walking the dogs, etc)</li></ul>~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />The beginning of the year always brings out more people to both the Weight Watchers meetings and the gym. I personally don't mind this at all since I have been a participant in these new year waves many a time. Oddly enough, now that my mindset is on permanent mode, as in there isn't waiting for Monday, I am starting the change in the next few minutes....I wish I could lasso them all and keep them coming back....even when things start to suck!<br /><br />I was explaining to my hubbster that a Zumba class this week was really good, high impact and full but that I got annoyed when I looked around at a room for 40 women and only saw a few sweating or flushed. How is it possible that you can take this class and NOT SWEAT? Shoot, just the number of people in the room should cause you to sweat a little! His response was "What do you care? You are there for yourself and you know you are giving 110%".<br /><br />Holy crap, why do I care?<br />My observation didn't stop me from giving it 110%. Didn't deter me from enjoying the class. For meeting my goal for the day. So why the heck do I care? I think it is because I like it so much that I want everyone else to get the same benefit from it. They aren't going to keep on coming back if they don't see the results. They won't see the results unless they put in the work.<br /><br />Why the heck do I care?<br />Because I wish I had my light bulb moment much earlier in life. I wish someone would have lassoed me. I wish I would have been saved from myself and years of struggling. That is why I care.Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-6178512964700605782011-01-10T08:46:00.000-05:002011-01-10T08:46:30.262-05:00Progress Prompt Monday<strong>[2.] What was your childhood like? Were you thin or obese? Did obesity run in your family? How were you treated by your family, your friends, your classmates? What were your feelings and thoughts as you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">dealed</span> with obesity as a child? </strong><br /><br /><p></p><p>I was born at Jacob Hospital in the Bronx, New York to immigrant parents. Talk about an American story. I was the third child born into a very happy and close family.<br /><a title="Me during the 70s & 80s by yahisha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5340935213/"><img height="500" alt="Me during the 70s & 80s" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5049/5340935213_c77debd50a.jpg" width="349" /></a><br /><br />For the first six years of my life we lived on <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?ftid=0x89c2f4728cdee05b:0xe48fd0dc198cb2f4&q=harrison+avenue+at+burnside+avenue,+bronx,+ny&hl=en&sll=40.85446,-73.910067&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&ie=UTF8&ll=40.858551,-73.913258&spn=0,0&t=h&z=17">Harrison Avenue between Burnside and 180<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> street</a>.<br /><a title="Me during the 70s & 80s by yahisha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5340933293/"><img height="500" alt="Me during the 70s & 80s" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5169/5340933293_23dbe80920.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />(Mom and my sister in front of the building: we are looking towards 180<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> street) </p><p>I just recently learned that it was called Morris Heights. Sadly the buildings were torn down in the late 80's and replaced with garden style 2 story apartment buildings. During the time that my parents lived there (late 60s to 1980) the block had 5 story apartment buildings and the corner of Burnside and Harrison was where our local bodega was located owned by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Melito</span>. I remember being given a dollar to spend between my sister and I. We would stand in his store and calculate how much we had left to spend by doing subtraction in the air. There is now a health center on that same corner.</p><p>When my mother talks about all the places she lived in New York her fondest memories is of this two bedroom apartment. I think that it is because it is where we became a family. My parents moved into the neighborhood when my brother was a year old or so. During their time there all the children in the extended family were born, right on that block. We all shared the same primary care physician. That fact has always been fascinating to me for some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">truly</span> odd reason. </p><a title="Me during the 70s & 80s by yahisha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5340937307/"><img height="361" alt="Me during the 70s & 80s" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5006/5340937307_8ed111f8eb.jpg" width="500" /></a> <p>In our building lived many my grandmother, godmother, aunts, uncles and close family friends. In the building diagonally <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">across</span> the street lived my other uncles, aunts and extended family. My father says that during that time if a kid lost one tooth they celebrated it with a huge party. The kids birthday parties weren't really kid-centric as they are these days. It was more of an excuse for our parents to clear out all the living room furniture, put some music on, dance, eat and be merry for hours on end. I grew up being the runt of the litter (sort of - there was a whole second wave of cousins that were born in the 80s) surrounded by lots of cousins, cousins of cousins that weren't my blood cousins but are still my cousins. :) It was a very happy childhood. </p><br /><a title="Me during the 70s & 80s by yahisha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5341545260/"><img height="352" alt="Me during the 70s & 80s" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5046/5341545260_0f49f86874.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><p>We all, the kids in the family, had no idea that we lived in a low income area. Nor would we have cared. We were all well cared for, happy and living a wonderful New York childhood. It included playing in the fire hydrant during hot New York summers, sledding down the hill during snowy winters, shopping at Alexander's on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Fordham</span> and visiting the Roberto Clemente park as often as possible. All our fathers were hard working young immigrants. Proud to be in the United States and hard working for their families. Sundays were the day with Dad. Special days. The only one when Mom didn't make a home cooked meal because Dad would treat us all to a restaurant meal.</p><p>The cousins on my father's side of the family were born in groups so Richard and I were only one month apart. He and I were also the chunkiest of all the kids. It certainly didn't make me feel bad or odd, it just was it was.</p><a title="Me during the 70s & 80s by yahisha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5341544690/"><img height="500" alt="Me during the 70s & 80s" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5341544690_52a97e13e6.jpg" width="407" /></a><br /><p>After the Bronx my parents moved to Manhattan, 189<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">th</span> street and Amsterdam Avenue. That was were I first went to school (kinder to second grade). Although our apartment was directly across the street from the elementary school the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">kindergarten</span> entrance was on the far corner, 188<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">th</span> street. Every morning my brother would walk my sister and I down the street. I felt so proud that I could keep up with him while my older sister always lagged behind. He would walk a few more blocks down to his <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">middle school</span>. I remember that my brother was in the chess club and won a trophy for a tournament. I was so proud of him!</p><br /><a title="Me during the 70s & 80s by yahisha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5341549114/"><img height="500" alt="Me during the 70s & 80s" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5341549114_2d57426b14.jpg" width="338" /></a><br /><br /><a title="Me during the 70s & 80s by yahisha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5341548898/"><img height="361" alt="Me during the 70s & 80s" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5341548898_794ed37817.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><p>After three years in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Manhattan</span> my parents moved us to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Hoboken</span>, NJ. My uncle had been living there already for a few years (also having moved from Harrison Avenue) so it wasn't totally alien to us. We lived on the corner of Newark Street and Bloomfield Street. My mother, who is by far the least trusting person I have ever met, felt very comfortable and secure in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Hoboken</span>. We lived in a good building and directly across the street from the police department. While my brother stayed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">registered</span> in his NYC <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">high school</span>, my sister and I were <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">registered</span> for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Demarest</span> Elementary School. I remember when my mother walked us to school on the very first day of school how pleased she was that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Demarest</span> was located four short blocks from our house on Bloomfield Street. Sis and I were allowed to walk to and from school on our own for the first time.</p><p>There isn't any obesity in my extended family. Both my parents always held a healthy weight and were way ahead of their times. My parents believed in a very organic diet and home cleaning cooking (low in salt and oils). </p><p>My sister and brother were really thin as kids. I not only have the square jaw line of the three but was chunky as a baby and child. Everyone in the family called me "la <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">gordita</span>" as a term of endearment. I never felt self-conscious of my weight was a little girl and really didn't care that I was called "la <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">gordita</span>". I took it as a sign of love and affection, not insult or demeaning.</p><br /><a title="Me during the 70s & 80s by yahisha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5341546932/"><img height="500" alt="Me during the 70s & 80s" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5341546932_cd6799c650.jpg" width="354" /></a><br /><p>I recall always knowing that I was bigger than other girls in school but I had a really health self-image from a young age. I think that was reinforced by my father, brother and teachers when they continually praised my intelligence and personality. The only times when I was awkwardly aware was during "hand me down" time. My sister is significantly more petite than me but as we grew up it was typical for me to wear her better hand me downs. </p><p><br /><a title="Me during the 70s & 80s by yahisha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5341547718/"><img height="500" alt="Me during the 70s & 80s" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5085/5341547718_3129009087.jpg" width="486" /></a> </p><p>(my sister and me on Harrison Avenue. This dress was a hand-me-down)</p><p><br /><a title="Me during the 70s & 80s by yahisha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5341548306/"><img height="500" alt="Me during the 70s & 80s" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5341548306_b1711cb13e.jpg" width="356" /></a><br /><br /></p><p>When I was 12 my parents decided to move the family to Dominican Republic. During my 11<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">th</span> and 12<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">th</span> year I had a massive growth spurt. (Those hand me downs were super tight!) I grew to the height I am today (5''5", still short by American standards but darn tall for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Dominicans</span> (the land of the short women! :) ). During my first 5 months in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Dominican</span> Republic I had a growth spurt and lost all my baby fat. My parents had been away for about three months during this time and were seriously shocked to see the change in me. I remember them sitting me down and asking about how I was feeling, thinking, eating, exercising. I didn't understand their concern but looking back that the pictures I can see how even I would have been concerned! </p><br /><br /><a title="Me during the 70s & 80s by yahisha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5341549332/"><img height="500" alt="Me during the 70s & 80s" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5341549332_f9511ea822.jpg" width="336" /></a><br /><br /><p>I can see now that a really bad pattern was starting in my life. During the school months I lived in Dominican Republic. We walked or took public transportation to any place we wanted to go so I was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">unconsciously</span> active. I wasn't <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">conscious</span> of what I ate and don't ever remember binging while living there. During the summer months we would come back to the New York and like clockwork I would gain 15-20lbs. Within a month of being back in DR I would be at my regular weight. I followed this pattern for the six years I lived there. </p><br /><br /><a title="Me during the 70s & 80s by yahisha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahisha/5340938295/"><img height="447" alt="Me during the 70s & 80s" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5340938295_785ce24fa2.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><p>After my initial growth spurt I settled into a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">healthy</span> weight range (125 to 130) during my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">high school</span> years. I was pretty active and unconcerned with my physical image (beyond my hair!). My cousin was diagnosed with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">PCOS</span> when we were teenagers and I saw how she struggled with losing weight. I recall watching her struggle <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">thru</span> a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">cardio</span> class at the local gym. I am ashamed to admit that I thought "what the heck is wrong with her?" because although I worked up a sweat I didn't struggle with the class. A few years later I would so completely understand her. I was diagnosed with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">PCOS</span> when I was in my early twenties. I am thankful that I didn't have to struggle with it during my teenage years as well.</p>Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-53988336400705000642011-01-06T12:31:00.010-05:002011-01-25T14:46:24.689-05:00Week 4: Weight Watchers Weigh-In<p><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">December 29th to January 4th, 2010<br /></span></strong></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Current Weight: 236.5 lbs<br />Week to Week loss: +1<br />Total gain/loss: -5.0 lbs</span> </p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">Recently Vane and I were talking about Pros and Cons of Weight Watchers versus calorie counting. Vane has lost a significant amount of weight and is a beast at working out. Let me repeat that....a beast! She knows how to get a good sweat going and keep that heart rate up! She has also lost about 70lbs already so she definitely knows what works for her.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">The word that continued to come up was "diet". I kept on telling her that Weight Watchers is not a diet, it is a lifestyle. She wasn't "listening" to me and kept on explaining that she wanted something that she could do once she finished losing weight. This got me thinking...why do I love Weight Watchers. (don't look now, but here comes a list. :) )<br /><br />The reasons I love Weight Watchers are....<br />...they develop tools that keep me accountable.<br />....they figured out that it isn't only about what I am putting in my mouth but why as well.<br />....they provide me with tools to get through the journey.<br />....I can eat anything that I want, whenever I want.<br />....They teach me how to recognize the correct portion size and don't punish me when I multiple the portion sizes. (lets keep it real)<br />....They give me focus with the Good Health Guidelines<br />....They encourage me for drinking water and praise me with a happy face when I reach the daily goal!<br />....They recognize that fruit and veggies are good for me and give them to me for "free each day" and also praise me with happy faces when I reach that daily goal!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">....They never stop working on making the program better. Just like I won't ever stop </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">working on making myself better too!<br />...They know that binging on fruits, veggies and water isn't what got me to this weight.<br />....They know that teaching me how to live is much better than teaching me how to live on a diet.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">My WW leader, Helen, said something that was a fun quinky dink. She said "People lets keep this simple: eater better and move more!". That is so like the logo on the side of my blog. Striving on keeping it simple in 2011! </span></p>Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-34964753822256826832011-01-03T14:49:00.006-05:002011-01-03T15:19:08.017-05:00Progress Prompt MondayIn 2007 I found <a href="http://progressprompts.blogspot.com/">this</a> website and saved the list of progress prompts for possible use later on. There are 65 weight-loss related blog posting prompts in total. <br /><br />The goal is to do a progress prompt each Monday (all 52 of them) including some extra ones every once in a while in order to complete the list in 2011. What better time than the present?<br /><br /><br /><strong>[1.] List 10 reasons why you want to lose weight. Which one is the most compelling and why?</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />(Listed in no particular order)<br /><ol><li>I want to lose weight so that my thighs don't rub together anymore.</li><li>I want to loser weight in order to reduce all the health risk factors that come with obesity.</li><li>I want to lose weight in order to align my mental image with what I see in the mirror.</li><li>I want to lose weight in order to not need to find a plus size section in stores and no longer have to wear the crap fabric that all plus size clothing seems to be made in!</li><li>I want to lose weight so that I can see my hoo-ha when I look down in the shower.</li><li>I want to lose weight so that I can see the wonderful muscles that I am developing.</li><li>I want to lose weight in order to see if pregnancy will ever be possible for me.</li><li>I want to lose weight because I want to be an athlete.</li><li><strong>I want to lose weight to prove everyone, including my own self, that change is possible.</strong></li><li>I want to lose weight so that I can sit down and not have a few rolls going down my back.</li></ol><p>The most compelling one is # 9. I talk the talk now I want to walk the walk. I have spent the equal number of years in a healthy active weight as I have now in an overweight stagnant state. I want the next 17 years to be completely different and mind blowing!</p>Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-36082952152662244882010-12-30T12:19:00.000-05:002010-12-30T12:19:49.648-05:00Word+Goals+Lists=Happy Me<p><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">Word for 2011<br /></span>Movement<br /></strong></span>Ali Edwards has a yearly tradition of selecting a <a href="http://aliedwards.com/2010/12/one-little-word-2011.html/comment-page-8#comments">word for the year</a>. The word that chose me was movement.<br />Looking back on the year 2010 I would have to say that the word that defined it was stagnant. I am ready (and yearning) for movement.<br />…Moving my body.<br />…Moving my spirit.<br />…Moving my finances.<br />…Moving my relationships to new levels.<br />…Moving my projects along.<br />So yeah, movement it is!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"><strong>Goals for 2011<br /></strong></span>Purchase my first bike ever!! (<a href="http://www.target.com/Ladies-Schwinn-Lulu-Bike-26/dp/B003DQ2ILC">this one </a>has my name or <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schwinn-Beach-Cruiser/11065253">this</a> one)<br />Then naturally.....learn how to ride a bike.<br />Track my finances on my spreadsheet.<br />Complete the Suzy Orman blue box.<br />Sew the quilt for my bed (aka learn how to sew in the process).<br />Complete Mom’s cross-stitch.<br />Make something or use my scrapbook supplies each month.<br />Re-do my closet: remove all old stuff, have hubby build out shelves, paint, etc.<br />Be able to do a split.<br />Work towards losing weight every week. My ultimate goal is to lose 100lbs, exactly.<br />Date day with hubby each month.<br />Perform my Cha Cha, American Tango and Rumba.<br />Take my doggies for a 20 minute walk, 3x per week. Total of 156 walks.<br />Complete the Great Urban Race with Vane in October 2011.<br />Read 25 books (see list <a href="http://www.facebook.com/yahisha#!/note.php?note_id=10150149882833569">here</a>). Just got a nook for Christmas so that will help!<br />Go to Spain with Mom.<br />Complete (2) 5k events.<br />Complete (1) 10k or half marathon.<br />Learn to run.<br />Then naturally....{huge one} run a seven minute mile once (to beat a bet I made with a friend).<br />Go on my monthly full moon family walk.<br />Send a handwritten note each month to a friend, reconnect with someone!<br />Pack my lunch 3x per week. Total of 156 lunches.<br />Exercise Goals: yoga/pilates 2x per week.<br />Exercise Goals: run/walk 15 miles per week.<br />Exercise Goals: make stretching a habit!.Exercise Goals: Strength training 3x per week (156 sessions).<br />Complete BOMI certification (boring but a must have for my job!).</p><p>Happy New Year to you all and may you stay focus on what is most important and valuable in your lives!</p>Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-51994333574530623232010-12-29T14:14:00.004-05:002011-01-25T14:45:40.701-05:00Week 2 & 3: Weigh-In Weight WatchersThe holiday week threw me off on my posts. Here is a recap on the past two WW weigh-ins.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>December 15th to 21th, 2010<br /></strong></span>Week 2<br />Current Weight: 237 lbs<br />Week to Week loss: -1.50<br />Total gain/loss: -4.5 lbs<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>December 22nd to 28th, 2010<br /></strong></span>Week 3<br />Current Weight: 235.5 lbs<br />Week to Week loss: -1.5<br />Total gain/loss: -6 lbs<br /><br />I don’t have any screen shots because I didn’t track during this holiday week.<br />Also, Santa dropped off a wonderful gify on 12/24, Aunt Flo! Just want track when Aunt Flo comes each month in relation with my weigh-ins because I want to see if I will see a gain the week before my period each month.<br />I feel great and am doing great!Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-36637225839443331342010-12-22T11:33:00.004-05:002010-12-29T11:46:09.923-05:00Oh sweet baby JesusHave I told you how much I like giveaways? Let me 'splain, Lucy.<br /><br /><br />What can be <span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong><em>sweeter</em></strong></span> than enjoying someone's blog? Nothing, right? Hey, you come by and read my mundane and boring crap all the time. {You see, I am capable of being honest. :)}<br /><br /><br />A great blog is a like the perfect cup of <span style="color:#330000;"><strong>cocoa</strong></span> on a <span style="color:#00cccc;"><strong><em>cold</em></strong></span> Saturday morning. But wait my fellow blog readers and lovers....then that said blog does a SUPER giveaway! That just brings that blog up into another stratosphere. Now, don't fear because Ree has always been in her own blogging world category. Come on how many women can teach you how to cook <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/08/spicy_shrimp_yu/">shrimp</a>, show you great <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/blog/2010/03/beauty_to_me/">pictures</a> of her ranch, explain how to <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/blog/2008/07/whippersnappers_calf_nuts_and_worry/">cut off calf nuts </a>AND demonstrate some great <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeschooling/2009/01/dks-history-the-definitive-visual-guide/">homeschooling</a> tips? Not many, my dear blog reader friend.<br /><br /><br />So, <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/special-offers/2010/11/name-your-favorite-holiday-recipes-and-enter-to-win-a-printer/">go on over to her page and submit a comment or two</a>. You can only win the lottery if you actually buy a ticket (although techniquely someone could have give you one....I digress...)Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-28188254300177971342010-12-22T09:13:00.004-05:002010-12-22T09:27:23.778-05:00TombstonesYes, a rather odd subject for the Holiday Season but I just found <a href="http://www.trixieweighsin.com/Trixie/Blog/Entries/2010/9/30_R.I.P..html">this post </a>and love the idea. During the Holidays we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed, over-indulge and then guilt ourselves into a new year. Lets try something different this year!<br /><br />Go over and check out <a href="http://www.trixieweighsin.com/Trixie/Blog/Blog.html">her site</a>. Great stuff. Here is a little excerpt<br /><br /><br /><blockquote><p>Throughout this journey to get myself healthy, I have had to do an equal<br />amount of exercise for my body and for my brain. In the process, I have had to<br />"lay to rest" many of my bad habits, physically and emotionally.<br /></p><p>As part of my Halloween decorating, I'm going to make tombstones of all the habits or excuses I have had to eliminate from my life.<br /></p></blockquote><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JqzxyAN0nNg/TRIJmFI0hVI/AAAAAAAAAKo/jalOfXsDzn8/s1600/trixie%2B2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553511840320095570" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JqzxyAN0nNg/TRIJmFI0hVI/AAAAAAAAAKo/jalOfXsDzn8/s320/trixie%2B2.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JqzxyAN0nNg/TRIJr_AKKsI/AAAAAAAAAKw/ooEFCH7bd3o/s1600/trixie%2B1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553511941752367810" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JqzxyAN0nNg/TRIJr_AKKsI/AAAAAAAAAKw/ooEFCH7bd3o/s320/trixie%2B1.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15833124.post-83657590615455552782010-12-20T16:58:00.003-05:002010-12-20T16:59:48.941-05:00I *peeked*I know that it is better if I don't peek and just wait for the "official" day but I couldn't help myself! Let me just say that I saw a lower number again! Yeah! And I have two days to go before the official weigh-in day! Woohoo!Lourdeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877929555152878712noreply@blogger.com0