If you follow the blog, you know what I’m talking about. If you don’t follow or even if you forgot any of the details, here’s a bit of a backstory.
Around Labor Day Weekend, I decided that something had to be done about the weight I gained over the two years of non-employment. I ballooned up to a little past 165 pounds. I wasn’t comfortable at this weight. And I am not getting any younger. I wanted to get to a healthy weight.
It also doesn’t help that I have the appetite like a feral dog or the appetite of a football team. Let’s face it. I’m a girl with a huge appetite. I love to eat!
Patsy knows me. Well. She is one of those women who doesn’t eat. Food, that is!
Trust me. When my own dog started to lick his chops every time he saw my ass, I knew it was time to do something about my weight. After all, I didn’t want to go to bed and have Chippy gnaw at my luxurious deposits of fat whilst I was in a deep slumber.
That is NOT the look of love that Chippy has given me. It is the look of hungerlust when he mistakes my ass for two round patties of beef!
I gave myself a personal goal of 140 pounds. I wasn’t looking to be the weight that I was when I was in high school or when I was a young adult. I just wanted to be a weight that would allow me to fit into clothing that no longer fit.
Ok Eddie. But I’m going to try to be healthier and do things that healthy people do. And that thin people do. Except run and join a gym.
And so, I revisited Weight Watchers. But I did it online. And it worked. For a while.
And I wrote weekly posts about the progress.
And then the Holidays came. With a three-day to Paris after Thanksgiving, and with Christmas and the kids being home, I ate. A lot. And I was also aware of what I ate. I didn’t gain but I didn’t lose. So far. So, good.
Just a sampling of what went down (in my belly) over Christmas!
But—as I tried to get back into the swing of things, I found myself losing motivation.
And then my emotions got in the way. The results of the presidential election horrified me. I love my country. I love what my country stands for. And now I’m petrified.
This had me realizing that I could do one of two things. I could eat my emotions away. Which I started to do. Or—I could seek help. And I did. I decided to return back to Weight Watchers.
That’s right. I DON’T have time to eat my emotions away. I DO have time to return to Weight Watchers and understand why I let my emotions get the best of me!
My first attempt to return failed when I came down with THE worst stomach bug of all time. It was so bad I had to go to the doctor. It took over a week to get back to normal.
My second attempt to return failed with the sudden death of one of my very, very few best friends.
I had visions of raw cookie dough and chocolate syrup right outta the bottle swimming in my head.
Taken right out of my fridge. There’s hardly any left. And it’s true. I don’t even need milk. Oh yes I did! And yes I do!
My third attempt to return was a charm.
I‘m back!! And on track!!
I returned this Thursday evening after work. As a Lifetime member I was a bit taken aback that I was charged $15. But, hey, apparently, I won’t have to pay after a month. I’m ok with that.
I don’t know if this is a true success story, given the fact I’ve been to WW many times. But for now, it’s an attempt at success!
I wore as little as possible to work that day. I fake tanned so that I didn’t have to wear tights to cover my pasty-white, fish-belly blue legs. Just my luck I ran out and one leg was darker than the other!
I lie not. This is my official “Thursday Weigh-In” ensemble. A light t-shirt dress from Old Navy (which fit me 20 pounds heavier and is just a bit loose now), a big scarf which I took off at weigh in. Bonaparte’s socks. Now he’ll find out I stole them from him!
Hell, I took my bra off before the meeting because it’s so heavily padded! I almost took my fake hair off too!
I was pleasantly surprised by the number! But there’s still work to be done and diligence to practice!
When I got on the scale, my weight was lower than I anticipated. And I was told that I really don’t have much to lose at all. I set a new goal. 135. Simply because I want some leeway for vacation, holiday, and event times.
And I also want to have some extra room for a load of sushi. Not just eight pieces!
I was also told that this last 9 pounds will not be an easy loss. I’m fine with that because it took my 6 months to lose 20 pounds. And that is why I returned.
A + for attempting and trying.
Sometimes we need a little help. Sometimes we need a bit of support. I’m glad to be returning to the meetings because those meetings are a safe haven for me. It’s where I can go and be with others who understand my journey. I can understand their journey.
It’s good to admit when you need support. Whether the issue is big, small or in-between. It’s all good.
It is also good to pick up on my weekly weight loss journey posts. I missed writing them!
Anyway, a recipe for Overnight Oats was passed around at the meeting and I made it my own.
I omitted the peanut butter and the chocolate almond milk.
I added water to replace the chocolate almond milk and dried cherries to replace the chocolate peanut butter. It was delicious. I will be making this to bring to work.
Last night I made sure that we had a healthier dinner—despite Bonaparte’s wishes for sauce.
Chicken breast in smothered tomato and olive. Served with blanched Haricots Verts. Tasty, healthy and totaling around 8 points!
And yesterday afternoon, we visited a co-worker’s new endeavor. A sandwich restaurant. I ordered a vegetable hoagie, ate 1/3 of it and put the rest of the sandwich away. I’ll have the remainder as my Sunday evening light supper.
My co-worker, Umer, opened a little sandwich place on the side. I admire a great work ethic and boy does he have a great one! If you live on the Philly Main Line, stop by for a sandwich par excellence! And yes. I was able to incorporate a sandwich into my daily tracking!
It’s all about planning and strategizing and getting back into the grove.
And there’s still room for the bubbly! Yay! You didn’t think I would give up my aperitif now, did you?
I don’t know about you, but now is the time of year when I start to get a bit antsy about winter. I want to get into warmer-weather clothing but it’s still a while away for that. Do you feel the same way? Here’s what I wore this week. Trying to think of new ways to wear the same clothing!
Yesterday’s outfit was taking a cue from Ines de la Fressange and her neon pants. I took these pants out of the hamper (come on now, we’ve ALL done that) and let them air out to give me a bit of a spring-time vibe. The pants are now a bit loose in the waist. I should have worn a belt!
Jeans Friday at work. Note how the fake tan is darker on the foot on the right in the pic.
Thursday’s look is above in the post. Wednesday’s outfit was checked pants, a black sweater, and flats. I’m getting lazy at this time of year…
Tuesday I wore a pair of GAP jeggings that hadn’t fit in about three years. I’m not kidding. I was so happy to be wearing these again. SEE–don’t ever throw clothing away. If you are determined, those clothes WILL fit again! I need to wear these booties more and the plaid Lady Jacket from J. Crew is light enough to be worn well into the end of Spring!
Monday’s look was my favorite look of the week. The plaid pants are from Loft and went from being tight when I first purchased them over two years ago, to not fitting at all to now being lose. Lace heels. I love them. A green turtleneck and navy blazer. I think this will be my St. Patrick’s day ensemble!
Note: Other than the Lady Jacket and the green turtleneck–both on sale from J. Crew this winter, every single item of clothing I wore this past week is years old. Funny how some clothing can still manage to fit with a weight gain and loss. Many items of my clothing fits from loss and gain because I have a large frame. I do not have small bones. My build is athletic–even though I’m lazy as all get out!
Thanks for reading. I know I haven’t posted regularly for a while but now I’m back!! XOXOXOXO
I get by with a little help from my friends!
congratulations on your progress!
Thanks Ekatemmy! It’s a continuing journey but we shall see how it goes!! XOxOxO!
Happy you are back! And I will follow your weight-loss journey with interest, being on my own trip since last week. I´m also going back to the gym, simply because my old arthritis-knees are giving me h-l and working out actually helps! An incentive as good as anything:). Getting older means trying to stay healthy (and working hard at it!) – I agree totally!!
Good for you! I need to get back on a weight loss track. I need to lose about 40 pounds, and am not very motivated. I’ve tried WW in the past. I know what I need to do, it’s the exercise part that gets me. I have some health limitations that I need to get past! Love all your stylish outfits!
The thing about WW is that you have to keep up with it..it’s more of a lifestyle than an actual diet. And I’m lazy! But–the weight has come off so slowly this time that I think it may be a good thing. Speaking of lazy–I’ve hit my acme of laziness by living in the suburbs. When I lived in the city, I walked EVERYWHERE and that was great exercise. I just cannot validate the cost of joining a gym. I definitely need to look for an exercise program that is friendly to me!! Thanks–I’m glad you are digging the outfits! XOXOXOXO!!
I use to walk on our treadmill, but I have foot issues. I bought a recumbent bike, but I know I need to do more. The last time I did WW, the troll who weighed me made a rude comment. I never went back.
You’ve inspired me! I weigh the same as you and have tried and failed to lose nine pounds for six months!
Oh Man! Sharon. We can do this together! That last nine pounds is a bitch but when you have someone to share it–it’s only half a bitch! Let’s do this!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Well done you. You have a will of iron!
Thanks Mary. I dunno about a will of iron but I’m as stubborn as a mule!!! And that helps!! XOXOXOxO!!!
Well done girl! You are looking hot. x
Thanks Jenny!!! XOXOXXOXOXO!!!
Hi Catherine – congratulations on your success! You inspired me when you started. I did the Whole 30 to reset and I’m down to 145 from 178 and feel great. At 5’7″ and 58 years old I couldn’t be happier. I have to say the Whole 30 set me on a path I never thought would happen. Sugar and carb cravings gone, Eat fruits and veg and protein, etc. and whatever makes sense. Food Freedom!!!! Thanks for sharing your journey and giving me the motivation to turn it around. Your’re the best!
Hi Marianne! We’re basically the same weight!! I’m so glad that you did the Whole 30 and lost the weight! Congrats! Isn’t it amazing how the sugar and carb cravings leave after a while of not having them!! Thank you so very much for your kind words. And the journey isn’t over yet!! XOXOXOXOXO
Looking good girl! Can completely sympathize about life getting in the way of weight loss success. Starting a Whole 30 type of program tomorrow only it’s medically supervised and I meet with a nutritionist once a week. Like everybody else I know the drill I just need a drill Sargent to keep me accountable..hope my husband will play along and lose a few too! Good luck with WW, it’s a great plan just not for me at this time. P.S. Québec City was worth every calorie, met a lot of nice Americans too who were a little bewildered about fries with cheese curds and gravy ( poutine) and beaver tails..( a wonderful deep fried dough with sugar and lemon juice or other toppings) but lots of high end eats too, seared fois gras to die for…yes back on the wagon we go:)
Thanks Momcat! Damn. You Canadians are so lucky. To meet with a nutritionist here one would be paying major big bucks because many medical insurance plans wouldn’t cover it! The Whole 30 plan really works–my daughter followed it for a while and lost weight really quickly. Yeah. WW seems to be the one plan that I’ve had success on. And like you, right now I need a bit of drill Sargentness!!
OMG> I’m dying to go to Quebec. Bonaparte loves it but says it’s too cold to go there right now. My kids LOVE poutine. Roman said he would move to Montreal based on Poutine. Those beaver tails sound really good too. I’m getting hungry!!! XOXOXOXO!
I am so proud and inspired by you, Catherine! I think the weight coming off slowly is the best way to go.. I just join weight watchers myself because I realize I need the help and support myself! This election year, as well as the holidays, packed on extra pounds on me as well! Time to get serious now.. thanks for the inspiration and motivation my friend!
Hey Annamarie. Thanks!! We can do WW together over the blog and FB!! Please, that election is taking a toll on my stomach and my well-being!! Ugh!! We definitely have to get serious because summer is coming!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts of your weight loss journey. It’s so difficult to find the motivation, isn’t it? I have some kilos to lose as well, but hubby has been home more and, ah well, all these apéros! 🙂 Death by aperitif; what a way to go. And chocolate. Hubby loves Lindt chocolate and I always always have stash. But honestly, I must muster some willpower. Especially with summer around the corner. Love your outfits this week.
Hi Miss B. Oh…after the holidays it was so difficult to get motivated again. But with a trip back to France on the horizon, I need to get into swimsuit shape! Plus I need room in my belly for all the good food! Bonaparte is a Lindt fan too. Thanks..I’m becoming bored with the clothes I have–that is a definite sign that I’m ready for warmer weather dressing!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!
Inspired by you, I joined Slimming World immediately after Xmas with 20-1/2 lbs to lose. So far have lost 10-1/2 and feel so much better in my clothes which are no longer tight and uncomfortable – fortunately I never bought new ones in a larger size. I cannot recommend Slimming World enough; it’s so easy and you never need feel hungry. This is first time I’ve ever dipped my toe into weight loss programmes and groups and now realise that it does help to do it with a group of like minded people. I’ve even had 10 days away in Normandy and didn’t gain. Now I hope I can lose the remaining weight before my next holiday in May. Good luck.
So glad you’re better, I really missed your posts.
Susan D
Hi Susan. 10.50 pounds since Christmas? That’s fantastic!! Is Slimming World similar to Weight Watchers? OMG. I know exactly what you mean about the clothing. I bought a few items in larger sizes but I refused to purchase an entire wardrobe. And now the clothes that were so tight are now fitting so well–isn’t that the greatest feeling? I’m high-fiving you girlfriend!! Ten days in Normandy with no gain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is a great feat!! Congrats. I’m glad to be back!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
With Slimming World you have masses of free foods and you count syns, so it’s probably similar, but the good thing is there’s so much free food that you are never hungry.
I started off good inNormandy, but did end up eating a few pastries and had a couple of desserts and one croissant. Mainly kept off the bread, which I normally devour as soon as it’s put on the table. Can I keep it up though?
Susan D
Don’t beat yourself up on the weight thing, you have a lot more discipline than me and a lot of people I know (I do the same thing with Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup). I’m antsy awaiting the warmer weather also, it’s been so back-and-forth here lately that I jumped the gun and switched out winter and spring clothes twice already!
Hahaha! Margaret. I’m so happy to hear that you do the same thing with the chocolate syrup. It’s comfort in a can! The discipline is hard at times–but I’ve been mulling taking the summer clothing out-only to find we are supposed to get snow next weekend. Ugh!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
You’re doing great with your diet, and you have a lot more discipline than me and a lot of people I know (I do the same thing with Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup). I’m antsy awaiting the warmer weather also, it’s been so back-and-forth here lately that I jumped the gun and switched out winter and spring clothes twice already!
Sorry for the double post!
In 1963 I was an anorexic 180. Now I am a hulky, bulky 253, down from an all-time high of 270. Last summer, with great effort, summer sun, gardening, and just plain dehydration, I made 233! That was phenomenal! Of course the doctor was impressed–and wanted another 10 pounds of flesh, to 225… They’re never happy, are they, especially those cardiologists with those lean hungry looks. I’m bulging again. I’d like to lose ten pounds, to get more comfortable again. But the chocolate and the desserts are the bane of me. I DO NO LONGER DRINK ALCOHOLIC ANYTHING. What a difference that has been. No beer, no scotch, no bourbonic calories. But chocoholic and Girl Scout Cookies… Despite what you hear and might think, men do NOT have an easier time of it, losing weight… Ciao, Bella!
Hi James! Oh lordie—I can’t even remember what I weighted in ’63!! No. The doctors are never EVER happy with the weight thing. When I got on the scale at the doctor’s office while I had that stomach bug, I was in the heaviest clothing I had and at 147 pounds the doctor side-eyed me. I explained that I would weigh about two pounds less if I took my clothing off. But I know she thought I was too heavy. I just told her I was losing weight. Trust me, if I lived alone there would be no alcoholic beverages at all in the home. Bonaparte loves our weekend aperitif’s–and I’ve cut down. Luckily, we don’t have any Girl Scout cookies in the house because if we did, those Thin Mints would be gone in ten minutes!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
I can so relate to the whole weight loss issue…I need to lose 5ish Ibs to meet my goal of 15. Life got in the way for me, too! And, gawd that election thing, and too many “IN n Out” burgers, ha, etc etc.!! Today, is my first day of the South Beach diet..strict phase 1.. for 2 weeks! That means no carbs, wine, (tho, i’ll be whining!! LOL) sweets… just vegies, vegies, lean meat, same ol same ol, ugh! By Wednesday i’ll want to gnaw off my own foot, LOL!! Then it gets easier and i see results fast and re-calibrates my eating habits. My clothes fitting better will be the bonus, yay! Catherine, I’m not sure if you’re into Yoga…if you are, check out the free website “doyogawtihme” they have relaxing beginner to tough advance classes, from 15 minutes up to 1 hour. Thanks again for a great post and I love your clothing choices you’ve inspired me many times!
Hi Renee! Isn’t it frustrating how those last pounds are the worst to lose?? I feel like I should sue the president because he made me stress eat. After all, he sues everyone!
But it’s true after about a week without certain foods, it does get easier. I made lettuce wraps for dinner and had a green bean and cucumber salad on the side and I’m full now!
You know, I DID go to a Yoga class a few years back and enjoyed it but the class was so crowded that I couldn’t take having someone elses feet in my face. I need to check that doyogawithme site. Thank you for telling me about it because I do have to get back to excercising!!!XOXOXOXO!!!
Hi Catherine…a fun, catch up post…it was great to read and helped me feel normal…as I look around and remember that I am still in the hospital with my daughter…I promise I never will take my life, as I lived it, for granted. 🙂
Hi Jeanne. How is she??? Did they finally figure out what the issue is? Your daughter has been on my mind and in my thoughts. I was thinking about her at Mass the other day. I pray for a speedy recovery for her. I want her to enjoy Paris!!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Well done, you look GREAT. I’m struggling. At the beginning of the year I told myself I wanted to lose just 10lbs by the end of March, here we are with just three weeks to go and I’m too ashamed to say how little I have lost. Where my daughter lives in Australia they have the best sushi place ever, I could have eaten my body weight in that stuff. I love Chippy 🙂 x
Hi Polly! Oh…don’t be ashamed at all. Those last 10 pounds are harder to lose–it’s a known fact the less you have to lose the longer it’ll take! But the thing is–you did lose!! So that’s a great starting point. Oh. Let me tell you. The best Asian food I’ve ever had in my life was in Sydney! It was so much better than the Chinese/Japanese food here in the States. I could eat three times my body weight in good sushi. So glad you love my little rascal Chippy! I just found out he ate another one of my beauty blending sponges. That makes three!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Oh dear, he is a lovable rascal. Thank you for your encouragement Catherine, I will draw on that to help me 🙂
Wonderful to know you are back, Catherine, AND looking SO good! Really inspirational reading all about your journey. I have just started my own lifestyle change plan, giving up sugar was a big thing but I feel really well and the cravings are already less. Thank you for your posts!
Thanks Judy! Giving up sugar is the weirdest thing to me. I’m actually fine giving up processed sugar and eating fruit. But then the holidays come–or a special occasion will pop up and with one slice of cake or a cookie and it’s over for a while! That’s why I’m so happy to have revisited Weight Watchers. I’ll be off sugar for a bit!!! XOXOXOXO Good job to you too!!!
Thank you for sharing your journey with us!
You are so welcome!!! OXOXOXO!!!