Tuesday, December 11, 2012

The Holidays

The Holidays are here. It has been a super fast year, filled with school, family, work, dance class, basketball, soccer, new puppy, sickness, vacations, and traveling. I swear life moves at warp speed sometimes, you just have to take a step back to take a deep breath.

The weight loss has been slow moving, as it should to keep the weight off. I haven't been tracking for about 2 months, but after being on WW for 22 months it has become second nature. I now know what I can eat and how much, and my portions are in check. I will probably continue this trend until after the holiday's, at that point I will be back on WW full-force.

During the last 10 months hubby and I have been on a major exercise kick. I completed 3 5K's this year, never in my life did I think I'd actually walk one let alone run 3! (He even completed his first 1/2 Marathon!). It has been incredible and addicting. BUT, I've come to the realization of how much I HATE running, and really don't care to run the 5K's (they're fun, but maybe not for me) and would rather just go at my own pace during my individual work outs. At one point this summer I was going to the gym 4 times a week and loving it! I haven't been in a month due to the new puppy and pneumonia, but again am hoping to jump back on this bandwagon after January 1st... which I actually hate because the gym is packed January and February full of people with well intentions of getting healthier but will quit by March and us regulars will get our gym back. I have a machine that is "mine" and get pretty ticked when someone is on it when I get there! I also think the move downtown will help, my work moves into our new building next month. This helps because there's a gym at our corporate headquarters with tons of equipment and classes all day long that you can drop in to, I'm planning on taking full advantage of this. Another piece of good news is that a birdie told me that mom and dad still have their treadmill and may need a place to store it... considering our office as a resting place, this would help with my schedule a ton.

Anyways, I'm sure everyone has been wondering how the weight loss is actually going. Again, I continue to lose, just at a snail's pace, maybe nothing one week and another week I might lose a quarter pound or something. I did hit one major milestone two weeks ago, I bought my first size 10 pant in over 7 years!!!!! I screamed with glee in the store! This was the first time that a size 8 has ever entered my mind, I don't want to get ahead of myself, but wow, I could be an 8 someday?!?!?! That is just crazy talk! Side note: I am now in a Medium size top in any store I walk in to, it feels great not to have to try everything on anymore.

I get asked "So how much have you lost?" all the time. It feels really great that everyone around me notices and has encouraged me along this really really really long weigh loss journey I've been on (heck we're going on 2 years now!). I never know how to answer, I used to just say how much I've lost since joining WW but many would say, "No, I want to know how much you've lost since having the baby!" This actually makes me feel really good because the number is far beyond anything I would have ever imagined myself losing, and actually makes me feel very empowered to tell people that number. I am not ashamed at where I was, I am proud of where I am.

Here are a couple of numbers for ya:
Since baby: -86.1 lbs
Since joining WW: -47.1 lbs
Dress size: -6 sizes (from a size 16 to a size 10)

The fact that when this is all said and done (even after goal), I might lose close to 100 lbs just blows my mind. I feel more energized and healthier than ever before, I feel so athletic and that is so not me! LOL!

I'm only 8.9 lbs away from my original WW goal, and man has it been a long time coming. The new goal is to be at my WW goal by my 2 year WW anniversary February 25. I can do it, I know I can! Beyond that, we'll have to see what happens, by all means this is not the end of the road.

Have a great holiday season and eat all those amazing holiday goodies in moderation!

216/168.9/160






Thursday, March 29, 2012

Getting my move on

Slow and steady wins the race, I realize this, but it still can be frustrating. I just want the "easy button" to appear and when I push it I'll be at my goal weight.

I've finally decided to kick it up a notch. I just want to start by saying I HATE exercising. Which is a funny thing to say, when most of my high school and some college days were doing just that, AND I was in the best shape of my life during that time... swimming, color guard, drum corps. OK, maybe I should rephrase, I HATE exercising at the gym on a stationary machine, I get bored out of my mind! I finally realized that I just needed to suck it up and add some cardio to my routine. I'm hoping I have some abs that need fine tuning under my belly somewhere!

For the past 4 weeks I've gone to the gym 3-4 times a week for 20 minutes or longer (I am an Elliptical girl). This is HUGE for me! Between a full-time job, freelance work, the kids and husband, with all of it's bath times, meal times, family times, work times, combined with the fact I hate exercise, I've been making excuses of why I didn't have time. Now I am making my trips to the gym a priority, and have a pretty good playlist to listen to while I'm there. It helps that I have a flexible work schedule now and can leave work a little earlier to go work out, then pick the kids up afterwards. Most of you that know me know that I am definitely not a morning person, and my husband works late 3+ times a week, really between work and pick-up is the most ideal time for my schedule. I now call it my "Me time." Sometimes if I leave work late, old Jody would have said, "That's OK, I'll just try and go tomorrow" and now I say to myself, "I'm still going, I need to go whether I can be there for 45 minutes or just 10. This is a priority. This is for me." I feel so good when I'm done, so energized and ready to take on the evening, with all of its Domestic Goddess duties. I have to say, getting to this point was revolutionary, and it actually took watching this season's "The Biggest Loser: The season of excuses" to realize I was actually making excuses all this time and basically lying to myself.

I knew I was ready for this, and exercise was the last piece of the puzzle, which just proves to myself that I am worth it and I deserve it. This is for me and no one else. And on a side note, I'm actually starting to like my time at the gym... dare I say it... it's kind of enjoyable. Now I just need some new running shoes! I'm wearing walking/running shoes that are over 5 years old and barely used, and are sooo heavy!

160's, I'm coming for ya! 


216/174.5/160

Thursday, February 23, 2012

1 YEAR!

Wow, never in a million years did I think I would have made it an entire year on Weight Watchers. But, I also naively thought I would have been at goal by now, not realizing how difficult this journey would be.

I know, you are all dying to know what my final weight loss has been at the 1 year mark. Drum roll please...

I've lost 39.5 lbs!!!!

I started this journey at 216 lbs and now weight 176.5 lbs! I started of wearing between a 16 and 18 size, and now I'm in a 12! It's just unreal. Size 10, I'm coming for ya!

Darn you that half pound! I even thought about lying and just saying that I've lost 40 lbs, but I just couldn't do it, it goes against everything WW has instilled in me. Hopefully next week I'll break that barrier.

Here are some other fun facts... er, measurements:

Arms: -2.25"
Hips: -5.5"
Bust: -4"
Waist: -6"
Thighs: -3"
Dress Size: -4 sizes!

Never would I have thought how difficult this would be, but I never thought I could feel this good again. I feel good, I feel sexy again and the best part is buying new clothes since I had ZERO clothes that fit!

I actually have another great reason for buying clothes as well, I got a new job!!! Kinda. I've been happy where I was at, but my old manager at my old job in which I was a Contractor called a month or so back saying they had a full-time position for me! I was so excited because I've never been happier than I was in that Graphic Design role. I feel like I will have more room to grow and will develop better relationships for my career path. Needless to say I am beyond excited to start on Monday!

Here's to next week and only 16.5 lbs to go!!!

216/176.5/160

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Happy New Year

Wow, what a difference a year makes. It's crazy how fast it went but how fulfilling it was.

The new year is a time to make resolutions and goals, and reflect on the past year. My goal is to lose 20 more lbs by year end, drink more water and get fit! I seriously need to exercise, now the trick is finding time to do it, too bad I'm not a morning person (my husband can attest to this!).

Can I just say how weird it is to say "I've lost 37 lbs on Weight Watchers" to people who ask! I still can't believe it, and the fact the number will just keep going up. Wow, 37 lbs, that's just crazy! And this AFTER I had already lost 39 lbs already of baby weight. So grand total is 76 lbs, whoa. So yes, you can do the math, I weighed 255 lbs the day I had Ellie, and now weigh 179 lbs!!!! This is seriously crazy talk.

I really need a new pair of jeans, I don't have one pair that fits me. Ever since I started this journey I kept telling Adam, I really want a good pair of Lucky Brand jeans, but I'm waiting until I hit goal. I walked around Easton the other day and found many stores are closing... the one I'm most upset about is Children's Place, where I buy practically all of my kids clothes. As I walked around, I noticed The Lucky Brand store was closing! Booooo. So I wondered in, everything was 50% off, I had to do it. So now I'm the proud owner of my first pair of Lucky Brand jeans that are a size too small waiting for me in my closet. I will have a constant reminder and probably should have them on display as motivation. Note: another pair of jeans that don't fit me! I still want that satisfaction of going in to try jeans on, so now I'm saving my money for a good pair of Seven's to actually buy when I get to goal... along with a new bathing suit.

I still have a ways to go, but with my whole family behind me I know I can do it. Here's to a fantastic start to the new year and smaller clothes!

216/179/160

Thursday, December 15, 2011

It's time to have a small party!

On black friday I bought my first size 12's!!!!!!!!!!! They are a pair of green skinny cords from LOFT and boy do they feel good! I all but screamed in the dressing room, and actually told the dressing room attendent of my excitment... she probably thought I was a crazy person. Although I've been bouncing around from 178.5 to 181 for the last couple of weeks, I can tell my body is adjusting and the inches are still coming off. I have phased out ALL size 16's in my closet and I couldn't be happier.

The holidays have been rough. This is the first time I've really had a test of my willpower. I'm trying to enjoy myself but also trying to stay in control. For now, not gaining through the holidays is a goal, I'm trying not to kid myself. I just want to get through the next 3 weeks and we're golden. At this point, I'm not tracking everyday (I realize this is a no-no), but mostly just trying to make better choices and not over indulge.

Next goal in coming into view. I will be attending all 4 casino openings and will need some fancy new dresses. The first opening is set for April and I'd love to be comfortable in a size 12 dress by then. I know I can do it. That's just weird to type, comfortable in a size 12 dress, it makes me squeal inside.

I have finally come to terms with the length of time it's taking me. I had all these goals and dates written down and this would just set myself up for dissapointment. I've made peace with the fact this isn't happening overnight, heck it took 6 years and 2 babies to gain it, it's not going to leave my body without a fight. I'm happy with my pace and comfortable with it, it's coming off and that's all the matters. I just keep plugging away taking it one day and one week at a time.

It's crazy to think that my one year anniversary of following the WW program is just around the corner.

216/180.5/160

Thursday, November 10, 2011

20 lbs to go!

I realize it's been a few weeks since I wrote last. Busy times in the Hewit household for sure: finishing our basement DIY style, soccer games, swim practice, my freelance and stickers, a full-time job, and just being a mom and wife... then we had my Birthday, baby girl's Birthday and Halloween. Basically it's been crazyness over here.

In all of this crazyness I am very proud of myself for really sticking to this, never would I have thought I'd still be at the grind with my weigh loss. I actually thought that I would have quit and said, oh I'm fine how I am now about 10 lbs ago. Man, am I glad for sticking to it! I'm so happy with the way my body if transforming, and soon (very soon), I'm hoping to be in a smaller size! I'm in a solid 14 across the board, but all of my pants are getting loose, I'm going to have a small party when those first size of 12's fit. I haven't been in a 12 since the year we were married.

I remember how daunting it was to think in March that I had 56 lbs that I wanted to lose. Now having shed 36 lbs, with just 20 left to go I'm feeling more and more excited and empowered. I feel in control.

Sooooo, drum roll please... updated stats:

Weight: 180.0 lbs!!!!!!!!!!! (-36 lbs)
Arms: -2"
Hips: -5"
Bust: -3"
Waist: -4.5"
Dress Size: -2 sizes
Thighs: -2.5"

Again, it's taking me much longer than anticipated, but I realize this is the safest and best way to lose the weight FOR GOOD! Basically I need to take a break from watching The Biggest Loser.



Here is a peek at my chart so you can all see how steady it's been and where my plateaus have been.







216/180/160

Friday, September 30, 2011

What is your height?

"What is your height?"

This seems like a simple question that most people know the answer to, or at least think they do. Anyone who's ever asked me this question in the past 12 years has gotten the same answer, "I'm 5 foot 5 ." Never knew any different until two days ago. We had a health screen at work, it was optional but if you do it you get discounts on your health insurance... so I elected to get that finger prick and assessment in the hopes I would meet the criteria for the $40/mo. discount. The finger prick was to test Cholesterol and Glucose levels, then they checked your weight, height and waist measurements to make sure you weren't in any danger zone's. The most shocking assessment was when they checked my height. I took off my 4 inch heels, stepped up on the platform. The lady looked at her clipboard and started writing, never even looking up said, "5 foot 4, actually, I'm rounding up." Um, what????? Huh, I think I'm in the process of having an identity crisis, all the sudden I feel super short! I realize you shrink as you get older, but it shouldn't start at 30! I must have been misinformed all of those years and now I must reassess my weight-loss goal! I think I'm going to leave my goal for now, but once I get there I'm going to have to revisit maybe losing an additional 15 lbs to get me into my optimal BMI. I know it can be done, but it all the sudden feels daunting again. There is one success story on WW online that sticks out to me, I actually have it printed out at my desk for inspiration. When this one woman hit goal she was 33, she is 5'4", started out at 207 lbs and now weighs 137 lbs and looks fantastic! So, I know it can be done, but the issue is I always wonder how long it took some of these successes to get there. WW is very very careful not to mention how long it takes or could take, and most published success stories don't mention any relation to time. Anyways, enough about that...

On the flip side: I was worried about my glucose levels, for the past 2 years I've been pre-diabetic. I was more than happy to find out I was well within the low/normal range this week. YAY! And, as I knew, my Cholesterol levels were in the normal range as well.

OK, now for the scale, it's definitely going in the right direction! My official weight-in this week was 183.5 lbs. Since I'm a chronic weigh-in person, as in I weigh myself every day, I've been seeing 182 some days and this excites me because I know I'm moving in the right direction. We are going to have a small celebration when I hit 179, that's for sure. Next week I'll try to get some new measurements documented as well, as all of my size 14's fit perfectly, I have no more 16's in my closet, hooray! I've even shrunk out of a few pairs of jeans that were too small between pregnancies! I'm loving this new body and have found that shopping has been really fun in the past couple of weeks! Another hip hip hooray!

OK, enough of my beeming and gloating.

216/183.5/160