12/31/11, Starting Over, For the Last Time!

11 1/2 years after becoming a mom for the first time, I still struggle with the weight I gained in pregnant plus about 50 extra pounds. Having just turned 39, there is NO more time to mess around, lose focus, or forget to put "me" and my health on my "to do" list...40 will come for me next December 15th and I want to be in a different place, prepared for the second half (or two-thirds!) of my life.

I've been to Weight Watchers and experienced success several times, but never such that I made my goal weight or became a Lifetime Member. However, I know I need the accountability of weekly weigh-ins and the support of meetings. My family is loving and encouraging, but that simply is not enough this time. I started back today, and I'm not looking back!

Here are my "before" pictures taken early this morning by my eight year old daughter. With a weigh-in at Weight Watchers of 247 pounds on my 5'2" frame, that means I have 110 pounds to lose per the Weight Watchers chart "Healthy Weight Ranges". I remember vowing in 1996 that I would never let myself go over 150 pounds again...bummer.








I decided to treat myself by joining a meeting in Austin, which is where I long to be on Saturday mornings anyway, after living and working in the "burbs" during the week. I hope this location adds to my desire to take time for myself--time to reward myself with experiences rather than food.


I started a binder for my weight loss work, including some inspirational pictures and quotes I recently printed from Pinterest.

I am counting points because I don't know how to listen to my body to determine appropriate portions. My food will generally be Paleo-style--high protein, lots of vegetables, some berries and nuts, occasional dairy, and higher fats for satiety, including coconut oil.


Photographing all or most of what I eat helps me to stop and think before things go in my mouth. I usually eat mindlessly or simply for enjoyment.

Breakfast at Central Market... Vegetarian omelet (veggies, eggs), fruit cup. I forgot to tell them to hold the toast, and do I just removed it.

It's hard for me to waste food in those situations...





I had lunch out with family for an early New Year's celebration...I had a few chips and guacamole with lettuce and tomato. I didn't eat all the chips or any of the sour cream.


Dinner...a hodge podge. A cup of whole milk yogurt with a cup of fresh blackberries and raspberries...


A couple of plain baked chicken wings...


And one cup of homemade French onion soup...


I'm feeling good, but most of all I feel in control and accountable.