Some things are suprising. Some aren't.

So it's been awhile since I've posted about my Weight Watchers journey. I've been at this for EIGHT weeks! It's gone so fast! Some days I feel like I've been doing this forever, others it seems like just yesterday I ate a pan of brownies by myself. Oh wait. Maybe that WAS yesterday.

But in all seriousness, I'm learning a lot. About reality. About food. About how I feel now that I'm thinner. How I DON'T feel (odd, I know).

For instance: Reality. We LOVE those Mega Thins tortilla chips. Love them. And one night last week, since I had quite a few points left in the day, I thought I'd have a few with my Chicken Tortilla soup. I had the points, right? Well, once I plugged in the calorie/fat/fiber info into my points calculator, I realized that I could only eat eight chips for THREE points. Gag. And I wonder why I wasn't losing weight while eating half of the bag in one sitting. (sigh) They didn't taste quite as good after that. This has happened with other foods more times that I would care to count.

I'm learning a lot about what IS worth it. Starbucks, for instance. I LOVE to go to Starbucks with the Coach. It feels indulgent and luxurious and totally frivolous to BUY flavored coffee. Now we don't do it often, but we DO go and those points are totally worth it. I just make sure I have enough points left during the day so I can really enjoy it when we go. And I have changed what I order. Three or four points can always be "fit" in, but eight? Or ten? For a drink? You get the idea.

I feel like I have a new understanding of the fact that I can't just eat everything I want whenever I want however much I want. It's reality whether I've accepted it in the past, or not. Submitting to the cause and effect of my diet is oddly freeing. If I want to be a healthy weight, I have to accept the reality that what I eat DOES matter. I've always known all of this, of course. I've just failed to apply it. At least on a consistent basis.

And I'm learning a lot about myself. I don't like the attention that I get from looking differently. Well. . . I like the attention from the Coach! (smile) But I'd much rather stay in the background, otherwise, and it feels very awkward to have others notice that I look different. This, of course, if my own fault. If I hadn't broadcasted HERE that I was trying to lose weight, I'm sure no one WOULD notice. Ha! Didn't think about that until it was too late, though.

Never expected it, but I feel oddly insecure, too. My clothes are all too big. I'm not ready to buy more. Yet. And when I am ready, I'm not sure what to buy (besides the standard good pair of jeans and some black pants). My budget won't allow a total wardrobe makeover. Yet I have very few things that fit. Another dilemma I didn't plan on. My kids think they should call "What not to wear." Ouch.

I did walk into a store while running some errands last week. And honestly? It was intimidating. I'm not complaining. I'm really not. I don't want to go back. But looking through clothes I realized I have a "standard" that I always look for. Things that feel "safe" for me after years of pre-baby and post-baby and post-miscarriage and post-stress weight. The ups and downs have made me very self-conscious and the thought of trying to shop for and find new things makes me want to go eat a package of Oreos. Still have some work to do there, I guess!

But all in all, I feel great. I don't mind the baggy clothes (except that my workout pants wouldn't stay up while I was running the Coach this morning and how embarrassing is that?). I still have one pair of jeans that fit (even if they are really old). Tops still work just fine - well, except for the baggy t-shirts that fill 2/3 of my closet, but I do have a few cute tops that I've purchased more recently.

If I had the TIME, I would clean out the bigger things that I can't wear anymore. That would feel GOOD. I think. Then again, I guess I worry that I won't be able to maintain this (if I could maintain, I wouldn't be losing this Little Man baby weight for the third time). But when I started, I committed for the long haul. Good weeks and bad weeks. Ups and downs. If I quit, I'll never find victory over this weight issue and I'm SO done with being fat. SO done with it.

In spite of the need to keep learning and growing and adjusting (which is just part of life in general, is it not?), I'm thrilled that I'm no longer regretting the fact that I should "do something" about losing weight. I'm doing it. Most people celebrate when they reach their goal weight. Not me. I'm going to celebrate when I get my "lifetime"! Being able to maintain a healthy weight is my goal this time. And now that I'm almost done with the losing part, the hard part is just beginning.

Thank you for all of your sweet encouragement! I'm ever so grateful for your prayers. I really don't regret laying it all out here and being real. I hope it's been encouraging at some level for someone. I highly recommend Weight Watchers for those of you who need some help with losing weight. But you know what? I love you just the way you are. Inside you are YOU. The outside is just the package. I'm still the exact same person, personality, strengths, and weaknesses that I was here. Even though since that amazingly wonderful day I've lost 27 pounds (19 of it in the last 8 weeks). Still me. Even if looking at those pictures made me cry. I was so happy. And yet so disappointed in myself for not losing even ONE pound through all of those months of training.

But I'm not there, anymore. Now I'm out running with my girl and my Coach. Learning to navigate cooking for a big family. Figuring out ways to indulge that I enjoy and can fit in my plan. Making the most of the TIME and not just he FOOD of life. It's all good.

It may take some time to adjust to my "new" size. But I will. The Coach will, too. Although I hope he doesn't ever quit looking at me like he has been, lately. I like it. A lot.

Happy Friday!

Thankful Thursday - Weight Watchers edition

Happy Thursday!

I have so much to be thankful for, today.

So much.

But I've also had lots of people ask me. . . "What ARE you eating?"

After four weeks (tomorrow) on Weight Watchers, (and loving it, by the way) I thought it might be fun to share with you some of my favorites "quick" meals and snacks.

I won't eat it if it's not "quick". Seriously. I barely have time to eat, as it is. Which is puzzling since I have managed to eat enough, if the past, to be overweight. Maybe I just eat FAST. Ha!

So today here's a Thankful Thursday "Favorite Low Point Food" list:

1. EAS Shake. You can find these in the grocery store, but they are cheaper at Sam's. The chocolate shake with 17g of protein (I think it's 110 calories). Perfect for a busy morning after a 4 mile run (Can I use the word run? Because it sounds awesome. But really I just jog most of it and walk up the HUGE hills in our neighborhood. Sigh.) *2 points*

2. Oatmeal. 1/4 C of oats (I prefer the NOT quick cooking kind), 1/2 C water, 1/8 C raisins. Microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes. Add 1/2 of a chopped banana. I eat this EVERY day - for breakfast OR lunch. Fills me up, tastes great, helps me get my fiber, and YUM (I know I'm weird. This is not a new concept to me.) On mornings when I walk/jog six miles I will sometimes have 1/2 C oatmeal and 1 C water, instead. Adds one more point. *3 points*

3. Eggs and Bacon. Or a close relation. 2 egg beaters, scrambled with minced onion and dried parsley. Right before they are done add 1 oz chopped Canadian Bacon. You can also add some "Light" bread, toasted (2 slices = 1 point). *3 points*

4. Turkey Sandwich. 2 slices of "light" bread, three slices of turkey (read labels for your point values), 1 t light mayo (I can't stand Fat Free Mayo, but if you must, you must), tons of Romaine lettuce. *3.5 points*

5. Veggie wrap. Read labels to find a 1 point tortilla or wrap that you like. Fill with fresh veggies and a spray of Ranch Spritzer. If you have the points to use, you can use 1 T grated cheese (we just have "regular" cheese around here, so I make it work), for 1 point. Or you can add some sliced turkey. The veggies are mostly "free" (be sure and look them up to make sure of the serving size). So this would just be *1 point* without cheese or turkey. You can also throw in some grilled chicken or whatever you have on hand.

6. Along with all of these, you can have your light bread, 2 slices toasted (1 point) with light butter (1 T=1 point). Or a light English muffin (1 point) with light butter. You can also use spray butter, but I like it better on potatoes or steamed veggies. Not so good on toast. I keep looking for the WW cream cheese spread, but I haven't been able to find it, yet.

Now for some Snacks:

1. Popcorn. You can have FIVE CUPS (popped) of fat-free microwave popcorn. WOW! *1 point*

2. Pudding snacks. Now here is where it gets really down to reality. I HAVE to have something sweet. These really hit the spot when I need something chocolate. Read the labels to check point values. *1 point*

3. Fiber One Yogurt. Why didn't someone tell me this before last week? YUM! *0 points*

4. Jello. Sugar free. *0 points*

5. Small apple, 1 C of grapes or 1 1/2 C strawberries. *1 point*

6. Pretzel Twists (for when I just have to have something salty and crunchy). 15 = *2 points*

7. Raw veggies with Roasted Red Pepper Humus. You just need to count the humus. 2 Tablespoons = *1.5 points*

8. Pumpkin Muffins - *1 point*

Now. For dinner? I've just been cooking as usual for the troops. I eat a serving of the main dish (using my online "Recipe Builder" to calculate points). We have a big salad or raw veggies with every meal. I eat whatever steamed vegetables I serve with it. Skip the bread. I use brown rice/whole wheat pasta/beans with every meal. Makes it go further. Haven't had trouble fitting that in and still staying within my points.

At night? I love a cup of decaf coffee with my favorite creamer. The creamer is two points, but WAY worth it after a day eating well.

One thing that I've had to carefully consider - if I don't LIKE it, I don't eat it - healthy or not. Every one's tastes are a bit different. Don't eat something just because you think you should. Make what YOU like work for you. I've had Panera on our date nights, hamburgers (out and at home), cinnamon rolls, Starbucks. We eat at Chick-fil-A with my parents every week and I LOVE the salad - but if I don't feel like a salad? I get the grilled chicken sandwich! I tried the 0 point dressing and I didn't like it - so I get the 1 point dressing instead.

My point is this - you won't stick with something that makes you miserable. If you LIKE something, consider if there is a healthier version. If not? Eat it. Just count it. Make it fit into your day's points. However DO NOT eat something just because it's there. Think about whether or not it's worth it. It's amazing to me how figuring the points on some things has been a huge motivator to give them up. It's just not worth it.

Hope this has given you some good ideas. Leave me a comment with YOUR favorite healthy "quick" meal or snack.

Happy Healthy Eating!

Watching your Weight? Try these!

You all KNOW how I love a good pumpkin muffin. And a Chai Tea Latte.
(which I'm pretty sure has something to do with my need to lose weight)

My favorite? This recipe from Crazy Daisy baked in muffin pans. Divine. My mouth is watering just thinking about them. Sad, isn't it?

But this girl IS watching her weight and although I CAN eat those fabulous muffins, I can't do it very often. (sigh) It's reality. I don't always LIKE it, but it's reality. Me eating a batch of Crazy Daisy's muffins every week and being the size I was? Or eating a "thinner" version and reaching my goal weight.

It's all about choices.

So these are my favorite right now. I haven't had time to tweak them, much. Pretty sure I can improve on them in some way or another. But they are good just like this.

ONE point Pumpkin Muffins

In mixer, blend:
2 eggs
1 C pumpkin (I doubled the recipe and used the whole can)

Add and mix in:
2/3 C dry milk
6 T flour
2 t pumpkin pie spice
1 t cinnamon
1 t baking powder
1/2 t nutmeg
3 T brown sugar
Dash of salt

Fold into well mixed batter:
3/4 c grated carrot
4 T raisins

Bake in well-greased muffin pans approx 12-15 minutes.
To make these "one point muffins" you need to make 12 muffins with this batter.

These will be smaller muffins - if you want big, over-the-top muffins, you could make six from this amount of batter and they would be two points each. Or make them regular size - 9 muffins per batch - and they would be 1.5 points each. You get the idea!

They don't last forever sitting on the counter - they are VERY moist. If they won't be eaten right away, I'd recommend storing them in the fridge.

I'll whip some up this afternoon and add a picture when they are done.

Happy Fall!

Points? What points?

So it's Monday.

And I have regrets.

Somehow, in hindsight, sharing my weight loss struggles in such a raw and honest way is feeling like it may have been unwise. Is it possible to be TOO real?

Don't get me wrong! All of the sweet, encouraging comments and empathy blessed my heart! How wonderful to feel like I am not alone in this struggle.

But in the light of week three on the plan, I find myself thinking it's time to give you an update. And do I really want to do that?

I guess I could delete that first post. Move on. Not tell you how things are going. But that wouldn't be right. I wouldn't have a blog without you reading it! From your response to my first weight loss post, I'm humbled that so many of you care and can relate.

(big breath)

First two weeks, plus some, have been AMAZING. Should I tell you how much I've lost? Or is that not really the point? I don't know.

But it's going great.

Really.

Weight Watchers is SO doable. So workable. So flexible. I didn't expect that. Could it be because the last time I attempted it I had an 8 week old baby who had been a preemie and 7 other kids 11 and under (and even then it WORKED!)?

Hmmmm?

I am finding lots of great things to eat that make it easy to stay within my points each day. Quick. Simple. Healthy. When I want something. . . . I decide if it's worth it or not. Sometimes it is. More often it isn't. But either way it's the stopping and thinking that's really helping me.

Life is rushing along at a break neck speed here at the troops. I guess there is great benefit in that, as the weeks on WW are rushing by, as well. Week three will finish up on Friday and I'm hoping to hit the 5% goal. Can't believe it.

God is good.

Something has "clicked" for me and I'm not only doing well on the plan, I am enjoying it. I've only had a couple of days that I've struggled, but there is always something I CAN eat and eating healthier, more filling food has helped me feel better, have more energy AND sleep more soundly.

I want to clarify that part of my success thus far has been because of where we ARE in life here at the troops. I don't have a baby. I have lots of older kids to help out. It helps to be in the stage of life when I can get a full night's sleep most nights. When I can get older kids to take care of some things. It's where we are and for all of it's craziness, I am able to do more things like this, now, than I could in the last 15 years. I'm grateful for that. For this time of life when I have the help and situation that allows me to add "one more thing". Even if I have to drag Little Man to the meetings with me!

That's all for now.

It feels so great to be DOING something about getting to my goal instead of just getting on the scale and being bummed. I was already doing so many things RIGHT. . . this has just brought it all together and given me the encouragement and accountability that I needed.

Happy Monday!

It's Time.

Today I did something big.

As in "monumental proportions" big.

At least for me.



I went back to Weight Watchers.

Now, if you are one of my dear, sweet, skinny friends, you may not be interested in my struggle with my weight. I love you, anyway (just like I love the Coach - except I love him MORE), even if you are thin. I envy you (and yes I realize that's wrong). But I love you. You can skip this post.

However, you might think about something. There is, no doubt, someone in YOUR life who struggles with this like I do. How do you respond to that? Do you think (or say to others), "If they would JUST lose some weight!" followed by how they would be happier or healthier or more accepted or have a better life?

Let me tell you a secret. (and you owe me for this one because it's a painful one)

If we could "just lose the weight", we wouldn't have this problem.

If only it were that simple.

And every time you act as if it would be easy for us to be thin like you are? You make us feel like we are lesser beings. Failures. And now and then? You make it seem like we are the only ones with problems.

So here's another secret.

Everybody has struggles.

Mine? You may be able to see. You may be able to tell by how I dress, how full my face gets or how tight my clothes are that I'm stressed and eating everything in sight.

You may be able to see on the outside that I'm overwhelmed, sad, hurting, or just not dealing with life the way I should.

But here's the thing - you have struggles, too. Just because I can't see them on your "outside", I know they are there.

And may I suggest that you start with the issue of pride?



For today. . .

I got back where I need to be. Being held accountable, receiving LOTS of encouragement, being reminded every day and week what I need to be doing to stay healthy and take care of myself so I can feel better, have more energy and be the wife and mom that God has called me to be. And while I'm being brutally honest - I NEED my clothes to fit. Ha!

It won't be easy.

Good grief - writing THIS sure hasn't been.

But I'm one step closer than I was, yesterday.

For those of you who WANT to follow me on this journey - I'm going to start writing about it a bit. It will be hard. I've never really talked about this before with you all. My dad suggested another blog. But honestly? I barely have time for ONE blog. So here's what I'll do. When I write about weight loss, I'll post it just like everything else here at Mrs. Troop. But once it's posted, it will be included in a new tab/link (coming soon!) on the side. That way if you are coming by JUST to check on this part of the blog, it will be easy to find.

And if this is NOT something that is hard for you, I'm going to keep writing about the rest of the chaos here at the troops, as well. But would you do me a favor? Find someone in your life to love and encourage who struggles with their weight. Don't be condescending. Don't act as if they are inferior to you. Whatever you do, DON'T tell them to "just lose some weight". Just love them. If they are ready? I highly recommend Weight Watchers. Offer to help them with their kids or help them pay for it or go walking with them every day.

But before you do? Check your heart for pride (that's something we ALL struggle with). Realize that you have issues as well. They may not show like mine do. But we all have things we need to work on.

Here's to counting points and tracking food and weighing weekly and. . .

What WAS I thinking? :-)


Happy Friday!