Longest Post - EVER!!

I would have to say my weekend was half and half – half good, half bad. 

First, the good half. On Saturday I decided I didn’t need to go to JC because I had plenty of food to get me through the week, so I remapped my planned run to make sure I got in 7 miles. I left the house around 8:00 am and headed over to the Charles River. I ran over the Longfellow Bridge to Cambridge, ran up Memorial Drive over to the BU bridge, crossed over back to Boston – when I realized I wasn’t on the Charles River side of Storrow Drive anymore, I was on the BU side. Luckily I found a footbridge that took me over Storrow Drive back to the river side. Ran to the Mass. Ave. bridge, crossed back over into Cambridge, up Memorial Drive to the Longfellow, across the Longfellow back to Arlington and made a stop at Starbucks on the way home. It was a little over 7 miles and I was beat. I ran a lot, but after I crossed the Memorial Bridge into Cambridge my left hip and knees were aching pretty badly and walked most of the rest of the way. I don’t think I should run after I’ve had a training session with Jane the day before!

After I got home I watched some tv and then got ready for my manicure. Jerel drove me up to Emerge and after I was done I went over to Legal’s for a little snack – and a drink – before we had to go to the big Sedar in Brookline. More on that later. Be prepared – it’s ugly.

Yesterday morning dawned bright and early so we could head out to watch the Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials. We watched the first mile from Boylston Street and then headed over to Commonwealth Avenue to watch the first couple of laps through the city. It was awesome and I got some great photos. 

I was going to head to the gym afterward, but I was still pretty achy so decided I needed a day of rest. I have BURN tonight and Tara tomorrow morning, so I’m thinking it was a good decision.

Now, for the bad.

A couple of weeks ago we were invited by Jerel’s dad Larry and his special lady friend (aka New Mom) to attend a Sedar Saturday night given by some of her friends in Brookline. I had my doubts about going – Jerel tends to be on the quiet side (unless he’s had a drink or three) and I told him after our brunch on New Year’s Day I was tired of carrying the whole conversation when we went out with Larry & New Mom. He promised he would be “on” – that he would be “Vegas Jerel”. So, we decided to go.

The first thing that annoyed me was he told me we had to be there at 4:00 pm. Holy crap – 4:00 pm?! I had to rearrange my mani/pedi that I had scheduled because I didn’t think I would be dry in time, so I moved the pedi to Friday night and still had the mani on Saturday afternoon. I was BEAT by the time Friday rolled around and didn’t get home until almost 9:00 on Friday night. So, you can imagine how friggin’ annoyed I was on Saturday when he told me at noon that we didn’t have to be there now until 4:30 pm. If I had known that I wouldn’t have had to rearrange all my appointments.

Anyway, we arrived promptly at 4:30 pm, but of course half the people didn’t start showing up until after 5. We met New Mom’s other son who lives in NY with his wife and daughter – he was very nice. We had met the older son on New Year’s Day 2007, along with his wife and their son, but hadn’t seen them since, and they were there too. We still need to meet the middle son, his wife and their kid(s?) – and the opportunity is coming – I know you’re quivering with excitement.

So…I’m sitting in a chair and New Mom comes over and sits next to me. She looks at my nail polish and says “oh look, we have the same color”. Um…no we don’t. She’s wearing OPI Red and I’m wearing OPI I’m India Mood for Love.

Anyhoo, I said I had just had my mani/pedi and she said she did her own earlier today after she weighed in at WW. I said “how is WW going?” (she’s been on WW since October and has lost 20 or so lbs). She said great…and here’s where I made my mistake. I said “hmmm…I’ve been thinking about trying WW since I haven’t really lost any weight on JC since October”. She said “well, YOU haven’t made a lifestyle change. Jenny Craig ISN’T a lifestyle change because you get your food from them. I like WW because it is a lifestyle change.” She also said something along the lines of I must not have been following the plan because I haven’t lost any weight. Then she got up and went to chase one of her grandkids.

Oh. My. God. I have never been so LIVID in my entire life (well, I probably have been, but this is the most recent in memory). What a (bad word, bad word)!!! If I had had my train pass I would have been outta there, but no, I had left it in my gym bag.

I just couldn’t believe she said that. I mean…I’m sorry that you don’t know how much weight I’ve lost – just because it’s none of your damn business – but no matter what I HAVE made a lifestyle change.

We eventually had to sit down to dinner, and she told us where to sit – that always annoys me. By then, my stomach was rolling. All I ate was some matzo ball soup – of course, in between there is reading and praying and this and that – most of which I didn’t participate in. I went to the bathroom at one point and when I came back they had put out food buffet-style. Well, I just couldn’t eat anything – not that it looked that appetizing anyway. Jerel eventually got up and got a little to eat, but I had had enough and I went out to sit in the lobby – where I texted Txlass about what New Mom had said. Jerel finally poked his head out to see where I was & said he would be right out.

When we got into the car I totally flipped out. He hadn’t heard what she said – but I’m sort of like – how clueless are you? I’ve been upset for the last 2 hours and you didn’t notice? Whatever.

Anyway, she may look better than Jerel’s mother but without a doubt she is just as selfish and self-absorbed as Brenda is. 

So – here’s the kicker. On Friday we received an invitation to the 65th birthday party Larry is throwing for her (New Mom) on the roof deck at the Taj Boston. The invitation states “cocktail attire and dancing shoes.” We said something about it to him on Saturday, and he said “there are going to be surprises she doesn’t even know about”. I am quite sure he’s going to propose.   Well, after what she said on Saturday I said we weren’t going, but you know what…there’s no reason not to go and enjoy a lovely party. Oh…and it is an excellent opportunity to get completely dressed up with professional hair and makeup!! I have about 5 weeks to continue my LIFESTYLE CHANGE so I can look super in a little black dress. What’s the saying? Looking good is the sweetest revenge? Oh yeah…I will look good!!

The nerve

You've lost over 100 pounds.  What more LIFESTYLE CHANGE does she want.  Has she run a freaking 10K?  I think not.... (Not that I know or anything.)  But I am so sorry she acted like that.  But you will look hot (hell, you already do) at the party.  Get the cutest LITTLE cocktail dress and show the Biyatch your lifestyle change.  Dance circles around her. 

Wait a Minute

You have lost 100 pounds already??

What is she talking about and I agree with you sweet revenge ! The nerve.

Anyway good luck and congratulations on your loss so far.

she sounds like a doozy!

I just hate it when people put down other programs for other people.......just because she has done a few months on WW...makes her an expert on all programs......

Whatever!....I know you will look great at that party.....take that New mom!

WTH?!

The nerve of some people!  I'm sorry she acted like a (insert bad word here) towards you!  You go to that party looking fierce and make her jaw drop to the floor! 

What a bad word, bad word!

Oh, you are so much nicer than me. Generally people can tell what is going thru my head by the look on my face--no words necessary. I definitely would have made an exception for her!

How dare her!?!

I'm thinking you should go for an elegant dress that shows your feisty side. Rub her face in your strappy, stiletto sandals (w/ a brand new OPI flavor that she doesn't even have!)

UGH!!!

Andrea, you look smashing and you are a great person inside.  She doesn't know what the HECK she's talking about.  JC is just as good of a plan as WW for losing weight and doing it in a healthy way.  Everyone's different and some plans work better for others and it's always been my opinion that sometimes it's good to shake things up a bit... having said that, WHAT NERVE!  I'm glad you didn't drown yourself in food after that...but then again, you wouldn't, now would you!?  Girl, do NOT let her get you down. 

(And forgive Jerel.  Sometimes men, even the best of them, are really quite oblivious.  And it sounds like he is your biggest supporter!  I'm sure as soon as he found out he was more indignant than I am!)

Unbelievable!

Hi Andrea :)

Wow, that was really unbelievable of her - I wonder if she even realized how she was coming across, if so, that's pretty rotten.  Who knows what could've been going through her head; nerves, jealousy, maybe the need to "compete" for attention (i.e. the weight loss), all of which are sad.  Don't get me wrong -  I'm certainly not defending her, that was just nasty of her, but sometimes people do and say strange things when they're under "pressure".  All I can say is good for you for not losing your cool right then and there!  You handled a tough situation with some great LIFESTYLE choices!!! :)

One lifestyle change I'm working on, is to "never take anything personal" :)  Because usually, when you're the target of something like that, it's almost never about you in the first place.  It's something else, and they lash out in weird ways at the nearest person.  

You are a beautiful, strong, incredible woman.  And we both know that our JC program is so much more than a "food program" - the food is just a tool for success, that's all.  I always hated that when people would start "judging" the minute they heard I was on JC.  Suddenly, they're the expert on all WL programs, and of course theirs is better lol.  I swear, I think that's when I would've pulled out my Jenny Craig food, right there at the table, and asked where the microwave was because I was chosing to follow my program - unlike her lol.  But I'm devious and rebellious lol.  

About you feeling like you're kind of stuck scale wise right now - have you gone back to measurements recently?  You are running a tremendous amount, and you have to be turning some of that weight to muscle.  If you want to see a good jump, you might try shaking things up by really hitting the food part hard, and cutting back the excersize - just for a week, and see if that does anything.  That has helped me in the past because I really tend to "muscle up" fast when I'm working out alot.  I do better when I don't excersize, and just hit the "diet" part hard - that's terrible, but I have a lot of muscle already, and I need to lose some of it.  For some reason, the excersize really messes with me and the scale going down.  So I'll alternate - one week hardcore - the next week I'll back off if I'm not losing. That's just me, and everyone is different.   I also admit to "cheating on purpose" on occasion, if the scale isn't moving.  I don't recommend it - but it does seem to work for me at times when my body just isn't moving.  The idea is to shake up and confuse the metabolism, to get it moving.  (same with hitting the excersize hard, then backing off, then hitting it again)  But here's a thought too - with all your running, what calorie level are you on?  Is it possible you're calorie level is too low for the amount of excersize you're now doing?  Do you notice yourself being more hungry the days you're running?  Sometimes just an apple and an ounce of protein will help - just enough, but not too much to let your body say, oh, ok, she's not starving me so we'll burn this.  Does your trainer have any thoughts?  :)  Regardless, you are doing so amazing, you should be so proud of yourself!  And the way I look at it too, the longer I'm on the program, the longer I have to practice my new lifestyle changes with the help of my counselor.  I want this over fast, but I also know I need to make these permanent habits if I want to keep this off for good this time.  Thanks for the sweet comments, and keep up the GREAT work!!!!!

Trish :)

Yikes!

You held together than I would have.  She would have been wearing that soup!  You are the better person here so keep on keeping on. 

Good gravy!!!

That woman is completely looney toons!!! You show her girl!!

What a bitch!

Man, no wonder you were dreading that night! I can't believe Jerel didn't even notice how livid you were!!! That is just so insensitive of New Mom to say that to you! We're all in this weight loss thing together and we all have our own ways of doing it. You've come so far and didn't deserve that comment at all. It sounds like she is just really proud of herself and didn't mean it to be an attack, but still. I think you absolutely should go to that party on the rooftop!! How fun! New dress, new shoes, hair, makeup! Fun!

Are you ready for the race in Dallas? Good job on your 7 mile run on Saturday! I didn't work out ONCE in Vegas!! Unless you count all the walking. But the drinking probably cancelled that out! :(

Anyway, I'm back home and just trying to get my groove back on. My house is a disaster and I have a million loads of laundry to fold. I missed you! I hope you had fun at BURN & with Tara. I'm going to resume my running tomorrow and no tennis until next Monday! :) I just want to relax and rest up. I'm tired! Talk to you later!

Shelley

Wow....

What turn of events.  I can't beleive someone would say that to you.  That is awful.  If I was you I wouldn't go to the birthday party.  BUT you do have a point about going and looking good.  I would have said "I've lost over 100 pounds biotch!"   lol.  I just can't believe the audacity!  (((hugs)))

Why oh why

Why do we women have to make OUR way right and someone elses choice WRONG?  Why can't it just be the best choice for each person?  I hear this kind of talk all the time in the WW rooms and I wanna scream "have you ever stayed on JC long enough to know the ENTIRE program. It is NOT a eat out of the box program and good luck".  Pahleese....I say now you know what you're dealing with with ms. new mom and so take it on the chin this time and just don't even go there.