Back Again!!

Still Here

Hi Ladies,

  First of all, thank you for the e-mails...I am still around.  I've been trying to find the time to get back on EP to follow-up with my progress and to read all of your blogs.  I'm actually wondering about how you guys are doing.   I can't wait to catch up.   You guys really inspire me. 

 I have been very busy at work.  I don't think I've ever mentioned it before, but I am a trial attorney and I am now in the 4th week of a very complicated, time-draining trial.    As a result, things have been CRAZY.    I only have time at the end of the day to do what is absolutely necessary on my other cases, come home, work on my case, and then wake-up and start again.  Thankfully, I should be summing up on Thursday, so once the jury comes back with a verdict I will be a free woman....for a few days at least.

 As for my weight, actually, I tend to lose weight while on trial and after the first week, I was down to 209.5.  I thought that I was going to be at 200 by the end of the month!!!    No such luck.   It's been up and down since then, and the scale is at 212...not bad considering I was at 211.5 at the start of the trial.   This week will be one where I will be up all night, so the scale will likely go down again.    Because I was already slacking off, I have not been OP...no JC these past few weeks at all.  Very little excercise.  I actually walked over the Brooklyn Bride this weekend in an effort to jump-start at least a little something and caught a cold!!!  LOL  What can you do? 

Anyway, I am looking forward to the spring and getting back on track.  I am sooo sick of weight being an issue.   Aren't you?   Anyone watching "I Can Make You Thin" on TLC?  I have taped it and it is very interesting.  Read more about  it at www.tlc.com/thin.

  Thanks again for thinking of me, and I will start posting again regularly next week and will catch up on everyone's progress.

 Have a great week!!!

Danielle

Oh Boy...Somebody call Jenny!!!

Okay...I'm turning myself in.   I am a Jenny Craig refugee at this point.  After buying my food last week, I ate just what I wanted last week pretty much with a few Jenny meals thrown in...and it shows. I did not go to weigh-in yesterday.  I dunno...I get to the point where I want to do my own thing, but if history is an indicator, I do not do well doing my own thing.

  To be fair to myself, work is so nuts these days that I do not feel motivated at all to eat right or work out.   All I do is work until really late and come home.  It's an excuse I know.   I am trying to work through it.  This week I am going to try to be much more on program and god willing, get back in the gym.  Honestly, I would like to work my own program which is something that I might do.    What I do know is that I REFUSE to let another summer come in and not have control of my eating or excercise plan.  Consistency I know is the key...I am working on it.

 It doesn't help that I am single and looking and these men out here...oy vey...they are INSANE!!!   I guess some women put up with a lot of garbage, but I am just too old to pretend not to know when I am being disrespected.  Last week a guy I met over the Holidays practically chased me down for a date.  He said that he would call last Friday to confirm our date for Saturday.  Well guess what...no call on Friday.  This donkey actually had the nerve to call  on Saturday at 5:00pm!!!   Was he for real?  Needless to say...I had made other plans.  As I was hanging up the phone I heard him say "Please...keep me in mind!!"  LOL WTF?   Keep him in mind?  For what?  URGH!!  

  All I can say ladies is that if you have a decent man....keep him happy and do not let him go.   You have no idea what's out here!!!

Have a good on-program week all.

Danielle

Back To Jenny

Well, I went back to Jenny yesterday.  I did not weigh-in, but I purchased food and made an appointment for next Saturday.   I will weigh-in then.  TOM is almost out the door and the scale is holding at 211.5 so I am okay with that.  I hope to get below 210 by Saturday.  I really love the JC food and there are some dishes that I really miss eating when I am not on program.   I have to say, I am a little pissed that in the three weeks I have been gone, my counselor could have cared less.   Honestly, I could just weigh-in every week and buy the food.  My counselor is not that great.  JC has been so busy lately that it is like a meat market.  After Valerie Bertinelli appears on Oprah today, I suspect that it will only get worse.   I'm thinking about doing my own program by  buying some Jenny foods and eating my own foods down the road.  We shall see.  I obviously need some structure now.

  Whatever the case, it's time to get back on track.   This is a BUSY time for me at work.    It seems that it will only get busier.  That could help me with the program as I really do not have time to think about what to eat and having prepared foods ready is a good thing.  I also need to get back in the gym which is going to be a challenge now and down the road.  My plan is ti get back into my routine this week.

  As an FYI, I found a great plus-size clothing boutique...yes boutique here in NYC.  It is called Monif C and the website is located at www.monifc.com.  I was watching the show "How to Look 10 Years Younger"and I saw that they had this woman who had lost a lot of weight.  She  was still a "healthy" size.  What caught my attention were the dresses.  They were feminine, flirty and up to date.  Well, I went there this weekend and was happy that I did.  Now, the store is smaaaaalll and not much bigger than my living-room, but what cute things they had.  Their most popular item is the "Marilyn" convertible dress that is on back order.   I tried it on and it looked FABULOUS!!!   It was the dress that the woman wore on the show.  You can't believe how many looks you can get with this dress.  Now, the price is steep at $195, but worth it.  I wanted two, but ordered one in white.  I tried it on the pink one and it looked fab.  For all of you AKA's, they have pink and ...a light green.  Sadly, as a Delta, there was no red, but I will be working that white this summer !!!   They are in the midst of a sale and I also got a beautiful black lace dress for half-price.   The store was a little out of sorts because they were just on BET's Rip the Runway so I will have to go back ;) Anyway, check them out.   

  Okay all...I hope everyone is having a good on-program week!!!

Back from Cruise-Didn't Do Too Bad

Hi,

  I got back from my Caribbean cruise on Saturday.  I had a great time and was able to get some much needed rest.    I mostly stayed pool or beachside so that was cool.   Also, to my shock and disbelief, I only gained .5 lbs!!!   I got on the scale this morning and it said 212.  The morning I left,  I weighed in at 211.5.    While I walked 2-miles on the Promenade deck two days, that was not even close to what I set out to do.   Also, unlike my 10-day European cruise where I excercised and walked every day and didn't gain weight, the most I did in terms of excursions this go round was to go to a beach.   As for food, I basically ate what I wanted.   One thing about cruises, their dinners tend to be normal size portions which helps.  Also, they have sooo many low calorie options at every meal that if you were of a mind to (I wasn't  ), you could definitely stay on program.  My weakness is sweets and I had my share, but I guess I did not go over-board.  I ate frozen yogurt equally as much as regular ice-cream.  What may have helped is that  for the first time in months, I purchased a 6-pack 100 calorie pack of Keebler Grasshoper cookies and sweet and salty granola bars which is what I grabbed when my sweet-tooth hit outside of normal meal hours.   I also drank at least 1 cosmopolitan a day..sometimes even two.  I am at a loss as to why I did not gain more.  Whatever the case...I am GRATEFUL!!!   My experience also makes the case for dumping the scale.  I felt soooo at peace without the every day weighing.

   One interesting thing is that I felt that I got more of a work-out walking outdoors than on the treadmill.  Also, my stomach felt flatter after each day I walked.  Mind you, I walked slower than I do on a treadmill.  Could this be true, or am I  imagining this?   I also got a Body Compositiion Analysis which I always wanted.  I have known for years that my Tanita scale was waaay off in terms of fat percentage.      The BCA said that my body fat percentage was 39.6% and that I had 83.6lbs of fat body weight  and 127.4lbs of lean body weight which was allegedly on target.  It also said that my resting metabloc rate was 1758 calories which is supposed to be good.  I say "allegedly "and "supposedly "because they were so busy trying to sell me a $900 detox program that they did not concentrate on the things that I really wanted to know.   Something about getting rid of 15.82 lbsof toxins that are around my fat cells!!! URGH!!!  I was pissed!!!   I was on Holland America, an otheriwse classy ship, and here I was being given the hard sell.  

    I also wanted to mention something I noticed when catching up on everyone's blogs.  Ladies, we are being waaaay too hard on ourselves.  Just when are we going to give ourselves a break for being human?  Yes, we sometimes fall short of our goals, but at least we are trying.   Let's keep our heads up and do what has to be done.  Lord knows that I am struggling too.  The sad thing is, remember how I bitched and moaned about the scale staying at 210?  Don't you know, I would have jumped for joy had the scale said 210 this morning. LOL    The lesson is...let's be grateful today for even the small victories.  

As for my program, I did not go back to JC this weekend.  I am enjoying eating on my own this week and TOM will be here any day now.   I will go back though...maybe this Saturday and face the music.  I also will get back in the gym this week.  I remember how miserable I was a few short months ago.  The truth is...I feel pretty good.   I just need to work on conquering this scale monster....yes....the scale may go back in the trunk!!!  I need my sanity.

I hope EVERYONE has a great, on-program week.  Remember....we CAN do this!!!

Danielle

Your Support Means So Much

I just wanted to post a quick note to say THANK YOU!!!  I read each of your comments and let me tell you, I needed them.  I am not giving up.   I will not give up.  I am going to have to do something with that god-forsaken scale though.   I get back from my trip next Saturday and will make a appointment for Jenny Craig the following day on Sunday.   Maybe I will weigh myself Sunday morning to see the damage from the cruise and put that ^&$(%)^ scale in my trunk again!!!    I already know that my first week back on JC will not be the best weight loss wise as TOM is due that week. URGH!!! Ain't it grand being a gal?  LOL

   I have not been able to excercise this week because I was crazed. I can't help but think  that had I felt better about things, perhaps I would  have made the time?   Deep down...I think I know the answer.  Also...things can get worse...I'm up to 211.5 on the scale!!!  LOL  Okay..it's not that funny...but...while I ate my remaining Jenny foods, between the late nights and just because I felt like it, I did not make the best choices this week.

  Anyway, my game plan for the cruise is the same.  I want to get to the gym almost every day and I want to walk the Promenade deck.  I loved doing that on my last cruise.  Something about walking outside and the ocean air.  Wonderful.  I can't wait.

   I have been crazy busy at work trying to get everything together so that I can have some peace of mind on my trip.  I was here to almost midnight on Wednesday night.     I am exhausted and have done the bare minimum for myself.  I did however get my manicure and pedicure this morning...you know I could not go away looking completely raggedy!!!  LOL   If I can leave work tonight at a decent hour, I will get my hair done.  I can't believe that this is even negotiable....I NEVER go on vacation without getting my hair done.  NEVER!!!  As my mother says though...the first thing I am going to do when I get on the ship is jump in the pool so what's the difference?  So true.  Still...it just does not feel right going away without your "Do" did!!!  LOL Know what I mean ladies?      

    Have a great week all and I will catch up on your blogs when I return.  Again...thanks so much...your words meant a l lot to me.

Danielle

A Bit Dissapointed

Hi Guys,

  Well, I have been MIA for a reason.   Basically, I am frustrated and have been a bit upset.   After giving up several social events that involved drinking and eating for the past two weeks and following my Jenny Craig plan closer than I ever have, my scale on Friday remained at 210 lbs.  It has not moved in over two weeks.  I was particularly disgusted because on Thursday night I went to a party where buffalo wings and other fried foods and drinks were freely available and here I was eating a salad with grilled shrimp!!!    When I got on that scale Friday morning and it still  said 210, I lost it.

I did not go to my weigh-in on Saturday and haven't been to the gym since last Tuesday.    I know that I am only hurting myself, but it is beyond frustrating.    I do not do well when I do not get positive reinforcement.  It's hard to make all of the sacrifices that losing weight requires and not see your hard work reflected.   I know...I am having my own private pity party.

   I really wanted to lose more weight before my trip this coming Saturday, but that does not look like it is in the cards.   I am loosely following the plan, but did not follow it at all yesterday.    I have to mentally re-group.

  This week is going to be so crazy for me and it really requires motivation to do the right things in terms of eating and excercising this week as I have so many other things to attend to.

   So....that's where I am.   I know that I will get it together, but it is a real challenge right now.

Umnnn..Who Told Me that I could Cardio-Kickbox!!!

All I have to say is...what in the world did I think I was doing?  I must have lost my mind. LOL  I'm telling you, I must have been seriously delusional.  Long story short, I went to the gym again yesterday (yeah for me), was feeling good and decided that it would be a good idea for me to sign up today for a cardio-kickbox class at the gym.   WRONG!!!  I was so excited.  I was pumped.  The class was packed with people waiting to get in.  I thought to myself...wow...maybe I've found a class that I can actually enjoy. Let me tell you, by the 4th upper-cut...I was outta there!!!  Woaaaaa....what in the %$$&^%!!!    

  I slinked out of that class after 7 minutes and went upstairs to the elliptical trainer where I belong!!!  Let me tell you, I was soooo glad to see that machine.  I don't know how some of you ladies do it.  Between the running, spinning,. pilates...bless you...one and all!!!!  LOL

 Well, in my quest to find a class that I actually enjoy so that I can maybe skip the elliptical and/or treadmill one day, I signed up for the Hip-Hop Funk class tomorrow!!!  I may not go as that will make three days in a row at the gym and I planned to go back on Wednesday.   If I feel up to it I will try it.  If I can't make it, I will take the Hip-Hop Funk class on Thursday. 

Say a Prayer!!! 

Stayed the Same at Weigh-In

  Well, I weighed in today and weighed exactly the same as last week.  It's TOM so I expected as much.  I am just hoping that next week will reflect the work that I have done this past week.   All in all, it was a great week.  It was the week I made it back to the gym...only two times this past week, but I made it.  I also feel great.  I am also proud of the fact that it's been three weeks and I have not purchased a single box of 100 cal snack packs or 100 cal Hostess cupcakes.  I am definitely eating less sweets, which is a good thing.  I eat my Jenny sweets though.  Love those.  I also make a smoothie when I need something extra that is sweet.

  One thing I did today was to purchase some Jenny food that I had not tried.  Most came out while I was on "hiatus."  I took a good look at the Personalized Menu Planner booklet and realized that there were foods that I didn't even realize Jenny Craig had.  I figure that is one way to keep things fresh.  I already had my favorites from the first time I joined in 1997 and this go round, I basically stuck to those and added a few. Today I picked up the Southwestern Style Chicken Burrito...I swear...I had never even heard of it, but it looked yummy and will be a nice lunch addition.  I also picked up the Chicken Carbonara which is new and the Mesquite Chicken which I never purchased because I thought that it was a shelf dish.  I do not like most of the Jenny shelf dishes and tend to stick to the frozen dishes.   I also picked up the new chicken and sausage gumbo soup which I had had once.  It could use some more salt, but it's decent.   For anyone thinking of joining Jenny Craig, let me tell you, the food is absolutely delicious.  Even when I was doing my own thing these past few months, I would sneak in and get some food.  I could see eating some of these foods for life.  Now that I am at a 30% food discount, it's really affordable too.

My goal for this week is to go to the gym four times.  I am definitely going tomorrow.  No excuse in the wrold not to go.  I then plan to go three times during the week.  I want to get back into my 4x's a week routine.  I only have two more weeks before my cruise and I want to be well into a routine that I can continue on the ship.  I also want to lose a nice amount of weight before I leave.  To meet my original goal, I will have to lose 8 pounds by then...uhm...well...I'm going to do my best but will happy to see 5lbs gone by then!! 

   Anyway...have a great weekend all!!!

Danielle

Made it to the Gym

Just a quick post to say that I made it to the gym today...yeah for me!!!  My face is a bit strange looking from the laser treatment, but I am no worse for the wear.  I tell you, it's amazing how much you can improve in terms of conditioning with just a little effort.   I'm already doing more than I could on Monday.  I even ran for three minutes today on the treadmill...not consecutively, but darnit, three minutes nonetheless!!!  That's twice this week.  

 Oh...I saw my trainer.  He asked if I was going to train with him again...I said not just yet...I want to get back to were I was and then some before I really start to train hard-core with him again.   He is very sweet and I will train with him again.  I just have to do this my way.  I know myself well, and I do not need the stress that strength-training brings to me and my weigh-ins at this point.   Anyway...that's that.

I feel good, good, good!!!  Oh yeah...and TOM FINALLY arrived today.  Thank goodness...."the girls" feel like two big ole water balloons!!!  URGH!!!

Anyway...am I the only one looking forward to the weekend?  Probably not.  Weigh-in will likely be Saturday after-all...I was thinking of weighing in one day early because I have to do something first thing Saturday morning.   I just don't think I can fit in another thing tomorrow. 

  Make tomorrow a good, on program day!!!

Danielle