My weight loss journal:

1/6/12 - I joined weight watchers today, two weeks after the first picture was taken and after discussing with my son, deployed in Afghanistan. I decided if my son could live for 12 months in that hell then I could give myself a challenge. My only goal was to compare the first picture with one in 12 months.

12/26/11 (3x) 7/7/12 (1x) 8/12/12 (16) 11/4/12 (14) 12/01/12 (12)

Joined WW 1/6/12 -50.4 weight loss to date -60.1 weight loss -73.8 weight loss -79 weight loss

Joined Weight Watchers 1/6/12 currently size 22 or 3x Day 1: *45 points per day, 49 weekly added value points and additional exercise points. I have a serious shellfish allergy. WW Recipes prove to be difficult.

1. After week two I discovered I was ‘over eating’. I needed points to keep me satisfied, but do not want to encourage over indulgence. 2. Omitted the 49 weekly added value points, and used exercise points as a goal for the next exercise day, not as food reward!!3. Also cut my daily points down to 37, then to 35, and now 33. These points are more than enough for me each day.

Current exercise routine: Walking stairs at work during breaks. 4 flights, twice a day in 10 minutes. Added walks around the block when weather permitted.

March 2012 – pinterest.com has lots of WW recipes. Current exercise routine:

Added walking track at Ft. Lewis on Mon/Wed/Fri with Janet David - in addition to the current routine.

April 2012 size 18 – continuing on my journey

May 18, 2012 – Laid off from work, current walking routine has stopped but no worries. I traveled to Colorado Springs for son’s homecoming, and daughter’s graduation. Walked everywhere and weighed in, the folks were great. I lost weight.

June 2012 size 16I started going to the gym at Ft. Lewis 3 days a week rather than the track.Current gym routine includes:

1 – 1 ½ miles on elliptical Some weight training

August 2012 – cancelled monthly pass, and am now paying weekly. *Daily points decreased to 27, forcing me to make healthy choices, especially snack choices. Grapes, dates, and dried mangos became my sweet snack substitute. After being forced to omit gluten and dairy from my diet, Doctors orders, diet choices are limited to basically fruits, veggies, and proteins. This happens to be good for someone changing to a healthy eating pattern.

Continue with Ft Lewis gym and weight training, I feel a craving for additional physical challenges. Added squats and planks

September 2012 - my total loss -65 poundsTraveled to Spokane, where I weighed in! The women were wonderful. I ran/walked 4 miles with my daughter.

October 2012 size 14 – buying clothes that fit and giving away the old.

November 2012*Daily points decreased to 26, and will not decrease any further. GF/DF helps to maintain. Foods like hummus, lentil chips, and carrot fries are the ‘new’ indulgence.

Continue with Ft. Lewis gym and weight training Working on a ‘squat machine’ with 70 pounds Sprained ankle in September, tearing tendons, but continue to work out at a slower pace. Learning that I really like who I’m becoming and that I am worth the effort to workouts, find I’m taking much better care of ME.

December 2012 size 12

Month 12 of Weight Watchers without missing a weigh-in!! Continue with Ft Lewis gym and weight training. Working on squat machine with 90 pounds Leg press 150 pounds – ankle is healing allowing me to get back to weights. Need to focus on a strong core, harder planks Accepted Holiday-Squat-a-Thon challenge – 1975 squats in the month of December Dec 14 weigh-in total loss -81 pounds, I have gone from a 3x shirt size to M/L Dec 29 weighed in and gained 1.8 pounds – my Christmas celebration was good!!! Have completed 1875 squats, and will complete the challenge

tomorrow with 100 squats!!

December 30, 2012 – goal #1 achieved, but the lifestyle has changed forever!!

12/26/12

09/20/12

Portion control and exercise is my key to success. If my body doesn’t move, it won’t burn calories.

Although I’ve had wine or cocktails on occasion I’ve learned alcohol is not good for any healthy eating plan. To be successful I steer clear of this.

My top secret snack item list that satisfy my needs:

1. Carrot french-fries – 0 PPV *carrot French-fries, grilled turkey cheese burger, toasted bread, side salad and fruit salad = 8PPV and a filling dinner! Substitute the burger for 2 fat free hotdogs, with melted cheese, no bun = 3 PPV lunch!!

2. Walden chocolate sauce with bananas – 0 PPV

3. PB2 – powdered peanuts –2 Tbsp. = 2 PPV *1 tsp PB2 powder mixed with 1 tsp Walden chocolate sauce, 1 tsp cool whip = yumminess on bananas and 0 PPV

4. Fat free cool whip = 0 PPV

5. Artic zero ice cream – entire carton is 4 PPV*1/4 c ice cream, powder mixture and a tsp of cool whip = 2 points of yumminess!

6. Grapes – 0 PPV

7. Pop Chips – 30 chips = 3 PPV

8. Dates – 5 = 3 PPV

9. Rice Cakes and Hummus – 1 cake/2 TB = 2.5 PPV

10. Starbucks protein box (Hummus, Chicken, veggies, without pita) 3 PPV

11. Quizno Large Harvest Chicken salad (no bread, no dressing) 3 PPV

12. Starbucks unsweetened Passion tea, blended with crushed ice and 2 packets splenda = 0 PPV and a special treat!