June 20, 2004 I am happy to report
that this week the scale DID move! I am down 2 more pounds weighing in at 270 pounds! Goodness....how exciting
this is! I am still a big girl, but this feels soooo good to know that I am changing and working my way back to a healthy
weight. YES! Tomorrow is my wedding anniversary. 13 years. It certainly seems like it went by quickly
at times. Notice I said ''at times''. LOL!! Some days seemed very long. Thank goodness the rough years
seem to be behind us for the most part. Not sure what we are going to be doing for our special day. I am
sure we will go out to eat, but I am getting very good at staying on track (I take my own low carb tortilla's) by ordering
chicken fajitas. I always tell them that I want low fat sour cream, reduced fat cheese, and that I want raw onions
instead of the carmelized ones. I asked once how they cook the onions and they told me that they cover them in
a sugar glaze (sugar and butter mixture) and then cook them in the microwave! Clearly NOT on program with
those onions. Oh, but they are so good! So I decided to make a few changes when I went out next and found
that I could get chicken fajitas that were ON PROGRAM! YEAH!!
Ken and I are on vacation this next week.
We both needed the time off! My challenge this week will be to stay on program while I am off work. It is a lot
easier to stay on track when I am working...relaxed days sometimes can lead to a relaxed program, and I don't want to do that!!
I will let you know next week how I did! (P.S. The office still isn't cleaned up!) SIGH.....
June 27, 2004 WOW! I am so excited
to see the number 268 on the scale this morning! It has been FOREVER since I was in the 60's! How exciting this
is! AND...this loss is coming after being on vacation all week! That is always a really big accomplishment for
me...to stay on track when I am on vacation! Actually I have had a lot of things going on that could sabatoge my program,
had I let it. The job that I really wanted was out of my reach due to the fact that I needed 10 more college hours to
even qualify for an interview! That was a hard pill for me to swallow, as I have worked at my job for 18 years doing
exactly the kind of things that this job would require of me. Luckily, I didn't turn to food to get through that disappointment!
Right now, my current job is up in the air. With all the budget cuts my particular job was cut in hours...going from
40 a week to 20 hours a week! Not a good thing, which is what made me apply for the other job to begin with! I also
applied for a job in the records department and will interview for that position this Wednesday. If I get this job,
I will be working for the state instead of being a contract employee. It will pay around 66 cents less per hour...BUT...it
is full time, so I have to take that into consideration. My hours would change from 7 - 3 (now, going to 7 - 11) to
8 - 4:30. I like the idea of going to work an hour later than usual...just not sure I like the idea of working until
4:30. It will mean an adjustment in going to see my mom in the nursing home, as I usually would go there right after
work and stay until 4. With the new schedule, if I go right after work, it will probably be 4:45 by the time I get there
and then mom will want me to stay until at least 5:30 which is the time she goes down for her evening meal! That would
mean I would get home to start our supper after 5:30 and I am not too excited about that! So, I will have to work through
that. Mom just hasn't adjusted to living in the nursing home yet, even though it has been 11 months! I guess time
will tell what is going to happen with my jobs, and with mom. I think if my current employer offers me my 8 hour a day
job, I will take it...because I like my vacation time that I get and would lose a lot of that with the new job. Just
doesn't look like I will be offered a full time slot though...so I have to go for this other job, so we can pay bills!
Ken tells me not to worry, but he can only work so much, and I hate for him to have to work 60+ hours!! Just not fair to make
him have to work extra because of me! I am kind of excited about the new job....and a little scared. I will let
you know this next week when I report in what happened. The new fiscal year starts July 1st, and we still don't have
our new contracts yet, so who knows what mine will say!
Okay...enough rambling for now!
I hope you are having a great weekend! Thanks for reading my journal and following me along on my journey!
July 4, 2004 HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! I am also happy to report
that I am down 3 1/2 pounds today! YEAH!! LOVE seeing these numbers on the scale. I truely can't remember
the last time I weighed 264.50!! This is so exciting! We even had the kids over for a cookout yesterday and I
stayed on track!! YES! This is what I have wanted...a program I could live with!
I got some good news on the job front this past week. I did interview for the Records
position that I told you about last week and felt I did horrible on my interview. They had a board of three that just
sat and wrote stuff down while a fourth person asked prewritten questions to you off of a piece of paper! The second
question kind of tripped me up, and hopefully I recovered...but I just don't know. Then on Friday, my current boss called
me into his office to ask me if I would like to stay full time in my current position! I was so excited! All staff
is getting cut from 40 hours a week to 36 hours a week, but that is much better than being cut to 20 hours a week which is
what I was looking at if I stayed with my current employer! Since they haven't decided about the Records job yet, I
am going to call them on Tuesday and tell them that I will not be able to take the job if they offer it to me. A part
of me just wants to let it ride and see if I get the job, but I don't want to interview for a job and then turn it down as
I may have to apply with them again in the future and I don't want to be known as someone that will turn down the job if I
get it!
Ken and I are off through Tuesday due to the 4th! I hope that you are having a great
weekend!! See you next week!
July 11, 2004 Hi guys! I got on the scale this morning and it
stayed the same! 264.50. I am not upset though, as when I was looking back through my weigh ins, exactly 4 weeks
ago I did the exact same thing (stayed the same) but continued losing the following week, so I think this is just a normal
thing for my body. And I did have a really nice loss last week (3 1/2 pounds) so I am not concerned or upset.
I have always said that when I stay the same it just means my body is getting use to the weight it is and getting ready to
drop some more weight! It is so exciting to see that I am weighing in the 260's. Sounds crazy I know...but it
has been so long since I have seen these numbers that I am very excited! I went shopping for a new pair of slacks this
week at Sears and when I bought my last pair there (same brand) I got a size 24WP which were very snug! As a matter
of fact, I even had to move the button at the top of the pants over a little bit, so they would fit better. This time
I picked up a 22WP and found that they were too big! WOOHOO!! So I went to the next size, a 20WP and they fit!
I was so excited to see that I was into smaller clothing! AND...I started having people notice my weight loss at work!
How wonderful that feels! I know I can do this!
I found out that I was the #2 pick for the job that I had applied for. SIGH...it is
almost like coming in runner up at a Miss America contest. Still everything works out for the best with my current job
coming through for me and offering me more hours so I am okay with it!
Hope you all have a great week! I will see you next week and let you know how things
are going!
July 18, 2004 I am happy to report a loss of 2 1/2 pounds!
YEAH!! I am at 262 pounds. I haven't weighed this since I went into the hospital to have my son almost 21 years
ago! How amazing is that? Finally after all these years, I am breaking free from the chains that held me down!
YES!
Today is Ken's birthday. Not sure what the day will bring. They are still working
on the siding. I hope it gets finished today. We might go out to eat tonight for Ken's birthday and if we do,
I know exactly what I will eat. Chicken Fajitas!! They are great and when I take my low carb tortillas, they are
on plan as well!
Hope you have a fantastic week! I will catch up with you next Sunday!
July 25, 2004 Another week down and I am now weighing 260!!
Down 2 pounds this week! This is so exciting for me as I am now counting the pounds until I hear the big ''clunk'' on
the scale when that 50 pound weight gets moved down! Only 11 more pounds to go and I will be under 250! If you
knew me, you would be simply amazed as I am about this weight loss. I was always a big girl, and the fact that even
weighing 260 excites me should tell you just how long I have been overweight!
My friend Gretchen and her son Roman came to visit us this week. What a great time we
had! I just got her back on her train at around 3:15 this morning. She is headed on to Chicago to visit another
internet friend. Next year, I hope to be able to go visit her in California! This was the first time that I had
met Gretchen in person, and it was fantastic. She is the person that got me fired back up on weight loss around 2 years
ago when I stumbled onto her site. I was so inspired by her that I knew I could get this weight off, and I am!!
We are just taking it easy today. Ken is on vacation for the next two weeks, and I will work this week and then
take next week off with him! Here's to a wonderful Sunday and a fantastic week for you as well! See you next week!!
August 1, 2004 Another loss this week! Down 1 pound
and I am very excited about that one pound because it means that I have now lost a total of 70 pounds from my all time high
weight of 329! YEAH!! It feels so good to be losing this weight and finding ME!
I am now on vacation until August 8th and will enjoy this time off with Ken. All the
siding is up on the house and now we are starting to paint. This type of siding is a stucco type that comes primered,
but you do have to paint it.
Hopefully you are having a great weekend! Take care and I will see you next week as
I move closer and closer to 250 pounds!! I know I can do this....and I will!
August 8, 2004 I am happy to report a loss of 3 pounds this week!!
That means I now weigh 256 pounds! WOW! Unbelievable! I always get a little scared when I don't see a big
loss (like the 1 pound last week) because a part of me thinks that maybe I will be hitting a plateau and not lose any more
weight. Still I keep going, knowing that my body just does this every now and then and sure enough...I find I am still
losing when I step on the scale the following week! I forgot to mention last week that I went to the doctor due
to having a urinary tract infection and was put on some medicine, that caused me to wake up yesterday with huge red spots
all over me! Looks like I am allergic to that medicine and now have hives! I went back to the doctor yesterday
and was put on prednisone to help with the hives, and another few days of a different anti-biotic to help make sure the UTI
is cleared up! Still looking pretty spotty this morning...hope this clears up more before I have to go to work
tomorrow. Ken and I have been on vacation this past week together. It has been nice to sleep in, and
have a relaxing week. Ken has really been painting on the outside of the house, and it is looking beautiful!
I even helped out by painting a bit, doing the front door and helping with the garage door. Ken doesn't want me on the
ladders, so my painting is limited to things I can reach! LOL!
Okay...off to meet the day! Here's hoping that you and yours have a fantastic week!
I will see you next week!!
August 15, 2004 I got on the scales this morning and stayed the
same! 256. Still I can't complain, I am down 41 pounds in 4 1/2 months, and that is really good!
Ken is still working on the painting of the house. It really looks great!
He should finish the sides today, and then we will just have the back to paint. Unbelievable how a coat of paint can
change the entire look of a house!
Hope you are having a great weekend! I will see you guys
next week!
August 22, 2004 Hi everyone! I got on the scales
this morning and am down 2 1/2 pounds! YEAH!! I have to say this again...I always get a little scared
when I don't lose (like last week) for fear that this plan I am on will stop helping me lose weight and I will be
stuck at the same weight or start gaining. This G.I. plan has been perfect for me, and why I worry is beyond me...I
guess it just shows I am human! Seeing 253.50 on the scales this morning was so fantastic! I can't even begin
to remember when the last time I weighed this. It has been over 13 years. WOW!
Things are going nicely on the house. Ken is working so hard, and it really
looks wonderful. What a great guy I have! Okay...off to jump in the shower. Just wanted to update
this journal and let you all know how things are going! See you next week!!
August 29, 2004 Another Sunday upon us! I got on
the scales this morning and weighed in at 252.50. Down 1 pound. Total lost....76 1/2 pounds from my all time high....44
1/2 pounds down since April! YEAH!! Some days it seems like it is going to take so long to get this weight off.
I still have around 100 more pounds to lose. Yet, I just spent a few minutes reading through this journal and realize
that how ever long it takes, it is going to be worth it! Even though the weight isn't falling off of me as fast as I
want it to, my clothes are getting looser, and I know that I am losing inches. I need to pull out my tape measure and
see what those numbers look like. I think I would be happily surprised at what I see! The closer I get to below
250 the longer this journey seems to take. I will really reach a milestone when that scale drops below 250! What
an exciting day that will be! At 252.50 I am probably still 2-3 weeks from that day...but I know it is coming!!
Have a great week guys. I will see you next week!!
September 05, 2004 Well this is interesting.....got on the scales this
morning to see that I am up 2 pounds! :( The only thing I can think is that I am ovulating, and that must be why
the scales are up a bit. So here I am with my first gain on the G.I. program. I am trying not to let it get me
down...as I know that this will be off next week...still it is depressing to see the scales at a different number than you
expect! In the long run, if there are times that my body does indeed retain water, I guess it is only natural to think
that sooner or later that day will be on my weigh in day. Let's just hope it doesn't happen too often!! Today
and this week my focus will be on the number the scale will say next week, not the one it said today!
Here's
to a great week guys! See you in seven!!
September 12, 2004 Well I got on the scales this morning and
was happy to see that I am down 1 pound! Still not the 2 I picked up last week, but I blame that on the fact that once
I got off that scale, I went off program and ate my way through the day. That's right...I was so upset that I had gained,
that I started picking my way through things in the refridgerator! Not happy about it, but I did it. Among the
things I ate were apple crisp, lots of cheez-its, and 4 count 'em 4 miniture size candy bars. 1 Snickers,
and 3 Almond Joy. I ate them in the car by myself coming back from getting gas. How sneaky was that?
Heavens, that is old bad behavior if I have ever seen it! I even finished the night up by eating pizza out with the
family. Did I enjoy my day off program?? Yes, I think in part I did. I kept thinking how scary Monday
was going to be trying to get back on program. I was off work on Monday due to Labor day, and knew it would be a challenge.
Monday wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, and even though my points were a bit high (28) for the day, I ate all G.I.
foods and felt pretty good about things. Now that I have a week behind me back on schedule, I am okay...but
I have to admit that I don't think I want to go off like that again for quite some time, as it is just too hard to get
back on track, and I know far too well how quickly I could have gained back all the weight I have lost while on this program! I
thank God daily for helping me. I would be lost if not for Him. So all in all, I guess losing 1 pound this morning
is a good thing. The scale was up several more pounds yesterday morning, so I think I actually gained several
pounds from my Sunday off program, and am now getting them back off. I accept the responsibility of my actions, and
am moving on!
Today is my moms 84th birthday! She of course wishes that she wasn't here, as living
in the nursing home has not been the easiest transition for her....but I am hoping that she will be okay. My sister
Peggy is taking her out for lunch today and just driving her around for a few hours to get her out of the nursing home a bit.
I have an appt. with my ob-gyn tommorrow to have my yearly exams done. It has been
several years since I have done this, and I wanted to get back on a regular routine of doing this yearly once again.
I am going to a new doctor, who is female, so hopefully I will feel a little more relaxed (Can you ever feel
relaxed with your legs up in stirrups?) with her.
Okay...off to jump in the shower and get my day started! Thanks for hanging in here
with me. See you in seven!!
September 19, 2004 I am happy to report that I am down
3 pounds this week! YEAH!! I was so worried that with my gain 2 weeks ago that I was not going to be able
to continue losing. So glad that doesn't seem to be the case! It is hard to stay focused when the road is
so long, but I know that if I do...it will pay off! LOVED that the scale read 250.50 this morning!! SO CLOSE to
the 240's!! How unbelievable is that?? ME...getting back under 250?? WOW!! Just seems unreal.
Hope you are all having a great weekend. My sister left her husband this past week.
He had a major drinking problem and she decided that she just didn't want to live like that anymore, so she left. She
is still hoping that he will want to change and get help...but I just don't think that is going to happen. It is really
sad, because when he is sober, he is a really nice guy. He just doesn't think he has a problem. What an awful
hold alcohol has on certain people. I am so thankful that neither Ken nor myself have that addiction.
Okay...off to start my day! I will see you in seven!
September
26, 2004 Well today the magical number finally appeared on the scale. 249.50!! Down 1 pound!
I am finally in the 240's! Not by much...but still in them and I am estatic!! SO GOOD TO SEE THIS NUMBER!!
I was a little apprehensive about even getting on the scale this morning as when I got up my rings were tight, which is a
sure sign of water weight...but I decided to jump on and see what the scale would say! This is truely a milestone for
me!! YES! In a 1/2 more pound I will have 80 pounds off from my highest weight! How cool is that??
We helped my sister find and move into another place this weekend. It is a really neat
little spanish style apartment. I think once she gets use to it, she will be okay. She has never been on her own
in her life, always having a man around, so this is a new thing for her. I pray she stays strong!
Okay...off to the shower I go! I hope you have a fantastic week! I will see you
in seven!!
October 3, 2004 What a great feeling to get on the scales
and see the number 247.50 staring at me!! WOOHOO!! Down 2 pounds from last week! SO WONDERFUL!! I
am now down 81 .50 pounds from my all time high! AND...49 .50 pounds down since I started my G.I. plan in April.
I really wish I would have started eating this way in January...but maybe I wouldn't have been ready to stick to the plan
then, like I am able to now. I will never know. I just have to keep doing what I am doing, and moving forward!!
We went to IHOP yesterday after Ken and I had blood work done for our yearly physicals. I was a little aprehensive
about going...I wanted to go, but knew that I had to stay within my eating plan to be successful on the scale today.
I ordered a ham and cheese and onion omlet made with egg beaters. Then on the side I ate 1/2 of the harvest nut
pancakes (with sugar free syrup) that Ken got with his huge breakfast that he didn't want. It was a planned thing, I
didn't just start eating his food!!!!! (Although I have done that in the past!!) The pancakes were small, and Ken hates
pancakes...so he ate his Split Decision breakfast of sausage, bacon, eggs, and french toast, and left the little pancakes
for me! They were great! I would definately order them again!! It was fun to go out and eat breakfast.
Ken and I go out about 2 times a month for supper...but breakfast out is something we normally don't do. We decided
yesterday that we need to do this once or twice a month as well!
I got a new perm this week. We are going to start letting the layers of my hair grow
out in anticipation of changing my look next year with my weight loss! Can't wait to see the new look. We figured
up that I had been wearing my hair the same way for the past 20 years! How sad is that?? It looks okay on me...but
definately time for a change!
Peggy is settling into her new apartment. It is nice to have her living so close to
me. She has her bad days, but seems to be holding strong and I am so proud of her.
Okay...off to jump into the shower and get ready for the day!! Hope you are having a
great weekend! I will see you in seven!!
October 24, 2004 Well so much for seeing you in seven! It has
been a busy 2 weeks, but I am back in here and posting a 1 1/2 pound loss! My weight is now 246, which means I am down
83 pounds from my all time high, and 51 pounds since I started my G.I. plan this past April!!
With school, work, and Ken having his shoulder operated on this past week, I was a busy
girl! Ken's surgery went well. No rotator cuff tear, but they found a lot of arthritis and a bone spur that
was causing the problem. He will be off work for 2-3 weeks. We are 6 days post surgery and he really does seem
to be feeling a bit better.
Okay...off I go to get this day started. I will see you in seven!!
October 31, 2004 Another week has rolled
by and I am happy to report that I am down another pound! They all add up, so I am not discouraged by not losing more.
I am now down 52 pounds since I started my G.I. diet back in April, and down a wonderful 84 pounds since my all time high
weight of 329!! So this is definately the program for me!!
Halloween is always a scary time for me with all of the candy around. I waited until
last night to buy it, but then bought way too much (6 bags!). I don't know what I was thinking...but clearly I shouldn't
have gotten so much candy that we will not need. I have half a mind to take some of it back to Walmart today...but with
it being Halloween, not sure if they would take it back or not. Ken said that what ever is left over, he will put in
his truck and then take it to work for the guys to eat. That is probably the smartest thing to do. Either that
or give my little trick or treaters TONS of candy!! They would love that! LOL! I
will report back to you next week if I was successful with staying out of the candy!!
Here's to a great week! See you in seven!!
December 05, 2004 GOODNESS! Seven days turned into a little
over a month! The end of October found me at 245...and the Sunday after Thanksgiving, I was sitting at 253! NOT
a good thing. We had a big gathering at our house for Thanksgiving, and I really over did it with the food! Ken
was also home during the month of November after have rotator cuff surgery, and I think his being off, coupled with less money
coming in, really took a toll on me! I always seem to turn to food for comfort! :(
Maybe in time I can get that under control and turn to other things when I am stressing! This past week I decided that
I really had to turn this weight gain around and am happy to announce that this morning when I got on the scale it read 246.50!!
DOWN 6 1/2 pounds from that high after Thanksgiving weight! Now to just keep on going and get through the next few weeks
and Christmas! I am starting right now thinking about what we will do for Christmas. I have already decided that
I will NOT be planning a big meal at our house. The kids and grandkids come over for breakfast every Christmas morning
and to open presents, and then my sisters and brothers come over (usually around noon) for a big meal and to open presents
for my mom. This year I think I will have the siblings show up after lunch, and then just have a light dessert
and coffee for them to enjoy instead of a big meal. I do not need any left overs in the house!!
Tonight is the Christmas party for Ken's work. They are having it at a place that has
a huge buffet...with both hot food and a nice salad bar. I am going to enjoy the fact that I am 50 pounds smaller than
I was last year at the Christmas party...and eat sensibly!! Hopefully someone will notice that I have lost weight. I
usually only see these people at the Christmas party...so maybe someone will say something about it! *fingers crossed*
It always makes my day to have someone say something to me!! I will let you know!
Okay...time to get my
homework started. I am almost at the end of the semester! YEAH!! I need to journal a lot in the next few
weeks so I can stay on track, be accountable, and hopefully going into the new year even smaller than I am now! See
you in seven!!
December 29, 2004 Well here it is the end of the month and I am finally
getting back on here to update my journal! Actually I wrote this huge entry a couple of weeks ago, and then due to technical
difficulties, my entry was lost....and I was so aggravated that I just didn't try to type it out again! This time, I
will be copying this entry BEFORE I hit done, in case the same thing happens again! Live and learn!
I survived Ken's Christmas party in good shape. I even had a woman come up to me as I
was heading for the buffet and comment on my weight loss! That was a great feeling and really helped me stay on track
as I was looking over the huge buffet in front of me! LOVED THAT FEELING! Unfortunately, my will power dropped
a little over my birthday and Christmas and I pretty much allowed myself to eat whatever I wanted. I stayed off the
scales for the most part...but did check out a Christmas evening weight...and saw 255 on the scales! Yes, this was after
eating a big meal...but still...it was a preview of what was to come if I didn't get my act back together! I vowed that
night to get right back on track come Dec. 26th, which is what I did. I will be weighing in on Dec. 31st to see what
my end of the year weight is...and then continue on into the New Year on track and working towards my goal in 2005!
I feel good about all of this. I know that last Dec. 31st I weighed in at 297 pounds...and I am not going to be seeing
that weight 12 months later, which is a victory!! I still believe in the G.I. Plan of eating, and know that it is the
way for me to go! I also know that I have to get back on track with some type of exercise program. That is a big
thing for me, because I truely hated to exercise, then started liking it more, and now I am not doing it once again!
Ken said come Spring, we are both going to get out and start walking! I am looking forward to that...but know that I
could and should be doing something right now. Guess I will have to work on that! My goals for the new year is
to improve myself in many ways. I want to lose weight, check into getting a better paying job, and get more organized!
These will all be big challenges for me to do! I know I can do it though.
Okay...I am going to copy this and see if it will save! I will be back here on the 31st
and post my weight! I am hoping to see it below 250!! Take care!!
December 31, 2004 Well here I am on the last day of the year.
I got on the scales this morning and I am happy to say that I am going into the new year with a starting weight of 247!!
YEAH! That means I have lost 50 pounds for this year, AND I am down 82 pounds from my all time high!! How cool
is that?? I am very excited about this loss...because even though I didn't officially weigh the day after Christmas,
I did get on the scale to see what kind of damage getting off track a few days can do, and it was not a pretty site!
At one point the scale read 255 once again and that was not going to do! That is what fired me up to get back on track
on the 26th! I knew that if I could get back on track with my G.I. diet, that I would lose this weight, and I have!
I am still not back to my pre Thanksgiving weight of 245....but you know what? I am okay with that. It is only
2 pounds and I know that I can lose that and more.
As I finish up the new year I am grateful for so many things. First to God who has taken
such good care of me. I have so many blessings, and would be lost without Him. Secondly, to my family and friends,
who love me no matter what size I am! In the new year, I am going to continue my journey towards a healthy life, and
I hope you are here to cheer me on!
Happy New Year my friends!
Love,
Cindy
