Need to Get Back on Track

Well, my last post was about how well I did over the holidays.  Somehow over the new year, my weight has gone up.  I have been tracking what I eat, even if it isn't always the best.  I have been keeping up with working out.  This morning the scaled said 138.6.  Not sure why it has gone up so much since after Christmas.  My clothes still fit okay so I shouldn't let it bother me, but it does.

I am trying hard to get back on track.  I stocked my fridge with produce: lettuce, spinach, cabbage, celery, carrots, mushrooms, asparagus, butternut squash, bananas, and kiwi.  For supper tonight I made Baked Asparagus and CousCous.  I made this a few years ago, but don't remember it being as dry as it was tonight.  But at least I have leftover servings and it's low in points. 

I also had an open can of crushed tomatoes in the fridge to use up.  I doctored it up with some Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and Mrs. Dash.  Then I sauteed some mushrooms and mixed in the tomatoes.  It was delicious.

I also went to Zumba tonight and had a great workout.  I found a class here that is like the Zumba classes I was used to before.  Now I need to stay back on track.

Skinny Snowman Challenge

Starting on the Monday after Thanksgiving through December 29th, I participated in a the Skinny Snowman Challenge put on by Brooke Not on a Diet.  I thought that the challenge would be a good way to help keep me on track over the holidays.

Things included in the challenge were:
-lose or maintain weight
-veggies at every meal
-3 servings of fruit a day
-track your food
-think of 5 positives every day
-water intake (64 oz. +)
-exercise
-Meatless Monday
-mini weekly challenge (try new recipe, eat clean for a day, try a new workout, bring a healthy dish to a holiday meal, try a new food)

My goal in this challenge was to maintain my weight.   I started at 136.2 and ended at 134.8 pounds.  Pretty good maintain, I think.  I struggled with getting veggies in with my breakfast.  My breakfast staple during the challenge was egg mugs with spinach.  I tried green smoothies for the first time and decided they are pretty good.  I was impressed with myself that I ate clean for a day-it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  I developed great habits. 

The new recipe that I tried was Quinoa with Black Beans (I was planning ahead for Meatless Monday leftovers).  I will make this on again.  For supper on Christmas Day, I made Sweet & Sour Brussels Sprouts.  Not sure if the family liked it, but I did and brought the leftovers home! 

It was a great experience and I hope I can keep up with the healthy habits.

A Little History

This was me in September 2002.  I joined Weight Watchers on September 11, 2002.  I beleive this was the heaviest my weight has been.  I was 173.6 pounds and 5'2".  I was talked into going to my first meeting by a friend.  She only went for a few weeks, but I continued.  I lost 6.8 pounds my first week! (Haven't had a loss that big since, but that is ok!)  I was inspired by the meeting leaders and hearing stories from fellow members. 

Nine months later I reached goal.  My goal is 139.  At my lowest, I was 134.2, for a total loss of 39.4 pounds.  Over the years, I gained some weight back.  In October 2006, I was back up to 163 pounds.  I have managed to lose the weight again.  This morning I weighed in at home at 137.6 pounds.  I have been in the 137-140 pound range, which is ok, but I'd like to lose 5 more pounds to be at my lowest. LOL

I have realized that I need to track my points.  If I don't track, then my weight gain gets out of control.  I still follow the plan that I learned in 2002.  I have not gone to a Weight Watchers meeting in over a year.  I didn't care for the Points+ program, so I am sticking with what works for me!

Right now I am focusing on maintaining my weight, living an active life, and eating healthy.

This is me in April 2010.

This is me in January 2012.  Quite a change from the first picture I think!