THAT’S my Size? No Way!

 

I hadn’t bought a blazer in almost six years. So, when it fit into the size 3X, I almost cried right in the store.

I had noticed that fitting into restaurant booths had gotten tricky and tight but a 3X?

Theater seats were crowding around my hips and bottom but a 3X?!

These limitations try to over shadow my recent weight loss of six lbs. I had to work for a month and a half to lose those six lbs.

Then, I saw something on my coffee table. It was a little glass canning jar that said Happy Jar on the side.

 

It was decorated with colorful butterflies and flowers. My friend, Ginger, had made each of us one. At the end of each day, we wrote on a small slip of paper what we were happy about on that particular day. Some days, I would have to really get down to basics to find happiness.

I decided that black, 3X blazer would definitely be one of my “Before” memories  . . . and soon!

I never knew how hard it would be to actually lose this weight when I was “ready.” I always had been able to shed pounds fairly easily in my younger years. Now, exercise is tough because of bad knees, and my age (slower metabolism) and meds try to keep me fat. They have been doing a successful job thus far, too.

I feel defeated each time I don’t lose at least one pound in a week or am not a measly inch less around my frame. I stick with it, though. I hang in there. I have to. I may have to eventually cut even more calories and exercise despite the pain, but I will lose this fat..

A 3X? I can’t believe it.

Weight Loss on Weight Watchers at Menopause.

Are you between 40 and 60 and finding it hard to shed unwanted pounds? You are not alone! I’ve fought through every fad diet and yo yoing eating plan out there, I think. NOTHING kept the weight off. I might lose 20 lbs but it all came back once the diet was over. I had learned nothing except how to deprive myself.

I joined WW (Weight Watchers) 2020 and am super happy with the plan and my results so far. This is an eating plan based on a points system. WAIT! Don’t let me lose you because of that. It’s easy! Not much to learn. AND there are hundreds of zero-point foods like chicken, veggies, fish, fruit, and eggs. 

I can sustain this lifestyle change from now on, too! If you are interested in my videos concerning being a newbie on WW or what restaurants are WW friendly, go to Lea James  It’s a newer channel and has some fun tips. I’ll be posting every week between Sunday and Wednesday sometime.

Join me, and let’s have some fun together on this plan. You’ll not regret being a part of it. OR just watch the videos for info on weight loss at menopause and yummy new products I’ve tried.

Love you guys!

Lea

Weight Loss and How to Stick With It!

This doesn’t look like a “diet” plate of food, does it? Well, guess what? It is. I’ve been fighting the bulge battle for 30 years and have lost every go round. Not lost weight but lost the diet game. I’d lose a few pounds and then gain back that amount plus a few more. I did that EVERY time I dieted.

I have tried multiple diet plans, too. Expensive ones where the food comes to me in the mail, Low Carb, Low Fat, Richard Simmons’ Deal a Meal, Cabbage Soup, Counting Calories, TOPS, Weight Watchers, etc.

I came to realize that it wasn’t the actual diet, per se (some were odd), but the fact that I didn’t stick with the plan long term. Well, who could stick with eating NO bread for the rest of her life? Not me. I chose a long term eating plan that I could stick with this time. Weight Watchers has always been suggested by my doctors, and I always enjoyed the freedom with that way of eating, so I began WW (their new way of referring to themselves) last week.

So far, so good but I’m having trouble with one area. The fact that I get “too” much freedom is a bit of a hindrance, believe it or not. The current plan has 200 FREE foods, meaning they have a zero Smart Points count (I get 28 points per day to spend on food. The bacon and eggs above equal 6 Points). On this list is white meat chicken, fruits, veggies, seafood, and other goodies. They assume the average dieter (which is not me) won’t overeat on eggs or beans, etc. They’re wrong.

My new antidepressant makes me hungry, so I find myself eating these free foods in quantities that aren’t diet-friendly. Example: I had a can of beans for lunch. A whole can.  Weird stuff.

Anyway, I thought I’d let my readers know that this plan really does work if YOU work it like you’re supposed to. With a few exceptions, I’ve stayed on plan and eaten very tasty meals. I drink water, iced tea, Coke Zero, and coffee mostly. I try to stay hydrated, though.

Oh, and I usually hated going to weekly meetings. I didn’t like having to take the time out of my day to do one more thing. However, my friends, I see now that these meetings are quite helpful. It’s not the weighing in for me, it’s the information from the other members and my fantastic leader (her name is Candy. LOL) and the camaraderie. It really does help me realize I’m not eating like this alone. I get some great ideas from the meetings.

So, I urge you, if you need to lose pounds – seriously – check into a plan that you know you will be able to LIVE with, and then take it head on!

I am sipping iced green tea with Stevia while I type. It’s refreshing and reminds me that spring is on the way!

Good luck, dears ~

 

Weight Loss and Yo-Yo Dieting! Help?!

January is cold, windy, and it gets dark early. January means putting away holiday ornaments and decorations. This month also promises that February will sprout forth crocus and daffodils to remind us that spring is coming in March and April.

Nature’s cycles remind me that I, too, have cycles – but they have not been so “natural” for me. I yo-yo diet. I hate it but it’s true. Last year at this time, I was 25 lbs lighter than this year. The meds I take for ADHD and Bipolar probably have a bit to do with the weight gain but the rest is my hand-to-mouth mistakes and lack of moving my body.

I’m thinking about spring approaching soon, and I can’t take another summer of being fat. It’s so uncomfortable, and the clothes I have are ugly and too snug.

I’ve been trying to diet and lose about 120 lbs since just after Christmas but to no avail. I lost 10 and gained it right back. Grrrr!

I can’t let meds’ side effects and low willpower keep me from my goals!

I have ideas.

1. Exercise even when I feel fatigued (it’s the meds and extra weight making me tired)
2. Journal EVERYthing I eat. Even one Hershey’s Kiss makes a difference.
3. Plan ahead for meals so I’m not stuck only poor choices at meal times.
4. Stay busy (busy mind and hands don’t snack)

Do you guys have any other suggestions? I’d love to hear them.

Now, to DO these four things on a constant basis until they are habitual . . .

 

Recipe for Easy Weight Watchers Zucchini Chips –

Oven Baked Zucchini Chips

Yields: 4 servings | Calories: 99 | Total Fat: 3 g | Saturated Fat: 2 g | Trans Fat: 0 g | Cholesterol: 13 | Carbohydrates: 12 g | Sodium: 241 mg | Dietary Fiber: 2 g | Sugars: 2 g | Protein: 6 g | SmartPoints (Freestyle): 2 |

Ingredients-

• 1 (large) zucchini, cut into 1/8″ – 1/4″ slices
• 1/3 cup whole grain breadcrumbs, optional Panko
• 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, reduced fat
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Kosher or sea salt to taste
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 tablespoons low-fat milk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Combine in a small mixing bowl, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Dip zucchini slices into milk and dredge into bread crumbs to coat both sides. Note: It may be necessary to press crumbs onto zucchini slices to ensure the crumbs stick.
3. Arrange zucchini on a non-stick cookie sheet and lightly mist with a non-stick cooking spray.
4. If using a rack, place rack on a cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes, turn over and continue baking until golden, approximately 10-15 minutes (being careful not to burn). Allow to cool to room temperature before storing in an airtight container.
5. TIP: Zucchini Chips will continue to get crispier while cooling.
6. NOTE: For gluten free chips, use gluten-free bread crumbs.

 

Why must getting healthy and trim be so dang difficult?!

Happy January, friends, and have an even better February!

Motion Creates More Motion. My Weight Loss Strategy.

 

 

Here I am on New Year’s Eve. I visited with friends and learned a line dance called Rockin Cha. It would have been much more fun had my hips not been hurting from the activity. I’m in bad shape . . . like, having had zero exercise in a long time. So, any form of exertion really gets me winded and hurting. I hate this about myself. I’m glad I’m changing it!

I’ve realized something else; as long as I am inactive, I don’t have any motivation to “do” anything, much less move for an extended length of time. I’ve started using one spurt of energy to just stand up and stretch. Then, once I’m up, I focus on the reason I am making this life change. I want to be less limited in my every day life. I want to fit into restaurant booths again. I’d like to go to the movies and not have to hold my arms on my chest so I don’t take up mine AND my neighbor’s spaces on the arm rests. I don’t want my pre-diabetes to become diabetes. I have many, many reasons I want to get healthy). ANYway, while I stretch, I take deep breaths and keep my mind on what my plan is. The plan that will get me where I need and want to be, health wise. I don’t whine about it, I just walk to the elliptical machine – sometimes I’m even barefoot – and slip my earbuds into my phone an let the iTunes begin. I step on the machine and push Start. I go for at least ten minutes but aim for even one more minute than I did the day before (IF I exercised then). Once I’m in motion, I feel full of oxygen and enjoy the music. I feel productive and proud of myself.

So, my dear friends, it’s about making that first move UP and off the couch!

When I get on my elliptical machine, which is my favorite form of exercise, I have no stamina. I only last ten minutes! There was a time I spent an hour on that machine. I get frustrated easily but I know it”s normal and to be expected for the level of fitness at which I’m starting out. I try to give myself a break as I would for anyone else. I have a cute exercise shirt I’m dying to wear but it’s just too small  (it’s a small-fitting 2x) 😦  Fitting into that shirt is one of my beginning goals. See it below:

 

I wonder if you have noticed that I haven’t told you my actual weight. I’m being honest with you guys but I can’t bring myself to quote how large I’ve gotten. One day soon, I will have the strength to share that number with you. I’m 5’2, so even a little weight feels like a lot but as I’ve said, I have 120 lbs to lose! I chose the Weight Watchers Online eating plan to help me control the quantity and quality of foods I eat.

I hope to be a contact of sorts with other women or men in cyber land – to show you it CAN be done. You have heard it many times before but I mean to show you – If I can do this, so can you!

Join me if you need to lose some significant weight. Let’s do this together. Feel free to comment and let me know what’s on your mind or what subject you might like me to cover here.

I’m off to grab some lunch. Tuna with crunchy veggies sounds good. Y’all have a great day! Lea

I Diet. I Exercise. Why Can’t I Lose Weight?

Okay. I’m being honest here. I tried Atkins/Ketogenic Diet for two months and lost 12 pounds but sticking with that strict of an eating plan was torturous. I had to remain on the “Induction” (introductory) phase so I could lose at a decent pace (I have a LOT of weight to lose, as well). Plus, I stopped losing and stayed the same weight for another month after losing the 12 pounds. So, I joined Weight Watchers for the 1,245,391st time! It’s been five days and the scale has not budged even 1/10 of a pound. That is despite exercising AND watching what I’m eating!

I’m sick of trying SO hard only to see minimal (or no) results. Yes, I take one or two meds that might be hindering my weight-loss efforts but THIS much? So, I’ve decided to stay with the Weight Watchers plan because it offers so much variety and group support BUT I’m doing a “no-no” according to their rules; I’m going to cut my daily calories (or points).

I’m almost 54 years old and so age isn’t my friend anymore when it comes to losing fat. I’ve become pre-diabetic but refuse to let myself get any more out of shape. I do notice that carbs make me very sluggish. That is an awful feeling. Sometimes, I have to actually take a nap to get over the sleepiness. It’s ridiculous.

So, instead of 24 points tomorrow, I’m only having 20. I’m sure there are W W leaders and members out there who will chastise me for trying this but SOMEthing has to give. I’m already exercising every day. I’m also still refraining from desserts, sweets, regular sodas, and things made with white flour, rice, or pasta. Whew!

 

I’ll keep y’all up to date on how it’s going. I WILL find a way out of this fat-trap I’m in. I’ll share it here with you, too! Honesty all the way.

Anyone have advice for a fed-up fat woman? I’m going to Cozumel in November! This is my time to lose unwanted pounds. I have 8 months.

 

Love you guys, Lea

Why I Do Not Lose 100 Pounds

 

 

 

 

 

I chose a seal as my opening photo today because I feel like a seal today. I lumber around with a limp because I pulled a hip muscle at work. Never mind the knee injury I was already nursing.

I have 100 pounds to lose but won’t actually “do” it. It’s not because I don’t know how or that I have no willpower. I realized (while driving in rush hour traffic) just why I don’t lose these many extra pounds. It blindsided me when I was thinking about the dysfunctional relationship I have with my boyfriend and how I wanted to change my life.

The reason I won’t lose weight is because when I’m thinner, I get a lot of attention from men, and I’m not always good at handling that attention. I SAY I’d love to try it! However, deep inside my mind I know that the last time I was thinner I didn’t handle it well at all. I won’t go into it but my behavior was erratic.

So, now that I know why I sabotage my diets, I can do something about it. I need to trust myself and know that I can and will be just as strong of a woman no matter what my size. My health is suffering greatly right now. I want to start a video blog . . . a vlog . . . on YouTube. I just moved into a new house, though, and need time to get settled before learning the new camera and tripod I bought recently.

Here’s to being present in my own life. To living in the moment. To health.

(Plus, I’m still a member of Weight Watchers online. May as well use it. LOL)

Weight Watchers-Friendly Websites

Hello! Welcome to the blog today! I thought I’d list a few points-friendly websites for my Weight Watchers friends and those who just want good taste with fewer calories.

 

1. http://www.emilybites.com/

2. http://www.skinnytaste.com/

3. http://www.cookinglight.com/

4. http://www.thegraciouspantry.com/

5. http://www.dedmed.com

 

I hope you enjoy reading through these. I got some great ideas for meals and snacks. There is a lentil soup recipe I want to try on the dedmed.com site. 😉

Is Weight Watchers the Plan For You?

 This is a Weight Watchers-friendly salad. See it here: http://pinterest.com/pin/230176230928088557/

I am following the Weight Watchers Points Plus Program and love its versatility. A point is figured by the amount of calories, fat, protein, fiber, and carb in a food. There is an online Weight Watchers app for your smartphone that offers you a points calculator when you are on the go or in your own kitchen. Don’t have a smartphone? Weight Watchers also sells Points Calculators on their website. http://weightwatchers.com

The best news? Fruits and non-starchy vegetables are zero points! You’ll never have to be hungry on this plan.

I don’t go to meetings but am a member of Weight Watchers (WW) Online. I keep track of my foods and exercise on their site. They’ve got delicious recipes and informative message boards. You just weight yourself once a week on the same day and then record it online. Easy.

Here is a review of the Weight Watchers program from the WebMD website:  http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/weight-watchers-diet

You’ll have plenty of resources and support with this plan. I’m here to work it, too! Don’t forget that my new video log http://lossesaregood.com will be my official weight loss journey! Day 1 onward!  Please join me, and comment often!