Carli's Latest Blog Entry
Hey Y’all! I was so excited to weigh in this evening. Thursday is my official meeting and weigh in day. I’m making a commitment to do the best I can to go to a meeting at least once a week. I had a really good week. I tracked EVERYthing that I ate EVERYday. And the cool part was that I ate whatever I wanted and didn’t feel guilty. Now wait a minute, I didn’t say how much I wanted, I said “whatever” I wanted. I ate a soul food Sunday dinner with my family. When I wanted a piece of cookie cake in the office kitchen I ate a tiny sliver, just enough not to feel deprived but enough to enjoy. I counted my points and kept moving. I had some delicious dinners at home, like a turkey burger (made with those fantastic seasonings I got from the market) with a side of frozen steamer bagged veggies, and Crystal Light Pink Lemonade.
I’m telling you, it feels different this time. It doesn’t feel so “forced.” I’m making peace with the fact that tracking my food will probably be a part of my life forever and that I will probably need the support of a program to help me maintain a healthy weight. It’s not ideal, but it’s the truth, and I’m gradually learning to accept it.
By the end of the week I used all of my “bonus points” I forget what WW’s calls them, basically they are “ I went over my daily points target, but that’s okay points.” I did not however use my earned Activity Points from working out, which can actually be swapped for food points.
So……. I got on the WW scale and I lost 5 pounds!!!! I was so happy because that was my secret goal loss that I wanted to hit and I got it exactly. I really like my Leader Ricarda, she is so energetic and passionate about weight loss without being fake or annoying. This meeting is really large, like maybe 40 people. It’s so cool to know we’re all in it together. She asked me to tell the group what led to my success for my first week. I told her that I remembered in the initial training session, she said that treating yourself was an important part of the program. And everybody (including Ricarda) asked “the what? Training session? What are you talking about?” I explained that I was referring to the mini-meeting after Week 1 when you meet with the leader. Everyone laughed that I called it a “training session.” Ricarda, playfully mocked me, and said “I remember the indoctrination for the program that you hosted” with a fake pompous accent. We all laughed…It’s ironic because I always laugh at my Dad for being perpetually formal, like when I walk in his house, he say’s “Hello Daughter” and shakes my hand like I’m there for a job interview or something. And now here I am calling the Weight Watchers meeting a “training session.” LOL! Anyway it was great, there were several people who lost 5 pounds this week. And guess what the theme was for this week? She had written on the board a quote from The Beatles song, “I get by with a little help from my friends.” It was all about acknowledging that you can’t do it alone and the team of people that you need to be successful. If she only knew that’s what I’ve been teaching myself all week. As Oprah would call it, I had a “full circle” moment, and realized I might be on to something. It might have taken me years, but finally finally finally, I think I’m catching on!
P.S. By the way my Half Marathon (13.1 Miles) is next Sunday April 10th. I really hope it doesn’t rain. Say a prayer, send good vibes, I don’t care if you dance to the rain gods, just help me make sure I don’t have to walk 13 miles in the rain!
I remember years ago, I worked with a receptionist who told me you almost have to be “obsessed with losing weight” to be successful. At the time I thought she was being a little extreme, but in hindsight, I almost have to agree with her. I don’t mean obsessed in a bad way like my ex-boyfriend who is obsessed with me and hides in my bushes, but obsessed in a more productive manner. If you have a serious weight problem and an unhealthy relationship with food, like I do; you do have to become sort of obsessed with losing weight. You constantly have to find new ways to stay on track, write down EVERYthing you put in your mouth, and consciously make an effort to put healthy eating above daily mood swings and life changes. Regardless of all the things going on around you, you constantly have to be mindful of the fact that you are making healthy lifestyle choices in an effort to lose weight. I know I make it sound like a daunting task…but really it is. However, if you are lucky, you are far enough in your process, that you acknowledge the fact that although it is a daunting task, it’s possible, and you don’t have to figure it out on your own. For me, there are motivational books, blogs, prayer and of course the Weight Watchers program to help me through my journey. Sometimes I’m in denial and think I don’t need all of that stuff. I tell myself I know Broccoli=Good and French Fry = Bad. But for severely overweight people is goes a little deeper than that. I’m finally getting to the point that I’m okay with that. So does this mean that I’ve found the golden key, and the weight will miraculously begin to melt off? Not necessarily, but I do feel like I getting to a new level in my journey.
I saw my arch nemesis, soft chocolate chip cookies in the kitchen at work today, and I walked right past them. When I walked past again, they were out of the box, and seemingly on display. Did I want some? Sure, but did I feel this compelling force inside that made me feel like I had to have them and that I “deserved a treat.” Nope! It felt really good to be in that place. Just like last night, about midnight, I felt like I wanted “something” to eat. I had already used my daily WW points and I wasn’t truly hungry anyway. I drank some water and went to bed. It’s the little successes like this that I’m beginning to appreciate because eventually all of these seemingly small victories will turn into a huge reward. So as Marianne said in her book, I may not be thin yet and I may not see progress on the scale just yet, but I can take comfort that I am finally at “the end of the beginning.”
On my Way to the gym through the blizzard!
I set my alarm for 6:30 AM, with the backup cell phone alarm for 6:45 AM. I went to bed at a decent time last night so fortunately it wasn’t too hard for me to get up. My Little Sister spent the night and said that she would go to group training with me. Last night we watched “Buried” with Ryan Reynolds. That’s 2 hours of my life that I’ll never get back. We watched him trapped in a wooden box for 2 whole hours…. I checked the weather forecast on my Weather Channel app and it said that the snow and rain wasn’t scheduled to appear until 9 AM. We got to Forest Park just a few minutes before 7 AM and I introduced my little sister to Coach Tina. One of the coaches read an inspirational e-mail from the parents of a young boy with Leukemia to remind us why we were doing what we do. Today’s training schedule called for 12 miles, our longest mileage yet. The goal was to loop around the whole Park twice. And to think just earlier this week I was excited that I had done it once. It was freezing cold, just barely 30 degrees and I didn’t really want to walk the Park for nearly four hours in the cold and impending snow and rain. About halfway through the first loop I saw Coach Tina and told her that I would do the other six miles indoors at the gym. My little sister and I completed the 6 miles and went back home. Weight Watchers is going very well. I really like the PointsPlus plan where you can eat unlimited fruits and unlimited vegetables with just a few exceptions. I cooked spinach and egg omelettes for breakfast. Then I took a nap. Much to my surprise when I awoke from my nap it appeared to be a winter wonderland outside. It looked like a blizzard, there were several inches of snow covering the trees, my car, and everything else. It was the perfect excuse not to go to the gym. And then I reminded myself that I am accustomed to driving in the snow and that it would be just ”an excuse” not to go to the gym. I took my little sister home and headed to the gym for my last six miles. I grabbed a magazine and got on the treadmill. The last mile or so was pretty brutal, probably because I read every article and I knew that the gym was closing in a few minutes. I was ready for it to be over. And then finally it was! I finished the last mile. I did just over six miles at the Park in just under six miles at the gym, for a total of 12 miles. I can’t believe I walked 12 miles in one day. I do realize that on race day I won’t be able to stop for an omelette & nap break, however that doesn’t negate the fact that I still walked 12 miles in one day. Even though I didn’t get a chance to post everything throughout the week, I think I worked out at least four times which made me more prepared for today. I think if I keep up this pace I will be able to make the half marathon a success.
My Mom read my blog the other day and reminded me of my extreme Viva Las Vegas birthday weight loss commitment to myself. She recommended that I go back to Weight Watchers. Mothers have a way of motivating you. Aside from the very expensive hospital weight management program, Weight Watchers has been the best. I’m such an “I can do it by myself, I don’t need any help” person. But, while reading and praying along with studying Marianne Williamson’s Book
, I’m learning that I need to ask for help. We as people are not meant to do things alone. As Marianne put it, “if you could lose weight by yourself, you would’ve done it by now.” My best friend told me, “Carli, asking for help does not mean that you failed, it means that you don’t have to go at it alone.” I’ve repeated that to myself so many times over the last few weeks. And to my surprise people who you think might say no, or don’t have time are willing to help. So I humbled myself and signed up for Weight Watchers (again). I’m actually pretty excited about it, because “word on the street” is that they changed the points values for certain foods. Being an avid Weight Watcher, I pretty much could tell you the points value for almost every food without looking it up. I think it will be a welcomed change for me to look up things and learn a new program. I get bored easily, so I’m all about something new. When I signed up online, I briefly saw that most fruits and veggies were now zero points. I was so excited, which leads me to the title of today’s post…This Little Piggy Went to Market.
I went to Soulard’s Farmer’s Marketon my lunch break today. I haven’t been in years. It was pretty cool and super cheap. I like the idea of supporting local people. I got all kinds of good stuff on my little trip. I got a pineapple, spinach, lettuce, asparagus, cauliflower, broccoli, apples, oranges, and the most beautiful red strawberries I’ve ever seen. I only had to use $15 of the money I had tucked away in my new Coach Bag. (LOL!) Then I found the spice shop. I’ve never been to one before. I was so amazed and excited, that lady said “are you new to St. Louis?” I explained that it was just my first time in a spice shop and that I hadn’t been to a “market” in years. She sprinkled a little Lemon butter dill seasoning mix in my hand to taste. It was so magically delicious. I think I’m putting that on everything I cook. I got a grill seasoning and Salt-free mix as well. I would have gotten more, but I had to carry it all back into work and put it in the fridge since I couldn’t leave the fresh fruit and veggies in the car.
By the time I got home, unloaded everything, and staged a picture for you guys, I was worried about it getting dark, so I decided to walk around my neighborhood instead wasting daylight by driving to the park. Bad idea. I walked past my Shopping Cousin’s house and there were really mean looking dogs that looked like they were ready to jump the fence and devour me and Nyah. I hurried along. My lower back was hurting a little, I think because I’ve been falling asleep on the couch watching TV… Anyway, when I was a few blocks from my Parents house. I was deep in thought about today’s blog post. I often write my posts in my head as I walk to distract me. When I looked down, Nyah was face to face and nose to nose with a stray Pit Bull. I got to the other side of the street so fast you would have thought I was David Copperfield. Luckily he was not vicious. However, I was totally done with my hood adventure at this point. As I rounded the corner and saw my Brother from another mother, he said he would take home. I stopped by my Parent’s house down the street and my Dad lectured me about the South Beach Dietand offered to walk me home after hearing my stray dog story. I opted to cut short the “eat a plant based protein diet” lecture I‘ve heard my whole life, and hitch a ride with my brother. It’s funny how parents who didn’t allow sweets or even sugary cereal in the house have 3 fat girls…hmmmm…. Anyway, my brother wasn’t too thrilled about Nyah getting in his new truck, but I cooked up some of the veggies in a stir-fry for him as a peace offering. He LOVED it. Fresh veggies are so much better than canned or frozen. I just realized how long this post was, so I think I’ll stop here. Later!
Well technically, I’m Racing for a Cure for Cancer with the LLS Team in Training. (This is your last chance to donate!) But Saturday, I felt like I was racing for a Coach bag. My Shopping cousin called me earlier in the week and said she wanted to take our infamous trip to the Coach Purse outlet store. I explained to her that I was “ballin’ on a budget” which is ghetto talk for “I like nice things but I’m broke.” She said she would buy me a Coach purse if I took the nearly 6 hour drive round trip to Illinois with her. It only took me about 2 seconds to say yes. She is apparently “ballin’ outta control” which is ghetto talk for “she likes nice things, AND has a lot of money” LOL! It was a shopaholic’s dream. I overslept (kinda intentionally) and didn’t get out to pick up my little sister until almost 10 am. The training schedule called for 8 miles, and I knew I didn’t have time for all of that with a mini road trip ahead of me. So we decided to walk the loop around Forest Park. I remember when it was a dream of mine to be able to walk around the entire park. I wondered what kind of people can do that sort of thing? 6 Miles? Just Because? Now, I’m one of those weird people…go figure.
My little sister was trying to be cute with shoes to match her outfit. That turned out pretty disastrously. Her foot started to hurt and swell. She had to take the shoes off and walk barefoot for the last 2 or 3 miles. She was jumping over rain puddles and stuff. I felt so sorry for her. I told her to wait until I got back to the car, but she said she didn’t want to wait that long and she didn’t want to leave me. I told her I wish I was like Sam from The Lord of the Rings
who told Frodo he would carry him since he couldn’t carry his burdens for him. But….I can barely carry me for 6 miles. We took a couple breaks, as I was trying to be patient when I really wanted to hurry and get to my new purse. Finally, after walking around the entire park, we finished up 6.23 miles. My Shopping Cousin text me and told me to hurry, but also not to forget to take a shower since we were going to be stuck in the car together for hours. I took a quick shower and walked down the street to her house. I wanted to drive down there so badly. But I couldn’t be lazy after walking nearly 6 and half miles.
Her house is so beautiful inside. Whenever I get my “real house” I want her to decorate. When you walk into her living room, you forget that we live in the hood. And it’s always clean…always. I don’t know how she does it. Anyway, we had a blast on our road tirp! Tons of juicy girl talk, a failed attempt at winning the lottery in Podunk Illnois, and sharing pure shopaholic excitement. This time however I brought my buddy TomTom
to make sure we didn’t get lost. When we got there I found a beautiful shiny golden bag that called my name. It was too cute! Then I went to Old Navy and found some skinny jeans for like $6. Then I went to the bargain book store and got a $4 book about successful African-American Fiction writers and another $5 novel for my Best Friend. I want to write a novel one day, but I don’t necessarily want the “African-American Fiction Writer” stamp. Like, why can’t I just be a writer??? Anyway, we had too much fun! Thanks Shopping Cousin for making my day!
