Tuesday, June 03, 2008

And here I go...


...sigh....

I've been dreading writing this post for a while. I know that once it is here on my blog, it makes it more real, more permanent. I knew that once I had written this, people could email me out of the blue and ask about it. So... here goes... (and yes, most of y'all will think I'm being over dramatic, I know... but it IS dramatic to me.)

I am overweight and I have decided to seriously do something about it.

I joined Weight Watchers in January of 2006 and by July of that year, I had lost 50 pounds and I felt SOOOOO good!! I was still far from my goal, but it seemed so attainable at that point!!!

Then we went away to a pastor's school that we attend every summer. We stay on a college campus, live in dorms for the week and eat at the cafeteria 3 times a day. An all-you-can-eat cafeteria, let me add. So, I messed up that week. Big time. But I figured when I got back home, I would start watching my portions and exercising again.

When we got back home, I did start. Kind of. I half-heartedly counted my points and exercised when I felt like it. But, I was fortunate to do just enough to maintain that 50 pound loss. I even survived Christmas that year without gaining!!!

Then came January 4, 2007. One of THE happiest days of my life. This day, we got our referral for Elizabeth. I was ECSTATIC!!! And, the last thing I wanted to do was worry about weight. MY BABY WAS WAITING FOR ME IN CHINA!! I had to pack!! I had to prepare for a new little life! Who had time to exercise and count points???

Then we got to China. This is where it gets bad. Really bad and ugly. We stayed at a wonderful hotel called the White Swan. Every morning for breakfast they serve a huge American style buffet breakfast. And every morning while we were there, I ate lots and lots of bacon and slices and slices of French toast with extra syrup. It tasted like home. We also found a place there called Danny's Bagels that would deliver to your room. They served food that also tasted like home- pizza, spaghetti, chicken Parmesan, mac and cheese. You know, low-cal stuff. (HA!!). And by day 5 or 6, I had discovered that the 7-11 across the street from the hotel had OREOS!!!! So I happily munched on a pack of 8 every night before bed. No, it was NOT pretty at all.

We got home and things went downhill from there. Since that time, I gained 25 of those pounds back and I feel icky. Blah, fat, flabby and icky (can anyone relate to that description??). I hate clothes shopping. I hate to see myself in the mirror and I HATE to be overweight.

So, I've had enough. I'm tired of it. I'm taking action. I've decided that *I* am now in control of my food- not the other way around. From now on, I will count my points because that is how I will control my food. I will exercise at least 5 days a week. I will drink at least 96 ounces of water a day. I will succeed and this time it will last.

I do plan on sharing weekly updates- mainly to keep myself accountable. (I even posted a "Tracking My Weight Loss" section over on the right side of the blog, about halfway down). This is going to be hard, I know. But, as I read on a weight loss blog the other day "It's hard. Being fat is hard too. Choose your hard."

Oh, and I would love to know if anyone else is in a similar boat right now and would like to share their struggles and successes. Surely I am not alone.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well I am right there with you:) I need to loose at the very least 50 pounds. Its so so hard, I have never tried before and about 6 weeks ago I had a check up and was told my CRP level was very high, that is not a good thing. So I started walking everyday with my girls. I have not used any white flour I have replaced it with Oat flour or tapioca flour and have reduced my sugar dramatically, I have lost 10 pounds so far, I find its not as bad as I thought. Tomorrow is my Stress test and Echo-cardiagram. I am hoping I pass them both:) so I can continue the walking. Good luck to you. I know its hard but so so worth it if you think your doing it for health reasons and loosing weight is just an added bonus.
take care
love reading your blog
deezie

Mrs. U said...

Hi Deezie!!
I sure wish you had a blog (or do you??). I would love to learn about using oat flour and tapioca flour!!!

Sounds like you are making some wonderful changes!! And I am sure that your girls love walking with you everyday!

Let me know how your stress test and echo go tomorrow! I will pray for you!

His,
Mrs. U

Julieann said...

(((Mrs. U)))) You so nailed it when you said losing weight is hard, and being over weight is even harder!!! You are going to do it--I just know it!!! I totally commend you for being so honest with all of us--I think this why we all adore you so much:)

Julieann

P.S. Hi Deezie--I haven't seen you for awhile--:::waiving my friend:::::

Anonymous said...

Ooooh, how I can relate to this! I joined WW online last October. Since then I've lost 36-37 pounds (depends on the day). I have about another 25 to go until I hit my goal. Still, I've been told *twice* this week that I look 10 years younger. I do feel a lot peppier. My tips for success: exactly what you are doing - letting people know that you've committed to this program, allowing yourself the chance to start over after making a slip or two, deciding that *you* are in control of the food and your weight loss, and scheduling excercise into your day - everyday. If you want to do this, you will. My regret: I have lived vicariously through your non-WW recipes. I have a feeling I'll now be seeing posts of healthier, lighter fare. I won't wish you luck - I don't think you need it; you've got everything else you need.

Tracy said...

Well, me too. Not fifty pounds, but 20 would be great. I get really motivated, and then I lose and then I get lazy.

Mississippi Girl said...

Sending hugs and encouragement your way! You can do it!
Jennifer R.

Deborah said...

How Providential that I should peek in on your blog this evening!

Shari, I've lost almost 50 lbs. in the last number of months, and while dieting was convinced I would not go back to my old eating habits. I began the maintenance program of the diet I was on about 3 weeks ago, and have not been true to it for about 4 weeks. And you know what? I'm up about 7 or 8 lbs.!!!! So, this week I was determined to get on track and stay there. Did well yesterday, and blew it out of the water today. As a matter of fact, when I arrived here today I was munching on chips!

Your honesty has utterly convicted me, so I tell you what. I'm going to get back on track first thing in the morning and as often as I can I'm going to cheer you on.

C'mon Shari - our little girls need us healthy. And they need us to set a godly example in every area - including eating.

Let's do it sister. I'll be in your corner cheering you on.

Love,
Debbie

Deborah said...

Guess I should have made sure you knew which Debbie that was...

It's me, Debbie Yuck.

And I didn't proof my comment before sending it so missed my typo...been on maintenance for about "4" weeks, and haven't made it through even 1 of those weeks faithfully. I'm blowing it big time, so I'd better rein it in now - before it's out of control.

As I said, I'll be rooting for you Shari, and I just know you can do it.

Love,
Debbie (again)

Unknown said...

I have been on Weight Watchers Online for about four weeks now. I have lost 12 pounds so far. I have much more to lose than you do, but I am confident that the Lord will carry me through and He can do the same for you. It is not His will that we continue hurting ourselves and blaspheming Him through this sin and I know that He will strengthen us for the fight. Keep up the good work, sister! It IS a battle and He IS able! :-D

Jen said...

Look at you! You've already lost over five pounds! Woo-hoo! Way to go!
And I know the Lord is pleased when we submit to the Holy Spirit in the area of our flesh...whether it be what we eat or drink (diet coke;) ) or what we wear or how we speak or choose to wear our countenance for the day. It is hard to resist the temptations of the flesh, but you will be stronger physically, and more importantly spiritually, for having submitted to the Lord. I'll be praying for you! While I can't join in your weight loss efforts until this baby is born, after having 4 children and keeping at least 7 pounds of "baby weight" with each one, I'll be on my own crusade of submission this Fall.
You can do this because the Lord promises we can do all (within His will, of course) things through Christ who gives us strength (Phil. 4:13)!

Anonymous said...

I am so PROUD of you dear friend! I will also be one of your cheerleaders! Go Mrs. U Go! Go Mrs. U Go! Love, Gretchen

MotherHen said...

I'm with you Mrs.U, I was on WW a few years back then we moved to TN where I worked in my MIL greenhouse business - I kept the weight off and even lost a few more lbs. but since she closed the business a year ago I have been SAHM and have gain all the weight back, I have been contemplating going back on WW because that is the only program that I have used that really works for me. So I'm going back on it with ya! I'll keep track on my blog and let you know how I'm doing on yours!! "May the force be with us!" lol.

Gretchen
http://www.xanga.com/MotherHen1966

Anonymous said...

I am there with you. I understand, I believe alot of us face this same thing. I am very honored that you shared this with us, I would like to work on this too.
Blessings

Anonymous said...

Oh Mrs. U!

I am right there with you -- a big hug to you. I also need to lose at the very least 50 pounds as your first commentor shared. It is a daily struggle. It is absolutely no fun to be overweight and it seems so terribly hard to do enough about it to make a big difference.

Last summer and fall I lost 16 pounds and am so disappointed to see it creeping back on.

I'm really happy you posted this today -- I look forward to reading about how you are doing and for all of us readers to have an opportunity to encourage you.

blessings,

Trixie

Melissa said...

I'm so proud of you. I'm sure it was very hard for you to write this post. I'm sorry I haven't been keeping up with you as much...this is a good reminder. Let me know if you want to walk again. I miss you! I know you'll do great!

Melissa

Elizabeth said...

Oh, dear. Weight is an issue, isn't it? I feel immense compassion for your struggle...Well, let's see...Okay, first, don't beat yourself up. Everyone has periods of not doing what they should. Stop. Take stock. Start again. Be diligent. Start moving, again. Get your body moving again. It is hard to begin to do this, but you will feel SO much better afterwards! After a few days of consistent exercise, your appetite will begin to taper off. Then, start counting points again.

You will do it. You've just experienced a bump in the road. You'll get back to where you want to be. This kind of backsliding happens to most people, but it doesn't have to be permanent.

I will pray for you today, that you will get started again.

Take care,

Elizabeth

Paula said...

Just wanted to encourage in your commitment to weight loss.

Just today I was listening to a CD by a wonderful Christian lady about eating habits. She believes that it all boils down to surrender.

I look forward to reading about your progress; you can do it with the Lord's help! :)

Anonymous said...

I too need to get more serious about losing weight. Did great a year ago. . .but right now I'm not doing as well and I'm really feeling it. Maybe I should post about it on my blog too, but like you said, that's scary! Maybe if I just take a deep breath, it won't be so bad. ;O)

Wendi said...

Wishing you success!

Donna Kay said...

Mrs. U - you seem to have hit on a topic we are all thinking about - but nobody wanted to start - you did it for us - Just this morning I brough my chicken breast and salad to work - today I will start!! and that's all you have to do is START!
Last year I lost 60 lbs - on low-carb. I have gained about 10 of it back - because I have just been out of control. I agree with these ladies, it really is a spiritual issue - the devil knows our strongholds and food is definitely mine!! It brings me comfort, if I want to change the way I feel - I eat - and that is what alcoholics and drug addicts do - they want to change the way they feel so they do drugs - I have to get control over this and the only way is to let God have control in this area.
Letting Him have control of anything is hard for me....I feel like I can do it better than anyone else...even God...and I know that is a lie!!!!
We will ALL do this together and encourage one another - let's just get healthy and feel good about ourselves!!!!
Amen!!!
Sorry, didn't mean to post so long on my soap box!!!
Bless you....
Donna

Unknown said...

Good luck! I had a baby 8 months ago, and everyone said that I shouldn't start trying to lose my weight for awhile, but I knew if I waited that I would get lazy and not do it at all. I have since lost 40 lbs. Partly due to breastfeeding, though. I will tell you that the main thing that has helped me has been scheduling my meals. I eat breakfast at 8, lunch at 12, dinner is at 5:30. I do get a low-cal snack twice a day. I try my best not to eat past 6 pm.

jeanette said...

Mrs. U! I can totally relate. I've been on and off WW since my Andrew was born 4.5 years ago. I've only yo-yo'd 10-12 pounds..but it's still hard to get those 10-12 lbs. to stay off!

3.5 weeks ago I joined WW -and by this coming Saturday I will hopefully be at my goal weight-can't believe it!

One thing that has helped is a recipe book called Hungry Girl -Lots of great recipes there. oh and also Dottie's Weight Loss Zone http://www.dwlz.com/

Also-I'm eating more like 5x's a day to keep my metabolism up..AND I've had to eat more points than WW even recommends because I'm chasing after 3 kids and working out. :) If I eat what they recommend, I'm starving my body and end up gaining weight! Oh -and also I try to eat a more "whole foods" diet which means eliminating alot of chemicals -which are abundant in sugar free items. Eating "real" food may be why I've had to up my points to actually lose.

Good luck!

Dannielle said...

You're definitely not alone! I've been working on this very thing the past year or so.

You can do it!

Anonymous said...

You are not alone... I went through the same thing almost two years ago after having my third baby. I lost 60 pounds in one year. I need to be careful right now because I just put 4 pounds back on. It doesn't sound like much, but it adds up. Good luck with your goal. You can read about mine here..
http://angiesangels.wordpress.com/2008/01/20/my-weight-loss-journey/

Connie J said...

Shari~
You CAN do this! Be inspired by your precious daughter who needs you to be healthy and energetic. You are a fantastic cook, and many recipes can be transformed into 'good' foods. Remember the WW motto, "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels!" Yep, I'm a lifetimer! And my biggest downfall are the all-you-can-eat Chinese buffets, but I will allow myself that 'treat' twice a month. I'll be rooting for you, girl!
Love~
Connie

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