Please click on thumbnails to see the full size photo.
First of all, your Website has
been a tremendous support for me for the last 10 months. Yesterday
and today I read Al's articles for the first time and oh my goodness does he
ever hit some nails on the head. You've got an amazing husband but I'm
sure I don't have to tell you that! Next week I am hoping to reach a momentous
total upon weigh in and I have a paragraph from Al that I plan to read.
The one about "Put success at the top of your to-do list each day."
What a great thought.
I'll start about 99.6 pounds ago! I began my journey on May 31,
2000 which just so happens to be my birthday! I thought that was a great
day to start a "diet"! I remember that night after we had gone
out to dinner my husband had bought me a chocolate cake. I thanked but
told him I couldn't have any because I had started WW so I brought it in for
the guys at work the next day. Never had a bite even. At this
point there is probably no one more surprised by my weight loss than me.
I never
thought I could do it but I'm doing it and there's no doubt in my mind that
I'll continue to do it until I reach goal then stay there!
One of my good friends at work told me one day she was going to start a Weight
Watchers At Work program and asked me if I was interested. I half heartedly
said "OK - I'll try it - what's $150 bucks!" Honestly, I'd totally
given up on weight loss. I avoided scales entirely and was totally shocked
at how heavy I was on weigh-in day - 296 lbs! I decided to make
an honest effort at least and the first week, I dropped 9 lbs. I'm sure 8 of
that was water weight but none the less it helped me get focused. The
next week I dropped 6 more and as they say - the rest is history.
After about a month a couple of us in the WW group decided to get together a
few days a week after work and sweat to Richard Simmons Oldies. That got
me started on a regular exercise regimen. Now Richard barely makes me
break a sweat anymore and my latest favorite video is Kathy Smith's Weight Loss
tape. It's pretty tough. I work out usually two nights a weeks after
work and both weekend days at home. I've always played golf but hated
the thoughts of walking 9 holes much less 18. Now I do that on a regular
basis and almost every workday at lunch I take 30 minute walk and do a little
stair climbing. Just a side note, my golf game had improved tremendously
now that I can actually turn at the waist!
My wants have changed so much. I actually
like broccoli and asparagus! What a surprise! I've have not had
a fast food hamburger in 10 months and I don't miss it ...at least not much.
I not only cook smart, I make smart choices all the time. And you know
what - I'm not deprived - not one bit. I still love a good glass of red wine
with dinner! It's only 2 points!
I journal everyday. That is so important! This morning I had a fit.
My usual breakfast is fat free yogurt with a little Kashi cereal in it to make
it crunch. Well, as I was throwing my yogurt cup away I took a little
glance at the label. I'd bought a different brand and just wanted to verify
the points. Lo and behold - it wasn't fat free and my 2 point yogurt was
5 points! Man - I won't make THAT mistake again. I've
burned 3 pts for nothing today! Oh well, no guilt, move on!
THANKS for your support and inspiration! You know what they call me now
at work - THE BIG LOSER! Isn't that great? Mary
Photos
- L-R: May 99, my birthday; Oct 99, before
WWer's; Dec 2000 w/my cousin;
Dec 2000, the new Mary, 80-85 lbs LESS (& next photo)