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Wednesday, August 09, 2006

The long weight loss journey...

I got a WW postcard from my secret pal the other day. (Thank you secret pal!!) She was saying she hoped my weight loss journey was going well. Now I wonder if she is a leader or something. And then I thought, "hmm...I haven't blogged much about my weight loss for a while." So, now I'm blogging about it.

First off, I guess Weight Watchers doesn't call it a "journey" for nothing... I've been a member since 2001 (I think? Or maybe 2002...). It's been forever, plus that was the second time I'd joined. And I'm sure I'd already be at goal if I actually followed the plan like I am supposed to... I go through periods of motivation, usually followed by success. Then a plateau followed by irritation and my abrupt fall from the wagon. Which of course leads to a bit of the weight coming back. And then I'm motivated again...and the cycle continues.

I know I'm not perfect at this, and since it's to be a lifestyle, I allow myself to indulge here and there and sometimes (more often than I should) go off the plan completely. But, I have not given up. I know if I stop going to meetings that all the weight will come back.

So, the above photo is the oldest one of me I have on my computer. It's from 2004, after Joie's wedding (which explains why my hair is done and I'm wearing makeup). I don't know how much weight I had lost at that point, but I know I was down a bit from my heaviest. And, as is very apparent in that photo, weight really shows in my face.

This shot is from back in fall 2003, back when I was still a nurse. Just kidding. It's actually from Halloween at my office job (same job I have now, actually). The scrubs were a Christmas gift from my cousin, who works (or at least used to work) for the UC medical center in southern CA.









This one is Halloween 2004. And no, I don't usually dress that way for work. Or ever. In fact, I pretty much never wear orange at all. But, this is another Halloween shot from work. We all came as sleuths, and I was Velma from Scooby Doo. That was the closest to an orange sweater that I could find to work. You can sort of tell that I've lost some weight since the previous year. I don't remember how much though...probably about 10-15 pounds or so.






Here we have summer '05. I think in this shot, I am about 15 pounds from the goal I had set.












And here I am a few weeks ago, 5 pounds away from the goal I had set. (Check this photo against the first one - you can totally see it in my face.) I have been toying with changing my goal to where I am now, because I don't know how another 5 pounds will look on me (or rather off of me). I don't want to completely lose my shape or look too gaunt. (Not that I'm in danger of that anyway.) But, the last 5 pounds I lost made a huge impact on my clothing sizes. Over the past few years I've gone from a 12 down to a 6 in pants (though really depends on what store I'm shopping in...). I was totally surprised a few weeks ago when I was at the mall with a couple of friends and we hit Victoria's Secret - I needed to be remeasured for bra sizing (they just weren't fitting right anymore, and I was really starting to notice it. And, well, gravity is the enemy for people with certain endowments). Just imagine the surprise on my face when they told me I was a 34 band size! (The cup size had not changed, so it is still impossible for me to find cute bras in my size.) And even more surprising was the fact that I now have a smaller band size than my notoriously tiny friend. I never would have guessed it.

Anyway, I'm excited about fitting into a size 6. I can even wear a size small top (in some stores), which is pretty unheard of for me. So, when I was at the Bass Outlet last weekend I spend over $200 on new clothes!! Now, that is motivation for keeping the weight off! (I am nothing if not cheap. Uh, I mean thrifty...). Don't worry, everything in the store was 20%-70% off, so I actually got a lot for my money. Unfortunately, I have been eating like a pig this past week, and I weigh in again tomorrow. So, I hope I didn't do too bad...it's about that time where I need to get re-motivated again. And I think I will change my goal to 120. (It's 115 now, but I think that's too skinny for my height, and my bone structure.)

So...yay me for sticking with it! And here's to me keeping the weight off and continuing to eat healthy!

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good Job Tami!!!! :) Way To Go!! I do see a big difference from the first picture, to the last picture, in your face...and since I see you just about every day, it was such a gradual change, I hadn't noticed it that much...though I know most people at work can tell you are turning into Miss Skinny Minnie! :) (I remember my coworker calling me that in 97 when I was like a size 8 (for like a week) and I was in disbelief that she called me that. Believe me, I haven't heard those words again. :( You are an inspiration, and I know it can be done (heck, I lost 25lbs at one time...just need to get back on the band wagon and really start counting again (sigh)).
Well congrats! I think you look great the way you are right now and don't think you should lose another 5lbs. That's my humble opinion! :)
See ya tomorrow...and no FFFY tomorrow!!! BE GOOD! :)

Dagny said...

Congratulations! I didn't even have to scroll back because when I saw the first photo, I thought, "Her face was fuller back then."

Anonymous said...

Wow.. you are really motivating me. I just had McDonalds and feel like crap. I am such an emotional eater.. ugh!!!! You look really great. I love that last pic of you. Your hair looks so pretty. miss ya!~

Anonymous said...

You look great!
I have to admit I am jealous!

You lost weight, I found it!
Ugh. Hoping to fix that trend on my end.

Congrats

Buffy said...

Congratulations you. How long did it take to reach your goal? I've had a browse around but cant seem to find it...

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!

No, I'm not a leader, but in my meeting the week that I mailed that postcard we all wrote a note to ourselves with our Labor Day goals on them, and our leader will put them into the mail right before Labor Day.

I recently celebrated my first 10% goal, and I still have a long way to go, but I remembered that when I started reading your blog you said you were doing WW and then I didn't see much from you on the topic anymore, so I wasn't sure if you had a filter to keep those posts private (that's how I manage my blog) or what was going on. And now I know!

Tami said...

Thanks for all the Kudos!

Buffy - I'm not quite at goal yet. I am 3 pounds away (and I did re-set it tonight at the meeting). And according to their records, I joined 4/11/02. I think I should receive an award for the longest membership without reaching lifetime! (The perseverance award? Did I spell that right?)

Anonymous said...

I think you look awesome any way.
Congrats!

Tami said...

Thanks Kerri!

SP - I can't believe I forgot to say this when I commented earlier, but CONGRATULATIONS on hitting your 10%! It makes a bigger difference than you'd think, doesn't it?

Buffy said...

Three pounds three spounds. You look fabulous! And it's great that you have taken this long...it means you have developed a life style and will stick at it. Good job. I know how hard it is to persist with something when it's not progressing as quickly as one might expect it to.

Anonymous said...

Great job Tami! You are so close to goal. Changing your goal is an OK thing, because now you know you can reach it (and you know that your goal is within your control!)

Fluffycat said...

that is just awesome that you stuck with WW. you have done such a great job.

i just checked out your blog after reading a comment you left on mine. your cat gracie is adorable and your ex sounds like a dumbass!

Romance said...

Way to go. You are inspiring me!! I am down 30 with another 30 to go and am totally stuck right now. Weight not moving at all- I think its hormones... so anyway, its great to see you close to goal it give me hope!!