I hope none of my regular readers mind but I decided to add my Weigh In Wednesday posts back into weekly rotation until I reach my goal weight! Because I am determined that this is the year I will actually reach my goal weight. I did hit my goal weight for a few months back in 2020 when I was so sick/ nauseous from the medication my doctor was trying out so I could avoid having major surgery (you can read about my hysterectomy here). But after said surgery, I gained quite a bit of weight back not being able to exercise at all for a couple of months... then the numbers just slowly crept up from there.
By the numbers-- when I started WW in March of 2019 I was at an all time high weight of 185 by February of 2020 I had surpassed my goal and was at 149.8 (my goal set by WW is 150). I am now weighing in around 164-166 most days. I've seen the scale get as high as 168 and as low as 160 these past couple of months... but I never seem to budge below that 160 mark. As of yesterday morning I weighed in at 166.
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| This.. this right here is my motivation to keep going! |
All in all in the last 2+ years I've put 15+ lbs. back on-- not the worst considering where I started on this weight loss journey! Most of my clothes still fit really well and I feel good but I don't like that those scale numbers seem to keep creeping up every single time I buckle down and shed a few lbs. This yo-yoing of 5-6 lbs. is driving me nuts and I know I just need to buckle down and STICK TO THE PLAN!
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| The left hand photo was just taken Jan 2nd 2023 and the one on the right is from Feb 2020 where I was just a few pounds away from goal weight-- Not a big difference, I know but I can FEEL that added weight. |
I have to chuckle a bit as I write all this out since it sounds so much like this post from Sept. of 2021
But I mean it this time!! No more "it's the holidays" "it's my birthday" "we're on vacation" sort of excuses. It's only going to get harder to maintain my weight as I age and my metabolism naturally slows down.
I am determined to see the scale hit 150 and hope to yoyo between 150 & 155..
So it's back to my usual plan-- TRACK EVERYTHING! Exercise every day in some way for at least 30 minutes. Hike whenever our weather allows for added exercise. Cut back on carbs and try to eliminate sugar add in more veggies and lean proteins not fruits. Use fruits to cover sugar cravings and as a daily "treat."
I sat down last Tuesday determined to do better, writing in my new I Am Doing This for Me Weight Loss Journal I got on Amazon and I started taking photos of most of my meals; since I find that this helps motivate me when I run out of good food ideas.
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| Quiche with sauteed mushrooms and leftover roasted butternut squash |
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| Chicken Cacciatore at Alec's school |
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| Chicken, asparagus, and whole grain pasta with low-cal Alfredo made with laughing cow and almond milk |
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| Fruit/ non-fat yogurt/ granola |
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| salmon with roasted veggies and potatoes |
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| Riced Cauliflower cooked in coconut aminos topped with shrimp and green beans for a quick stir-fry |
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| I tried my hand at making my own granola this past week (recipe coming soon) |
Linking up with:
Congrats on the weight loss in 2019-2020. Why did WW set your goal weight? I would think that your hysterectomy has played a role in gaining some back. Didn't that change your hormone balance considerably? I've been reading recently about the role of hormones in weight gain/ loss. Of course, a lower intake of calories/ tracking/ exercising more sounds like a great plan so hopefully you will see results. I think you look great in all your recent pictures but I know that a specific desired weight is personal so I hope that you achieve your goal ;).
ReplyDeleteWW doesn't truly set your goal weight for you but they give you a healthy weight range and my healthy weight range is from 111-150 lbs. I'm pretty sure they base them off the BMI indexes that doctor's offices use. I know that hormones play a huge role in weight loss... but I also know many women much older than me that use WW successfully and from what I can tell the daily point values don't really change much since my mom has all the same settings I do and she's a good several inches shorter then me too (and obviously significantly older than me).
DeleteGood luck and I understand the struggle!!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWow! I LOVED reading this- it is so inspirational Joanne-thank you for sharing- I will def be following along- you got this!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks!! I feel really motivated so hopefully! :)
DeleteWell done with your previous weight loss and while I think you look great now, I understand the struggle when you feel the added weight and it becomes uncomfortable. I'm also trying to change some eating habits, to cut unnecessary sugar and eat slightly smaller portions and less fat - the latter will also help with another problem I have. I know I look thin but I still have too much fluff on my belly and hips compared to the shoulders and it would be nice to be able to wear clothes that both fit the shoulder and the midsection (this has already improved a lot since I started strength training though)! I can recommend weightlifting if you're not already doing it because more muscle mass increases the body's fat burn capabilities.
ReplyDeleteYour attitude is excellent and I wish you the best of luck.
I do some weight lifting a couple times a week and did a 30 day hand weight workout with a YouTube series I enjoy following by Caroline Girvan in the fall; she has many series so I plan to pick another one to start following.
DeleteI applaud your commintment
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWell, that was inspiring! I, too, want to stick with it!! Photos are great for keeping us motivated, aren't they? I think you look great but I know what it is like when you really want to reach that goal. And what you mean when you say, "you can feel the difference" Thanks for sharing - and inspiring - today!!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you! Photos are definitely great and I'm happy to finally feel a bit more comfortable in front of the camera too.
DeleteI wish you loads of resolve and luck Joanne. It's funny because my entire life I was dictated by the scale (heck my mom still weighs herself daily), but now I don't. In fact, I'm trying to get my behind in better shape (literally...I would love it to be rounder and firmer, haha) so I know that includes building muscle which typically weighs more.
ReplyDeleteIt's a journey, right??
I think the best thing we've done is to cut out sugar. Sugar is evil. Not always easy, but boy does it make a difference with my joints!!
XOXO
Jodie
I've always weighed myself daily (even before the "experts" started suggesting it!).. but my sister doesn't even own a scale! It's so funny how different we are but... I gain weight EVERYWHERE fairly equally so I can easily put on 10 lbs. and not even notice until my shoes, pants, everything start feeling tight. It's both kind of great but also makes it really hard to just go by "feel."
DeleteGood luck with your weight loss. I am trying to lose weight but I have no willpower and love cakes too much.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I have a major sweet tooth too... but I've noticed that once I stop eating it I do stop craving it. Not that I cut it out of my diet completely as I do still like an occasional sweet treat!
DeleteYou can do it. Your meals look amazing. Regine
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
Thank you!
DeleteThis food all looks delicious, Joanne! Good luck with your weight goals this year. I am also a lifetime member of WW, currently just above my goal weight. I don't track much these days, but if I see the scale moving up, I track for a few days to get back on track. (That was a lot of "tracks" in that sentence.)
ReplyDeleteLOL! I know what you mean though... sadly since I only use the WW app I can never be a lifetime member and I have to decide what I'm going to do about the long term (though honestly I think my health is worth it to keep paying each month if I can stick with it!).
DeleteYou've made a great start Joanne, and i know it's hard to shift those last few pounds (kilos in our world). I try not to weigh myself too often as it tends to get me down. All the best and I think as long as my clothes still fit me, then I'm going OK.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI think you always look amazing in your outfits but 100% get the needing to get to a comfort place!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you!
DeleteI really enjoyed reading this as I'm in a similar situation. I gained a few kilos during covid and plan to get them off in 2023. You've prompted me take photos of my meals. I'm sure I will find it motivating when I'm not sure what to have. Good luck with your weight loss
ReplyDeleteYes! I find that photos of my food helps me so much; following other people's weight watcher's blogs/ Instagram, etc. helps too even if I have to tweak their recipes or ideas to suit my own tastes.
DeleteGood luck! I have one of those goal weight photos, too! I hope to get there by the end of the year!
ReplyDeletehttps://marshainthemiddle.com/
Thank you!
DeleteCheering you on! I'm on a similar journey but have around 25kgs to lose...
ReplyDeleteThanks!! Good luck to you too Jo!
DeleteIf it makes you feel more comfortable with yourself then I hope it all goes well. I have some big successes and "failures" over many years relating to dieting so I don't feel they work for me. However, what I know about me is the 'why' of what I ate needed to be admitted to, and I have dealt with that ages ago. I am still the steady weight I have been since my oral cancer surgeries and that for me, is healthy...and I am happy enough with that. Great to have your blog shared on Wednesday’s Words and Pics this week. Thank you so much for your support. I hope to see you next week too. Denyse.
ReplyDeleteI don't think of this as a diet at all since it is definitely a lifestyle change and I like the changes we've made. Once we adapted our lifestyle to focus mostly on fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins the weight just seemed to fall off.. but I do have a sweet tooth and love my carbs so I just have to remember to eat them in moderation and fill up on healthy foods first.
DeleteSelf control is a difficult game. We have switched to Millet based meals from rice and wheat, which was our staple. We are seeing good weight control and better health since the switch.
ReplyDeleteOh we should try that; we love couscous and from what I'm reading they're very similar textures.
DeleteYou've got this and I love seeing your meals. Make sure you are getting adequate protein. Do you have a food scale? I am trying to get back to measuring things because I started "eyeballing" and well, you know how that goes. I think protein is really hard for women. For years I would get the vegetarian option on a menu because I thought I was saving calories. Now I know that protein fills me up and helps with sugar cravings.
ReplyDeleteI think you look great but I get it.
Thank you for letting us come along on your journey. WW is really such a good plan! Have you checked out Slender Kitchen yet? Also, I think you would really like the citrus salad and Big Mac salad. I am so happy I'm craving salads, but that is better for me to have at home because it's a lot to pack and takes time to eat at school.
We do have a food scale but I rarely use it; I do use measuring cups for serving any foods that aren't zero points. I started using them in place of spoons when we first joined WW and it's just stuck with me. I eat a LOT of grilled chicken, I keep pre-cooked shrimp and tuna on hand for salads and make sure that every meal I eat has proteins mixed with veggies. Once I've made it through a full week without sugar my sugar cravings have stopped; which helps SO much! LOL. I've never tried the bit mac salad because I never ate or wanted to try a big mac...
DeleteI wanted to tell you that when I first found your blog maybe a year and a half ago that I was so inspired from you sharing your weight loss journey. At the time I wasn't ready to start my own but in April of last year I joined-and you were a huge inspiration for that so I wanted to say thank you! I am currently down 30lbs and still going. I understand the yo-yoing I have been doing that for the last few months myself. You will reach your goals I have no doubt! Wishing you all the best!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome and congratulations!!
DeleteWishing you lots of luck on your journey! You've got this, Joanne!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteJoanne,
ReplyDeleteI hear you....I have said I am going to lose weight every year for the past 15+ years....This past year, I actually did it but I still need to lose more...I am giving myself til June 1st, a years from when I started to lose a total of 60 pounds....I feel for my age, that would be a fairly healthy weight for me as i know that i will never get down to the weight I was 25+ years ago....So good luck on your journey...We can do this together!!
Hugs,
Deb
Thank you! You are doing awesome, Deb!!
DeleteGood luck on your weight loss journey, although I think you look fab!
ReplyDeleteI really have to cut back this year. I've piled the pounds on so I will be upping the exercise and trying to lose some of this extra weight this year! x
Thanks!!
DeleteFor me my struggle with weight is all about how I feel and not at all about how I look. I don't feel well with the extra weight and you'd think that would motivate me to lose it.
ReplyDeleteFor me it's definitely a bit of both; I can gain quite a bit of weight and not feel it.
Delete