- 3.5 over Thanksgiving!!!

Well, I knew I had lost some, but I didn't know
how much until tonight. Over the Thanksgiving
holiday I lost 3.5 pounds. I was a little anxious
about the whole holiday thing for a couple of
reasons. First, it would put me out of my routine,
and for those of you who know me well, you know
I like routine. Second, I wasn't sure how I would
deal with the "food thing". That, however, turned
out much better than I could have ever imagined.
I was given a couple of out of this world recipes at
my weightloss class and I got one off the internet
when I googled HMR recipes (pumpkin pie) and
I made it just fine. In fact the rest of my family
like my recipes so well they ate them too - all
except the pie...they had there own and I didn't
feel a need to share. The third reason I was a
little anxious was that I would be away from
Curves for 4 whole days. COLD days! So, I took
my Walk Away the Pounds DVD's and walked
2-3 miles everyday inside where it was warm.
As it turned out everything went just fine.

For those of you who are faithful readers, you know
Brad and I are in the midst of a little contest to see
who can loose the next 30 pounds first. I am happy
to report... (can you hear the drum roll?) I am -13.8
toward the goal. Only 16.2 more pounds to go and
I earn a new CD of my choice. Anyone listening to
anything good? I haven't bought a new CD in a
while, so when I win this will be a treat. Brad keeps
saying he is going to come from behind and win (check
him out at http://www.fitshump.blogspot.com)
but I think he is just trying to shake me up a bit.
Although, he is running a marathon this weekend
while I am only doing the 5K. He may gain a little
momentum on me with the PA. I still think I
will win. Thanks for all your support. Keep the
comments and encouragement coming - I need
all I can get.

FINALLY!!!

Yes, I lost this week. I am down 1.2 pounds from
last week. This brings my total so far to 90.3
pounds. I will be "doing" the diet for 9 months
on the 27th of November, so I am still averaging
10 pounds a month. Now the challenge will be to
see if I can at least 10 more off before New Years.
I am going to work really hard. I know I have some
problem solving to do during this time, because I
will be out of my routine a lot with various travels.
But, I have problem solved travel before, so I know
it can be done.
Update on the Brad/Debbie wager:
I have lost 10.3 toward the -30 pounds.
And Brad is making some lofty clams about
our wager on his blog. Check it out at:
fitshump.blogspot.com
Well, next week is Thanksgiving and I do find myself
more conscious of my blessings this time of year. The
biggest blessing this year so far I think has been this
weightloss program. I can't even remember exactly
how I felt this time last year, but I know I feel better
now. I have so much more energy, I am taking so
much less medication, and I sleep better. Someone
ask me the other day if I had ever gone to the store
and pick up dog food bags to equal the amount I
have lost. I can't even imagine being able to lift and
carry 1/2 that much.
Speaking of next week and Thanksgiving, I will not
be posting. I will be with family and friend. So,
my next post will be on November 29th. I pray that
each of you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
Travel safely, enjoy the food, and love the people.

Pete and Repeat...

Have you ever heard the story of
Pete and Repeat? Well, it goes like
this - Pete and Repeat were sitting
on a bridge. Pete fell off, who was
left? Repeat - Pete and Repeat were
sitting on a bridge. Pete fell off,
who was left? Repeat. And so on.
I never liked that little story and
now that it has shown up in my weight
loss efforts I like it even less. For
the second week in a row I gained 0.7
pounds. Now, I was okay with it last
week as a "rebound" from being so sick.
But, I'm now so okay with it this week.
I could tell all week by my scales that
this was not looking like a good week,
but I can't figure out why. I have
thought and thought and can't identify
anything that I have done differently.
So, I have decided to stop trying to
figure it out and count my blessings.

1. A Loving family
2. An Awesome group of friends-
if you are reading this, it
means you ;)
3. A God who loves me
4. A nice home
5. A good career - That I like
6. A Toyota - That I like
7. Nascar for a couple more weeks
8. Better health than I had 9 months ago!

Okay, now that I have regained some
perspective - Next week will be better.
And speaking of better health- let me
update you on the latest from the DR.
I have lowered my cholesterol so much
that he has removed me from all Lipitor.
I was taking a low dose, but the Dr.
doesn't feel that even a low dose is
necessary anymore.
I had to clean out my closet again last
weekend of all the stuff that was too
big. I bought a couple of new items
and have actually started wearing some
of the cloths that my friend had given
me that I thought I might not be into
before Christmas.
Please keep praying for my continued
weightloss. I am more than half way
to my goal, but I know the second half
will be more challenging than the first.

A small set back

Well, I "rebounded" from sickness this week with
a 0.7 gain. I tried so hard just to maintain and
not gain, but it didn't happen. The people at
the weightloss center seemed pleased that it
wasn'ta larger gain. Anyway, I think I am over
being sick, so onward and downward with the
weightloss.

For those of you who have been reading for a while,
I need to loose 6.6 pounds between now and Nov. 20th
to hit the goal I set back in Sept. I think I can do
that.

For those keeping up with the FRIENDLY wager between
Brad and myself - I think I am still in the lead with
9.8 pound lost toward the goal of 30. I will have to
check Brad's blog (www.fitshump.blogspot.com) to be sure.

I am now needing to put walking back into my schedule
at least 2-3 times per week if I am going to be ready
to walk the St. Jude's 5K on December 1st. I am very
excited that my house church group has decided to do
this event as a group activity. Some will run/jog the
5K and some will walk it. Brad, however, will be running
the marathon. Keep all of us and our training in your
prayers please. If any of you are headed out walking this
weekend give me a call. Thanks for all your support and
Have a GREAT weekend.

Now wait a minute...

Remember last week I didn't loose well because
I had been sick. Well, I was sick again this week
and still managed to loose 7 pounds. Yes, 7 pounds.
My weightloss counselor says not to be surprised
if next week I gain a little of that back. She thinks
I have become a little dehydrated. I don't get the
human body, but oh well at least for one week I can
say I lost 7 pounds :)

So for those of you keeping up, I have now lost 10.5
on the way to 30 to beat Brad in our little wager.
Brad - I hear Toby Keith is coming out with a new
Christmas CD.... hmmmm. OR maybe something in
the Christian Music category....I don't know.

For those of you interested in the total to date, that
would be 90.5 I hope next week doesn't prove to
be a huge let down with a big gain. I could cope with
a small loss, but a gain:( Please pray that my body
will get well, and continue to loose weight. I am feeling
better right now - just a lingering cough. The meds
the doctor gave me for the cough, however, are evil.
That is the reason I was sick this week. Apparently
cough medicine with codeine make me sick to my
stomach - Yuck! So, I have switched to an over the
counter cough medicine that is working okay, just
slower.

Who knew...

Who knew that you could be soooo sick and not
loose weight? Well, I know now. Last Friday
I woke up to the room spinning out of control,
which in turn made me all kinds of sick. So,
I called the doctor and he prescribed meds, and
my angel for the day (Carolyn)went to pick them
up for me. In the meanwhile, I called the weight loss
center, because I had already figured out I was
not going to be able to eat HMR food that day.
I wasn't at all sure I was going to be eating any
food that day, but they advised I "get out of
the box" until I got better. I know - OUT OF
THE BOX - and worse yet they suggested sprite
zero and saltine crackers to nibble on to help
settle my stomach. Now, I don't know if I have
ever told you all, but from about week 3 of this
weight loss program I have craved saltine crackers.
So, long story short, I had about 15 - 20 saltine
crackers on Friday and was right back in the
box on Saturday. By Sunday morning my scale
showed I had gained 4.5 pounds - Now explain that
to me! Anyway I managed to get that off and 0.2
more. I am glad I didn't show up with a gain tonight
I would really be upset then. For those of you
keeping up with my little wager with Brad, I am
3.5 pounds closer to that goal. Only 26.5 more
and Brad gets to buy me the CD of my choice.
Next week will surely be better.

-3.3 This week

Wow was I glad to see a good weight loss
this week. After a couple of slow weeks
I was beginning to wonder if I was doing
something wrong.
Another reason I was glad to see a good
loss is that I have entered into a friendly
little wager with my friend Brad, who help
me begin my weight loss journey. Our
challenge is to see which of us can loose
the next 30 pounds the quickest. We agreed
to this on Tuesday night, but Brad,
being the competitive soul that he is, has
agreed to allow me to count this weeks
loss toward my 30. So, with that being said,
I now only have 26.7 to go. You know you can
track my progress here - You can check out
Brad's progress (and read about his marathon
training) at fitshump.blogspot.com
Words of encouragement and cheerleading -
welcome :)