About Me

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I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 52 years. I subscribe to Dr. PM Forni's concept of Civility. I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, and San Diego. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy, and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader and photographer.

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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Coming Clean

There's something I haven't been telling you and now I'm ready to spill it all...I've been doing Weight Watchers for  over a month.  I participate online -- I'm not the kind of person who does well with meetings.  It's has been a successful enterprise for me and I've actually enjoyed keeping track of my points and activity at my bookmarked site.  Maggie's sharing about Weight Watchers has encouraged me to write about it.  I hadn't admitted this to anyone -- including my family and friends.  Maybe I was afraid of failing.   But now I'm ready...

I'd considered other programs but it gets down to this:

1)  This just cannot be for the short-run -- this has to be something I can do for the rest of my life.  Programs that provide the food are not realistic for me.  I've known people who have lost 50 pounds quickly on one of these diets, and within a few months have gained it ALL back, plus more.   Additionally,  programs that push all proteins and no carbs are ones at which I am bound to fail.

2)  Whatever I do must be healthy and Weight Watchers is that.

3)  Any weight loss has to be gradual enough that my skin won't hang from my body.  I was watching  an episode of "The Biggest Loser" and while I marvel at the weight losses many experienced, their determination, and spirit, I noticed that some of them had skin hanging from their arms.  The two in particular that suffered this were contestants who had lost 80 and 101 pounds, respectively, in 14 weeks.  I think it's great to see results, but I also think it would kill me emotionally to gain everything I'd lost back and that's exactly what would happen to me if I lost it all that fast.  From all I've learned about nutrition, I know that weight loss such as this is not healthy for the heart.  It can lead to various arrhythmia and sometimes organ failure.

I figure it will take me almost two years to lose what I want. I haven't been hungry and find myself making cognizant choices.  People are starting to notice the weight loss and that's encouraging me even more.

21 comments:

Charlene said...

I have a good friend who did Weight Watchers back about 30 years ago and has maintained the loss. Another friend did it 20 years ago and does a meeting once a month maintaining her loss.

Congratulations inyour efforts!!!

Lena said...

Good for you, Kathy!! You are brave because it is not an easy thing to change your life. I wish you much success!

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

Good job! Now when we go for that lunch when you visit Ronnie's Garden World we'll both be looking for a healthful choice! There's nothing like a public commitment to help you stay on track. Congrats!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Guess what, Kathy.... I am doing it also. I will finish my 2nd week on Friday... I'm doing great so far also---and know that I'm eating healthier, even if I don't lose a ton of weight. I am one who needs to lose weight slowly anyhow (because I gain it back quickly) --so this is good. I also HATE meetings --so this is working well with me so far. I am on a 31 points a day plan right now...

The thing which is helping me the most is eating many more fruits and veggies.... We need to start an email or blog group about this... What do you think???

Hugs,
Betsy

Linda Reeder said...

"Confessing" is a major step. I am on a weight loss plan too, and it was a while before I announced it to anyone. Like you, I don't want a plan that supplies special food. I'm using an on line Calorie Counter, and have been quite successful so far. I started January 23, lost 27 pounds before I went on our trip and maintained over the nine days I was gone. Now I'm back to logging food intake and resuming my exercise routine.
Wishing you a successful journey.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations for making the decision to lose the weight sensibly and in a healthy *works-for-you* manner. Now that you have shared this with your readers, I hope that you continue to keep us posted on your progress and especially when you need a boost throughout your weigh-loss journey. We are all here to help you along the way in any way we can Kathy.
Isn't it encouraging when other people see the changes occurring with yourself?!

Sally Wessely said...

Good for you Kathy. Keep at it. I will be going back to WW next month. I must stay with it. My friend is going to join me in the venture. Wish us luck.

I reached goal weight about six years ago, but I have let it creep back on. I hope not to do that again WW works. It is the only thing that works for me.

George said...

I wish you much success with your program. It sounds as if you are approaching it in a very reasonable way.

Purple Flowers said...

CONGRATULATIONS - I am so happy for you! WW is a great program, and a livable one. Keep on goin' girl!

Kimberly said...

I love the program! I just need to get back on it seriously!

Kay said...

I do agree that in order to lose weight you have to change all your bad food habits for life. I can do the food choice part... sort of... but it's the exercise part that I have to push myself to do. I KNOW you can do it! I had to lose my weight gain when I developed pre-diabetes and high cholesterol and triglycerides. Sigh. However, I'm doing better now.

Forsythia said...

You're an inspiration. What you said should be taken to heart by everyone, including those of us who have been planning to lose the same 10 pounds for the past 15 years. Honestly, I have been "celebrating" my resolution to cut out junk food with a "final fling" every day for the past 5,475 days. Including yesterday. You don't want to know that the "treat" was. Time for me to get real. Best wishes on your continued success.

Gilly said...

Congratulations! and Well Done! You might just have spurred me on to doing something about my shape!

Bilbo said...

I hope this won't limit our range of dining options the next time we get together...in any case, good luck, and know this: whatever weight you lose, I will more than likely find. Thanks.

Mage said...

Oh goodie, selfishly I can say I have company.

It is fun to log in your points. The new stuff gives you both meetings and online for 10 a week....and it's worth every penny to me. Blood pressure lowers. Less chance of diabetes. My knee will be better as will my tired old hip. I'm over a hundred pounds overweight, so I will probably leave me with volumes of skin. It's all worth it.

So proud of you. :)

A Slice of My Life said...

Good for you!

I've wondered about doing the online version of WW. I always seem to need real life people to hold me accountable. So, it's seriously working for you doing it that way, huh? Hmmm

Anonymous said...

How WONDERFUL!! Wish I too would get off my duff. Wishing you the weight loss you are looking for and working on!

I'm having a giveaway.... come see if interested!

DI

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

Good for you! I'm sure you will do well. I need a program that will get rid of my pot belly and leave the rest.

Cobalt Violet said...

Good for you! A healthy new beginning! That is really exciting and I have heard so many good things about Weight Watchers.

I keep promising to start an exercise program (I never exercise)
but keep falling off the wagon, which is why I am hoping to jump start my exercise with the cancer walk this weekend. You are such an inspiration. Thank you Kathy!

Here's to both of us, and to our radiant health! :)
You rock!

Cheryl said...

I'm excited about how good you're already feeling. Way to go Kathy!

Unknown said...

I just posted a comment here & I don't know what happened to it!
I'll try again:
Congratulations, Kathy! You sound great and I think you have a sound plan. You have to get healthy and lose weight whatever way works best for you. Your plan covers all of the important things & you realize it's a long-term process. You sound like you are well on your way & getting compliments. Woooo Hoooo! Good for you!