No walk again today. Sleeping in today probably had a whole lot to do with staying up until midnight last night scrapbooking and watching the final 3 Grey’s Anatomy episodes from this past season. This morning the pants feel even tighter. I need structure and I don’t think I can do it on my own with only self accountability. That obviously has not been working out well for me. I know I need to commit to make time for myself and my health.
I made the decision to join Weight Watchers this morning. I have been avoiding it because I didn’t want to learn the new Points Plus System. But I owe myself the effort and the time.
So here I am now….
Where I Am
- I am 41 years old and not getting any younger.
- I have only kept off 9.5 pounds of the 25 pounds I lost last year.
- I am on 2 blood pressure medications.
- My vitamin D level is low.
- My energy level is low and my two little boys wear me out.
- My ankles swell so bad it hurts.
- I have so many aches and pains when I wake up you would think I was 80.
- I won’t wear shorts or a swimsuit around anyone besides the 4 of us.
- All my pants are tight.
I didn’t want to talk myself out of going to that first meeting. I looked up the time and put it on my calendar the minute I got to work. And at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, I showed up. And now here I am:
My Overall Goals – (this is my where I want to be when the weight is off)
- Lose 118 pounds.
- Exercise 5-6 days a week for 60 minutes a day at a moderate to high intensity.
- Stop taking blood pressure medicine and lower overall blood pressure below 115/75. My current blood pressure even with medication still runs in the 135/90 range.
- Lower blood sugar level. My last blood sugar test was 98, below the 100 high end of normal; I’m shooting for the 80’s.
- Lower cholesterol level. My overall cholesterol is about 180; but my good cholesterol (HDL) number is below 50, good is above 60. Smoking, being overweight and being sedentary can all result in lower HDL cholesterol. I don’t smoke, but I am guilty of the other 2. Maintaining a healthy weight and getting at least 30-60 minutes of exercise and activity on most days can improve your HDL.
- Reduce the aches and pains to a level that is more normal for an active woman in her 40’s.
- Reduce the amount of sugars and alcohol I consume.
My Current Plan
- Follow the Weight Watchers Points Plus program focusing on fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein.
- Walk for 30 minutes 6 mornings a week.
- Attend weekly Weight Watchers meetings on Thursday during my lunch break.
- Experiment with new foods and try new recipes.
- Reduce the amount of sugars and alcohol I consume.
My Goals This Week
- Read all the Weight Watcher materials I received in the meeting.
- Track my food and activity each day.
- Achieve the activity point goal set for me by walking 30 minutes a day for 5 days.
- Manage my weekly points allowance for the party we are attending on Saturday.
I have my work cut out for me. But it is time to get it done.
