It's Been Just Way Too Long...

... Since I have posted! Wow June I think is the last post. I have had such a crazy busy summer!

We took the first two weeks of July for vacation time at our cottage and then right after that Bam!! A huge project at work and I am just now coming up for air. I have been working at our head office in the U.S. for the past twelve weeks, only coming home on some weekends. It's been pretty hard on my family not to mention my weight loss.

I have been able to pretty much maintain my previous weight loss which is a good thing for me, travel and weight gain usually go hand in hand for me. But not this time, even with eating most of my meals out I made a conscious effort to stay in control. I would go up a couple of pounds, down a couple of pounds but mostly maintained.

Now that I am back in town and working at my own office I definately have to get back on track. Of course I more travel coming up in October (Chicago) & November (Edmonton), when it rains it pours!! Oh well if all those new clothes that I bought in the states are going to fit I really have to take control again.

My mom had a stroke while I was in the states last week, which is one of the reasons I have opted to stay here and work. Not sure if that and my appetite are related in any way but I just can't seem to get enough junk food. I have been making some really bad choice for the past week and the scale is starting to reflect them! I am now up 6lbs from my lowest weight. Not good and time to rein this in. Which is another good reason to get back to this blogging.

Time to take control, start making my lunch everyday again and eating proper dinners!

Well that's it for tonight, wish me luck!

Best Weigh In Yet

When I stepped on the scales this morning it read 184 oh so close to being out of the 180's. This past month has been a battle with the scales. Up a pound, down a pound... I think I have finally broke the pattern. At least I hope so.





Well I have officially been Mrs. Stratton for two weeks now, still can't get used to the name change. Will likely be months before I have all my ID changed, the worst being my passport, oh what a PITA! Oh well the things we do to make our men smile...

Was a good day today, I think I have my uncontrolable eating under control again. Must be PMS, I have been craving sweet stuff all week and of course there is still an abundance of cake in the freezer. Freezer, you don't really think that would stop me! Frozen cake is really quite tasty especially in this hot weather!

Enough for tonight, it's late and time for me to go put my feet up and read for a while.

Back on Track

It's been a couple of weeks since I have had a chance to update this blog. Sure was a busy couple of weeks. All the prepartions for the wedding, the parties, oh the parties!!

The girls had a bachelorette party for me last Thursday, what a blast we had! Pictures to follow...

Wedding was last Saturday, I am now officially Mrs Stratton, feels great! We had a great day, the weather was perfect for our outdoor wedding. Everyone had a great time, loved the casual, relaxed atmosphere of the wedding.

Beautiful Friday Morning

Wow, what a great day! Sun is shining, birds are singing, scale stayed the same, and we are heading to the cottage for the weekend. Can it get any better than this?? Well maybe but this is sure a great way to start the long weekend!

Of course the jeans that I am wearing are going a long way towards this great "skinny" feeling I am having to day. I got them 4yrs ago and they never fit, way too tight!! Tried them on this am and not only do they fit now but they are a bit big!! Man does that feel good, I think I may be finally back on track and loosing again.

Now I just have to remember this great feeling when I am hungry and make the right choices!!

One week from today I will be madly running around getting the final preparations for the wedding done. I am starting get soooooo excited, who would have thought, me excited about getting married. I think Rod may even be more excited than I am!!

Life is good!

Well off to finish up the packing and getting ready to leave, to anyone reading this blog, have a great weekend!

Sadly Lacking in Time for Blogging Lately

Well here I am back again, blogging at work...shhhhh... frowned upon around here but what the heck I just seem to have no time at home right now.

Been very busy lately, trying to get all the spring clean up done, keeping the lawns cut, weed eating done, plants planted....yatta, yatta, yatta. Well I am happy to say I am so caught up at home it's miraculous! Planted four new shrubs last night, did all the weed eating, (Rod had the grass cut! YEAH), and got the mulch all down on the gardens.

Of course all of this work is very tiring, I just drop into bed at night but the good news is my WI this week!! Woo hoo
16/05/07
185.6 lb
-3 lb
-36.6 lb

35.6 more pounds to loose and I will be at goal, of course the first 36 has taken me almost 6 months!

Finally I seem to have broken this plateau that I had been sitting on. Of course my eating habits of late have not been great, but this week I have been right on track and it paid off!! I also bought the WW Drinking Mug, I love it!! Have easily double my water comsumption since I bought it. I picked up two more yesterday for some ladies at work, same deal for them, can't believe how much water they are drinking!!

Wedding plans are coming along great, think we are pretty much done, Rod is picking up the Marriage Licence today. I am pretty sure that is the last thing we have to do. Can't believe it's coming up so quickly. Off to the cottage this weekend and then next weekend we get married. Much last minute stuff to do next week, not too worried though it will all get done or not. Either way the party is going to be great. :-)

Well better get my butt back to work! Got a wedding to pay for! lol

MMmmmm Shopping!

Well my one night stay in Michigan has turned into a three night stay. Project didn't go quite as well as anticipated. No big surprise really! Fortunately I met my friend from here on Monday night and went shopping. Bought two new pair of jeans and a bunch of tops. Good thing cause I have sure needed them.

Funny how a business trip turns into pure pleasure! Had a couple of really nice dinners out with my friend, not points friendly either I might add. Grrrr..missed my weigh in this week and I think that may be a good thing. Was up a pound last week and I'm afraid this week will be the same. I will do my on-line weigh in when I'm home tomorrow morning. Really must get myself back on track! Opps forgot I am to meet another friend for lunch tomorrow back in London. Would like to be able to wear the "smaller" pair of jeans I bought for the wedding.

Now speaking of the wedding, things are coming along nicely. Rod found a barbeque for the pig, still trying to find a dj, have a couple of leads but have not firmed up yet. The cost of the dj really threw us, wow, had no idea they charged so much. We are really trying to keep the costs down as this not about a big splashy wedding but a gathering of friends to celebrate Rod's Birthday and our commitment to each other.

Well I had better get to work, project suppose to launch this am and then I get to head back to Canada!

Not such a great week!

Both my home scale and the WW scale shows me up a pound. Not good, and not sure why? I have stayed on plan and earned Activity Points. Oh well, I won't get discouraged, I'll just keep on plugging away at this journey.

At the cottage this weekend and that is usually always good for a pound loss. I love walking up here, usually go out at least two times a day. Different terrain than home, hard and loose sand and lots of hills. Good workout that's for sure.

Wedding plans coming along, I think the only big thing I have left is to hire a DJ and I think I have found him, just have to phone and confirm the date. Four more weeks and the big day will be here. It's so funny getting the rsvp's back, pretty much shocked most people, after all we have been living together for 10yrs now and have never mentioned marriage!

Heading to Ada for business on Monday, only for one night. Travelling is always one of my greatest food challenges. So hard to make wise choices in a resturant, I know it can be done but oh when you love food like I do it's very hard to do. I usually ordered what I normally would but order a half order and don't eat all of it.

Going to meet my good friend for dinner when I'm over there, has been a long time since we have been able to get together. Will be great to see her {waving to her}...

Enough for today, not raining yet so I think I'll get my butt out there for my first walk of the day.

Excitment at it's greatest!

Well it's been awhile since my last post. Busy, busy week for us. I am planning a Birthday Party for Rod's 60th, yup 60th birthday. Inviting friends and family. We have rented the hall in town and are going to do a pig roast, and everyone knows what a great Pig Roast Rod does!

As we are discussing the party we come up with "what the heck we are going to have a party anyway why not get married too!!" So that's what we are going to do. May 26th is the big day! I can't believe how excited everyone is including us. We have been living together since 1998 so it's really no big deal, right! Well apparently it is, for everyone. Invitations are done and pretty much all delivered or in the mail. Phew so much to do and so little time... but so us!

Weight loss, well that does not appear to be going so well right now. I am sticking to plan but seem to be at a stall. Only lost .6 at last weeks weigh-in and my scale at home says I am up a pound. Not liking that but I didn't walk my full hour on Friday and did not go at all yesterday. Guess I had better get that part of my program back on track. Could be because of that time of the month too but still I had better pay attention and make sure the scale starts heading the right way again.

Weather, well what can I say, day three of warmth and sunshine, if that doesn't brighten the mood and make a person smile nothing can! I've been working outside the past two days, cleaning up really nice out there. Just have to convince Rod that we really, really need a patio, despite the cost! Of course there is still all the work we need to do at the cottage too. Too many I wants and projects on the go I think!

What a Week!

My official weigh-in was Wesdnesday. WWWOOO HOOOO. My scale is now reading 188lb, now that made my day. Plus this week I got the nicest compliments, it seems that everyone is noticing my weight loss now are just more comfortable mentioning it.

Man does keep a person motivated, I actually had one girl talk to me today that has also joined WW but just can't find her motiviation. She says that she is going to look at me everyday to keep herself motivated...lol...I laughed and told her I knew of some way better inspirational ladies.. so I gave her Blog Addresses for Shrunk, IWillWin & Shirls-Spot, now there is some hi-octane inspiration.

Everytime I start to feel like I have had enough of this I just start looking at those three blogs and any others I can find. Sure helps to read about other peoples struggles and triumphs!

Actually despite all the nice words today I am struggling, I just want to eat! So far I haven't gone off plan and I don't intend too. Guess I need to get upstairs on that treadmill, I know it will make me feel so much better.

Now onto another random thought, I really don't enjoy the treadmill but can't stand walking in that cold wind anymore. It's not so bad when it's suppose to be cold because it's winter but for crying out loud it's suppose to be spring now. Pretty hard to go from t-shirts and jeans back to winter coats! UCH give me warmth and sunshine I am so ready.

Oh well enough of this whining, off I go to earn some AP points.

AP update, okay so I sat here ate two pieces of pizza and still couldn't get my ass in gear. So finally I decided there is an hour of daylight left, wind has calmed down get out there. I am happy to report I had a great 75 minute walk. Dog and I are both happy now. A few grapes and strawberries for a snack and I am still on plan for the day. Yeah for me!

Easter Weekend

Well Easter Weekend was the best! Had a great time at the cottage, unfortunately the weather wasn't the best but I still was able to walk every day. Read three books, watched a pile of movies and basically just relaxed for four whole days. Now back to reality, laundry, lunches, and back on track for this girl.

Definately didn't stay on plan this weekend but don't think I was to far off. Guess I'll know better in the morning when I weigh in.

Today's Weigh-In

Yeah for me!!
Stepped on the scale this morning after being away for two days and I am DOWN!! 190.8 I am so close to the 180's now. Feels pretty damn good!!!

Even though I was eating in restaurants for two days I tried to make good choices, it seems I succeeded. This truly a victory for me.

Snowing and blowing here today, what happened to spring? We are heading north to our cottage in a couple of hours for the weekend, yet another challenge for me. I will make sure I get my walking in every day and work harder than ever on my portion control. Cottage usually means more food and wine, but after seeing the weight loss this am I am more motivated to keep on track....

A Challenging Week, But I can do it!

Well here we go the beginning of another week. Today was good, stayed OP and earned 5AP. Wow when I actually type 5AP it sure doesn't seem like much considering what I am seeing other WW ladies accomplishing but for me it's a great start. Tomorrow the challenge begins. I leave on a business trip first thing in the morning. The challenge will be staying on plan and getting my walk in everyday. I am confident that I can do it this time!!

I am going to take a couple of Banana Bran Chocolate Chip muffins for the trip, it's a four hour drive and I'll arrive just before lunch. Don't want to get to lunch meeting starving :-).

I get home late Wednesday night and then drive another 4 hours to our cottage for Easter Weekend. Cottage has always been a challenge because it's like vacation time up there and you know what that means...well for me it means not counting my points to closely. Not this time though. I have come this far and will not fail now!!!! I'll make sure to get all my walking and them some done every day.
Shari

April Fools Day

I made goal!!! April Fools!! LOL... sounds good though doesn't it! I can't wait till the day I can really say that! I now have two full weeks of daily walking under my belt, and speaking of belt, I actually wore one yesterday. Talk about an NSV, I haven't worn a belt for years, not only does it now fit, but I actually tucked my shirt in and if felt great!

My dog is also benefitting from all this walking, she is getting nice and fit along with me. She motivates me to go every day, as soon as I starting walking towards the door she starts jumping around and wagging her tail, now how can I dissapoint a face like this?

It's a dreary rainy day here in Southern Ontario, not too condusive to being outside but I am going to break this routine, get out the rain gear and off I will go.

Well I'm back from my walk, once I got out there it felt great. Of course now it's the end of the weekend and the sun has come out. Figures!! It's so nice I may have to go again at my usual time after supper.

My Menu for Today.

It's been a stuggle not to snack today, combination of boredom and lack of sunshine I think.

Breakfast:

Poached Egg - 2pt.

W.W. English Muffin - 1pt.

LowFat Swiss Cheese - 1pt.

Lunch:

0Source Yogurt - 1pt.

Apple - 1pt.

Banana Bran Chocolate Chip Muffin - 1pt. (man I love these, have to keep them in the freezer)

Snack:

Banana Bran Chocolate Chip Muffin - 1

WW Chocolates - 2pt

Sun Chips Snack Bag - 2pt

Dinner:

MeatLoaf - 5pts

Mashed Potatoes - 2pts

Salad w dressing - 1pt

Total for the day - 20pts, still have 3pts left for a snack tonight.

Woo Hoo NSV

What a great day I had yesterday (Saturday), decided I needed to go shopping, something I really hate to do I might add. Anyway everyone has been teasing me about how baggy my pants are getting and maybe it's time to get a smaller size.

I went into my first non plus size store and wow did I score! Pants, tops, jackets, came out with a bag full and didn't hurt the bank account too much! Best part of all. SIZE 16 PANTS!! I haven't worn a 16 in years. Up until I started WW last fall I was up to buying a Size 22.

So there you go, it's paying off and I feel great.

I have also added walking to my daily routine. I have now managed and hour a night for 10 days straight.

Life is Good!!

Rants from Just Another Weekend!

However a very busy one. We are babysitting our 11 month old grandson, unfortunately the only person he will come to is me. Has made for a pretty exhausting weekend, I may actually be glad to get back to work tomorrow! If he actually slept through the night it wouldn't be so tiring.

He is still a little sweetie though!!

Should be a fun summer taking them both up too the cottage for weekends. Are we ready for that, time will tell!

Grandchildren are Gods way of rewarding you for having children!!