The Obesity Project

On weigh day this week I only showed a loss of .2 pounds! I was so surprised because I thought I had a gerat week and the scales at home showed I should have had a loss of a couple pounds, or so I thought, I even had the really super nice lady weigh me a second time.

Hmmm…. I’ll bet you think I’m lying to myself, at this point. I’m not sure. I do know that sodium intake, time of day , and lots of other factors some into play. One of the things that I believe caused problems in the past was my usual notion that I should try to make all changes at once. I think it was too much and I faltered quickly. This time, I’m going to try to make changes slowly, at my pace, not relying on anyone else’s idea of what that should be.

Some of the changes I made in the first week:

- I was careful to track my food.

- I paid more attention to taking a daily vitamin. I have always “tried” to take one everyday, but I got relaxed about it, like most.

- I continued to walk the dog around the block, which is a half mile, twice everyday.

Some folks might think that that wasn’t enough. For me, it’s hard to think about what I will eat and what I AM eating – it’s as if I have to concentrate on it every minute, really!

This week, I will add the following:

- I plan to add three additional walks around that half mile circle, sans dog (but probably with my sister – my wonderful supporter!).

- I have added Weight Watchers e-tools. What I noticed is that they have improved them quite a bit since a few years ago when I tried to use them.

I have also posted a new addition of “The Pants” (see below).

I would love to talk on Facebook, if you have the time. My page is http://facebook.com/obesityproject. I really want to work together to help make this a success for everyone!

Here’s the video:

I’ve actually been coming to Weight Watchers for a few weeks. Today, though, I am coming for my official weigh-in to be a part of Dr. Oz’s Transformation Nation Challenge. Here’s the deal: go to any Weight Watcher’s location and get your initial weigh-in. Go on-line to Dr. Oz’s website and register for the program, and begin by answering a few health related questions and taking the seven steps. You’ll get your final weigh-in between April 2 and 9.

Everyone can take part. If you aren’t overweight, you just have to maintain a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) and commit to a healthy lifestyle. Please visit Dr. Oz’s website for all the details.

So, I went on Thursday evening for my initial weigh-in. My official verified weight is 247.4 and my BMI is 39.9. FYI, normal is, I believe, up to about 25. 39.9 is considered “morbidly obese”. Well, I never actually considered myself to be “morbidly” anything. And in that sentence, you can see part of the problem.

Since I don’t suffer many of the health issues associated with obesity, and I feel well and healthy, I don’t see the problem in the same light as some others do. So, I have to find another way of looking at it.

I realized that I had, hanging on the back of my closet door, “The Pants”. These are the pants that I once bought as inspiration – ten years or more ago! You can tell that even pants don’t help. They never made me feel ashamed either, though. I just hung my bathrobe on the hook in front of them and – presto! You didn’t notice them that much.

Now, I’m coming out of the closet. Here’s the first video of “The Pants”. You can look forward to a new one each week until they fit – I promise.

It’s been a while since I started this website and blog. I always seem to start something with a lot of steam, and then loose motivation and interest after too short a time. I’ve decided to leave the old posts here and add to them.  We’re giving it another try!

This time, I’m going to follow along with Dr. Oz and Weight Watcher’s with Transformation Nation. This is just such a great idea, that it blew my mind! There is so much obesity in this country, beginning with me. I’m willing to put everything I am and everything I know on the line if it will help one other person. This is really it. No more excuses as to why I don’t have time for healthier habits, or even for the few minutes it takes to update this blog.

Thanks in advance for following me on Facebook and for reading my blog… Here goes!!

I’ve blogged about this really terrific and supportive website, welove2lose.com.  There’s no charge – and no catch – just become a member and enjoy warm support and camaraderie.

Welove2lose.com has discussion forums, photos and videos to inspire, awe and amaze you.  I am totally inspired by the stories of success and trying that I find here.

Visit welove2lose.com – it’s really a nice place.

Incidentally, I know it’s not a real “weight loss program”, but it’s something that might help and that’s alright with me!

Just a few days ago I heard Nancy Snyderman of the Today Show talking about water and weight loss.  Just about every eating program I have tried says to drink eight glasses of water per day. although there is usually a lack of clarity as to what constitutes “a glass”.  A few break down and ask one to drink at least eight glasses of liquid per day.

Here’s the thing, according to the Mayo Clinic, (who I consider to be a trusted source) one needs 8 to 9 cups of water per day.  A cup is eight ounces, so it’s less than you think.  Just  measure out eight ounces of water and you’ll see that it’s not that much. I usually drink a twelve ounce glass with every meal. (I love cold water, so I hope no one starts to attack the cold/room temperature subject any time soon!)

Now, back to Nancy.  If you don’t want to click on her video clip, she is recommending one drink two glasses of water before each meal.  I like this idea and it may really help some folks.  With deference to Nancy, I think I will opt for drinking about six to eight ounces before my meal, and keep the glass during the meal, for a total of two (plus a bit).  Some folks don’t like to drink while they eat – it’s totally a matter of preference.

A hidden water benefit for dieters…

Besides the fact that water replaces moisture and fluids that are expelled from our bodies each day, etcetra, I would like to point out one other thing regarding water that hits on an unpleasant by-product on The Plan, as well as many other eating regimens that might be higher in protein.  That is – halitosis.

Drinking plenty of water might not be the “end all” when it come to fighting off bad breath, yet it helps to hydrate the mouth and wash away particles in the mouth that bacteria use to live on, the primary source of bad breath, or halitosis. One source I found recommended rinsing the mouth after meals, even if with water (sorry, but I won’t note sources if they’re only really pushing their mouthwash or something like that – it won’t help you loss weight!).

Bottom line:

If you’re freaking out about the water thing, just stop! There’s no need to worry since there’s a good chance you might be drinking almost that much already. If you don’t think you’re drinking enough, drop the sodas – even if they’re diet!  Just don’t go “cold turkey” on yourself if you’re a big “soda junkie” – go slow.  But I promise, after a while you really won’t miss them that much.

I spent a lot of time thinking about what made for failure in the past, and then thought about what could make the difference this time. What’s important, besides losing weight, of course!

I can’t, just CAN NOT, be hungry. I go bananas and just can’t do it anymore! It also has to be beyond easy. I have issues with that “food the size of a baseball, golf ball, cassette tape (do you even know what that is anymore?) or whatever size the portion should be. Jeez! It’s too much to remember.

So the current plan I have come up with involves means eating a nice Healthy Choice meal – but only those less than 300 calories – twice per day, along with an oatmeal cereal breakfast (because Dr. Oz said

so), and at least two healthy shakes or a yogurt per day. That’s the minimum. I plan to add shakes or yogurt if I feel hungry. Later, I will add fruits and vegetables to the mix.

I’ll save talking about nutrition elements until later. Just know that for now, this is working.

As I am about half way through week two, a piece of me wishes for ice cream – temperatures have been in the nineties. At least once, I have longed for something crunchy. But I got past that.

I understand that it takes about twenty-one days to begin to really form a habit, and up to ninety days to have it mostly down pat. I plan to try to stay the course as much as possible.

Over the next months (or years!) I will be taking the time to chronicle my latest weight control endeavors.

Like most folks, I have tried everything, just about, and some things twice!  About a week ago, I finally tried one more thing.  Having recently beendiagnosed and been successfully treated for uterine cancer, I found that I was not eligible for any kind of bariatric surgery, so I asked them what the best options were.

I was recommended to the local Weight Management Center.  I gave them a call and arranged to attend an orientation that evening (about a week ago, be the way).

At the meeting, I learned of the HMR meal plan, and learned the reasons that they liked it blah blah blah.  It seemed like Jenny Craig, but with a doctor’s blessing.

Now, I never did try Jenny Craig for the same reasons that I would likely not try this plan – too expensive for prepared meals – frozen or otherwise!

We joked around with the idea of eating frozen meals and using them for the basis of our own eating regimen, so this time we’ve decided to try it.

Sorry to say, we started a week ago and I didn’t start blogging immediately.

However — I lost 7.5 pounds in the first week! In my next post, I’ll include the details.