Blip Buster Weeks

What the heck is a "blip buster week?" Well, it's the term I use for the week following a small (or not so small) gain.

Above is my Weight Watchers tracking chart, a great visual of what has taken place over the last 14 weeks. Of course, my "goal weight" is my 10% weight loss and not my ultimate goal weight, but it is far easier to celebrate these major milestones rather than wait until I finally get to the 140lbs I'm shooting for.

Following each of the weeks that I had a blip - I had a blip buster week. These are weeks that I saw substantial loss and continued to trend downward after putting on a small gain. Now, perhaps this is because the gain woke me up from straying slightly off program. Maybe I didn't drink enough water for a few days and I began to retain water, maybe I had started eyeballing portions rather than getting the measuring spoons or food scale out, perhaps it was just luck of the draw and the mitochondria in my muscles didn't produce the same amount of ATP making my body metabolize slower and hold on to more glycogen, storing it as body fat (why yes, I am an A&P student); whatever the reason, those weeks can and should be used as a motivation. Life happens, man. We have to flex. We have to move forward. From here on, I refuse to get down if I see a blip. In fact, I plan to get excited, because you better believe the scale the following week is going to be unbelievable!

These little dots on the grid are mere dots. One dot, without those around it, is meaningless. Weight loss is movement, the dot, the single weigh in, is stagnant. Focus on the movement, focus on the many dots and look forward to your blip buster weeks!

So, for those on this same journey, walking these same roads; embrace your blips and look forward to the bust, as it is often those weeks following a gain that you have the most to celebrate.

The Pesky Lab Coat That Saved My Life

Today is an amazing day! In May, the catalyst to my weight loss journey was this pesky lab coat that wouldn't fit. (Read about it here) It was too small, I could only button a single button and it was the largest I could find without it being custom made. It was this event, that made me say, "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH - CHANGE NOW!"

Today, I decided to try the lab coat on. I've done this a few times over the last few months, each time having one or two buttons that wouldn't fit, but still celebrating the obvious change in how it hung on my body and how the lower buttons inched closer to the holes.

Today, I was able to button each and every button, with a lot of room in the top to spare!

It appears I may need to purchase a new lab coat for Microbiology in January after all - a smaller one!!!

Lose for Good Goal - Week 1 Weight In

Last week I posted my story board with a six week goal set. 15lbs in six weeks. When I was setting the goal I questioned myself if it might be slightly too high. If one averages about 2lbs per week, is it really possible to eek out those extra three pounds over the six week period to hit that 15? I decided I would push myself. I can do it! And if I don't, whatever the loss, it's a larger loss than I would have had if I was doing nothing at all - so 15lbs is the set goal.

This morning, as I rushed around in a mad dash to get to all my Sunday morning obligations, running late of course, missing my actual Weight Watchers meeting - I ran in between appointments to get weighed.

To my surprise I lost 8.4lbs this week! So after one week with the goal of 15lbs, I've lost over half of it! Now, mind you, the week prior I had gained 6.4lbs - so I'm sure getting back on program and doing it perfectly this week really jump started my weight loss this week - perhaps in parallel to the first week on program. Regardless of what it is - I'll take it!

I will keep taking the steps I outlined on the story board and I will absolutely hit my 15lb goal in six weeks. Here we go!

I've lost almost 30lbs total since starting Weight Watchers. If you look at the picture, the yellow blob is 5lbs of fat. I've lost almost six of those yellow blobs!

Wow, what a wonderful feeling. I broke my 25lb mark again, I've lost over 5% of my body weight (now nearing my 10% mark) and I feel better than ever!

Ok, easy stats:
Week 14: 8.4lbs lost
Total gone: 29.2lbs

Goal Setting - Lose for Good

At my Weight Watchers meeting this morning, my leader provided us with a storyboarding handout. It was to assist us in setting a goal for the next six weeks during the Lose for Good challenge.

The old me would have put this aside. I would have had the intent to complete it, only to put it off. The paper would have drifted from the kitchen counter, to a pile in the office and then eventually the trash - never to be completed.

However, this weight loss journey; well, this is truly a lifestyle change. I am not just changing one thing in my life, I do not live in a silo. To make this one, drastic change, many changes must take place and that includes doing things like story boarding my goals. I committed to make this change and boy, oh boy am I changing.

I sat down and used color pencils to create artwork that would compete with my four year old daughter's creations. I've placed it on my refrigerator as a daily reminder of the steps I must take to reach my goal.

What is my goal you ask? (In case you can't see it in the picture.) 15lbs in six weeks. I can do this!

Steps to Goal:
1. Create meal plans for each week.
2. Grocery shop for all the right food choices.
3. Cook ahead and pack food bag EVERY day.
4. Track every point I eat.
5. Exercise at least 4 times per week.
6. Don't miss a single meeting/weigh in!

Week 13 - Weigh In

Oh what an appropriate name. It's been a rough week with oral surgery and pain, poor food choices and no exercise. I forced myself back to the scale and I gained 6.4lbs. Ugggg! It's ok. I got this and I can do it. I will rock this week and next week will be fantastic. Hope for a 4lb loss next time!

Total loss: 20.8lbs :( (Damn you week 13)