The Struggle

So, I had my weigh in this morning and I'm down another 2.2lbs! So, that brings me to 174lbs. I will move down in points allowed this week, which is good, I feel ready for that step down. This makes me 15lbs from my original goal of 50lbs of weight loss.

Here is my run from yesterday. It was a treadmill run, I ran 2.1 miles (that last 1/10 of a mile like to had killed me!) and then walked for a little over 3 miles. It was almost 80 degrees when I woke up yesterday (it was my day off so I didn't head out to run until 10'ish) and I couldn't imagine running in the that heat.



I really do like the Nike+ and I have to say, it is very motivating! Something about the Nike+ Mini person widget thing sitting there getting bored makes me want to go out and run! :)

In other news, my friends and husband are getting sick of me talking about the gym, exercising and food all the time. My husband actually told me this. I told him I would try not to talk about it so much but explained to him that he has no idea what it's like to battle weight constantly. I will always have to work hard to keep the weight off, it will always be a battle for me to make the right choices. It will come easier over time, but it's something that I'll always have to be aware of and held accountable for. I could only compare it to a battle against alcoholism. Food is my addiction.

I also explained that the reason I talk about it so much is because I'm excited about my new way of living. I'm excited that I'm losing weight and getting healthier. It makes me happy. When you feel that way about something, you can't help but talk about it!

One of THOSE Days

Yesterday was one of those days. You know the ones. It was a roller coaster.

I woke up, felt good, only had a half day of work, ate my oatmeal with berries, headed to work.

Got to work, it was a mad house per usual, got a headache, got grumpy, stuck it out knowing that when I got home I could spend the afternoon relaxing at the pool after the gym.

Got home, pulled my car into the driveway, out came the clouds which stayed around all day. Ate lunch, totally gave into my couch which has it's own gravitational pull, still had a headache, so I took a nap.

Woke up and all I wanted was a greasy pepperoni pizza and a snickers bar. Fought off that craving, make healthy dinner of grilled vegetables and multi-grain pasta, decided instead of the gym to take my dog (who is lazier than my husband) on a walk, we walked two wonderful miles, saw a gopher on a golf course like Caddyshack (it was even kinda dancing...or eating, but I like dancing better) and I felt great when I got home. I ate well, got some exercise.

Then, the bottom fell out. It started with "I'll have some frozen yogurt...on top of a No Pudge Brownie...with fat free cool whip...a couple pretzels crushed on top...oh, I have white chocolate chips too" and before I realized it, I had eaten a good 3/4 cup of white chocolate chips, the entire ice cream sundae from hell and later fixed a 100 calorie bag of popcorn.

Granted, one heavy dessert slip...not too bad, but I also went over points (stupid beer) on Saturday. I didn't even really enjoy what I binged on! I'm a firm believer that if you are going to go wild, go wild on something you really want. I didn't really want white chocolate chips. They were just there. I think they will be going just in the trash can when I get home tonight.

I'm not going to be hard on myself, it is what it is. Today is a new day and so far so good. I have my food for the day pretty much planned out. I am going to the gym after work. My Nike+ kit and new Ipod should arrive today. All is well. I will not let my food addiction beat me this time. This time I'm calling the shots.

My office is a mind field!

Ok, I work on Saturdays...every Saturday. I live at the beach and I work in weekly vacation home rentals. Saturday is our turn over day (the day guests check out and check in), so it's our busiest day. It's a mad house. Being Memorial Day weekend, this is our first "in season" weekend, so it's the first really busy one. We could be here anywhere from 8-12 hours today.

Well, I share an office with the housekeeping department and do you know what they keep at the ready, at all times?

COOKIES. This place is like a mind field of diet failure!

Like, loads of cookies. Chocolate chip, sugar, oatmeal, peanut butter...you name it, they probably have it over there. I came prepared today. I brought healthy snacks. I even brought healthy cookies! Well, it's 3:44pm, technically I'm supposed to get out of here at 4:45pm, chances are that will be more like 5:30pm, 6:00pm...but that's not the issue. Sometimes I hear the cookies taunting me. No seriously....

Psss, hey, fat girl...we're here...we're amazingly tasty...we have icing and we crunch when you bite into us; unlike those healthy cookies.

Jeez and the stress of the day just makes them seem that much more tempting. I walk past them all day long. Last year I would grab them, by the handfuls.

Hello Honey, we're here, we're cookies, get used to it and eat us!

I had to write this up because I have to remember that they are not worth it!

Yes we are...

Ugh! Shut up cookies! I know I don't want really want them, it's simply because they are there.

It's going to be a long summer.


Do you know that while I was typing this I answered 12 phone calls, called 2 plumbers, directed my Maintenance guy to 3 different houses for issues and talked someone through resetting their garbage disposal? Welcome to summer for me!

My Kick Bootay Mix

So, I put together a playlist this week that has been amazing! This thing has kept me going even when I totally didn't feel like it. I pushed myself harder and at some points I was even semi-dancing on the treadmill, I couldn't help myself. I thought I'd share it, so, here it is.

1. Mutemath - You Are Mine For stretching before hand
2. The Bravery - Time Won't Let Me Go
3. Kelly Clarkson - I Do Not Hook Up
4. Mutemath - Typical yeah, I know, Mutemath twice...but I like them
5. Rise Against - Re-Education (Through Labor)
6. Black Eyed Peas - Boom Boom Pow (Club Version)
7. Britany Spears - Circus
8. Metro Station - Shake It
9. Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Pen & Paper
10. Incubus - Dig
11. Pink - Long Way to Happy
12. Coldplay - Viva La Vida
13. David Cook - Come Back to Me

It's amazing, when I'm not working out, I couldn't imagine listening to Britany Spears. I'm just not that big of a fan...but it's great for working out! :)

So, there it is. I give you my "Kick Bootay Mix"!

I am the tortoise of weight loss...

...and I'm alright with that. I had my official WI this morning and I lost 1.8lbs, bringing my weight loss total to 33.4lbs since January 5th. The first 30lbs came off easy, since then every pound has been slow going, but it's ok. I'm still losing. I'm not going in reverse, I am getting more tone, I am healthier than I've been in...well, ever and I feel good about myself. I know that slow weight loss is more apt to stay off. I am at 176.2lbs and proud of it. :)

I skipped the gym for 2 days...in a row. On Tuesday I got home from work and all I wanted to do was sit on my couch and do nothing. I haven't had a night in months that wasn't "get home from work, go to gym, back home, do laundry, cook dinner, go go go" or "get home from work, change clothes, go out with friends, go go go" that I decided I had earned a lazy night. So I took one. Wednesday is my scheduled "skip day" from the gym because I play in a team trivia league, so I skipped then too. Thursday I did a two hour work out and I felt great. I did 5 miles on the treadmill (running for two) and just when I thought I might give up I thought about crossing the finish line of a 5k this fall and it made me just keep on going. I felt amazing afterward. Some days I really don't feel like working out, but I just think about how great I feel after a work out and that will usually get me there. I think I'm addicted to the endorphins.

Overall, I'm happy with my week. 1.8lbs is a loss I am happy with. I ate well, I went out with friends, allowed myself to have a good time and not stress about counting every single point and I still lost.

I hope everyone has a great weekend! :)

I love Pizza. Did I tell you guys I love pizza?

I have 2 favorite foods. Cheeseburgers and Pizza! They end up being the downfall of every "diet" I've ever tried. So since I'm on this whole "make my life healthier" kick, I decided to start making my own low weight watcher point pizza dough. I knew I wanted something whole wheat, but didn't taste whole wheat, so I pulled from a few different recipes to make up my very own.

I LOVE PIZZA Pizza Dough for Bread Maker

3/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F)
1 tablespoon EVOO
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon minced garlic (I used the jar kind)
2 teaspoons of dried Italian seasoning
1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
1 Cup Bread Flour
2 teaspoons instant active dry yeast

Add liquids and garlic to the bottom of bread pan. In separate bowl mix together the bread flour, whole wheat flour, salt and Italian seasoning. Pour on top of liquid in bread pan, make a well in the center of dry ingredients and place in it the 2 teaspoons of yeast. Set your bread maker on the Dough setting and let it go.

Once dough cycle completes, remove dough and let it rest until a towel for 10 minutes. You have 2 options at this point, you can make one GIANT pizza (19 points for the whole crust) or what I do most of the time is divide the dough into 4 small balls (I use 5 weight watchers points each for calculation) and freeze* 3 for later use.

Roll out your dough into a square or circle, place on baking pan and bake at 450 degrees F until edges are crisp, about 7 minutes for small ball of dough and 15 for the whole amount.



*To Freeze dough, spray a piece of plastic wrap lightly with cooking spray, wrap ball up and then place in freezer bag. All 3 can be placed in one bag this way.


Tonight I made BBQ Chicken & Squash Pizza. 1/2 of the finished product is only 8 points! Can't go wrong there. You can be as creative as you want with toppings and you will will scoff in the frozen pizza section of your grocery store.

I am not a nutritionist or weight watcher's expert. I just added the points of all the ingredients and used some elementary division. :) If you decide to try it, please let me know what you think!

My brain is a sitcom gone wrong

My brain is a flurry of activity. I hate to admit it, but if you are talking to me I am probably at that exact moment thinking of new recipes to try, a new purse I'd like to have, a TV show I watched the night before or what I need to do after we finish the conversation. I listen, but I will admit it, I'm a self absorbed person.

Sometimes what is going on inside my head is quite comical, and maybe just to me. When I first started exercising and run/walking on the treadmill I started very slowly. I would build myself up 1-2 minutes at a time. I never ran in my life before. I was the chubby girl in middle school that only jogged when the teacher was watching. The night I ran my first consecutive 5 minutes, I was elated. I made sure to jot down what was going on inside my head, the following is that self conversation:


Minute 1

"She's a man-eater make you work hard make you sweat hard..." I don't really know if I like this song...I wonder what I'll make for dinner. I'm starving....Oh, almost at the end of the minute...I'll keep going.

Minute 2

Yeah, I really don't like Nelly Furtado, I mean she's ok; I need something else *reaches for mp3 player*...OH, OH!! Don't fall down, just pick a song, hold the rail, hmmm Muse...that will work, oh this is faster. I better go to 5.2...holy crap, it's been 3 minutes

Minute 3

Ok, 5.2 too fast, too fast....back to 5.0. "Starlight I will be chasing your starlight, until the end of my life..." what does he say after that? I need to look up those lyrics. Ew. My hair is soaking wet and it still smells like hair dye from yesterday...

Minute 4

Ok, 4 minutes. I should stop. No I shouldn't. Think about the big kid on The Biggest Loser! If the big kid can run for 5 minutes, you can do it! You can do it this time, come on...5 minutes. You can. "It's the eye of the tiger..." damn, I wish I had that song. Why haven't I downloaded that song? "Starlight...."

Minute 5

Holy Holly. You're going to do it. You're going to make it. Almost there....deep breaths! Don't stop now, 20 seconds, 19...18...5 minutes! You are a champion dude. Think people would notice if I started clapping and cheering for myself right now? *looks around* yeah, probably....


Now I'm running more for distance than time. I can run 1.5 miles and I'm working to increase that every week. I had weigh in today and only lost .4lbs. You could hear crickets in my head I was so stunned when I saw such a small fraction of a number.

Looking at the bigger picture, I wanted to take a glimpse back on how far I've come since I started this journey. While the weight loss is a great part of my new life, that's not what it's about anymore. It's about pushing myself, getting healthier and actually enjoying the process.

Before & Now

My first progression picture, the dates are incorrect, the April pic should be 2009. 28lbs lost:



Another random shot, not sure the weight loss at this point:



The most recent progression, I've held pretty steady at 44lbs lost:



I plan to take another at Christmas 2009 for a full year progression. The biggest difference to me is in my face. I never thought my face was full before. It's amazing how different it looks to me now, but in a good way. :)

They call(ed) me the chubby one...

Like most people on January 1st, 2009 I made a list of goals I would like to accomplish this year. It went something like this:

1. Lose 50lbs



2. Go to the gym more (at least 3x a week)



3. Quit Smoking



4. Read some Classics



5. Save Money

It looks like every list I've made, every year, since puberty. On January 5th, I stepped on the scale and at a short 5'4'' was depressed (although not surprised since my diet consisted of beer and pizza) to see that my weight had climbed to 209.6lbs. With the support of friends at work, I started following the Weight Watchers Points system, which had worked for me in the past, working out and weighing in weekly. I could barely run at 5.0mph for 40 seconds and 20 minutes 2-3 times a week was my work out schedule.

Today, I weigh 178.4lbs, I quit smoking, I go to the gym at least 5 times a week and I'm so busy reading up on healthy recipes and fitness tips that I haven't had time to read any classics. I can run 1.5 miles at 5.4mph without stopping to walk and my goal is to do a 5k this fall. I want to write about how I've made it this far and continue writing about how I'm doing. I still have quite a ways to go. So, here I am.

I want to use this place to share recipes, stories, workout plans, my goals, my hopes, my accomplishments, my weaknesses, my phobias (two piece bathing suits and snakes, in that order) and my set backs.

This is my new life and I'm in it for the long haul.

About Me

Like most people on January 1st, 2009 I made a list of goals I would like to accomplish for the year. It went something like this:

1. Lose 50lbs



2. Go to the gym more (at least 3x a week)



3. Quit Smoking



4. Read some Classics



5. Save Money

It looks like every list I've made, every year, since puberty. On January 5th, I stepped on the scale and at a short 5'4'' was depressed (although not surprised since my diet consisted of beer and pizza) to see that my weight had climbed to 209.6lbs. With the support of friends at work, I started following the Weight Watchers Points system, which had worked for me in the past, working out and weighing in weekly. I could barely run at 5.0mph for 40 seconds and 20 minutes 2-3 times a week was my work out schedule.

When I started The Unlikely Success Story, I weighed 178.4lbs, I'd quit smoking, I went to the gym at least 5 times a week and I was so busy reading up on healthy recipes and fitness tips that I did not have time to read any classics. I could run 1.5 miles at 5.4mph without stopping to walk and my goal was to do a 5k in the fall. I wanted to write about how I've made it this far and continue writing about how I'm doing.

Well, I'm happy to say that I an down to 165'ish pounds on any given day, I completed my first 5k on Thanksgiving Day and I'm registered for my 2nd in January. I've found a healthy balance that I enjoy and I have confidence that I can maintain this lifestyle change for the rest of my life. I know there will be pitfalls along the road but I know how to pick myself up and start again.

I hope that what you find here will be interesting, helpful, humorous at times and not too boring. I look forward to continuing to share my journey with you!