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Crush this goal, determination, great walks, Jenifer Hudson, motivation, perseverance, San Francisco, Weight Watchers
“It sucked,” squeaked Claudette, her cheerful painted eyebrows making their best effort at a furrow.
”Pardon my French,” she whispered apologetically in her best kindergarten teacher voice.
I feel the same way.
Claudette was talking about her husband’s late night snacking on burgers and fries right underneath her slightly less pudgy weight watching nose.
I was talking about March.
I shared my new motto with the semicircle of men and women sitting thigh to thigh in the lime green plastic chairs; my Weight Watcher “anchor”: Crush. This. Goal.
This is what I say to myself instead of huffing. and. puffing. during class.
With each tortured breath:
Crush.
This.
Goal.
A life size Jenifer Hudson beams down on me with approval; “Believe!” she encourages with an airbrushed wink.
An “argument” breaks out in row two. There is always a disagreement between Arguing Woman (there always seems to be an Arguing Woman at any kind of meeting – sometimes I am she) and another random weight watcher about the point value of a food. The debate goes on for a ridiculous amount of time. Eyeballs, set in not so jolly round faces, are rolling. I mutter, “Always a debate.”
This sort of explains why world peace is so elusive.
I feel a little bad for Arguing Woman because I think she must be right about the points – she is the only person who has lost a noticeable amount of weight. Apparently, the rest of us are shedding pounds from our earlobes and big toes. I guess her obsession with detail, albeit really annoying, is paying off.
I know what you are thinking, rapid weight loss is a bad thing (say what???).
Well, it hasn’t been rapid! I have been using the prolonged and ineffective method of: lose three pounds, gain back two, repeat.
I stepped it up a bit in March by losing zero pounds and gaining back seven.
I do not recommend this method which I like to call the “Chutes and Ladders” approach.
As Claudette would say, “It sucked.”
The things I did this week to lose the seven I already lost (again):
1. I honed my helicopter parenting skills. Ralphie signed up for a triathlon. Thanks to my worrywartness (aka compulsion to know every detail of his life), I caught his enthusiastic and infectious DETERMINATION bug.
2. Accidental derriere photography posted on the fridge next to before photo – MOTIVATION.
3. Exercising every day (see chart above) including a morning walk and an after dinner walk around the neighborhood. Everything looks so pretty when it’s not a blur out the car window.
4. Putting the correct portion on my plate, but not eating all of it. When I feel full, I set my plate on the counter and tell myself if I’m hungry later, I’ll eat it for “dessert.”
My brain is SO gullible!
I usually do not eat what I left on the plate, so I can use the leftovers for a delicious lunch the next day (steak salad below).
5. Trader Joe’s Homestyle Salsa Especial. This salsa makes celery sticks and yellow bell-pepper slices taste like chips. Once I fill up on vegies, I have two (yes TWO) chips to satisfy my crunchy salt craving.
6. Green tea, water, water, water . . . . and very, very, very little Pinot Noir!
Can you guess my favorite color?
7. Happy Hour smoothie (instead of Pinot Noir). It is filling, healthy, and drinking it doesn’t lead to the inevitable morning after question: “What happened to all of the chips?”
Question: How many ounces of wine does this glass hold?
Answer: 15 ounces!!!! That equals three servings of wine; in Weight Watcher speak: 12 points (almost half of my daily allotment). The smoothie is two points (Arguing Woman would probably beg to differ).
Smoothie recipe below post.
9. Yummy salads for lunch (the key word here is yummy – this one is from One French Word’s blog – I substituted prosciutto for the duck and left out the bread. My salad looks different from her salad because, well, I don’t know how to apply heat to food. Thankfully, Tony does.
10. It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day . . . It’s April, damn it. Get up off the couch, get dressed, and crush this goal! Do it! NOW!
Smoothie recipe: One banana, one cup of unsweetened frozen pineapple chunks, one cup of orange juice, one teaspoon of wheat germ, a couple of handfuls of ice, one cup of sparkling water – blend. This makes two servings.
Photos from Sunday’s Three Hour San Francisco stairway walk.
Yoga in the City – this looks easier than it is!
Leftovers made a picture perfect picnic.
Guess which one is my favorite.
Lombard Street Steps. “Good evening!” a young tourist greets us with enthusiasm and confidence at 12:32 p.m.
That’s me in any foreign country without the confidence, “Buona sera??? Buon giorno??? . . . Hi.”
A secret stairway (if this is like Chutes and Ladders, I’ll probably gain 10 pounds at the top).
It leads to the Easter Bunny! If you did not read Patrice’s post The Velveteen Habit, you should. As always, it was wonderful.
Homeward bound which means down.
Unless it means UP! My toe hurts. Did I ever tell you about the chances of dying from falling down stairs?
Hold on to the rail!
Greenwich Street Steps. Not nearly as beautiful as the Filbert Street steps, but after 40 years of of walking up the Filbert Street Steps, it’s nice to discover something new just a few feet away.
And look a fairy lives there or is she an angel? “Believe,” she urges or at least read Blog of the Impossible’s post on perseverance.
I love this post! You are helping get me in the right frame of mind to get home & get in shape. More recipes, love that. Thanks!
The Blog of Impossible guy kind of reminds me of your Nick. You would love One French Words blog – great recipes!
I laugh with you, and I cry with you, and I love your fab photos.
Thanks and right back at you (the laughing and crying part – I love your stories).
Thanks for the gentle nudge! I’m off to exercise.
Thanks, I just subscribed to your blog, but I used the upper toolbar which often doesn’t work for me (for some reason I only get email notifications from blogs that have a widget). If you don’t hear from me the next time you post, you’ll know it didn’t work. :-)
The smoothie sounds wonderful. The walk looks, well, tiring but inspiring. Spring is so motivating after a winter of hiding under blankets. I need a push, even with kids to run after. You’ve given me one.
I always feel so motivated this time of year; my son says the weekend is the “chute” when it comes to slipping back to the beginning, but I think it might be winter.
I just go up and down the stairs in my house, do I really need to do more? The view is just not the same as you’re describing. I’m inspired. . . sort of.
I hope I’ve inspired you to visit San Francisco (and to bring Audrey)!
My Weight Watchers online food diary is horribly empty – not that I don’t eat anything (you know I do!) but I just can’t bear writing it all down. But isn’t it hard… I walked the dog on the beach for a brisk three-quarters of an hour this morning. But it doesn’t happen every day, far from it.
There was a couple at the Weight Watcher meeting today who had just returned from Paris. They lost weight while they were there. I think the secret might be visiting France.
That sounds like motivation! Oh, wait. That is where they invented the Napoleon. Scratch that.
Red.
I love how you are taking your city in…and your pics are wonderful! To me there’s nothing better than a long and winding walk through town. After I eat my breakfast that’s what I plan to do with my next few hours.
Oh, and as for the drinks and calories, have you heard of “bitters”? They’re usually used in cocktails, but I splash them in diet tonic water. It’s a nice drink to sip while cooking or doing anything really.
Thanks again for the plug ;) That’s nice.
I hope you had a wonderful walk.
it was perfect, rained softly the whole time, but that was ok, just wandering for hours with my dog and my man on a quiet day.
You are amazing!!! Keep it up!
Actually, I need some motivation to get back into a workout routine. You’ve inspired me to go for a run later! And not eat those chips I’ve been eyeing….
If you need anymore motivation, please check out the link to Blog of Impossible Things.
This is great! You’ve got this! And that shake looks so tasty… I’m going to try mixing it with my protein powder and see how it turns out. :)
So what do you do to workout? You share so many great recipes . . . . the Chicken Picatta was very tempting.
I’ve been on the Body By Vi 90 Day Challenge for almost a year now. It’s changed my life! Right now I use these nutritional protein shakes as meal replacements for breakfast and lunch and then try to make yummy, healthy dinners. Lost 15 lbs of fat and gained 8 lbs of muscle in 90 days and have gone from being a bookish couch potato to running 5ks, rock climbing, and commuting to work on my bike. I’d be happy to get some info if you’re open to options. :)
OK, OK. I am walking away from the Cadbury mini eggs even as we speak…..
Good for you; you are inspiring! Thanks for the gentle reminders!
Put the egg down momshieb . . .
You should consider forwarding this post to weight watchers. They might just offer you a job. I think it’s time for a real person spokesperson! By the way, love the chutes and ladders reference…brilliant…and, I’ve played that game too.
I think I may be a little too real for Weight Watchers. :-) Thank you though.
Your salads look divine. Yum!
Please visit One French Word – her recipes are amazing. Thanks for the little push with “Instead” this week. It made a difference for me.
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I love this! Especially your description of your chutes and ladder approach to weight loss…sounds all too familiar to me! Thanks for the laugh, and for the encouragement to crush.this.goal! ~ Sheila
Thank you. I am going to try very hard this week to avoid slipping down a chute.
great post! you are inspiring. if jennifer hudson tells you to “believe”, then you gotta believe…
It’s an interesting slogan for Weight Watchers to choose. I think Jenifer should be saying, “Get up off the couch, get dressed, and crush this goal! Do it! NOW!” :-)
Ypu go girl, I’m rooting for you. I’ll even join you in a walk tomorrow. Two miles, okay?
I’m definitely cyclong today, but I think I’ll try to fit in a two mile walk as well. Thanks for the encouragement.
I love your kettle…And your determination. This weight loss thing sounds much tougher than I’d ever thought, and you’re doing great in spite of everything.
:)
That kettle just might be the key to getting out of the chutes and ladders mode and into more consistent weight loss (more tea, less wine).
Your persistence and determination are admirable. Great photos of San Francisco. I feel like I went on the walk with you minus the sore toe and sore muscles.
Thanks. It’s hard to go wrong walking in San Francisco. It’s a beautiful city.
All good points WW. to think that wine glass was 16 oz. No wonder the bottle never lasts that long. I like the smoothie for a substitute. I need a sub for suger right now. Keep up your great work! CaaaRushhh It!
For some reason when I read your comment, I hear Phil Dunphy’s (Modern Family) voice saying “CaaaRushhh It!”
You are such a motivator. Love all of the photos.
Thanks! Loved your take on Weight Watchers: http://year-struck.com/2012/04/19/who-am-i/
You’re doing it! Look at you living life and eating healthy. All of those food pictures make me want to make a salad and eat an avocado. Sparkling water in your smoothie, eh? That sounds so nice.
All of this working out has caused me to fall way behind on my blog reading . . . gotta come check out your preggo updates soon . . . .
What great photos!
I know JUSt what you mean. I keep gaining and losing the same 5 pounds since I kinda, sorta decided I had hit my goal. Except the week of Easter when I gained 7 pounds. That scared the crap out of me. Then I only had 5 more to lose (sorry – couldn’t resist.)
Losing weight that you’ve already lost doesn’t leave you feeling virtuous and proud. It leaves you feeling like a big doofus because you gained it back in the FIRST place. This has been my diet sabotage every, single time I’ve lost weight.
Your food looks healthy and delicious, too. I keep getting attacked by the late night munchies, and you know nothing healthy is ever eaten at 11pm. May have to start going to bed at 7 until I can get throught this morass of miserable craving.
It’s the weekend that gets me – maybe I’ll sleep through the whole thing.
My butt hurts just looking at those Lombard St. steps! I assume you were walking up – not down.
Yes we were going up and ultimately (now, weeks later) it paid off.
I’m WW-ing too, I feel you’re pain! I definitely don’t seem to be as conscientious as you, my 15 month old covers more ground than me!
Good luck and keep at it x
Thanks. I guess I must be behind on my blog since your 15 month old is now 16 months old. :-)
So glad I caught up with you on a day I needed some inspiration. And some needed clarification about the true point value of Pinot Noir. Scary! Particularly, as you say, when you add in the points for the chips that mysteriously disappear.
Thanks for stopping by!
Wait a sec–wine has calories? I am so screwed.
I am at the point where I am just desperately trying to maintain my weight. Ever since I turned 40, it’s been steadily climbing with no effort on my part. I have been on my elliptical machine every other day for over three months, have cut my portions in half, drink tons of water and tea and I have lost not a single pound. On the plus side, I feel great. Just have to keep telling myself that’s my goal. Strangely enough, it’s working, now I am in the habit of eating right and exercising just because I want to.
Thanks for visiting. I am thrilled to report that I lost 16 pounds in April! Still have a long way to go . . . .
WOW! That is wonderful!! Good for you! I have to admit I haven’t weighed myself in a bit, so who knows, maybe I have lost some (I think I’m afraid to get on the scale to be honest…)
Sorry I’ve not dropped in here to chat for a while… how are you? The weight loss goals and your work towards it sounds amazing, keep up your efforts, and your laughter and love. Love and hope forever. :-)
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Awesome stuff!! : ) Keep it up!! : ) : )
… this is real inspiring! : )
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