I love free stuff

So, I've been using the myfitnesspal app for about a month or so now and I have to say I really like it. It has a bar code scanner that allows you to scan and add things that are already in their database. It also has a huge pre-loaded database (not sure where it comes from - possibly other users) of nutritional info.
What I love about it is its simplicity. Again, I'm not at all knocking any other calorie or nutrition counting program, but I love the simplicity of just counting calories. There are other nutritional values (fat, protein, carbs) that it counts, but if you eat a relatively well rounded diet, you're pretty much on track. The upside is that it counts the calories you burn working out as well as what you eat so you can eat a little extra if you work out and are hungry. The downside is that it might discourage people from eating fruit because fruit can have a lot of sugar in it.
Anyway, check out my weigh ins to see my progress. It's moving pretty slow, but as long as there is a downward trend, I am pretty happy.
Happy counting y'all!

Come To Jesus

So, I guess now that the Holidays are over I shouldn't be eating like it's still the Holidays right? Yeah, I haven't quite gotten that message yet.

This year I'm going to try something a little different in my weight loss/get healthy quest. I have had some success with Weight Watchers over the years and I think it's a fantastic program, but I think I need a change.  I've decided to try My Fitness Pal. As far as I can see it's basically the same premise as WW, just done a bit differently. I have been following their guidelines for a few days now and done the calories/Points Plus conversion and, not surprisingly, it's about the same.

The upside to counting calories is that I don't have to do the math. Back in the day (way too many years ago) when I first started WW, I could figure out pretty easily how many points were in something by looking at all the numbers. With the new Points Plus I can't do that anymore. It is way too complicated and counting calories seems to be much simpler right now.

So, in the interest of "New Year-New You" (I don't like the idea of resolutions - they don't last), I'm recommitting myself to the program and getting back on the wagon.

I'll keep you posted.

Checking back into fat camp

I have been doing Weight Watchers online for about six months now. I love all the online tools and access that the online program gives me, but I do miss some things about going to meetings. I lost about 40 pounds when I was in college and did it by going to meetings (technically that was before any “online” option, but we don’t need to talk about that…). I feel like I am in an extended plateau. I am technically losing, it’s just very VERY slowly. I think I would like the additional support of going to meetings. So I am going to my first meeting in a VERY long time tomorrow morning.

I have a little bit of unnecessary anxiety about this. You see, I have joined and quit weight watchers about 50 times since my first successful journey in college. Each time I lost about five pounds and quit. I know my lack of success had nothing to do with the meetings themselves, but I still have that association of meetings with weight loss failure. As I have said before, this time the journey is different. Maybe I’m older and more mature, maybe my life circumstances have made it easier this time. 

Whatever it is, I know I can do it this time. I am not giving up.

Oops I did it again...

So, let’s be realistic. Once in awhile no matter how great a weight watcher you are, you will fall off the wagon. Like weight loss in general, bingeing or whatever you want to call it is triggered by different things. For me it’s always the same. I love sweets. Any kind of sweets really. I love ice cream, cookies, cupcakes, chocolate, candy, even muffins will do it for me. 

I have discovered this time around that the best way to keep me “on the wagon” is to not have them in my house. I am fortunate to be in complete control of my environment because I live alone and mostly only cook for myself.

I know I’m supposed to be learning how to gain self control and all that, but what if there are things I just can’t have around? If there are no sweets in the house and I get a craving, I might have a piece of fruit, but I am too lazy to go to the store or bake something. I guess I should be thankful for that.

What do you do about your trigger foods? Have you developed the discipline to have them around and not eat too much?

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog! I wanted to created a space to post my ups and downs along my weight loss journey. I am motivated every day by my favorite weight loss bloggers. Losing weight, especially large amounts of weight, works different for everybody and hopefully I can shed some light to others on what works for me.
I won't go into how I ended up where I am because I think most people's stories are similar. I was overweight as a young child and became obese in high school. I've gained and lost 40 pounds over the years, but this time is somehow different. 
I have lost about 30 pounds so far but have a lot more to go (like 80-90 but who's counting?). I am following the Weight Watcher plan and without it I would still be 30 pounds heavier, if not more. 
Like most people who are overweight, I love to eat. I love food in general. I'm not into junk food or fast food but I love love love to cook and, unfortunately for my waistline, I am a little too good at it. 
My journey is about tailoring my "non diet recipes" to fit into a healthy lifestyle, because it is a lifestyle not a diet. I don't like most fat free or sugar free processed foods and I am convinced that I can lose weight without those things. So far it's working, but like any other great achievement, it requires a tremendous amount of work and dedication.
Fortunately I do like to exercise  I have a long history of aerobics, running, and most recently triathlon-ing (not sure if that's a word). As many of you know who have been successful in your weight loss, exercise alone is not enough. I read somewhere "lose weight in the kitchen, tone up in the gym" and I am finding that to be pretty accurate. I'm not diminishing the role of exercise in ramping up your metabolism or contributing to overall cardiovascular health, I'm only suggesting that it is very easy to out-eat your diet. 
I am going to post weight ins, photos along the way, and favorite recipes. I hope you enjoy and I would love any feedback.
Happy reading!