Bucket list...

Do you have a "bucket list"? You know..the things you'd like to do before you "kick the bucket". I don't have a written list (though I am a list maker.. I'm suprised I don't actually have one.) But in my mind, my bucket list includes many things; two of them were fulfilled this past Saturday.

I have always wanted to see the Boston Celtics play in person. My wonderful son Scott gave me 2 tickets for my birthday last December. The game was this past Saturday and, of course, I brought my husband. The Celtics could not have played a worse game...they were pitiful and lost to the team with the worst record in the league.   But it was a great experience and I would love to go again.

My next bucket list wish was to wear size 8 jeans.  I bought new jeans on the clearance rack at Macy's a few weeks ago. ...size 8.  They were dirt cheap... less than $7.00 so I figured if they didn't fit it wouldn't be a great loss.  I put them on Saturday and they fit perfectly...they were 3" too long, but that's nothing new.  I was happy to hem them and wear them to the basketball game.  I would have been content to wear a size 10 for the rest of my life...but fitting comfortably into size 8 jeans is more than I could have hoped for.

New kitchen gadget

My daughter bought me a very useful 'gadget' for Christmas. An apple slicer! I've seen them for years, but never bought one. What a neat tool... I love apples but always hated biting into one...you know, all the peel gets into your front teeth...yuck! This cores the apple and slices it for you.

AWESOME!

my Goal...

Today I decided that weighing 135 lbs will be my Weight Watcher goal. I had initially thought I'd like to be 130 lbs, but really...those 5 lbs are not going to make a difference in my clothing at this point.

So...I have (as of today, January 27, 2010) 10 lbs to lose to reach my goal. Once I do that and maintain that for 6 weeks, I will become a Weight Watcher lifetime member. Anyone who is a WW member knows that is like winning the gold medal in the Olympics!!

I'm almost there!!

New food...

I decided to try something new this week. BOCA burgers.

I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. I worried not only about the taste, but also the consistency. I chose this flavor for no particular reason. It was low in calories and fat, and had a lot of protein.

I grilled it in a non-stick pan and put it on a toasted deli thin 'roll'. I added some grilled onions, tomato slice, lettuce and of course, ketchup and mustard. I LOVED it. whodathunkit? In fact, they were on sale at my local supermarket this week so, I bought 4 packages.

The second time I had one, I put a little bar-b-que sauce on it while grilling it...another good choice.

Getting 'fit-er"

On Saturdays my husband and I skip the gym. We need a day to sleep in and rest. I still try to get in a little exercise, so I climbed on the treadmill for what I expected to be my usual 30 minute walk. But, for kicks, I decided to see how long I could jog on the treadmill...and was shocked when I was able to do 25 minutes of actual jogging at a 4.0 speed. I was able to do 20 minutes yesterday (Sunday) and I certainly feel it in my legs this morning. But, it's a good feeling.

I feel stronger every day. I tried for years to tell myself I didn't need exercise...I was wrong...

I'm hoping that by next spring I can run 5K race. That's going to be my new goal. Whodathunkit???

My Top Ten List

Here's my top ten things I have enjoyed about losing weight up to this point:

10. Got rid of all my XL clothes
9. Got some new SMALLER clothes
8. Even my shoes feel looser
7. I can walk up a flight of stairs without huffing and puffing when I get to the top
6. My cholesterol level went below 200 for the first time
5. Looking at clothing catalogs is fun
4. I can now wear pants with a belt rather than an eleastic waist
3. I lost almost 7 inches from my waist
2. I walk 'taller' and am more confident now
1. I can see my feet when I stand up!!!

Look up there...

I just realized that my BMI is now UNDER 30... it's 29.9!! whooo hooo!! (I believe in celebrating every milestone!)

Yearly cholesterol check...

FINALLY...I got good news regarding my cholesterol level. It's been way above 200 (about 240) for some time...but my latest test results came back... 197!! Under 200 is best...it's just a tad under 200...but it's UNDER!

However, my HDL which should be between 45-65 is only at 37 and my LDL which should be between 0-130 is at 146. My doctor thinks if I continue my low fat diet and exercise, that it should take care of it, so she didn't recommend any medication at this time.

They fit...they fit!

Back in very early spring I bought a pair of size 16 khaki pants from LL Bean (can't pass a sale! $12.95). I tried them on every month to measure my progress. I had hoped to wear them by the 4th of July...but no such luck.

Yesterday, I tried them again...and they fit GREAT! They just need to be hemmed a little. Even though they are 16 petite...they are still about 1.5 inches too long! (In my next life, I'm going to be taller and naturally thin! hey, I can dream!!)

So, just for kicks I tried on the size 14 jeans I also bought from LL Bean....and much to my amazement they fit BETTER than the size 16 khakis. I think it's the STRETCH in the denim...but who cares...they are a size 14 and they FIT!! Of course, it's much too hot to wear them right now, but by September when the weather cools down they will be PERFECT!

I broke down and bought a pair of GREEN capris this weekend. I have never owned anything but black or navy pants or jeans (the fat girl uniform pants, as I call them). I have never ever even considered buying green pants...but these are so nice (size 16 and loose...but the 14's were a little snug..no stretch in this fabric.) I've been living in 3 pairs of capris and 1 pair of shorts this summer. The capris are getting very 'roomy'...but summer is almost over and I can get through with those.

So...then for more of my entertaining pleasure, I tried on two pairs of size 12 pants that my sister gave me. She's also a WW member, and has lost almost 20 lbs..and these pants are too big for her now. I was shocked...I can get them on and zip them. They are snug...but I'm just in shock that I could actually zip them...and no I didn't have to lay down and use pliers to pull up the zipper. I had no problem zipping them...gotta LOVE fabrics with a little a s t r e t c h!

It was fun playing 'dress up'...even if no one else was around to celebrate with me. I was giddy staring at myself in the mirror. I'm actually starting to FEEL thinner... and it feels super!!

Measurements...

Wow...I decided to take some measurements today....and though I knew I had lost weight and inches, I didn't realize the difference!


Here are the losses:

Waist: 5.5 inches
Bust: 7.5 inches (and and I still have plenty left!)
Hips: 5.5 inches
Thighs: 7 inches
R/L Arm: 2.75 inches (combined)
R/L Leg: 6.75 inches (combined)

total: 35 inches lost!!

Tall Ships in Boston Harbor

We had a great day today. My husband and I drove to Boston to see the Tall Ships. "Sail Boston" started a few days ago, and the ships are scheduled to leave tomorrow, so we took advantage of the beautiful day. Our daughter, Sara, who lives in Boston, joined us.

The ships were magnificent. We could have boarded a few of them, but the lines were over 1 hour long, and we chose not to go inside but walked around Boston Harbor for a few hours looking at the ships.

We had lunch at a neat, casual place called "Barking Crab". It was very good (though my husband's baked fish was a little dry and probably overcooked.) Nothing on the menu was very Weight Watcher friendly, so I chose an appetizer...a 1 lb serving of cooked shrimp with cocktail sauce. No, I did NOT eat the entire 1 lb...I probably ate half of it, along with the steamed broccoli my husband gave me from his dinner. Sara had a crabmeat burger...she enjoyed it. (I got a 'doggie bag' for the shrimp I didn't eat...I'll have the rest tomorrow!)

Walking around on a gorgeous day and being near the ocean is good for the soul...and I got some great exercise at the same time. It was a perfect day!

"As Seen on TV"...

I'm not one to fall for "as seen on TV" items...but I watched an info-mercial a few weeks ago, and ordered this "Xpress Redi Set go" 'cooker'...

I love it!! It heats up within a few minutes, and cooks items quickly. So far I've 'baked' fish in it a few times and it cooks quickly...in 7 minutes and the fish stays moist and flaky. I also love making "weight watcher friendly" mini pizzas using english muffins, and because the well in the Xpress Redi set go is deep enough, I 'bake' my mini pizzas inside.

I'm going to try scrambled egg whites soon. It was worth the money and clean up is quick and easy.

New shirt...check out the size!

I wore a new shirt today that I bought on sale a few weeks ago...and LOOK...there's no X in front of the word "large"!!! To some people, that wouldn't be a big deal...but to me it was!!



and that $24.00 price.. I got the shirt on sale for under $10.00!!

I found a new treat!

One thing I miss while 'getting healthy' is potato chips. I hate to use my treasured points on 'junk food'... but one day at the WW meeting, I overhead one of the members talking about FAT FREE POTATO CHIPS that were only 1 point per one ounce serving.

WOW!!!! my prayers were answered.















As soon as that meeting was over, I headed to my supermarket and there they were...waiting for me! As you can see, one ounce is a fair amount of potato chips!

4th of July weekend...

I had a great time this 4th of July weekend. We spent it on Cape Cod...and fortunately, the weather was perfect!

My husband cleaned the cobwebs off my bicycle ...it's been a few years since it has seen the light of day.

I bought this bike a few years ago primarily because it had 'regular' handle bars and a BIG-ASS SEAT...I tried to find one with a tractor seat, but they don't seem to make one!

My family joined in on the biking adventure, though the 'youngins' arrived at the end long before me! L to R: daughter, Sara, husband Frank, Corey (Sam's BF), daughter Sam, and ME!

The Cape Cod Canal is 6.8 miles one way, and we rode the route on Saturday and Sunday for a total of 28 miles. It's mostly flat, but there are a few 'inclines'. At the end of the second day, my husband realized that my bike was only using 4 of the 6 gears, so I had worked 'harder' than I should have. I was thrilled...I must have burned off more calories. But alas, I made up for it with the 'treats' I ate on the beach Saturday night while we watched the fireworks.

We saw this beautiful tall ship anchored in the canal, on it's way, no doubt, into Boston Harbor for the Tall Ship exhibit.

But, now it's Monday, back home and back on track.

Finally...

Geez, I can't believe I'm going to admit this...but I've been honest about everything else...so here goes. For the first time in a LONG time, I FINALLY weigh LESS than my husband! He's also 9 inches taller than me, but I've outweighed him for a long time. But...not any more!!

Though today he did say he "found" some of the the weight I had lost...seems he's gained a few pounds! But, he can lose that in no time...he's done it before.

A lesson I've learned..

I know I should have realized this a long time ago...but, like a lot of things, it just 'hit' me a few days ago.

My husand and I had to drive 90 minutes to Boston Monday evening because our college daughter's car had almost NO brakes. My husband has always fixed the family cars and we don't know who to trust to fix her car. So we drove there and gave her my car and my husband drove the Jeep with-almost-no-brakes home...

We took advantage of the visit to take both of our daughters out to dinner. (FYI...our college daughter lives with our oldest daughter; she lives and works in the Boston area.) We decided on Uno's. I was looking at the menu, and it occurred to me that it didn't matter what I ordered, or what I ate, I was happy to be spending time with my daughters. Sometimes I don't see them for several weeks to a few months at a time....and this time, it wasn't about "THE FOOD"...it was about the visit.

I chose carefully, grilled shrimp, roasted veggies and rice pilaf. I ate it all, left about 1/4 of the rice, and then ate my husband's grilled veggies because he didn't want them....and I hated to see nice roasted veggies go to waste.

I always told my kids, that everything in life is a learning experience...and today it was my turn to 'learn'...

Sunday...Mother's Day, May 10

Well, despite my best efforts to apply points to yesterday's wonderful lunch at Anthony's Pier 4 in Boston..I'm not sure I can do it accurately.


Lunch consisted of:

• Frozen strawberry daiquiri (which I shared with my daughter Samantha...and yes she is over 21)
• Broiled bay scallops (heavenly!)
• baked potato (no sour cream or butter)
• Popover (steaming hot...mmm)
• 1/2 dinner roll
• 2 fried shrimp (from my husband's plate!)

Later:

• 1 piece of delicious Angel Food Cake and fresh fruit that my daughter Sara made for me.

When I got home :

• Toss salad
• and what we weight watchers call B.L.T's...bites, licks and tastes. I had a case of the munchies...but didn't over do. The scale will tell on Wednesday, though!

My husband and I did go to the gym before we went to Boston for lunch. Hopefully that will help.

The restaurant was wonderful...the scenery spectacular, and we had the best seats (not sure how we got so lucky). There was a sail boat race right outside our window!!

I received some beautiful flowers and a gift card to Red Lobster from my son and daughter-in-law. Sara and Samantha bought me flowers, funky eyeglasses, and a Cuisinart Hand Blender to make smoothies! When it comes to having wonderful children, I hit the 'kid lottery'...I am truly blessed. Thanks for a wonderful Mother's Day!

Water....

Water...plain ole water...
I've been trying to stay away from sugar free drink mixes and diet sodas. I started saving those for a 'treat'. Drinking water just doesn't "do it" for me, but I learned from a friend Shelly, Mom-Getting-Fit, to add fruit to the water to give it some flavor. I started with lemon and lime and realized...I don't care for lime! So I cut up a bunch of lemons and throw in a few chunks with my ice water. I also find that if I drink through a straw, I will drink more than drinking from a glass. Psychological, I'm sure...but whatever works. This container holds 4 glasses of water and I can easily drink 2 full bottles a day. I had to replace my other bottles because they didn't fit in the treadmill cup holder at the gym.

Saturday morning ...

I can't believe I'm actually going to say this...but I enjoy going to the gym. (Looking up to make sure the sky isn't going to fall on me for saying that!)

I have gone every day...faithfully for two weeks (except on Easter Sunday...the hours at the gym were cut down and I couldn't get there and still entertain 16 family members.)

I feel my arms getting a little stronger and my legs are sore...all good signs. My clothes is definitely feeling looser and I ordered a pair of size 16 pants from LL Bean. I'm sure they'll be too small..but I will hang them in the bedroom where I can see them until I can actually wear them -- which hopefully will be by early June.

I'm making good use of my new pedometer and the past two days have logged in over 15,000 steps...that's over 5 miles of walking during the course of the day. Yesterday, my husband and I took our dog for a 3+ mile walk...exactly 1 hour and 35 seconds. Dog and I were both tired after that!! Husband...not so much...he's 8 inches taller than me so if he walks at my pace, it isn't much of a workout for him.

I hinted to my daughters that I'd like a Magic Bullet for Mother's day so I can make smoothies. I don't have a blender and really no great need for one or the room to leave it out....but the Magic Bullet would be ideal!