Lillie Van Buskirk-Jackson .......... BLOG .......... See Photos Below

Busy, but not forgotten 

I have been so busy, but I apologize for not posting in so long.  Still was on my roller-coaster trip up until two weeks ago.  I finally lost 2 weeks in a row 0 1.2 pounds per week.  Pretty awesome.  I'm sure it has to do with the fact that we started walking every night when I get home from work.  I'm still trying to get more exercise in even though it's hard with working (and being away from home travel time) for almost 12 hours a day.  Still trying to fit some exercise in at lunch time at work.  I know that will help.  Made it through Thanksgiving with not too much trouble.  We feed the homeless so fortunately for me we had no leftovers to speak of.  We make 2 meals each for us for the holiday and the next day making sure the portions are correct.  That makes it so much easier than guessing.  Well, closing for now....trying to get caught up on other things as well as the blog with the days off I have right now.  May God Bless your Christmas and coming new year,    Will post again sooner.........promise.

Better late than never!!! 

Still going through my ups and downs.  Fluctuating around the 60 pound lost mark.  My work schedule is a 12 hour day with 2-3 hours on the road every day.  Thanks to my weight watchers meeting last night, we figured out a way to get at least some exercise in during the day .  I started today.  I have about 10 minutes after eating lunch, so I started walking around our building at work.  It really felt good.  Going to try to get in another 10-15 minute walk after I get home.  At least it's a start.  I really appreciate all the encouragement and ideas I get at my meetings.  Our leader is very good at encouraging us and coming up with helpful ideas.  Thanks to all the members that come too.  Between all of us, we encourage, help, and stand up for each other.   I love weight watchers.

Need To Get Back On Track 

Well, after being sick for 3 weeks and having to follow the "Montezuma's Revenge" diet, I gained 3 lbs.    Now that I'm feeling better and don't have to restrict to that diet, I am back on my Weight Watcher's program and getting it going again.  Need to put the exercise back in also.  Could not leave the house except to go to the doctor which basically put a stop to exercising.  Getting the program going again and getting back on "TRACK".  Looking forward to losing it all again and getting down to my goal.  Still need to lose but we're on the right track and looking forward to the goal line.

I have been neglectful. Sorry! 

I have been fighting a battle since my last post.  UP and DOWN, UP and DOWN, staying the same, etc, etc.   My highest loss in weight was 68.4 lbs.  and currently at last weigh in was 61.4 lbs.  Still working the program.  Need to figure out how to get the exercise in more because I get up at 4am and get home at 4:15 pm.  That doesn't leave much time for exercise BUT I need to get it in.     We all go through times when things get rough and we don't think we can do it.  I've been fighting illness for the last 3 weeks but still trying to work the program as best I can.  Tomorrow or Thursday I will do my next weigh in and get it back together.  Praying that God will help me work out the time and a program to get the exercise program going again.  I know that will turn the tide so I need to get it done.  I spend 2 to 2 1/2 hours on the road to work and back every day Monday through Friday.  I wish there was a way to get that much time to exercise.  Would be very helpful if I could.   So until next post, KEEP WORKING THE PROGRAM AND THE PROGRAM WILL WORK!!!

STILL WORKING IT 

Gained a couple pounds again last week.  Really have to realize that I CANNOT use the weekly points allocated on this program without putting in a lot of exercise time.  My schedule right now is not allowing that extra workout time so results are  showing up on the scale.  It seems like a very busy schedule makes you hungrier than other times.  I just need to buckle down and get with it.

"PIGGING OUT" IS NOT A GOOD THING 

Well, this last week I "pigged out" and used some of my weekly points and not just my daily allowance.  Still within the plan, but as for me - I know better.  If I use the weekly points, I almost always add a little weight.  If I stay within my daily allowance and DON'T use my weekly allowance, I can lose.  So we're still going through the ups and downs.  I need to just buckle down and stop using the weekly points like I have in the past and get back on the losing side.  So what it really comes down to for me is that if I want to use my weekly allowance, I need to exercise more to counteract the extra points.  Most of the time it is not worth it to me to have to do the extra workout when I can just eat some more "no point" foods instead. 

I did really good during the holidays and stayed on plan and stayed losing.  Just too much temptation this last week, I guess.  Need to stay focused on what my goal is and quit getting detoured.  The cookie was really not worth it.  But it did taste good, I have to admit.  But what I need to look at is was it worth using 5 points of my daily allowance of 26?  It really wasn't if I seriously think about it.  That is what I need to do.  Seriously think about it before I eat it.

Being really busy right now probably doesn't help but I need to really take the time to get organized again.  Start prepacking lunch and snacks so I don't get in a hurry and take too much.  Every extra gram counts.  I used to sit at lunch on Monday and get the whole week organized.  Not doing that now and that is probably the problem.  Need to get back in the routine so it will go better for me.  Need to get back to the gym also instead of just walking.  Need to get that exercise in so results will be better.

So til next time - Keep looking for the good and keep looking forward to the goal.



 

UPS AND DOWNS, BUT STILL GOING 

Well, Christmas came and went and so did New Year's.  2013 is here and I'm still working the plan.  We have had a lot of people join my meeting night since January 1st.

December 20th was my last weigh in day before my last blog and at that point in time I had lost a total of 66.6 pounds since July 2011.  Weight Watchers tells us that as long as we lose 1/2 to 2 pounds a week, we are doing good.  This gives your body a chance for the skin to shrink while it is shrinking.  And of course, exercise helps to tighten it up also. 

Anyway I had a family meeting so I missed December 27 weigh in but the next week (January 3) I lost another pound.  That is pretty exciting to lose1/2 pound per week during the holidays and is really considered good.  Since then the next week I gained, but last night lost it back plus some.  My total weight lose now is 68.4 pounds.

I have really been trying to follow the plan becasue if you don't, you will surely fail.  And I don't plan on failing.  I have come too far to go back now.    I have 31.6 pounds more to go to reach my goal of 100 pounds lost.  And I don't plan on finding them again.  My plan is to stay on plan and going into my retirement years to be fit and skinny and stay that way.

So for all of you out there looking to lose weight, just remember - YOU CAN DO IT!!

And as my last leader used to tell us:  Kiss last week good-bye and start again on the right track.

I plan on taking some new pictures soon so everyone can see the before and after difference so far.

Christmas Update 

Sorry that it's been a month since I posted.  I've been on and up and down cycle of loss and gain.  Been busy on home computer projects so I haven't been exercising like I was and like I should.  My journey for the last month is:  11/24 lost total 67.6 lbs, 11/29 gained .4 lbs, 12/8 lost 1.2 lb, 12/15 gained 1.6 lbs, 12/20 gained .2 lbs.  Mostly an upward cycle which means the exercise was really helping.  Also found out during this time that I cannot use any of my activity points or extra weekly points without doing EXTRA exercise.  I always seem to gain if I use anything but the daily allowance of points even with exercising.  I have lost a total now of 66.6 lbs.   I want to reach 100 pounds lost and I will continue to work at it until I get it accomplished.  I saw some people today that hadn't seen me in several months and boy were they surprised at how much thinner I look.  I was very proud of the success I have had thus far, but I am not finished.  I will stay the course, and cross the finish line of my goal with great joy.  Will try to post some up-to-date pictures so you can actually see the success I have had with my weight loss journey.

WORKING TOWARD MY GOAL!! 

Sorry I have been neglectful of my blog. Seems like we get so busy some time that time slips away without us realizing how long it's been since we connected. Since my last post I have been continuing to follow the program weight watchers gives us. Following is my progress since my last post: 10/25 gained 1.8 pounds, 11-1 lost 1 pound, 11/8 lost .8 pounds, 11/15 lost 1.6 pounds, and today lost .8 pounds. Not too bad considering it is the holidays. Keeping on track with what I eat and trying not to overdue with all the goodies available this time the of year. The key is to set you plate with what you KNOW you should be eating, not what you want to eat. Today at our meeting one of the members said she had slipped and not attended meetings for two weeks because she knew she had blown it. She got back on track and was there today because she got a post card from Weight Watchers which said "Don't give up what you really want the most for what you want right now"! What a statement. That is exactly what we need to remember during this holiday season. Eat the good stuff, but eat in moderation. Don't overdue it. Get a smaller amount so you don't feel like you are missing out on the "GOOD STUFF".

Just remember to count everything you eat, and give up what you know is NOT WORTH IT!! Get GOOD snacks to replace the cheese and crackers, and chips and dips. Substitute veggie and fruit trays and lower calorie items. Be prepared for parties by eating something before you go so you aren't hungry and tempted by all the appetizers that might be there. To make it appear you are having a good time, substitute your "drink" for some diet 7up mixed with a little cranberry juice - or - crystal light has a lot of non-alcohohlic drinks so you get the flavor without the calories. Think before you drink. Alcohol has a lot of calories. As for me, I'd rather have a small piece of pie than a drink. I would enjoy that a lot more.  But if you really want a glass of wine or drink, remember to count the cost.

Today we did a typical thanksgiving day snack and meal. I am allowed 26 points on the program. A typical snack and meal including cheese & crackers, melba toast and guacamole, turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, glass of wine and pecan pie was 84 points. That's 3 1/2 days allowance. OUCH!!! No wonder the holidays are when we usually gain weight.

I'm weighing and/or measuring everything I put in my mouth. I even ate some M&M Cookies the other day. Boy were they good. Counted them in my daily total but it was really a nice treat.

Getting my exercise in.  Some days better than others but evrey bit of exercise helps.  Getting some during lunch at work and then walking when I get home.  Going to start the stomach exercise this week. 

Anyway back to the progress part - I have now lost a total of 67.6 pounds and counting. Looking forward to reaching my goal. Another 32.8 pounds to go. It's been a journey but I am looking forward to reaching my goal. NEVER GIVE UP!!

I MADE IT, WHOO HOO!!! 

Checked in at my weight watchers meeting and lost 1.4 pounds.  My total weight loss now is 65.4 lbs   AND COUNTING.    Looking forward to the new and skinnier me.  Back on track.  Hopefully this will keep up and I won't go back to losing only .2 pounds.   But even then I kept hanging in there and continuing to work the program.  That is always the key.  DON'T GIVE UP!!!  Things may not look like they are progressing, but even though the weight loss seems slow, inches still count.  Sometimes you will lose inches even though the weight loss is not as much.  Keep working the program and the program will work.  WOW~~~65 pounds.   Like our leader tonight said - that's a 50 pound bag of potatoes and three 5 pound bags of sugar.   Anyone out there can do this if you just set you mind to it.  You need to be goal focused and you will make it.  Don't let people discourage you or influence you to do what you know you shouldn't do - like eating the wrong things.  Fast Food especially is not good.  The majority of it is all HIGH CALORIE food.  Try to keep as far away from it as you can.  The more you cook your own food and be careful what you do eat out, the better you will do on the program.  So, on that note, we'll talk to again soon.  Be encouraged!!  YOU CAN DO IT!!!