I feel like Porky Pig (Wilma)

Hello there. Now Betty calm the BEEP down! LOL! I wasn't feeling good for part of the week and yes, I agree, we both need to record our struggles, thoughts and progress. So, here's a summary version of what happened this week and I'm SURE the scale is gonna show it..

MON - started feeling shitty. Sinuses, headaches, sore throat. Ate good that day but my stomach was upset all day.
TUE - stayed home from work, didn't eat a whole lot. We baked a frozen pizza for dinner. 12" pie - I only had two of the eight slices (and that's one hell of a record for me!) Went to the doc, sinus and ear infection (NO WONDER!!), got meds.
WED - stayed home, slept ALOT. Did some munching. Noone cooked this week so far and I'm still feeling like shit so I'm not interested in cooking. Wendys! (I know! I know!) I got a crispy chix sandwich, small fries and mandarin oranges.
THU - Went back to work. (10 hrs) - on the way home I knew I needed to get some food in me. Hubby wanted to just go grab something once we got home, but I knew that would be a disaster. So, instead we chose a rotisserie chicken, made rice and beans with it. I had a mug full of Key Lime Pie Frozen Yogurt.
FRI - Worked 2nd shift to help out - all the way to work I was talking myself OUT of stopping at Taco Bell and almost made it (ALMOST) - ran thru the drive thru and got a chicken quesadilla and a soft taco. Lordy it's been a bad week!
SAT - Okay, here we are. Ate the appropriate breakfast, never had lunch, but we went for an early dinner at Ruby Tuesdays (Gift Card). Got, the Tilapia meal with brown rice and broccoli. We got a 'dinner for two' so we split a Spring Roll appetizer and I got the salad bar. I was FULL after the salad and appetizer - so I took a few bites of my fish & broccoli and had them pack up the rest to bring home.

I'm sure I won't be happy with the results tomorrow. - Wilma..

WILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLMMAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

This is getting boring just coming on here and reading my own yammering!! We need to have a good record of BOTH of our progress, thoughts, struggles, etc., so that we can look back in a year at where we started and how far we've gone!

Looking forward to tomorrow and going out to breakfast. This week has been relatively easy, from a food perspective, for me. The exercise effort, however, has stalled. Things just were too busy this week to even get enough sleep, let alone add anything else into the mix. It sucks, because now our free week passes have expired, and we still have no idea whether or not we would like going to that fitness center.

TGIF

Wilma and I were talking last night about how this time it seems easier to both of us. I know it's just the beginning, and I know we're both in for some hard times ahead, but I am feeling really good about it.

I need to start getting some exercise, though, and that is a bit tougher. One of the other goals I have this year is to get myself healthier with respect to finances, which is very attainable, but will involve working a lot of hours. That leaves very little time for anything else. So, that will be something that I have to give some considerable thought to over the next few weeks - how to incorporate a reasonable exercise plan into an already overcrowded schedule.

Tuesday Jan 27th

I feel like I'm settling into a routine. I'm eating the same thing for breakfast almost every day, but that's okay, because I like it and it's very healthy for me. Yesterday I didn't have time to post anything, and I also didn't have time to eat anything for dinner, ending up with less than 1000 calories for the day. I know that's not good - but I honestly didn't have time to make anything when I got home from work and was up until 2am finishing up my other work. I'm hoping that today works out a little better in that respect.

I know Wilma was not feeling well yesterday, and I hope she feels better today.

WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO FOR WILMA!!!!

I am SO PROUD of Wilma!! A loss of nearly 5 pounds is wonderful! I don't think she should feel it's any less of an accomplishment than mine - hell, I weighed over ONE HUNDRED POUNDS more than her, so I have way more to lose! She's absolutely right - it is all about making changes, which we're doing and will continue to do as we go forward.

Bam-Bammette and I stopped at the local fitness center today to get a quick tour and info about memberships. We got a few 1-week guest passes to use till next weekend, and we're going to give it a try this week to see if we like it and how convenient (or not) it is. I would like to say that we'll just start by taking walks, but since we live in the Northeast and it's the middle of winter, I will have to be honest in saying that the last thing I feel like doing is taking a walk in the dark in cold/snow/etc. So, we'll see how this goes - perhaps we'll do a month-to-month membership for a few months and see what progress we can make, then take a break over the summer if we think that will work for us....

Weigh In Day (Wilma)

New Weight: 274.2
Pounds Lost: 4.8
Pounds to Reach Goal: 37

Um.. Of course I just read Betty's loss and I feel my results don't match up to her. I feel inadequate, frankly, but I’m just going to move forward. I started walking a ½ mile in the evenings and for both walks on the weekends with my dogs because I have more time then and I’m still taking them for a short walk in the morning. I’m also going to try to start incorporating some exercise here at the house in the evening. (Instead of planting my fat ass in front of the tv and this fucking computer every night!) Betty did great this week! I know she’s very happy and that major loss in the beginning is a huge push to keep going. I’m not unhappy with my results as it is a decent amount, but it sure would have been nice to see a big chunk like she did! OH WELL – moving on to week 2, right? While this is a competition, it’s really more about the changes we are making in our lives to get healthier and the thing you always here is everything in moderation.. So… there you have it.

Oh! And PS.. When Betty told me about Bam-Bammette’s intention to join in - WHOOO HOOOO! I’m really happy to hear that!

Okay, time to run some errands. - Wilma out!

Day Seven (Betty)

New Weight: 372
Pounds Lost: 12
Pounds to Reach Goal: 46

I'm happy about it, but know it won't be that much (by far) from here on out. Love the first week, though :)

I'm hoping that Wilma sees a result for the first week that she's happy with. We were chatting last night and she said she was afraid that she wasn't going to see much of a difference. I think she will see something, but regardless, we're working through this process together and we'll continue to make changes and learn as we go.

Today's my day off and I'm heading out for Sunday breakfast!

Day Six (Betty)

I'm enjoying this. I really think this is going to be the one - the healthy eating plan that actually works for me, once and for all. I feel very committed and positive about it, after that first day of letting the situation sink in. It's easy for me to plan meals, since I do enjoy a lot of foods that really are good for me. My main trouble has always been carbs, but there are a lot of carbs that are better for you - ones that contain a lot of fiber - than others ... choosing beans over potatoes is good and I like them (almost) as much, it's just a matter of changing habits. I CAN DO THIS.

I'm glad that Wilma and I are committed to doing this together. And today, my daughter, Bam-Bammette has decided that she wants to jump on the bandwagon as well, which I am very happy about. We'll have our own little Diet Tribe, the three of us! :)

Day Five (Betty)

Another fairly good day. I'm not feeling overly hungry, which is a GOOD thing. Sunday is going to be my day off - my day to eat what I want and not record anything. I've done this in the past, and it's something that really helps me stay motivated. I believe that it's possible to fit just about anything into a daily food plan, if you balance the rest of your day. However, it's good to have a day away from it all, too. Plus, same concept as not giving in to impulse purchases. Put it on a list, think about it for a few days, and sometimes the urge passes...

Peeking, hmmm? LOL! That's okay - we agreed that if you wanted to, you could. I think you are right, Betty! We have to learn how to incorporate regular foods into our lifestyle. So, today because I skidded off the track (again) a little - when out for my evening walk, I jogged parts of it to get my heart rate up! :=) Then I ate a nice high protein salad for dinner. I'm sleepy. I'm sure I'll be off to bed soon. I think I'm going to have to use that website Betty is always talking about - to record my food. We'll see.

Day Four (Betty)

Wilma thinks she was a little bad... I don't think she was bad at all. We HAVE to eat regular foods and find a way to balance, which I think she did a GREAT job with doing!

As for me, I had a good day, besides still feeling sick and staying home for a second day in a row. I don't even want to look at my paycheck next week... Oh well. I'm feeling weak and can't completely get rid of a headache. I didn't eat enough but I've been busy with other work here at home (when all I wanted to do was lie on the sofa and nap!), so now here it is almost 11PM and I know it's no good to eat a bunch of food right before going to bed.

I peeked at the scale today.... I KNOW! I SAID I WAS GOING TO TRY NOT TO! I couldn't help myself... But I CAN keep that info to myself until Sunday, when it will hopefully change even more!

Betty

Wilma here! I was bad today! Well, not REALLY bad, just a little bad and funny thing is I don't even really feel guilty and here's why. Today the boss bought us all lunch - greek food! Mmmmm! So, I was looking and looking on the menu and couldn't find anything I felt would be decent for me to eat (we have a price limit) so I was just going to pass on the free lunch. Then I spotted the Pastitsio and took a little trip back to memory lane when I had tried it (and loved it!) a few years back. So.. A friend of mine and I decided to split the order! It came with rice/greek salad/pita bread. We ordered an additional side salad (which frankly was HUGE) and split the order. She took the greek salad and I ate the garden salad. I was SOOOO full and I only ate half the order! Now everything else in my day went according to plan and tonight I'm having a big salad and no additional carbs so I'm feeling proud! Proud that I didn't just say, fuck it and eat a whole order myself and proud I didn't eat anything else outside of my food plan today (and believe me, there is plenty of candy, cookies, etc floating around at work!) Don't be too mad at me Betty!! :=) --- Wilma, out!

Day Three (Betty)

I was sick today, and stayed home from work. Normally, this would have been a free pass to hoover everything that wasn't nailed down. Instead, I behaved myself - no Thai lunch at my local Thai lunch buffet, no stops at the fast food drive-thrus, didn't even spend too much time foraging around in the kitchen. I'm patting myself on the back today about this, because I know that one of these days I might not have as much willpower. But in the meantime, I'll take the small success.

I really want to see a big change on the scale Sunday morning (which, we've decided, will be our weigh-in day). I'm going to try not to get on the scale too much in between the actual weigh-ins, but it's hard to avoid it when you know you're having a good week, especially at the beginning, when you lose that giant puddle of water weight (hopefully).

That's all for today! Betty

Day Two (Betty)

I'm feeling better than yesterday. I have been eating well for two days (woo hoo!) and drinking a lot of water... I want to have a really good first week - that will give me that much more motivation to continue!

I am proud of Wilma. She completed a CVS trip and didn't buy anything besides the prescriptions she went there to fill! That's an accomplishment!!

I was reminded today about the importance of moving forward and looking to the future. Wise words, and a good way to approach any new venture, whether it is moving a country OR the scale needle in the right direction!

Boy! I'm exhausted! I don't know why, I think I might be fighting off some cooties I may have picked up from work! I ate well today. Although my lunch didn't sit well - it tasted and smelled funny to me for some reason. Could be the cootie thing I guess. I had a great big salad for dinner tonight and then I cut up a giant apple and ate that. I have a late night snack attack problem so I need to curb that! Last night I snacked (albeit healthy stuff) late at night. I was considering walking the ramps in the parking garage today at lunch. I thought it would be good exercise (there are three levels) and it would add to my already scheduled daily Dino walks morning/evening. They are very short though and we've been doing those for a while so I need step it up. I'm finding the idea of exercise a little daunting though. Well one step at a time, right?
PS - I'm worried about Betty. I know she's upset about this situation, but we are in this together and I hope she knows I will be there for her and I know she will be there for me! - Wilma.

Still Day 1 for Betty

After having 8 or 9 hours to sit and think about how fat I am, and being completely overwhelmed by the prospect of starting this process, and feeling like a giant LOSER (!), I am shaking off my mood because I just received a supportive text from Wilma reminding me that we're going to do this together. And I believe her.

I'm using http://www.fitday.com/ to track my food intake. I find it is a helpful tool and forces me to record everything that goes in. I've had a great day, food-wise, so far... I'm hungry now though and I need to go find something in the kitchen to fit into my plan.

I had planned to join WW this week, and I still might do so, but I am contemplating working with fitday for a few weeks first. The times I've been most successful with losing weight I've used fitday (and worked out regularly - but that is a whole different issue that I will face, too... baby steps here), so I know it can work...

Day 1 for Betty

OH MY GOD. Maybe this is what it is like for a drug addict when they hit rock bottom... That moment when they know there is no other alternative than to make serious, life-altering changes. I can't believe it myself, but the scale said 384. It pains me to type that almost as much as it probably pained my scale to have my giant ass balancing on it. Sadly, at that level, I can't even be sure if it is completely accurate. However, that is the number I am going with and I am moving forward from this second on...

Now I'm even more excited and motivated to get it moving. Something's gotta give!!

Starting weight: 384
First goal (15%): 57.6 (let's just round that up to 58)

Betty

P.S. At least it's no longer a mystery why certain feats - i.e. putting my socks back on, etc. - have become Olympic events!

Day 1 for Wilma.

279.

That's my magic number! And it says that I have a lot of weight to lose, but we're taking this one step at a time so I'm hoping that I can keep up. I just ate breakfast: oatmeal w/honey and two hardboiled eggs. I have an appt today which will probably take up most of my day so I'm going to pack some food. I'm tired this morning. Hopefully that will pass.

Weight: 279.0
1st Goal: 237.2 (15% loss by mid April.)

-Wilma

Last night! What can I eat?!

Okay, it's my last night! It's like right before you get married, you know? You wanna have one last hoorah (if you're a guy of course, women don't think like that!) and I'm trying to figure out what my last hoorah will consist of. Considering it's getting later and later - I'd better make my choice soon, huh? I am excited about this. That sentence didn't really reflect it though. But it's true! I'M ACTUALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS!! I'm really hoping that by our second goal date - I will be well on my way to making myself a healthier, happier, more active adult! Today I went to an event where I had to climb steps up and down, up and down! I felt like an 80 year old!! It's insane for me to have more trouble than the elderly people around me! I was watching that DietTribe show - I gotta tell you, I really think it's true that you hide behind your weight. Sure, there are genetics and lifestyles that play a part, but ultimately, I am hiding behind my weight. I hope that journaling my experience will help me deal with whatever it is I'm hiding from. I was just commenting to Betty how in 6 months I hope to start running. I started once before but my weight is a factor and by then I hope to have good chunk off of me! (Get your money ready, Betty!) LOL!! So, let's get this going! I'm going to bed VERY late tonight to prolong the agony of having to wake up tomorrow morning and weigh myself! I'm sure the dinosaur scale (get it? Flintstones) will be screaming and I'll be crying but I have to face the truth! Tune in tomorrow for the big reveal of our posted weights. OY! I'm skeered! - Wilma!

Ahhh.... the last minute preparations for tomorrow's start of the Healthy Eating plan... baking chicken, planning easy meals to grab and go, and getting rid of the leftover Cinnabons sitting on the counter. (Feel free to make your own assumptions about how I took care of them.) We are starting this project not a moment too soon, I concluded after having trouble bending over far enough to put my socks back on my feet after a mid-afternoon pedicure...

Alright, so here we are. Wilma (my BEST friend) and I have been at the beginning of this particular road many times before, but this time has to be different. And we're not going to dwell on the past, but instead, look forward to the future. We're thinking through our goals and incentives for reaching these goals. I need my best friend around for when we're both old and gray - we have some hijinks and shenanigans in mind for when we're in our golden years - and if we keep shoveling garbage into the old pie holes at the rate we're going, I'm afraid we won't make it there (or if we do, we won't be able to make the most of it!!). So let's get this started!! Betty

Embarking on a new adventure!

Well - my friend (Betty) and I (Wilma) are about to embark on a very serious, necessary challenge to lose weight for our health and emotional well being. This is very hard for both of us, as we can only support each other through the web because we live 1200 mi apart and we both are weak when it comes to just 'grabbing whatever' to deal with our hunger. We're going to log our progress, emotions, whatever, as we go through. If you follow this, that's great, but it's not for the readers, it's for us!

Wish us luck! (we're gonna need it) - Wilma & Betty.

About Betty

So, about me. I'm in my early 40s. I struggled a little during high school and the years right afterwards with my weight, but it was never out of control to this point (I hovered around 180-200 during most of that time, sometimes under that, once I went over that). I met and married my husband, from whom I am now separated, in the early 90s. When I met him I weighed right around 200. In that first year of being with him, I went through a litany of life-changing events and ended up about 60 pounds heavier, then another 60 pounds heavier when I had my daughter in the following year. I've never been able to take off all the weight since then. A few times I managed to take off a substantial chunk, but it was never complete and never lasted.

I don't know, really, why I've never been able to get it all off or keep it off. I am sure it is a combo of reasons with a dose of self-sabotage thrown in for good measure. All I know, though, is that in my mind's eye, I am NOT a fat person, and seeing myself in the mirror even now, after all these years, shocks me. I loathe pictures of myself and avoid social situations because of my weight. It's a sorry state of affairs. And so it's time to do something about it for good.

I have, in the past, tried almost every "diet" you can think of and have even considered weight-loss surgery. A friend of mine had that surgery and she said she would NOT do it if she had to do it all over again. I concluded, after a long, long period of consideration, that it wasn't the right thing for me. I have to do this on my own, for myself, and according to my own standards. (With the help and encouragement of Wilma, of course!)

I have a very long way to go, but that's okay. I'll make it, because I have to, for my health, both physical and mental! I don't want to go through the rest of my life being limited because of my weight and it's just time to change - NOW.

ABOUT WILMA

I'm Wilma - I'm in my late 30's heading straight for my 40's and getting more and more worried about my health! I've struggled with weight issues all my life. I can only remember being "thin" for very short periods of time and I could never keep it off. Obesity runs on both sides of my family and the women all have struggled. My sisters are in the same boat. I've spent a lifetime dieting and I'm done with that. I refuse to deprive myself all the time just to lose a bunch of weight only to not learn my lesson and gain it all back when I'm not looking! I'm to a point where I'm doing it for my health and to feel better about myself. It's not as important to me how I look to others. But if I feel good and am taking good care of myself, it will show externally and that'll just be the icing on the cake (nice metaphor, huh!?). I'm married and have been for a long time, to the love of my life and thankfully he's never critical of my weight issues. I spend alot of time indoors but live in a sunny, warm place year round and don't enjoy it for what it is, the way I should! My weight issues hold me back from doing alot of things and I'm not going to go another year regretting not doing things because of it. So my goal is 135. My starting weight was 279 - that's ALOT of weight but I'm making changes, not just dieting so it may take me some time. I hope I can hang in there...