Perking Along, Hot 100 Update

Thanks to all of you for your encouraging comments re my last post.  I was a little discouraged in face of my plateau, but Karen got it right in seeing through to my optimism.  I still know I'm going to do this.
That said, I did have a rocky couple of days here, perhaps "changing it up a little" from my toe-the-line diet and exercise regimen of recent weeks.  A little bit of exercise and a few "splurges" diet wise.  Enough of that.  Starting with dinner tonight (my crock pot osso bucco) I'm back on the wagon.

To help focus on this, I've include a couple of pix:  The first is from 2006, the second from earlier this month.  The difference is 40+ pounds.  I see it most in my face.  Also in my forlorn hope that wearing all black would give me that "slim look" I was hoping for.  [The curl to my hair must be applied daily and is not a function of my weight!] Am I the only one who buys things in two sizes??  The one that fits, and the one that I hope will be my size later?  I loved that blouse and am glad that I have it in a size that fits me now, too.

Here's my Hot 100 Update:

My goals:

1. Reach my goal weight by Jan 1st by following the WW CORE plan, weigh & record my weight each morning, attend weekly WW meetings.
2. Exercise at least 6 out of 7 days with varied exercise including at least 2 strength workouts and 3 cardio workouts each week averaging 60 minutes per session.
3. Keep my house and my body chocolate free.  This includes dark chocolate, chocolate chips, chocolate candy bars and any baked goods that have chocolate in them.

How I did:

1. I attended my WW meeting which confirmed my suspicion that I am stuck on a plateau.  I will continue to eat on the CORE plan and WI every morning and attend my meetings and hope that I (or my weight, anyway) falls over the edge of the plateau soon.
2. Yes.  This is done, though cardio was harder to keep up with as my running was blocked by my hurt toe.  I am going to try to resume running tomorrow morning.
3. Fail.  Chocolate was one of the splurges I had today.  Steve encouraged us to modify our goals, and I am going to take his advice and modify this goal to allow myself 1 oz of chocolate per day.  I kept up the ban for 5 weeks, but I think having this moderate amount daily will help me outlast this weight loss plateau and the upcoming celebration season.

Friday Fly By, Progress Pix

I can't believe how hard I've been working today.  We're hosting a party for our choir on Sunday and are working hard at getting everything ship shape.  I've cleaned the outside grill (DH took it apart and cleaned the unit, I attacked all the removable pieces and scrubbed through a ton of built up gook.  I've cleaned the oven, cleared out and cleaned the fridge, taken apart and cleaned all the crystals on our chandelier, dealt with the inspector and the realtor about our final list of contingencies on the house we're buying, arranged for the handyman to fix the two holes in the drywall from last weekend's flood, and just finished the second scrub of the kitchen floor before the polish coats go back on.   I'm pooped.  Tonight's 15 mile bike ride will be downright relaxing!

Last night on our way to the gym, we stopped at the bike store and I chose fancy pedals that will attach to my fancy bike shoes so I, too, can ride more efficiently--after I learn to stop without falling off the bike.  DH has the day off (yes, he's been working hard around the house today, too) and took my bike and shoes by so that they're all set for me to try them out on our ride tonight.  I'm excited.  Thank you all so much for your input re bike shoes & pedals.  It really did help me make up my mind to do this.

We almost never go out to eat anymore (except my weekly lunch with BFF right after our WW meeting).  We just might go out tonight though (in the interest of keeping the sparkling kitchen floor, stove and fridge sparkling a bit longer).  There's a cute little place in Old Town (Alexandria)  that makes an awesome caprese salad and that serve a nice Italian pizza--Jay's favorite.  That sounds really good to me.  I'm sure I can probably talk DH into it!

I want to be able to get in my run tomorrow morning, so I'd better get back to slaving away on the house for a couple more hours today.  I hope to be able to spend a little time here tonight and also tomorrow. Welcome to my new readers and followers!  I still get excited when I see that people are actually coming to my page and reading what I write.

About time for some progress pix:

at my highest weight, 218 pounds

at my current weight, 185