Dotti's Weight Loss Zone - Dotti's Return to Goal

The greatest thing you have is the 24 hours in front of you.
The past is gone; the future is distant.
Today you CAN succeed.
Set a goal you can achieve in the next 24 hours.

February 8, 2004 - Here it is February already! Where does the time go? In a couple more months we will be heading to our 4th DWLZ Conference/Reunion in Edmonton, Canada! How exciting. I am steadily losing my extra pounds from quitting smoking and it feels great to be in control again. I'm keeping up with my exercise and it feels great. My womans bowling league continues to be a great source of fun and entertainment. We have this 89 year old who just makes me all warm and toasty inside! I want to be like her when I grow up - walking, laughing, bowling and just having a grand ole time! That is what this Journey is all about - healthy body and feeling great in all ways!

Al and I have had a busy month in January. Al's step-dad was brought up here to Portland, OR by ambulance from Roseburg (3 hour trip) for some medical tests. He is not doing well with all his medical problems. He was in the hospital here for about 10 days and then moved to a rehab center here in Vancouver, WA near our house so Mom could stay with us. He did not like it (who would) and was very uncooperative. He is now back in Roseburg at a rehab center there. He cannot walk and is doing very poorly. It has been very stressful on Al, I and his Mom. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers! Thanks!

I'm so sorry I've been absent from the boards most of this time. Al always trys to post and check in on the Men's Forum so you can usually find out how or where I am by checking there (all my close friends do!) when I've been away from the boards for a bit! :)

I have many updates to do and will be trying to get to them in the next week or so - please be patient with me. I am the ONLY one who updates/works on my webpage, DWLZ.com. The restaurant section is a full-time job!

I would like to thank all of you for your kind, supportive emails. They mean the world to me. Creating DWLZ.com has been such a blessing to me and I hope it has been for you too!

Success is...achieved and maintained by those who try - and keep trying.

ø¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°GOOD LUCK EVERYONE°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸ø

January 7, 2004 - I'd like to start this update with saying THANK YOU to all who have been so supportive as I struggle to find my way back to goal! I really appreciate your support and help along the way. I am trying to always remember that Success is a Journey, not a Destination. It helps me to remember that there are different roads of this Journey and at times we find ourselves on these side roads. It does not mean we have failed; it means we have become lost and must always work to getting back on the right road of our Journey! You are NEVER a failure if you are on your Journey, no matter what road you are on! Sooner or later you WILL find your way back. In the meantime you need to soak up all the info you can find to help you back. You also need to continue to surround yourself with others on our Journey. I have found that by helping others on this Journey helps us in more ways that I can say. So...never, never consider yourself a failure. You are a winner and a success because you have NOT given up!

I haven't updated much since June as there hasn't been much to say concerning my Journey. I topped out at 189 lbs and since December 13th I have been OP and on Track. I never gave up my dream of getting back to goal. Some might say I failed because I gained about 40 lbs but I'm a SUCCESS because I still lost 60 lbs and kept it off all the while quitting a 2.5-3 pack a day smoking habit. 3 months after quitting smoking I had knee surgery! Life sent me on a couple side roads but I have now finally found my way back! I thank all of you for not giving up on me!

I signed up with a Personal Trainer at the gym and she is a fantastic trainer. I would highly recommend her (for anyone in the Portland/Vancouver area her name is Margaret Browning, 360-514-8381). I've been getting in a half hour on the Elliptical and an hour or so with my trainer 3 times a week; when my training sessions are done I will continue on my own. I bowl once a week and try to walk with Al once a week (or the gym).

My weight loss is moving right along and I plan to continue on downwards right back to goal. Will it be fast? Who knows, but I do know there is no race. I know by eating healthy, staying within my points, getting my exercise in and drinking my water that sooner or later I will be back at my Goal! "Do you like it enough to wear it?" is something I say to myself when I want something I KNOW is going to put me over Points! It works, most of the time! :)

I would also like to let you all know how nice it has been for Al and I to have our LeRoy back home with us. This was the first Christmas we have had LeRoy home in a very, very long time! It was so wonderful! We are indeed blessed.

Here's to a great 2004! We have our DWLZ 4 planned for Edmonton, Canada in May - you can read about it Here. I cannot wait to meet many new Zonies and see some of our friends we've already had the pleasure of meeting.

Success is...achieved and maintained by those who try - and keep trying.

ø¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°GOOD LUCK EVERYONE°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸ø

June 13, 2003 - I cannot believe it's been months since I've updated - a busy couple of months it was! We had a wonderful 3rd Annual DWLZ Conference here in Vancouver, Wa - Click Here for pics - A good time was had by all who attended.

As you can see from my Weight Graph I am still struggling with my weight. I still have NO focus and my concentration level is ZERO! The good thing is that I have not ONCE wanted to go back to smoking even though I've had my bad days - more than I care to remember. I NEVER want to go back to smoking up to 3 packs of cigarettes a day!

I'm trying to keep an eye on how much healthier I am and how much weight I have still kept off - about 70 lbs - nothing to sneeze at! Al and I have started the Coon Family Hiking Club - Click Here - where we take a new hike every weekend. It has been so much fun, gets us outside and we get plenty of exercise. This has helped me a lot in the exercise and mental health department! I am still bowling my weekly league and keeping my average in the 160's. I injured my left hip/leg somehow last month so I have been taking it easy at the gym - I'm trying to add it back in slowly.

I really don't have much else to say at this time except that I am keeping on the Journey and working it One Day at a Time. I know that sooner or later everything will "click" into place and I'll be back on my way down the road. I want to thank you all for always being there for me and for realizing that I'm just another Zonie on the Journey - I have my good days and my bad days; my ups and downs like everyone else. I always keep in mind that Success is a Journey NOT a Destination. It's a Journey I will be on the rest of my life and life has a way of taking twists and turns - I just happen to be on one of them now. Thank you for having FAITH in me as I find my way back. You are the greatest!

Success is...achieved and maintained by those who try - and keep trying.

ø¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°GOOD LUCK EVERYONE°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸ø

March 27, 2003 - Well, guess it's about time to update everyone again on how I'm doing on my Healthy Non-Smoking Journey! I have decided to continue on with my Monthly Graph even though I seem to be in a maintaining mode right now. I have continued to be a Healthy Non-Smoker since I quit on May 20, 2002. I am still having problems with my concentration level. I'm sure in time that will improve. My metabolism has all but stopped since quitting smoking so I am working the Program in different ways to try and jolt it into submission! :) I have been faithfully exercising 3-4 times a week - 30-45 minutes on the Elliptical Machine and 20-30 minutes with weights. I also bowl my league once a week and maintain a 164 average! I've had a week here or there where I just didn't go to the gym but they are few in number!

As for Program - I'm doing very well in the water department and on most days I am keeping my Points within my range. Of course, I seem to have more of the "endless eating" days than I did before I quit smoking! It is something that is diminishing but is not gone yet - I most likely am still feeling a need for "something" and food seems to be the "something" at this time! Thank goodness I keep only OP foods in the house - makes the damage control a lot easier! I am saying, "Do you like it enough to wear it?" a LOT these days and I must tell you it works in most instances!

My weight seems to have leveled off at about 166 lbs - I go from 165 lbs - 167 lbs on any given day! My personal goal is to not go over 145 lbs. My Weight Watcher goal is 150 lbs. Both of these goals will be MINE again in time. I am trying to stay positive with the thought that RIGHT NOW I am healthier than I was at 145 lbs smoking 2-3 packs of cigarettes a day! I AM a SUCCESS and I will make it back down to my Goal again WITHOUT the cigarettes!

I want to thank you all for standing by me during this time and for the wonderful emails of support I have received! Thank you for your love and support and your friendship! I think the best gift we can give others on this journey is our knowledge, our experience and our SMILE! Knowing you are not alone on this journey makes it so much nicer!

Update on my son, LeRoy - He is now home with us and will be moving into an apt next week! He is actively looking for employment in the electronics/computer field. He was scheduled to get out of the Navy on March 31st and had enough leave to take terminal leave which took him off the USS Lincoln the beginning of March! I count my blessings every night that he was able to get out of the Navy as scheduled before the war started. LeRoy served for 2 years on the USS Kitty Hawk during 911 - he transferred to the USS Lincoln last year and was over there in Iraq waters since July 20th, 2002. My heart and prayers go out to all of our military fighting for our America.

We are almost ready for our 3rd Annual DWLZ Conference which is being held this year in my hometown of Vancouver, WA! How exciting! I cannot wait to see old friends and to meet new ones from DWLZ. We have almost 50 people attending this year! Stay tuned for all the photos!! We'll get them up as soon as we can!

A special note to all who are struggling with their Journey at this time - DON'T GIVE UP!!! You are NEVER a failure as long as you get up and keep on keeping on!

Success is...achieved and maintained by those who try - and keep trying.

ø¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°GOOD LUCK EVERYONE°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸ø

October 27, 2002 - Hi Everyone! I thought it was about time that I updated everyone about what was going on in my corner of the world. I have gotten many emails anxious for an update and I thank you so much for caring!

2002 has been a very busy year for me filled with good times and bad times, sickness & health - yep, it's called Life!

As you all know my son, LeRoy is in the US Navy and he was home on leave in January for over a month. I enjoyed that month with him so much and some great memories were made with quality time spent with each other. He was in the area until his 25th birthday, July 20th, when he left for yet another 6 month cruise (his last hopefully, saying that with my fingers crossed) to the troubled area. My heart aches for him at the same time I am so very proud of him. I miss him.

In February I fell in a parking lot and injured my left knee area. I missed a couple weeks of bowling but went on with the assumption it takes longer to heal as you get older. Wrong assumption! By the time I got back from our 2nd Conference in St. Louis I knew something was wrong with my knee. It just was not healing. Sure enough a MRI brought to life my worst fears - I had torn a cartilage in my knee and would need surgery to repair it. The surgery was done on August 8th and it is healing nicely.

In April Al and I took two weeks and drove to St. Louis for our 2nd Annual DWLZ Conference! What fun we had! We stopped at a very good friends house along the way, a fellow Zonie, Barbara (librarylady2) and spent a couple of days with her and her family. The Conference was awesome and it was so great seeing everyone we've been visiting with for over a year on the boards - old friends (from the 1st Conference) and new friends!

Not long after coming home I got word from my bowling teammate, Jean, on a Sunday night that a hypnotist for quitting smoking was going to be in town (right up the street from my house!). I had told myself at the beginning of the year that when the hypnotist comes I'm going, no matter what is going on in my life at the time. So, the next night, Monday, May 20th, Jean and I headed over to the hypnotist for the quit smoking session. I am happy to say that I am a HEALTHY, NON-SMOKER and have been since that visit with the hypnotist. It was the best thing I ever did for myself and my health, besides losing my 100+ pounds. (I had my last cigarette 5 Months 6 Days 10 Hours 12 Minutes 22 Seconds ago. Cigarettes not smoked: 6377 Money saved: $733.36)

I have to tell you this was not easy at times and still is hard now and then. When you have been a smoker you are always 1 cigarette away from being that smoker again and I do NOT want to go back to being a smoker smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a day! I love not coughing all the time and I'm breathing so much better. I'm also enjoying all that extra money that would have been spent on cigarettes!

I gained weight while quitting but I was prepared for that. Keeping off the cigarettes is MY #1 priority right now. I am slowly getting back some of my focus and concentration (the first to go when you quit) and I'm no longer on the gaining trend, thank goodness! It is truly amazing to see how much effect smoking has on you when you quit - it is a most powerful drug! Not being able to exercise during this time made my quit smoking journey that much harder but I kept on and did not give up. I'm proud to say I am winning and the cigarette is NOT!

I am now back focusing strongly on Program and getting in my walking for exercise (my knee is doing well with the walking). My weight for September was 166.2 lbs and October was 166 lbs. My WW Goal Weight is 150 lbs (no pay is 152 lbs or less) and my Personal Goal is to stay under 145 lbs. So, as you can see I have some work to do but I'm up for the challenge and I know all of you are behind me which, BTW, means so very much to me. I CAN & WILL do this! When I get back down to my goal I will be a healthy, at Goal, non-smoker - oh, that sounds wonderful!

A sad note about Jean, my bowling teammate who quit smoking with me: She passed away about a month ago in a car accident. It was very sudden and hit myelf and my bowling teammates very hard. She was 71 and full of life and quite a gal. I'll miss her.

Soon after my knee surgery we got word of a beautiful house for rent not far from the apartment we were living in. We checked it out, put down the deposit and before we knew it we were moving on Sept 27th. It was a very quick decision and one we were going to wait to do until next year because of my knee surgery and all (lease on apt was up Sept 1st) but it was meant to be! So, we are now settled in a nice house in a nice neighborhood and enjoying our new home.

During the move I somehow tore my cornea of my right eye - very painful! The ophthalmologist called it a "recurrent erosion", meaning I tore open an OLD injury. All I can think is I must of done this while rubbing my eyes or something. It is healing now with the help of a contact over it so I'm not in continual pain as my eyelid hits it. I am hoping on 11/12 when they take the contact out the cornea will have healed completely and won't give me any more problems!

It seems Al and I have been on the go all year - we barely get settled in for a couple weeks routine and we are off again! Al got word at the last minute that we would be going back to Eugene to cover for someone. So….here we are in our favorite hotel when we would rather be in our new home! We try to remember Al has a great job and for that we are grateful. That great job just gave him a raise too (turned the virtual one into a real one finally)!

Amidst all of the above that has been going on I am also dealing with some very personal "sister" issues that I'm trying to resolve within myself - a very stressful and emotional time for me.

I know that I have not been posting as much as I usually do on the Message Boards but please know I have been reading and keeping up with everyone! Sometimes my days just get away from me. I don't always have the luxury of posting as much as I'd like due to issues dealing with the Message Board, Chat or my website. Our Administrators and Moderators do an awesome job in keeping DWLZ the safe haven it is and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart for all their help and support in keeping it that way.

ø¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°GOOD LUCK EVERYONE°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸ø

August 30, 2001 - Today is my 3 year anniversary of making GOAL! I cannot believe it's been 3 years! I have maintained at or under GOAL except for Jan 2001 when I was 1 lb over (lost it 2 days later but did NOT want to miss my regular meeting!).

I asked the following question in our Lifetimers/Maintenance Forum on our Message Board - "What do you do to help you maintain your Goal?" These were my answers:

1. From the onset of my Journey I kept telling myself that this was going to be a LIFESTYLE change - one that I could live with for the rest of my life! That meant NEVER eating what I don't like. That meant fitting the PLAN into MY LIFE, not someone elses! That meant NO GUILT on my tough days and just MOVING ON down the road of my Journey!

2. Positive thoughts ONLY - sure, negative thoughts creep in but I'm a pretty POSITIVE person to begin with! When things get tough (and they do at different times in our LIFE) I keep my eye on WHY I am on this Journey, how great I feel and want to STAY that way!

3. I strive DAY by DAY to stay within my Points (usually a couple below my top of the range for a buffer - I deal with my Journey in a different way than most, I think - on a day to day basis - when my day is done, my Points are done - tomorrow is a NEW day! This just works for me!

4. I DO weigh every morning - it is an essential tool for me - it either validates my success at maintaining or lets me know I need to get out my journal for a couple of weeks and start recording/measuring my portion sizes again. Sometimes I think we get too comfortable on Program and the portion sizes get a little carried away. This is NORMAL behavior. About 2-4 times a year I have to REIGN it back in!

5. I learn all I can about portion sizes, foods, point values, nutrition and ways to make my Journey easy and fun! Easy and fun equals SUCCESS in my book! Knowledge is definately one of the keys to continued SUCCESS! You never stop learning! I STILL and always will Pre-Package my food/serving size - part of making it easy and controlling my portion sizes.

6. I go to my Weekly Meetings - I need them and believe it or not, the newbies NEED YOU - what a way to help keep you motivated - helping others to reach their personal goals! You are their "light at the end of the tunnel" - they SEE, through YOU, that it CAN be done!

7. I try and get in 3 days of exercise in - this is my weakest "link" in my Lifestyle but I NEVER give up - I keep trying to get those 3 days in!

9. I NEVER forget where I "came from" and I NEVER want to go back. I bought a beautiful FRAME for my before and after pictures and keep it on top of my Monitor - what a great visual and reminder of your SUCCESSFUL JOURNEY!

ø¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°GOOD LUCK EVERYONE°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸ø

March 18, 2001 - I cannot believe how fast time flies and that I haven't updated this since last August! WOW!!! I'm so sorry! I never meant this to be a journal - just a place to check in with you all from time to time to let you know how I'm doing - but I really never meant to be away so long! :)

We had our regular weeklong visit to Spokane, WA to spend Thanksgiving with our best friends, Jim & Tammy! What a great time we had and our LeRoy met us there as well! It was so good to see our son - we only see him once a year with him being so far away in Japan (Navy). He came home with us and stayed until the beginning of December! He was so supportive - always has been - of my weight loss journey. Whenever we went out to a restaurant he always asked if it was a "good" place for me to eat (on WWer's!)... We had a really great time and I didn't focus on food like I did before my I started this journey! It was such a good feeling to be so in control! I have found that being in control of my food also makes me in control of the other aspects of my life!

Christmas was a quiet time at home with my Al - we really had our Christmas with LeRoy when he was home! I especially loved the NO hustle and bustle of the holiday season this past year!

January brought my FIRST "over goal" weigh-in - by ONE pound. I knew that I would be over a pound or two as Al and I celebrated that weekend at the beach BUT I did NOT want to get in the habit of missing my WWer's Meeting. I have learned from my past experiences with WWer's that once I miss a meeting, it is so much easier to miss the second meeting, then the third and so on. Soon, I'm not going at all. The meetings are one of my Lifelines to continued success! So, I went, was accountable and was FINE with it. Heck, it was ONLY a pound and I have the tools and knowledge to take it back off! See, I REALLY am human too! :) I think I was more upset at breaking my clean record of NOT going over goal than I was for the extra pound! LOL!

At my February weigh-in I was back down below my goal - 143.5 lbs! YIPPEE!!! I was a happy camper! Really, I have to tell you - Maintenance is NO different than the journey of losing the weight initially, except that you get to eat a little more to maintain. You are doing the same things you did on your weight loss journey and you are also struggling at times, but it is easier, in my opinion, as you now have the tools and knowledge to get through your struggles faster! It is easier because the journey becomes "second nature" - that is, you are on "auto-pilot" living that healthy lifestyle you worked so hard to attain! Yes, bad habits sometimes creep back in; yes, you will make the wrong food choices at times; yes, you will be scared at times that you are going to go back from whence you came - BUT - you will draw from within yourself the strength, knowledge and courage you need to get back on the right road of your journey! Please don't ever be afraid of not being able to maintain once you get to your goal - don't give it a second thought! Just keep doing what you are doing! You can DO IT!!!

On March 3, 2001, Al and I headed out to Peabody, MA - Al had training with his job so I went along with him. He HATES to fly so appreciated my company. Some of the Message Board members planned a dinner in our honor on Friday night, March 9th. Al and I were so excited to meet the "Zonies" from MA & NH. Well, we got hit with the big snowstorm on Monday & Tuesday - got over 2 feet of snow! Luckily, we hit the grocery store and stocked up on some food for our suite (which had a full kitchen) - we got low point soups, bocas, etc and not much in the junk food area! Of course, after the snowstorm hit I wasn't really hungry for most of the food we bought so I didn't eat much! Most of the week I kept my points rather low - just wasn't too hungry! I was also watching not to overdue as I had my March weigh-in on Monday, March 12th, right after we got back home! Since I did not have my scale with me (which I usually take but did not have room in my suitcase!!!) I was extra-careful on my eating! I was also having serious scale withdrawal since I weigh everyday to keep me on track! LOL

On Thursday, I met with Becca (beccabell on the Message Boards) - she is my "surrogate" daughter and is planning our 1st Annual Dotti's Weight Loss Conference in Seattle on April 20-22, 2001 (see Conference Forum on the Message Boards). What a wonderful woman she is and I was "honored" to finally meet her. We went over all the conference details and then found a Subway in the area for lunch!

Friday, March 9th, came and along with it another smaller snowstorm...I just knew our planned dinner with the "Zonies" was going to be cancelled! But alas, 11 members showed up and it was so exciting meeting them all - it was like "old home week" - like we've known each other all our lives! So cool! We all had a blast! If you'd like to see pics from our dinner/meeting please Click Here. All the MA/NH "Zonies" made me feel like a million dollars! Al and I will cherish the memories and hold them close to our hearts - what a great group of happy "losers"! Everyone made it home safely too!

Al and I got home on Sunday, March 11th - we were exhausted but glad to be home! What's the old saying, "There's no place like home!" My March weigh-in was the next day, Monday, March 12th. I woke up with a sore throat and earache but was determined to go to my meeting and be accountable. Did you all hear my YIPPEE when I weighed in at about 11:30 am??? It was quite loud! I weighed in at 143.5 so I stayed the same! YIPPEE!!!!

I just love my meetings - like I said above, they keep me accountable. But - they also offer me an opportunity to help all the newbies and others on our journey with THEIR journey! I arrive at my meetings 45 minutes before just so I can visit with the other members! What fun getting to know everyone and helping them with tips, ideas, point finds - to help make their journey easier! For all of you who have meetings that are "quiet" - try going a little earlier next time and walk up to one of the members and say "hi".

I think the best gift we can give others on this journey is our knowledge, our experience and our SMILE! Knowing you are not alone on this journey makes it so much nicer!

I've always loved the saying - "The love in your heart wasn't put there to stay; Love isn't love until you give it away!"

Good luck everyone on your journey. I'll be rooting for you! I know you can do this - I know you can make your Goal - YOU CAN DO IT! Go for the GOLD!

ø¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°GOOD LUCK EVERYONE°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸ø

August 30, 2000 - Today is my 2 year anniversary of making my GOAL weight! YIPPEE!! Wow! Where has the time gone! It has been a relatively easy journey - this "road" of maintenance. It has not been without it's struggles now and then but I have been able to overcome them with no guilt and move on down the road! When I have a little setback I remember the quote my best friend, Tammy, told me, "A setback is a setup for a comeback!" Those words are so true!

I also very firmly believe in the power of positive thinking - "A positive attitude overcomes even the tallest obstacles." I continue to use many of the positive reaffirmations that I have adopted along the way - "I can do this" "I want to be healthy and stay healthy" "I want to look and feel great, ALL THE TIME" "I am worth it" "I NEVER want to go back to where I was" - there are many more but you get the idea!

One of the most important things I have learned on this journey is that I am NOT perfect. I WILL make mistakes and I will SLIDE off program but I WILL also get back on program as soon as possible with NO GUILT!!! And...it's OKAY! I am not a bad person or a failure - I am human!

In June I put up the Dotti's Weight Loss Zone Message Board - it was a move I hesitated on thinking I would not be able to handle the extra responsibility. Well, I'm here to tell you that I am soooooo happy I finally did put it up. I have met the most wonderful group of people on this journey of ours through the message board and they, along with all of you, keep me on the right path of my journey. Our message board is full of loving, caring, supportive, funny, knowlegeable, helpful and understanding people! It is so nice to know we are NOT alone on this journey.

Along with the message board, SueT (of the message board) was so nice to put up TWO chats for us on her site - Java and Non-Java (some people are not able to get into the Java). SueT - thank you so very much! I am NOW addicted to chat!!!! It is a wonderful way to really get to know your new friends and there are a lot of laughs too (I know since I'm always ROFL - rolling on the floor laughing - my name in chat is now ROFL Dotti!). Come and visit us in chat or on the boards - the support is wonderful!

One more thing - just went in for my yearly physical and all the numbers are fantastic! My blood pressure was 102/62 - the health benefits of this journey speak for themselves! No wonder I feel so great all the time!

Well, I'm going to sign off until the next time. Remember, to take the journey ONE DAY AT A TIME, NO GUILT and MOVE ON. I'm rooting for you!

ø¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°GOOD LUCK EVERYONE°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸ø

July 14, 2000 - Hi everyone. I just got back from my week long vacation in Spokane, WA with my best friend and fellow Weight Watcher, Tammy! I went to four meetings while there (Tammy is a receptionist at several meetings and I tagged along - you can never go to too many meetings!) and loved every one of them. The leaders up there are wonderful! (Thank you Shirley, Eileen and Jane for some very enjoyable meetings - I would also like to thank all their wonderful members for making me feel so welcome). I loved the topic that week (the Summer Olympics - your goal at the start of them). I made a personal goal of losing 10 lbs and getting back to the gym on a regular basis (at least 3 times a week like I used to). The exercise part of our journey has been a real struggle for me since the first of the year and the five pounds I gained over Christmas have not moved! So, even though I am still at goal I would like my ultimate goal to be to lose 10 more lbs! I hope all of you have set your own personal mini-goal. Small goals are a great way to stay on the right road of your journey. I am well on my way on the exercise part - made it to the gym 3 times last week and hope to add another day next week!

Tammy and I had a lot of fun and stayed OP most of the time, except when we went to the Outback for your yearly traditional dinner (see Vacation photos). We always have so much fun together catching up and hate it when it's time for me to leave!

ø¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°GOOD LUCK EVERYONE°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸ø

May 1, 2000 - Thought it was time to update you on my progress. I have had a very stressful two weeks away (you know how life is supposed to be one way and then it throws you a curve - well that was my two weeks). I left with hubby on Sunday, April16th and arrived home on Sunday, April 30th. I went with him (he was there for his job) because I like to do that - get away and have some "quiet" time with him (no everyday activities getting in the way). Anyway, I won't go into detail but it was "far from quiet" - I got little to no exercise but I did stay within my Points! I took the focus off of me and that is really the root of it all. As my leader, Renee, said today at meeting - you always learn from your detours of your journey - and she is so very right. I came right home and got back on track with my exercise - went to the gym this morning and after my meeting Al and I walked to the top of Multnomah Falls (1.2 very steep miles up for a total of 2.4 miles roundtrip and the ambulance did not even have to be called once!).

I managed to go to one meeting while I was out of town and at least keep focused on my food intake as I stated above. Some days I did not eat enough food but I guess that is better than overeating, HA! Kidding aside, that is not good either! My goal is still, to try and get down about 8-10 lbs. so I am not "riding the line" of my high end of my goal - for some reason I have been struggling since Christmas - I am just letting life get in the way of "my" time, which I know is wrong during this journey. I really MUST take the time (at least an hour a day) for myself, my exercise and my journey. That is what I will be focusing on the next couple of months. All we can do is take it ONE DAY AT A TIME, NO GUILT and MOVE ON. The one line which keeps coming back in my head is this: "Do you like it enough to wear it?" and believe me, it saw me through on the eating end of our journey!

Although I was sure that I would be over a pound or two of my goal weight of 146 I went to my meeting and stayed accountable. I just made it, AGAIN, weighing in at 146 lbs. I was so elated. But, I must also tell you I was sure it was over so I even had my check all written out for the meeting fee! Boy, it was nice ripping up that check! I can also tell you that if I did have to pay this week, I definitely WOULDN'T have to pay next week - that's for sure! The meeting was fantastic (I JUST LOVE MY MEETINGS!) and really psyched me up - I really missed those guys and our wonderful leader, Renee!

I guess the main thought I wanted to leave you with today is to GO TO YOUR MEETINGS, BE ACCOUNTABLE and take ONE DAY AT A TIME, NO GUILT and MOVE ON. This is a journey, after all, and all journeys have detours - know Program and get back on track as soon as possible. And...by all means don't beat yourself up for your rough times - just MOVE ON!

A Note To All My Web Page Visitors: I would like to THANK everyone that has sent me recipes, motivation, tips, etc. to include on my web page. It has truly become "OUR" web page thanks to all of you. I am trying desperately to keep up with all the email....so far I have been able to answer them all but there are times when I get a little behind (you know, that Life thingy!) in answering and getting everything up on site! I'm also trying very hard to update often - so please be patient with me. I'd also like to say THANK YOU to all of you who have sent me wonderful, supportive emails as they really make my day and keep me on the right road of this journey also. Just because I am Lifetime does not mean I am not going through what some of you are. We are all on this journey together and support is what really makes it happen. Again, I thank you and applaud all of you!

Hope everyone is having a successful journey. I'm rooting for you all and wish you only the best in life! You deserve it, after all!

ø¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°GOOD LUCK EVERYONE°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸ø

January 10, 2000 - Well, it looks like it is time to let you know how I have been again. I just passed my two year anniversary since starting the W.W. 123 Points Program on January 5th, 1998. It has been a wonderful journey and continues to be so. I continue to attend my weekly W.W. meeting on Mondays at noon - I just love my meetings and feel truly "lost" when I have to miss one (sick or out of town). I am fortunate to have a wonderful leader, Rene, who keeps me highly motivated to stay on this journey of ours. Thank you Rene. Along with Rene, all my great friends at my meeting are a source of joy and support. What a feeling knowing we are not alone on this journey of ours. The tips you get at the meetings are invaluable.

I have really been struggling lately with my exercise but am finally back on track. I feel much better knowing I am back on the right road of that part of our journey. It is so important! I always feel so much better after my workout but sometimes it is very hard getting out the door to do it, which I'm sure you understand. But, it is a MUST on this journey - you just have to find what works for you. For me, I have to hit the gym the minute my feet hit the floor in the morning. If I don't do it FIRST THING then I won't. I know ME!

I have been gone the last two weeks - Dec 24th thru Jan 7th - and they have been very "trying" weeks for me! I was out of my "safe" atmosphere - my house - the safest place on earth for me, foodwise! I did very good the first week at my inlaws (went prepared because I knew we were going to be there for that week) but the second week was another story. We stayed an extra week because of my mother-in-laws gallbladder surgery and I was in no way prepared - mentally or foodwise! You can't exactly throw out all the "redlight" foods in someone elses house, ha ha! So, with the stress of worrying about Mom, going back and forth to the hospital (an hour away) and just plain exhausted, I ate all the wrong foods and too much of them! Missing my weekly W.W. meeting was hard - they truly, truly are my lifeline to continued SUCCESS on this journey. I finally woke up by the middle of the week and got up on their treadmill - a step in the right direction. That felt good! I watched my food and "hung in there", taking ONE DAY AT A TIME.

I continued to repeat to myself, ONE DAY AT A TIME, NO GUILT and MOVE ON when you hit a rough spot - it's been my motto since the beginning of my journey. It always gets me through the tough times! I got up at 4:30 am this morning and headed out to the gym - came home feeling refreshed and in control. I walked with my head held high and a smile on my face through the doors of my W.W. meeting even though I was pretty sure this was going to be the first time I had to pay at my monthly weigh in (after 14 months of maintaining under my goal weight). It was no big deal. I knew I was back on track so nothing else mattered. I could of taken the easy way out - waited another week to weigh in (since I had the whole month of January) - but - I wanted to be accountable - I needed the support I get at my meeting (had already missed two weeks) - and most of all, I did not want to move backwards on my journey - I wanted to continue moving forward. That means there are going to be rough spots but it's important to remember that it is all part of the journey - a lifetime journey! None of us are perfect and if we expect to be, then we are headed for failure. Well, I am happy to tell you that I didn't have to pay...I weighed in EXACTLY at my goal weight! I was happy!

My goal for 2000 is to be 135 lbs. and make 140 lbs. my "ceiling". I will give it my best try. Most of all I wish to stay on program and maintain this healthy new lifestyle that I have attained. That is MOST IMPORTANT.

My wish for all of you on this journey of ours is good health, continued success on program and to reach your goals that you have set for yourself. YOU CAN DO IT! Just always remember this: ONE DAY AT A TIME, NO GUILT and MOVE ON when you hit a rough spot!

ø¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°GOOD LUCK EVERYONE°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸ø

August 30, 1999 - Today is my ONE YEAR anniversary of making my goal weight! Where has the time gone! This is a first for me. I have maintained under my goal weight for the whole year, never going over it. I just went for my annual physical and my blood pressure is the best it has ever been - 92/52 (last year, right after making goal, it was 92/50)- WOW! The health benefits of a healthy lifestyle speak for themselves. To maintain I have kept my points at about 20-22 per day (when I'm struggling) - 24-26 a day when I am on track - doing my 1 hour workout 3 times a week and never missing my weekly meeting. I must say, after working the program for 8 months to lose the weight, maintenance has not been a problem. I know the program inside and out and through learning all the aspects of healthy eating, exercising and making the right food choices, sliding into maintenance was no chore at all. This is where I wanted to be and it has been easier than I ever imagined. It is scary at first when you make goal because you feel, "I am there", I don't need program, the meetings, etc. anymore. But...let me tell you - the one thing that has helped me MOST to maintain is the fact that I NEVER miss my meetings...I am one of the few LIFETIMERS who STILL go to meetings. The meetings are truly my LIFELINE to continued success. The added bonus to attending my meetings are all the truly wonderful new friends I have met who are on the same journey! Knowing you are not alone is a good feeling and sharing your experiences along the way helps keep you focused. I don't write my foods down anymore EXCEPT when I am having a bad week (that happens and it's okay!) and then I get out all my "books" and start from scratch for a week or two - it gets me back on track. It is hard for beginners to see but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. If you work the program like it's meant to be worked, you WILL get to the point where you won't even have to think about it anymore. Keep going - you are almost there - the trip is worth it. Thanks for listening and good luck to all of you on this journey of ours. I'm rooting for you all!

ø¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°GOOD LUCK EVERYONE°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸ø

July 11, 1999 - I am still maintaining my goal weight of 146 lbs. as of today - it has been 10 1/2 months since I made goal at Weight Watchers.

I went on vacation from July 3rd to July 10th to my best friend Tammy's house and had a fantastic time. She is also a Lifetime Member and is now a receptionist for Weight Watchers. I went prepared with my two point snacks for the trip and my husband and I ate at Subway for our lunch. I find that the fast food places like McDonalds don't satisfy me and take away too many of my points for the day!

The week before I went I was able to lose a couple of pounds so that I could "relax" a little while there. I did my "official" monthly weigh in (Lifetimers must weigh in once a month - the first meeting they attend in the new month) on Tuesday so that I would have that behind me. It was the first time I was "surprised" at my weigh in. I have to admit that I am a scale hopper and feel most secure when I weigh in every morning on my digital scale, so, I usually know what I am going to weigh in at. Well, this time I wasn't sure when I weighed in what the scale would tell. I had already had a couple of days celebrating with Kahula's & cream, etc. I was down 1.2 lbs. Yes! I went to two meetings that week since Tammy was working them, so, along with Tammy's support and the meetings, I was keeping motivated with no problem. I love going to meetings - they are truly my Lifeline to keeping successful with my new Healthy Lifestyle. We went out to dinner at the Outback Restaurant and I had a wonderful meal of Blackened Salmom with a baked potato, along with a side of large grilled shrimp. For dessert Tammy and I split the very sumptious Sinful Sundae - I will tell you it was heavenly and I didn't feel guilty at all eating it. We even showed our great Weight Watcher "control" and pushed away the plate leaving a drop or two of ice cream - ha ha!

I can't tell you enough how easy this new W.W. 123 program is. You CAN eat anything you want as long as you watch your portions. I NEVER deny myself anything and if I have overdone it on my points I take it easy the next day. I have found that if you keep denying yourself you will quit because you feel like you are missing something or that you can't do this for the rest of your life. I don't eat anything I don't like and I always take it ONE DAY AT A TIME. As you work the program you will find that it becomes easier and the right food choices, etc. become automatic. I would like to close now by saying, "NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS THIN FEELS"! Again, good luck on your weight loss journey and may you all find success and happiness.

P.S. There are photos from my vacation on my photo page if you are interested! (click here)

ø¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°GOOD LUCK EVERYONE°º¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸ø

June 17, 1999 - I have been below my Lifetime Member Goal Weight now for almost 8 months, as of June 19, 1999. During that time I attempted to quit smoking and did last a couple months but I must report to you that I failed in that endeavor. I am smoking again, not as much, and NO, I do not feel like a failure. I will try again at a later time. I'm sure I was "rushing" it a bit as I wanted to "finish the year out right" but really was not ready mentally.

I have had a lot of challenges since making LIFETIME but have met them head on and managed to work my way through them...I find that when I am struggling, the best thing to do is get all my Weight Watcher booklets and info out and start right from the beginning again - this helps me to get back on track and usually takes about a week to get back into the groove. Since I made LIFETIME in October 1998 I have never missed a meeting except when I am out of town or sick. The meetings and group support are my lifeline and I feel incomplete when I don't go. Please don't underestimate the power of group support. It is so nice to know you are not on this journey alone.