Start weight: 188
Today's weight: 168.4
This week's loss: 2
TOTAL loss in 12 weeks: 19.6
WHY YES, I DID MAKE MY 10% GOAL. :D :D :D
Unfortunately, my leader wasn't there this week, and instead we had some random dude who I didn't like nearly as much. So I didn't get my trinket or applause yet. But I'm still happy, obviously.
Wow, being in the 160s is awesome. I really never thought I'd see this weight again. I think I'll lose this last 10 and then I'll be perfectly happy (with my weight). :)
- Music:Jerk It Out - The Caesars
It's either going to be disgusting, or it's going to be my new best friend. (Most of the reviews are quite positive, though!) Come on,
![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
thezombiejesus, you know you want to try it.Today as I was leaving work I glanced at my package of pita bread... and there were green spots on the two remaining pieces.
Now, there was no green yesterday, but I'm guessing there was mold that was just not yet visible. It did start bothering me about an hour after breakfast.
Yuck.
Kind of pissed because today was my "offline day" (that is, time to be off phones and work on my 2398479283749 projects) and I had a lot of shit I was hoping to get to. But the last thing I need to do is wind up throwing up on my headset (again).
*sigh*
In other news, Vacation is coming! In just over a week Josh and I will be heading upstate to this B&B. It's just off the Appalachian trail so we're gonna hike a bit of it, probably to Bake Oven Knob like the random dude in this picture I found did.
We're also gonna go to Hawk Mountain, a famous PA raptor flyway. It's not migration season, but should be plenty of wildlife (and photographic opportunity!) along the way.
Can't. Wait.
But for now? Nap, if I can sleep through this pissed off stomach thing.
Weight Watchers weigh-in week 11.
Start weight: 188
Today's weight: 170.4
This week's loss: 1
TOTAL loss in 11 weeks: 17.6
More steady progress. Two more pounds until my 10%, and about 6 more until my goal weight. :D
I'm so close!
purlewe posted about a couple that are pretty nasty. I could actually see myself potentially falling for the first one:"The first is a method called a "vishing" attack which is carried out over the phone. Victims will receive a call from a person claiming to be from the office that oversees jury duty. The person will tell you that you failed to show up for jury duty and now a warrant is out for your arrest. The caller expects you to protest that you never received the summons. After you protest, the caller will indicate that you can be rescheduled but you will have to verify your identification. The information requested usually includes your Social Security number, date of birth, driver's license number and address.
The second method is referred to as spear phishing. A spear phishing exploit is targeted towards specific persons, typically in highly visible positions. These attacks use publicly available information about potential victims to build an attack plan. The way this attack works is you will receive an official looking e-mail message (containing personal information about you) claiming that a federal investigation has turned up evidence of wrongdoing on your part and you are now being served a warrant. The email will request that you to click on a link for information about the warrant. Once you click on the link, a Trojan (virus) will be loaded onto your computer and used to capture information such as your passwords and personal data."
Yuck.
"The police maintain they’ve lost the entire Morris homicide file, and there doesn’t appear to be an investigation about its disappearance."
Nice.
Start weight: 188
Today's weight: 171.4
This week's loss: 3
TOTAL loss in 10 weeks: 16.6
I walked in to my meeting feeling pretty thin but reasonably certain that with hormones (it's that week), birthday festivities, Fathers' Day dinner, and drinks with my out-of-town boss visiting, that I probably had gained a lb or two. And I was actually alright with that idea. Imagine my shock and glee when, in fact, I'd LOST 3 pounds.
Holy shit.
So I'm now thinner than I have been since... oh, probably since before I met Josh. 3 more lbs and I will have lost 10% of my starting weight, which in WW land is a Big Deal and you get a Cheapo Thingie which I will be inordinately proud of. From there, it's only another 7 to my personal goal weight. Wow.
This is a crazy ride I'm on, seriously. Sometimes it seems hard, but most of the time now it's second nature. I never dreamed it'd be this quick and easy to get this far. I feel great, and I'm starting to feel kind of *pretty* again. I have a neck, and I can see the beginnings of cheekbones once more.
I feel like me. I love it. I love it tons.
https://www.valyrianresin.com/index.p
https://www.valyrianresin.com/index.p
https://www.valyrianresin.com/index.p
There are other versions of all three of those on the site too, but those are the ones that really excite me. Gorgeous!
Want to eat at Fogo de Chao, but can't afford the $50 pricetag?
Check out Picanha Grill, which is just off Oxford Circle in the Northeast. It's not fancy -- the tables are plastic-covered and the crowd is very casual -- but you can eat all the delicious meat you like for less than half what Fogo charges.
You can choose either of two options: the very reasonable pay-by-pound option at 7.99/lb, which includes salad bar, or the all you can eat version for $21.99.
I got the first option, for reasons that should be obvious to anyone who's read this journal at all this spring. I got a hefty plate which I filled mostly with salad, a little rice & beans, a smidge of potato salad and fresh guava and pineapple. For my meats I selected some roast pork, a grilled chicken leg, and a piece of grilled shortrib.
The shortrib and pork were very good, but out of my selections, the chicken was the standout. Sublimely marinated and grilled to perfection, incredibly moist and flavourful.
The people who get all-you-can-eat did not have to pick meats; instead, each entree is brought to the table on skewers and then hand-carved tableside. Thanks to this, I had tiny tastes of a few other things, sneaked to me by family members who did not want me to miss out: skirt steak, the namesake picahno steak, chicken sausage, and pork tenderloin. All were good but the tenderloin was incredible -- marinated in something salty and tangy that told me to shut up and sit down.
My only complaints were that the servers, while all very nice, were not quite as on the ball as one might hope. I was almost done eating my buffet plate by the time I finally got water. And their English was none so good, which would probably bother some people (I personally don't care as long as it's good enough to communicate; it was sufficient for that purpose). The restaurant also was treating us to "live music," which amounted to a guy with a casio keyboard crooning softrock favourites like Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight" translated into Portuguese. Um. Weird. And sometimes he'd mess up and we'd get shrieky feedback.
Other than those minor complaints, I recommend it highly, especially for groups. Good food and novel presentation. Someday when I'm not "counting points" I'd really like to go back.
I cut the points on it by using Weight Watchers' rye bread and low-fat american cheese, and using non-stick spray instead of butter or oil.
My sandwich - 5 points
Sandwich with normal rye, cheese and grilled in butter - 12 points
I win.
Other ideas of brilliance I've had while on this diet:
Injera -- this ethiopian bread is amazing. Made of high-fiber tef grain and prepared without oil, it's only ONE POINT per 9" sheet. And it is tasty, like spongy sourdough flatbread, and very very filling. This is one more reason why Ethiopian is one of my favourite cuisines for dinner out.
Lower-fat fried rice -- I can't help it, I'm a sucker for fried rice. But I've two ways to make it a possibility for dinner. For one, Beijing restaurant at 37th & Spruce will make it with brown rice. This actually doesn't change the points, but is better for you in general; plus, I dig the texture it gives. 2, I always get a second pint of plain brown rice as well. Then, when I get home, I take a half cup of the fried rice and a half cup of the plain rice and stirfry them together for a couple minutes. So, it still has the fried rice flavor, but the fat is cut in half... going from 8 points a cup to 6. Still not light on the points, but an improvement that makes it a dinner possibility. Paired with a cup of shrimp w/brocolli (1 pt) or a few bbq spare ribs (2 pts apiece) it makes a really tasty, naughty-feeling dinner which actually isn't that bad for me at all.
Light sandwich -- Trader Joes sells this awesome, fat free, herbed turkey breast cold cuts. 2 generously sized slices are 1 pt. I put it on a small pita (1 pt) with 1 tbsp low-fat cream cheese (1 pt) and voila, a really tasty, 3 pt sandwich. FTW. Another good one is low-fat cheddar, fat-free smoked turkey (most supermarkets carry it), on the Weight Watchers rye -- also 3 points.
Soup -- Pacific makes this fantastic Low-Sodium Butternut Squash soup that is delicately seasoned with cinnamon, ginger, and spices. Only 1 point per cup, this makes a great lunch addition to a sandwich like the one above, and I actually like it best served cold. I just keep a tub of it at work at all times. Great for when you get the afternoon hungries, too!
Sweet stuff -- I've found a couple of things to throw at my sweet cravings, when I get them (though that's less and less often). Trader Joe's has these dried fruit bars called "Fiberful," which because they have so much fiber in them, are 0 pts for 1 (though 1 point for 2). There are two flavours, mixed berry and apricot; I prefer the latter. Also some frozen treats -- TJ's also has soy popsicles in a orange cream flavour that are really tasty and 1 pt a piece. Skinny Cow, which you can get in most supermarkets, makes a 1 pt fudgesicle, too, which rocks my world. And none of these are sweetened with gross-tasting sugar substitutes.
Another breakfast idea -- cart egg sandwiches are something I really really miss. So I invented this: 2 egg whites, 1 slice low-fat american, and 3 pieces low-fat canadian bacon on a small pita. 3 points, and I am not hungry until lunchtime. Or sometimes I substitute the candian bacon with some fat-free brown sugar ham I found at Pathmark -- I forget the brand but it's sliced thinly so you get 6 slices per serving (1 pt).
Crunchy, salty snack -- popcorn saves my life, here. I found Orville Reddenbacher makes a 100 calorie pack of their low fat "Smart Pop." 1 pt per the mini 100 calorie bags! I am a fan of the pre-controlled portions; it helps a lot.
I feel like I'm really getting the hang of this "eating better" thing.
Shut up.
And I'm STILL not as sore as I keep expecting to be. What's with that? NEED MORE DEEP HURTING. (Fencing always brings out the masochism in me. Where's my muscle soreness? Where are my "battle scars" aka bruising?)
...I think I need emotional help.
Although, at the moment, I don't *feel* like Birthday Princess -- I feel like someone who for some reason is simultaneously aving the beginnings of a migraine and some gassy stomach problems.
Welcome to 31. Blech.
Start weight: 188
Today's weight: 174.4
This week's loss: .2
TOTAL loss in 8 weeks: 13.6
Eh, pretty much stayed the same this week. I seem to have gotten in to this cycle of losing pretty much nothing one week, then dropping a bunch the next. However, I'm not sure if that'll bear out this week since it's my birthday weekend.
Hopefully, though, the Pilates and fencing will help.
And I also found us an inexpensive tent that sounds good, so we will have our own and not have to borrow from any of you crazy kids this time.
There was a cheaper version of this tent that was over a foot shorter, but I really like the idea of actually being able to stand up in the middle. Makes getting dressed a little less painful.
I loooooove camping.
We also each have requested an extra day over the July 4th weekend. Anyone have any ideas of inexpensive 1 or 2 night trips from the Philly area?
1) The rain that is supposed to bring us relief from this wretched heat/humidity is being a total cock-tease. It keeps thundering, and smelling like rain, and gusting us with giant bursts of wind... but does it RAIN?? Nooooooo... ETA: HERE IT IS, FINALLY!!
2) After my Pilates lesson, I brought Star her flowers and sat down and shared dinner with her and the Frog; a Campo's Italian hoagie. I talked to her, but unlike Amy I don't have the faith that she really is listening, and told her so. But it made me feel better to talk to her anyway. No doubt the other park patrons thought I was nuts. Or maybe they assumed I was on a really small Bluetooth phone.
3) In other depressing news, one of my best friends had to put down one of her dogs today. I loved this dog. Many was the time that I said that when I finally adopt a dog, I want it to be a quiet, gentle, angel dog who'd led a hard life -- just like her. She was amazing, and I'm really going to miss her.
4) On the plus side, the dog of another friend,
slockwoo, went to the vet about some worrying symptoms, but they think it's nothing serious. Phew.Emotionally exhausting day, all told.
It's quite possible I'll never stop missing you.
*******
To the rest of the world, I'm going to try dropping a flower by her plaque at the Square today. If you have the opportunity, you might want to too.
- Mood:
sad
Also, my dentist was bizarre and INSISTED that I look at my half-ground-out tooth to see "how big" the hole was, even after I'd told him twice I'd really rather not.
WTF. Dentists creep me out.
- Mood:
accomplished
Plus, Cole gets the "prize" for being the first person to mention my weightloss who didn't already know. She cornered me and said "I have to tell you... you look GREAT! What have you been doing?" I was ecstatic.
On a less cheerful side, we're in for some nasty times here in Philly. It's going to be 97 and humid for the next for days. Blech.
I might be a little stiff, though. Fencing didn't leave me nearly as stiff as I'd feared, but it is also making sure to remind me I ain't no spring chicken anymore either. ;)
Hope to see some of you there.
I'm excited, but also terrified. I keep glancing over at my weapons bag sitting next to my cube, as if it's going to sneak up on me and bludgeon me over the head when I'm not looking.
I hope the springs in my points aren't all bad... and I hope I can still walk tomorrow. Heh.
Start weight: 188
Today's weight: 174.6
This week's loss: 3.4
TOTAL loss in 8 weeks: 13.4
You might have noticed I didn't post last week. That's because I stayed the same, and was a little too disheartened that night to post, and then never got around to it later. Actually, technically I gained .2 lbs -- but as my leader said, that's such a miniscule amount it could be the difference in clothes. So for all intents and purposes, I had stayed the same.
I didn't let it beat me, though, and ate very carefully all week. I also have been walking from Josh's to work most mornings, and I took a Pilates lesson with my sister on Saturday. The results are self-evident.
As a reward, and since I had the points to do it, I gave myself a treat for dinner tonight... my first cheesesteak in 8 weeks. And it is GLORIOUS. om nom nom nom.
I actually was warning Cusack that if she keeps eating the way she likes, she might become a CatBus. Only crankier.
PS, don't you just adore my Love Dalek icon? :D
OH DEAR GOD
Unfulfilled.
I may print this one and hang it on my fridge.
Imagine my shock, then, at what just happened:
I went to catch the bus, and then realized it was a new month and my June transit pass was back at my house. So I leave the bus stop and walk up the street, and notice something fluttering in the street.
Why, they're bills. Ten-dollar bills. Nine of them.
I just found ninety dollars.
Josh and I are SO going to dinner tonight. :D
Halle-frickin-lujah.
;)
It really floors me to think people would pay money (granted, a small amount of money, and for a cause, but money!) for my stuff.
And in a silly semantic, low-self-esteem way, I kept twitching when people would call me the "artist" of the photos. I take pictures. I like some of the pictures. However, calling myself an "artist" would be a level of presumption I just can't quite muster. Though
trillian_stars was nice enough to tell me "If people are in a bidding war over your stuff, you're an artist." I wouldn't myself call 3-4 bids a "bidding war," but hey, compliments is compliments. ;)I spent a little too much, myself, but a) it's for a good cause and b) I got some seriously nice stuff. I won two raffles, one for magnets and one for some pretty nice magnetized hematite jewelry. I also got a pretty, rust colored vase dirt cheap; and my big purchase... I got a huge, framed print of this gorgeous Kyle Cassidy piece. 70 may sound like a lot, but for a decently framed print that size, it really isn't -- don't forget, I know the framing biz.
All in all, a good night; and I think it went well for the charities as well.
Opening Night Party and Silent Auction musical performances! raffles! group art! button making! food and drink!
WHEN: Friday, 30 May * 7-10 PM
WHERE: Studio 34 (www.studio34yoga.com) * 4522 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143
For more information, including a list of artists, raffle prizes and sample art, check out our website: http://www.citykitties.org/support/a
If you have questions, please contact Alex at lxfleck@gmail.com
JUST SOME OF THE CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
Ani DiFranco * Kyle Cassidy * Ruth Borgenicht * Lindsay Ladd * Leigh Erskine * RA Friedman * Dan Mahlman * Tim McFarlane * Phil Forrest * J. Adelaide Fuller * Chris Alexander * Gerald Foss * Arthur B. Ostroff * Debbie Goldstein * Gillian Neff * Ellen Tiberino * Jacques-Jean Tiziou * Kali Miles Clark * Liz Kresch * Syd Torchio * Cheryl Timony * Sibylla Benatova * Haley Luna * Kristen Baskin * Allison Ostertag * Kelly Gable * Julie Steiner * Trevor Sutherland * Matt Harper * Lord Whimsy * Sonya Hunt ... AND MORE!
********
I can NOT drink from a paper coffee cup with travel lid, while walking, without spilling it all over myself. I don’t get it. Everyone else seems to be able to do it, but I invariably wind up dribbling it all down my front.
WTF?
It was awesome. We'd just gotten this photo when we were told "no pictures." Oops.
BTW, the purpleness of the blue portions of the costume was NOT from my camera. It was sadly faded. I wanted to tell them to give it to me since I'd CLEARLY take better care of it.
I'm either going to get it replaced with my insurance or say "fuck it" and use my old one. In the meantime, if there's any need to get in touch with me, call (the phone part still works), or email -- DO NOT TEXT as I cannot see it.
I'm honored to say that my work will be there with that of
kylecassidy (sweet barking cheese!) and RA Friedman; can you believe that?!The auction benefits two of my favourite causes -- City Kitties and Project SAFE -- so please do come out.
The deets, from the City Kitties website:
Join Us May 30 & Support Two Great Causes
Art lovers, artists, musicians, and activists join forces to support two worthy local causes—and have a good time too! On Friday, May 30 from 7pm – 10pm, City Kitties and Project SAFE will hold a silent art auction and opening party at Studio 34 in West Philadelphia. The event will feature art donated by more than 25 established and emerging artists. Work includes paintings, drawings, prints, photography, sculpture, and metalwork with a wide range of starting bids. Art will remain on display and available for purchase at Studio 34 until June 27.
You'll have a chance to win exciting raffle prizes such as a massage, gift certificates, dance lessons, and more. Enjoy live music, commemorate the moment at a photo station, create a souvenir, or participate in an interactive art piece to be raffled off at the end of the night. See you there!
And it's been good for me in other ways too, as I was discussing with Adam:
1) As an utter TMI, my digestion is much better than it was. So is my energy level.
2) I'm also considerably less picky of an eater. Come mealtimes, I'm actually REALLY hungry, and I've probably already decided what I'm going to eat. It's completely eliminated what I used to call "food ennui," when I'd be hungry, but unable to decide what I want and bored by all my choices. Now, I'd probably eat whatever you put in my face, because I'm not just kinda hungry, I'm actually FOR REAL hungry.
3) How funny is it, that 10 pounds ago, fencing ever again was unthinkable. Now, while I'm nervous about it, I'm also pretty excited. Isn't it a little backwards that I felt the need to lose weight BEFORE I would exercise?
4) The last few weeks made me have something of a self-realization. I used to think I was crap about following through on things. I've realized now that that's not true.
My WW leader was saying how most people never make it through the program, because it's not a "quick fix;" it takes dedication. I realized that I would not be one of those who dropped out. It never even occurred to me to drop it. I have absolutely no chance of giving up, because I've already decided to do it.
With work, and with life, once I've put my mind to something -- once I've really decided to do something -- it WILL get done. If I'm determined, I'll beat it; whatever it is. And I even have a good chance of doing it better than others would, out of sheer tenacity.
So when I don't get things done, where in the process