Health Progress Report...

 

I told you a while back that I'd begun a "psychology of weight loss" program through an app called "Noom". I began on April 26th of this year. The great thing about this program is that it's slow and sustained, and no food is forever off limits. In the (distant) past, I've easily lost forty pounds doing Atkins, but gained it all back when I went started eating carbs again.

Through this program, I eat those things, but in moderation, including dessert. I don't feel deprived or that I'm missing out at all. I've been more active, using a pedometer to track my steps, and a tracker for my food intake so I can become more aware of how my choices are different.

I still have a way to go, but I thought you might like to see my progress so far. Since April 26th, I've lost sixteen pounds. I sat at a plateau for longer than I cared, but when I began the program, I also took measurements for my bust, waist, hips, thigh and upper arm. I added those together for a total number. While I languished on that plateau, I retook my measurements. I'd lost 9" overall!  The other thing I did was told myself it was okay to plateau, because even at that point, I weighed less than I had in nearly 8 years (maybe longer)!

I wore this top when I met old classmates for lunch in August of 2019. Truthfully, I was kind of embarrassed when I saw how I looked in the picture. I had a great time, so that's what I focused on. Fast forward to 2022.

With all the surgeries I'd undergone in 2020 and early 2021, I decided I wanted to live healthier. That's when I discovered Noom and took the leap. In the image of me on the right, I'm wearing that same top. It's fitting me more the way it's supposed to, and I didn't wear the matching scarf to try to cover up.

Like I said, I have a way to go yet (about forty pounds), so I'm not crowing too loud. I feel better and healthier. My knees are happier, for sure. I'm getting in about 4,500 steps a day now, too. When I began, I was lucky to get in about 1,500. The goal is 10,000, but that will come, too.

Part of the program is to be accountable, so that's one of the reasons I'm telling you. The other reason is that my blog has always been a daily diary for me, so I'm making a post about this for that reason, too. I hope you don't mind. 

So, instead of just having that morning coffee before I start my day, I've added a healthy breakfast since April. I'm actually eating more and still losing weight. Yippee! You know the drill, I'm heading to the kitchen now. I may even do a little dance on the way.

So Peaceful...

Seeing Claudette (and/or Crystal) sleeping peacefully on our porch never fails to bring a smile. When she's not on the porch, Crystal is never far away. She always comes running when she sees me, but Claudette is happy to spend her days right here. I suspect she does her roaming overnight, so she needs to recuperate from her forays during the day.

I was the one roaming yesterday. I began my day with a little housekeeping. I tidied up the living room, and then ran the vacuum through the house. I made a grocery list to fill when I went out for my haircut. 

Handsome traveled to Milwaukee to watch our granddaughter in the State soccer semi-finals. Sadly, they lost to the number one seed in Wisconsin, so her high school soccer days have come to an end. She starts college-level soccer in about six weeks, so I think she'll enjoy the time off.

After my haircut with Wendi, I did some grocery shopping and then came home. I guess now is as good a time as any to tell you I've been working on a weight-loss program through an app with "Noom". I check in daily and report my weight, meals (with a handy calorie counter), and activities in the app in my phone, and this program works with the psychology of weight loss. (Working to reprogram the childhood "you're not getting up from the table until you clean your plate" mentality, and more.) 

I've lost a solid twelve pounds in six weeks, and my shape has changed, too. I've hit a bit of a plateau this week, but the scale is finally moving again. I'm able to eat almost anything I want as long as I stay within the proscribed calorie range for the day, and I'm moving around a bit more, too. My goal is to lose sixty pounds by my birthday this year, and according to the experts at Noom, that's perfectly achievable.

Why am I telling you this? 1) to be accountable to someone beside Handsome, and 2) to explain why it took me over an hour to put away the groceries. I'm eating breakfast now - which I hadn't done before - and that usually consists of fresh fruit, Oikos™ greek yogurt, and a tablespoon of Grape Nuts™ cereal sprinkled on top. Before I put the fruit in the refrigerator, I soak the strawberries, blueberries, green grapes, and apples in water with a touch of white vinegar. Then, I rinse everything, let it dry, and then place it into canning jars with a folded paper towel in the bottom of the jar. 

I also prepared much of the vegetables I brought home, along with putting away the rest of my purchases. It felt like it took forever. By the time I was finished, Handsome was walking in the door and it was time to feed our furry charges. I'd put a small beef roast into the slow cooker late morning, so that was completed cooked and ready for me to add gravy, prepare some vegetables, and serve up hot roast beef sandwiches on homemade buns, with the veggie side dish. Needless to say, there was no needle dancing as originally planned.

However, today is Friday! I'm going to stitch my way into the weekend! I'd like to finish the flower embroideries so I can assemble the strawberry and share a finished piece tomorrow or Monday. For now, it's time to feed the critters, and pour my first cup of coffee (to go with breakfast). See you tomorrow!