Week 3 Weigh-In

-4.4 lbs today. Nice big loss after a little one last week.

This put me over the -10lb loss, in 3 weeks. -11.8 to be exact because you know every tenth counts!

In which this is a 'journey'-free zone

I write this with absolutely no offense to others losing weight, especially bloggers.

But, I officially announce, this blog is a Journey-Free Zone.

I don't mean the fabulous '70s/'80s rockers, but rather the use of the term "my weight-loss journey." It's so cliched. I am not Frodo trying to return The One Ring to Mount Doom. I'm just trying to lose weight and get fit.

For some reason, "journey" just hits a clunky wrong note. Sounds very Lifetime for Women-y.

So, all other nouns may apply, just not the J-word.

And, to prove how much I enjoy the other Journey, here's the cheesiest Journey video ever:

Week 2 Weigh-In

Well, they can't all be 5-lb losses in a week. Unless you're on Biggest Loser and I have no idea how those losses are safe, sustainable or healthy.

Anyway, -1.8 lbs this week for a total of -7.4. When I was losing weight 2002-2003 on WW, my loss pattern was usually big loss, smaller loss, repeat. Sometimes I'd string a couple of either together and then the opposite would appear the following week. I competely understand that when you're steadily losing weight, eating healthy and working out, it is a shock to your system.

Sometimes your body makes the timeout signal and pauses to reassess What In The Hell Is Going On Here, the commences with the losing of the weight.

This past week was a big one in that I turned 40. I didn't fear or freak out about "40." I mean, what's the alternative, not turning 40? That means you're dead. So I'm pretty sure 40 is alright by me.

In which I clarify my goals

Pretty straightforward:

Return to and remain under my Weight Watchers Lifetime weight of 175. (My personal goal is 160.)

Develop and employ a normal-as-possible relationship with food. After a lifetime of obesity and food issues (bad choices, large portions, etc.), this goal has no finish line. It's open-ended.

Exercise regularly and make fitness a priority.

Practice everything in moderation. I don't want to obsess over eating one unplanned cookie and then feel as if I need to immediately run 20 minutes on the treadmill to "work it off." I can't live in a WW Boot Camp nor can I wing it. I've done both, neither works for me.

Everything, in moderation, forever.

Week 1 Weigh-In

I think the first weigh-in is the easiest.

You're motivated, you've worked the program like crazy, and you can almost guarantee a big loss thanks to water weight and body shock.

-5.6 lbs today and out of the 280s, all in one week. Win-win.

Now, to the hardest weigh-ins...all the rest.

I like the leader. She's a decent mix of funny and serious, and has a good presenting style.

In which I rejoin Weight Watchers for the last time

Over the summer, I knew it was time to get my body - and life - back on track with Weight Watchers.

My youngest had turned 1 and the, "But I just had a baby..." rationalization had expired. We weren't planning on any more children, so that wiped out another excuse: "Why go through all that effort if we're planning another pregnancy?"

No, I was fresh out of excuses. It had been a wonderful 5 years in which I had 3 children. And now, with the birthing part of my life over for good, it was time to get back in shape for good.

From April 2002 to September 2003 I lost 126 pounds and earned my Lifetime membership in Weight Watchers, meaning I could attend any meeting free for the rest of my life, as long as I weighed in once a month and stayed within 2 lbs of my goal weight - 175.

By the time I became pregnant with our first child in March 2005, I had regained most of that 126 lbs, and used the pregnancy rationalization to wipe out the rest. But that's a post for another day.

Anyway, I knew it was time to get back to business. My two oldest would be in preschool this year and I gave myself until the first day of school, then it was time to rejoin WW and get back on track. Even better, I had a friend who wanted to get back in shape, too, so she agreed to join with me.

Today was our first meeting. I was anxious, I hadn't weighed myself in years. I knew I had a lot to lose and I was right. Starting weight 282.4. Well, there's one victory, I didn't gain it all back. Came in 3.6 lbs under my 2002 starting weight. I'll take any victory at this point.

So, here we go...