Starting a New Journey

 At the end of October 2018 I had a bone density scan as I could be a candidate for Osteoporosis so it is monitored every three years or so. Mom supposedly had Osteoporosis. I say supposedly because she got different diagnoses from different doctors... The huge Calcium pills she was prescribed were too big for her to swallow, that was all the doctor's did for her -not that it would have done much for her then as she was well into Osteoporosis by that time. Her back was humped, I could see over her head and at one time we had been the same height. Mom lost so much weight before her death she was a little tiny thing.

My three sisters have/had all been on medication as was I because I was on the outside edge of Osteoporosis and have lost ¾ to an inch in height . For three or four years I took it faithfully until I didn't want to anymore because it is said not to work after a few years.... The last scan I had before going off Actonal was no worse then the one before the medication. I promised myself I'd get my calcium, Vitamin D and weight bearing exercise. Didn't take long to go off track with the exercise... Thus before I went in October and until the results scan were in I was concerned sure that because of my own laziness and empty excuses I'd end up on medication again. No! The results were okay so Actonel (Risedronate) does not have to be added to my medications.

However, when I saw my weight before the scan I was shocked. Decided by day's end I was going to lose 15 pounds by end of January 2019.

Started off really well and lost five pounds in November - then the wheels fell off the cart and I gained 2.5 back by December 15th. Now disappointment and discouragement set in I was ready to give up. That night there was a block potluck. It was once again a turning point for me. One of our neighbors had lost so much weight over the last few months we have to look twice before we realize it is her. She looks great, full of energy and glowing. Just happened to be following her around the pot-luck food table and she explained a bit about how she is doing it. Weight Watchers Smart Points.  Found out that fruits, vegetables, fish, eggs and white meat chicken or turkey have zero points.

Curiosity sent me to the Canadian Weight Watchers Web site December 16^th and I joined on-line. Spent the first week learning the Smart Points and putting meals together that added up or below my daily Smart Points quota. On the 24^th I weighted- in and was down 4.5 pounds from what I registered as the week before. What a boost that was. Next weight-in is the 31 and although I expect to be down some it will not be to the goal I set back in November of five pounds a month, I am going down. Sure it will be better than it would have been without talking to my neighbor and joining Weight Watchers.

Over the last two weeks I have been creating a list of the foods I eat plus the value in Smart Points. As well as increasing the time or activities I do for fitness points. There have been a few shocks about some of the foods I love for instance a Big Mac and small fries is worth more points than I am allowed for a day . In fact a cupcake and a serving of ice cream would pretty well be a day's worth. When I couldn't find Christmas plum pudding I bought a little 1 serving whiskey cake, (I'm the only one that likes plum pudding and only because it was a tradition) RIGHT ! The whiskey cake is 17 points for the little thing so I only had a quarter of it. 

The fridge and pantry has been stocked with zero foods. I've looked ahead at what celebrations we are going to have as I am not depriving myself of foods that are only around this time of year so I can plan the other meals and days around them. I try to leave some points for a treat each day and often have points left over.

Christmas treats could be hanging out for a long time as most of them were bought before my eyes were opened to what I have been consuming :D My hubby hid my stocking chocolates from me so I could be eating them until Easter :D The eggnog I love has been frozen in ice cube trays, each ¼ cup cube is worth 4 points so with milk 5 or 6 depending on the ½ glass of milk I add it to – it is now one of my treats. And just enough not to feel deprived of it.

If we have mashed potatoes as we did with Christmas dinner I add grated cauliflower to mine. Little tricks that that help to have favorites without adding to the points (calories if you want to see it that way). Lentils another zero point food are great mixed in with other side dishes such a rice (so is grated cauliflower) Some will be going in the beef and vegetable chili I an making for dinner.

Some of the activy points have been a shock. This morning I recorded 45 minutes for laundry it was worth 1 point. WHAT ? 20 minutes on the elliptical was only 2 again WHAT? Not sure now long I will stay as a Weight Watchers member in the meantime I'm learning everything I can about the points, (a formula) ditto for the fitness and have joined a couple of Facebook groups for support, tips and encouragement . Plus Via Texture I can read WW magazines online and take photos of the recipes etc. I like. The magazine will be available to me as long as I am a Texture member. 

(Photos above: Starting photo mind you I had layers on but  that bulk is not all clothing. A reninder of what to stay away from and what to eat for sure (protein)  breakfast, lunch and dinner - not on same day though )

By the time spring rolls around I should be fit and slim, and ready to take on Italy in May when we go on a couch tour. 

January 1 2019 -Yesterday was weight-in and I only lost 0.9 pounds (14.4 ounces) during the week. I was disappointed and had to give myself a good talking too. Really did I expect to go down 3 or 4 pounds a week? It has taken me several years to get to what I was before November 1 2017 so why would it come off in a matter of weeks? Picked myself up and added the 0.9 to my visual resource, a (photo) bag filled with stones now equal to 7 pounds 14.4 ounces or 3.55 Kilograms. Wow is what I

should call that bag :D Also thought about the way my health and body is appreciating not carrying around that 3 plus kg. I feel it from my head down to my legs, my underwear, especially bra, and my jeans are not as snug. My neck and shoulder not as sore - my whole body is appreciating the replacement of some sitting with exercise for instance my legs are not as tired or achy.

Last night while waited for 2019 to come in we had shrimp cocktail (0 Smart Points) and I tried to drink some watered down- Peach Schnapps over ice it would have been worth 2 points, 1.5 went down the drain, seems my tummy is changing what it likes to be filled with.

And that is how I have ended 2018 :D