October 31, 2012

Halloween (and Wed. Weigh In)

I had a great weigh-in today! After having stayed the same last week, I was hoping for a nice number this morning.
My weight was 138.5, which is down 2.5 pounds from last week. My body fat is 23.2%, which is down from 24% last week. Waist change is (as always) negligible. When I logged my weight into Weight Watchers Online this morning, I discovered that I had reached the 10% milestone that was set on the day I started WW a little over 7 weeks ago.
Now I am just 1.5 pounds away from being back in my "goal range" of 133-137. It's been a LONG time since I was in that range--I think April? Anyway, I'm very happy with the weigh in!

Speaking of Weight Watchers, I got some good news yesterday! I didn't know this before, but Jerry's work will pay for employees and/or their spouses to do Weight Watchers meetings. Now, I've never had a good experience with the Weight Watchers' meetings, but I'm willing to give them a try again. It's been many years since the last time I went to a meeting, so I'm going to give it a fair shot.

As further incentive to go, if I don't attend at least 8 of the 12 consecutive meetings, we will have to reimburse Jerry's work for half of the fee--so that alone will make me do it! I am just hoping that I don't feel like I'm being judged for being the "thin person" in the Weight Watchers meeting--nobody will know that I used to weigh 115 pounds more than I do now. The last time I went in there, just to buy a journal, the receptionist was really rude and made a remark that made me feel judged.

The meetings certainly aren't necessary, but by being a meetings member, I can get free access to the e-tools (logging my food online) and the iPhone app. The accountability of getting weighed in front of a real, live person over the holidays certainly can't hurt, either.

I think it's awesome that Jerry's work is doing their part to help get their employees and families to get healthy--they pay for a lot of the local races that I've done, and now WW. I hope that the employees use it, so that the company continues to do it.


Renee decided not to run the marathon in NYC. I feel absolutely awful for her, but she has already made other plans so that her marathon training wasn't for nothing. She's going to run the marathon in Indianapolis on Saturday, and her family is going with her (just as they were for NY). I know she's bummed about missing out on NY, but I really don't think the race will be the same with all the stuff going on there right now. She is able to defer her entry until next year, so she may end up doing that (although she'll have to pay for it again, AND do all the training again!).


Tonight is one of my favorite nights of the year! For as long as I can remember, at least in the past decade or so, we've gone to my parents' house on Halloween night. We pass out candy to trick-or-treaters, but we also celebrate Mark's birthday. My dad always picks Mark up from the group home where he lives, and then we have dinner, birthday cake, and ice cream; we give Mark presents; and then we go outside for trick-or-treating. My dad makes a little fire in the driveway, so we can sit around it and stay warm while the trick-or-treaters come.

Jerry usually takes Noah and Eli trick-or-treating around my parents' neighborhood, but this year things are going to be different. Noah and Eli are old enough to realize that the neighborhood isn't great for trick-or-treating (there aren't many kids out, and the houses are far apart). So my boys requested to go to their other grandparents' neighborhood this year.

I really didn't want to miss Mark's birthday, and I just learned that my brother Brian is coming in, so I'd like to see him. Jerry is going to take the boys to his parents' house for trick-or-treating, while I stay at my parents' house to pass out candy and visit with everyone. My kids couldn't care less if I go with them, anyways!

22 comments:

  1. That is so great that Jerry's work is so supportive & is really putting their money where their mouth is in terms of health!

    I've gone to meetings for a couple years, and I am so sorry you dealt with judgement. That's ridiculous. My leader told us that for her maintaining was much harder, and we had a few member who were at goal or had been in the past and their input was incredible!

    I think if I were you, I'd speak up and tell them about yourself, etc then they will be much more likely to look to you for advice vs judging. (Although it does suck that you have to say anything at all! Everyone has their own struggles and should be welcomed.)

    I hope it goes well!

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  2. I just signed up for WW online today for 3 months. I'm hoping it give me the push I need to get through the holidays. Congrats on getting close to your goal range :)

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  3. I think that is so great of Jerry's work! More places of employment should be like that!

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  4. WOW! Free Weight Watchers meetings is a great benefit! I was surprised to learn that the weekly fee is up to $14 now. As you recently started talking about the points plus plan I decided to get the materials for the program. I am a lifetime member so when they come out with a new program I can go to a meeting and receive all the materials. When I became a lifetime member, back in the dark ages, the weekly fee was $5.00 and went up to $6.00 the last few weeks of my maintenance period before becoming a lifetime member.
    I have always had great experiences at the meetings. When I went to the meeting a few weeks ago I loved it, the leader was great, it made me want to go regularly. I really hope that it goes better for you if you decide to go. I think you would be good for meetings because you are proof that it can be done and you really inspire people.
    Enjoy your evening!

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  5. Congrats on the weight loss. I really enjoy my WW meetings. I have a great leader and a great bunch of women that sit together. Hopefully you have the same experience. I have lost about 80 lbs so far and it works for me, even though I am struggling a little right now, but the meetings work for me.

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  6. Yay for your great weigh-in, Katie!! Happy Halloween :)

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  7. Congrats on your weigh in. I've lost 65 on WW online so far and would love to have it paid for. I am amazed at all the things Jerry's work pays for, more companies should do the same. I actually live in Indy and they had a news story this morning about the increase in registration for the Monumental Marathon this weekend due to the number of people not running in the NY Marathon. Hopefully Renee will do a great job and enjoy Indy!

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  8. Ok, this may make me the BIGGEST dork ever but as much as I enjoy WW meetings for the info, inspiration, support etc...the reason I don't do online only is because I love the little Weekly Magazine they give you each week at weigh in lol I find the recipes, coupons, success stories and suggestions are really as helpful and sometimes more helpful than meetings!

    Good luck, I think you'll enjoy it and if not, try different meeting times until one feels right. I had to try a few to find the right combo of leader, time and the people attending that felt right for me.

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  9. That's incredible that Jerry's work is so involved with these things. Most companies are all about penny-pinching! And it's great to hear you're taking advantage of it.

    I'm also sad you've had negative experiences with WW meetings. I've done it on and off my whole life (since about 12- so about 14 years), and I've never had a negative experience. And my current meetings in Brooklyn have been amazing. Definitely try different times and leaders until you find one you like. Took me a little while and I found a leader I LOVE but I've found who's in the meeting room matters just as much. There are certain times I avoid just because I'm not as big of a fan of the crowd. (Friday evenings they're too noisy and talkative, and some of the day time ones, it's just a few too many older ladies lol).

    But as a still bigger member I love seeing the lifetime members there because it's living proof that people do make it on the plan. I hope you find the right group that welcomes you for your still ongoing struggles and your past success!

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  10. That's great that Jerrys work pays for WW and your races! I have trouble with the WW meetings too. I hate being weighed in every week.

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  11. That is so sweet what your family does for Mark! I bet he looks forward to it all year long. :)

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  12. You know, it saddens me to know you were judged at the WW meetings in the past! I hope you go and it's a much better experience this time around!

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  13. Congrats on reaching your 10% goal! Find the most attended meeting and go to that one. I've had some awesome WW leaders, but its members who contribute their experiences or tips that make a meeting great. You can go to as many meetings as you want in a week, once you've paid for one meeting.

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  14. Its sad to say that I'm not shocked you felt judged at WW. I had a similar experience not too long ago at Lane Bryant. I was in one of the lowest sizes they offer (now I'm too small to shop there!) and I had shopped there when I was much larger, but the sales associates were not very friendly to me.

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  15. Katie I hope you have a much better experience this time. We love the lifetime members at the meeting I go to, they are very inspirational!

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  16. I have never liked the women that check you in or even the overzealous leader...and then the members are usually naive about nutrition. I never felt like I belonged!!

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  17. oh btw...i'm doing a giveaway right now if anyone wants to enter!

    http://www.shilohstaste.com

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  18. That's great to get paid for WW meetings! If you're willing to make the drive up to Canton, I love my leader on Saturday mornings, Sindy. I had previously had bad experiences with meetings. It's all about finding the right leader. Sindy walks and runs half and full marathons and really encourages activity. I find her a very good fit for me, and could see you feeling the same way. Regardless if you try her or not, best of luck!

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  19. I joined WW at work and hate it. While I think WW is great, the leader or whatever she's called is awful. There is absolutely no group participation whatsoever, she's more like a QVC host trying to sell the items she brings and everyone is dropping out like mad. Still, I've lost about 10 pounds in 4 weeks, so it can't be that bad. LOL

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  20. I'm currently a WW flunky that needs to get my mojo back. I've been getting back into running too so that is how I've found your blog and now have been lurking!

    Your story and blog is very inspirational and I think you would be an asset to any WW meeting you attend! Finding the right meeting is key. Going to the meetings is important too. Please...share your experience with your group!

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  21. Maybe we should have a virtual online meeting and Katie can sponsor it! Call it Kate Watchers. Wait...that sounds creepy!

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  22. Good for you! That is an awesome accomplishment! I actually just started back at WW with my friend yesterday. I have been thinking about it for a while but she finally talked me into it. I think it has been long enough since I was on the first points program that I can maybe do better on the new PP...I attempted the new one when it first came out but my mind was stuck on the old one so I wasn't successful. My favorite part of WW is the meetings! And having someone to go to meetings with definitely makes a difference. I don't think I could only do the online version.

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