Week Fourteen: I'm getting in their heads!

Last week we discussed lessons we learned in 2012 and how to take those into the new year. I said that I learned that I never regret exercising, but I always regret not exercising. As I sat down yesterday my neighbor next to me was talking to me and telling me that he had gone swimming every day the last week. He said I was a great motivation because my voice was ringing in his head saying he'd never regret going. HA! I told him that I hear myself all the time too. I always feel like I talk way too much in our meetings so it's nice to know that all my talking actually does help others.
This last week was kind of crazy. I went out to eat 4 times. One of those times was my anniversary and I put my 49 weekly points to use. Corey took me to BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse which is one of my favorites. The problem with BJ's is that they don't post their nutrition information online. I've never asked for it in the restaurant, but online it says that they only have it for California and Oregon. So I just have to guess. I guessed my meal was about 30 points. I'm allotted 28 for the day. It was WORTH IT! We shared an appetizer of southwest spring rolls of which I ate 2. Then I switched my fries for a salad and felt pretty good about that. But when it came to my Black and Bleu burger, I left it unadulterated and enjoyed every stinking mouthful. I cut it in half first mainly to make it more manageable to eat, but also to limit myself to just half of the burger. I savored every bite and loved it! As I reached the end of my half burger (Probably still the size of my hand) I was full! I didn't need the whole thing. But we had to share a Pizookie for dessert. Also totally worth it. I stuffed myself for the first time in months. I loved the food I was eating, but I hated the feeling of being full. We went for lunch and I was full all day long. I did get the energy to go running that afternoon so I did feel a little better. It was just kind of eye-opening for me to realize that I used to eat like that all the time. I would eat not until I was satisfied, but until I was STUFFED. Once in a while is enough for me now. I realized I really don't like the feeling of being stuffed.
Here's what's awesome though. I still lost 1.6 pounds this week! That is why Weight Watchers is working for me. I have the freedom to eat out 4 times in a week and stuff myself 2 of those times and still lose weight. I like the commercial that's out right now with Jennifer Hudson where she says she loves bread and cheese and still eats it. And THAT'S why she still looks the way she does. It's a great commercial because it's true! It's a real way to live. And I do not regret my Black and Bleu burger and Pizookie for one single second. (Pizookie is a pizza cookie. Delightful.)

This week I also received a phone call from my leader. She asked if I had a minute to talk which I did and then here's how the next part of the conversation went:
Rachel: How do you feel about healthy oils?
Erika: About what?
Rachel: Healthy oils.
Erika: Um...

It was kind of funny. It turns out that this Saturday is a big open house celebrating Weight Watchers' 50th birthday. They are going to be having demos and classes and I have been asked to be a success story and talk a little about my experience and then teach a little class on how to incorporate healthy oils into our day. It's weird to think of myself as a success story. I feel like I am still a work in progress but I'll probably feel that way until the day I die. I'm always trying to be better. It is really weird for me to hear people tell me that I am an inspiration. I feel like I am just doing my thing. But to be honest, it really drives me. I don't want to let those people down. But it's still weird sometimes. I am SO GLAD that I am inspiring others to become the person they want to be. But it's still weird sometimes. Does that make any sense at all? I think I would be a terrible celebrity. All I know is that this Saturday I get to talk about my story and hopefully give people some new ideas. Like I said, I feel like I talk a lot in my meetings but it feels good when I hear that something I said helped someone else. Hence, the blog. I'll let you know how it goes.

My Progress:
Week one:   4.6 lost
Week two:   2.2 lost
Week three: 0.8 lost
Week four:   2.2 lost
Week five:    3.2 lost
Week six:     1.6 lost
Week seven: 2.2 lost
Week eight:  1.2 lost
Week nine:   2.0 lost
Week ten:    3.4  lost
Week eleven: 0.4 gained
Week twelve: 2.6 lost
Week thirteen?: 0.8 lost
Week fourteen?: 1.6 lost

Total: 28 pounds lost!

Let's see if I can hit 30 next week!