Sam's Blog

Renewed attitude = good results!

I am happy to report that our first S.O.S. (Sam or Sheri) crop was super fun! Last saturday was all about getting things done and receiving one on one help if you wanted it. We jammed out to upbeat techno music, (go figure techno?) and chatted up a storm. A little wine, cheese, fruit, and lots of layouts. I had fun and can't wait to do it again. My friend Jan was at the crop and broke out my sweet WW food of the week. The mint pattie. WW has a thin mint pattie that is only 1 point per pattie. I loved it and hope you do to. I have not had a pattie sighting yet. I went to Haagen but they did not have it. If you see these patties, please email me their location. I am also intrigued by some of the other WW treats. If you have a recommendation, please shoot it my way!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, weighed in today. I am breathing a sigh of relief. I am down 2.4lbs! So happy to see that coming down. I have been counting my points and really folding myself back into my program. I am hitting that 50lb mark if it kills me!

Weigh in tip! (Try not to layer on weigh in days) So today, I was finishing my weigh in while Sheri was getting on the scale. She got on and the associate told her she was up .4. I looked at her and said, "you should take your outer shirt off". Sheri gave me a look as if it was out of the question due to the shirt being very lightweight, and said, "like it will make a big difference". So of coarse we had to find out. She took off the outer layer and stepped back on the scale. Oh yeah, .4lbs! The difference between a gain or staying the same! Good to know!

So close and yet so far...my journey is so not over!

I got a wake up call this morning. It went a little like this: "Samantha, get in your car and meet me at the meeting." I replied simply. "How did you know?" She replied, "because I know you." I have been five pounds away from losing a grand total of fifty lbs. for more than a month. I just grabbed my book and in reality I have been that close since August 18th. That was six weeks ago and one of my target weekends, my high school reunion. I have been ever so slightly sabotaging myself for weeks. No crazy outright cheating, nope, not me. Just a really busy schedule, a lack of planning, and a lazy girl that just refuses to count those darn points. I know what I'm doing, I will be fine. Ha-guess again girlfriend! When I started this blog I promised myself I would be honest about my struggle in this process.

Here is the truth. I gained 2.2lbs today........silence........sigh........gulp..........exit stage left. Oh yeah, I walked straight out of that center. I was angry with myself, disappointed that I put myself in this place, and did not want to talk to anyone. Got in my car and called my man. We had a candid conversation about why I have been slipping and what I need to do about it. It is the little things that blur the lines for me. Going to practice w/out a snack and coming home famished. Over eating happens. Happy, sad, mad, depressed, elated, celebration, or my favorite, no reason at all. I am talking 3 crackers here, a piece of bread there, a piece of regular cheese instead of my low cal options that are always in the fridge. This was not a one week gain, it was a two week gain. This is why this girl can not skip a weigh in! So, I am reigning myself in. Here it is my promise to myself:

Monday, October 6th

Breakfast

Coffee

banana 2

Sushi 6.5

Z bar 2

Tortilla w/hummus, goat cheese, onion 4

No fat beans 1

Tortilla w/hummus, goat cheese, onion, 2 ounce chicken, 5

Light whip w/ a smattering of cereal 1

21.5 points (allowed 22)

To my dear friend Sheri, who saw the signs, thank you. To my SBA family who listened while I spilled my guts at this morning's meeting, thank you. To all of you who support me, thank you for reading this.

Sam

Counting my blessings, but not my points...

I went to see two movies in the last two weeks, a small miracle for me. "The Women" and the "Nights in Rodanthe". Both were a thumbs down for me. I can hardly stand it-I was so hopeful. I have new pics to update all of you. I am still hovering in my weight loss battle. I did not gain or lose last weigh in, stayed the same. This is good due to the fact that until now I really haven't worked out too much lately. I have worked out three times this week and feel better already. However, I have really been battling the whole thing lately. I am not off track, but definately not on it either. I know this is probably normal but I wish I could get my mojo to count my points back. I am so blessed to be healthly enough to make these changes before I get any older. I will just keep getting up and starting every day as if it is the first.

If anyone out there might be interested in having a WW meeting at SBA on mondays at 10am, please email me at info@scrapbookattack.com. We need 20 interested participants to make the meeting happen. We have a third of that already.

Here is the latest pic:

I am down 46 pounds as of today. Not too shabby!   

The new is bad...

but scrapbooking is always good for me. This time of year reminds us of so many sad events in our nations history and then hurricane season is in full effect, wildfires, politics, scandal, etc... I find myself not wanting to turn on the any media devices. I just need an escape once in a while. That is what  scrapbooking does for me. My happy place is sitting down with some paper, stickers, and maybe a few photos. I also love seeing all our customers at SBA that are my good friends.

I had such an good time chatting with Lori yesterday about our weight loss journey's and how they parallel . My stamp class was last night. Jan had a rough day but we still got her laughing a little before class was done. Last weekend, Dawn and I scrapbooked in the studio and had a fabulous time hanging out, trading paper and sharing tools. I just know that scrapbooking is so much more than the album. It is my social outlet, my peace, and most important-my family's history.

I heard some very bad news recently about one of my friends. Her name is Jalene and she is incredibly private, strong, and courageous single mother of two. She has cervical cancer for the second time in a very short time span. She is a commission sales person for KINK radio. She has been out of work and will be out of work for a while. I wanted to you to read her story because women supporting women is what we are all about. She is so tough but needs all the prayers and help that we can offer her. I will share a story of J's strength. I am in the same bunco group with Jalene and was not aware of her first bout with cancer until it had gone into remission. It was her turn to host and she went to radiation the same day and hosted bunco that night. No joke, I think she even made chili? Here is J's blog that her sister recently set up. J's sister is making bracelets to raise money for Jalene. Please help if you can.   http://jalenebrooks.blogspot.com/

This is my last crazy week of fall, in theory. Coops last flag football, last weeknight race, and hopefully a lighter schedule. I have had a doozy of a cold for the last week and feel as if I am finally on the comeback trail. I chose not to weigh in due to my grumpy mood on Monday. I am making moves on getting off this mental plateau that I have parked myself on. I need some new goals and maybe a reward that would make sense. I am close to losing fifty pounds. I would like to come up with a non food, low cost reward for hitting the big 50. Shoot me your ideas.

Sam

“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today...

It's like a fork in the road and you have to choose which way to go for your child's specific needs at that very moment. Always remember to teach the lesson.

We headed out to the track last week for Cooper's race. We had a rough night. Cooper was very indifferent about his race and it showed in his final position of 9th. Initially we wrote it off to the first week of school and just being tired. He made the mistake in a spirited exchange with his sister of speaking that he just didn't care if he won. Carter and I know that Cooper is not going to win every race but we do expect that he will always give one hundred percent effort. We had a long chat with our son about the importance of having a winning attitude in life. A positive outlook and winning attitude carries into so many other things. School work, chores, sports, and just life in general. We shared our chat topic later with Tabitha.

Days later we had two soccer games, one for each of the kids. The kids games were at the same time so we had to divide and conquer. Cooper played well and scored a goal. Tabitha's team lost by many goals but I was so proud her. She never gave up and she really did her best. It was a win for her!

My husband decided to have Cooper get some extra motocross practice this week but could only find a race. Off they went to Sandy, Oregon where they have a track called Mtn. View. Cooper was in good spirits and took third in his first moto(race). Between motos there was a child talking about what a great racer he was and Coop was starting to get down about the comments. Carter told Coop not to worry about the comments and just show the boy what he's made of out on the track. "Go out and do your best" his dad said. Here is what Cooper achieved with his new outlook:

A #1 Overall Win!

Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime”— 

P.S.

I was working Sunday when Cooper won his first race. Sheri showed me a text message from my husband with a picture of Coop's big trophy. I was helping a new customer and her daughter when Sheri handed me the phone and said "I think you better see this". I welled up with tears, Sheri welled up with tears, and so did my customer. It was such a cool way to end the first week of school. Carter brought Coop by to tell his "big fish" story and Slurpee's for the girls to celebrate too. Nice.

Where did summer go?

I can't believe it is over already. We have been on the go, go, go. The mere fact the school starts in the morning it enough to blow me over. In the last few weeks I have been to two motocross races, a reunion, The Great Wolf Lodge, bunco, quality time with my sis, soccer practice, work, a wedding, school shopping, and who can remember the rest? What a blur.

Picking the girls up from camp!

My twenty year high school reunion was a blast. It was great to see people that I have not seen for years. I must say, I have the best looking classmates ever! Really! My friend Mathew owns A Swank Affair and they put on our reunion down at the Embassy Suites. Fab party!  Reunion pages coming soon.

1988 2008 (apple cider!)

The Great Wolf Lodge was sooooo fun! I highly recommend this family friendly getaway. I saw my friend Melissa there making memories with her kids too. I loved the water park, restaurants, activities, and accommodations. We had a chance to spend time with my in-laws and was reminded of how lucky I am to be a part of such a loving family. My fav was Tabby getting a mani/pedi at the Scoops kids spa. The lotions were flavored like ice cream and the polish too. Adorable! These are the moments and times worth scrapbooking.

 

Motocross has been all consuming lately. Cooper is racing every Thursday on his Morgan Machinery Moving Polini out at Portland International Raceway. Yes, he is now sponsored by our good friend's company. This sport is intense and expensive which is why so many youths that race need financial support. He was racing in a beginner class but recently got bumped up to a higher junior class. We are rookie parents navigating in a very competitive but family sport. Let me tell you, it takes a village just to get us thru every week. Everyone has a role. Carter is "triple D" which really stands for Daddy, Daddy, Daddy! Cooper thought his mechanic and coach needed a cool nickname. Tabby is team support. I am marketing and promotions and my pseudo nephew Wyatt is our team manager and motivator. We all know what to do when we get to the track and everyone works together. I love it, I am tired, but love it. We have ten more companies interested in sponsoring Cooper and hope that we find ten more. I never imagined how many sprockets, plugs, can's of oil, rings, and other items could go onto a motorcycle, but they can. Three more Thursday races left-Go Cooper!

I am looking forward to getting into the school groove this week and back to soccer practice with my team. I am also thinking it will put me back into my regular dietary habits. I have been a little relaxed this week but honestly think I needed to take it easy for a bit. I had a few regular corn chips this weekend and a bite of real pizza. It was yummy!  Tuesday is back to reality in every way.

Old tool, new purpose!

So, they have invented this new thing to hold your pants up called a "belt". I know some of you are very familiar but it has not been used on this girl since about 1997. I broke out an old one to hold up a pair of pants today. I thought I might step it up as Sheri told me I should "just throw those away". However, I decided they need to work so I found one in the closet and tried it on but it was from the old days and a tad small. Then my scrapbooking skills kicked in to hight gear and I whipped out my Crop-a-dile to poke two new holes in the leather. Voila, it fits, I feel so crafty!

10 is the last double digit!

Fun little update for you today! So, I have already bored with my clothing woes but this is good! I was over at Sheri's working the other day. I was walking into the office and was having a laugh with her about how big my jeans were fitting today. Inicidently they were a 14 Old Navy white jean. She jumps out of her chair and says, "come here, I think it time I give you my fav jeans." She whips them out of the closet and sure enough they fit. Size 10! Yep, size 10. Did I mention they were a size 10? It has been exactly ten years since I was wearing a ten.  It was so exciting! We hollered, high fived and hugged! Even Elli gave me a big hug and told me "good job". It was fabulous. I wore them right out of her house.  

I was wearing 16's and 18's when I started my journey. That was this year. It seems like yesterday and yet so long ago. This process is not hard. Challenging and sometimes frustrating, but not hard. If I can do it, absolutely anyone can. If you are struggling with losing, please don't give up. Today was one of those days that felt so good! I still have a good ways to go until I reach my goal but I am super motivated by my mini accomplishment.

Our group of ladies that are coming to the same meeting. We are not exclusive, we are supportive! If you are interested in getting started or restarted we meet at Weight Watchers in Beaverton's Cedar Hills Crossing. Monday mornings at 9am.  If you have questions please email me at info@scrapbookattack.com

I lost 2.4 lbs today, which makes up for the 1.8 I gained last week. I think i was retaining water after the 8 Bridge Pedal I did with Brandi. Either way, I will take it!  Have a great week!

sam

Feeling lighter! (but not like you think)

Hey all-hope everyone is having a great summer and ready to cruise right into fall. I am so ready for it! Apples, harvest smells, the changing season, back to school, ahh...can't come soon enough.

Anywho-life is good with the weight loss. I do wonder if I when I get down to where I want to be, if that will be satisfying.  Not that I mind, because this keeps me honest. I ponder the unknown.

So for the past months I wake up every day and go to the closet to find something to wear and usually end up wearing some weird combo of old, too big, loose, too tight apparel. I have shared that shopping for the middle of the journey does not really make a lot of sense, but really, who am I kidding? I have purchased a few things at the insistance of my friends but not too much. Why invest in this size? Going lower anyway. The fun part has been getting hand me downs from Sheri and anyone else who offers. Thanks for the clothes Sher, it helps so much! Okay, back to the story. Many of my friends are making moves on losing some extra lbs. so I had big plans on arranging a clothing exchange but as well intended as I may be, I was piling clothes faster that I could deal with them. So I called my girlfriend and told her to get over here! She left with a back seat full of clothes. I spent so much money on those clothes-it was slightly painful. All my friends were there, Tommy, Ralph, Liz, and many more. However, there was a plus side! (get it, plus!-ha ha) They're gone! Just like the song says: Your'e out of my liiiiiife, you're out of my liiiiiife! I felt like I lost another 45lbs! Went through the kids closets and did more of the same. Went to drop them off hours ago. My closet has room, my drawers are still congested, this is a process, but I am making it happen. Feels great!

Thank you to all of the amazing, supportive people that continue to encourage and praise me on my journey. It doesn't seem like it was more than six months that I wrote "my big fat confession". Crazy!

So, as requested, my total loss to date is: 45.4lbs

Happy to share...

that I am making progress on my weight loss journey. The last few weigh ins just didn't cut the mustard for me. I hate the word plateau! I breathed a big sigh of relief after today's weigh in. I lost 2.4 lbs. I am down 44 lbs. I am wearing a new size called a 12!  Funny thing is that you lose weight in the weirdest places that you may not even think have extra to lose. I am losing in my hips. Oh, well. Not complaining, but I have some serious opinions about where it should be coming from. I don't want to make waves with the universe but there are some rolls in places I would rather do without. Just as soon as I find the cord to my camera I will post the photos I was going to include.

Thanks to all of class takers from our first Class Attack. I personally had a great time and look forward to doing another in the future. Thank you for making the weekend fun for me and the whole SBA team.

Happy Birthday Sandy!