Cheese Ravioli or a Plate of Carrotts?

Surprise! I chose a new template tonight and I like it better than the other version of dark greens and blues. The links will be added soon.

After losing 15 pounds in '05, my waistline has expanded again (ahhhhh...ickkk!) I lost that weight because I was on crutches for eight weeks and it was just too damned hard to get to the food. My elastic pants are too tight now and even my underwear won't hug above or below my belly. All day long, I find myself readjusting the underwear, stretching the elastic waistline on my pants and pulling at my bra. I do this in the privacy of my office but I've wondered if there is a security camera somewhere snuggled in one of the corners and a group of people laughing their skinny asses off at me... Five pounds have returned in two specific areas - belly and back. The belly fat is bad enough but I think the bulges on my back under and over the bra lines are disgusting. Let's face it, back fat has never been the rage!

For the first time in my life, I'm going for help with my dear daughter Gina who wants to lose, too. Her case should be easy. She's only 24 and has an athletic body. She stopped swimming competitively a few years ago and, out of habit and sheer desire, still wants to devour the 10,000 (exaggerated) calories a day like she did during her 11-year swimming career. Her weight will drop quickly but I am post menopausal and it won't be a cakewalk for me, by any means. Tired of shopping at the mall and coming home with virtually nothing to wear, we agreed, "Weight Watchers, here we come!"

Today we approached the reception desk, I stopped in my tracks, and jumped back. Holy shit. There, on the floor were two scales without a readout and I saw cables sliver from the scales to under the reception desk! Whooaaa. I'm pleased with that because I envisioned a blinking marquee stating, "Mary is a short cow at --- pounds". After receiving our handy-dandy, nicely organized Member Organizer and after handing over lots of money, we took off our coats, shoes, handbags and weighed in. For a moment, I wanted to imitate the sound of a heifer but held back. I learned that for optimum results at the weigh-in, you remove earrings, too, and wear lightweight cotton clothing.

The meeting was very good and I'll study my handbooks this evening and through tomorrow. The presenter and staff were excellent and we learned the basics from them today. Really, for a person who is truly aimed at losing pounds of fat, it's the right place to be, I HOPE.

Maybe a little confused, the presenter/trainer asked us, "Why are you here now?" (meaning...5 days before Thanksgiving) Answer in our subconscious: "Because we are desperate and up to the challenge." OR "Because we are desperate and stupid???")

We learned the basics in a short time. I learned that I can't have peanuts anymore and it's killing me. I need to substitute dairy products for milk since I don't LIKE it. This won't be easy. I also learned that 4 ounces of wine is 2 points! Ohhhhh, crap... One lady in the meeting has never counted her wine points and still lost weight, so that was encouraging to me. Phewww. At least I'll have flex points to work with... Heck, I haven't even read everything I need to know yet but I'll make an attempt tomorrow. Every day requirements: fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy, and healthy oils. Plenty of cold water.

After we left our meeting, we had already made plans to meet Lea, Gina's friend, and her Mom, Ellen for lunch at the Olive Garden. Hmmm. Need I say more? Our stomachs were growling audibly...

WHAT SHALL WE HAVE? A PLATE OF CARROTTS? OR,

Day One. I failed miserably. I ate enough points during lunch to carry me through Tuesday. Hey, there's always tomorrow!