A Sweet Discovery

I have a terrible sweet tooth, one that requires me to get a dessert fix at least once a day -- preferably after dinner. Unfortunately, the whole "fit" thing doesn't always coincide too well with the "sweet" thing. All those annoying calories, fat grams and lack of nutrition in most tasty treats really work against me.

Happily, I've discovered several delicious and satisfying chocolatey desserts to keep my sweet tooth happy and not screw up my fit lifestyle. My top picks include:

• Trader Joe's Very Chocolate Mini Meringue Cookies (110 calories for 13 cookies) -- new to me, thanks to a tip from my coworker Cecilly
• Edy's/Dreyer's Slow-Churned Ice Cream Bars (150 calories)
• Jello Sugar-Free Pudding (dark chocolate is my fave) with Cool-Whip (80 calories)
• Betty Crocker Warm Delights Minis (150 calories)
• Skinny Cow Truffle Bars (100 calories)

Obviously, I am of the chocolate persuasion. If you have any favorite sweets that fit into a healthy lifestyle, do share in the comments! I'm always up for a taste test.

Weekly Weigh-in: A Sigh of Relief

I can't say I've done anything drastically different this week, but after last week's 4-pound gain, I held back on the "goodies" and tried to eat more veggies and fruits. I also made more effort to be physically active. For instance, this weekend I walked outdoors quite a bit, which not only felt good (ahh, sunshine at last!) but also burned those extra calories.

Jay (currently on a "break")
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: ??? pounds
Pounds lost this week: ? pounds
Total pounds lost: ? pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 195 pounds
Pounds lost this week: .5 pounds
Total pounds lost: 43 pounds

So there you have it -- I lost 0.5 pound and stayed strong. That is a relief! Also, based on some of our dear readers' comments (particularly Andrea's), I looked into water aerobics classes at my local Y. I've decided to try the Monday-Wednesday-Friday classes after work. I'll still get home in time to hang with my girl and put her to bed. But it will also be a good no-impact workout and hopefully relieve some tension, too. Weekends, I'll do more of the walking.

Here's to a fit week for all of us!

Weekly Weigh-in: Four Pounds?! Really?!

This past week was a doozy. I knew I'd probably see some gain, based on post-Easter candy consumption and an anniversary weekend away with Mr. But 4 freakin' pounds?! Jesus. That is not right. Not right at all.

Jay (currently on a "break")
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: ??? pounds
Pounds lost this week: ? pounds
Total pounds lost: ? pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 195.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (4) pounds
Total pounds lost: 42.5 pounds


I am bummed. Yet not motivated enough to hit the gym and jiggle my ever-growing belly on the treadmill. Just enough to opt for the Lean Cuisine lunch instead of chicken salad sandwich from the corner deli.

Ugh. I know being pregnant is no excuse for overeating, but damn it's hard. This baby makes me ravenous all the time, not to mention tired as hell after a long day of work and home stuff. I just want to hang on to some semblance of "fit" for the next three months as best I can, so the road to my goal isn't as long starting in August.

On and Off the Wagon

I have been climbing on and falling off the weight-loss wagon since about the age of 14. Let's do the math -- that's 18 years of wagon-related experience. I'm like a wagon master!

What I've noticed along the way is how most of us who struggle with weight go through this cycle over and over again. Getting up the courage to battle the excess weight, being thrilled at our success or disappointed at slow progress, and eventually (after days, weeks or months) giving up because of [insert circumstances here]. There's Oprah, of course, the patron saint of lifetime losers-and-gainers. Most recently, I've witnessed Mr.'s decline in motivation to be fit and just this week read about my good friend Amy's recommitment to losing after a two-month gaining period.

Several members of my family also have gone up and down on the scales during my lifetime, in the range of 15 to 60+ lbs or more. During each "on" period, I'm inspired by and happy for them. When they fall off, I say nothing but quietly feel their pain and hope they'll try again soon.

Right now, I'm in a weird wagon-limbo. I have definitely not given up on my goal to be fit and fabulous. But it's like I'm riding in a little sidecar to the wagon, where it's considered "OK" to indulge a little more, work out a little less. So what if the scale creeps up? It's supposed to do that when you're pregnant. (Not too much though, as the establishment will constantly remind you.)

As I ride along during these nine months, I'm looking up in admiration at the strong, courageous folks who remain on the wagon, day after day, week after week. I'm also waving encouragingly at those who have fallen behind and haven't yet brushed off the dust.

What's my point here? I guess just to say, weight loss/maintenance is hard stuff. To those who stick with it for the long-term, hats off to you. To those who have lost their way and feel like you'll be fat forever, don't give up on yourself. There's always hope for change. You are worth the effort to try again, and keep trying, as many times and as long as it takes.

Weekly Weigh-in: This Baby Is Growing!

If you've seen me lately, you can tell that I am clearly pregnant. (Note Easter Bunny photo at right, taken on Saturday.) No hiding it under baggy clothes or even aprons anymore. Even my 6-year-old nephew noticed at Easter dinner! And apparently, the scale noticed, too.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: ??? pounds
Pounds lost this week: ? pounds
Total pounds lost: ? pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 191.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (2) pounds
Total pounds lost: 46.5 pounds

I may have overindulged a bit in the Easter candy ("one for the basket, one for me, one for the basket ...") but I also read in my BabyCenter weekly email that at this stage, baby's putting on "baby fat." Could that account for 2 whole pounds? Probably not.

I will continue to be as active as I can and seize on every "healthy" craving I have (fruit and veggies). As for Mr., he's under the weather with a cold and not in the mood to discuss fitness.

Weekly Weigh-in: No Gain Is a Good Week

When a woman gets on the scale during her 24th week of pregnancy, all she can hope for is not to have gained. Fortunately, I had something to smile about this time. No gain, stayed the same.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: ??? pounds
Pounds lost this week: ? pounds
Total pounds lost: ? pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 189.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 0 pounds
Total pounds lost: 48.5 pounds

You may be wondering about the question marks on Mr.'s weigh-in numbers. Well, that's due to Mr.'s refusal to face the scale this week. He says he's not going to weigh in again until he starts exercising, and he's not sure when that will be. I will continue gently encouraging him to get fit -- I'm not giving up!

My favorite cravings recently have been for fruit. Can't get enough of the fresh, juicy stuff. Strawberries, blueberries, grapes, oranges, pomegranates, you name it! Glad my body actually pushes me toward healthy choices instead of ice cream all the time (though there's been some of that, too).