Yes... I’ve been AWOL for two months (that’s a bit over a year for a dog) and I’m not proud of it, but the blog needs new life and I’m back to write a bit about some adventures I’ve had over this span of time. Then, I want to check out what you’ve been up to!

I guess the best news is that I’ve lost 12 pounds since I last posted, which is a load off my... well... lots of parts. I feel so much better to have dropped those pounds and am currently stymied by the last three stubborn big ones. At least that’s what they feel like! Three huge pounds! I also know they’ll disappear eventually – I always plateau at my current weight before the bod allows more to come off, so I’m not too anxious or frustrated. I’m just continuing to do what’s been working, which is to eat about half of what everybody else seems to eat. This is a relatively new habit I’ve managed to put in place and it’s definitely working. I’ve also been cramming in the cardio and adding full body workouts three times a week. (That’s where I’ve been!)

Secondly, I’ve been doing book readings – small venues, but I’m slowly making sales and most importantly right now, to make the point that while weight loss is important to so many of us for so many reasons, that maintaining that loss is critical to our overall health if we’re to continue keeping the changes we’ve worked so hard on in place. It was really fun doing a reading at The Corner Book Shop on Madison and 93rd in New York about a month ago, which went well – I met so many enthusiastic and wonderful people back there who attended – owners terrific too. Locally, I’ve been darting in and out of places such as YMCAs and small independent book shops, where the response has been super positive. I’m encouraged as I keep working on following my own advice he he!

Third, I’ve been working as always, in between bouts of colds and sore throats etc. While that’s not too much fun, our dog has suffered some major problems. I must now admit to having another blog (have not figured out how to connect it to this blog yet) at http://sammiegolden.blogspot.com/ which is all about our pup. That has taken up some time, especially lately, when her problem with the G-L-O-V-E required lots of attention from the V-E-T. If you want to go over there, it starts with the post on “Mischief.” So I’ve been cheating on my own blog LOL! I don’t know how anyone does two blogs at a time, but I’ve found it so tough that I messed up Samantha’s first blog trying to get tricky with some HTML code that I had no biz doing! I had to start all over again! Good lesson. Here are a couple of pictures that I was sent a while ago at the reading in NY.

Finally, am still working several hours a day as a trainer with time spent in the company of grandchildren as much as possible. It all takes time, but I’m so glad to get this posting done! Happy Sunday and I’m about to take a look at your blogs!

Injuries!!!

I haven’t posted daily this week because I seem to have done something to myself that prevents me from moving very much. I’m a bit P.O.d, to say the least. I just got over that crud I had and now... (dreaded word)... INJURY. I managed to get to a body worker I know yesterday, and my hour of intense pain (screams and whining!) with him produced miracles. Even though I am extremely skeptical of alternative treatments for injury or sickness, this guy has come through every single time I’ve done something dumb. The only problem that remains is that I can’t lift until next week or do any intense cardio—just walks. UGHHHHHHH!!!!! I’m sick of being sick!

Even though I’ve lost weight for the last couple of weeks, I'm not hoping for any downward movement on the scale tomorrow. Several of your posts have reminded me that in the scheme of things, life can really be very good, despite setbacks. I have a multitude of gifts to be thankful for—the blogosphere is teaching me about the power of gratitude. I send major thanks to you all for that and so much more. The weight will come off. But here’s a problem I can’t help with.

My son hadn’t called his grandmother (my 80-year old, very fit-for-her-age mother) for a couple of months. He phoned her yesterday morning, to what must have been her surprise, but she told him that she couldn’t talk at that moment as “someone was coming to put a cast on her hip.” Son called me, so I immediately tried to get through on this bit of news. Now, the night before, my sister-in-law had called and we caught up on some belated Thanksgiving doings and family. She told me that my mother’s Lhasa dog had broken her leg and was wearing a cast. I hadn’t heard about that either. All my extended family lives in or near New York City.

By yesterday afternoon, I was thoroughly confused and couldn’t reach ANYONE back east. Finally this morning, I was able to contact my sister, who confirmed that on Tuesday afternoon, my mother (who has had two hip replacement surgeries) reached down from a chair to pat her dog (who did have a cast) and dislocated her hip. She had to drag herself to the phone in excruciating pain and then spent all night in the hospital having her hip reset. Ouch and I can’t tell you how much I wish I’d been there. My sister was with our mom, however, for which I’m also grateful, but I also can’t believe I didn’t get any calls about this—argghhhh!

So, my son called just as she’d gotten home from the hospital yesterday morning and someone had just arrived to fit a brace on her hip. And her constant companion doggie has gone for a month to our aunt’s house, so I’m worried about my mother being lonely a little. Sometimes, I just wish I could afford a pied a terre in NY, but that won’t happen soon. It's a problem I can't fix for her although I can be supportive and positive. I can wish all I want, but as Mom used to say to us kids, “If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.”

Happy Thursday, everyone. I’m very lucky to be able to take a nice walk today and get to work. But I’m glad I have a place to vent my stuff. For that, I'm extremely grateful.

Weighing in on a Few Things...

The girl is getting better (but bigger, as you will see). Antibiotic is beginning to fight the big, bad bronchitis. Not certain how or where I picked that up, but I don’t think I’ve had it since I was a little kid. Good riddance!

You may have noticed that I’ve been playing with the book’s subtitle, tweaking it a little each day. “Struggling” (with the subtitle) would be a better word. Although I have managed a total weight loss of 100½ pounds twice in the last 11 years, I haven’t come close to keeping it off for more than three months. It would be dishonest to imply that I maintain, on a day-to-day basis, a 100½ pound loss.

I have finally settled on a more accurate number. It’s a weird concept, but a more accurate one in my case. I’ve taken an average of pounds (within five pounds above or below my goal weight) kept off over the past 11 years and settled on that number. Turns out to be 86.5, which I (natch) rounded up. Hence the odd number. But no fraction of a pound has ever been too small for me to note in my journal, whether I am losing or maintaining. Each piece of a pound is critical, and whether I reached a 10, 22, 48, 63, 89-pound loss, it all felt (and still feels) amazing! The scale is such great feedback. It's black and white. I'd like to think it lies, but it doesn't, (and today, it's a little tough to take, damn!)

Since I haven’t been able to work out this week, I've taken short walks around the block with Sam. When I find that I'm exhausted after these, I’ve become somewhat bummed out, but probably more bored mentally, while physically, just about too tired to sit up in a chair, as in front of computer. Have indulged in comfort foods, thick soups and breads, ugh. And I weighed myself today, because it's that time.

I'm about to hit the shower and after, take Sam to our great McInnins Park to throw out her Kong. I'm taking today off for the last time this week to rest. Later, I want to bathe the doggie—a long neglected task. And finally, I need to organize my shopping list for Thanksgiving dinner that I planned a couple of weeks ago. THEN, joy of daily joys, I get to grab some tea and read your blogs!

Weight? 159.4# Arghhhh! Yet I knew it would be a “bad” week. Comfort foods and no exercise? Both together? Disaster. So, a place to begin. Again.

Maintenance and the Art of Procrastination

This blogger has the art of procrastination down to a science. I changed the template, layout and colors of this blog and then read many new posts by all you inspiring writers out there. It’s really been helping me to stay “on” my plan this week, especially since I’ve been struggling with 15 stubborn pounds. I know that 15 pounds may not sound like a lot, and if this were 1997, it would sound ridiculous to me. But after menopause and eleven years of maintenance (Halloween was actually my 11th anniversary of keeping at least 77½ pounds off), the “glow” of losing that weight and looking (and feeling) so much better weakens in intensity just a wee bit. That is NOT to say that I ever want to return to where I was then. It’s just that the passion I felt for LIVING during those first couple of years after the weight loss diminishes a bit. Learning how to deal with the temptations and my own lifelong issues around food, month-in and month-out, year-in and year-out, is really what maintenance is all about for me.

As the years have accumulated, my ability to understand how to cope with living a different kind of life than I’ve ever managed before has improved. But... I’m human and am drawn to food like a barracuda to shine... still! It’s really quite incredible that almost nightly, I have to work with myself on the starchy carbs and sweets that still come calling. Often, I just leave the house and work out or, for the time being, working on a project with another personal trainer. By the time I get home, I’m exhausted enough to pass out. I hate fighting with myself! Wish I had more time, but gotta get going! I love to read your blogs and am enjoying the act of writing as well. It’s shaping up to be a gorgeous day and I’m about to get out into it (but I won't be going skydiving anytime soon)!

Hard to Admit but... in All Honesty...

Okay, it’s time to face facts. Besides the need to become more computer literate, I need to drop 15 pounds. I’ve been trying, but seriously folks, without the planning that comes with serious commitment, pounds do not melt off the body by themselves. Lifelong experience tells me that about 80% of fat loss is “Diet,” and 20% is exercise, I’ve been about 15% “on” and I’m very disappointed in myself.

My reality goal weight is 150 pounds. I weigh (gasp!) 159#. Not happy. When I think about my current weight, I tend to pat myself on the back for keeping off 77½ pounds for eleven years. But that’s not the point. I don’t feel good or look the way I want to look—the more I think and write about it, the angrier I am becoming. History, however, has proven that if I can get mad enough about something I’m unable to do with regard to my bod, I dig deep and find a way to crawl out of my anger—and pretty fast, too! But I must be honest; I’ve been complacent lately. Writing about this helps and I know there are 100s of you out there who can relate with a backslide. But it’s hard to admit that after so long, I still snacked on yucky cookies the other night—how could I have done that? Regardless... I need to do something now. I’m tired of trying different workouts, climbing hills and beating myself up mentally and physically.

So... I’ve just put together a journal of sorts, with my weight, goals and body fat% all right in there. Twice, in the last ten years, I participated in a Challenge put out by a supplement company (EAS), started by Bill Phillips some dozen years ago. Phillips is now pretty well-known for his annual Body-for-Life challenges and book. I respond well to challenge and am just about ready to sign up for another. I’m a bit late for this year, but plan to start anyway! Has anyone out there ever tried these challenges? Just wondering... I’ll be logging my stats here, just as my book comes out, scared half to death, but trying to be brave at the same time. Wish me luck!!!

Doing Time on the Maintenance Track

Is there a blog out there on the subject of long-term maintenance for people who have lost a substantial amount of weight? Yes, there are a few! On another note, one study I read reported that the act of being accountable to a third party was key to maintaining weight loss. That sounds about right to me.

When I lost almost 100 pounds 11 years ago, I maintained the loss for a while by setting and resetting goals that I’d tick off one by one. Sometimes it was difficult coming up with goals that had a significant punch—one that I’d stick to. One of the things I did after I’d maintained for about three years, was join the non-profit organization, The National Weight Control Registry (www.nwcr.ws/). Being accountable to an annual (long) form I was asked to fill out was good, but an annual accounting to keep lost weight off is not enough for me. I need to have a constant source of goals: my off-exercise time exercise—to come up with a target that’s sexy and attainable. And believe me, it’s tough to conceive of these for ten years and counting.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve had joint problems, back and ankle issues and various muscle tears. I don’t even want to talk about hitting menopause! That’s ostensibly when I began having a real problem with maintenance. Exercise and my daily diet up until “the change” were no longer effective. No matter what happens, however, I will NEVER give up my quest to keep the lost weight off! It has been a wonderful challenge in the last decade and I have been at my happiest and most productive as well. I will simply not give up hope in my quest to remain lean and healthy for anything! Happy Monday!

October 10, 2008

You might be wondering if it's possible to take a 60-year old's antics climbing in the Sierras seriously, but consider the facts. In 1995, I was facing a severe case of Graves Disease as a woman who had been morbidly obese pretty much all her life. My endocrinologist threw me a lifeline and the rest was up to me. I'm about to receive brand new copies of a book that I've spent the last seven years writing. It is about how I lost almost 100 pounds (and eventually 100 1/2 pounds) and how I've kept it off for eleven years... and counting.

As I sit here typing tonight, after feeding the cat and dog their daily requirements (and those requirements look pretty good, actually), I'm wondering how I've managed to keep most of my lost weight off. It's been tough at times, but I've set myself up for success. Here are some of ways I've done this. It would be highly embarrassing to show up at the gym to train a client at a weight of 230 pounds. I received instruction from my dear friend, Dirk, on how to climb several years ago. If I showed up at a pre-ordained date to climb in, say, Yosemite at 235 pounds... well, I just wouldn't have shown up. I'd have traipsed out to our garden to eat worms. At any rate, the reason I'm starting this blog is to let you all know that I've been through the ringer regarding the fact that I've been a fat girl all my life... well, almost all my life. And I've managed to somehow turn it around. Throughout the year of 1997, I lost almost 90 pounds. Since then, I've either kept most of it off, or lost even more. I have been reading some incredibly inspiring blogs that exist in cyberspace, but the stories are as real as if the writers were talking to me in this room. I really get it. Keep on writing about yourselves, because it helps me (and others, I'm certain!). I have a book coming out in a few weeks that chronicles my "last journey down" this time. My various diet and exercise programs are detailed, but moreover, my journey that shows how I have kept the lost weight off take up more than half the book. I hope you enjoy the story. But most of all, I hope the tale can inspire those who have been searching for a solution to losing and preventing any weight gains ever again.

All My Best from a Food Junkie,
Miche