We are not a statistic

<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I hate reading this weight loss statistic: <strong>over 95% of people gain back the weight that they've lost.</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I see this statistic everywhere this time of year, in people's blogs, on the Internet, in the e-newsletters I get from various weight loss groups. Even my Weight Watcher leader mentioned it last week. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Everyone quotes this statistic, but I can't find the research to back it up. I just spent 20 minutes Googling it, and although I found the statistic everywhere, I can't find out where it's coming from. My guess is that some research group did some sort of study and came up with it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This statistic infuriates me for many reasons. First of all, I want to know how they did the research. How did they come up with this number?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Maybe they checked with Diet Center, where I lost 40 pounds in 1978 and quickly gained it all back. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Maybe they checked with NutriSystem and saw in 1992 I lost 50 pounds, and re-gained it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Did Jenny Craig tell them about the 70 pounds I lost on their plan in 1995 and regained the 70 pounds plus an additional 20 pounds in 1996 (putting me over 200 pounds for the first time in my life)? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Or was it my doctor that told them about the 110 pounds I lost with PhenFen in 1997 and then regained it all in eight months?  </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Did Weight Watchers squeal on me, telling them about my first two attempts on their plan, where I lost 30 pounds and then lost 70 pounds, and gained it all back.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm not a poster child for weight loss, and maybe in the past I've been part of the 95% that lost the weight and gained it back again. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On the other hand, I have manage to keep off a chunk of weight for over a year. I was 174 August 8, 2008. I'm 173 today, and I'm on my way back down. That's a 66-pound loss kept off for 17 months. Maybe I'm not a total success (still not at goal), but I'm not a failure either.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Secondly, I don't like hearing this 95% statistic because I think it hurts people more than it helps them. It gives people a feeling of hopelessness, of why should I even try if I only have a 5% chance of winning this battle? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I know that feeling because that's exactly how I use to feel. During dark moments I would take that statistic and think I was absolutely doomed. There was no way I could do this if 95% of people couldn't do it either. That is a myth. Of course I can do this.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So why should you keep trying to lose weight when the odds are stacked against you?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>1.) I'm not sure that 95% is even a real statistic. Where did it come from? Let's say it was true five years ago, why would it still be true today? </strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>We're smarter now, we have more healthy food options. Weight Watchers is better than it was five years ago. We know how to do this and make it work. We can make it a permanent change. </strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>There are hundreds of bloggers now that can help us and support us through this journey.</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>It's not the same world it was five years ago.</strong></span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2.) Do you really have the option of not trying to lose weight? Imagine if you just totally gave up on losing weight. Where would you be in a year? In five years? Not a pretty picture is it?</span></strong><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I know where I'd be in five years if I gave up on trying to lose weight. I'd either be dead or in a wheelchair or trying to be a contestant on the Biggest Loser or signed up for weight loss surgery. None of those options appeal to me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Don't let this statistic define you. If it's true (and I really doubt it is), fight it. Beat the odds. Why can't you be in the five percent that keeps the weight off forever?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Better yet, what if we all joined together and really do this, maybe we can increase that 5% statistic to 10% or 20% or 30% or maybe even 100% of the people that lose weight do NOT gain back the weight they lost. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We can't change history, but we can sure change the future.</span>

statistics We are not a statistic

I hate reading this weight loss statistic: over 95% of people gain back the weight that they've lost. I see this statistic everywhere th...

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Cleaning Out the Fridge

<p>I skipped the gym this morning because of my late night with my cousin last night! Crazy thing, I still woke up at the time that I would to go to the gym! Could be a good sign!! Kyle took over as hostess though and made pancakes for them for breakfast!! Good job honey! :)</p> <p>I made a quick bowl of <strong>oatmeal</strong> with <strong>chocolate PB2</strong> and a <strong>small sliced banana</strong> for <strong>4 points</strong>.  And then I was off to work.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7Yxe-hgV3TxR0XheXFV5gypkh6CaI5Bu2YoHrlqO-8COZTbFCzLi-I2Xs2h5xsyA8jtfZt2jG1s5027naZ7cuWFJIagFg1SJksdSVqZB6THr15idifzuzNbjJGTPk51oYfEQCgjq7EVr/s1600-h/DSC05771%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05771" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJBLVnR6rSpLgSGD5LmpvESLbXGwBKNXjukvZVlnApNVsVIo62s8S53Cqle4Oinv3fqIxVMmb0Cyiu8n_1q_N54M1wZhArWEv-Cqm3gPsCDmtZec-7T-ojSxQ7iRpXLV4QyzhfvI0hHRC/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC05771" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I mixed half of this sample box of <strong>GoLean Crunch</strong>, from <strong>Kashi</strong> with my <strong>yogurt</strong> for a mid morning <strong>3 point snack</strong>. <img alt="DSC05773" border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFLZAabeekXnZEXblGi9cGQiA-rwKV9c0Ly2_S4FDQDg7S2hdE67Nb5v8otLeltMQJlC0lpo3qq8u1GOhZiXcmfBYM1IdIX41RDfxfzrXP2Wfrx10pXWf0GzyLkKMjwJQYwwEq0MMIrPi/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC05773" width="254" /><img alt="DSC05774" border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_Gm0lWTRzjjDvaRxVw6NUaJ54blxc273a_5SJgJVipWn_iYAmRcGEW7sG-Vf4F9C-5uK3SYcHa8E6IQIAZd_cIZlkM3oIwBQlf2LsbilBuf1N6TkA9AA5s6hbYgjLWv0c5t-rdYSm9q_/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC05774" width="254" /></p> <p>Things are finally starting to slow down at work so I was able to come home for lunch. I had <strong>2</strong> of these little <strong>tacos</strong> for lunch today using some <strong>leftover taco meat</strong> we had in the fridge! Didn’t want it to go bad. They totaled <strong>4 oz in beef</strong>, <strong>1/4 ff shredded cheddar</strong>, and a <strong>flat out wrap</strong> for <strong>6 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdiII2wgICbke0Rnfr8_km4dn0KdyoLuyE4eoZkBlfetCLmCgbTPUhrMFcWrSVCjCdp7dstDlkANRXOmxu-JwsuQJBp1uv4vQvqLKP_UPq34tl7AzuKxN2RWE318vYjif8VxNfQxIakX_/s1600-h/DSC05775%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05775" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kTp0xLYKUHTuA0Juy5Zrkq6jTec6N4z7SWzh59lqkN0ldqIbVmOMnsRIo6PFqfWhiUXWrag57z_tTEJ-inYMfzJRt1PfQ79Jbj8alG-OoJiSC0PKDs27sne5OJo0nNEo9W9rlA_pBkpd/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC05775" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I sliced up a <strong>golden delicious apple</strong> to eat on my drive back to work for a little <strong>1 point “desert”. </strong>And it looks like I must have one my sister’s containers…see in the initials on the side of it! Sorry Mindi! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZF4BqhxbKkHbZXCrcX0li2c3WzwCPjqljvTan-ZyKRAy2FoaoDYqZHIZj4-koBHgA8cNbFE_Q8BzDAuqNHJsK26-rI8fSECDpYGVlM6zH2oPai7fIII3agGtzqNhkWFkYSNsftVNe7otB/s1600-h/DSC05776%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05776" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oGslSnVSait35UD_7-m0Fl8OZbpTWLr0fTBLN9mYBrEqtiuWOeUaFOPJ2Ljyh23-X5juaIpjNPLKE0qrFJjZqZyWeekBhvzTb0pUeaEJoGHQ77-UCmou7z5zafnqdL-gf-Y36xdt5qqU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC05776" width="404" /></a></p> <p>My cute little friend/neighbor, Mel,  texted me in the afternoon asking if i wanted to go to <strong>Zumba</strong>. We were planning on going on Thursday, but I didn’t know they  had a class on Tuesday too! So I said <strong>“of course”!</strong> (this is us a few weeks ago!)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNSKnvT_5pgBG1EyvjhD7n4-ZwZ4Mrh-xkGJeXVwWhkdwumJRnjrTgb7LfgbhwICv9eTa1q-E76bhkHpXReYXAdWg5AedT8Uz5HN83lGUMsQ69rNr01S9xm728tp2i6AcL1Z8f5Dj8E7d/s1600-h/DSC05138%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05138" border="0" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ffiqlNu2wc0ysWtHcS9noBvCBW5-GbN3Ok3rDD8lzco931Sp4BhPslnQTxtHrY0Z0VHxC6-qzvjr8OowXZYYZNKd6U1ZTpgU4RgLKtdTdsw_LmNo41Yvi2t1eZyAipqBHSeH_FUnEFfQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC05138" width="404" /></a></p> <p>So after work I quickly changed and headed to the gym. I got there early enough that I got in a <strong>15 minute run</strong> before the class started, which totaled <strong>1.45 miles</strong>. Nice little warm up! Then I headed down to the class, found Mel, and boy did we<strong> shake our hips</strong>!! It was a <strong>super fun</strong>, <strong>45 minute workout</strong>, and it went <strong>SO</strong> fast! One thing I know is that I have NO rhythm! I think we will probably do it again! Hopefully I catch on to some of the moves…I’m sure I looked quite silly! ;)</p> <p>I got home just in time to watch the BL and eat a quick supper. I didn’t realize it until I was posting this…but not only was my supper leftovers, but it was also very yellow! </p> <p>I started out with a <strong>1/2 c cottage cheese</strong> and a 1<strong>/2 pineapple left over</strong> from my Sunday pizza for <strong>3 points</strong>. I <strong>LOVE</strong> the <u>cottage cheese</u> and<u> fruit combo</u>!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4za5KyWcbsimbNR5DIztug71gIq6dhZsmqxAgv_zZUg2JAju4T5EBCTeIFQcKMSXa8qZOMAqM6IKp2Uv3DiJfvFuNuJEaMx7Mz6zkbqpyWSPLbErbqaWLcj489GiKjOasqE40-R0NQoy/s1600-h/DSC05777%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05777" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgtKKn0_sQGWmrz6s7n4hAPh8r533f_t-vVRIxrhHQSwJAa8-OQe70MzVCwtfWV6pHEjGAiuO_Wgq4kR9w-mfW2l2UUnCe2J_SnaagjUDTkzMvNKUxPnyucFfOxMvBKgkK4iVTZPeGYnN/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC05777" width="404" /></a> </p> <p>Then I found a little bowl of left over <strong>mashed potatoes</strong> and <strong>corn</strong> from last week for <strong>4 points</strong> (estimating high). Once again…didn’t want it to go back! So I heated it up and it was just as good as the first time! This is also a favorite  combo of mine, but usually I would LOAD it in butter, but not this time! And I still enjoyed it just as much. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkD0TJGCJ6uNHatej6cMzt0qGenhFfXZUkA4uh5YaSIwrREYOMf5M9JDS37dIof1UR84P5iTleHbp8pZAbN3LR3awfi1gQMVHXmIgT80XYPPdf66U-rGrcDT4fXRriBko0_IUn_WTXoosz/s1600-h/DSC05778%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05778" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSur15Bj8KEtmhlbFKED5BQCbO24FInQoPCkD1RoKc-6-kk0m49PTU5mgjzABTZJv0gyZ_582xNTcTABZy4tWQusZi7NIN4DQ7-1YGIo3d2t7uagjvDti4iQvQmuEQbxx4Iuh6F7o5HlNz/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC05778" width="404" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Kyle and I enjoyed watching BL…but I <strong>hate</strong> all the <strong>game play</strong>! And what was up with the red team?!?!? They sure did <strong>pi$$</strong> Jillian off…did you see her<strong> run out</strong> of there as soon as the weigh in was over!!</p> <p>Well it’s already Wednesday morning and this girl needs to <strong>hit the gym</strong>! We are in an <strong>ice storm warning</strong> and I don’t want to get stuck at home and not get in a good workout! We already have a 2 hour delay, but crossing my fingers for maybe a <strong>day off work</strong>, but we’ll see!</p> <p>Later friends! :) Have a <u><strong>WONDERFUL</strong></u> day!</p> <p><strong>TUESDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 21/24 <br />WATER = 116 oz <br />EXERCISE = 15 min run, 45 min Zumba class</p>

Cleaning Out the Fridge

I skipped the gym this morning because of my late night with my cousin last night! Crazy thing, I still woke up at the time that I would to ...

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