Happily Wasting Away...

I joined Weight Watchers at Work about 3 months ago, and in that time I have lost 16 pounds -- maybe more, as my next weigh-in is today. I am amazingly proud of the success I have on the program so far, and I am excited to see how far I can go. Different methods work for different people, but this program has been perfect for me -- just enough structure and rules to guide me, but it isn't so rigid that I feel like I am missing out on anything.

My husband has made a few comments about how good I look, calling my his "super-skinny wife," and  my parents have been very supportive, especially my mother, who has battled with her weight for as long as I can remember.
It has been a bit annoying in a strange way, since I thought at the beginning that by now my clothes would be baggy on me, and I'm not feeling that. I haven't yet dropped any dress sizes, but I suspect I was on the verge of going UP a dress size when I started.So I just keep reminding myself of that when I start feeling a little down.

While it's wonderful to feel the support from family and friends and essential to be motivated and proud of yourself, sometimes the best boosts are the ones that come from unexpected places.
This morning, a woman in my office commented on my weight loss. I really only know this woman in passing -- we don't work together or for the same company, and honestly I couldn't tell you her name, but we work in the same area of the building and sometimes chat about little things like the weather or the day's offerings in the cafeteria -- but as we got to the office door at the same time, she said, "Wow, you are really dropping down, aren't you?!" It took me a minute to realize that she had noticed that I had lost weight, and once it dawned on me, I couldn't help but blush. Here is this person who barely knows anything about me -- certainly not that I have been on WW@W -- and she can see the changes in my body.

So maybe I haven't noticed the changes in my body, but I guess that's because we are our own worst critic.
And maybe I shouldn't take my husband's compliments so lightly. He clearly sees something that I just haven't seen yet.

I'm ready to keep on being a loser.
Onward and downward!

Things Big and Small...

Small:
Today I had one of my favorite sandwiches for lunch. So very tasty...

Big:
My dad has been in the hospital for a little while now and has a bit of an uphill battle ahead of him in his recovery. I was able to see him this weekend, and I was happily surprised with how well he looks. I am hopeful that HE stays positive, since that will be the key to regaining his health.

I Am the Luckiest...

I'm lucky enough to have a husband who isn't afraid of expressing how he really feels. True, sometimes those feeling are anger or sadness, which take a bit of work (on both of our parts) to work with, but he is also really great at letting me know when he is really truly happy, proud, and especially how much he loves me.

His best friend is in town for a few days. Sure, I may get minorly neglected while he tries to cram in time with his buddy -- I'm totally cool with that. He doesn't get to see him often, so it's only fitting that his friend is his main focus right now.
But last night, while we were all out together, I still got a knee-rub at the bar. I still had my hand held while we were walking to the car. I still got a quick cuddle and a few kisses. Later, he let me know that he and his friend had had a long, deep discussion, and his friend had basically told him that I was a great catch, and my husband had better treat me right. My husband let me know that he knew all of that, but that it was good for him to get that reminder from someone else; from a friend who can really see the greatness between us.

I'm really lucky to have a husband who isn't afraid to tell me how much he loves me, and to show me that and make an effort every day.

Taking the Long Way Home...

Today, instead of waiting (underground) for the train that goes all the way to the end of the line -- which also happens to be my stop -- I decided to hop the first train that came by, which means I will be waiting a few minutes at a stop above ground before my train comes along.
Ahh.
Thank You, Spring.

Weekend Warrior...

As annoying as it may be to have to work on a Saturday (when you are a M-F 9-5 employee -- and it's simply *gorgeous* outside), I am blessed to work along side of a group of truly great people who make this job less of a chore and more of a priviledge.

Tracks of Kindness...

I'm writing this post while commuting home on the Metro: a twice-daily trip that I'm sure most of you can understand is usually quite aggitating.
But today I was able to witness a small act of kindness that put a smile on my face.

A little old lady sitting beside me who spoke only Spanish and seemed to have very limited understanding of English was trying to find out where her stop was. Speaking no Spanish myself, I could do nothing to help, since I couldn't even understand her questions, let alone answer them.
She kept peering out the open train door, almost falling over when the doors finally closed and the train took off.
Another kind soul asked her where she was headed and tried to help. Unfortunately, she also spoke no Spanish and couldn't understand the woman's queries. The kind-hearted woman took her over to the map, pointing and speaking aloud the name of each station, hoping the right sound would ring familiar to foreign ears. Alas, no luck.
Hearing what was going on, yet another woman came to help, and she spoke fluent Spanish! Hurray! Not only did she explain to the woman where she was and find out where she needed to go, when she found out the woman had passed her stop she took the woman by the arm and led her off the train to personally escort her back one stop to make sure the woman got to where she needed to go.
A simple kindness, and it will take only a few minutes out of the kind woman's day to make the day of the older woman.
Everyday heroes make me smile.

Blogger Android App...

Today,  I'm thankful for technology!
I just downloaded the Blogger app for Android, and I just love that I can now update my blog even when I'm away from the computer! Technology never ceases to amaze me. :)