A Weightloss Journey - August 1, 2001
Copyright 2001 by Rita Spillers

Hello, again!

It is a pleasure to greet you with this fourth article about my weight-loss journey. Thank you for letting me share my venture with you! It has been a ‘better’ two weeks for me, for I have concentrated harder on my goal and have had the joy of losing the two or three pounds that I had managed to re-gain… And what’s even better is that I lost a couple more original pounds, which puts me two pounds BELOW the "stand-still" weight I seemed to be clinging to for several weeks.

I must admit that I did feel discouraged, but I’m feeling more inspired again. It definitely helps to know you are "pulling for me" and many of you are also "walking the journey" with me of changing a lifestyle of eating to reach for the goal of a healthier weight.

One thing I did these past two very busy weeks, which I had gotten away from, is that I ate more fruit (particularly watermelon!) and "dieter’s" TV dinners for lunch! I do not mean to be ‘advertising’ them, but I have found several Lean Cuisine meals which are very tasty and filling. And again, I drank water, water, water (again, flavored with lemon, since I do not "like" water but the lemon makes it easier for me and ‘hides’ the Clorox smell/taste of tap water). The other thing I did was to make a special effort to walk more… unfortunately not on a treadmill or on a track, but I DID do "little things" to walk more, such as parking farther away and taking stairs, things such as that.

My brother saw me again today for the first time in over two weeks, and he mentioned that I looked even slimmer to him from when he last saw me. It is hearing comments such as that which remind me to continue "with the program" and not give up. And you have to realize that my brothers are NOT the "encouraging type," so this means a lot.

I dread Thursday, August 2nd, for it is the "moment of truth" day for me in that I have the first doctor’s visit in two months to check my weight, blood pressure, etc. I don’t have blood pressure problems, but because I am on the prescription Meridia, it is imperative that he keeps a close watch on me. Since beginning my weight-loss journey in April, this was my first time to go two whole months without being monitored. I will have to confess to him about failing to be as steady in taking the medication and about my weakness and slip-ups with the homemade peach cobbler and ice cream that I mentioned here in one of my previous journey visits… *wink*

On a personal note, a transition for my family and me is in store, for we are moving next month to a new residence. I am planning to have a room set up with my treadmill, which it is not currently set up for me here. THAT will be my BEST ACCOMPLISHMENT YET! I hope to be able to give you MANY good reports about my progress after that takes place! (I’m just praying that my weak knee will allow me to walk!!!)

Thank you again for the visit. Please write me at themusiclady_2@yahoo.com with any comments or thoughts of encouragement. Also, I would appreciate any low-fat/low-cal recipes that you may care to contribute to be considered for publication here. God bless you as we journey together!

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Additional note from Rita:  I always enjoy including a low-fat/low-cal recipe to share with you. I found this great-sounding soup recipe at http://www.dottisweightlosszone.com/ and send my personal thanks to Marian for sharing this great soup at Dottie’s Weight-Loss Zone’s message board!

Miracle Soup (a ww recipe)

By Marian

6 large onions
2 large green peppers
Tomatoes-fresh or canned as many as desired. (If you don't like whole tomatoes us three medium cans of tomato juice-more or less to your taste)
1 large head cabbage
1 large stalk celery
1 pkg. dry onion soup
Green beans (fresh, frozen, or canned)

Cut up veggies and put in large kettle. Cover with water. Stir in dry soup mix. Simmer until vegetables are tender. Very good.

Note from Marian: I don't know how many servings there would be and the point count would be very small as the only item with points is the onions and they are: 1 cup=1 point    "I would probably count it as 1 point per cup just to be on the safe side." ~Marian