blondes have more fun

May I just go on record as saying that I truly began to lose weight when Phil bought me a deep freezer for Mother’s Day last year? This way, I can bake love into lives, sample for a day, then pack the rest away for company, so there’s no longer a week’s worth of IN YOUR FACE to encourage the sugar overdose.

I’m down to 123 lbs. again, but I’ve set my official Weight Watchers goal to 125 lbs., which means, so long as I stay within two pounds (up or down) of 125, for six, count ’em (6), paid weeks, I will make lifetime member, where I’ll no longer have to pay WW my moolah.

It has been, very surprisingly, easy. Like, damn easy. I still hit up Cold Stone Creamery, still bake, still eat plenty of carbs, and I for sure still drink (not those skinny drinks either). I’m a big believer in “the real deal.” I don’t mess with artificial sweeteners, fat-free this or that. I have the real thing. And that’s been the beauty. I no longer have Phil chiming in with, “I love you the way you are, but you said you’re miserable, so do you really want to eat that tub of Baskin’ Robbins?” Because he’s been knocked upside the head… and he’s realized that I can eat these things and still lose weight.

I think the real key has been shifting my priorities away from “can’t” and toward “can.” When I phrased my daily goal to be “getting in at least 90 – 120 grams of protein,” I was so focused on doing just that, that there wasn’t room for “I shouldn’t” or “bad,” or “anti-christ-carbs.” I can have whatever I think I want, just first hit your daily goal of 90 – 120 grams of protein. Totally works. Deny myself nothing. I love it.

I’m on week four of maintenance (this week, plus two more weeks and I’m a lifetime member). And no, my brain hasn’t quite caught up. It still thinks I’m overweight, despite my size 27 jeans. Know why that is? Because yes, as much weight as I’ve lost (30.6 lbs.), the shape of my body is the same. The proportions are the same, just narrower. So, my new goal is going to become a goal of strength. I haven’t set it yet, but it will be something like, “Do a pull-up.” I feel lighter and more free, more able, more yes. And really, who wouldn’t want that?

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COMMENTS:

  1. Hi Stephanie – is the protein a Weight Watcher’s thing? It’s been around 2 years since I was on WW. Do you get the protein from food, like downing a steak or a chicken, or do you drink protein shakes or protein bars? I’m all for a plan that tells me what I can have and not what I can’t have! Congratulations on reaching goal.

    1. Author

      No, the protein is not a WW thing. A nutritionist mentioned it to me *specifically the 90-120 g*, and this time, I figured I’d try it, and it helped enormously.

      As for protein bars, I’d rather eat raw sewer rat. So, no. No protein bars. Though, I happen to enjoy protein shakes… only have them sometimes in the morning with 1/4 banana and ice.

      I am not going to lie. I eat yogurt like I’m trying to attack vaginal problems… a lot of yogurt. I love it, and it’s high in protein. In particular, for breakfast and sometimes lunch, too, I grab a TOTAL 0 (0% fat greek yogurt) with Mango (it comes with a mango sauce thing on the side), and you must stir the yogurt until it’s super creamy before eating or it’s all curd-like. I now also go for the 2% with cherry Total brand.

      Then, it’s turkey and cheese rollups, eggs, steak, tofu, chicken, shrimp, clams, mussels, pork lettuce wraps, vietnamese soups without the noodles… pho. Again, a whole egg is about 6 g. of protein, and I’m all for yolks. I eat real food. Though, I do enjoy zucchini “pasta” in place of actual pasta when I’m eating at home. For example, the menu for this coming week, for dinners I’m making at home:

      Shredded Chicken Tostadas (buy rotisserie chicken, shred it), serve with shredded cheese, guacamole, chopped tomatoes, red onion, salsas/ pico de gallo, blob of sour cream, shredded lettuce, all on a corn tostada (though I’ll have extra chicken on the side and will only have the 1 tostada. If I’m still hungry, I’d make a second one in a lettuce cup).

      White Clam Pizza (with extra bowl of steamed clams), steamed broccoli, and low-fat breaded chicken cutlets by Purdue.

      Lobster Roll dinner, where I may, or may not eat the bun, depending on my day. I will have a German Reisling and will also make a burrata salad with pesto and grape tomatoes.

      Wings Night: Skinless chicken breast, grilled, cut into chunks, tossed with Frank’s Hot Sauce, mixed with a bigass bag of chopped romaine lettuces, diced celery, and blue cheese dressing (enough to coat and enjoy). Phil will eat regular wings, kids will eat baked wings, without the hot sauce, carrot and celery sticks with blue cheese dressing.

      Spaghetti & Meatballs Night: I will make zucchini “pasta” for myself (which involves 2 lbs. of zucchini, cut into fettucini ribbons, pan “fried” in olive oil spray, just until softened, then mixed with Rao’s pomodoro sauce (from a jar, because I don’t have the time, being full time mom this week, with kids off from camp). And yes, I felt like I had to defend that choice. Also, I’ll make the meatballs from scratch, will not fry them in oil, but will cook them in the sauce and oven. Will be pork and beef meatballs. The kids will get capellini or penne, depending on what they choose. If I have time, I’ll also make garlic bread because Phil loves it. I will then, for sure, eat one slice of that. I’ll be drinking Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley.

      Lemongrass Pork with Vietnamese Table Salad (basically, it’s a veggie-heavy make your own taco night). I particularly like the addition of pineapple and mint as additions. Love this!

      1. I think you mean Fage brand Greek yogurt, no?

        Funny enough, they print on the carton that they suggest not to stir it because it ruins the texture. I’m the only one I know that prefers it unstirred, though. Either way, can’t beat the protein content of real Greek yogurt and I was reading something on Health.com about yogurt aiding in weight loss.

  2. Congrats and good luck, lady! I loved reading this today. I’ve always thought you were beautiful at any time, but what you think and feel matters. You happy and at your best is contagious. And are you posting the recipe to those beautiful blonde broads for us to keep in our own freezers?

    1. Author

      Oh, and the recipe… it makes sooo many because I cut them up small, which is what you have to do because they are so rich.

      2 sticks melted butter
      2 cups light brown sugar
      2 tsp vanilla extract
      2 large eggs
      2 pinches salt
      2 cups flour

      1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
      1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts

      Mix butter and sugar, add eggs, then vanilla. Next, salt and flour, then stir in chips and walnuts, pour into buttered 13 × 9 inch pan.

      Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 min. They will be super gooey inside. Just don’t mess with them until completely cooled (good luck with that, by the way).

      1. ooohhhhh!! thank you for posting the recipe….just so happens I have all of those ingredients in the kitchen right now :)

    2. Author

      Or you could try this recipe and let us know how it turns out:

      From Richard Sax’s cookbook Classic Home Desserts
      3/4 cup (75 grams) pecan halves, toasted and coarsely chopped
      1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
      3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (125 grams) all-purpose flour
      1/4 teaspoon salt
      1/4 teaspoon baking soda
      1 large egg
      3/4 cup packed (160 grams) light brown sugar
      1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
      3.5 ounce (100 grams) bar of good quality white chocolate, coarsely chopped (I like Lindt) or 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips
      Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place the rack in the center of the oven. Butter, or spray with a non stick vegetable spray, an 8 x 8 inch (20 x 20 cm) square baking pan. Place the pecans on a baking sheet and bake for 8 – 10 minutes or until brown and fragrant. Remove from oven, let cool, then chop coarsely. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt the butter. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.In a bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the egg and brown sugar until light and frothy (2-3 minutes). Beat in the vanilla extract and then the melted butter. Scrape down the sides of the bowl then, on low speed, beat in the flour mixture until incorporated. Fold in the chopped pecans and chopped white chocolate. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, and bake for about 25 – 30 minutes, or until the top of the brownies are dry, golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack. Cool completely before cutting into squares.
      Makes about 16 brownies.

  3. “which is what you have to do because they are so rich” …Right.

    “don’t mess with them until completely cooled (good luck with that, by the way)” …Now you’re talking my language.

    I will be sure to try both and compare, and will make note that I am so good at being my own worst enemy. And then promptly invite over company.
    I adore zucchini pasta, and it’s easier to prepare than spaghetti squash. I read about someone making cucumber noodles, too, which sounds even more summery. http://www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/2011/07/16/cold-sesame-cucumber-noodles/

    1. Author

      Yeah, the cucumber recipe looks good, but you lose me on Coconut Aminos. Though I’m guessing one can sub in soy sauce and actual peanut butter. Why is the paleo diet so anti-peanut and anti-soy by the way?

      1. Yes and yes. I tried her Paleo Pad Thai which was awesome. I used a soy product because I already had it and it’s a waste of money to even think about trying coconut aminos until my soy sauce runs out. It calls for so little anyway and I rarely use it. I did, however, use the Sunbutter. Delicious.

        Paleo folk shy away from peanuts and soy because they’re legumes. Legumes have gut-irritating lectins, soy can mess with estrogen and thyroid hormones, and peanuts are frequent food allergens. Green beans, snow peas, occasional fresh edamame are thought to be okay.

        I will never be a strict dieter or one who closely measures everything (despite my love for baking). It makes my skin itch thinking about it.

      2. Peanuts and soy are considered “allergens”–I think that is why the Paleo diet does not allow them?

    2. Author

      Did you try making both recipes? Do you remember the difference? I’m baking more today to bring to someone’s home (at least some of them anyway). Talk up, woman!

  4. Congratulations!!! Wow. This is so inspiring!!!! So, my question to you: did you go to the meetings in person? I will be honest, after reading your first post about joining WW whenever it was earlier in the year (or was it late last year?). I had a kid a little over a year ago and im stress eating and lazing around and look like I’m about 5 months preggo still. But after I joined, I just couldn’t /didn’t find my way back to the 2nd week meeting…and then the 3rd…and on the 4th week, I quit. I feel like I need to see someone and have that hanging over my head in order to be accountable. But, I’d love to hear from you about how well you do with in-person meetings vs online!!

    1. Author

      The meetings never inspired me. I went to the very first meeting, where I stayed after and learned about Points Plus, download the app onto my iphone, etc. But after that, because of schedules/ phil/ kids, I showed up during “open hours” for a weigh in, but I wouldn’t go to a meeting. I wasn’t anti-meeting, mind you. It just never did anything extra for me. Since then, I’ve been to about 6 meetings, toal. I started January 24th of this year, so that’s not a lot of meetings.

      What mattered most to me was the official chart. I liked what it looked like, charting my progress. And it became like an online game. I’d think about that chart and want the little plot point to move down. I also need to be weighed in person! Very important.

      So, for me, I used e-Tools every single day (though you can use them free on sites like sparkpeople), and there are free versions (knockoffs of the WW etools) for your iphone/ smart phone., and I weighed in weekly for months. Then I stopped weighing in for a while, which was fine because I knew what to do. I have found some meeting leaders entertaining, so now I go for that (and the people watching, especially in Florida). In Austin I found a great leader also, just stand-up comedy really. So, do you need the meetings and the etools? That’s for you to answer. But if you don’t have the money, there is a way to do it via sparkpeople, knockoff free iphone points calculator/journal, and weighing in SOMEWHERE in front of a REAL PERSON who’s not your friend or relative.

      1. My favorite weight watcher leaders have retired. The lady who did the weighing last time I was there was a past Mom from the preschool and a facebook friend. Made me a little leery. She might tell someone that I was fat……… well, at least the blind ones………. The high protein seems a little Atkins-like, but without the high calorie meats/bacon etc. I could live on cheese, I start my day off with a handful of string cheeses. Need to take pills with food, cheese is food. Some reason I never consider that breakfast – more medicinal.
        Anyway, there is mini-camp next week, but not the following week. If you need a break, we are there.

        1. Author

          Atkins, though, you couldn’t have carbs, had to keep them to a bare minimum. I can’t do bare anything, except my ass when someone really makes me wanna scratch.

          We aren’t doing mini-camp this coming week, so I will be solo-parenting twins from sunrise to sunset, which means I’ll be on drugs. August 14 – 21st, we’re heading to NY. But after that, I say drinks!

          Also, there’s a very fun leader on Saturday mornings in Delray. Older lady, very shticky, but a good egg.

          1. Perhaps I’ll try Delray one day – I had been going to West Boca. My favorite leader showed up at my house for Shiva – and caught me with a platter of black and white cookies on my lap. I was mortified…….. but I ate them anyway…….. Have a wonderful time in NY, see you at orientation.

      2. Thanks so much for your reply! It’s again so helpful to hear how you have succeeded (because often I feel like your brain sounds like it works similar to mine). Maybe I’ll give it a shot again just using Etools. I feel like I have to set myself up with as few barriers as possible (like going into my downstairs and hopping on the elliptical while watching “Battlestar Galactica” instead of going to my uber-fance club and taking a pilates class next to a bunch of skinny bitches. :) )

        Not that you are hanging out sitting around waiting to answer blog posts, but if you ever have a chance to post a round of your “diet” cocktail/alcoholic choices and how much that makes up of your daily intake, I’d love to see that as well. I keep telling myself I have to cut it out, but it makes my evenings so much more relaxing after the kiddo goes down.

        Thank you again! :)

      1. You SHOULD feel so proud. What you have done is SUCH an accomplishment and I feel like the way you have gone about it sounds so healthy and a way that one could actually stick with it. Way to go on realizing such awesome goals, losing the weight and DOING the things that you set out to do.

  5. 2 months post baby I tried WW, this was back in Feb. I stuck to the program to a T- lost 1.2 the first week, gained 1.8 the second. This is with doing the treadmill everyday for 60 min!
    I loved the plan, I also found it easy, especially with the iphone app. Do you have any ideas why it may not have worked for me? I am so inspired by your determination and weight loss, but I am hesitant to try WW again.
    Lisa

  6. How many eggs do you use in your blondie recipe? It doesn’t list an amount. Thank you! Sounds delicious.

  7. I have been on WW (online) since late March. After losing the first 10 lbs, I have gained and lost the same 2 lbs. I admit I have slacked a bit in the past 4 weeks or so. I found it easy in the beginning but now I find it harder to stick to my 29 PP. I’m getting bored and not planning my meals as much. After reading this post about your success, I am recommiting myself. Now I WILL make my goal. Thank you for sharing and for showing that its not what you CAN’T eat, its what you CAN eat and keeping it in moderation.

  8. Very inspirational! Just went and reread your January post and it’s exciting to see all you’ve achieved. Good job! BTW I’ve really enjoyed your posts lately – the move sounds stressful, but your writing has great energy right now. I’m sure it shows in other areas of your life as well.

  9. Love the idea of the zucchini pasta. We substitute spaghetti squash for pasta a lot and it works great!

  10. Congrats! Congrats! Congrats!

    I used to be a WW leader and I still love to hear success stories. I’ve been relying on take-out and delivery for many meals over the past couple of months so I’m a few pounds out of my maintenance range. You’ve inspired me to get back on the WWW (that would be Weight Watcher’s Wagon, not wrestling or the web).

    I’ve found that adding protein definitely makes a difference, as does eating “real” food. I’d initially lost weight by eating a bunch of fake crap and feeling hungry all the time. To be a WW leader, I had to try what was then called the Core plan. It stressed real foods, lean meats, whole grains, and such. I learned that I felt better, I felt satisfied, and I lost weight more easily when I wasn’t consuming frankenfoods.

    Congratulations again and thanks for the inspiration!

  11. Congratulations! You did it at a solid, healthy pace, too.
    Can your taste buds warm up to protein in the form of legumes, beans etc. – just to mix up your protein intake for health reasons? I’m completely vegetarian and get a lot of my protein from lentils and chickpeas etc. (but I really LOVE them so no stretch for me at all)
    I most often make “deli salads” or soups with them and usually have one or two kinds in the fridge – to take to work for a healthy lunch etc.
    I highly recommend the blog 101cookbooks.com for DELICIOUS and uncomplicated recipes with veggie proteins – Heidi has literally hundreds of recipes online that I dig into often.

  12. Thanks SK. I’ve just started the WW journey. Again. But my mindset is different this time and it’s not about can’t for me as well. It’s about can. My man is supportive instead of sabotaging and somehow, I think that I’ll do it this time. Plus I’m blogging, which I think helps make me more accountable. Whatever works, right!! Keep it up, keep posting, I love reading your work.

    1. Author

      Thanks so much Leigh, and you’re right, it’s allll about the right mindset. Know what else helped? Reading fashion magazines… just seeing clothes motivated me, even if I had no intention of buying.

  13. Stephanie, I have one word for you: BodyPump. Have you heard of this class by Les Mills? It is changing. my. life. I’ve never been a group exercise person and always been bored with strength training, but I absolutely love these classes. It has jump-started my weightloss again, and better than that, I am getting so much stronger and it is changing the shape of my body. Let me repeat: changing my shape. I have muscle definition where I NEVER thought I’d have any. My legs look HOT in short shorts and wedges. HIGHLY recommended. Congrats on your success!

  14. Hi Stephanie

    Well done on achieving your target weight – and size 27 jeans, that is good going by any skinny arse standards!

    I love how you talk about not going without, because who the hell wants to go without? I must confess to being Miss Moderation and yes, she may sound dull but she has pretty stable weight, has treats and never has to go down the miserable road of denial!

    Karen

  15. Hi, Stephanie! Great job on 30 lbs!!!

    I just joined WW last week, and while I suspect I may be making this more complicated than it needs to be, I am overwhelmed trying to put together a daily menu that will satisfy me. Lunch, in particular, is a problem. My best intentions never end up happening and I am left with the lean cuisine or soup. Snack is fruit…and more fruit. I never seem to be satisfied with that, plus, maybe I am over-fruiting.

    I feel ridiculous asking this, since you seemed swamped (insert Florida joke here), but would you mind posting your full day’s menu for a typical day or two on WW? I think it would give me some ideas for how to structure the day, especially with protein, which I struggle to include at each meal.

    If you can be arsed, that is. Thank you.

    1. Author

      Ugh, WW won’t let me see my earlier food logs, when I was really good about keeping one. But, I can see what my most posted items are:

      Blackberries
      Chia Life (Chia seeds, 1 TBL I put in shake in the morning because they’re so healthy for you)
      Eggs
      Fage Total 0, 6 oz
      Kashi GoLean Crunch Cereal
      Skim milk
      Baby artichokes
      Bean and cheese nachos
      Cheeseburger on “lettuce bun”
      Lemon Bars (for 2 weeks, I think I ate one a day for dessert)… real recipe, no splenda or crap. Real butter. Real good, and totally satisfying.
      Oh, I also went through a major sweet coconut sticky rice with mango phase. OMG, that shit is good. High in points, but it was worth it.
      Did lots of stir fry and experimenting with Asian sauces.

      Lunch is different for me because I’m home. But if I were at work, I’d likely do my total 0 with mango, a salad with roasted red peppers, artichokes, water chestnuts, cucumbers, chickpeas, and actual dressing, plus a fruit if I was still hungry. The key is, if you keep on top of your hunger, and make it so you’re never starvation-city, and you have protein, you won’t be all that hungry because protein keeps you satisfied longer.

      If you get home from work ravenous, throw a bigass bowl of 0 point veggie soup in the microwave, down it, then you’ll feel sated before prepping dinner, etc. Then sit down and enjoy your wine.

      Also, for fruits, I tried to stick with low-glycemic index fruits, like cherries and berries. Rarely had more than 1/4 banana, and that’s really only in a protein shake for bfast or as a frozen yogurt topping.

      1. You’re a doll! Thanks for checking for me. I work in an office 2 days/week (lawyer) and am home with kiddos the other 3 days. Not sure which day is more challenging! I think I am getting stressed because I am trying to think of these complicated lunches with lots of ingredients. I could easily do a Fage with a big salad. Or a bowl of the veggie soup – haven’t made it but it looks uber easy. I also make a squash curry soup that would be great when I got home.

        However…please don’t post about coconut sticky rice unless you’re making me some. I love that stuff so much I’d like to roll around in it.

        I use ground flax sometimes in shakes or cereal, but haven’t tried chia – will look into it.

        Thanks again, skinny chica.

      2. hi stephanie – i have read you blog for years and you motivated me to join ww after baby #2. I am on week 3 and have lost 8.5 lbs and have had pizza, out to dinner and most importanly wine!! You listed above bean and cheese nacho’s – what’s in it? Any other tips on high protein item I would love to know!! Many thanks, Kelly

  16. Congratulations, Stephanie! Well done. I’ve been unhappy with 30 extra pounds, and have tried Weight Watchers in the past, but it was your weight loss success that truly inspired me, and got though my thick skull that The Plan Works if you do it. I’m following the plan, again, and am slowly losing weight— and I’ve been to the meetings, talked with other weight losers, became a WW buddy with my sister… nothing got to me like your progress. I think that’s kind of weird, but kind of great, too.

    1. Author

      Wow, how awesome. Thanks so much Karen. Inspiration, thank goodness, can come from anywhere, especially when we’re not expecting it. I love that. And I love that you found it in me… and in you.

  17. Hey, Stephanie. COngratulations!

    I’ve just started something called the 17-day diet, which sounds similar to your approach. Eight days in and my skirts are looser. (I don’t do the scale thing – this is just me, but it makes me crazy.)

    So my question is, of course, about wine. How often do you have wine and how do you make yourself have just one serving (which we know is a lot less than the “servings” restaurants and bars offer) when the wine is really, really awesome?

    I miss my wine. Haven’t had any for 8 days. :(

    1. Author

      Okay, people might not approve, but here’s what I’ve done. I’ve eaten light lunches and breakfasts (when I say light, I mean light in points… eggs, tons of fruit, yogurt, turkey, salad with dressing), and would factor in TWO GLASSES of WINE at least 3-4 x per week. Sometimes I’d only have one glass. My rule, though, was that no matter what I drank, I couldn’t let it get me to the point where I was buzzed enough to want to eat a box of anything. So, for dessert, often, I’d have Total 0% in a big bowl mixed with blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries, sometimes adding high-protein granola. It was sooo worth it. Also, at the very beginning weeks, I weighed my wine. That’s right. Put my glass on a digital scale and poured a single portion.

    2. Author

      Also, here’s a note from my journal, I wrote to myself:

      This was my starting weight in 2011. Week 1 I lost 7lbs. likely because before I began I was off the deep end! I ate an entire box of Godiva truffles and was eating in secret. Off the deep end. I feel much more in control now, and know that I don’t have to sneak!

    3. Author

      Okay, so I’d measure out 8 oz. of wine for 7 POINTS (that’s a lot of points), so 14 POINTS would go to wine, and in truth, I tried to use those 7-14 pts. within my 29 daily points, not dipping into my extra 49 floating weekly points, which I’d reserve for going out to steak restaurants, having whatever I wanted. I didn’t do wine daily, but about 3 – 4x per week. Loved loved loved it.

      1. Stephanie, thank you so much for answering my question. I cannot wait to add the one glass of wine back in. I have planned “cheating” days that are non-negotiable (a friend’s going away party that I planned, for instance, this Thursday) but I think the stucture of the diet will keep me at one or one and a half glasses vs. one or one and a half bottles. :)

  18. Thanks for sharing Stephanie. I’ve been on and off low-carb seemingly forever. Kids are going back to school and focus is going back on me. Honestly, I am a bit afraid to try something that is not low-carb. I like the protein aspect you describe. Also, I am not a meeting person at all, so the e-tools and online stuff appeals. I’ve always used a weight tracker. Like you I love to see the graph trending down… Maybe I’ll check out WW and get past my carb phobia.

    1. Author

      I felt like I was doing two diets there for a while. That is to say, I always filled out my food log on WW etools, to make sure I was within my given points, but I also tracked my grams of protein, not something WW requires or even asks. Let’s be clear here, I definitely ate carbs, drank wine, had lots of fruit… not sure why I’m using the past tense here. I still do it. If you want the weight off faster, you eat more protein (besides it keeps you fuller longer). But when I take the kids to a bday party, I eat a cupcake and pizza. I love that I was able to do this and still lose weight, because like you, I thought carbs would make the weight really hard to come off, but it came off fast!

      1. Again, I appreciate your comments. I will take you as an inspiration of someone who was able to lose and still have carbs (and wine!). Because I’m a bit obsessive, I plan to map it all out while at the beach on vacation next week, then put it into action when we return home and school begins. Even more impressive is the fact that you’ve lost while going through the added stress of a move in addition to the normal stress of little kids, work, home, etc. We moved last summer (4 kids), and I still feel like I’m recovering.

  19. Congrats on the weight loss! What did you do for exercise – how often and how much?

    1. Author

      Hate to admit it, but in truth, there was VERY little exercise involved. Nothing consistent, that’s for sure. No boot camps, no running, no weight machines. If anything, I occasionally used the elliptical machine at a moderate intensity. And it was very sporadic. I’m trying to be better now about working on this.

  20. Very helpful, Stephanie. Thank you. I know we’re being nosy, but I’m sure you can relate that when you learn of someone losing 30 lbs, you want details! Yes, we all know what to do in the general sense, but sometimes the real inspiration is in the specifics.

  21. Congrats on your weight loss! I joined WW as well, they are offering it here at work and I’m down 12 pounds so far. I love e-tools, it is my saving grace. For those of you struggling with WW, if you have e-tools, check out the recipes, tons of ideas there. Also the message boards can be helpful.

  22. Thanks for all the details, Stephanie. You are definitely an inspiration as well as validation for me. I lost about 20lbs last spring & everyone wants to know how. Well, I dug out my Good Fats Cookbook and rebuilt my diet. No more skim milk in my coffee – whole fat now. No 0% greek yogurt – 2% fage (whole milk yogurt still has too much fat for me.) I decreased my portion sizes, I limited pasta & white potatoes, I put a stop to *automatic* seconds, and chose better when I went out to eat. I added more avocadoes, olive oil and nuts to my daily diet.

    The beauty of this, is that I’ve maintained my weight loss for over a year and I don’t feel deprived or obsessive. I can go out to eat or enjoy a burger or have ice cream for dessert. There are no bad foods, just less of some (sweets, pasta) and more of others (greens, beans, healthy fats).

    Keep up the great work! And congratulations on meeting your goal! How are you going to reward yourself?

    1. This is wonderful. I think that as a “species” we are finally getting smarter about eating. Nuts, limited fruit, olive oil, lean protein – these are everything you need plus LOTS of spices and the occasional splurge. Everything “white” (potatoes, rice, sugar, flour) should be tossed out – bring in the green stuff! Congratulations on your success.

  23. Congratulations! I’ve been reading for YEARS, but never commented, so I thought that this warrants my very first comment. I think that this is GREAT and very inspirational. I want to lose about that same amount (25-30lbs) and I’ve been trying to figure out the best way. I take hot yoga classes three times a week, so I have that, but I have to figure out the FOOD part of it. I LOVE food. It’s my stress release: cooking it, eating it, learning about it (heck, I’m getting a Masters in Food Studies!)….and I don’t want to give up the “real thing”, as you mentioned in your first paragraph. Perhaps I should give this WW a shot?

  24. Ive been looking for inspiration and this post was it…I’m going back to WW tomorrow! Thanks Stephanie, I hope you’ll continue to write about your weight loss success.

  25. This is wonderful! I am a long time reader, but I’ve been away (as a reader) for a while. I am so happy to hear of your success. I am on a weightloss journey of my own (Hormone Diet/Clear medicine/Detox) and have lost 16 pounds but have more than 40 to go. Protein is key. I love my morning protein shake. During the detox I found out that dairy is not my friend so no yogurt for me. I have been “slipping” recently and I still struggle with control. Can’t seem to sip a glass or two of red wine on the patio – must drink the entire bottle! Can’t have 3 squares of dark chocolate – must have the whole bar. But, I’ll keep chuggin’ along. Congratulations on your success!!

  26. Stephanie,

    First: Congrats on your weight loss, as a foodie too. Love that.

    I read this when you first blogged it then just went back to re-read…so am I correct in understanding you first ate 90-120 grams of protein BEFORE consuming ANY carbs for that day? If so, did you find you lacked energy?

    NR

    1. Author

      No, not before I had carbs. I’d eat carbs, just healthy ones. I wouldn’t eat the mac n’ cheese until after I had the essential protein. Overall, though, I wasn’t that hardcore about when I had the carbs v. protein, I just always tried to meet my 90 grams minimum.

  27. Congratulations on your weightloss. You inspired me to go to WW, which I love. I’m into the meetings, since my main goal is to stop going up and down 20+ lbs…and that means re-wiring my brain and getting to the bottom of my emotional eating…and need to sabotage myself with extra weight.
    I’ve lost 20 lbs since February (the first 5 on my own, the rest with WW).
    More than dietary changes, I’ve made subtle changes in my thinking and have become more active than I’ve been in years. I’ve gotten really fit and started to feel great about my body, even if I am a couple of pounds above my goal.
    Anyway, thanks for the idea and inspiration.
    Was wondering what you mean by 90-100 grams of protein, you mean per day, right?

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