Where It All Began

Old me, new me, new me, new me. OK, you want years? 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007. No, I don't ordinarily wear jewelry that elaborate. Well, OK, not most of the time. Just at VFCJ conventions.

I'm Debbie. I'm 80+ pounds lighter than I was in 1999.

As of this update (January 2008), I'm 55 years old. I'm married, have 3 elderly cats, work as a CPA. Biking is one of my all-consuming passions (Carbon Fork is my bicycle diary.) Vintage costume jewelry is another. (Yes, that's where the necklaces come in.) I just bought inline skates and am going to become the terror of the multiuse paths.

Quickstats: joined Weight Watchers 1/7/02. Made goal, 4/10/04. Made lifetime, 5/22/04. Still Lifetime, at goal.

I want to make one thing clear: I do not have THE answer to weight loss. I only have the answer for me. The monkey on my back is not the same one hitchhiking on your shoulder. But I do think that successful weight loss can result from borrowing an idea here, a technique there. I hope you find something on these pages that you can take away and use.

Let's talk about the rest as we go along, shall we?

If you enjoyed this essay, please send it on!

Comments

[Tracey]

So,Debbie it is. Thank you so much for responding to my thread. I really liked what you had to say. Maybe we can email some time. I could use all the support I can get:)
Tracey

[April]

Debbie

I liked your writing on "writing it down" I too forget what i put in my mouth and will say i havent even hardly anything today...

[Cyd Kyd]

Dear drop the fork,
just found you on ww community and then came here to your site. What do you get for all this work? Is this one of your jobs or is the full-time hobby that fuels you on a personal lever as a lifetime weight maintainer? Sorry to be so nosy, I just always wonder how things like this sites pay for themselves. Thanks for all the hard work I hope it will be here for me whenever I need it. I am already looking into the second recommended book. thanks again, cyd

[Debbie]

I don't get anything out of this but personal satisfaction, and the hope that my experience will help trigger success in someone else. Blog sites aren't terrifically expensive, and I can afford to do this in what spare time I have these days. :-)

[Denise]

Debbie,

Did you know that you made it into the Washington Post's "Lean Plate Club" column today?

See: www.LeanPlateClub.com (you may need to register)

Congrats!

I love reading what you write... just wish that you posted more often!

[Debbie]

Hi,

Yep, I knew! Thanks! I will be posting more often, but am just coming back from a 10-day vacation (and rolling off a busy time at work). Thanks so much.

[LYDIA]

Dear drop the fork:
I am approaching a year at my
goal weight (11/23). Lately,
I've notice the scale creeping
up a bit. I'm scared....I lost
121 lbs. total (started WW 5/03 - goal 11/04). What is the best way to maintain? More exercise..decrease some points? please help.

[Debbie]

Hi, Lydia, how much "creep" are we talking about? More than 2 - 3 lbs? Weight fluctuation in maintenance is normal, but we typically settle into a small range, like 3 - 4 lbs. Anything over that may signal true weight (fat) gain.

Figuring out the cause of "weight creep" begins with an honest assessment. We don't usually gain weight for no reason, unless there's a medical issue, such as a sudden thyroid problem. So, here's where you start:

1. Are you following flex or core? If the former, are you journaling? If the latter, are you paying attention to feeling satisfied, or are you eating past the point of satisfaction?

2. Portions: do you weigh and measure right now? Do you just "eyeball" them? If the latter, try being as exact as you can for the next week or two -- weigh and measure faithfully. If you find that a measured portion size is smaller than what you've been eating, then that might be part of your answer.

3. OK. Let's say you've assessed your situation and can honestly say nothing has changed, foodwise. So -- are you exercising less than normal? Do you do cardio only, no weight training? Less exercise will make a difference in the long run, if you're eating for a higher activity level. Doing cardio only will not help you retain muscle mass -- it takes weight training to do that. We lose muscle mass as we age, unless we work to preserve it.

I would not just automatically pick up my activity or cut back my food without this sort of analysis. You need to see if you can pinpoint the source of the gain, and then take steps to address it based on that knowledge.

[Marilyn]

I read your WW threads all the time. I think your stats are amazing and your advice is smart and percise. Anyone reading your comments should read your stats and know what you say is the real deal. I think someone was a bit over reacting to something you said. I can read between the lines and see you winking and smiling as you type. Keep your great advice coming. I don't write often, but always enjoy reading your thoughts.

[Debbie]

Thanks! We are all different, and misunderstandings from time to time are inevitable.

[Julie]

Debbie!

Hey email me at info@skinnydaily.com when you get a chance, can you?

??
Julie

[Linda]

Hi Debbie:
I was compelled to make a comment. I am so glad I discovered your Web site. What an inspiration you are. I am a lifetime member for around 2 1/2 years at WW. When I read your post I feel so much better, I feel the same way you do about this weight loss journey and it is so nice to know there are other people out there that think the same way I do. I do alot of things already that you do with my approach to food.

I will continue to read your Post and Thank you for so much inspiration and support!

[Linda (NCBeaches - Nifty 50's)]

Thanks so much for your inspiring blog and message board comments. You really know how to motivate people more than any WW leader I have ever come across.
I have never really *crossed the line* into really big weight gain but I have been headed in the wrong direction a few times in my life and have always had to watch. I have sent you site to many people because it is so very good. Keep up that kick ass attitude :)
You look fabulous.

[Jeannie]

Hi Debbie! I really enjoy the way you write. I enjoy receiving "Drop the Fork" in my e-mail. I'm also a nut about spelling and wanted you to know that you have hitchhiking misspelled on your "about me" section. Yes, I guess I qualify for the spelling police. Anyway, keep up the good work and the inspiration!

[Maddy Avena]

Great blog. I went over to the Lifetimers board for the first time today and was very impressed with some things that you had to say. I'm sharing my blog address with you, as maybe you'll want to add it to your blog list.
Peace,
Maddy

[Connie Sue]

Hi,

Your website is great and Thanks
SO much for the advice you have
given. You are so right "What works
for one person may not work for
another". I will keep my eyes on
today and not worry about yesterday.

Connie Sue

[Peggy C]

I love your blog. It's informational but also humorous. Yes, I did send it on to a friend of mine who is dieting.

Peggy

[Jean]

Thank you for responding to my thread on the weight watchers boards about weight loss and Blood pressure and cholesterol numbers, you're so right about doctor's experience with patients changing their lifestyles. I know how many times I have started and stopped weight watchers. I love this web site thank you for sharing in this way.
Peace, Jean

[Alice]

Hi. I just saw your response on one of the WW message board threads and your advice was so reasonable and direct that I wanted to know more about you, so I read your WW profile. I am glad that I did because I noted that you are about four months younger than I am. Seeing what your starting weight was and how much you have lost and maintained is very encouraging for me since I worry about being in my mid fifties and trying to get to my goal weight. Thanks for sharing with us.

[Helen]

I recommend these articles and/or the book they're about as very relevant for your blog.

Science News September, 2007

Waistland: The (R)Evolutionary Science Behind Our Weight and Fitness Crisis — Deirdre Barrett

The incidence of obesity in the U.S. population is greater than ever. In this book, Barrett, a Harvard psychologist, describes why maintaining a healthy weight is often a losing battle and suggests why more-radical approaches to weight loss may be easier to follow than common-sense measures. The human body evolved to survive in the food-scarce environment of our hunter-gatherer past, she explains. For our ancestors, the physical exertion associated with foraging for food kept weights down. Today, most of us lead sedentary lives. Fast foods and supermarket convenience foods not only seem more appealing than unprocessed foods but also require little time to prepare. Barrett offers psychological perspectives for changing how we view food and weight loss and ways of incorporating exercise into our daily routines. She even suggests methods for rewiring the reward circuitry of the brain to reinforce healthy eating habits. Norton, 2007, 320 p, b&w illus., hardcover, $24.95.

ISBN: 0393062163

------------------------------------------------

http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/articles/070708/16obesity_2.htm

* * * * *
This is Debbie speaking: Helen, thanks for your comment. I edited this for length, but left the article in. I just read Waistland, and also would recommend it to anyone who wants to figure out how to remove their excess weight for good.

[Jeanne]

Debbie,
You look FABULOUS girl! You look your best and your YOUNGEST in the 2007 photo.

[Jeanne]

Hey Debbie,
I don't want to invade your special thread with your wonderful buddies on the WW thread. Just want to tell you here that all that you've written about Bose on the WW forum has helped me tremendously. What I dread most is that awful time when I will have to part with my furry companion of 16 years. Your account of what you went through and what to expect will help me when that day comes. And I'm sure many lurkers will also cherish your words and courage. You are truly an inspriation in more ways than one.

[Linda]

I notice your comments on WW all the time, you really put a lot of effort into helping people and have a shoot straight from the hip approach that I like. Anyway thanks for your advise

[down206]

what an awesome thing you do. I just came here from a WW thread where you kicked me in the butt for doubting if I could do this forever. (A very well-placed and well-deserved kick, may I add) It sounds like you lead a very fulfilled life and your main focus is not on food, yet you are maintaining an awesome weight loss. Thanks for giving me the motivation and inspiration I needed.

[Debbie]

down, I wasn't trying to kick your butt, just the opposite! :-) I was trying to impress this as a lifelong commitment that doesn't have to be as bad as we think it might. I well remember contemplating going to my first WW meeting. I was very depressed, sure I would never be able to eat anything GOOD, ever again.

About 3 weeks on WW disabused me of that; I quickly learned I could eat what I wanted, if I was reasonable about it, just not AS MUCH as I wanted. (Then again, I can't spend as much money as I want, darnit . . . it's always these details that get in the way, huh?)

Continued luck to you on your journey. I know you can do thil.