Shrinking Natalie

As a special thank you to those who have become regular followers and site members of this blog, I sent out an email asking them to submit the questions they would like answered by me. Any topic was fair game!

Body

What about extra skin? I have a significant amount of weight to lose and I am so nervous that no matter h...

....go hiking with my handsome husband. Last weekend we completed Old Rag Mountain - a 9 mile hike, with a 2,500 foot elevation gain in the first 3 miles.

Now you fill in the blank. Make it something you have or want to accomplish - not just a number.

I am losing/lost weight s...

I highly recommend for you female runners (and males with a sense of humor) to try out a running skirt instead of shorts. I like mine because (A) its spandex so it doesn't ride up like nylon shorts but (B) the skirt camoflauges my tummy pooch unlike spandex shorts.

I ...

Help the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children by voting for them to win $25,000 in consulting and marketing services. Just visit this website and click on the "Vote" button.

Ingredients

2-3 oz of skinless, boneless chicken breast

2 Tbsp of Cucmber Yogurt Sauce (Tzatziki - I recommend Hannah or Astro brands for the lowest fat)

1 Tbsp of Lemon Juice

1 Tbsp of Dill

1 Flatout Light Original Wrap

The poll this week was to find out how you really know you are a Weight Watcher. The results are:

• You count points while at the grocery store - 46% (18 votes)
• You run to the bathroom constantly - 21% (8 votes)
• You say WW, OP, AP while talking - 18% (7 votes)
• Ordering at restaurants takes forev...

I made lifetime at my Weight Watchers meeting last night! I weighed in at 129.4 lbs and was able to add the little gold key charm to my Weight Watchers key chain.  And finally, the sun is shining in the DC area for the first time in a week - and its FRIDAY!! So, obviously I am in a good mood.

Awhile ago I promised to do a "looking back" entry about my weight loss journey. Today is the perfect day because at weigh-in tonight I should become a lifetime member of Weight Watchers (6 weeks on maintenance!).

So, if I had a Delorean that could hop through space & time, what five things would I tell myself on May 21st, 2008 - the day before I joined Weight Watchers:

Ingredients

Whole Wheat Pasta (2 cups cooked)

Boursin Light Cheese (4 oz container)

Italian Seasoning (mix of basil, oregano, & cilantro)

Grape Tomatoes (1 cup)

Sliced Mushrooms (1 cup)

Parkay Spray B...

Report in girls! Inquiring minds want to know how your 5k went on Sunday!

I am a little delayed in this post, but better late than never! With the most votes ever (53) in a weekly poll, the results for "What food do you wish was calorie and/or fat free but tasted the same" are:

• Pizza 25% (13 votes)
  
• Alcohol 19% (10 votes)
• Fast Food 15% (8 votes)
• Ice ...

Blog readers Nicole & Beth will be running a 5k together this Sunday - wish them luck! I know these two fabulous ladies will rock it!

I have been MIA from the blog - but with good reason! I ran my Half Marathon this past weekend, and while I did not make my stretch goal of 2 hours 15 minutes, I beat my initial goal of 2 hours and 24 minutes. I crossed the finish line (barely) in 2 hours 21 minutes!!!!

The race was much harder than I expected for several reasons. The course was extremely hilly. And it was a sli...

What activity are we all looking forward to in the warm months? Well, its a tie!

• Running Outside - 26% (7 votes)
• Swimming - 26% (7 votes)
• Walking your Neighborhood - 22% (6 votes)
• Bike Ride - 11% (3 votes)
• Other - 7% (2 votes); someone mentioned kayak...

Nikki B has been a long-time member, commentor, and support of this blog! I want to wish a HUGE CONGRATS for losing 1.8 lbs at weigh-in last night, and getting into the 180s! Everyone give Nikki a metaphorical hand for her hard work!

In response to your question, Nikki, at weigh-in last night I was down 1.6 lbs - which I have to train myself to no longer be excited about. So, I ...

Busy, busy, busy at work lately. I promise - cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye - to post more tomorrow. Weigh-in is tonight; week 2 on maintenance and it looks like I have lost weight. I will find out officially at 5pm, and will probably get to add in more food this week!

Wow! I have not posted a running update in awhile. I have been training hard, though, for my half marathon (13.1 miles) which is less than two weeks away. I had a great run this weekend with perfect weather as a plus. It was my longest distance ever:

14 miles in 2 hours 28 minutes and 2 seconds

I am late again! Friday just flew by, and this weekend I enjoyed the beautiful weather by exercising outside, planting, and getting the deck ready for summer. I was nowhere near a computer, and it was a beautiful thing.

Now, onto our poll from last week, "What season do you dread most?":

• Winter - 27 votes (67%)

You, dear readers, asked and so I must deliver! You will notice I have added a Daily Menu page (per Nicole, Beth, Susan, & Becky's requests), as well as a FAQ page (per Meg's request). The Daily Menu page is up and running, but I am still working on the FAQ page. If there are any particular questions you want to see appear on this page, let me know by commenting on this blog  post!