GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!

The new me! (With Emiko and Hideo)



The old me -- granted, I had just given birth. But I was big before having kids, so I can't blame it on the babies, although I often did!

I made my Weight Watchers goal almost a month ago. I have been waiting to blog about it until Todd took a good pic of me. He still hasn't done that, so this pic will have to do. It's a great pic, you just can't see all of me. I don't guess that really matters.

I've lost 74 pounds since the beginning of March. When I started this new lifestyle, I weighed 230 pounds! That is a lot. Now I weigh 156 pounds. I went from wearing a size 18 or 20 to a size 8. I really like being a size 8. More than I ever realized, actually.

My cholesterol is low, my blood sugar level is low. My blood pressure is low, although it wasn't high to start with. I have a ton of energy and I feel great (except for always being tired, but that's thanks to my precious children!).

Now, I want to remind people, that this is not to suggest that everyone should do what I did. Or that this means now that I like myself. I liked myself a lot before. This hasn't made me happier -- although I do think it's made me a bit more vain. Which is not necessarily a good thing. I did this so I could try to be as healthy as I can be, so I can take care of my kids for as long as possible. That whole trying to avoid cancer thing. Stupid cancer.

I was a healthy big girl, but now I'm a healthier average girl. I hate those qualitative words. Wii Fit now says I'm "normal," which simultaneously makes me happy and pisses me off. I was "normal" before, and the body mass index (BMI) is total bunk science. But that's what Wii Fit and Weight Watchers use to determine weight loss success, so I will stick with it. I had a BMI of 35 when I started, and now I have a BMI of 23.7.

OK, so I just wanted to update everyone on my success. I achieved my goal, and now I have to maintain this healthy lifestyle from now on. That's the hard part. But I've bought some really cute clothes, so that helps keep me motivated! I've been weaning myself from tracking points on Weight Watchers, since I don't really want to do that for the rest of my life. The largely vegetarian/ low fat diet is making that much easier. And I really like eating this way -- I don't feel deprived and it seems very sustainable for the long haul.

Thank you to everyone for your support and compliments -- it means a great deal. If you want to talk about how I lost the weight, I'm happy to do that, but otherwise I won't bug you about it. I've considered posting about products and tips that were helpful, but I don't know if people are interested. If you are, let me know. I don't want to be annoying or patronizing or just plain boring.

I Need to Think Happy Thoughts

This student was in my division a couple of years ago for about a month before getting moved into the football division. He always seemed like a nice young man. I would say hi to him in the hallway. I never got any sort of negative vibe from him, but that doesn't mean anything.

I first heard about it yesterday during my 10th period. My students were all freaked out about one of their classmates being arrested and charged with such a terrible thing.

Of course they wanted to talk about it. And I let them, because I think it's important to acknowledge this kind of thing. Especially when it's a student from our school. But it's so depressing the things the kids have said.

One student told the class that the girl must have asked for it. I try not to interject too much during discussions, but I had to jump in at that point. I explained to the students that seven year old girls cannot "ask for it" and are incapable of consenting. And that if the allegations are true, then Remonse is seriously screwed up and will hopefully get some help.

I just cannot imagine this happening to my child. I don't know what I would do.

Today my third and sixth period senior classes wanted to talk about it. More disturbing comments were made. It's very distressing and upsetting.

I could talk more about the situation and how my students are reacting, but it's too disturbing. So I'm going to think happy thoughts. It's a good thing it's Friday.

Dunbar Mighty Divas Perform Michael Jackson Tribute at Homecoming

Just to prove that I often have a good time at work. Each year a group of teachers and staff get together and perform for the homecoming pep rally. We call ourselves the Mighty Divas, since we are the Dunbar Mighty Men and Women. Which is a really strange mascot, but that's another story. On the backs of our shirts are our names -- mine says Diva Fuji.

Anyway, last year I had to miss out, since I was pregnant. It's so much fun dancing, and the students find it hilarious. I don't dance well anyway, and I never learn the steps as well as I should.

I'm the blond on the far left of the stage, separated from everyone else. We thought a Michael Jackson tribute was fitting.