Yes, Absolutely!

Yes, I have absolutely been gone for quite a while.  Lazy?  Well yeah!

I've been sick this past week with a sinus infection, but an antibiotic has been clearing me up.  I also had a Weight Watchers oops!!

Well an oops on their part, not mine.

My 10 month contract is soon up and, not to be charged full price next month, I went in to cancel my subscription.   As always I got the "Are you sure?", I clicked to continue to cancel and then got a pop up for a new deal - "We think you may like this - upgrade to Core+ for one year at $10/month".  

Now if you do WW, you know that Core+ is the one that includes in-person/virtual meetings.  I had been paying $10/month for plain old Core.  So I took the offer.....except...

When I got the email, now all of a sudden I was paying $20/month for a year.  Wait, what????  I immediately got on the chat option, which I realize is nothing more than a computer, and it was totally unhelpful and basically told me "Oh well, you're stuck for a year at $20/month".

This morning I get an email that my first payment came out at $22!!????  I go into my WW account and see I'm being charged $22/month for a year.  The WW website shows a deal of $12/month for a year.

NOW I'M TOTALLY CONFUSED!

I've never had luck calling WW - those customer service reps are like little robots, however, I have gotten great customer service messenging them through their official WW page (make sure you are on the "official" page:  Official WW FaceBook ) and sent a message pretty much saying what I've written above.

It didn't take long for Mary, to message back.  She understood my frustration and wanted to help make it right.  She did explain that sometimes the website/app will offer something special during a cancellation and she had no way of seeing what happened there, however, she told me she would gladly cancel my commitment and I could resign up under the $12/month for a year.  To me, $12/month for Core+ is still a good deal; so I chose that.  She did let me know that I would lose my past 90 days, which was fine since I really haven't used it that much (she did say she could have it emailed to me, which I declined).  She also advised to contact them at least one week before my contract end date to see what new offers they may have at that time.  She thanked me for being a long time member.

Technically, after she cancelled out my account, I could of just gone on with my life and not have signed up again; but I did.  I like the WW app, I like WW and I always end up back at WW.  And actually the only 90 days I lost was my food log (which I wasn't using) but all my weight logs are still there; all my recipes are there; and I still have the same log-in and password.  And they did reimburse me the $22 they had charged me almost immediately.

I know many, especially on the Med plan, have issues with these contracts and WW is non-forgiving; BUT, this is an example where they went the extra mile, or at least one employee did.

Oh....the Core+ $12/month for a year is available on their website and expires September 30, 2026.

Luxe Foundation Review

I kept seeing videos and ads all over FaceBook regarding Luxe Foundation.  Luxe is a white foundation that adjusts to your skin tone as you put it on.

Does it?????

I watched a lot of videos and read a lot of reviews.  Everything seemed too good to be true; but if you know me, I'll try anything once.

First thing you should know; influencers are paid for their reviews, and though a few are totally honest, most will give a rave review.  Secondly, a lot of the videos are AI or heavily filtered; so don't expect the model look.  One thing I noticed is that most of the people doing the videos already have make-up on perfectly beautiful.  So why are they putting more foundation on??????

Anyway; I broke down when an offer came up to buy a tube and get a free tube and a free brush.  This is not shipped from within the U.S.A.; it's shipped from over seas; but it really didn't take long to get, maybe a week.  I have seen some reviews that shipping took longer.  Despite there being a guarantee...all reviews indicate that getting you money back is non-existent - just an FYI.

Anyway, I got my tube and gave it a try on my face with no make-up already on it.  It is indeed white and it does change color as you put it on.  I found my face felt a little itchy for about 15 minutes but then it went away (I did not scratch).  It didn't fill in the lines, it didn't cover any facial blemishes flawlessly and I certainly did not have the model look all the videos show.  It worked just like all the other foundations I've used over the years with the exception that it starts out white and blends in with your skin.  It does however last the day without melting away!

Suggestions??  Start with a base/primer for under the foundation; that will help with any itching (I get none if I use a base) and it's just a good way to start.  And don't apply like all the videos do...less goes a long way.  The directions will tell you to put some on the back of your hand, and use the brush to start blending, then apply with the brush.  You don't need a lot - I can't understand why all the videos show gobs of it on the face to start and then start blending.

I don't think I'd buy it again; but I'll use it up and then move on.  I can't say the advertising is false; but the videos are extremely misleading.

I Know, I Know!

Let's have a real talk......

I'm sick of tracking points, calories, fiber, macros, WHATEVER..... Sick of it.  I'm DONE!

I've decided I just need to start communicating with my body a little better.  I KNOW what I need to be eating.  I KNOW not to stuff myself full.  I KNOW, I KNOW, I KNOW....

There I feel better.

I do, however, know that I still need to keep track of what I'm eating.  I can't do it with an app because it will show me one of the above...and I don't right now want to see those numbers.

So I ordered *this*.  It's a plain ole food journal, I will not be using the areas to list the nutritional information, but I did want more than just a plain notebook and I liked that the spirals are on top rather than on the side.  I'll also continue with *Kickstart* as that gives me community and it is more about setting habits rather than a food plan.

I'm going to start making those changes now but go full in, in September.  

And that's where I'm at!!

A Walking I Will Go

Today I walked a mile.

I haven't walked in a long time, though I use to do it daily.  It was hard, like I said it has been a while.  I'm hoping to get back into it.

I bought a new Yeti (I'm so into Yeti, no Stanley's at my house, lol!); I went with 30 ounces this time and it looks like this:

And these are the details:

I really like the top on this one!  Hopefully, it will help with my water intake, a new cup usually does!

I often feel like I should continue on with the Weight Watcher app since I still have to pay a few more months.  I probably won't be renewing it, so then that makes me think that if I'm not going to renew it, why continue the program since I'll be switching to something else.  My something else will either be Healthi or the Lose It app.  I get so tired of tracking food though.

A Vacation Update!

Yes, it's been awhile!  I'm on V A C A T I O N this week with family visiting my sister in South Carolina.  Though I normally would consider this a beach week (I LOVE the beach)...I haven't seen the ocean at all and most likely won't.  Sigh......  I know you're wondering why; that's a story for later.

Weight wise I've failed all over the place!  I'm hoping to get that back in order once I get home!

This & That

One of my commitments is to keep up with my journaling, which is what this blog is.  I can't guarantee something every day; but I can do better.

Our Aldi's never seems to have the things that other Aldi's have that I see people post online,  It doesn't have those great 1 or 2 pt bread/rolls or the low point snacks.  It's just pretty much another grocery store.

I stopped by yesterday as that's where I get the canned dog food and wandered down the "everything you never knew you needed aisle".  Again, I've never seen those extremely low cost items in my store's aisle.

Anyway, I did find some jean shorts!  Due to my weight, I'm not a big shorts wearer - capri's yes, but shorts...not so much.  I have one pair and they are wearing out and with the current heat; I know I needed one or two pairs.  I did find a pair at our Beall's store but ended up with 2 more from Aldi's.  I hate that there is no way to try on clothing at Aldi's (but it is a grocery store after all) but when I got home; I tried them on and they fit!  YAY ME!  Not the size I'd prefer but they will work for my upcoming beach trip.

Today is the 4th of July and my town has a little celebration downtown with vendors, food, music and such.  They were doing something special for the 250th last night but the heat caused that to be postponed to a later date.

Grrrr......

I get so tired of WW groups and the know-it-alls on them.

Case in point; I belong to a very popular WW group.  One of the members posted asking about WW med program as her daughter was interested and she basically wanted to know if the cost included the meds.

I answered, as did others, that the cost does not include the meds and if your insurance won't cover that cost, you'll pay out of pocket.  We also warned that if you can't afford the meds, you'll find yourself stuck in the WW contract anyway.

A "holier than thou" member chose to pull my comment (out of all the others saying the same thing) and decided to give her experience on the WW med program.  She loves it, her insurance pays the cost of her meds (few do, but good for her), by going through WW she saves PTO time off to go to the doctor, she doesn't have to pay a doctor co-pay (guess she doesn't consider the $79 WW monthly fee a co-pay) and she has great support from her WW doctor and team (clinician).  OMG - she's the perfect WW representative!

I, of course, told her I was glad that all was working well for her since all I see are people stuck in contracts for a service they can't afford the meds for.  She, of course, blamed it on not reading what you're signing up for.  Anyway.....

I stated I have never done the WW med program, I do do WW and am a lifetime member.  She in turn stated she also is a lifetime member and "obesity is a disease".

I answered with a simple "I never said it wasn't".

Do you see how a simple question was escalated by one individual?  That happens all the time.  Perhaps she should of stuck to what the question was asking; rather than the answers.  I could have said a lot more...but I didn't want it to continue and cause the group owners to have to come in and shut it down.

The "obesity is a disease" comment really p*ssed me off though.  Why would you say something like that to another person who struggles with their weight?  WHY???  Does she think I don't know the struggles of weight loss?

Sorry, I just need to vent!

Weight Update

It's been hot, there's been celebrating...but I haven't forgotten I need to lose weight!

I'm truly thinking I need to go back to Points Plus or rather Carb Conscious on Healthi.  I just can't seem to lose on these "here's a list of zero point foods".  Even though I don't overeat on any of it; I would rather have points.

So I'll get started on that next week as we are heading into the fourth of July weekend.

A Day To Celebrate

It's a celebration day!  

Today is my 26th Wedding Anniversary.

 

We look so young, lol!

The second celebration is that it's my start of DROP.  If you're unfamiliar with DROP, it's a deferred retirement option plan.  Basically, I'm considered retired but still working.  My employer will put my pension payments in an interest bearing account while I collect my salary.  Somewhere between 1-5 years, I can fully retire.  I will then be met with my pension payments as well as a lump sum from that interest bearing account.  My plan is to do the whole 5 years.

Once you join DROP, you can not change your mind; I must go in 5 years.

So I'm "semi-retired" but it's great to know there's an end date!

A Quick Update

It is so very hot out - no walks getting done here!  

Today we had a retirement party for one of my co-workers.  It's always so sad to see someone leave, but at the same time, you have to be happy for them.

Not much happening, just counting down the days until vacation!!

Summer Kickstart

For the Summer portion of Kickstart, they've decided to be more laid back.  There will be no weight loss challenge due to vacations and such.  I'm not sure about the book club part yet.  Though I'm disappointed in not having a weight challenge - I will still be part of Kickstart for the summer.  I've decided not to do 10 commitments for the summer; that always seems like so many and I never stick to a lot of them.  I'm going to do 5 and hopefully that will be more doable.

Keep in mind, Kickstart isn't about perfection; it's more about having that support group there to help you along the way.  

So 5 commitments:  Track my commitments on Kickstart, at least 4 - 8 oz servings of water per day, walk and/or exercise daily, read one chapter of a book daily and journal at least 3 times a week.  My goal is to be 10 lbs down by the end of the summer.

After summer, Kickstart will resume on a monthly basis - starting anew each month rather than running by season.  That way you can join the months you want and take a break when you want.  Kickstart is always evolving.

Join Kickstart HERE.