Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Shalom, friends!

It's been a busy year, as I am sure you can tell by my less-than-frequent blogging. I would love to be blogging more, but free time has been minimal.

Rabbi-life: I am loving my first year as the rabbi at a wonderful congregation in Wantagh, New York. The congregants are terrific, the area is lovely, and the job is fulfilling. I feel supported by family and friends, and I am blessed by a strong, competent lay leadership at the temple. I've learned so much so far about leading a congregation. There have been plenty of challenges (oy!), but also plenty of successes. I love it there!

Jenny Craig: Those of you who were following my Jenny Craig posts may want an update in that area. I stopped doing Jenny Craig last summer when I began my new job. My psyche is such that I can only handle (as I am sure is true for many of you) so many stressors at once. I just didn't have the brain power to continue at that time, and I was feeling burnt out after 8 months of participation. I have high hopes of continuing again soon.

Wantagh: The weaning process is nearly complete - I will be officially living the confines of NYC in one month. I am finally moving out to Long Island. I have found an amazing townhouse (with an outdoor pool, fitness center, tennis courts) and I can't wait to begin this new chapter. Packing over the next month will be CRAZY, but there are good things on the other end. I will be walking distance from the temple, so I hope to walk often!

Karaoke: I have the coolest congregants! Many of them LOVE karaoke, so we have lots of fun singing together. I just have to explore the karaoke joints in and around Wantagh. If you know of one, let me know! There is much singing to be done!

Cats: Lindsay and I adopted a new baby kitten!! He is so cute, and you must check out this video of him when he was still a stray at the vet.



He was named "Magellan" then, but now we have decided to call him "Snickerdoodle." That being said, we call him "Baby Boy" more than anything else. :) Precious and Caramel are adjusting to their new friend.

Well, I hope you have good things in your lives, and that you are happy and healthy.

Jenny Update

Well, hello, all!

To those who celebrated, I hope you had a lovely Passover and Easter. Otherwise, I hope that spring has finally sprung where you live, and that you are enjoying the rebirth of the world around you. I am always inspired by the growth and life taking place around me at this time of year - it reminds me that the same possibility and potential lies within me!

After being away for Pesach (Lindsay, my sister, and I took a road trip out to Chicago for the holiday), I went to Jenny Craig this morning to weigh in. After a week of matzah, I had no idea what to expect. I also hadn't been very focused while away. Sure, I got plenty of activity in, but I didn't really watch what I was eating.

However, there was still good news, which shows me how much my body wants to be losing weight. Latest total weight loss?

I am down

-27.4 lbs!!

Isn't that incredible?!?! I am so close to that darn 30 pound mark. Do you think I might make it this week?

I really, really, really need to refocus. I am feeling SO ambivalent lately about the program, and really not wanting to commit to it any longer. I know that this is just a phase, and I will get through it, but it is so hard. If I hadn't had a loss today, I probably would have just thrown in the towel.... well, that's not necessarily true, but I would have really wanted to.

Okay, it's a new week, and I will try to do my best.

Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom and a great weekend.

Jenny Update!

Well, a quick update for those of you who follow my Jenny Craig chronicles. I hadn't weighed in for a few weeks (mostly because of the Israel trip - I didn't want to worry too much about my eating while I was there). Then, it was really hard to get back on track when I returned. I don't know what I was afraid of - but it was so difficult to get up the momentum to go back and weigh in.

I suppose I was scared that all of my hard work, and all of my success, would be so fleeting - that I would come back, weigh in, and find that I had gained it all back. An irrational fear, I know, but my weight loss attempts in the past have never worked. I have a sense of impending doom - like, when it is all going to stop working?

Luckily, I decided to "bite the bullet" - before the triple b'nai mitzvah service I had on Saturday morning, I drove over to Jenny Craig to see if they were open. And they were. I didn't have an appointment, so I just walked in and asked if I could weigh myself. They said yes, and that I could just add the information to my folder.

So, I walked over to the scale, took off my shoes and jacket, and stepped up....

And I was down!!!

So, the new grand total weight loss?

27.2 pounds lost!!

How can this be? I was looking forward to the big "25" pound milestone, and I blew right past it!! I guess I am really internalizing a lot of the new skills I am learning, and I am making lots of good choices. I'm going to keep going, and I hope that this is going to last!!

All kinds of updates

Hello, all!!

Yes, it's your lovable old pal, Marci, checking in after a brief hiatus. My life has been on a non-stop path of stress and chaos - not always of a negative nature, but just requiring a lot of time and energy. No matter what, as you would imagine, there is a lot to catch you up on!

First cool thing: I am going to Israel in two days!! You've heard me mention this upcoming trip, and I can't believe that it is almost here! I hope to be blogging about the trip while I am there (at the request of my dear friend, Andi). I will post pictures of my adventures - we are primarily in Jerusalem for the convention, but there are a few trips to Tel Aviv and other communities throughout. I also will be sure to take pictures of the fun times with friends and classmates, including Rabbi Phyllis Sommer (have to travel to the other side of the planet to see her!).

Second cool thing: My Jenny Craig adventures continue to go really well! My latest weight loss total is 24.2 lbs - so close to that 25 pound mark!! I will do my best while in Israel, while not driving myself crazy. But, it continues to be a success, and people are really starting to notice that I look thinner. Woohoo!!

Third cool thing: I had a passport adventure this morning. My passport doesn't expire until the end of April, so I assumed that it was going to be fine for my 10 days in Israel. Yeah, it turns out that it isn't okay at all - your passport needs to be valid for at least six months past your travel dates. When did I figure that part out? On Tuesday!!! and I leave SATURDAY!!! I have to tell you, I am so grateful that the US Department of State offers same-day passports (which costs a pretty penny, but is still available nonetheless) as long as you travel to very specific locations. I called the NYC location first - they didn't have an appointment available until NEXT WEDNESDAY!!! Yep, that wouldn't really help :) So, I looked around on the government's website, and there is a site in Norwalk, CT, which had an appointment available this morning. Thank goodness! So, I shlepped up there, went through the whole routine of standing in various lines, waiting for my number to be called, and finally, after 2 1/2 hours, received my brand-new passport.

This one doesn't expire until 2019. I remember when I got my soon-to-expire passport back in 1999 - I was preparing to leave for rabbinical school (the first year is in Jerusalem), standing at a major precipice in my life, not knowing what was to come over the years to come. I was also struck by the fact that that passport would expire in 2009 - when I would be nearly 31 years old, when I would be five years into my career as a rabbi, and, I hoped, married with kids. Well, the married with kids part hasn't panned out just yet, but I am so happy with where I am. I am healthy, out of pain, enjoying my career, and living with my sister. There are wonderful, profound adventures around every corner. I wonder what will happen between now and the next time I have to renew my passport!!!

Oh My Goodness - Jenny Update!!

My friends, I just got back from weighing in, and I have HUGE news:

I am down

-6.2 lbs

for an incredibly amazing total loss of

-20.6 lbs!!!

I can't believe that I have hit the 20 pound mark - I don't think I have ever done anything like this before. Hooray!!

I was up last week, but then it was "that time of the month," so I am learning that my weight goes up near my period. Thus, this week's loss reflects, more accurately, whatever loss I might have had last week that was covered up by water-weight.

HOORAY!!!!!

Jenny Update

Well, I weighed in again today, even though I just was there on Thursday. It wasn't a full week, but there was a still a loss!

- 0.6 lbs

for a total of

- 16.2 lbs down.

Isn't that amazing?

So, here's the hard part - I am traveling home to Chicago for the next week. Travel is always so tough, and being around family is even more difficult. I have gotten lots of meals to bring with me on the trip, and I booked a room that has a microwave and fridge. I hope that I am setting the right things in motion so that I can continue along this successful path.

Any words of wisdom? How do you stick with your goals, especially when the going gets tough?

Jenny Weigh-In #8

Well, folks, as you may recall, I gained weight as of my last weigh-in. It was a hard thing to deal with, and I have tried to not give myself a hard time about it.

The situation was going to get even more challenging over the past week, since I had to travel to Florida for a meeting. Being away seems to always bring temptation to overeat, and I really didn't want to fall into that trap.

So, I thought ahead about the trip, and brought along enough Jenny meals for the three days away. I wound up eating a few of them, as well as a few meals at the conference, but I felt in control. I didn't go crazy with the eating, but I didn't deny myself, either.

I weighed-in this morning (I couldn't go on Tuesday), and I didn't quite know what to expect. Lo and behold, I was down:

3.5 lbs

for a grand total of:

15.6 lbs down!!!

I can't believe how this past week went!

I am so excited to keep going, and to really feel the joy of this success. Thanks for your support!

Jenny Weigh-In #7

Well, it wasn't such a good weigh-in today. I am

+ 1.4

for a total loss of

-12.4

It's still not too bad, right? I am trying not to get too upset about it. It was a difficult week, food-wise, for me. I had a hard time with PMS cravings, and I really wanted CHEESE, like, all the time. So, this upcoming week, I am going to go back to week one's meal plan, and try to re-focus. I am going to be out of town for the weekend (at an Adult Jewish Learning conference), and I made sure to get meals that travel well. Hopefully, being away won't mean being off-plan.

Here's to a better week ahead.....

Jenny Weigh-In #6

Okay, okay, okay - are you ready? Keep in mind that this past week was Thanksgiving, and lots of time off, and yet, and yet.....


- 2.0 lbs

for a total of

-13.8 lbs

Oh my goodness! Almost 14 pounds lost! I don't know what to say. I told my "counselor" type person at Jenny Craig that they should give special awards to people who continue to lose weight during the holidays. I wish I could get, like, a sticker or something :)

How was your weekend?? Did you accomplish anything that you are proud of??

Jenny Weigh-In #5

Hi, folks!! Ready for this week's number? It's a little one, but a loss nonetheless:

- 0.2 lbs

For a total of:

-11.8

So close to that 12 pound mark!!

So, it would be really easy to be disappointed by this, and, trust me, parts of me want to be upset about the loss. BUT -

1. I didn't GAIN any weight this week
2. I actually went down, even just a little bit
3. As my sister pointed out, it shows that the loss so far isn't a fluke - it is a real weight loss!
4. I am still on the right track!!

Wow, I am so excited about this, and how successful it's been so far. Here's to another week!

(and, yes, I know that Thanksgiving is coming up - we'll talk about that eating challenge soon!!)

Official One-Month Anniversary on Jenny Craig

Just thought that I would take a moment to celebrate - yesterday was one full month on Jenny Craig!

So far, October 21-November 21 was just great.

11.6 pounds lost!

No change yet in clothes or appearance, but it sure feels good to be devoting time to feeling better :)

It's becoming more and more routine, and I even dreamt about it recently: I was at a party where the food was a HUGE buffet. In the dream, I felt very disappointed that it was making my efforts to lose weight difficult, yet I just went straight for the smart choices on the buffet. It wound up not being a big deal. BUT, if I am already dreaming about Jenny Craig, then it shows how deep into my unconscious this decision has gone.

Here's to another month, and more success!

Jenny Weigh-In #4

Are you ready for this?

I mean, really - are you ready?????

As of this morning, I am down another

3.8 pounds

for a total of.....

11.6 pounds lost!!!!!!!!!!!

This is unbelieveable - I can't believe that this is actually working. I imagined that it would be SO hard, and such a struggle, but it really isn't. My sister, Lindsay, asked me this morning, "So, have you had to starve for the last month?" And the answer is a definitive, "NO!" I have never had to be hungry, and I have always felt satiated.

Interestingly, my metabolism is definitely starting to change. I am getting hungry every few hours (that's what eating smaller meals, more often, apparently does). Wow.

Most importantly, I am so appreciative of all of your support - you guys are the best. I feel so encouraged, and so excited, as I update you each week on my progress. Thanks for joining me on this journey so far :)

Day 26 On Jenny!

Happy Saturday, and Shabbat Shalom!

I am very happy to report that this has been another great week on Jenny. I am in my fourth week on their plan, and it is going so well. It is really set up in an easy way, and it takes a lot of the mental work out of it. As long as you follow what the plan tells you to eat, it is smooth sailing.

Apparently, after this week, I begin planning my own week of meals - they teach me how to build a week, making sure to fit in all of my entrees, fruits, vegetables, snacks, and dairy products. We shall see how that goes on Tuesday, my next weigh-in.

I wonder if I will clear the 10 pound milemarker this week - wouldn't that be amazing! Even if I don't get quite to that point, I am still feeling such a sense of accomplishment - after all these years of weight gain and physical pain, I am feeling GOOD!

By the way, my old high school friend, Julie, at Flip this Body, wondered if I have been exercising at all, in addition to the meal plan. I have definitely been trying! I bought a pedometer, and it appears that I am walking at least 2 miles everyday! Also, I really like the "Exercise TV" channel that you can find On Demand - there are lots of fun options. As my body continues to heal, and as my muscles get stronger and stronger, I am capable of doing more. Currently, I am sticking with some of the "walking" workouts, because I still can't handle a lot of impact (and I am really starting from scratch, in a cardio-vascular sense).

Yay for success!!

Jenny Weigh-In #3

Drum roll, please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


At today's weigh-in, I was down

3.8 pounds

for a total of

7.8 so far!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you tell I'm excited?!?!?! This is really working; I can't believe it. Yay!!!

This Week in Jenny-Land

I never got to update you on my weigh-in on Tuesday - it was disappointing, which is why I wasn't in a rush to tell you.

Let me first state - I went in during the afternoon this time. Last week, I weighed in FIRST THING in the morning. This week, I had already eaten two meals. Not smart to do it this way. I was up 0.6 lbs during this session, which is probably not accurate. I'll bet, if I had gone in before breakfast, it would have been much more exciting - maybe even two pounds lower?

Well, I keep saying to myself, this week's upcoming weigh-in will be that much better. Right? Tuesday, here I come!

Day 14 of Jenny

Though I am afraid to jinx it, I have had another really good week. Even for the meals that I have had to eat at a restaurant or event, I have been making really good choices.

Why wasn't it this easy before, I wonder? Did I need to take a leap, and perhaps start a new chapter? Did I need permission to focus on myself in this way? Was it important to ask for help and admit that I couldn't do it alone?

I go to my second weigh-in tomorrow (ELECTION DAY!!!!), and I hope that I have good news once again. I am still so scared that there won't be any results, and that I will fail just as I have over the past few years. I hope that this feeling of uncertainty fades away as I feel more and more confident in the process.

I will report back tomorrow!!!!

Week 1 Weigh-In!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

I just got back from my first weigh-in with Jenny Craig, and....... I lost

4.8 POUNDS!!!!!!

Can you believe it????? What a great way to start!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 5 of Jenny

Well, my friends, so far, so good! I am now well into my fifth day of Jenny Craig, and it isn't hard at all. The food has been really delicious, and I am actually having trouble eating everything that the program needs me to eat. There are so many fruits and vegetables that I am supposed to eat throughout the day, and they are just too filling. What a nice problem to have!

I will be going in to meet with my "counselor" one-on-one on Tuesday, so I will definitely report back on how the first week went, weight-wise. I have been very careful NOT to weigh myself at all this week. I didn't want it to influence my mood (either depressing me or making me too confident). I just wanted to feel good, knowing that I have been starting a new chapter, and that I am taking good care of myself.

In all honesty, I am really scared that I will get there on Tuesday morning, and I won't have lost a single pound. Since that's pretty much been the story for the past few years, I am scared that nothing I do will ever help me to actually lose weight. I have been discouraged and disheartened so many times.... will it actually work this time? Are my body and soul finally ready to make another big change?

Two days to go until the first weigh-in........

Meet Jenny - My New Best Friend

Well, dear readers, wish me luck.

I have decided to join Jenny Craig.

I am nervous, excited,

enthusiastic, cynical, optimistic, and scared. Yep, that just about sums it all up.

As you know, the past few years have been so incredibly difficult for me, physically and emotionally. The back injury kept me imprisoned in pain, and thus totally sedentary. Emotionally, I felt so helpless, I am sure that it didn't help. I gained so much weight, I can't believe it. Yet, I couldn't give myself a hard time about it, because I had no psychological energy to devote to it. Plus, the few times I tried Weight Watchers over the years of pain, I failed miserably, which only made me more depressed about the whole thing.

BUT, now that I am feeling so much better, and so much stronger, I have decided that it is finally time to work on this area. I am finally ready. I can do it for myself, and ONLY myself, and I can feel good about it. I feel like it just might work this time! Plus, I have a good friend who is doing Jenny Craig as well, and we are gonna be cheerleaders for each other.

So, I am well into Day 2 - we'll see how it goes! I will keep you up to date on this new journey in my life :)