Weigh-In Wednesday - Week 2

Well, after last night, I wasn't so sure how my weigh-in would be - so, I got up and bravely stepped on the scale, looked down and after one week with my new lifestyle, I'm down 4.2 pounds.  Yeah!  Monthly issues and all - 4.2  pounds.  While I realize that my success each week is not going to necessarily show on the scale - this week it did, and it felt good.  I was also amazed because every other time I've decided to watch what I was eating, I would schedule a cheat meal or day on the day I weighed in or the day after - not this time.  I stepped off the scale, did a little victory dance, and got ready for the day.

4.2 down since my first official weigh-in of 2012
8.0 down since I started tracking my weight
17 left until my first goal of 25 pounds (by April 18th - my birthday)

This is a beautiful life.  =)

One Day Before Weigh-In...

It's the night before my official weigh-in day, and boy today has been rough.  I'm really not sure why it was rough.  It started out good enough...had to pick something up at Publix at 8 for work, so got to leave a little later than usual.  Nice.  The weather was yuck, but not raining, yet.  It just seemed like a full moon or something.  Work was super busy, but has been for a while, so I can't really say it was that.  Oh, and did I mention that I started feeling like I was going to start?  The frustrating thing about that is that I'm on these pills where I'm not supposed to have this issue but once every three months, but they don't seem to be working.  I came home, finished up some homework for school, and low and behold - it happened.  The pills failed.  ha!  So, it's the night before my weigh in and I started.  Boo.

You know what though?  Even if I wake up tomorrow and have to report that I haven't lost a pound - thanks to my hormones - I can lie down tonight and rest easy knowing that I absolutely did everything I was supposed to do this last week.  Not only did I not cheat - I didn't even seriously consider cheating.  I recognized what my weaknesses were and didn't give in.  So, even if I wake up tomorrow and the scale shows no loss, I'm going to be okay.  After all, I'm treating this like I would if I were training to run a marathon...I'm staying on the program, and at the very end of the race, it will have paid off.  There will be good weeks, bad weeks, and even some weeks I will classify as great, but I will always try to focus on knowing that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing.

With that said - I'm going to bed.  =)

This is a healthier beautiful life.

Tuna Salad Dinner...

I got home tonight - an hour or more later than usual - and realized...oh man, I'm supposed to take my nephew home.  He was camped out on my couch, where he had been since he walked over from the bus stop after school.  Well, I was already struggling with wanting to pick something up.  I wasn't going to do it, but having to go out again almost put me over the edge.  Then he happens to mention that they have some boiled eggs at his house...bingo.

I took some of the boiled eggs, came home and made myself some quick tuna salad.  I have since realized that nothing fills me up faster than tuna salad.  Yep, after 32 years, I still am not a fan of tuna from a can.  Ugh.  However, it did curb my appetite and help me stick to my plan.

So, now it's 8:30, the BCS Championship game is on, and yet - I think I'm about to read a few minutes and head to bed.  Hoping for some pretty great sleep tonight. 

This is a beautiful healthier life.

One Week Later...

One week into the New Year, I'm feeling pretty great.  I made my first dentist appointment, bought a bed, washed my face and moisturized probably more times than I did in all of 2011, and most importantly for the new year, I've really been accountable for the losing weight portion of my goal. 

I've said it more than once this week, but this time, the process just feels different.  I feel almost like there is a difference in where my heart is.  Yeah, I know that might sound funny, but it's true.  It's not about beating myself up over where I am, but more about focusing on where I'm going.  I also feel more determined than I have before.  I realize that we are only one week into the year, but I am still more determined after one week than I have been ever before.

I told my sister earlier this week, that each time before, I've always looked forward to a "cheat" day, but I don't feel that way now.  I feel like this is a new life for me - a new lifestyle.

I'm excited to see what this year is going to bring.  This is a beautiful healthier life. 

One Resolution Down...

I bought a bed today.  A nice, comfy king sized bed.  I wish finding bedding for it was as easy.  I bought one from Kohl's only to return it after I got home, made the bed, and realized how much I just didn't like it.  After several stores, I ended up just getting nice sheets and a plain comforter.  I guess I'll keep my eyes open and hope I spot something soon.  Until then...

I'm hoping I can count some sheep and get several hours worth of sleep tonight.  =)

Yeah, So...

It's Friday - I cooked - Shake and Bake w/ Ranch seasoning for JD and baked chicken with Mrs. Dash for me with steamed broccoli.  I even put chicken in the crock pot for tomorrow. 

Yeah, it's Friday, my most likely day to eat out and I cooked.  I'm walking away with the win today.

It's a beautiful - healthier - life!

Best Dessert Ever?

Okay, so it is not a secret that sweets are not my downfall.  Lasagna?  Yes.  Cheeseburgers?  Yes.  Sweets...not so much.  However, what I find interesting is that when I start to get serious about watching what I'm eating - especially my refined carbs - it's like I suddenly develop a sweet tooth.  Some might call it weird...I just plain out call it the devil. ha! 

Well, that last few nights, I've found the perfect thing to put that to rest:  one half cup of cottage cheese.  Seriously.  I  measure it out and eat it out of the measuring cup so that I don't cheat.  Yes, seriously.  Now, I realize that some of you might not like cottage cheese and well, I'm sorry for that, because it is doing the trick for me.



Today - on this 5th day of the year - I am still feeling encouraged.  I really do think that your mindset goes a long way towards reaching your goals.  I'm going to savor the moments of strength in preparation for days that may be harder in the future.  Yeah, I know I'm only five days in, but I haven't seriously considered "cheating" at all in those 5 days, and that says a lot.  I think I've realized this time that the only person being cheated is me when I continue to make poor choices.

This is a healthier beautiful life.