I'm Pleased

Look at the ticker! Look at the ticker!! I moved in the right direction AGAIN!!! I am not going to ignore this fortunate loss. I was careful today. I was careful tonight, and I will continue to be careful. I’m so pleased that my last six weigh ins at the clinic over the last three months have been losses. You can see in the chart below that I am telling the truth!

12/29/2009		52.0
2/9/2010	1.1	50.9
3/4/2010	0.8	50.1
5/5/2010	4.3	45.8
5/12/2010	-0.6	46.4
5/20/2010	-2.4	48.8
6/11/2010	4.0	44.8
6/17/2010	-0.7	45.5
6/24/2010	-1.2	46.7
7/1/2010	-0.4	47.1
7/9/2010	-1.5	48.6
8/20/2010	-1.1	49.7
8/26/2010	-0.7	50.4

I had a very good conversation with the doctor today. I told her that I have these overwhelming craving for cheese and crackers. GOOD cheese, not the Kraft stuff (not that I don’t like Kraft…). She suggested the following way to break the craving: Divide up all the cheese and crackers into individual servings and put them in ziplock bags. With each meal, I must eat one serving. EVERY meal. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner. Do my best to incorporate the calories into my plan, but don’t over-think it. She thinks I’ll get so sick of it that I won’t want it anymore.

She agrees with me that the craving for cheese and crackers is tied to Mom. Mom liked Kraft cheese and Club crackers or Triscuits, and I prefer goat cheeses like Purple Haze and other semi-soft or spreadable cheeses or artisan Cheddars with flatbreads or 34 degree crispbreads. Mom loved a snack of cheese & crackers before dinner. Sometimes just a hand full of pretzels, but I've never taken to those – I know that I’ll eat all of them even though I don’t enjoy them…so why waste the calories?

The doctor also reminded me that I need to add some movement back into my routine, and she asked me what I liked or didn't like to do. When I told her what my roadblocks were, she didn't make me feel like I was making excuses. She understood what I was saying and made some valid suggestions. She suggested that I make a deal with my carpooler (my boss) that we agree to walk around the lake outside the office two or three times before going home. I think it is possible. We've talked about it before, but we've never done it. We need to do it, even if it’s just one day a week. At least after work, it isn't as hot as it is in the middle of the day. Getting away in the middle of the day is just too darn difficult anyway.

So, I've got two ideas that I think I can be successful in incorporating into my routine. That makes me feel good. It also makes me feel good thinking back about how many times I could have gone out for dinner this week or stopped by fast food places, and I didn't do it. I am going out for dinner Saturday night, but I know where I’m going (Bru's Room!) and what I’m eating (chicken burger!).

I've also decided that I’m going to stop focusing on getting back to the 52 lb loss, even though it’s only 1.6 lbs away! I’m aiming for a 55 lb loss. The 52 lb loss was really a result of not eating after Mom died. It was not a valid loss (although I think it’s the first time I’ve ever not eaten with a depression).

So, here’s to a successful Friday. One day at a time, right?

Did I mention that I wore a dress on Monday? I felt like a stuffed sausage, but I got a TON of compliments. I’ve always disliked the dresses they sell for plus-sized women. They are always way too long, and to shorten them cuts the print in the wrong spot or ruins the line. I’m only 5’4” and I do not look good in mu-mus. Other times, the skirts aren’t too long, but they’re cut in such a way that they’re longer in the front and the back. I hate that.

I found a petite XL skirt from Coldwater Creek that fits perfectly. It’s reversible, and one side looks better than the other. I wear it with a top and jacket of my Mom’s. I bought the dress on my Naples trip a few months ago, when I was about 6 lbs heavier. I’m glad I finally found a good slimmer from Maidenform to wear that helps smooth things out. I also have one pair of panties that are longer than boy shorts but are not slimmers. They’re comfortable, not hot, and stay in place. I wish Lane Bryant still carried them!! I’d like another pair or two.

People are so surprised that I have really nice legs. I’m not. I just have finally found clothes that fit.