Weighing myself

Not one pound

Well folks, I am off to a disappointing start, at the end of my first week, I am "scale wise" exactly the same.  I feel stronger, my legs are getting into that familiar stride of walking.  I am consciously making better choices with what I put in my mouth, but the scale has not caught up.  Oh well.  I shall press on,

My next week goal is to drink more water.  This has been a key factor in weight loss in the past, it is now so.  Excuse me a moment while I down the contents of a water bottle.  We can have the discussion about water bottles versus tap/Brita water in the future.  For now I am starting with what works.  I  will see if  I can manage a gallon a day for 5 out of the next 7 days.  If I can, I will reward myself with something nice. 

And were walking

My husband and I are walking our way to fitness.  Only 2 miles tonight, last night was rainy so I challenged the elliptical.  I hung in there for 22 minutes.  Not bad for the first time back on the horse.

First test of will

   Curse the 3 M&M's that made their way into my hand and instantly into my mouth.  I firmly believe this is how some people begin their trek into being  moderately overweight.  A handful of candy, a brownie that a co-worker made and says you have to try.  The 14 co-workers birthday's that include cake, it would be rude if you didn't partake, the half eaten grilled cheese sandwich that your 4 year old doesn't finish.  These are the things that take us down.
   My 23 pounds came from things like that.  It was deliberate.  I don't consider myself a stress eater, I don't need food for comfort, I am a supportive eater, if you are happy, I celebrate with you.  If you just got dumped by your boyfriend, I will bring over the Ben and Jerry's and have a pity party.  Baby showers, birthdays, retirement parties. . .  the list goes on.  This is where my downfall comes.  Supportive eating.  Well no more.  Forget your stinking ex-boyfriend, who cares that you got promoted or that it is girls night out.  I am on a mission.  I have exactly (wait while I count how many days until my birthday) 100 days.  Wow that was well timed, I have 100 days to reshape this body into high school shape.  Well lets not get ahead of ourselves, the C-section scars along with other surgery scars will remain, the crooked pinky toe that I broke walking past my dining room chairs will not magically correct itself back to high school shape.  But for the most part, I am on track and moving forward.

Word of caution for those of you who know me.  I will not be support eating with you for the next few months.  Yes I am aware that you are having a baby, getting married and having a birthday party, I will smile and be my charming self just without the food.

A body in motion

Today is the day I begin the quest to my high school weight. 23 pounds total, it begins now.  The first day begins with inhaling junk food I know I shouldn't eat for the next 6 to 12 weeks.  Then the planning begins, I walked a mile and a half and now I am sitting and not snacking, I want to be snacking but I am sitting.  Next on my tackle list, after I have worked back up to in walking my usual 4 miles, is it to get back on the elliptical.    After the elliptical comes . . . whoa lets not get ahead of myself.  Baby steps.  My first goal for this weekend is to not eat those things that are in direct opposition to the 23 weight loss goal.  Game on!

Crochet hook chain of events

So. . .  if I was headed for the witness protection program, I would be in good shape.  I the last 4 months I have gone through radical changes.  I cut 11 inches off my hair and donated it to Locks of Love.  I sustained an injury that halted my workout routine which led to 10 pounds ( mostly in my hips), I toured the country coast to coast (hence the crochet hook reference, I did a lot of crocheting as I sat in a minivan) and a loved one sustained a massive/ life changing illness and surgery.  That is a lot of change in 4 short months.  Que the music to I Will Survive (or whatever inspires you), I am back.  Ready to confront the things in my life that confound me, inspire me and just plain need to be discussed.
 
I often hear writers talk about having that block that halts the creative process.  I have not experienced that in my life, just the stuff of life which gets in the way of writing.  This has been the case, no posts, no new stories, no tweaking existing books.  Just stuff in the way.  Now I am back, reading on of my finished works, devouring other authors (you know, the published ones) and that little story line that is slowly building in the back of my brain which will some day burst forth into my next work.

  It feels like, I've been locked out of Heaven. . .  wait that is a Bruno Mars song.  No, It feels like the shackles are coming off, the blinders are falling away and the weight is being lifted off my shoulders and I can start again.  Working out, writing, growing my hair back, helping loved ones to heal.  All things I find rewarding and fulfilling.  So welcome back me, it is nice to feel familiar in my skin again.