Off to a slow start, but gaining momentum...

So ok. When I last posted in June I really wanted to start making a difference in my life, but I didn't really commit to it - not yet. What I did do was formulate a plan in my head, and used the last bit of summer to come up with a strategy.

I decided to return to Weight Watchers at the end of August, and surprisingly I had a co-worker ask if she could join me. I thought that it would work good to use the buddy system to help both of us reach goals. I then set out to satisfy any and all cravings of food I had, to get it out of my system.

With a firm date in mind, I readied myself and planned both diet and groceries I would eat and need. On the day I started WW I wasn't at my heaviest-but only off by about 6 lbs. It wasn't a shock, but was still unsettling. But it motivated me to get going and stay on course.

It's now been over 7 weeks. I have lost 18lbs, and its starting to show. It started out so simple. Baby steps. Organizing. Planning. And one foot in front of the other.

The water challenge I set for myself is actually quite easy to follow. I drink quite a bit at work, and try to as well at home. it has also motivated others to consume more water, and thats pretty cool.

I have changed my consuming habits as well. I spend about the same in groceries over the course of a month, but mostly fruit and vegetables, meat and a few snack items. I don't flinch at spending $7.99 for a quart of delicious strawberries, $5.99 for sweet fresh pineapple, or $3.99 for ripe, juicy canteloupe. I figure i was probably spending that amount in chips and pop alone, not to mention ice cream.

My snacks are tasty and satisfying, and I often look forward to planning my daily menu. I find if I plan days in advance what my meals and snacks will be, I won't have to worry about making quick decisions that often result in poor choices. I even leave an 'emergency snack" at work for days when I am tempted or still hungry.

For some reason, its almost like a game to me. I follow the rules and I come out the winner. Eat this and this and this and lose that and that and that. I am rarely unsatisfied and have found some days that the day is over and I haven't eaten all my points.

I still have an issue with 'tired binges'. Its like as soon as I can feel myself getting sleepy, I shove whatever in my mouth and it doesn't count. Those foods never make it onto my tracker, and I get very discouraged when I see the wrappers or bags the next day.

But all in all I am making good progress.

I even let my co-workers talk me into a weekly 'spinning class' on my one day to sleep in. I hate it, and my ass hurts for a week, but its at least 1 hour of exercise that I wasn't doing before. Only 5 more weeks, and then after the holidays we will try a different activity. I hope that by that time my cardio skills will have improved enough to do something even wilder, like kick-boxing or karate.