I also had plan for the rest of the weekend, which the cold both helped and hindered.  The good thing about the cold is that food didn’t taste as good which also kept me from over-eating all weekend.  The bad part is that I wasn’t able to exercise like I wanted, which was to add at least one extra workout to the weekend.  I was able to stick to my normal exercise routine though.  As a result, I managed to get through Thanksgiving while losing 3 pounds this week.

That makes a current total of 44 pounds lost.  I am now only 20 away from my mini-goal, which I hope to reach by 2/1/09 when I leave for my snorkeling vacation in Roatan.  This would also place me more than halfway from my goal.

I have noticed so many changes in myself and my attitude about this journey, all of which are positive,  that I know now that while it may not happen as I planned or as quick as I want, I will succeed this time.  I will reach my goal weight, not when I want, but when it is right for my body and I’m actually okay with that.  

My body, while not yet bikini-ready, is a beautiful work in progress.  For the first time in my life, I feel at peace with my current weight, knowing that it is only temporary.  Of course, it could just be the cold-medicine talking. 

Hope you all are having a wonderful day.

    Weight Watchers has 10 ideas for how to get through Thanksgiving and the holidays without eating too much and feeling rotten. Keep them in mind when you’re faced with the buffet: 
    Slow down. Eat slowly and savor every bite. 
    Plan to indulge. Savor the special dishes you love instead of popping cheddar cheese cubes into your mouth before the meal. 
    Don’t starve yourself beforehand. You’ll be more likely to gobble up everything. 
    Be creative. Practice saying “no.” 
    Drink moderately. Use lowor no-calorie beverages as mixers and alternate alcoholic beverages with lowcalorie drinks or water. 
    Bag it. Remember there is always tomorrow, but if you won’t be able to sleep knowing there’s half a pie in the kitchen, wrap portions for your guests to take home. 
    Lighten it up. Use light recipes for your favorite dishes. 
    Get moving. There are more ways to spend time with family on Thanksgiving than sitting around eating. 
    Be thankful for making good choices. Start the holidays mindful of moderation. 
    Control emotional eating.

Find ways to relax and focus on your overall goals.

So, ’nuff about that.  I ran into a fellow Buddy Slimmer this weekend and we were comparing “snack notes.”  He suggested I post a few that I’ve found on my blog, so here they are:

Skinny Cow Fudge Bars - 1 fudge bar = 1 pt.  (just as creamy and chocolaty as any full fat/sugar bar)

Freezer Pops - 6 pops = 2 pts.  These are the ones in the long plastic tube.  My hubby and I get the 6 flavor variety pack, so all six flavors are only 2 pts.

One final thought/question.  This is for anyone over the age of 35 who has lost a significant amount of weight.  Does your skin “snap” back?  I have a turkey neck going that wasn’t there a few months ago.  I know it’s from losing weight, but am concerned it will stay like this.  I can’t exactly afford plastic surgery and don’t want to walk around looking like some kind of human shar-pei.  Any suggestions/comments?

I am also working on a recipe that would be a free chocolate cookie.  First batch is okay, but I know I can do better.  Once I have it perfected, I will post it.

I know, I know, I shouldn’t weigh myself every day.  I can deal with staying the same, but to gain 1 pound….    I realize this is a normal part of the weight loss process, but dang it, it’s still frustrating!

Oh well, I’m not letting it derail what I’ve done so far.  As long as I stay on plan, I know I will eventually reach my destination…but this is one time, I don’t want to take the scenic route. 

Until next time.

((HUGS))
Melissa

Friday morning, I was 4 pounds down.  Hubby & I went to the Chinese buffet Friday night.  Saturday morning, I was only 3 pounds down.  Then Saturday night, hubby changed menu at last minute.  That along with traditional Sunday morning breakfast put another pound back on. 

I need to get back on track, but have temporarily lost my motivation.  Part is due to the change in weather & time change, but mostly just because.  We/I used to walk in the evening, but now that it gets dark so early, can’t go out and do that.  I have a (cheap) elliptical, but have a hard time finding motivation to do it, when hubby is watching T.V. upstairs (he of course is thin and doesn’t struggle). 

But, I need to listen to the Nike ad and, “Just do it.”

At least I don’t have Halloween candy around the house tempting me in my moment of weakness. 

Large track (orange): 1.0 Mile+ (5,475 feet)

Small Track (yellow): .8 Mile (4,481 feet)

If I walk a figure 8 of this track 2 times, how many miles would you say I have walked?

Please tell me what you think.

I had a couple really nice compliments from co-workers this week.  Yesterday, I was told I look so thin (from behind) and then again today, I was told that from behind, it doesn’t even look like me.  So, this means that only my backside is losing weight.  Now if I can just get rid of that “stubborn belly fat.”

Melissa