31.6 Pounds and Still Going!

I just realized it's been a month since I last posted anything on my blog. Fortunately I haven't been quite as remiss with my weight loss efforts. I did get a bit sidetracked by visions of grilled cheese sandwiches and buttered popcorn but it was only a temporary detour. I've continued to slog along on this weight loss journey I began in January and I'm proud to report that as of today, I've lost 31.6 pounds! I'm hoping that if I keep going at this rate, I could be down 50 pounds by the time I turn 50 in May.

I'd love to say that it's gotten easier. But it hasn't. It's still just hard work. I'm eating healthier food and less of it. For my snacks, I have lean protein - a boiled egg, 4 oz. of lowfat cottage cheese or a low-fat cheese stick. I'm drinking lots of water. And I'm trying to move more. That part has been difficult because I have a torn meniscus. I had a cortisone injection in my knee last week and was hoping that would help but it didn't so I'll probably need to have surgery soon.

I completed the initial 6 week program with Lindora that I signed up for through Groupon. I had considered switching to Weight Watchers when that program ended, but instead I signed up for another 14 weeks with Lindora. Since this program is working for me, I'm going to stick with it. I'm not sure if the B-12 injections they give me are helping, but certainly the accountability of checking in with someone and weighing in twice a week is helpful. It makes it more difficult to get way off track.

Occasionally, I still "cheat." Last weekend, I had several glasses of wine -- which is definitely not on my program. But rather than feeling guilty, I just enjoyed it. (How could you not enjoy an amazing Paso Robles zinfandel?)

One of my challenges this past month has been avoiding Girl Scout cookies. They are everywhere. People try to sell them to you in your office, when you go to the grocery store, or in front of the drug store. I think Thin Mint cookies are like crack. Someone told me the recipe has changed, that they're not as good anymore. But I wouldn't know. I haven't had a single one this year. I know that if I have one, I will eat the whole sleeve. And then maybe later, another sleeve. With wine, I can have a glass or two and not crave it the next day. But not the cookies. If I have them, I will just want more.

I remember years ago in a Weight Watchers meeting, the leader used to always say "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels."  I wouldn't know because I've never been what you would actually call thin. What I do know is that I can't still taste any of the things that made me fat. And none of them are making me feel good right now.