Saturday, December 19, Check-In

Stephanie!  Go back to bed!

Diane O, good for you for getting an early morning swim in. 

Scale is up a pound today.  It is unearned and I don't count unearned pounds in my brain during this weight loss phase.    

Yesterday I planned NOT to buy pants at the mall because I am committed to buying 15 dollar (or less) pants at Ross or TJ max or even the thrift store. 

But then I felt the material in some Ann Taylor (50% off sale!) pant and was intrigued.  What is this amazing fabric?  It feels nothing like Lane Bryant! 

I tried things on.  EVERYTHING FIT!  

I bought stuff!  I may regret it but maybe not.  It was glorious in the moment. Did I mention it was all 50% off? I wanted to blurt out to the sales ladies about my weight loss but also wanted to revel in being normal, no strings attached.  So, I said nothing.

My next shopping stop was for my daughter and the sales person mentioned that I had lost a lot of weight as she checked my drivers license. I said "you have no idea" and she shared that she herself has lost 150 lbs.  I pointed to my Ann Taylor bags (yes, plural) and squealed "ANN TAYLOR fits!"  She totally got it.  Very satisfying to commiserate with a fellow loser. 

Being ABLE to walk around the mall, ABLE to navigate up and down stairs, ABLE to fit into anything, makes skipping my old mall food habits worth it.  It is the perfect environment to literally see both the wins and what I forfeited to get there.  The wins win! (Starbucks stock just fell with that statement.) 

Have a wonderful day all!

Oh Shel, I am so happy for you and your successful shopping. Isn't it fun? If you are not quite at goal yet, I caution you to wait before splurging big time. I had lost weight before and was a size 4. We I got to a 4 this time around, I went out and bought a bunch of clothes, because 4 is my skinny size. WRONG! Now I am between a 0-4, depending on the clothes, but mostly a 2. I went to J. Jill the other day and needed the XS pant. It is funny that when I was big it was hard to buy clothes (mostly because I didn't like how anything looked). I am still finding it hard to buy clothes - it is hard to fine 0-2's in most stores - but I am having loads of fun shopping!

Thanks for the caution, Paula.  I needed to hear that even tho I should KNOW better! They were just better than anything I have had for a zillion years and I lost myself. (I could make the same argument for chocolate brownies so that should give me pause, too)  

I might save back a couple pairs of pants and exchange for different size if needed.  I can't imagine going down a size, tho.

I hope you are able to stay off your feet tonight!  And interesting about about your calories.

I'm at 114 again today.  I've been on plan all week so feeling very good about that. Successfully checking off most of the days in this year's eating season.  I think there are about 13 more to go.  Today, I'm at work and I have to again look past the big plate of sweets left over from a wine tasting.  Amazing how that stuff can still call me.  Looks like it could be a slow day here due to a road closure out front, and boredom is never my friend.  

Just commented on Frisco's VSG Forum post about commitment that this is the third Christmas - IN A ROW - that I've been at this weight.  Haven't been able to achieve that since my teen years!  And interestingly, the December just prior to the recent three, I weighed 189 pounds and was feeling pretty damn svelte after dropping the first 35 pounds post op.  I find it helpful to reflect on where I've come from and where I am now.  Life is a better at this weight.  But mostly life is better because I'm largely at peace with food.  A lot better.  Mostly, I'm grateful that the cycle of binging and starving has taken a long reprieve.  How cool is that???

Well, all you early birds, I SLEPT IN! I didn't get out of bed until almost 8:00 am! Luxury! (Okay, I was up at 6:30 with the dogs, but I went back to bed to nap and snooze until 8:00.) I've already groomed a Cairn Terrier and am taking a break to check OH and enjoy my shake. 

The scale continues to move down - which is completely out of character for a Saturday morning. Usually after a heavy workout, I'm up a pound or two the next morning. Hey, I'll take it! 

I have a puppy party this afternoon. These types of situations/events are generally the most difficult for me to navigate as far as food is concerned. I offered to bring something (mind you I suggested a salad) and was delegated dessert. I chose something that I have never eaten in hopes that the temptation would be low - Upside Down Apple Walnut Pie. (I don't care for the bitter flavor of walnuts, so that should be the deterrent I need.) I'm having a shake now and I think I will take three ounces of chicken breast with me to eat just before I get there so I won't be hungry. In one way, I feel "stupid" doing that (you know, "why can't you control yourself and eat like a normal person?" self talk...), but I think being "full" going into this type of situation works better for me. 

Lots of positive energy on the board today. Like Linda, I'm feeling grateful today. Mostly because I am 99% of the time accepting of my food life and I'm being nice to myself about my eating and my choices. The more I reflect the more I see how terribly unkind and downright mean I could be to myself when it came to my foibles with food, eating and obesity. It is freeing and uplifting to have stepped out of that mindset, (though a pant cuff may occasionally still drag in that self berating puddle)!  

Hi all, I slept in but i most always do as a retired bum. hubby takes care of dogs early then they come back to bed.

First sunny day in quite a while. I plan to raku fire today for the last few items before christmas.  

128.5 today. Really not eating terribly but have just been a complete slug.  no excuses. today will be active due to firing.  

went to hubby's choir concert last night. Its in a big old historic tudor style hotel with huge christmas tree and decorations. lovely fun. 

got some christmas shopping done.  a little more to do but nearing the end.   diane

125.2 this morning, another new low and only .2 above my lower range red line. I had set a caloric limit at 1,100 but in looking back at MFP I have not been eating that most days, usually under 1,000 - so I am going to try and consciously up the calories to between 1,100 and 1,200. I think I was subconsciously going under knowing that I am not getting my exercise in these days.

I was up at 4:30 this am to be at work at 6:15. Just got home and am I ever tired! Lots of patients today with lots of walking. My legs are throbbing. I will put them up and rest this evening as I work again tomorrow.