Holiday Party

Went to the first holiday party of the season and happy to say no damage done!! What a major test of will power! So much food everywhere I looked and just when I thought there was room for no more, the hostess announces "dinner is served". Seriously??? More food?? But I stuck to my guns, or should I say the veggie platter. Did a lot of damage to the shrimp and all turned out well. I was feeling so full that I only managed to eat 1 small chocolate chunk cookie, 2 mini meatballs and a spoonful of the most amazing chocolate peanut butter cake. I was so stuffed, they could've rolled me home. But my scale was kind in the morning and nothing lost and nothing gained....wohoo!!!

So next weekend I have 2 parties to go to. The real test begins, so needless to say I need to be on my best behavior this week and try to shed an extra pound or two to make room for the next wave of temptations :-)

Maintenance

I survived Thanksgiving when dealing with the battle of the scale. Took some great advise to heart.... My little birdie told me to work hard before t-day and get 1 or 2 lbs. down past my goal so that I can have wiggle room without the guilt. So I did it and managed to enjoy the holiday without regrets on the scale. I have to say it gave me a real confidence boost that I can survive the entire holiday season. Still had to be somewhat careful at what I ate, but enjoyed little nibbles of most everything. Between now and Christmas there's a party every weekend to go to. The little tricks I've learned so far is to head for the shrimp cocktail and veggie platters (minus the dip) and fill up, the calories are low and the taste is high!! I could eat shrimp all day :-) The best Christmas gift will be the fact that I can still fit in the new clothes I've had to buy even after all the festivities!

I Hope to Inspire Others

Ok, so here it goes. As most of you know I spent the last year trying to lose 8o lbs, and I finally did it!! Some have been pushing me to write about how I did it and how I'm working on keeping it off. It humbles me to constantly hear how I've inspired others, even total strangers! It's a great feeling that I can help others!!

The biggest question I get is "what plan did you use?" Sorry people, all the "plans" out there are not the answer. Bottom line is, stop eating all the crap and exercise everyday at least 30 minutes!! There is no magic pill, it's a mind set you have to make, for me it was taking my addictive personality and re-focusing it on doing good for me, not bad. I cut out all the soda, fast food trips and mindless eating. I faced the fact that my daughter calling me huggable instead of fat was no longer cute, but her polite way of telling me I'm heavy, and I definitely didn't want her to think being "huggable" was okay. It has serious dangers that I was starting to face, like high blood pressure! I was starting to go down the same path other relatives were on, and if I kept going down that road I would soon be diabetic, and who knows what other problems would pop up. Reality set in, I want to get to know my grandchildren that may be in my future but to do that I need to insure I have a future.

What helped spark a flame under my bottom was something a little birdy told me. She said it's a know fact that the first bite of food is the most satisfying, after that it's mindless munching. Thinking about it, I realized how true that is. So I worked hard at learning to take just a small nibble of the tempting danger foods, that way I am satisfied, not deprived, and not devouring the entire cake. A girl can go insane if she can NEVER have chocolate again :-) So now I keep a bag of sinful candy around, usually 3 musketeer mini's (lowest in fat) or mini tootsie rolls to help when cravings hit, which is usually once a month ;) Amazingly, I am now able to make that bag of candy last many months instead of 30 minutes.

So I will end this for now, but I will try to update every now and then to confess my battles, share any secrets I discover along they way, or thoughts for the day. And to all of you who keep saying "I wish I could do it", I now challenge you to say "I CAN do it"!!!! Remember, yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift that's why it's called the present! And we all deserve lots of presents :-)