Yup

It's hard to believe that when I started the diet, these exact same pants were too small for me. I nearly bust the back end out trying to put them on. I think I should star in the Ideal Protein infomercial wearing these pants! (and taking your own picture doesn't help either....they're really, really baggy...even though it's kind of hard to tell!)

One month

Thursday marked one month since starting this journey. One. whole. month. It really did fly by, and I know as long as I keep my head in the game, it will continue to do so. I did quite a bit of reflecting, and a little bit of crying on that day. In one month I've lost 26 pounds and 17.5 inches (which actually is more, but I only measure one side of my body). I've gone down 2 sizes. My knees don't hurt anymore. I don't pee myself when I laugh or cough. My back feels much better. I'm happier. I like shopping again. I do my hair and make-up and put on nice clothes almost every day. My self confidence is coming back. I'm more outgoing in social situations. I have more energy. I want to go do things. The list goes on and on. Basically, I'm a completely different person than I was a month ago, and obviously they are good changes. If this is what 26 pounds does to me...I can't imagine what it's going to be like when the rest of it is gone!

Day 29 - Absence, Goals, and Parties

Woah, a bit of a hiatus. Sorry about that, I guess sometimes life gets in the way. I've been following IP 100%, and I have to admit, I'm PROUD! Officially I'm down 23.5 pounds as of my last weigh in, unofficially it's 27. I had a little goal to be down 20 pounds by Feb. 11. I accomplished that goal, and then some. My very sweet husband came home from work the day I realized I surpassed my goal, and made me get on the scale. After the drama of me stepping on, he handed me a gift card to my favorite store and told me to go shopping. I went (duh!) and, in my true shopping ways, scoped out the clearance. I was able to find a pair of jeans and 2 shirts for $18. I love clearance racks. I must also mention that the jeans are SKINNY JEANS! Before Christmas, I probably tried on 30 pairs, and they looked awful. However...when you're nearly 30 pounds lighter, they certainly look better. I'm pretty much obsessed with wearing them. I feel incredibly good in them.

I had a goal for Feb. 11 and the reason being is that we went to a birthday party that night, and I saw a lot of people that I haven't seen for a long time, and some friends that hadn't seen me since I started the diet. No comments, but I know people could tell. I KNOW I look different. I was worried about this party. It was at a bar...with a lot of alcohol consumption, and I honestly didn't know if I could be around it and not partake in the festivities. However...my willpower, motivation, and desire to get my Valentine's day present early won out, and I made it through the entire night without consuming a single drop of alcohol. It feels great to know that I can make it through anything!

Last night we bowled, and our partners hadn't seen us since before Christmas due to vacations, sick kids, etc. I relished in the comments and compliments and questions the wife had for me. She kept staring at me and saying, "You look great!" I'm so glad there are people out there who aren't afraid to say things like that. Even though I KNOW I look different and better, sometimes it's just nice to know that someone other than your husband notices. I associate with a lot of people who will not say a word, and that's fine too. I also associate with negative people who will say things like, "Yeah, you're taking it off, but will you be able to keep it off? That's the hard part." Sometimes, I just smile and nod, and it doesn't bother me. Other times I freak out on the inside and have all snorts of snide comments that I want to throw back at them. Here are some examples:
1. Oh really, if this is the easy part, then why don't YOU do it, and lose the 100 pounds you need to lose.
2. I don't plan on keeping it off. I enjoy torturing myself, so I'm going to get the weight off, then eat as much as I can to put it back on. (Sarcastic, obviously).
3. I think I know what I need to do to maintain my weight loss, and I'm not asking any tips from you because it's fairly obvious that you don't know the right things to eat.
4. Why don't you let ME worry about maintenance, you worry about yourself.

I know, most of them are MEAN, but well....I don't need lectures right now and it bothers me. Most of the time I just smile, nod my head, and say that I'm being taught how to eat right when I'm off the diet, and that I'm not worried. I explain that I have committed myself to a lifestyle change, and that I'm not going through this for nothing, and that I never want to go through it again. Some people....

I guess that's all for now. Hopefully there won't be anymore long absences. I would love to say I'll blog everyday, but really my goal is 2-3 times a week. I was stupid to think I could blog everyday. I have too much to do, and frankly, don't have much to say everyday!