7

After 17 months of grad school I got on a scale and realized that I have gained 30. Yes THIRTY pounds. My clothes had stopped fitting, I was feeling physically yucky, and (finally) realized something had to change. It's been nearly 2 years since I worried much about my weight. This was freeing. I learned to love myself. Seriously, I know it sounds cheesy, but I decided I was ok, and that my weight had little bearing on how I felt about myself. I baked A LOT. It's stress relieving. But... I realized I had delved past "overweight" and into "obese" and this is not alright. 

Step 1: I gave up soda. I'd tried to give up soda in the past and 'only have it for special occasions' but I'm not really good with that kind of moderation. All of the sudden EVERYTHING becomes a "special occasion." So as of January 1, 2014, I do not drink soda. Sometimes, like yesterday, it's hard. I hadn't slept well and I wanted nothing more than a refreshing Dr. Pepper. But I drank my water and sucked it up. I've noticed I'm less physically stressed, and I am sleeping WAY better than I was before. So that's been good, and not that hard. I cut WAY back on soda while I was home for Christmas (I bought a 6 pack and left 2 at home after 12 days). 

Step 2: I decided to follow the weight watchers plan. I didn't want to count calories, and upon searching for "best diet" WW had the best reviews for long term weight loss. I found a free app for my ipad and one for my smart-ish phone (It's a Window's 8 phone, but I don't have a data plan; however, I have access to wifi nearly everywhere I go, so it's NBD... but I digress). So I downloaded my apps, and did some meal planning and away I went. I really have done pretty well. No big binges. I've tracked nearly everything I've eaten. I've eaten breakfast, and upped my fruit/veggie intake. And I drink a LOT of water... which means I am working again on my bladder of steel upgrade because at the Nursing Home I don't have a lot of down time to run to the restroom.

So after a week of being really good and on top of things, I wasn't feeling deprived, or sad, or skinnier... (I know, after one week...) But when I got on the scale there had been a SEVEN pound difference. I lost the weight of my mom's little dog  (sans life jacket). 

So that was Sunday, and it provided the motivation I need to keep on going. My initial goal is 25 lbs. But then probably another 25-30 after that, but baby steps.