justWEIGHT – Jan. 28 - Week #4, Day #7 (Day 28 of 365 – did not weigh) Total loss 6.6 lbs, 45.4 to go!

Looking back over the week, I think I have to admit failure. Rationalization tricks us into thinking something is okay when in actuality we know it is not. I let myself slide almost every day over one excuse or another. I’m struggling here. If you are reading this you understand. If you are a “dieter”, you understand. Having company, social events, don’t want to make people uncomfortable, don’t want to be a party pooper, don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. All those excuses are valid, but the truth is, you c-a-n at least maintain your weight in all these situations. Do you honestly think everyone in the room is looking at your plate and how much you are eating? That might be true if you put one dab on your plate or if you fill it to the point it is falling over the edge, but small amounts of several food items draw no attention. And, if you leave a few bites of each food on your plate, no one will think a thing about it. Throwing caution to the wind will land you in the middle of a tornado! I can feel it. I fear tomorrow morning will not be pleasant. Love Yourself sounds pretty simple. Today I had to really work on it, but decided I do love myself enough to get real and stop making these rationalizations. Healthy eating is just that…..healthy eating. My lesson at the end of this first four weeks is that I must learn that I can conquer anything one day at a time.

justWEIGHT – Jan. 27 - Week #4, Day #6 (Day 27 of 365 – did not weigh) Total loss 6.6 lbs, 45.4 to go!

Lay Your Fork Down Between Bites – Perhaps the wording should have read “Lay Your Fork Down!” My husband and I have been in a Supper Club group for the past 18 years or so. In fact, we often spend time at this monthly gathering of scrumptious feasting trying to remember exactly how long we have been doing this. Several years ago we took a Supper Club group trip to Santa Fe and attended a cooking class with Chef Johnny Vee and learned the art of cooking Santa Fe Mexican food. Last night, the hosts for this month decided to duplicate that dinner which included cheese queso, guacamole, chips, margaritas, chicken enchiladas, rice, beans and ice cream tacos for dessert. Did I think one time about the justWeight plan? No! Did I think for a second about laying my fork down between bites? No! In fact, I am quite sure I left tongue prints on my plate. It was fun, delicious, social and a big part of our lives. I gave myself a break. I will have to pay for it. I did backslide, but that’s okay. I face the scale Friday morning and plan to follow the justWeight plan exactly. In fact, I think tomorrow will undo whatever damage I did today…..and it was worth it. Adios amigos.

justWEIGHT – Jan. 26 - Week #4, Day #5 (Day 26 of 365 – did not weigh) Total loss 6.6 lbs, 45.4 to go!

Caesar salad in a bag. Don’t you just love it? Each bag has three servings, but I usually eat half a bag which contains only 135 calories including the dressing. I also cut calories and fats by using only half the dressing that comes with the bag, which is plenty. I prepared a wonderful spaghetti dinner with Caesar salad in about 20 minutes. Happy family, happy me. I stuck to the program completely today and feel much better. We have friends coming in today for a couple of days. I am trying to get ahead of the game by checking the menu plan and planning ahead. Social eating (or not eating) is the hardest! Have Realistic Expectations.

justWEIGHT – Jan. 25 - Week #4, Day #4 (Day 25 of 365 – did not weigh) Total loss 6.6 lbs, 45.4 to go!

Listen to Your Instincts Good advice, I am sure, but my instincts this morning were telling me “more sleep” rather than “get up and walk”. The pull to get on the scale is very strong, but I have made this commitment to not weigh until Friday morning (the day I have chosen as the beginning of each justWEIGHT plan week). The not knowing drives me crazy, but I will be true to my promise. Ate all meals at home today, followed plan exactly and the steak, baked potato and salad were yummy. What a treat. Although I am ahead of my loss of “one pound a week” goal, I am getting close to even, so now is no time to get sloppy. Perhaps I have been Listening to My Instincts today. Good job!

justWEIGHT – Jan. 24 - Week #4, Day #3 (Day 24 of 365 – did not weigh) Total loss 6.6 lbs, 45.4 to go!

I left off the piece of bacon this morning since yesterday I weighed the same as the day before. I intentionally did not weigh today, nor will I for the next four days, concentrating on what I eat rather than what I weigh. Drank all my water and as I was working on the justWEIGHT plan all day while sitting at the computer, I tried to get up and move around as much as possible. Park at the End of the Row and Walk! No doubt this is excellent advice, but since I did not leave the office today, I will commit it to memory. Walking at least three times a week for 20 minutes would improve anyone’s health, not to mention weight loss. I will incorporate that into my week starting tomorrow. For now, it’s off to bed.

Just Weight – Jan. 23 - Week #4, Day #2 (Day 23 of 365 - - same weight) Total loss 6.6 lbs, 45.4 to go!

Prove It To Yourself – Sounds easy enough, huh? Not so fast. After gaining yesterday, I did manage to stay the same today. The problem…eating out again. Not once, but twice! Had friends drive through from out of town and met them for Chinese food at noon, then last night a 50th birthday party for one of my best friends. It would be rude not to eat cake, right? It would be rude to only order salad when everyone else is enjoying their entrée, baked potato, and hot bread, right? WRONG. But, too late for me. I used that excuse, I rationalized. Now let’s see, I need flash cards. Whatever happened to Declare Your Position to Others, Do Not Derail, Just Make It Through the Day? I am beginning to understand how important it is to take it one day at a time. This is the point I usually give up and simply say, “I can’t do it.” Well, not this time, friends. If I can lose weight last week while traveling four day, surely I can do it at home. I do not plan to weigh until the end of the week. Today is a new day and I plan to make it perfect. Hmmm, plan seems to be a key word here.

Just Weight – Jan. 22 - Week #4, Day #1 (Day 22 of 365 - gained .8 lbs.) Total loss 6.6 lbs, 45 to go!

My prediction was correct. I did not lose my pound last week, but I did lose .4 pound and am very pleased. Yesterday I repeated the old phrase “Three weeks makes a habit!” I guess that just applies to MOST people. Obviously the habit I am referring to is slow, healthy, weight loss by just eating right. Once a month I meet with a group of friends to solve the world’s problems. We are pretty good at fixing the world, but our own unidentified problem is that we meet in a Mexican food restaurant. Now, if you are one of those people I refer to as “skinny eaters”, you know the type…move their food around on their plate, take two or three bites, push away the chips. Got the picture? Well, obviously, that’s not me we are talking about. Showing up with all good intentions, I failed miserably. I ate half a basket of chips by myself and a complete dinner. Eat Slowly!!! Would have been good to have read this tip this morning rather than referring to my daily menu after lunch! Lesson for today, scan entire daily menu the night before, the morning of, and commit the daily quote to memory for 24 hours.