Feeling success on Friday........

Here in the office we have 'Bagel Friday'. It started a few years ago when I would stop by Panera and get 2-3 dozen bagels for the office. Of course I was sharing but made sure to get my Asiago cheese bagel. **sigh** The scent of the bagel toasting in the toaster oven......the glistening of the butter melting. How I miss those mornings.



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I act like I have not had one in forever. Maybe it has been weeks.......I know it has been at least 2 weeks without the savory feeling of the cheese and butter swirling around teasing my taste buds.

I came back from San Antonio with the resolve to eliminate sugar and white flour from my diet. I wanted to see how my joints reacted to it and how my weight loss might respond to it. I think my joints are less achy. I have much less acid reflux. Between these subtle changes and the fact that I am counting calories instead of counting points the scale has really been on my side!

So, this morning I brought in hard boiled eggs, a slice of cheese and an apple. That was my delicious breakfast. I looked longingly at the golden hues of cheese melted on the bagel. I stopped for a moment. There was one already toasting in the oven.......I took one deep breath and that is what I savor today. There may come a day soon that I will be able to be satisfied with 1/2 of a bagel, but for now I revel in the feeling that I did not succumb to the White Flour devil along with his friend Count Calorie!!

Changes, challenges, and perfection

It has been some time since I have put thought to computer. Lots of things have been going on and some changes need to be made. I have been struggling with my lack of success at weight watchers. Not their fault and I am not so sure mine either BASED ON THEIR CALCULATIONS. In talking to someone it was suggested that I check out a dietician and an exercise physiologist at a local spot. They specialize in helping people with medical weight loss. No pills, no cutting........just lets look at the calories in vs calories out. Seems reasonable to me.

So off I went to a 3 hour (OMG!) appointment and learned the following. FOR ME (a basic disclaimer) it seemed like I was getting too much food intake in calories. When you look at the current WW plan fruits and vegetables are free. Now what in life is really free??!! I was loading up on those bad boys. My overall cooking and food choices were not bad......poor portion control seemed to be my problem. Whooda thunk that a bag of broccoli would be my downfall!

From there I spoke to an exercise physiologist, Joey. He is adorable...not the 'ooh I am hot for him' but more the 'he is going to work my tush off (literally!) but he is also Italian.......what is not to like?! I have my first assessment with him this coming weekend. I better be ready to rock!! I am looking forward to see what he has to say. I have a regular exercise routine but there is always room for improvement.

Lastly I spoke to the doctor. He was impressed that I did not have a weight goal in mind. I don't know what feels good. Does that make sense? This journey is about feeling good, looking better, but overall being healthy. I go back in a couple of weeks for my first review of what I have been doing.

The first few days did not seem to be too much of a challenge, but it was close to the weekend and I was in my safe place, home. Counting calories IS a challenge. Compared to what I had been doing this is an amazing eye opener. The same food I was eating on my old plan is SO MUCH MORE than I needed. I feel good. I have only had 1 day that I felt I needed more but it is also the same day I have 2 workouts. I was asking for more food (may I have more, sir? Can you just hear Oliver Twist's plea for more gruel??) The answer was a quick no. I need to balance out the levels of protein and be happy. Ok, it was not said in a cruel manner at all. It was more like 'this is new. Take it for what it is worth and maybe we can make an adjustment later but right now the plan is the plan."

Lastly, I am learning every day that it is ok not to be perfect. You wondered about that too?? I was raised to be perfect all the time. I am the oldest and am setting examples for everyone. Wow, the pressure! I am freakin' setting examples for the whole world!! Here is the example I want to set.......it is ok NOT to be perfect. Just always put forth your best effort and that is all anyone SHOULD ask of you. That being said, I am moving forward. Doing the best I can. It is nowhere near being perfect and I am ok with that.

So the new and NOT perfect but improved girl moves forward with much success in my future. I can just feel it in my bones!