I'm not a 10, I'm an 11!

Ok, so, not really.

11 has been added to 18 as that's how much weight I've lost since beginning my weight loss journey.

I'm down 29 pounds in just eight short weeks. I almost can't believe it.

Literally speaking, how does one lose weight? Where does it go? Does someone else find it and they get it? If that's the case, I feel bad for the poor chick who's gonna get my 29 pounds! Bummer!

Anyway you look at it, it's gone.

Forever.

Another "huh" moment

So, I got my hair cut tonight and my friend Tina (who is also my hairstylist) said to me, "I just have to tell you this."

I said, "Ok," wondering what she could possibly have to tell me before cutting my hair.

Well, needless to say, she pointed out that normally when she cut my hair she would snap the cape on the last snap because my neck was fat. Tonight, she moved it in one snap and actually proved to me she could snap it at the next one too but it was just too tight.

It was just one of those weird, little moments that made me go, "Huh."

I guess it's good to know I've apparently lost the 18 pounds in my neck. Super. My pants will fit so much better now.

Not!

I'm not that size.....

So, I met my best friend, Patty, at Super Wal-mart in Little Falls yesterday.

She was looking for a new swimsuit and I wasn't.

Anyway, we were in "fat girls" section and she was looking at these cute shirts. I thought for fun I would try a couple on. I hadn't done that in a really long time. I grabbed a turquoise shirt in the biggest size they had. I grabbed a pretty orange shirt as well.

We went into the dressing rooms and began trying on our choices. I put the turquoise one on first and really liked it and it fit. I was very excited. Even though it was a 26/28, I was thrilled.

I put the orange shirt on. Patty wanted to see it. She took one look at me and said, "It's too big." I said, "No it's not." She said, "Go and try the next size on." I said, "I'm not that size." (meaning a 22/24) She said, "Just go get a different one and try it on."

I have to admit I was exhilarated and scared all at the same time. I know...over a shirt. Kind of silly, right? Well, the possibility of this shirt being too big and this new shirt fitting me was almost too much to comprehend. I went and grabbed the 22/24 and went back in the fitting room. I put it on and believe it or not, it fit! Patty was waiting at the door. I opened the door and she said, "That looks great!" I could hardly wrap my head around the fact that I was wearing this shirt in such a "small" size. Keep in mind that to me, this was a HUGE accomplishment! You could open my closet right now and NOT find anything in a 22/24.

Patty reminded me that I see flaws in myself that others don't see. That helped me realize that I need to start retraining my brain. She told me that she wouldn't let me walk around in something that made me look horrible.

I bought it.

And it felt good.

Work out

Today completed my first full five days of working out. It's only been 15 minutes every morning but I'm proud of myself that I stuck to it. I'll be back at it on Monday but I think I'll do another week of 15 minutes and see how I feel after next week.

My trainer's name is Maya....she's on Wii....which is the coolest thing ever. She even encourages me and tells me to keep working and moving. I almost don't even want to punch her in her fake avatar face! LOL

All in all, I'm proud of myself. It's a journey and I think I'm well on my way.

Two of my former loves

I used to love two men at the same time.

Their names were Benjamin and Gerald.

Better known to me as Ben and Jerry, those monsters of destruction, those diabolical deviants....oh who am I kidding? Those crafty creative creatures of that divine substance called ice cream.

My husband was eating a pint of Chubby Hubby last night and I asked, "Just out of curiosity, how many calories are in that tub?"

He laughed then read the label. "340 calories per serving and there are four servings."

I'm no mathematician but I'm thinking that's over 1,300 calories!

It made me realize that I never thought twice about enjoying my favorite flavor of Ben and Jerry's — Phish Food — and eating that entire pint in one sitting while watching TV at night before bed. But not now! No way. I'll gladly enjoy my cup or two of fat free sugar free ice cream. It may not have fudge fish floating in a sea of chocolate and marshmallow swirl but I'm not going without. It's still ice cream.

Wow. My mind is changing right along with my body.

I love it.

18

It's my new favorite number.

It's 9x2. It's 9+9. It's 10+8. It's even half of 36 (my upcoming age!)

Anyway you look at it, it's a great number.

Oh, did I mention it's also the number of pounds I'm down since starting my weight loss journey on May 20?

Yep, that's right. In just 4 weeks and 4 days, I've lost 18 pounds! I'm so excited and extremely proud of myself. I'm doing this. I'm really doing this.

The new goal is to now get some orthotics for my tennis shoes so my feet don't hurt so bad when I go for walks. I also have to drink 100 ounces of water a day.

Doable. Totally doable.

And doable at 18 pounds lighter even!

Another block

Well, it ain't much, but it's something.

I hoofed it around the block again tonight before supper. Broke a sweat. Huffed and puffed. Hope to do it tomorrow night too...unless it's raining.

Again, it's not a marathon, but at least I'm moving.

And in the right direction, I hope.