I'm on a roll in my quest to lose my rolls!

22 lbs and counting, picture to come! Hopefully this post will save, as I lost the first one I wrote. Frustrated with restaurants in Birmingham not carrying low fat, fat free or even oil and vinegar for dressings. Biggest issue is boredom. It's harder when you live in one of the fat city's of the south. My motivation needs to stay, so I can get to my goal.

Valentines Day on a Diet

Well, I made it. And it was still nice! Of course I can credit much of the success with my husband and him having a plan. Besides the wonderful card and present (yes it was something orange) he made reservations at Zea Rotisserrie Grill. I was able to order a delicious grilled trout and steamed broccoli and I was just fine! I did miss my wine- but I stuck with my no cocktail for 6 months pledge (which stinks, but it is what it is).

The most important thing I had to do was stick to my pledge to myself, and not let my emotional connection to a festive occassion always including food and drinks. I know I will get back there again in moderation, but not right now. Cant wait to show off my new figure this summer!!!

Lots of Love to my husband Mike for all his support. http://www.facebook.com/cynthia.collins1

The good the bad and the ugly

The good- 10 pounds baby! The Bad- not a thing- so far I have been a rock star! The ugly- my attitude when I go to a sit down business lunch and they serve fried chicken cutlet with gravy, mashed potatoes, and green beans, SWEET tea only, and custard parfait. Are they kidding me? I ate three bites of salad around the dressing, 10 grean beans and drank the water for lunch. It may have looked stupid me pushing around my food but I did it! I wish options were more prevalent in restaurants and at events.

My almost three weeks update

I am seriously proud of myself. As of this morning I am one day away from three weeks and have stuck to my diet perfectly. I am only .5 away from the 10 pound mark. Woo Hoo! It gets easier by the day for the most part and I am supper motivated. Time to start exercising. Going to start with 10 minutes of free weights and walking. Can't wait to get into my old clothes ( lets see, I have a closer full of the last 4 sizes- I can shop in my own closet!) told my husband I want to celebrate when I hit my goal laying on a beach- and I won't be ashamed to put on my swimsuit! Anyone who knows me, knows I am a beach bum at heart. Can't believe I haven't been to beach to just lay out for a couple years ( been there but didn't stay out ob beach, too embarrassed in my skin)six months, can't wait!

Monday Morning Week One is Done

Guys- I am in real shock. I am down 7.6 lbs.!!!!!!!!!!! that is the most I have EVER LOST in one week. Seriously. This is the first diet that every time on the scale it goes down. I hope this isnt just the first week. Even on other diets I have lost more the first week (water weight) but never more than 4 lbs. This is amazing. I am really excited.

Weekends and dining out

Last night we went out, did a little shopping and then went to dinner. I ordered a salad with smoked turkey, at Legacy BBQ. I can't believe they had NO light, fat free salad dressings AND No vinegar & Oil. I ended up with lemon on my salad. That is a first for me, a restaurant that doesn't even have vinegar? We really like Legacy, and my hubby loved his burger ( and he's a burger snob) but note to restaurants in Bham- not everyone can eat fat. Some options would be nice :). The bottom line- I made it through a Friday night! Plus, we went to Happy Hour from the office and I had unsweetened Tea. I knew this already, but I associate celebration with food and drink. Anyone growing up in a big family where the biggest celebrations include a great meal and cocktails or wine, knows what I mean. Birthday? It's cake. Promotion? Its cocktails. Big achievement- graduation, hit a goal, whatever, champagne! I have to figure out how to change my thinking or temper it. Got any ideas?

Amazing

Had my first weigh in last night and I am officially down 4.7 lbs. I have to say that it is truly a miracle! I HAVE NEVER lost this much weight in one week. That is so encouraging! I know the weekend is going to be hard- I will just have to be sure to keep myself really busy!!!

Day 4. First meeting tonight. Hard, but not impossible. I expected the first few days to be a transition. I am very encouraged, as my scale said minus 4.6! That is amazing for 4 days. I'll let you know what the official weigh in says. I am sure anyone who has started a diet knows how hard the first few days are. But, with results like that, I CAN DO THIS!

Devoting the weekend to fun with my husband, and a few football games - did a meal plan so I have no excuse to blow it. It's an emotional roller coaster, really, as I think about my motivations and flip flop between being excited and worried about feeling deprived. The bottom line, I need to do this and I want to to do this. Wish me luck!

The beginning

After a lifetime of battling my weight, I am embarking on a program this Monday that- although is in fact a diet- I hope will be a life change once and for all. Watching family members struggle with diabetes, I have made up my mind that I need to put my health first. Sure, I've been here before, but I can't look at previous times as failures, no, I I will look at them simply as practice sessions! I have realized that I can't do it myself. So, I am starting Medifast, that includes counseling and a very specific program. I in fact have started my first blog ever, so that I might keep a record of the ups and downs of my progress! Wish me luck!