Well, I wasn't sure if I'd do it before the end of November. I've had yo-yo weigh-ins all month, bouncing up and down on the scale. But this morning's weigh-in was such a delight. I can now say I've lost ten pounds from my starting weight last Christmas.
What a slow march this has been, a snail's crawl. If I'd been more disciplined all these months I might be claiming a twenty pound loss for the year. But ten is nothing to sniff at. I'll take it. And my goal for next year? Another ten, of course.
It's heartening to see that I'm eating less at meal times and being satisfied with less. I'm able to take smaller servings and most of the time resist second helpings. I'm getting more used to asking a waiter for a carton to take home what I don't eat, instead of cleaning my plate. And I'm getting past that "I want it all" stage when it comes to sweet treats. It's easier now to cut something in half and share it with someone else.
The Weight Watcher point system has been great for me. It's a little trickier counting points instead of calories, but I've put a little booklet together to use as a quick reference. Google has been a great resource to look up point values. And the other day I discovered there's only 50 calories in 25 mini marshmallows (and about 1 WW point). I've enjoyed a cup of diet hot cocoa with mini marshmallows. And one day I sat patiently in front of a candle and roasted mini marshmallows on a toothpick.That takes a lot of time!
I've also started exercising. Some days I take a walk, some days I go over to the gym. The weather has been absolutely beautiful lately for walking. I'm listening to a Grace Livingston Hill book called The Best Man on my mp3 player as I walk.
I eat more vegetables now, concentrating on high fiber choices. But actually, most all vegetables have fiber, and the more fiber in a food, the fewer Weight Watcher points it has. That translates to being able to eat mashed potatoes and corn in moderation and not feeling guilty about it.
I discovered a simple way to make acorn squash in the microwave. I cut one in half, scoop out the seeds, smear about a teaspoon of butter on the inside, and sprinkle cinnimon and a teaspoon of turbonado sugar into it. Covered in the microwave it takes only 7 minutes on high to cook, and two minutes of resting time. It scoops out very easily from the skin. Yummy!
I think I won't get on the scale again for a few days. Experience tells me the scale will bounce back up tomorrow and I'll yo-yo awhile before it settles back down to today's weight. But how exciting to see that number! I should have taken a picture of it.
