7

... is the number of pounds I have lost over the past two weeks! It has actually been pretty easy getting back on track and I feel good about the success I have had so far. Now, I know the next step is to start exercising again. That I am not excited about. Is it sad that I was overjoyed when I got a call from Curves the other day saying that my payment didn't go through this month since my credit card number on file has changed? Is it bad that I did not even call them back? Is it sad that I have now paid close to $400 over the past year for a membership that I have not used? I don't think they will be shocked to not hear back from me.

Happy Fall Y'all

Fall in the South is pretty much an extension of summer. This time of year always cracks me up because you will see anything from spaghetti straps and flip flops to sweaters and Ugg boots. It is difficult to decide whether you should dress for the season or the weather. In most places this time of year is referred to as fall, which means you should put away the sandals and capris, but here in Alabama it is "Hotumn" which means it is still in the mid 80's during the day. I have refused to give up my sandals and begin shoving my feet back into their close-toed prisons until I absolutely have to.

I am also humored by the number of people in my neighborhood that actually celebrate Halloween more than on the 31st. The number of people with Halloween inflatables, mailbox decorations, etc. amazes me. (The fact that most of these people also have "Roll Tide" bumper stickers is very telling).

But, I will also say that I cannot wait for that brief window of time when the leaves start to change. It is one of the absolute most beautiful times to be in Birmingham. This is a picture I took a few years ago of the view when I walk out my front door.

So, go get on your flip flops, fleece jacket, and get out and enjoy the weather. Happy Hotumn!

One Week Down

I am back on track... and it feels good! There are a few things that have really helped this time around. My friend Keri coordinated with Weight Watchers to get a meeting set up at our school, so it is great to be doing this with friends at work. My sister is also doing Weight Watchers and she has found some great websites with tasty recipes (www.skinnytaste.com). She and I knew that football season in the South is a hard time to try and lose weight, but she found some great things we could have this past Saturday and I did not feel like I was on a diet.

I have also realized that one of my biggest problems is that I find way too much joy in food. When I am having a really crappy day I want to cheer myself up by getting something sugary, cheesey, or fried on my way home. I know this about myself, so I am trying to find other things to enjoy.

I also realize that if something sounds too good to be true... it probably is. Yesterday I was trying to find a salad dressing that would be low in points, but not taste awful. I found a Ranch dressing that was 0 calories and fat free. I gave it a try and it is now safely stored at the bottom of my trash can. How Walden Farms stays in business selling that kind of crap, I do not know.

I was not at school today for the meeting, so I did not get to weigh in, but I will let you know the results after next Tuesday.

Ashamed

I know, I know... I have been MIA for a month, which is ridiculous. I have said several times, "Oh, I have got to blog about that." Of course, now that I am actually sitting down to update you I have no idea what those funny things were that I thought would make good blog material.

So, I will give you some very unsettling and depressing news instead... Remember all those pounds I lost a year ago? Well, I found them... and they brought back friends with them. Remember in April when I declared I was getting back in the (weight loss) game? And I did... for about 72 hours? Well, that was 5 months (and many pounds) ago. Remember when I said that if I didn't get with it, I was going to be right back where I started? Well, hello square one... So great to see you again. When I put on a (snug) pair of pants this morning that were huge on me last year I didn't cry. When I considered if I should use the pregnant woman's "rubberband trick" on these pants, I didn't scream. When I weighed this afternoon at my Weight Watchers meeting, I didn't begin sobbing upon seeing that large number in ink. Why? Because I feel like it can't be worse than it is at this moment. Tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow I will be back in the game... again. Tomorrow I will make better decisions. And next Tuesday when I weigh in I will be encouraged that my weight is once again going down and not up. I will keep you posted on my progress... and come hell or high water there will be progress this time!