156 And then there was the (insert event of your choice)...

Mine was The Wedding - not just a wedding - an event to entice any but the most ardent dieters into oblivion, and my husband and I jumped in with abandon. One night of pleasure and four pounds up the next morning. What I learned was that, yes I would do it again; my basic character just isn't going to change. I do truly get a lot of pleasure out of unlimited shrimp and lobster bisque. But I am learning constantly from buffet lines, and what I am learning is never to take more than two of anything except protein. The ravioli were awful, but once on the plate they were just two hard to not eat; so I will not do that again. The evening ended with a buffet of candies and I sampled some of many types I have liked over the years. Riding home in the car, I tried them all and then threw the excess piece by piece out the window. Perhaps little candy shoots will sprout along the road. At least I arrived home with an empty bag. My husband was, as always, far more excessive in his eating than I. Three days later he is still dealing with lethargy and pingponging blood sugar. For him, this may have been a life-changing experience. I actually believe it was probably better that he overdid it and saw how precarious his new-found body and health can be.

Major league temptation is inevitable. It's how we view it that matters. It is possible to allow yourself binges as long as you realize that that is all they are - periodic binges in an otherwise normal eating life. I was really surprised by the amount of weight gained and by how long it is taking to recover. What is wonderful is that I know I can and will recover. Thinking in terms of eating wisely for a year seems to be a highly effective alternative to dieting.
Day 112

155 GOAL REACHED: The Benjamin Button Effect

After ever so slowly inching in on my original goal of 155, I achieved it yesterday morning. It's about the lowest I have been since the early 1980s, although I am still not able to fit into my wedding dress. I was 15 pounds lighter then. While my stomach is flatter, I still have girth around my waist and lots of drooping skin, but, what the hell, it is time to celebrate. Because of Zumba, there is a lot less drooping skin despite the waist loss. Being on the far end of middle age at 63, I can attest to the fact that it is not written in stone that older women can't fight weight gain. The same day I reached 155, my husband made 185, a full 28 pounds off.

The best thing I can say about losing weight is that I feel so much younger. Clothes shopping is fun again - clothes fit. People tell me I'm thin. Something has changed inside of me that allows me to make wiser food choices when I am out. I am no longer living to eat. It is so wonderful to seldom get hungry - I used to plan what to bring in case of hunger attacks. Now I simply pack 24 oz jugs of water; actually I think I may start carrying two. I didn't need a new bathing suit this year; the old one looks fabulous. So enter Benjamin button: it's as if someone gave me a brief opportunity to step back in time. My body has better stamina and is firmer, my self-image has improved, my hunger cravings are "normal" and I spend much less time thinking about food.
Day 107