I'm back. Anyone miss me?

You know, I thought blogging would be easier. I mean, for someone who loves little in this world more than the sound of my own voice (technically, that would be the look of my own words, but that lacks a certain panache) and I have always kept a journal, I really thought I would be posting these things like popcorn. During the day I would think about things to blog about and every night I would mean to post them, but *shrugs* life just got in the way. Then I thought, "Well, really, why bother? I mean, it is not like anyone noticed I stopped." But something happened this week and I may try this blogging stuff a bit longer.

I was at Radiant Medspa for my weigh-in and pep talk with Dr. Dawn and I met this woman who was considering the program. We were chatting it up and I was excitedly sharing my experiences with her, bragging about my success but also sharing the few problems I had along the way. Later, Dr. Dawn called me and told me that the woman had signed up and had credited my tale with being one of the reasons. That actually made me really happy and I realize maybe this experience really can help someone else, you know, the cliche if it helps just one person.

So, I am back and will try hard to post with a bit more due diligence. Did anyone miss me? Maybe you just didn't notice me because there is less to notice? *Stupid Grin* Yeah, I know, stick to the diet blog and leave the comedy to the professionals. It's just that I am really excited about my numbers and did I mention liking to read my own words?

Day one by the numbers:

Weight - 160 pounds (I really hate the way those numbers look)
Waist - 35"
Hips - 42"
Fat Ass...er...Buttocks - 40"
Bust - 40-1/2"
Thigh - 22"

Today:

Weight - 140 pounds
Waist - 32"
Hips - 38"
Butt - 38"
Bust - 39" (but I can spare it)
Thigh - 21"

*Does a small happy dance, then returns to keyboard*

I gotta admit that is better than I thought I would do and better than I deserved to have done considering along the way I made a few faux pas...(anyone know the plural of faux pas?) I actually set myself back at one point by getting so excited by the falling numbers that I thought I was smart enough to make a few adjustments to the program. I remember someone telling me once that with chocolate, one was never enough and ten was never too many - it was their variation on the thought if one works well, then two can work better. Come to think of it, I think that person is now in a recovery program, but I digress. Although, it does remind me I still have my one Xocai Chocolate to eat today. I don't know how to say the chocolate that comes with this diet, but it is some of the very best dark chocolate I have had. Again, the digressing...sorry.

Faux Pas Un (I had to look that up, I took Spanish in High School. Hola!)
Changing the program on the fly. I was losing weight, felt awesome and I really wasn't hungry, so, I skipped my half shakes at snack time. Less calories better results? I knew better deep down but I was being lazy and wanted to be at my goal weight last June so it seemed like a good idea at the time. And it worked the first couple days and then I discovered that the brain and the body have their own plans and they didn't like my plan at all. Technically, I put my body into starvation mode by denying myself the calories I need, and since the shakes are full of other nutrients and necessities, I was robbing myself of pretty much everything else one needs to function on any kind of functioning level. It was like someone pulled the plug on me, I was so tired and run down I mostly I wanted to sleep, surf the net and watch TV. It almost seemed too hard to just go upstairs and make something to eat, especially as I was not driven by hunger. I did get myself in for my weigh-in and imagine my disappointment when this time Dr. Dawn did not greet me and rave about how skinny I was getting, but instead she was concerned. Apparently I looked as run down as I felt.

So, I got a stern talking to and a reeducation about the program, how the shakes work in concert with the actual menu to make sure the body has what it needs and weight loss can be obtained in a healthy and safe manner. And a reminder that the full program includes weaning off the HCG and super calorie restrictions and learn how to eat in a healthy way to maintain the weight loss. *Baaa, I felt sheepish* (Oh right, no jokes, I forgot) She told me to go off the program for a day or two and eat, build back up my strength and then start again, but this time smarter.

Faux Pas Deux
Well, as long as I have already messed up why not just give in to my temptations and then I can start fresh again...soon. I took the instruction to eat and build up my strength to be an invitation to eat and drink with wanton disregard and by the time I had built up my strength I had also built up about 5 of my precious lost pounds. I also lost some of that mental momentum I had going before, which made it even harder to get out there and walk every day - especially, now that the weather has turned.

But, I got back into things properly and I limit my changes to the program to the order I do meals, snacks and shakes, but at the end of the day make sure I have stuck to the deal. And when the weather is just too much to face, well, I make myself run up and down the stairs, twenty times up and twenty down at least four times during the day. It is a start.

So, it has been three weeks and I am very happy with my progress and thrilled people are noticing. I saw my daughter, Amie, today and I really liked to see her beautiful smile as she told me how great I looked. I am also happy with the fact I have had to relegate my fat clothes to the back of the closet and am working in to the next level of clothing on my way to the one pair of skinny jeans I kept as a reminder that one day I would wear them again. *Though, truthfully, I was just too stubborn to throw them out, I never really believed I would actually wear them again* Today....I got them up and over my hips -- though not even remotely close to bringing the button to the button hole, let alone dream of zipping them up. Gonna have to work on that flab a bit and add sit-ups to my routine...but I have time and I know I can do it! As long as I do it by Christmas!! I have big plans to look fabulous for someone special ... and he doesn't wear a red suit and play with reindeer. *winks*