3 month check in

Thursday was 3 month anniversary, and as of today, I've lost 44 lbs.

I was stuck at 40 for a few weeks which was really frustrating, but just this past week I had a break and feel really good about 44. It was hard mentally being stuck at 40/42 and I really have to remind myself that 42 pounds is huge, that losing slow is healthy, and what a big change this is for me longterm. But it was still hard. I weighed myself this am for the first time in several days and was thrilled to see movement down to 44 lbs. I'm meeting with nutritionist this am for 3 month check in, so I'm interested to see what she will say.

I'm thinking now that 5lbs a month is probably a realistic goal, which would be 20 more lbs by the end of December.

This summer has been very different. Frankly, there hasn't been a lot of fun. Lots of family drama left over from last summer has been a black cloud. Sue's diagnosis of non-hodgkins lymphoma is scary and sad. I haven't been to the beach once, also haven't been in my parents pool once. I can't really drink alcohol -- I have tried a few times, just doesn't taste good. I can't even finish a small ice-cream cone!

On the bright side, went for little vacation for 4 days in NH with Nancy and Liam  -- ziplining for NN and Liam, ropes course for Liam, stand up paddleboard for me and Liam, mini golf, and lots of swimming. I am pretty good about the food situation -- got sick once in NH from eating too much, but other than that, I feel like I am doing pretty good with what I'm eating, what I need to bring with me when I go places, etc. All of the damage to my condo was fixed while I was in NH, which is also really nice.

And, I can eat real food & sweets. Had a mini scone at Starbucks yesterday, 1/2 raspberry tart on Saturday, so I don't feel deprived or starving.

Eating these little sweets is a change I've made in the past week or so. A blogger I follow, who has been incredibly successful, advocates for giving your body a little bit of carbs/fat/sugar, rather than strictly sticking to proteins and veggies. He thinks the body "panics" when it is only getting protein and veggies, and people lose more when they loosen up a bit. (Though his big thing is to never overeat!) So that's my plan for this month

Someone told me that this July was the hottest on record. Really? I don't feel like this summer has been any hotter than others. I wonder if that is one of the changes in my body, that I'm more tolerant of the heat. (Jen will remember how intolerant of the heat I was 2 years ago in London and Paris!)

Tonight I'm joining a gym. Wish me luck!

Half way to goal

I've lost 38 pounds. My goal is 80. That's technically not 1/2, I realize, but I'm in a good mood and wanted to blog tonight, so I'm rounding.

My goal is 80. My stretch goal is 90. If I could lose 100 I would dress like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. So, somewhere between 80 and 100 will be good. I feel really great about hitting 38.

Even better is that my clothes are falling off. The linen pants I was so excited to be able to wear again back on June 17th -- they are really kind of ridiculous how baggy they are. I have to keep hiking them up as I walk! I've been wearing sun dresses -- a few old ones and a few new ones -- and I'm hoping to make it through August without having to buy any clothes.

Tonight I tried on last year's Fall clothes to see what I needed to get rid of, what I could wear, and what I need to buy. I'm down 3 sizes in pants, skirts and dresses -- 2 sizes in tops and jackets.

I am donating 7 dresses, 2 blazers, 2 skirts, and 9 pairs of pants to Goodwill tomorrow. Funny, there's nothing here that I'm sorry to see go.

I am going to need a big Back to School sale!