Retail Therapy...and more.

So this is turning out to be a LOT more difficult that I thought it would be.  We had to find a new home for our dog Maggie because she bit my son.  I've been trying for a while and finally found a rescue that only takes Miniature Schnauzers and will find her a home with no children.  I feel very lucky because they seem to be a very caring organization and were very thorough about whether or not they would take her.  So the official date is Saturday, and I'm not gonna lie, it sucks.  Sure, she was annoying sometimes and a handful but I've had her since she was 8 weeks old.  She is now almost 7. 

I decided to assuage my feelings by doing some retail therapy yesterday.  I know, I know, probably not how I should be dealing with it, but at least I didn't crack open a bottle of wine and bust into some Ben & Jerry's.  (Otherwise I wouldn't have fit into the rockin' jeans I got, and the size 4 dress, yes I said size 4!!!)  Which leads us to today.

Bill's (a coworker) birthday was last week and there has been a four-layer, knock-your-socks-off, ascend into chocolate heaven cake in the fridge.  He knew I was in a rotten mood, so he busted it out, and I enjoyed every single bite.  If that's not a huge Grand Canyon step away from my goal, I don't know what is.  But nonetheless, the damage is done and I'm moving on.  My husband has been very supportive through the whole ordeal, including telling me to step away from the chocolate.  But sometimes I just want to undignify myself and shove my whole face in a chocolate cake, like a one year old on her birthday.  Is that so bad?

I'm sure I'll get over it and move on and continue with my goal, but for today I'm choosing to wallow in my sadness and eat a damn piece of chocolate cake!

Comparison Time!

I wanted to compare where I started last September and where I'm at now, and I must say...Wow!  What a difference!!  Take a look at the pics below...

Picture Taken 9/21/10

Picture Taken 12/18/10 (almost 3 months later)

 I didn't think it would be that much different but when I compare the two it's very exciting!!!

Bye Bye Scale!!

I don't know why it takes someone beating me over the head with a sledgehammer to get a point across, but here I am, beaten by the sledgehammer and finally understanding it.  As you all know, I was weighing myself once a week to gauge how my progress was coming in my road to "optimal health".  I was doing pretty good and seeing some results, but every time I was about to get on the scale I would get sweaty palms, my heart would beat in my ears and I would pray to God that the notorious number announcer would be nice to me!  Why...why on earth do I keep doing this to myself???  I know it can be a tool to use in the journey to good health, but that's all it is.  Why do we all rely on that number so much (and most of us pick a number that is ridiculously low)?  Then I read an article by one of my favorite healthy people, Tosca Reno.  I'm a huge fan of hers, and what she stands for.  She is a monthly contributor to Oxygen Magazine and has a column called "Raise The Bar."  If you're not familiar with Oxygen, it's a magazine dedicated to women that want to be as healthy and lean as possible...but if you've never picked up an issue don't be surprised if the first time you read it you are a little overwhelmed, I know I was!  (And please, please, please don't pay attention to the adds for fat burners and death pills!)  The reason I love the magazine so much is because it is a no-nonsense approach to getting healthy and being lean.  Eat right, exercise (including weights), and drink water.  There is no magic pill or quick-fix diet that will get you where you want to be. 

Anywhoo, my last issue came (it's the February issue) and Tosca's article was about the reasons why we get on the scale, and why we shouldn't do it (and all of the mental turmoil it causes).  It made so much sense to me.  So thank you Tosca for getting out that sledgehammer and once again smacking me upside the head with it!  If you get a chance to read the article, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!!!

I think from now on I'm going to post pictures of my progress instead of the picture of my feet on the crackball number nazi.  I like the way things are going, I'm feeling good, and I'm able to buy smaller size clothes.  I'll say "no thank you" to the number torture from now on!