Yep, I'm still here. The world's slowest loser. In a weird spate of good news, however, I happened across my weight from last January and I weigh exactly what I did then. So at least I'm not going up.

I have a plan. I have a process. I have a support group. Now I have to get to it!

I am still fighting the good fight, with a little less enthusiasm than before. When the new year came and went, I made a conscious decision to stop flogging myself for everything I did not do last year and focus on the here and now.  What I have is right now. I know what helps me lose weight. Now I need to get back to doing it.  I am headed to the kitchen right now to create my favorite egg and vegetable breakfast and to the store after work to refill the produce drawer.

There is never a time that is the right time to give up on myself. My last blood work was all good, thanks to a healthy lifestyle in spite of obesity. Losing weight is the last thing I have to do in order to say I've done all I can to be healthy.  I will not give up.

That's it for today; simply a time of coming clean but also looking at the clean slate. Happy New Year, everyone.  

Last Friday - Tips, Tricks and Inspiration

It's the last Friday of 2013. Whew!

First, the memo: I posted my menu plan to Bright Love last Monday since it was more holiday than health-conscious, but if you're looking for ideas, there's the link.

I've been reading some interesting news in the fields of weight loss and whole health lately. Firstly this:
Restaurant labeling works and I am not surprised. While getting to the point where most restaurant fare could be called healthy is a ways off, at least with the labeling, research shows people do make better choices. Hence the tip of the week: Do take the time to read those labels and go for a healthier choice -- you will feel better about it. Did you know that California has had restaurant menu labeling laws for some time? Thus, if you plan on going to a chain restaurant, take a couple of minutes before you go to look up the restaurant online and enter your location as somewhere in California. You will then be able to see the whole menu with nutritional information. Cool, huh?

My trick of the week is an obvious one that bears restating. During these challenging holiday times, instead of saying "I can't have that" and depriving myself, only to binge later on something else. As we enter into week 2 or this long holiday time, try giving yourself permission to have a small piece or a single serving of your favorite holiday foods. Pass up any food that isn't your favorite to help offset the extra calorie expenditures. Trick 2 is one that everyone knows but seldom applies -- and this applies especially to buffets and group meals: If you take a bite of something and it is not nearly as good tasting as you thought it would be, do not take another bite. Try whatever you want to try, but only eat the really good stuff. I also make a point to pass up food we eat any time of the year -- breads, mashed potatoes, regular cake, etc -- and focus on the seasonal foods to lower the calorie cost of the whole meal. Make sense?

Although some would consider this last article bad news for someone like me, I take it as inspiration. I was actually relived to read that "healthy obesity is a myth." Yes, I have "good numbers." And as I tell my doctors, "I'm perfect on the inside." Still everything in me wants to fight the fat even though it's an epic battle with no victory yet in sight. None of my doctors will tell me to lose weight because my numbers are good. It's crazy. So I fight on for another year. What inspires you to keep fighting?

Have a safe, happy, and healthy new year!