No Pie? No Ham? No Cheesecake?

One of the things that's been interesting to me while doing a weight loss plan during the "HOLIDAYS" is that I'm left to wonder what these holidays are about when I take food out of the equation.

I plan my meals one day ahead and for Thanksgiving, I planned on turkey, green beans, yams with berries for dessert. Then it hit me. No pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving??!?! How is it Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie?

So I really started looking. What is Thanksgiving without pie, without stuffing myself till I hurt, without food? For me, it was a really fun day with friends who are family, playing games and laughing. And I ate well and was satisfied. I wasn't hungry. I wasn't stuffed and I didn't feel guilty.

Something to definitely be thankful for.

It came up again for Christmas - what? no ham? No cheesecake? Nope. I'm making a beef roast, green beans, yams and an apple/pineapple fruit thing for dessert. But I'm not giving up the presents!! And next year, I'll be looking for some new clothes under the tree!!

I'm also practicing being conscious and present to what I do have - not what I "can't" have.

And, as far as what I "can't" have, I had my fair share of all of that stuff (and probably your share too). I definitely didn't miss out in life on all the goodies and desserts and all that. And not to say I'll never have them again but for now, I'm not and so far, so good. :)

Weighting Game

I started a weight loss program on Mon/Nov 21 (yes, Thanksgiving week). And as of Mon/Dec 19 (day 29), I've lost 17 lbs. I've got a long way to go but I've lost 17 lbs. so far - and during the holidays.

The program is with Metabolic Research Center and I'd heard of them and had many several appointments in the last year but never made it in.

I finally went in and was so moved by the women working there and the success stories and photos, that I cried. I think it was because of something I had given up on long ago - HOPE.

I've been overweight for over 20 years - probably closer to 25 years - and let's face it - actually morbidly obese (is there a worse term in the world?) for 10-15 of those years.

Of course, I'm impatient and want to be thin NOW. This is my mantra that's keeping me going though...

I just decided today that I'm going to write and share about this journey. And that scares the shit out of me (almost as much as the journey itself).

More soon....