Diet, Dessert and Dogs

On this page, I’m going to keep track of my weight loss as I follow my Plan and slowly, ever so slowly, lower my weight and decrease my inches overall.  Weight taken every Sunday morning (though not connected in any way to worship).

[Update, February 2010:  Now that I've lost 45 pounds (still can't believe it!!), seems I've reached a plateau in my weight.  I'd still like to lose about 10 more pounds; however, while my body adjusts and until it decides to once gain start dropping the pounds, I thought I'd track a different type of progress: my progress putting together a dog-themed puzzle I got from the HH for Christmas in December 2009.  For purely weight-related entries, skip down to those below the puzzle photos. ]

Februrary 10, 2010 [all puzzle entries continue below]:

Still no change. . . to my weight.  Seems I’ve hit that legendary “plateau” that everyone talks about. No matter; while my body adjusts and until it decides to start dropping the pounds once again, I thought I’d start tracking a different type of progress in this space.  I’ll still indicate where my weight lies at the end of each blurb, but in the meantime. . .

. . . you get to follow my progress as I complete this doggie-themed puzzle I got for Christmas! 

Here’s what it will look like:

I knew I wanted something that would exercise my brain, and since I’m not much of a crossword person and I hate sudoku, I asked for a puzzle.  The theme seemed obvious, given that dogs take up one third of this blog’s title (I suppose I could have asked for a dessert-themed photo, but why would I torture myself that way?). 

I started it on February 10, 2010.  I plan to photograph my progress every time I work on it and post the photo here.  If I’m lucky, as the puzzle photo comes together and the clarity of the image increases, my weight will be decreasing at a similar rate.  A gal can hope.  And if not, enjoy the doggies.

February 13, 2010:

Found most of the letter pieces and began to put them together.  Separated all the black border pieces and tried to assemble a few of those.  Vaguely remember the old trick of putting the edges together first; will aim for that next time.

 

February 14, 2010

Happy Valentine’s Day! I spent yesterday evening working on the puzzle as we watched a rerun of Saturday Night Live. .  . how romantic!  But did manage to put together more of the word portion of the pic (we’ve got mania and we’ve got a “D” now; just need the “OG”):

February 15, 2010:

Hallelujah–I’ve found DOG!  Now that all the words are in place, I’ve also fit in a few bits of the hay at the bottom of the actual photo (see those brown and gold bits above the “M” and “O”?).  I’ve also discovered that my little folding table isn’t large enough to accommodate all the pieces in a single layer. . . does make it difficult to find those single pieces that fit in wayward holes.  Oh, well, onward and upward (in the photo). . .

February 16, 2010:

 Motoring right along.  Since my table is actually too small to accommodate all the pieces AND the assembled puzzle, it’s been a bit of searching for a dog in a haystack, one piece at a time. . .but we have progress.  Get a load of the hay above the lettering:

And a close-up view (I just need to find that one black edge piece above and to the right of the “A” and I’ve got a right-hand edge all done!).  

February 23, 2010: 

Having just returned from a little junket in Florida (one in which I gained not an ounce!), the HH and I are stuck at home with colds. . . . boo hoo for us.  The upside, of course, is that I have more time on the puzzle!  While I managed to find only a few more pieces of the black/white area with the lettering (including that upper right edge), so: 

. . .  I did manage to compose almost the entire Dalmatian head, plus the only dog mouth in the photo that’s holding a ball: 

Now, all I need are the other 65 dog faces (not to mention the rest of them. . .)

February 24, 2010:

The benefit of a (very slight) cold yesterday was that I could continue to work on the puzzle while watching TV!  Here’s where we’re at today:

Can you spot the differences?  Look–all that black space above “MANIA”!  And the inside of the “O” in “DOG”!! Whoo hoo!  And it only took a couple of weeks or so!

February 28, 2010:

Movin’ on up. . . . the bottom of the puzzle frame is complete!  I’ve filled in all the black space below the letters, as well as some of the hay just above them.  Take a gander:

But the rest of the puzzle is still in a shambles, like so:

Now on to the many faces of dog. . . .

March 3, 2010:

Now we’re barking! It seems I’m building this puzzle from the ground up, which, I suppose, is fine. . . . Notice the bottom as it moves up the frame. . .

AND a couple of little doggie faces in the making:

Weight-Only Entries begin here:

January 15, 2010

New year, same me.  And while my weight has remained stable over the holidays (a pound up here, a pound down there–it all evened out eventually), I think this must have been the first Christmas season in my life that I didn’t gain weight.  Now that I’ve started eating a bit more raw foods I’m hoping to bring down the weight even more; only this time, I’m not going to stress about it.  It does feel like a much better way to be eating, and living.  Pounds lost: 43. Pounds to goal: 12.

November 21, 2009

It’s difficult to believe, but after nine months on  this ACD, I am nearly at my projected “goal” weight–only 2 pounds to go!  A couple of weeks ago, when I hit four pounds above goal, I mentioned it to the HH:  “Hey, honey, I’m only four pounds heavier than I was when we first met.”  His response?  “Naaawww. . . you were much thinner when we met!”  Hmmmnn.  Aside from squelching the desire to throw the scale across the room at his head, I stopped to think about it.

Let’s see: I was 13 years younger when we met.  Indeed, years and gravity have. . . er, shifted some of that weight. What was once an hourglass is now a pear.  And so, I have decided that even though I will be perfectly satisfied and healthy once I lose these last 2 pounds, my IDEAL weight–the one that will return me to a size with which I am comfortable AND happy–is about ten pounds from now.  Since it doesn’t appear as if I’m going to be off the ACD any time soon, the pounds will, hopefully, continue to dissolve of their own accord.  Actually decreasing the amount I eat isn’t really an option! Pounds lost: 43.  Pounds to goal: 2. Pounds to nirvana: 12.

October 16, 2009

Despite almost a month fighting a persistent flu bug (and, therefore, no exercise), looks like things have remained more or less the same weight-wise.  Now that I’ve been stuck at this weight for this long, it’s beginning to feel like I need to set a new goal.  Am I mad?  No, but there are still some clothes in my closet that I’d like to wear again. . . and will need to lose more before they fit.  For now, though, it’s status quo:  Pounds lost: 38.  Pounds to goal: 7.

September 27, 2009

Could it be that my workout club’s new scale hasn’t been calibrated to match the old one?  (Likely). Could it be that this past week of a dreadful cold has prevented me from eating normally? (Yes.)  Could it be that I’ve expelled the weight of a small rodent in-er–cough-related bodily excretions?  (Sadly, true).   Or could it simply be totally temporary, water-weight loss?  (Again, most certainly).  Who cares?  The scale says I’ve lost more weight.  Pounds lost: 38.  Pounds to goal: 7.

September 20, 2009

Well, there I was, merrily tooting along and following my ACD diet, when I hit a plateau.  And just as suddenly (and mysteriously), I seem to have traversed that flatland and come out the other side. . . once again moving downhill.  Have a changed my eating habits?  Nope.  Exercised more?  Double nope. Can stress cause weight loss?  (Apparently, it can, but in my case, stress usually causes excessive eating–maybe that’s the key! I didn’t take out my anxiety in food this time round!). Whatever the miraculous reason, the weight seems to be decreasing once again.  Pounds lost: 35. Pounds to goal: 10.

September 6, 2009

Horrors!  The scale at the workout club is BROKEN!!  Whatever shall I do??? Well, I suppose I could try being like all the normal-weight people out there, and judge my weight based on how I feel, how my clothes fit, etc.  Gulp! They promise me it will be fixed within two weeks, but I’m not hopeful.  I’m still waiting for the quad machine to be fixed. . . and it broke last spring.  Perhaps I will have to invest in a decent scale of my own (aside from the cooking scale I’ve got, which, unfortunately, reaches a maximum of 5 kg [about 11 pounds]–enough for my foot, perhaps?) In the meantime, everything appears to be status quo. . . though who knows?

August 16, 2009

Happy that I’ve lost 32 pounds in time for my TV spot tomorrow!  Then again, they say the camera adds 10 pounds, which means I’ll look 23 pounds overweight instead of 13.  Bummer.  Pounds lost: 32.  Pounds to goal: 13.

August 2, 2009

A restricted diet does have its benefits.  Such as, for instance, being unable to eat much when someone else is serving you, and they neglect to include foods of which you may partake.  Such was my fate this past weekend away from home–and I ended up eating precious little for most meals.  Don’t get me wrong, I love my vegetables; I even love them steamed.  Just not for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pounds lost: 32.  Pounds to goal: 13.  

July 25, 2009

Well, people at work have finally started to notice, asking me if I’ve lost weight and telling me that I look smaller.  Gee, and I only had to lose 30 pounds (about 14 kg)  for them to realize it!  Pounds lost: 30.  Pounds to goal:  15.

July 5, 2009

A long weekend usually means sleeping in, exercising less, visitng with friends and family, and eating waaaaay more than you usually do.  This year, all those were true for me.  And yet–this morning’s weigh-in revealed one more pound down!  Could it be that my metabolism has finally shifted?  Or perhaps I’m eating less than I realize?  Or maybe someone hypnotized me and I just think I’m eating when I’m not really?  Who cares!  I sure am loving all these formerly “retired” summer clothes making their way out of the closet, though. Pounds lost: 29.  Pounds to goal:  16.

June 27, 2009

Where did all these new clothes come from?  Oh, that’s right, they’ve been folded in boxes for the past eight years, since they were far too small for me to actually wear–and now they fit once again! (Yes, I keep old clothes. But only the ones I really, really like).  It’s great having a wardrobe I really, really like again!  Too bad it’s eight years out of style.  Pounds lost: 28.  Pounds to goal: 17.

May 31, 2009

It’s a bit astonishing to me that the weight seems to be falling at such a regular pace now, with almost no effort on my part.  And all it took was getting really, really sick!  Although it takes a great deal of discipline to stick with the ACD, the thought of having these candida symptoms indefinitely is what allows me to stay on the regimen.  What IS good about the diet is: no counting calories, points, carbs, or anything else.  I truly am not restricting the amounts of what I eat.  On the other hand, who ever pigged out on broccoli?  Pounds lost:  24.   Pounds to goal: 21.

May 19, 2009

Ooops.  Seems as if weekly updates won’t be happening here.  Well, don’t diet gurus tell you not to weigh yourself too often, anyway?  And staying away from the scale can have positive consequences. . . as I found out when I weighed in at the workout club yesterday.  A new milestone:  I’ve now lost 20 pounds.  Twenty!  Two-zero!  Two times ten!  Unheard of.  Unbelievable.  Unstoppable!  Pounds to goal: 25.

April 29, 2009

I actually forgot to write an entry last weekend–could it be that I’m becoming less focused on the number that is my weight, and more on the health benefits and how I feel? 

Naw.  Just forgot.

I am happy to report, however, that as I near week 8 of the ACD, my weight is down by 14 pounds.  Fourteen!  That’s approximately 2 pounds per week, which is what every medical professional recommends.  And the weight loss is truly a by-product of simply eating well, and healthfully; I can honestly say that I haven’t been restricting my portions in any way whatsoever.  And while I truly do not wish to remain on the ACD indefinitely, I’m hoping some of these good eating habits will stick.  Whoo hoo! Pounds to goal: 31.

April 19, 2009

End of Week 6 on the ACD already!  I can’t believe I’ve managed to follow the regimen this long.  Will collect my thoughts on the diet, the results, the symptoms, etc. and post a blog entry about it in a few days, but for now, the best outcome has been that the weight is finally starting to move in the right direction:  down 10 pounds from my highest weight, and at the lowest since starting this blog in November, 2007.  Pounds to goal: 33.5.

April 12, 2009

There’s good news, and there’s bad news. . . . the good news is: I’ve completed four full weeks of this hellish diet, and have followed it to a “T.”  The bad news is:  I’m not sure how much it’s helping.  Symptoms come, and symptoms go. . .then they come again.  Some of the worst (and the reasons why I began this cleanse in the first place) seem to linger without abating.  The good news is: I’m eating healthfully–really healthfully–and consistently so, for the first time in years. The bad news is: I still experience monstrous sugar cravings, even though they were supposed to disappear by Day 5.  The good news is: I’ve finally begun to lose weight.  The bad news is: well, let’s just leave it at good, shall we?  Pounds to go: 34.5.

April 4, 2009

Rounding the corner to end of week four. . . another detox reaction, and I experienced dizziness, nausea and headache today.  The HH says it will come and go in waves, as each level of toxins leave my body.  (Not that the HH is an expert in such things, since he can eat whatever he wants and never experience any adverse reactions whatsoever. . . but he has read a lot about it. Oh, and don’t you hate him?).  I am hoping he’s right.  What this tells me, of course, is that my body was way more toxic than I realized.  Will a mere six weeks on this regimen be anywhere near enough? 

In the meantime, I am slowly becoming accustomed to eating this way and even found myself craving vegetables this morning.  As Mr. Sp0ck might say, fascinating. Pounds to go:  35.

March 29, 2009

Can it really be that I’ve already completed THREE WEEKS on this horrid regimen?  I’m only now beginning to become accustomed to eating no fruit, no sweeteners (save stevia), almost no grains and no other yeast-feeding foods (alcohol, coffee, fermented foods, condiments, mouldy foods, etc. etc. etc.).  Some of the dishes are basically what I’d eat anyway (such as the veggie burgers we ate last evening), while others are definitely poor substitutes for what I’d really like to consume (such as the faux chocolate pudding I had the other day). 

At the same time, symptoms wax and wane.  The HH says it’s because I’m detoxing from perhaps ten years of faulty eating.  He’s partly right: over the past ten years, I’ve gorged on cheap, crappy chocolates, too many cookies or brownies, ice creams, and so on far too many times to count.  At the same time, they’ve been interspersed with incredibly healthy, NAG-friendly foods such as you’ll find on this blog.  The problem is that my metabolism, clearly, is not equipped for this kind of swing in food quality.  I’ve been ricocheting between feeling much better (clearer sinuses, clearer thoughts) and much, much worse (today’s sinus headache, sore throat and jello legs are an example).  I’m beginning to wonder if a mere six weeks on this cleanse is actually enough!

On a high note, my weight has begun to decline, and my clothes are ever so slightly looser.  Pounds to go:  36.

March 22, 2009

Week Two of the ACD has (thankfully) come to an end!  And while I must admit that I am feeling physically better, I am not so sure I’m LOOKING that much better.  After making my way to the workout club this morning I was absolutely certain I’d lost some weight, but when I stepped on the scale and slid that little metal bar across the top. . . over to the right. . .more. . . a bit more. . . it landed on the exact same spot as last week.  In other words, I haven’t lost an ounce.  Not a gram.  Not a molecule of that mess o’ lipids filling out my hips.  Aaaarrrggghhhh!  Still, I am not following the ACD merely for the weight loss (there are easier ways to lose weight, believe me).  Will hang in with the hopes that weight will follow wellbeing.  Pounds to go: 37.

March 15, 2009:

One week in and I’m hanging on!  I’m eating more veggies than I ever thought possible.  And NO FRUIT.  But it will be worth it if those little critters take a hike. . .  Pounds to go: 37.

March 14, 2009:

ACD Update: Honestly, I’m amazed at how hard this is.  How did I stick to this diet for TWO YEARS way back when?? A dessert lover’s world without fruit, sweeteners or most grains is an inventive place, let me tell you.  I’ve worked out a few “desserts” that satisfy part of the sugar cravings, but overall it feels like walking a very thin line.  Is this how addicts feel when they come off a drug (well, minus the bags under the eyes, skeletal ribcages, pockmarked forearms and tatoos)?  Right about now, I’d love a private chef à la Oprah.  Let someone else think up the innovative recipes and do the cooking–the more I’m out of the kitchen, the better.  (Hmmm, probably not the best strategy for someone writing a food blog).

March 10, 2009:

Day two and I’m still on the diet!  I woke up this morning with a wicked headache and thought at first I was coming down with something; then realized, “This is probably a die-off reaction.”  As the yeast are starved of their favorite food, sugar, they rebel and start screaming, “Feed me!”.  They moan and whinge and rail and beat their little yeasty fists against your innards, so you really do feel as if there’s a battle going on in your body.  This is caused by toxins being released as the yeast die off–and I seem to have been hit big time.  Still, I realize it’s temporary and already feel a bit better this evening.  Must persevere! Two days down–only 40 more to go! 

March 8, 2009:

Thought I’d record my weight again today, as this is the “official” start of the diet (last week was just “clean” eating, in preparation).  Pounds to go:  37.

March 7, 2009:

The ACD Diet I’ll follow: I have written about the basic diet before on this page, but this time round I’m following a specific regimen set out by Whole Approach, using resources from medical and nutritional practitioners.  I’m going to pair their diet with the one in my original candida bible, Complete Candida Yeast Guidebook by Zoltan Rona and Jeanne Marie Martin to come up with a unique and individual plan for me.  The diet starts Monday (March 9)–I’ll be keeping track of how I’m feeling (physically AND mentally) as well as key changes in symptoms, weight, etc.  Wish me luck!

March 4, 2009

Time for a new twist on this page. . . I’m going to report here on how I fare following an anti-candida regimen.  The goal is to clear my system once and for all of those yeasty critters who invade and make me crave chocolate and sweets.  Basically, this is very much like my original goal on this blog:  to become a “normal” eater who can, on occasion, enjoy a decadent dessert, glass of wine or other high-carb treat and not have to worry that one bite of Lindt will send me frantically emptying the cupbarods of all things chocolate.  This week:  a clean diet in preparation for the cleanse.  No restrictions except that there’s nothing refined allowed.  Day three and so far, I’m really enjoying all this healthy food. Pounds to goal:  36.

Week 50 (September 28-October 4)

As I typed the specifics of the date, above, it occurred to me that I am only TWO WEEKS away from the one-year anniversary of this diet adventure. TWO WEEKS!  Considering that yesterday at the workout club, my weight was down one more pound (at least we’re moving in the right direction, now–whoo hoo!), that means I have lost a total of 3 pounds in FIFTY WEEKS.  Hmmmnnn, let’s see: averages out to .06 of a pound per week.  Another way to state that is it took 16.6 weeks to lose ONE POUND. Way to go!  (Well, in reality, I lost something like 28 pounds in the past 50 weeks.  It’s just that I gained back 25 of them.)  Weight:  down 1 pound.  Pounds to go: 37.

;Week 45 (August 24-30)

Time sure does fly when you’re eating whatever you want. Okay, not exactly whatever I want–but whatever I want within boundaries.  Oddly, it seems to have worked.  Weight:  down 2 pounds.  Pounds to go:  38.

Week 39 (July 13-July 19)

Well, this is becoming a bit embarrassing.  I mean, the original goal of this page (and the blog) was to track my weight loss.  Now, ten months into the project, I’m in love with blogging; I spend time baking, cooking, tasting, and writing almost every day; and my weight is pretty much where it was the day I started this project.  Do I really need to keep track of this weekly?  I think not.  Besides, I had much more success when I took that Total Health course, and lost 4 pounds in 9 weeks–not great, but something.  And so, from now on, I’ll be tracking only once a month.  Let’s hope that next month, I have something better than this to report:  Weight: up .5 pounds.  Pounds to go: 40.

Week 38 (July 6-July 12)

With brilliant sunshine, not-too-humid heat, and lots of outdoor activities, I seem to have forgotten about eating habits this week.  Neither ups nor downs, which can be a good thing, I suppose. Weight:  same as last week.  Pounds to go: 39.5.

Week 37 (June 29-July 5)

Well, with Canada Day and a weekend trip to Montreal, I’ve certainly been enjoying what I eat.  Huge meals in great restaurants, my own baked goods on the road (can’t drive 6 hours each way without some sustenance, can you?) and a couple of trials with vegan butter tarts, and let’s just say I wasn’t too hopeful about this week’s weigh-in.  BUT I WAS WRONG!  Yep–I guess that eating a generally healthy diet, with a few little treats here and there (and I’ve been trying very hard to keep them little) will allow me to continue on the path I established while following my cleanse. . . . and so, happy news:  Weight:  down .5.  Pounds to go:  39.5.

Week Thirty Six (June 22-28 )

Can it really be NINE WEEKS since I last wrote on this page?  Well, the good news is, I loved the course.  Yay!  Healthy eating for nine weeks!  The bad news isn’t even so bad: I lost 4 pounds while on the course.  Which brings me back to my starting weight from 8 months ago.  But I’ve started reading Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now, so I am NOT going to look back and feel bad that my weight has been yo-yo’ing over the past eight months.  No, I am going to look ahead. . . oh, wait, I guess according to Eckhart, I shouldn’t really look ahead, either. . . I’m going to look right here, right NOW and continue to eat healthfully.  Which is very easy right NOW, as it’s 10:56 PM and I’m about to go to sleep.  The power of NOW, indeed!  Weight:  down 4 pounds.  Pounds to go:  40.

Weeks Twenty Seven-Thirty Five (April 27-June 21)

May 9th: Okay, maybe I won’t be totally silent during this time, even if I’m not weighing myself.  I’m definitely loving the course (I usually write a little coda at the end of whatever entry comes after Wednesdays) and am definitely feelling much better in terms of health and energy.  Yay Total Health!

Week Twenty-Six:  April 20-26

After a weekend visiting family in Montreal, the weight has climbed again.  Family-encouraged eating?  Stress?  Sitting around too much?  Whatever; I’ve already decided to make a change, and have signed up for a nine-week course (which I first mentioned here).  As a result, I’ve also decided that, for the duration of the course at least, I’m going to put the weigh-ins on hold.  Come back the week of June 22 to see where I am by then! For now, weight:  up 2 pounds.  Pounds to go:  44.

Week Twenty-Five:  April 13-19

Not a happy morning on the scale today.  Seems the weight is creeping its way UP, rather than DOWN.  But I’ve decided to take radical action–I’m asking for help!  As of this week, I’ve registered for a course to focus on general healthy lifestyle and diet.  Chocolate, be warned–you will be exorcised! Weight:  up one pound.  Pounds lost: 0.  Pounds to go: 42.

Week Twenty-Four: April 6-12

Still stuck with a sore back; no exercise, which means no getting to the gym, which means no weigh-in.  And so, another deferral. . .

Week Twenty-Three: March 30-April 5

Being stuck in bed during the GBR, I was unable to get to the scale. . . so it will have to wait until next time.

Week Twenty-Two: March 23-29

Well, this is starting to get embarrassing, truly.  Should I change the blog title to “Dessert and Dogs”? Oh, well. Things are as they are. . . weight: same as last week.  Pounds lost: 0.  Pounds to go: 41.

Week Twenty-One: March 16-22

One of the things dieters dream about achieving is “maintenance,” that coveted achievement when, after losing your desired amount of weight, you’re able to keep it steady at that point; the time when, forever more, your weight just stays the same.  Well, I’m half way there, anyway.  Weight: same as last week. Pounds lost: 0.  Pounds to go:  41.

Week Twenty: March 9-15

This past week, taking a break from the blog, I basically sat at my computer and didn’t move.  Same for my weight.  Weight:  same as last week. Total lost: 0 lbs.  Total to go:  41 lbs. I’m beginning to detect a pattern here. . .  

Week Nineteen: March 2-8

I suppose I could blame the winter, and the fact that our metabolisms become sluggish this time of year.  Or I could blame the fact that I’ve been unable to complete my usual workout this past week, as I pulled my back and am barely mobile.  Or I could just blame Canada.  But no; it’s more likely that, as Kirstie Alley said on Oprah, when asked how she gained all her weight, “I earned every pound, by putting too much food into my mouth.”  Ouch.  Weight: up 2 pounds.  Total lost: 0.  Pounds to go:  41.  Double ouch.

Week Eighteen:  February 24-March 1

After this week of WOCA, I was certain I’d pack on the pounds, as I didn’t restrict eating on anything but chocolate/sweeteners.  However, the news is (relatively) good: Weight:  same as last week.  Total lost:  1 lb.  Total to go:  39 lbs.

Week Seventeen:  February 17-23

Finally, a change:  but oops–wrong direction.  After the colossal pig-out that was Valentine’s Day, I’m glad today begins my Week of Chocolate Asceticism (WOCA). Weight:  up 1 lb.  Total lost: 1 lb.  (Yes, it appears that–after seventeen weeks–I am basically back where I started.  Time to begin a new blog!  Kidding.)

Week Sixteen:  February 10-16

Does the word “diet” even still belong in the title of this blog?  Perhaps it should be “Maintenance, Dessert and Dogs.”  Ah, no, doesn’t have the same ring.  But it’s appropriate this week, anyway.  Weight:  same as last week.  Total lost: 2 lb.  Still have 38 to go.

Week Fifteen:  February 3-9

Have you been keeping track of the stock market recently?  Monday–up 300 points.  Tuesday–down 450.  Wednesday–up to a new high.  Thursday–plumbing the depths of a new low.  Up, down.  Up, down. I should be listed on the NASDAQ.  Weight:  up 2 pounds (total of 2 lost).  38 to go. 

Week Fourteen:  January 28-February 2

They say variety is the spice of life.  Well, no spice on the scale this week.  Weight: same as last week.  36 pounds to go.

Week Thirteen:  January 20-26

Well, with The CFO visiting for the weekend this week, I actually performed the ritual weigh-in on Friday.  Weight:  total 4 lb. down.  36 to go.  I can’t vouch for this same result AFTER the weekend, though, considering that 6 out of 7 planned activities involve food.

Week Twelve: January 13-19:

I’m the type of person who likes consistency in life.  Good, solid, reliable, predictable–those are all adjectives that make me feel warm and fuzzy inside.  Drastic or unexpected change drives me crazy (as I made painfully evident in this post).  So, I suppose this week’s weight loss fits right into that pattern.  Weight: total 3 .5 pounds down.  36.5 to go.

Week Eleven: January 6-12

Do we really need to rely on the use of impersonal numbers to assess how we feel or look?  Really, is it necessary to employ a cold, mechanical machine–a scale–just to determine whether or not we can have dessert this week? Seriously, why are we all so dependent on all of these modern amenities, just to know where we stand in life, just to keep track of the fine details of. . . oh, fine, all right already–yes, I did weigh myself this morning, and yes, I am avoiding the issue:  total of 3 pounds down.  37 to go.  Same as last week.  * sigh *.

Week Ten:  December 30-January 5

Weight:  3 lb. down, 37 to go, same as in week 6 (exactly a month ago).  Shall I pretend that I didn’t lose any weight since then, and my weight has just remained steady all this time?  Or should I pretend that it’s really only “week one”–the new year, and all–this week, and start fresh?  Or should I simply get back on track and stop shoving chocolate in my mouth?

Week Nine: December 23-29

What??  Nine weeks, already?? Weight: 5 down; 35 to go. The holidays have taken their toll. Now, if I’d been losing that 1 pound per week that I’d aimed for since the beginning, I’d have lost 9 pounds by now. Instead, I’m 5 pounds below that. Hmmmm.  Time to reassess this approach, perhaps?

Week Eight: December 16-22

Another foiled attempt to weigh-in; snow preventing any and all movement in the city today.  But I can tell that the results of recent revelry and cheer haven’t been good.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Week Seven: December 9-15, 2007

Today’s weigh-in pre-empted due to debilitating viral condition, preventing me from getting to the gym. (No, really.) [ Coda, December 10th-- Weight: 5.5 down; 34.5 to go.  Managed to get to the club today instead. Late, but surprisingly better.]

Week Six: December 2-8, 2007

Weight: 3 down; 37 to go. Wrong direction, scale.  I weigh in on this particular weigh in here.

Week Five:  November 25-December 1, 2007

Weight:  3.5 down; 36.5 to go. Back to the workout club this morning and the scale that started it all in Week One.  Based on their scale, I seem to have lost weight again.  Can’t imagine where the scale would register if I hadn’t had those 150 grams of chocolate and assorted other baked sweets at the expo yesterday. Could it be that regular exercise, having my treadmill in the TV room, and compensating for overeating by skipping the next meal have all made a difference??

Week Four:  November 18-24, 2007

Weight: 2 lb. down, 38 to go. A couple of days late, as I wasn’t able to find a scale before now.  Shocked to find my weight down after eating a minimum of 1/2 pound of chocolate daily for the entire first week after we moved (on November 12th).  This new strategy?  Stop the chocolate, and be so busy that you have to skip at least one meal per day for three or four days.  Not exactly healthy, though I’m glad the weight is still moving in the downward direction.

Week Three:  November 11-17, 2007

Can’t register my weight, as we can’t find the scale in all the debris over here. . . will update next week.

Week Two: November 4-10, 2007

Weight: .5 lb. down; 39.5 to go (not what I’d hoped for–but okay considering the number of cookies and chocolate I’ve eaten this week).

Week One: October 28-November 3, 2007

Weight:  40 pounds to lose (worse than I realized).