We're all close to the upcoming weigh-in. I'm not sure about other folks here but my birthday is on the 11th - the day before the weigh-in...Ugh! Let's add insult to injury - it's restaurant week here in Philly! So how to turn a percieved unfortunate situation into something fortunate?

Firstly, this time gave me a chance to think about 'non-food' ways to celebrate and learn the lessons of delayed gratification. For Thursday, I'll celebrate through a mani/pedi and facial. Perhaps even a new outfit. I plan to start my birthday morning by a nice, longer than normal walk - allowing me to get a longer bit of time for introspection. 

These are habits I had during my last major weight loss. I was 20 lbs under my current weight and I was in a mentality where food wasn't the center stage - health, pampering and wellness took center stage. So, I'm now glad the last day before my weigh-in is on my birthday. It's allowing me to reflect on how I can make the best choices for wellness, pampering and health everyday - even on a day known for cake, treats, heavy drinking and lots of food in general. 

For restaurant week - it's until Sept 19th. No sweat, I booked reservations for AFTER my weigh-in. In addition, I only booked for ONE restaurant. Before, I would look for every place to take advantage of the deals. Now, one restaurant the week after my weigh-in. With restaurant week - menus are set. So I know what I'm getting into. That's a good balance. 

Body Changes

I love looking at my weekly weigh-in pictures from DB. Regular weigh-ins keep me honest and the pic gives me new insight outside of the scale number. I wear the same shirt and shorts to see any differences. Here some interesting tibits:

1. The spare tire space between my belly button and hips has drastically reduced. Before, my stomach would stick out of the shirt during the pics - Now, all is completely covered.

2. Inner thighs are getting leaner. There's a space forming between my upper legs - starting from the top of my knees, and slowly making it's way up.

3. Butt is firming. Saddle bag area is reducing. 

4. My arms have always been pretty firm. So, not much there to report but I do have less fat to pinch now.

5. Puffy face look went down the first two weeks. Eating way above calories and too much carbs and heavy foods give me a puffy face. Now, check bones, neck and chin esp have more definition.

New Insights into Eating

This week I wanted to hold my weight steady. However, here are some points I learned from this past week with maintaining:

1. Prepare or prepare to fail is real! I had class this past week and woke up late. It's an all day class and I forgot my lunch. Unhealthy fastfood breakfast and OK fastfood lunch but went down a bad road and had a Wendy's frostly after class....Ugh! Now, I purchased a large lunch bag and will fill with fruit, salad, yogurt, sandwich and bag of popcorn to keep me satisfied and save money. 

2. Protien first thing in morning for me....I love Nutella and toast. However, I get hungry very quickly again - especially on my days that start at 530AM. So, now I have yogurt, or a boiled egg with toast. Then the next "sub-breakfast" after my morning walk - oatmeal with fruit to get the fiber in. 

3. People unintentionally sabotage at all times. I have a friend that is healthy. However, she'll keep insisting on I 'have more' of a dish she wants me to taste at a restaurant or asks about going out to eat somewhere. And this is someone who clearly knows I'm doing DB. It was one thing to live in a household where folks just aren't into healthy cooking. It's another thing for someone who is into wellness but tries to force food on your plate. I soon realized when I discussed calories with her - she's into exercise and wellness but isn't educated on the amount of calories many food have. I ran down for her a few items...Before I told her the calories, she would say "It's not many"...Au contraire - I would provide the calorie and fat in certain foods. Now she's shocked. So, not making it all about calories but education for others helps too. They can see how sometimes they aren't helping through their actions. On a more positive note, on the home front, folks are cooking much healthier. Someone made the comment, "I'm making the brown rice and baked chicken with kale - not just because your on DB - but because I think it can help me too". They commented on noticing the difference in my figure with just the first month. Lesson learned: Lead by Example...or as one of my mentors say 'Preach what you Practice". 

4. Lastly, even though I was just maintaining since I was almost 3lbs past the montly goal - I kept getting disappointed with 'not losing'. I could see how I was failing into a trap of not being content. I had to remind myself about lifestyle changing vs 'dieting'. It was tough. I needed to realize that the weight didn't define me but was one of many measurements I used to correlate with my nutrition and exercise. I didn't learn healthy eating and wellness growing up. Therefore, this is life-long with understanding to live - because I can slip up and go back into old habits that are more subconsiously ingrained (I know from previous experience). Lesson learned: 99% mental with health and wellness.