Good health choices pay off

Well, It has been since March that I have been mostly off of sugar.  Occasionally I will indulge, but seem to go out of control when I do (probably like a sober alcoholic when they take a drink again)  It has been hard to eat good, but is getting easier.  I feel much, much better when I am eating healthier that is for sure.  So far I have lost 52 pounds.  I still have 23 to go!  I exercise every day, and measure all my food.  Speaking about measuring, I cannot believe how much I actually over ate.  Did you know a serving of trail mix is 3tbsp which fits in the palm of you hand, and not the whole bag! (and it is 10 fat grams for 3tbsp) what a rip off!  I try to eat smaller meals with healthy snacks in between.  I am aware that in order to maintain this, I will have to change my thinking, and eating for good.  But I think the benefit of good health is worth it.  It is amazingly frustrating how easily weight  can add on and how frustratingly hard it is to take it off! I was talking to a lady yesterday, and she said her dad is 50, and had a heart attack.  He told her he wish that he would have died literally, because he cannot eat the food he enjoys anymore.  He is not willing to substitute good eating habits for his not so good high fat/ red meat habits.  I think it is sad, that food is such a big part in someones life that they would literally want to die if they had to change their eating.  I often wonder if Tim's mom would have been able to go back and change her eating habits, if she could have prolonged her life and not died a early death due to Diabetes.  I am sure the answer is yes.  I am almost 40, and so now is the time in my life to make certain changes to make sure that I am able to run and not be weary and walk and not be faint!  I am in control of my destiny and how my story unfolds...And as for now, I want to live a long, healthy life, full of energy and spunk!  Yes it is soooo hard to resist temptation, but the feeling of accomplishment when I pass up something is even better and the joy it brings when I step on the scales is priceless! (almost like winning the Superbowl)  And the discouragement that comes with knowing I fell into temptation, and the emotional pain it brings when I have to force myself to step on the scale and be accountable for my actions.

  I have learned through many life experiences, that the best thing to do when I have over eaten or indulged, is to just get back on my feet! sometimes you still get to where you are going even if you take one step forward and two steps back, it just takes longer.  The other day I had to tell myself...Nothing tastes as good as THIN feels.  It is feeling good to be thinner.  I think of all the huffing and puffing I did while going up the stairs and doing simple tasks!  My stride has lengthened and I walk much faster and have more energy.  It gives me great accomplishment to know that I am making a difference in my own life.  And only I can make that difference!  This Hawaiian Scrub set I bought as my goal! It sat in my closet for 3 years!  It was so satisfying to me to be able to finally wear it!  These are my before and my 1/2 way pictures.  I hope to have the final finale sometime this fall.  (unless I fall of! which is highly unlikely!)

I was reading an article yesterday in a magazine about how food is like drugs; they trigger the same sensations in our mind like drugs do, and junk food is highly addicting besides.  I never knew how addicted I was to eating certain foods until I stopped eating them.  Sometimes the cravings are more than I can bear, but I am proud of myself that I have been able to bear this burden thus far.  I know that I will always have the urge to overeat and to eat yummy snickity-snackity type foods, but the goal to be around for my grandkids and my great-grandkids helps me move past these addictions to a more healthier, happier me.  I am very embarrassed at how much weight I put on and how I let myself go, but I am so proud of myself now and knowing that I am making a difference in my life.