Ready, Set GOals - Time to Make a Health Plan

This is the last day of March and the perfect time to set diet goals for better health. If you have specific issues you'd like me to cover, feel free to email me at dsundblad (at) theinkslinger.net and I'll do my best to address them.

For myself, I've decided narrow, practical goals are best. By this, I mean they must be achievable. I tend to lean toward being an over achiever and that doesn't work in the long term when trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. For example, I'd love to make a goal of exercising an hour a day everyday. However, I know that's not practical. My natural leanings are to exercise zero minutes everyday of the week. The trick is to find a balance that challenges me, but that is achievable. So I've settled on exercising 5 days a week for 30 minutes. While that sounds like a lot, its the minimum I should do to improve my health and I'm going to shoot for it.

Then comes the diet plan for this month. I've decided to continue counting calories. The plan is to stay between 1,000-1,200 calories. This will make sure I'm not eating too little, or too much. I'll weigh in tomorrow, and for the coming month, I think I'll stay off the scale until the month is complete. So in a nutshell, here are my April goals:

• Eat 1,000-1,200 calories each day
• Exercise for 30 minutes 5 days a week
• Weigh the first and last day of the month

Are You Ready to Lose Weight?

Are you ready to lose weight? Have you been struggling? Start on Monday, fall off the diet on Tuesday and vow to get started again the following Monday only to fail again? As you can see by my recent posts, I've been there. But I don't want to stay there. So let's make a plan. Maybe if we join together and help support one another we can get through this. Summer is still a couple of months away and even if we lose one pound a week we can drop 8 pounds by June 1. And the first day of summer is actually June 21, so it's realistic to think we could drop 10 pounds. Beyond that is the chance that we may lose more than a pound a week, but let's keep our eyes on a realistic goal.

Here's the plan. If you are tired of failing join me here. We'll set goals for the month of April together. But they have to be realistic. If you want, you can join in the comments here to help others along the way, vent or even share a recipe idea. We'll take it a month at a time. Tomorrow we'll talk about how to set those goals. For now look around and decide what diet you want to follow. You have to have a plan to set goals. So get ready, April is almost here!

Here are some articles that may help:

21 Pounds in 21 Days
Flat Belly Diet
1200 Calorie Diet
1600 Lower Carb Diet

Reformed Smoker Gave Me a Gentle Shove

You guessed it. I haven't been here because I didn't want to face my readers. For almost a week I haven't counted calories or exercised. I wanted to do what I wanted to do and what does it get me? I've gained some weight back. I have weighed everyday so I can tell you I've fluctuated anywhere between 132.4-135. I wrote an article about Christian Exercise Videos for LoveToKnow yesterday and all the research brought me to some good information and I even found a book I'll be ordering from Amazon. I'll wait to tell you about it once I receive it.

This morning I came across a blog called Reformed Smoker which is written with a delightful sense of humor. I know many people who have struggled to stop smoking--just like the many who have struggled with weight and health issues due to diet. All I'll say is that Reformed Smoker inspired me to get back here and check in with you all.

I'm not positive what track I'll be taking in my continued attempt to lose weight in a healthy way, but yesterday I ate sensibly and I think that is the key. Plus I must EXERCISE. Why is that so darn hard?

I'll be back tomorrow or Monday to let you know the plan for the week. Maybe if I take it a week at a time, that will help. In another week it's my birthday and a great time to set new goals.

Today's Weight: 133.8

Someone Throw Me a Rope

I'm struggling. Why is dieting so hard? After all, a few days ago I was looking at my lowest weight in years and yesterday I ate my way through the day and I'm not doing much better today. Could it be a hormonal response of some sort? An emotional thing? You see, I want desperately to have an excuse--something to blame. However, when it boils down to the facts, it's me. I'm rebelling again. Why do I sabotage myself?

I'm eating enough calories--1,200 a day is adequate for my size. So it's not that I'm starving myself. I've had less work-related stress than in past months. In fact, I have plenty of good things going on: An article in The Writer Magazine, the Medifast Diet article I wrote featured on the main page of LoveToKnow, received a raise from one of my regular clients--no I can't blame it on any of that. So what's the deal? Why am I reverting to poor eating habits? It doesn't make sense. I know permanent changes in my eating and exercise are required for if I want to take off weight sensibly and sustain that weight loss.

It boils down to what I call the mood. I get in this mood and can't seem to snap out of it. Could someone out there throw me a rope and pull me up? I'm about to my ears and sinking fast.

Today's Weight: 135.4

Diet Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda

Truthfully, I didn't want to show up here today. Not because yesterday was a bad day...no I did find yesterday. It was today that got me. Maybe it was watching everyone else eat those smores last night...not sure. All I know is today I ate fine until about 2:00 and then... {Hear Jaws musci} just when I thought it was safe to have a smoothie, I had to cookies instead, followed by chips, followed by cookies.

I admit I'm ashamed to tell you this, but I'm opening a window into my life that sheds light on why it is that I have a problem with my weight. Today is my granddaughter's birthday and I know we are going out for pizza and my mind snapped and said, well if you're going to blow it--might as well do it up right.

Paleezzz, don't do as I do.

Tomorrow, I plan to be back on track.

Today's Weight: 131.4

Dieting Tips for Holidays

Here it is the weekend--and a holiday weekend. And a birthday celebration too. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, doesn't it? Well, so far so good. I have a diet plan for my days, it's the getting together in the evening that leaves me up in the air. However, when I weighed today, I stared at the 130.0. 130!!! Can you see me smiling? If I'm good, I could soon see myself in the 120's. Haven't been there since the last time I dieted seriously.

I stopped to ponder my weight since I made the move to GA not quite two years ago. At that time I topped the scales at 146 pounds. To stop and realize that I'm 16 pounds lighter than that does help shore up my resolve to "be good." Counting calories does pay off over the long term.

So here are a few Dieting Tips for the Holidays:

• Continue to exercise (even if you eat more than you should - keep moving)
• Make low-cal treat options to eat when others are eating desserts and appetizers
• Adjust your eating schedule to have something to eat so your not too hungry when it is time to eat your holiday dinner
• Enjoy your time with friends and family
• If you do overeat don't let it throw you into a tailspin. Start making healthy choices the following day.

Happy Easter!

Today's Weight: 130.0

Purpose of Food

This morning I received a call from my granddaughter thrilled that the dentist removed her braces today. I had hoped they'd be off in time for her birthday. But guess what was more exciting than getting the braces off? The candy she could eat. In fact they usually eat extremely healthy but this morning they were feasting on all kinds of unhealthy stuff because it was a time of celebration. My grandson even called it an award. And so I realize that we have passed on the mindset that food is a reward or something to over indulge in when something good happens. It's hard not to do that, and every once in awhile it's okay. Unfortunately, it's more often than not.

I thought about it, and I'm not out to change the world. But I'm wondering how to change my own mindset while in the midst of things like this. I already battle my own demons when stress enters the picture. I've determined that's probably the biggest hurdle I have.

With that said, let me tell you that I stayed within my calories yesterday. And to celebrate--I'm going to exercise today. Now see...that just doesn't sound the same as having a candy bar. But I'm working on it.

Today's Weight: 132.6

To listen to this post, click the link below:

Diet Accountability Helps

As you read yesterday, I stopped counting calories on Sunday and it spread through Tuesday. My norm is to let this behavior spiral out of control until I've gained my weight back (and more) and then start all over again. Not this time. It's a new day. Just because I failed yesterday doesn't mean I'm doomed to cave in to my cravings today. It's just about lunch time as I write this and I'm counting and have a plan for lunch and a snack this afternoon. For me, that late afternoon snack gives me something to look forward to. Today's special is a banana/peach smoothie with a touch of cinnamon.

The fact that I'm here blogging to you is a help. If you're struggling with your diet find someone to talk to about your goals. In fact, feel free to comment here or send me an email and I'd be happy to correspond as time allows. Don't let yesterday's mistakes pull you down. Today is the first day to a thinner, healthier you!

Today's Weight: 133.6

Eating--Too Bad I Can't Give It Up

Alcoholics can give up drink, smokers can give up cigarettes but overeaters can't stop eating. It's a matter of self control, and this weekend I thought I had things under control. In my last blog I told you we'd be going out to eat. I followed my plan and all went accordingly. It was the following day; the day we get together with friends and enjoy a meal together. I didn't really have good choices, and decided I wouldn't count--just for Sunday. Well, now it's Tuesday, and I haven't counted since and I'm back to eating what I want when I want--ONLY IT'S NOT WHAT I REALLY WANT.

Okay, now that I got that off my chest, let me say that my plan is to get back on track tomorrow, and instead of talking about food let me tell you I have my garden tilled and I'm looking forward to spending time working the land and producing fresh produce again! I was out there for almost an hour today--raking that big area and smoothing it out before tomorrow's rain was a great upper body workout.

Speaking of work out, I wanted to say I did exercise 5 days last week. You see, I do have the desire for better health. Maybe checking in with you all will help kick me in the rear and give me the jolt I need to be consistent again.

Today's Weight: 134.6

Out for Dinner on a Diet

It's another opportunity to overeat tonight. We're going out to dinner with people we've haven't seen for about 8 years. But that's the negative way to look at things--a plan for failure. Instead, I've looked at the menu online and figured out not only what I plan to eat, but also how many calories are in the meal. So instead of a plan for failure, I'm walking into it with my focus on the visit with friends and the food will be good too. A small steak, asparagus and rice pilaf.

Today's weight: 133.6

Exercise and Diet

I've struggled with consistent exercise as much as I've fought the battle to eat healthy. Add poor eating habits and lack of exercise and it equals unwanted body fat. Even when I eat right, if I don't exercise, weight loss is slow enough that I get discouraged and...well you know. I turn to food. So why exactly does exercise make the difference? Here are a few reasons you may not have realized:

Exercise Improves Your Mood

Exercising for 30 minutes a day can help reduce stress. In the past I shot for a goal of exercising an hour--which I'd like to do, but isn't always realistic. For now I'm walking 30 minutes and have been consistent for 3 days in a row. I know, I know...big whoop, but for me that's big and it's making a difference. You see, exercise stimulates a variety of chemicals in your brain that make you feel happier and more relaxed. Now if there was a pill for happy and relaxed wouldn't you take it? Why not try a 30 minute walk instead? It can even help to eliminate depression and anxiety! And if you make a habit of it you'll enjoy a boost in confidence and better self-esteem.

Exercise Helps Control Your Weight

This one is obvious, but I have to include it. To lose weight, you must burn more calories than you take in. Exercise not only helps to burn calories, but regular exercise creates lean muscle. Lean muscle burns more calories. It's a win-win situation. Exercise also helps to maintain weight once you reach your goal.

Exercise Helps You Sleep Better

Insomnia is epidemic in the U.S. People toss and turn and climb out of bed tired. Exercise has been proven to help people sleep better because you not only fall asleep faster but also deepen your sleep which makes it less likely that you will wake up in the middle of the night.

I'm still not addicted to exercise. It's a conscious choice I have to make, but you know what? I'm feeling better. When I stepped on the scale today I expected to gain because my tendency is to fluctuate, especially when I've had a big drop of a pound in one day. But I was in for a surprise. I lost again. This exercise thing really does make a difference and I just had to share it with you.

Today's Weight: 131.4

Going Out to Eat on a Diet

Yesterday was my daughter's birthday and we planned to go to our favorite Thai restaurant for dinner. I toyed with the idea of chucking my diet plan for the special occasion, but Saturday I'm also going out to dinner with friends I haven't seen for about 10 years. So if I make exceptions for every special occasion there's a good chance my diet will stall or worse.

I made a plan, because I've learned without a plan I do what comes naturally. I overeat. My favorite dish...or should I say one of my favorite dishes is green curry. I looked up the restaurant's site, but it is a small place and they did not have calorie content listed. Not to be deterred, I checked various recipe's for green curry. From my best calculations, the dish I planned to order would have about 1,200 calories counting the rice. I determined to eat half the meal and bring the other half home.

We walked in, were seated and the other adults each ordered appetizers. In my mind I knew that would not work for me. Instead I looked forward to my meal. When it arrived, I visually cut it in half and added one cup of rice to that half of the plate and mixed it with my chopsticks. And I've learned over time that eating with chopsticks slows me down, which is a good thing. Eating slower lets your brain catch up with the fact that your stomach is satisfied.

When I reached the half way point, I wanted to keep eating. I mean it was soooo delicious. But I thought of you all out there...and I thought about what I really wanted. I want to be thinner and reduce my overeating health risks for heart attack, stroke.... You know. I added rice to the other half of my plate and mixed it and then asked for a ToGo box. That's right. I did it!

And when I weighed in this morning I was rewarded. Not that it always happens but I reached a new low!

Today's Weight: 132.0

Dieting that Tastes Good

One thing I've learned over the years as a dieter is that if the food doesn't taste good, I'm not likely to stay on my diet. I had friends munching on peanut butter and jelly rice cakes and I just could not get into it. Instead, I strive to find things that I like that stay within my calorie count. Last night, I made Egg Fu Yung for dinner. These deep fried egg and vegetables patties are served over rice. The only reason I made them was for my husband who has been a trooper with all this diet food fare.

My daughter suggested trying to alter the recipe for her and I as an experiment. So I deep fried the batch for the grandkids, hubby and son-in-law and made a small batch of experimental patties for my daughter and I. And they were delicious, so I thought I'd pass on the recipe.

Donna's Egg Fu Yung (Makes 6 patties)

One small container of egg beaters
4 cups of chopped vegetables. I used:

• 2 cups mushrooms
• 1 cup bok choy stalk diced in large pieces
• 1 cup bok choy greens
• green onions to fill out the measuring cup

Add salt, pepper and Chinese 5 seasons to taste to the egg beater mixture and stir in vegetables.

Spray the pan with vegetable oil. (I also use a large can I saved and cut the top and bottom off of for a form.) I put the form in the pan to heat also and then take 1/2 cup of the vegetable egg mixture and pour into the form when hot. Let it set until lightly brown on bottom. Loosen patty from form with a knife. Remove form and turn the patty to brown the other side. The vegetables will still be someone crisp. Put it in a baking dish. Continue this process until all six patties are cooked and then cover the baking dish and place in the oven at 300 degrees for 30 minutes.

Sauce:

Low fat vegetable broth (Wal-Mart's brand only has 10 calories per cup)
Dilute with equal amount of water.
3 T. soy sauce
Cornstarch to thicken

This is a very satisfying dish and can be eaten on 1/2 cup of rice.

Each patty is about 106 calories. Sauce is about 30 calories for a cup.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Today's Weight: 133.0

The Diet Battleground -- The Weekend

This weekend marked one week of counting calories. Yesterday, even though I didn't blog, I did weigh. It thrilled me to see I was back down to 133.6. You'd think that would give me the push I needed to count calories and make healthy choices, but to my surprise, I battled the "I want to eat what I want. It's the weekend. Time to relax!" mindset.

On Sundays, I eat a meal with two other families and we each bring a dish to share. I made a couscous dish that didn't turn out. Too much vinegar and though it was only 100 calories a cup...Yuck! Not an option. That left me with chicken wings, salad, chips and salsa, fresh pineapple and cookies.

The savory, spicy aroma of chicken wings filled the house. My stomach growled and I looked up chicken wings on the internet. I could have 11...then I thought to read the label on the package in the trash. Two of THESE chicken wings were 160 calories. 160 calories! For two? I decided not to eat them. Not that I couldn't, but I chose not to. I didn't want to "spend" that many calories on so little food.

Instead, I made a salad and topped it with a serving of chips and salsa and still had plenty of calories to spend. And what did I do with them? More chips and salsa and a couple of cookies. And finally I did have three small pieces of fresh pineapple. I could have made better choices, and could have made worse choices. I'm not going to beat myself up over it; I did stay within my calories.

The point I want to make is that the real battle for me was in the mind. The weekend is "time off" and in my brain thoughts circulated that it was time to be off from dieting. I wanted to relax. Ahhh, now there it is. In my mind, eating what I want equals relaxing. A falsehood...a tradition...cuture...a habit. Whatever you want to call it, it's the real diet battleground. Changing your thinking is the first step in changing your eating habits.

Weight Today: 133.4

Eating Around Life - Stay True to Your Diet Plan

Yesterday was grocery shopping day. But of course it was pouring rain in the morning so I didn't get out until almost 11:00. I shop along with my daughter and her kids, so we hit the library and other errands and then the grocery store. By the time I hit the deli, the savory aromas wafting in the air set my stomach to growling. I had eaten before I left, but those spicy chicken wings were looking pretty good. Did you know one chicken wing with skin and bone removed is around 43 calories each? Anyhow, I walked away from that smell with the lunch meat for my husband's lunches for the week and actually forgot about them. That's real progress for me. Instead of focusing on what I'm not eating, I looked forward to the fruit smoothie I had planned when I got home. I've found if I add a frozen banana (about 26 calories per oz), and frozen pineapple (about 78 calories for a cup), with about a cup of pure water and a dash of cinnamon it's very yummy. If I have the calories, I add chopped almonds as a garnish.

The long story, I made it home without buying a candy bar, or opening the chips (also for my husband's lunches), and actually stayed within my calories. I didn't have time to exercise--well I probably could have found time--but didn't. And this morning my weight was up. But guess what. It's not about what I weigh, it's about staying true to your diet plan. That's the only part I have control over. Let's face it, if I had control over that scale I'd have hit my magic number a long time ago.

Today's Weight: 134.6

Dieting a Day at a Time

Last Saturday when the Lord's prayer prompted me to take a look at my "daily bread" it flipped the switch in my thinking. Dieting is more mental than it is physical. That's why emotional eating is such a factor for most of us. Somehow our brain tells us we'll feel better if we eat something. Heck, some of us are raised to believe that like it's part of our religion. "Here, eat this cookie and you'll feel better." It kind of reminds me of the serpent talking Eve into trying a bite of the forbidden fruit. That outcome was disastrous, and not just for her. But I digress...

When the mental switch was flipped, it was because my focus changed. The switch was spiritual in nature and so is my eating problem...disorder...whatever you want to call it. When I learned that binge eating is now a disorder it sounded so much better because it makes it not my fault, whereas if you call it sin--well I sure didn't want to go there. And I'm not going there now because I'm choosing not to focus on the negative. God flipped my switch and I'm taking dieting a day at a time--a calorie at a time--and it's working.

Yesterday I worked in the garden for about a half an hour starting to prep it for this season, and I walked for 30 minutes. I can't tell you what an accomplishment this is for me the proverbial procrastinator when it comes to exercise. When I woke this morning, while lying on my back I rested my hand on my stomach. It felt much less like the Pillsbury Dough belly. How exciting to feel a difference. Not that I don't have a ways to go, but I'm going--and in the right direction!

Today when I stepped on the scale I had lost again! Not that I expect that everyday, but it sure is encouraging when it happens.

Today's Weight: 133.6

Late Night Dinner

Yesterday morning I started the day with every intention to exercise. But that writing project I've been talking about seemed to grow the more I worked on it. So guess what I did...I still took a half hour to exercise. Hurray! I did it. And I hope to walk again today.

Calorie counting needed to be flexible too, because my husband and I planned to go out to dinner following our Writer's Guild meeting. I had eaten just over 500 calories leaving me enough to eat out without worry. But, does anything go the way you plan? At 5:00 one of the other guild members let me know she wouldn't be there. I didn't think anything of it until we pulled up to the meeting and realized she usually takes another member home. Hubby and I decided we would take her home. She invited us in and we had a nice visit meeting her husband. We arrived home at 9:15 and we hadn't eaten dinner AND I'd only had 500 calories. I had to eat. It kind of bummed me out because I knew eating late would probably make me weigh heavy...but I had promised myself I'd stay between 1,000-1,200 calories each day. It's important because eating too few calories risks slowing down my metabolism causing it to burn fat slower.

What to have? I opened a can of refried beans, pulled out the small flour tortillas and cheese and we had some small burritos. My calories came in at 1,031. Because of the late dinner, this morning part of me didn't want to step on the scale. Not after the last couple of days. But I did because of you all out there. And my weight was down!

Todays weight: 134.6

Victory Over Foods

Yesterday was one of those days for me. Rainy, a big deadline that seemed impossible, my weight was up a fraction...and I wanted to nibble...snack...eat! But guess what? I made it through the day without going over my calories. In fact, I came in at 1,104. Today I'm wondering if my headache might have been due to sugar withdraw. Doesn't matter, because today it is gone. I'm feeling good.

My weight is still fluctuating. This is one of the reasons I don't recommend weighing everyday. However, I'll post my weight here to show you that even when you follow a diet plan and count calories or points, you can't expect to lose weight everyday. I'm hoping to lose a pound a week, but if I don't exercise that may not be realistic. My plan is to get done with this big writing project which is eating up every spare moment and then make a plan to exercise at least 5 days a week.

If you find yourself craving something to eat but know that you've eaten enough calories, stop and think about what you REALLY want. Do you want a momentary pleasure or to reach your long term goal? Do you want a flat belly or that coat of greasy sugar on your tongue for 5 minutes? Hang in there. It will be worth it if you hang tough and make the right choice.

Today's Weight: 135.2

Weight Loss Ups and Downs

Most of the time when I diet, I try to stay away from the scale because weight loss ups and downs can be discouraging. However, on this weight loss journey I've decided to weigh each day to show you that even when I eat right weight fluctuates or may even stay the same for days. While I'm trying to lose weight, it is not my only goal. I'm actually health conscious and want to do what's best for my body. The reason I'm blogging about this is because if you look at my weigh in for today you'll see a slight weight gain.

Yesterday I stayed within my calorie limit and even worked in the yard for an hour and half and still my weight moved up a fraction. The key to weight loss is not to let weight fluctuations determine your behavior. Instead, make your healthy eating plan for the day and take the steps to better health.

Today's Weight: 135

Vegetarian Chili

Sunday's I spend the day with friends and we all bring something to eat. My plan was to bring something I knew the calorie count of and that I liked. So I made a pot of vegetarian chili. I changed up my regular recipe and the result was delicious. It averaged about 160 calories for a cup, and I worked it into my calorie plan for the day so that I could eat 2 cups with cheese. Yummy! I thought I'd share the recipe with you all:

Vegetarian Chili

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 3/4 cup chopped carrots
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 3/4 cup chopped celery
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh mushrooms
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes with liquid
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans with liquid
• 1 (15 ounce) can chili beans
• 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans
  
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil

My total calorie count yesterday came to 1,084! On a day when I could of eaten lasagna and cookies and cream for dessert. But planning ahead helped me feel satisfied and I didn't even think about eating the other stuff. That's half of the battle. Have a plan. Know what you will eat before you're hungry and it will help you over the hurdles.

Today's Weight: 134.8

Counting Calories - Day 1

One of the hardest things about a 1200 Calorie diet plan is getting started. It's a learning curve. How many calories in a serving--how big is a serving and then the hurdles that come in daily life. Starting on a Saturday had its challenges for me. Saturday is the day my husband and I share a traditional bacon and eggs breakfast. Our favorite is soft boiled eggs. So yesterday, I ate two soft boiled eggs, one slice of whole-grain toast with no butter and of course no bacon. Not that I couldn't have those things, but I've learned I like to keep breakfast to 300 calories or less.

The next challenge was going grocery shopping with my hubby. By the time we ran other errands, we arrived at the grocery store just after noon and I was starting to feel hungry. And we all know, shopping for groceries when you're hungry can be disastrous, plus we still had one more stop. When we climbed back into our mini-van he asked if I wanted to drive through Taco Bell. I told him he could get something, I was waiting until I got home to eat. Now that's a major victory for me!

When we arrived home I cut up a nice, big, juicy apple and topped it with a cup of pineapple slush made from frozen pineapple, a touch of rice mile and pure water. It was very satisfying.

By the end of the day, I climbed into bed the winner. I still have the stress of a major deadline, I didn't exercise--but I did stay within my calorie limit. And this morning I weight almost a pound and a half lighter than yesterday.

Today's Weight: 135.2

Daily Bread

Here we are at the start of a new month. Each month I set new writing goals and my weight loss and health goals seem to take a back seat. This morning before I climbed out of bed I thought about the Lord's prayer and how it says, "Give us this day our daily bread." It got me thinking about how often I eat more than I should daily and how I cave to food cravings because I don't plan well. I sit down and get started with my writing and then when hunger hits I don't want to take the time so I grab what is quick and easy--and foolish most times.

So as I start a new month I'm going back to my old standard--count calories. As mush as I don't like to count calories, it forces me to plan and that is what I really need. I'm only 5' 1" so I don't need as many calories as those who are taller than me. My goal is to eat between 1,000-1,200 calories each day for the month of March. I actually stepped on the scale and am thankful I didn't gain all the weight back that I lost when I did the Master Cleanse. I'm now at 136.6.

It would be easy to put it off until Monday, but I'm not. And it would be easy to put it off because there's two birthdays to celebrate this month, but I'm not. There's no sense putting it off. This is a new day and a new month and there's no better time to get back to making healthy choices.

Today's Weight: 136.6