the year so far

So here I sit, knowing that I promised to blog about my new outlook, and wasting weeks blogging about everything else.
SO...
I have lost 11 pounds since Christmas. This is not due to anything except saying NO to eating out with the guys at work, extra helpings of dinner, second desserts and too much junk food.
I think that the best thing is to not torment myself with guilt and just concentrate on my accomplishments.
In life, we spend a lot of time dwelling on our failings and those of others. I think we are too harsh. Every time we think of dieting we start watching what everyone eats and not what everyone is not eating. If I eat a piece of cake for dinner, but skip my usual sweet roll in the morning and snickers bar in the afternoon, why should anyone (including me) see my diet as failing? In fact, I am trying to dwell on the snacks I missed. This allows me to see my daily successes. If you are maintaining an overweight body by eating a candy bar and sweet roll and a piece of cake every day, skipping just one or two of these treats will result in a weight loss.

So everyone who is trying to do something - quit drinking? quit smoking? get more exercise? Lighten up on yourselves. Remember the three drinks you had after work that is only 2...the 2 cigarettes you smoked on the way home that is now one...the tv time you wanted to replace with a five mile walk that turned out to be only three...
You may not be at your best...but if you can be better than you were before, that's should be enough for anyone.

Congratulations for efforts and sacrifice and baby steps toward total success!