My Sugar-Coated Drive-Through Experience

This evening I went to a mall and tried on a few winter coats. I didn’t buy one – the prices were a little too high for right now, with Christmas approaching – but I still really enjoyed the experience. I tried on an extra large and a couple of larges and they all fit beautifully!

About three years ago I purchased the jacket that I was wearing today. It is a 2XL. Back in January through March of this past year it was fitting very tight, but it was near the end of the chilly season so I figured I would hold off on a new one until about this time of the year. Now that it is here, I am amazed since I never imagined that I would need such a smaller size!

It feels great to be on this downward trend with my weight, measurements, and clothing sizes. Even better, I can sense that things are changing on a permanent level now. I am becoming a little less worried about messing up and reverting back to my old, unhealthy habits.

Today, for example, my husband and I were on our way to a friend’s house but were running a little behind. We hadn’t had a chance to eat before leaving and knew that we had to get food on the way or go hungry. Of course, since we were late, the best option was a drive-through. So… McDonald’s it was!

Usually (not that this is a normal course of action for us now, but even the mere contemplation of fast food leads me to the following) this would do one of two things to me. I would either begin salivating at the thought of all the greasy burgers and fries that I longed to sample, or I would start to mentally prepare myself for staying strong and sticking to the plan. This time neither occurred.

We pulled into the drive-through, ordered our food, and drove away without me so much as blinking an eye over the potential ordeal. I did enjoy the smell of the chicken nuggets my husband got, but I was totally happy with my light Caesar salad and water. I was so surprised!

This is becoming my reality. I will likely always have some little voice in the back of my head reminding me that I have to watch my weight – and I am okay with that. In fact, it is probably for the best since I do not want to become cocky or nonchalant about what I am eating and how much I am exercising. But sooner rather than later all of the elements of this journey are going to become habit. They will be a part of my daily routine and regular components of my everyday life.

Whether the victories that I see today are the momentary celebration of a smaller size or the monumental realization that I am heading towards sustainability in my healthier lifestyle, I am so happy to be doing this. There will be many ways in which I will see progress over the coming months, and many reasons to rejoice as I continue to work at changing myself for the better.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 11 glasses of water throughout the day
- 1 pear
- 3 cups Caesar salad with light dressing, bacon bits, Parmesan, and croutons
- 2 perogies with light sour cream
- 1/2 cup pork tenderloin with sauce
- 1 cup vegetable casserole with cracker crumb and cheese topping
- 2 cups spinach salad with grape tomatoes, dried cranberries, croutons, and an olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing
- 1 cup red grapes

EXERCISE:
- 25 minutes of running in place
- 2 sets of 50 stomach crunches
- 7 push ups
- 2 sets of 15 lunges for each leg
- 15 squats