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Hunger: Moderately high
Body Image: kick ass
General disposition: freekin' accomplished
Song of the day: Good Thing by Reel Big Fish
One woman's journey to get her weight down and the attempts to find humour and positivity all the while. Plus the constant presence of fantastic classic rock music being the soundtrack for the whole thing.

"I just wanted to tell you - I'm a trainer here I've noticed how long you've been coming here and how often you come. I see how hard you work and I just wanted to tell you you're doing great and it is really noticeable. Don't worry, I don't say this to everyone, but I really think this is something you need to hear."She didn't give me her name, she didn't try to sign me up for training or anything. It really seems like she was sincere and it was truly a very good moment for me. As much as I know I am down about 55lbs since I started a little over a year ago and have changed my appearance rather dramatically, it is really amazing to have have a total stranger tell me they have noticed. It also bares mentioning that yesterday at Thanksgiving dinner my family was really taken aback by my appearance. Some of them hadn't seen me since the spring and they were really impressed.


Here's the thing - my slowly developing ability to resist things isn't willpower, it is logic. Before I always approached food like the brie and meat as forbidden, naughty, and eating it was some sort of blaspheme. I'm not seeing it that way anymore, and that is so key. I am letting myself eat whatever the hell I want, nothing is totally forbidden or 'bad', so I don't have to justify eating things. There is no guilt or shame, no need to hide it from others, no need to eat a lot of it because it is a treat and I won't get it again for ages. Buying these things today at first felt forbidden and dangerous but driving home I sort of realized that no, I can eat delicious brie and savoury salami and not feel guilty. I am going to point for them, still going to eat veggies and other things today to keep things balanced, going to go to the gym this afternoon... why the hell would I feel badly about a little meat and cheese? It also just makes sense to eat a bit at a time so that the delicious experience is extended and so that I don't make myself ill. So because I removed the forbidden nature of them I didn't feel the need to horf down all of it. Instead I enjoyed and savoured what I have had so far, leaving lots left for later tonight and tomorrow. I don't feel sick or over filled, which would have made me sluggish and lazy all day. Instead I feel satisfied and content and ready to hit the gym and then tackle my chores for the day.