Thank you LaMaria, Cate, and CaliGirl.... it was an awesome week! I don't think I went crazy with my food choices while I was away, but I certainly didn't eat the way that I have been eating at home. We ended up going out a good amount but I tried my best to make decent choices. I also was aware of my portion control. I think that's what saved me. I just got home and weighed myself... 143.1. I am shocked. I thought for sure I would gain weight while I was away, not lose any. I don't remember what I weighed at the beginning of this week but I had been hovering between 145 and 147 for a few days. In fact, I felt like the scale was stuck for a good two weeks (could have been my imagination though, as it's difficult to keep track!). Maybe these past few days away was just what I needed.
Now I am home and ready to get myself back on track. If I lose 1 more pound, I will be at a 30 pound loss since the beginning of April. That 142 will be so exciting to see on the scale. More important than that, however, is how I felt while I was on this trip. I sent a message to my friend during the week that said "Life is so much better when you don't have to carry around an extra 30 pounds." I can't believe that my weight was once 184. That is actually 40 pounds heavier than I am now and just a mere year ago. I cannot even wrap my head around that.
The absolute best part of the vacation was the lack of what I call "chub rub," aka chaffing of the legs. Sorry if this topic is a bit personal but I feel like a lot of overweight people must deal with this problem, too. It is horrible, especially in the summer. In past summers, I would have to be sure to wear certain clothing (i.e. capris, long pants, shorts under a dress, etc.) when I knew that I would be walking a decent amount. Otherwise, it would be very painful for me. This week, I wore whatever I wanted to and I did not get chub rub! We walked a lot in town, to the beach, on the beach, etc. and it was not a problem at all. Also, I was on the beach, wearing shorts and a tank top, walking all around, not even thinking about my weight or how I felt. Truly an amazing feeling for someone who has felt so self conscious for so long. It is also great to feel like I "blend in" more with "regular" sized people. I don't think there is such thing as "normal" but I did not feel like I stood out in terms of my size. In other words, I don't think people would look at me and think that I was severely overweight anymore. All I want is to be and look comfortable in my own skin, and I am on my way to reaching the peak of that. Or at least it feels like I am. I feel so much more free. I feel so much happier.
I got some good news while I was away. My doctor's office (endocrinologist) called and offered me an earlier appointment. My appointment was not until July so this is almost a whole month earlier. I have PCOS (hormone imbalance) and I have not been treating it. If you know anything about PCOS, you know that it is typical for us to struggle to lose weight. I am not sure what I did to deserve this, but I have managed to beat those odds so far. I certainly am working very hard, but I've known women to do exactly what I am doing and still not lose anything. I am so thankful that that's not happening to me. Anyway, I am excited to see this doctor on Monday. I have not yet been to this doctor, but I have been to this office, so they will be able to tell me what I weighed the last time I was in. That was probably close to 3 years ago. Although I am not currently having trouble losing the weight, I do want to transfer over this lifestyle so that I am taking care of my body in every way. Seeing this doctor will certainly be a step in the right direction.
I am off to enjoy some time at my family's pool. I am not ready for my vacation to end, but then again I don't have to work again until July 5th! I have responsibilities and things I should be doing but I have been working hard and deserve some down time to enjoy this beautiful weather. I think I will TRY to go for a run when it starts to cool off tonight, but no promises.
