A Journey . . .

Quest

Plan

Fruit anyone?

Challenge

B o M thanks to M o M

Variety?

D I D

Ew…thanks but, no.

C E L E B R A T E

Skinny this

Realization

The end?

No, this is not THE end. This leg of the journey however, has come to an end. The measure of success in this journey was via the scale, for the goal was to lose weight. Achieving less poundage was but part of the attack to lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol numbers, and ease pains in my knees. The better eating habits, coupled with consistent exercise resulting in decreased poundage has had a positive effect on blood pressure readings, and I am experiencing less knee pain. In a few months I’m scheduled for a full lipid panel and the hope is the cholesterol number is good enough to avoid medications. Further, the blood pressure meds can be ceased at that point as well…if I stay this course, so says the doc.

So no, this is not the end, not by a long, long shot. There is more work to do, more weight to lose, more worlds to conquer.

Ok, maybe that’s too much. What about a healthier self? Yeah, that’s the ticket. The journey continues. It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle.

. . . well, a slammin’ bod wouldn’t be bad either. hehehehe

This has been an amazing journey, and thanks to this group I've sustained much longer, and with better results than any previous effort. Awesome!

Cheers to all, and the very best to you in your own quest.

Waist Not, Want Not

Weekday lunch time is hard. I bring food stuffs to work, mostly fruit, fresh veggies to nosh, veggies to put together a salad, crackers, tortilla chips, salsa, yogurt (had my first taste of Greek yogurt yesterday), and now and again deli meat (turkey, usually) and cheese for sandwiches.

I try to mix it up, keep it fresh, a constant rotation. But still, tiresome.

It becomes tiresome after awhile. Sometimes I crave heat, not heat as in spicy I can chomp on a pepper for that. But, I want hot food. Oh sure there is a microwave and I can heat soups, stews, chili, or other leftovers from home, but even that, yeah can becomes tiresome. I want hot food prepared fresh, made to order, or at least there waiting for my order.

You know, like a big, thick, juicy, burger with mushrooms, bleu cheese crumbles, onions, and of course, a side of fried potatoes. Or deep-fried chicken. Or enchiladas. Or lasagna. Or any of a thousand choices for lunch within a 10 block radius of where I work.

I walk at lunch time and I walk by many of them. American, Indian, Italian, Asian, Mexican, Greek, all that and more are represented in this neighborhood. The aromas can be dizzying.

And then there is the chocolate. I don’t know exactly where the chocolate factory is located, not in the immediate area, as far as I’ve surveyed, but you can smell ‘em brewing the stuff up. Some days, when the wind is just right, well, let’s just say I’m glad the chocolate café moved away several months ago.

Most days I’m able to resist, for not only am I fighting the battle of the bulge but I’m also watching my pennies like a hawk in a constant tug-o-war with my wallet. So, I’m walking by many of those fine eateries at lunch time.

But it is hard.