Feeling a little smug :)

Well!  I am happy to say that this morning (read; 1pm) I stepped on the scales and FINALLY I am under the weight I have been for the last 4 months!  Mind you, it is the lower weight range I am talking about (emptied bowels, long & restful sleep) but nevertheless, still an achievement! 2 kilos. The way I weigh myself and judge my progress I'll cover in another post....

Anyhow, whilst waiting for my nail polish to dry, I'll briefly mention how it was for me this week.  For some reason and I can't pinpoint where, I have been feeling an extra bout of determination to carry on the weight-loss that I embarked on last Summer.  I've had a good 4 months staying somewhat stable with quite a few indulgences thrown in for good measure.  It was all good & well without the scales moving much, but once I noticed those old habits creeping up again I decided to nip it in the bud.  Perhaps the recent improvement in the outdoor temperature has brought me back to work again, I'm much more inclined to walk instead of taking the bus, or just go out for my lunch break, once I know it's not freezing/uncomfortable outside!

I think planning my snacking has been a big improvement, as knowing that I never like to feel hunger, it is always better to prepare!  If I'm feeling greedy, I just have more of the type of snack I am allowed, even if it isn't ideal it's better than running to the corner shop for an emergency carby-yet-delicious muffin.  Aunty J mentioned something very interesting about the bio-chemistry of carbohydrates in the body, that it causes craving for yet more sugar and I have to agree!  Now if I feel a sudden desire for something naughty, I try to go for something that is at least more of a protein-y treat and if possible, not go overboard!  My tendency though is just to wolf it all down.  Admittedly, I ate a whole bar of dark chocolate, shared partly with the Hubby :)  I have some walnuts at hand for a bit of a sweet crunch from time to time...

I'm also convinced that eating the kale chips has helped with the loss!  I'll have to get a better container though, one that is air-tight as it doesn't half pong!! :)

I'm still eating fried or scrambled eggs (2) for breakfast every morning and I can't say as yet that I'm bored of them, thank goodness!

I'm definitely drinking less coffee than before, if any.  I had one visiting my parents and a mocha last Sunday but for the next month, I think I'm going to carry on caffeine-less.  I don't really miss it as much as I thought I would.  For a start, PMT has significantly reduced although that could be to do with drinking better quality vitamin supplements.  Also, I have found that as I take pleasure in coffee, it spurs me on to indulge in other stuff, like a choc chip cookie to go along with it.  I've identified it as a trigger to cravings, so for now, I'm avoiding it to see what difference it makes and so far I'm pleased with the outcome.  Instead of my daily morning coffee at work, now I squeeze some lemon in hot water and have an enjoyable, refreshing lemonade-like drink.  I leave the lemon inside the mug and make sure I have most of the pulp in the water too, I never thought I would like it this much- no sugar too!

Today (Saturday) I am also pleased with my day.  Hubby and I have a date with McDonalds on Saturdays, romantic I know :)  To be honest I wasn't keen on it becoming a weekly event but for us it has become more about going somewhere affordable yet near, to get out of the house and treat ourselves.  The usual order would be a large "big tasty" meal each (burger, fries & soft drink) with an extra cheeseburger on the side for H.  The idea was that this would be our week's indulgence, although having done this for a while now, I have realised that it hinders my progress, as, !!TRIGGER!! the carbs were out to attack and tempt again.  I would go overboard and suggest we get an extra bag of chocolate covered raisins in LIDL.  NO.  Not right.   Actually, it wouldn't affect H's weight loss at all, that one day of indulgence but as I have been blessed with a metabolic disorder (PCOS) it would take the entire week to get back to what I was on that Saturday morning and then the cycle would start all over again.   ANYWAY, today H ordered his usual and I had just a cheeseburger, no fries, no soft drink.  It's half the size of the usual burger and as I ate it slowly, I didn't feel any less indulged!  I also felt a certain satisfaction that I wasn't eating as much as a man.  Plus we finished at the same time!  Now I don't mind H with his speed eating :)

I hope this following week goes just as well, as long as I have my mission in the forefront (or thereabouts!) of my mind!

Thanks for reading x