Diet first

It's a first for me. I've never really dieted before. At least not on purpose with a specific plan. So I joined Weight Watchers in mid December with a plan to learn how much I should eat each day. And to learn to make healthier food choices.

I didn't plan to drop a bunch of weight. Maybe a few pounds. Weight Watchers says you must have at least 5 pounds to lose. After the 2nd time I weighed in, the leader said I needed to tell her a goal. I decided pick a weight I was comfortable with - especially in all those winter clothes!

It's not been easy - especially over the holidays and traveling for work this past couple weeks. But I have made some changes in my eating style. I've replaced sweets for fruit. I learned to make better restaurant choices on the road.

And I did it! I lost 6 pounds a whole month ahead of schedule! Yesterday at our regular meeting I stepped on the scale not knowing just what it might say. I knew our scale at home was telling me I was lighter than I can remember. I received a charm and a nice ovation from the other members. Lots of others have lost 5 pounds and/or 5% of their body weight - they got claps too. But I was the only goal-maker.

So I'm feeling pretty proud of myself. As a reward I'm now on the "maintenance" program of WW. That's 6 more points a day - to see if my body will stay at this weight. I actually wouldn't mind losing 2 more pounds. So we'll see.

But I'm feeling pretty good about myself this week - I set a goal and I worked hard to achieve it!