A lovely surprise!

I had quite the surprise when I stood on the scale yesterday morning.  Now, despite my intentions to stay as far away from the scale as I can, it just calls to me!  I was also worried that I had put on weight over the holiday (despite being pretty darn good) but the fact of the matter was I had introduced more bread products than I have been eating in weeks, and I thought that would turn into weight.  In fact, I was sure it would.  But I had to know.  It was almost as though I wanted it to prove to myself that I CAN NOT EAT BREAD of any kind.

I am also on the verge of getting my period, and that also means weight gain as I retain water.  I just expected that all of my progress was going to be gone -- and this comes from experience.  I have worked hard to lose weight only to have it all jump back on after one small transgression.  So I guess I just believed this would be the case and I needed to prove it to myself.  (So I could gorge I suppose!  Isn't that the pattern?)

But when I climbed on the scale, I hit the lowest number I've seen to date.  I had, in fact, lost several pounds.  I was shocked.  I was overjoyed.  I was shocked.  I was dumbfounded.  In fact, I stood on and got off the scale several times, sure it was wrong!  This has never happened before.  I ALWAYS gain weight over holidays.  No matter what I have done.

The difference?  I would eat bread.  Wheat.  I would eat wheat.

I have lost ten pounds in less than a month.  I expect I have lost much more inch-wise as all of my clothes are very loose.  These are the clothes that I had to go out and buy because nothing I owned fit and it was depressing me to have to stuff myself into clothes that were too small.   When I bought them, they were a little tight, but there was no way I was going to buy the next size up.  Now they are all loose!

This is all so encouraging, I just can't express it enough!  It is so exciting.  And because I am seeing such real progress, it keeps me motivated to stay on the same path.  I had mentioned buying all the bread products, and I debated with myself, should I have a turkey burger with a roll?  French fries?  These are not wheat products, but they also aren't exactly low fat.  I decided not, and had some roasted turkey, peas and a baked potato.  (I must say, a baked potato once a week as a treat is so comforting!  And delicious!  And filling!)  Last night I had a chicken sandwich with cranberry sauce.  Yes, a little bread, but it really helps me psychologically, and the size of this gluten-free Udi's bread is the size of my palm ... just can't be all that harmful.

Tonight is salmon and brussell sprouts and maybe a little rice?  I am not hankering for rice, but a few bites always helps with the filling process.  I am currently hungry, but I had a smoothie for breakfast and then I rode the exercise bike for an hour.  Then I had a big, yummy salad for lunch.  I have probably earned more food, but I am the one in control here, not the appetite!  So it just has to listen.  A handful of nuts will appease the hunger.  I am just letting it know who is boss!

Because I am!