Tug-of-war

This week I had to wrap my head around the fact that I can not eat like I used to and maintain any weight loss.  It's been a psychological tug-of-war between fact and fiction.  I don't know if my "it's not fair" falls into the fact or fiction category, but that phrase has come to the forefront of my mind several times this week. 

I have made some wise choices on food this week and some not so wise choices.  I am starting to recognize both, even knowing that I what type of choice I was making.  So, I guess that is progress.  The scale shows it too, I only lost one-half pound this week.  But I am maintaining a 26+ pound weight loss since November 14, 2 months ago.  I am at my lowest weight in about four years and I have a few more pounds to lose for my lowest weight in many, many years!  :) 

Four years ago, I think I accomplished most of my weight loss by walking (i.e. exercising).  Once I stopped the daily walking, the pounds came back and increased my weight to levels I had never seen in my life.  This time I am concentrating more on my food and eating habits.  Exercising is great and I plan to start again.  However, I fully realize that I may not always have the opportunity to exercise due to unforeseen injury or illness that hinders any exercise.  Therefore, I plan to be able to eat food for sustenance and I need to develop good habits on the foods I choose and eat.

I have read tons of articles on weight loss and food.  I know that knowledge is a great tool.  Maybe I should have written that I am having a tug-of-war between knowledge and psyche.  May the best "man" win!  I am hoping that knowledge wins!

Whew!

I'm feeling good and relieved that the injections are over and I'm on to the next step... maintenance plan.  I already have been told that the maintenance plan is basically the Atkins plan, no carbs and sugar.  I am just hoping that I can add a bit of variety to my diet.  One of the proteins that I could eat was shrimp, so I had my fill of shrimp in the past three weeks. 

Last night we went to Red Lobster for a dinner party for Paul's men's group from church.  I just could not order shrimp, so I chose oven-grilled flounder and broccoli.  Yes, I did have ONE of their delicious biscuits.  It tasted good, it was the most carbs I've had in three weeks!  Usually, when eating at Red Lobster, I have been known to eat at least two, if not three of those biscuits.  I have learned over the past weeks, that my body can not take that much carbs, without raising my blood sugar and adding weight. 

Tonight I go to the doctor for my final weigh-in and measurements.  I know that I lost 23 pounds and some inches, I can tell it in my clothes.  I am thankful for this loss and I am thankful I decided to do something for myself.  I hope I have learned for the last time, that I must eat healthier in order to be healthier!  I know that I have learned this lesson many times before when I have lost weight.  Only to go back to nasty old habits and regain the weight.  At my age, I don't know how many more chances I will get to relearn this lesson, if I don't take it seriously right now!  Lord help me!