I'm Baaaack!

I took a long break from blogging.  For many reasons - I was running in a political campaign which meant that not only was I busy but I also had to protect my personal life to an extent that I never had to before.  But, now it's over (I lost), so I'm back blogging.  I had almost forgotten that I once had this blog, it was good for me, so I'm continuing.

I no longer count the number of weeks, but I have now lost 86 pounds!  I have been eating all food or maybe one or two shakes and two to three meals for the last, oh, ten weeks?  It has been remarkably easy to lose weight even on food.  I know that lots of Opti people get frightened of food, but I never felt that way.  I really felt that I was prepared and ready to eat, and that I would not go back to my old habits.

And pretty much that has held true.  I've exercised pretty regularly, but lately I'm getting bored with the gym - I'm going to try something else - I'm thinking yoga?  Though that type of thing - trying a new exercise - makes me scared and nervous.  I do have some support, however, in some friends who go to the yoga place, so I will definitely rely on them.

What is different now is that I enjoy exercising - I feel energetic and like I have stamina and energy to burn!

One rub - I have gained about three pounds in the last four weeks - between Thanksgiving and my birthday and my AF's birthday and Xmas parties, I have definitely gone off plan and gained weight.  But, funnily enough, I'm not anxious about it - I do not see this as a slippery slope.  My goal is to minimize the damage and get to January 1 with no more than a 5 pound gain, and continue back down the weight loss ladder again.

I picked up this book, The Beck Diet Solution - check it out here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Beck-Diet-Solution-Person/dp/0848731735

It's very interesting, and even though I have just started reading it, I feel like I'm going to learn a lot - it's fascinating and practical advice.  I'll tell you more as I wade through it.

Oh, one more thing - I am no longer using my Sleep Apnea machine, but am instead sleeping quietly and calmly once again.  I no longer have any back pain, and I am wearing pants that are TEN sizes smaller than what I used to wear.

I still have a few pounds to lose - maybe 60?  But I feel awesome already, and I'm going to get there next year - I'm in no rush.