I admit that I have gotten lazy about blogging of late. There are several reasons for this, the number one reason being an insanely busy work schedule, but also a plethora of visitors (living in Florida guarantees a steady stream of guests – all most welcome!), and sadly, a death in the family that meant an emergency trip back home to Missouri. The upside of the unexpected Missouri trip was twofold. First and foremost was the time I was able to spend with my family as we mourned the passing a loved one. But secondly, and surprisingly, was the motivation that came from seeing how my lovely daughter had taken charge of her eating habits and fitness routine and was looking particularly stunning! She really inspired me to keep going in so many ways.

Let me back up a bit - I had recently received a Garmin Vivofit via FedEx, thanks to my company. They sent them to all of their employees to encourage us to take part in a fitness challenge. This was after all of my guests had left and before the last minute trip to Missouri. I started using it on April 26th and it was a fantastic motivator to get back into the habit of daily walking. I freaking LOVE this thing! If I don’t make my daily steps goal, even if there is a perfectly legitimate reason, it drives me INSANE! I HAVE TO MAKE MY GOAL! Every. Single. Day. Have to.

So while I was in Missouri, thanks to Vivofit and my gorgeous, very fit and slim daughter, I was out walking almost every day like a BOSS. Which I totally needed to do, because it offset some pretty bad eating that happened while I was in the magical land of the best BBQ on the planet, which includes my son’s BBQ in particular. And then there was my daughter’s Cowboy Spaghetti……… But, even with all of that I managed to maintain, so it’s all good.

What’s good about the whole maintaining thing is that I know that I don’t have to say goodbye to some of my favorite foods forever. I just have to partake in moderation and keep up with my walking. So this is really good, because it means that now, once again, I feel ready to make some short term food sacrifices in order to actually lose some more weight, knowing that when I hit that next weight loss goal, it’s going to be OK to indulge once in a while on my favorite foods, because this is NOT a diet, it’s a lifestyle change and nothing is off limits forever. So, Atkins, here I come. Bring on the Atkins bars for breakfast and lunch and grilled chicken and salad for dinner. I am soooo gonna bust this plateau!

One thing that I think (I hope) has finally happened is that I have truly changed my relationship with food. I can enjoy foods that I really love as an occasional treat and I don’t feel the need to go back for seconds just because it’s so yummy. If I am full, then I can stop. It has taken a long time for me to no longer need food for comfort. I actually take more comfort now in my walks. But my biggest comfort is my loving family and friends. Sometimes we have to step back and look at the bigger picture when we are binge eating, or just eating stuff that we know is bad for us and look to what’s good in our lives and realize that we want to be around for a long time to enjoy what is good in our lives. Playing with my grandchildren is far more important to me than eating an extra slice of pizza. Being able to chase after those fast little boogers is far more important than a piece of cheesecake.

And one more pretty great thing happened. The weather turned quite a bit cooler the second week I was in Missouri, and I had failed to pack for Missouri’s famously bi-polar weather. Smacks self in forehead. Daughter was out running errands and I wanted to take my walk on my lunch break but I really needed something long sleeved. Being able to rummage in her closet and pull out a top that fit me – priceless!!!!!