Well this week I actually lost a pound. Yes just one. I know it isn’t much, but remarkably it’s pretty motivating for me. The past week has been a mix of successes and failures. I failed big time when DH took me to Texas Roadhouse. I haven’t been to a Texas Roadhouse in 10 years and their bread is out of this world. Which is why I singlehandedly ate an entire basket (4 rolls) with the yummy cinnamon butter all by myself and felt like the world’s hugest cow afterwards.

We went to Walmart that same day and I bought an incredible pair of jeans by that Just My Size company owned by Hanes. I can’t find the exact pair online but they look something like this and have built in tummy flattening something or others which means I can sit for hours in them without feeling my circulation getting strangled in my stomach – they are also nice and stretchy in all the right ways which means I can also GET UP and do jumping jacks in them, if I wanted to. Maybe later. But best of all, they don’t have an elastic waist band so I don’t have to feel like I’m wearing Pretend Pants.

The only down size, was well, the size. The very fact that they are made for plus size people and that I know in my heart, that deep down I am not a plus sized girl. I was a size 2 in high school, it’s simply inconcievable (that word, you keep saying it, but I do not think it means what you think it means… sorry tangent). So I’m happy and comfortable but MOTIVATED to change. I took a long walk with my MIL this weekend, after taking 2 shorter walks with my husband the same day and was so proud of myself but also DYING a little and dying inside a little because OMG is my MIL ever in MUCH better shape than me. Blah, blah, blah years of hard work. Whatever. I want this people.

I have an exercise DVD to try out (this one), gorgeous new drinking glasses that will make my water look that much more appetizing, and I have an IDEA a brainstorm. It’s all about portion control and not denying myself delicious pleasure. It’s about ice cream and how I LOVE it, but I never need an entire bowl. I just don’t. Well, so I’m going to only buy Ben and Jerry’s because I ❤ them and I’m simply going to talk the container out, grab a spoon, have two bites, and put it back. It will last longer, taste better, and likley be a flavor DH doesn’t like so I won’t have to worry about him being grossed out by my out of container habits. And it saves me from having to clean a bowl. It’s brilliant!

Anyway, this week our fearless diet leader, Jen @ Daily Dish Mash wants to know:

1.  What gets/keeps you motivated to stick to your plan?  Is it trying to fit into your old skinny jeans?  Is it seeing a picture of a skinny celebrity?  Is it just wanting to have more energy and be healthier for your family?

I guess my main motivation is that I simply don’t feel comfortable in my own skin and I want that to change. I know what I looked like in high school and even college, and I know what my family looks like as they age (not skinny). I want to beat my odds. I want to wear clothes that aren’t in the plus size section and don’t have an X in their size.

and

2.  Do you have a mini-goal (days exercise, pounds lost, etc..)?  What are some ideas for rewards that don’t cost a ton of money (ie-NOT a trip to Hawaii), but will be enough to motivate you to stick with your plan?

As for goals and rewards, so far I’ve done nothing with the rewards thing, but I am toying with the idea that for every 10, 20 pounds I lose I get some piece of clothing or a book perhaps? Maybe? Maybe put a dollar amount on it of what you can spend and know that if you wait to spend you can get something more expensive. So say, you lose 5 pounds, you can buy a $5 something but if you wait until you’ve lost say 20 pounds it’s $20. Now wouldn’t you like to lose 75-100 pounds?

How close are you to looking fine by 2009?