I missed weigh last week because of vacation, and this morning the scale showed that I had lost 1.5 lbs from 2 weeks ago.  So I am back where I was three weeks ago.  We had a good vacation in Costa Rica, even though it rained relentlessly 5 of the 7 days we were away.  But by far, for me the best part was doing yoga and eating healthfully every day -- gorgeous fresh fruit at breakfast, unlimited salad bar every lunch and dinner. 

Going grocery shopping this afternoon to fill our empty fridge with good food for the coming week.

I just put away a mountain of clean, fresh-smelling, perfectly folded laundry.  Very satisfying.  Only one catch:  this laundry has been sitting on my dining room table for two days.  I have no problem washing and drying the laundry or getting it folded, but for some reason, actually taking it upstsairs and putting it away seems like an insurmountable chore.  Now this may be partly because we live in a vertical house; the laundry room is on the basement level and the bedrooms are on the third floor. 

But it occurred to me this morning that seeing the clean and folded laundry is a reflection of accomplishment, and once it's put away, the accomplishment is invisible, so there's less satisfaction.  Is there any metaphor there for blogging about the weight loss journey?  Putting our goals and desires, progress and detours out there, visible to ourselves and others, so that we have the tangible evidence of our accomplishment?

On a related note, I have also been accomplishing WAY more housework and domestic projects than usual since I've been on program; keeping my hands productively occupied is making my house shine and keeping a lid on mindless snacking! 

Aargh.  Up 1.5 lbs at this morning's weigh in.  Disappointed at the number on the scale, but not discouraged.  I reviewed my food journal from the past week, and I was well within my points allowance.  Based on my swollen ring finger this morning, I have a hunch there's a little water retention going on (had some salty popcorn yesterday).

I think I may have turned a mental corner: Here I am, five weeks in and only 4 pounds gone.  In the past I might have been ready to throw in the towel at this point with only this much progress, but this time, I still feel focused and determined, and generally positive.  So I think it may not be a bad thing that I've faced a minor speedbump now, to test my will and intention.  And it's not getting the best of me!

Came across this great quote last night:

"Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present." -- Albert Camus

Takes a French existentialist philosopher to make such an elegant re-statement of "one day at a time"!

I have scribbled that on a post-it and stuck it in my planner for inspiration. 

...and amazed!  2.5 lbs down this week!  Not sure how that happened, but very happy with it.  I have been very good about only weighing once a week, and this is a nice reward for that behavior, such a nice surprise.  And great encouragement and validation for the program I've set myself. 

Total 5.5 lbs gone for good.  I am not going backwards, not this time. 

Another .5 lb gone, for a total of 3 pounds in 3 weeks.  Definitely moving at a snail's pace, but I will keep going, slow and steady WILL win this race!  I've had a few digestive issues this week, so I have a feeling this morning's weight might be a little deceptive, I might have actually done better than what has shown up on the scale.

Driving my daughter back to college today.  It's been great having her home!  H is traveling for the next week or so, so I will just have myself to focus on and cook for.  Definitely planning to  make the most of the opportunity.

I wear drug-store/supermarket p-hose most of the time, except for special occasions.  For years I’ve been wearing the same basic brand – control top, support, reinforced toe, size Q.  A few months ago, I noticed that they seemed much smaller (and NO, not from a weight gain on my part; I’ve been wearing the same size at this weight for a while).  I really think this particular brand may have been re-sized, but I absolutely refused to buy Q-Plus.  But boy was I uncomfortable, and since I walk to work, by the time I got to my office it felt like they had crept down around my knees.  I spent the day struggling and feeling stuffed and restricted. I was dreading wearing skirts although they are my preferred workday wear. 

So ironically, here I am at the beginning of my new plan, doing really well and already losing -- and finally in the mental place that wearing the proper size pantyhose was not admitting a defeat.  After all, who was I kidding wearing something that didn’t fit properly? So yesterday I broke down and bought a supply of Q-Plus p-hose.   Getting dressed this morning was a pleasure, I feel comfortable, I feel well-groomed, I look polished and professional.  I even feel slimmer.  Those smaller-sized hose can just stay in the drawer until I’ve lost 10 pounds or so, in the meantime, I am going to focus on looking the best that I can at the moment, and not keep putting off looking nice “until”….

Down .5 lb since last week -- including New Year's celebrations with champagne and snacks!  I am feeling very focused and settled, in for the long haul.  In 4 weeks we'll be leaving for Costa Rica, and I will be very happy if I can whittle away another 4 lbs, staying on track at one pound a week....

There are no social or eating out occasions on my calendar for the coming week and I've planned my brown bag lunches for work and menus for family dinners, so I'm feeling in control and expecting to make good progress over the next seven days -- one day at a time.