4 sacks of potatoes

I hit the big 2-0 yesterday. Or in Weight Watcher's world, 4 sacks of potatoes.

As I stood on the scale I was anxiously waiting to see the results, and as the little zeros swirled trying to calculate my weight I imagined I had gained it all back because I cheated with pizza, Chinese food and a cheeseburger all within the same 7 days. Healthy eating was not an option at the amusement park last week!

Imagine my delight when I realized I had (finally) lost 20 lbs since January 1st when I decided to officially change my lifestyle and tackle my issues with my size and shape. But now, I think I'm done. I am at the weight I was when I got married 8 years ago, able to fit in a size that I am comfortable shopping for, and quite frankly I think I've cut out all the unhealthy food I'm capable of cutting out of my diet without binge tendencies creeping in. A girl can not cut out cheese and crackers completely from her diet - sorry, ain't happening!

But I will say, I can totally understand how women develop unhealthy body images... because while I am no longer carrying around 4 sacks of potatoes on my waist and thighs, I still don't see the results as much as I would have hoped after 6 months. I'm still able to grab some rolls around my waist, flap my upper arm in the wind, and still pull back the flab around my neck. However, if I had a true compulsive behavior, this weight loss mission could have, and would have, totally consumed my focus. And with a full time job, two kids to raise and friends and family to find time for, exercise and diet do come a distant 3rd no matter how hard I try to move it up.

I am at peace with the fact that there are those in the world who are skinnier than me, plumper than me, taller than me and shorter than me. So now that I've found MY HEALTHY place on this planet I think I'm going to splurge out to dinner with some girlfriend's tonight and worry about getting back on track again tomorrow by holding 4 sacks of potatoes in my hands at the store, just as a reminder :)