Day 1

Well I'm 4 shakes and 1 broth into the proverbial first step of a 1,000 mile journey.  It feels really, really good to finally start.  I rather like the taste of the chocolate shakes.  I've not been hungry today, and drinking the shakes at work seemed to turn out fine.  I made up three the night before and brought them in a little cooler filled with some ice. I'm a little afraid that I might be drinking too many liquids.  Is this something I should really be worried about?  I'll probably have to come up with a strategy for measuring them if it is.  Apart from feeling very tired (I am also struggling with a bad cold), I have to say that I'm fully on board and looking forward to seeing the changes in my body that will follow.

Today I'm fantasizing about the summer, when I'll be looking much better in a bathing suit .  I'm going to treat myself to kayaking for sure.  I'm also going to take my boys boogie boarding, and we'll catch some waves together!  I'm hosting my sister's 60th birthday party in August, and I wonder if my arms will be sleeveless?  There is so much to look forward to and it all begins with the choices I have made today and the choices I will make tomorrow, the next day and the next.

I also survived cooking for my family tonight.  Opening the freezer was weird, like encountering an online form that forbids you to fill out certain sections by making the ink lighter.  It's a strange analogy, but I don't know how else to describe it.  I saw the food, but couldn't make a connection to it. I have drawn a boundary.

It has been such a help this past week to find some very inspirational blogs to read, of women who have walked my walk and are continuing to share their wisdom of weight loss, transition and maintenance.  I'm linking to them on the right, whenever I come across them.  I'm so fortunate that I can look ahead through their eyes, and click back to what they were thinking at the start of their healthy adventure.  Thanks ladies.  And thanks to anyone who might be taking the time to read my little blog.  I hope I can add something to the dialog.

Week 1 - First Group Meeting - Off I Go

257 lbs.

I had my first Optifast group meeting last night.  I had been counting down the days for this program to begin and now I'm officially started on this journey.  It had that "first day in a new school" feeling, knowing that I would be getting to know these people very well over the next 20 weeks.  There is also the fun of knowing that most of us are going to look very differently in a few weeks.  That's cool.

A few of the members were veterans of a previous 20 weeks, looking slim, but for them, needing to lose a few more pounds.  They shared their tips - Torani Sugar Free Syrup is a must- and reassured us that this phase of the program is do-able.  Their number one tip -- never, ever take that first bite while on the fast.  It will always lead to more, and will make it very difficult to re-commit to the program.  When I think about it, this is the most risky proposition for me.  I'm sure I will be tempted and tested many times.  I just hope I can stay strong when the time comes.

So now I will be recording my foods and feelings this week.  My official starting weight now, on last night's scale is 257 lbs.   So that's what I will consider the beginning weight going forward.