Tomorrow marks the 2-week mile-marker and I'm hoping for a 7-pound net loss to report to my South Beach Diet Yahoogroup.  (I highly recommend joining this group if you are dieting on a shoe-string, and/or just need some advice and a variety of recipes.)  I was horrified to discover that my "official" starting weight was actually around 2 pounds less than my actual weight, thanks to an abundant Thanksgiving.  So I've been a little more successful in gross loss than my numbers reflect, I'm proud to say.

I've managed to negotiate several parties without major lapsing on the carbs.  I'm very thankful for that.  I am FORCING myself to weigh everyday for honesty's sake (like many very heavy people, I am good at lying to myself) and I'm remembering that salt is NOT my friend.  I retain water, and the weightloss just comes to a screeching halt for 48 hours after I've indulged in Indian or Thai food.  (Even sans the rice.)  Water, however, IS my friend, and finding ways to force myself to drink it is a bit of a challenge.  I like the new flavor packets that are engineered for that purpose, but struggle to find ones without aspertame (I'm still nursing and don't want to poison the little guy).  So far, only one flavor of one brand (Archer Farms, from Target) is sweetened with Splenda, and I couldn't find it last time.  So my goal this week will be...

Drumroll please ...

To drink 8 16 oz. glasses of water per day.  Another thing I've learned since starting this journey is that fluoride -- apparently even in the amount found in our public water supply -- suppresses thyroid function.  So I'm counting on my Pur water filter to help me out there.  So much easier to get it cold from the unfiltered fridge, though.  My thyroid has little to no function to start with, as I have Hashimoto's Disease -- basically an autoimmune kill-off of the thyroid function.  So virtually all the hormone I'm getting is synthetic to begin with.  Apparently, fluoride interferes with that, as well.  EVEN IF YOU BATHE IN IT!  Needless to say, this news was a trifle disheartening.  Why, pray tell, do they add fluoride if it is going to contribute to making people sluggish and fat??  Most of the research was from the U.K. strangely, so if anyone can direct me to alternative research (U.S.?) to tell me I'm wrong about this, bring it on!  In all fairness, I know lots of skinny people drink and bathe in the same tap water I do.

The exercise is doing its job; I feel much more alive.  And my mantra that "I have to spend the time somehow" is working, too.  I found myself on the exercise bike at 12:10 a.m. the other morning (after a Hanukkah dinner) on the grounds I was going to watch the Monk re-run anyway!  I did quit posting my exercise everyday, because I have been doing the same thing over and over again and well, it is boring!  I have missed a total of 3 days in the last 2 weeks.  Never consecutive, and I didn't feel badly about it.  It was a tough 2 weeks with the King gone.  Sometimes, going to sleep has its benefits too!

My database is working for me; I encourage anyone who would like to join me to get a copy and make it your own.  It really helps with that feeling of being STUCK.  Stuck at this weight, size, measurement, etc.  It's far too easy to give up and forget to see that your results -- while teeny incrementally  -- will add up to something substantial over time.  (Inevitably leading to a spoon and a pint of Ben and Jerry's or my personal favorite:  Buffalo Wing and Blue Cheese Doritos and French Onion dip...)  The King announced a trip to Germany in February, so the first thing I did (I know, I'm sick!) was check my database to see what weight I'd be on that date.  Most Germans do not look like most of us Americans.  They walk everywhere and tend to be rather svelte.  I feel I stick out like a sore thumb there and heaven forbid I should need to purchase clothing in my size anywhere in Europe! 

Alas, I won't have broken any particularly ugly numbers by then, but surely I'll be feeling better.  Should be down another 15 pounds or so.  Maybe time to get out the sacks of flour and visualize how much less that will stress my joints, feet, etc.? 

Oh, and by April 11th, I should be able to remove my wedding ring and CLEAN IT for the first time in over 9 years! 

So onward, albeit at snail's pace...