I was just going to add this to my personal blog but decided against it and opted to track my progress here  instead.  My plan is to do this daily with the days menu and pictures.  In my little mind I'm thinking that exposing my struggle to the world (not that the world is reading this article) might keep me on track.  Positive thinking. 

First I must explain that, while I really am not that unhappy about the weight, my body is very upset about it.  I have Anklosing Spondylitis and the extra weight is just killing my back and hips.  Walking any distance is an effort and causes quite a bit of discomfort.  Carrying groceries or even a bag of cat food sets off spasms and pain in all directions.  Hence the life style change.  

Second, I am a food addict.  Anyone who says there isn't any such thing has never struggled with it.    Overeater's Anonymous will tell you all about it on their web site so I won't do that here.  Everyone has a trigger and mine is white food: pasta, rice, sugar, flour, potatoes, bread, anything that contains any of the white food which means most carbohydrates.  Simple carbohydrates that is because veggies and grains are also carbs and they are good things.  Fruit is a carb as well and some people seem to be able to consume them with no problems.  I find that they will trigger a binge so I try to stay away from most of them.  The excpetions are banana and berries, the only two fruits I eat any amount of.

Lifestyle changes take a long time and if you embark on one then you are in it for the long haul.  Changes don't come easy to most people especially those of us who are into our middle years.  Old habits die hard. 

My goal is to be 150 lbs by this time next year.  That means I must rid myself of 80 pounds.  Last year that would have been 100 lbs.  It has taken a year to lose 20.  Trouble is I have lost the same 20 many, many times.  This time I'm hoping to learn how to keep off that 20 and lose the rest.

So, to make this very long story shorter, the plan is to journal my way to a new lifestyle.  Every day.  

Today's Menu

Breakfast is the same every day.  1 slice of toast with butter and 2 teaspoons of the most marvelous French marmalade you have ever tasted, and 2 giant French Vanilla coffees with Coffee Mate.  I love breakfast and coffee and I add the added calories into my daily plan.  250 calories

Lunch is a giant salad.  The trick to a good salad is to add stuff you really like without racking up 500 calories.   Today's Salad is mixed spring greens, 1/2 of a large tomato, Feta Cheese, hot pepper rings, 3 scallions thinly sliced and Raspberry Vinagrette, the spray kind.  Salt and pepper and 1/8th of a cup of crotons. Feta is the highest calorie content at 80 calories for 2 tablespoons. I had 200 calories worth. The tomato is a nominal 25 calories, scallions 5 calories, pepper rings 10 calories and the spray is 15 calories for 10 sprays.  The spring greens are neglegible at 10 calories and the crotons were 20.  So the salad was 280 calories.  Along with the salad I had a bottle of chilled water.

Supper will be, or I hope it will be 1 cup of whole wheat pasta - 200 calories with 1/3 of a cup of sauce - 50 calories and a generouse sprinkle of Parmesan Cheese 80 calories.  On the side I will have a plate of just greens with a spray of dressing - 25 calories.  Total will be 355.  Along with the pasta I will have another bottle of iced water.  I love water and drink about 2 litres or more a day and, aside from coffee at breakfast, seldom drink anything else. 

For those of you also struggling with weight or other issues, I wish you all the best on your journey.  Please send good vibes to me for mine.