I was starting to feel the pull of my ‘status quo’ – staying the same, reducing effort as I am busy elsewhere. But then I saw Day 16 on above – I have been at Day 16 many times before but I definitely have not journaled 16 days in a row and definitely have not done a morning routine 16 days in a row. So in the face of being pulled back to my normal routine, I am starting to develop proof that I can take this on. I would like this Day 16 to be the last day 16 on this journey of wanting to lose weight and be healthier.

I have to continue to focus on this being a process and continuing to up my game in the self discipline area of things. I have noticed that meal planning is the one area in particular that I have done well at and will need to challenge myself on days like today where I head out for a weekend away. I did buy a prepared chicken so I could make a chicken sandwich for lunch during the drive – better than stopping for fast food anywhere.

And alcohol – I enjoy having wine after work but I have to equate it to a chocolate lava cake – I wouldn’t eat that every day and expect to lose weight. But it also interferes in so many other ways that I need to just use my self discipline to really reduce and not have this as the reason I can’t lose weight. I will try will focus on a few drinks only this weekend even if on vacation (try has to come out of my vocab as it essentially means I am telling myself what I want to hear with a get out of jail card in hand)

Today I don’t yet have my meal plan but I think I can do:

eggs and toast for breakfast

chicken sandwich lunch (or prepared falafel salad)

dinner the turkey meatballs I didn’t have last night / chicken

exercise – some hiking today

I have to focus on small changes and the mini wins. That is what everyone says – it is hard when you are just chipping away at an elephant it seems but I have to keep in mind – the scale is going the right way and I have this routine seemingly in place – to even consider making sure I do this while away is already a win in my books!