Another week begins, and I can't help feeling as if I'm wishing away this year. I will be happy when I can think about something other than losing weight and what food I'm eating. I'm ready for the band to become a PART of my life rather than consuming my life!

Last week Verleen came over every day and we went through the house cleaning everything we could touch. This week, we are working on closets, bathroom drawers, dresser drawers and the like. Possibly the garage if the weather gets nicer. What a treat it is to see the place looking nice again.

Mom came down over the weekend. On Friday, we went to Red Robin and wow, what a great experience that was. Here is my post about the NSV:

Wow, I have something to share! Yesterday, I picked up my mom from the airport (she's in town for the weekend) and she wanted to go out for lunch. Err.. I haven't been out to eat since I started the pre-op diet. I was a nervous wreck. I knew I wasn't going to eat anything I shouldn't but my fear was that smelling and seeing all those foods I used to be addicted to would bring back the cravings. Being a people watcher (my all time favorite hobby), I knew I wasn't going to be able to avoid seeing people enjoying what I couldn't have. Eating out used to be my way of life.

Well, we walked into Red Robin and there they were.. all these people feeding on huge burgers. I watched in amazement as they somehow unhinged their jaws to fit their gaping mouths around these monstrous globs of food… Their cheeks bulging as they smiled and chewed with mayonnaise covered lips. Every plate of food I saw delivered to the tables seemed heaping with enough to feed 3 people.

What I expected to trigger longing and cravings actually was excellent therapy - for me. I ordered iced tea with lemon and a cup of chili - no cheese, no onions, and no crackers. Mom ordered a bowl of chili. The server looked at us like we were nuts.. “That’s –all- you want?” *laughs* When the food arrived it was served with a large round soup spoon, I requested a regular spoon. Mom and I thoroughly enjoyed our chili, and we sat in Red Robin for 3 1/2 hours drinking tea and enjoying a wonderful visit.

As I walked out, I felt an enormous victory in my life and I remembered so many of you saying "Make your dining out time about the people you are with, not about the food." I smiled and walked out feeling so good, rather than being disgusted with myself and feeling so uncomfortably gorged. What a huge victory in my life!

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I figured that would be quicker than typing it out again. So, the next day Kelly and David come over with Ethan. Mom, Ryan, Irina, Paul and I were all there. Kelly suggests going out to dinner. We ended up sending mom out with them alone and spent time with Ethan. We had a great time. Before Kelly and David arrived, I had commented that it felt strange not to be cooking a huge meal for the family. I usually do during get togethers. I guess we found out that we can do something different and still enjoy our time together. It was a wonderful evening.

We weighed on Saturday morning. I'd lost 1 pound, and Paul none. The next day, Paul had lost 2 pounds and I stayed the same. Today, *groan* I weighed again and had gained 1/2 pound! Paul took the battery out thank goodness. We start weighing with the Gone for Good Club on Wednesday. I hope I weight 263 so I can keep up my 2 pounds a week!

I hadnt been drinking my water. I stopped walking, although I was being a lot more active cleaning house and stuff. And Ive eaten more chicken the last couple of days - sweet n sour chicken to be exact. I wont be doing that again for a while.