My weight loss journey has been full of ups and downs...literally.  I seem
to go full steam, then slack off for weeks at a time, but, ultimately I have
been on a downward slope.  I guess that's all that counts.

I've reverted to my original diet and have lost 6 more lbs.  Remarkably, it
really isn't much different from the diet from the gym nutritionist, I think
I just makes me feel like I am in control of what I am doing since I *chose*
to follow this eating plan.  Plus, I have a book to carry around with me and
read constantly for the real reasons to eat this way.  I mentioned it in an
earlier post...Power Eating...Eating for Strength Athletes by Dr. S.
Kleiner. She tells you how to build muscle, maintain muscle and/or lose fat
without losing muscle...or as much.  Discussed in the book are the reasons
for eating the way she recommends from a training and nutritional point of
view.

Since vanity never motivated me in weight loss, but now healing my knees and
returning to the platform does, this book, which addresses training and
maximizing strength, seems to be doing the trick.  In reality, the diet is
very balanced, very sane and very much like the one the nutritionist gave
me...just addresses issues I guess that are important to me now.  It is also
a little easier to swallow with a few more carbs allowed ( not many, but
enough to let me have my beloved post workout protein shake!).

I know that the weight loss will slow..it always speeds up for me after a
break from real strict dieting, then returns to normal.  But, I just wanted
to note that one thing I've learned is to not give up when I go on my
vacations from my woe...I know eventually I will resume the downward trend.
I may not be on a straightline to my goal weight, but I *am* headed there!

What motivated me to post this was Dally's post.  I guess my point is that
whatever works for you as a motivator is OK.  If it is a deadline - great, a
shopping trip..even better, as far as I am concerned.  All that really
matters, I guess is that it works and is healthy for you now and in the long
run.  I've  really learned that no matter what reason you give for losing
the weight, the only thing that really works is that internal committment to
yourself to do what is best for you!

Elise (who is also pleased to report that her daughter told her today that
her pants are too big and would I please buy her a belt so they would stay
up...all done just by not buying junk food and I guess her just listening to
me talk about what I was doing and deciding to make better choices.  Oh my
god, now I have to tell Trainer Tom he was right!)