It may be a sign that I am finally settling in

We moved to Texas just over a year ago. In that time I have crossed the country several times, traveled around the eastern part of the state at least monthly (sometimes more), and visited some of the local hot spots. We've started trying some of the thousands of restaurants in Houston. Found a few favorites, though by no means are we done. I've attended thousands of meetings, seminars, workshops, and working lunches.

Generally, I've sat on my ass and ate.

Oh and to add insult to injury I went totally menopausal. Poof! No metabolism!

You can imagine what that does to your body?

I've gained 18 pounds (I'm calling this the Texas 20). My finger nails all broke off then wouldn't grow. It was really hot with all that long hair so I cut it off. With all that weight gone my curls sprang up. Add humidity to those curls and they've gone from wavy to down right unruly but worse than that it didn't grow and was getting all brittle. (you would think that the humidity would make me all dewy but noooo...) I could go on but you get the idea. I'm a hot Texas mess.

Or I was.....

About month ago I decided to take a bit of control of the situation. I put the brakes on all the travel I do (it's down to once a month). I started to get more exercise. And when I say more, I mean I walk the stairs, don't use the motorized walking path thingy at the airports, and now carry my own bags to my room (the poor bell boys aren't getting any tip money but my not looking like a jiggling wreck should be tip enough. Guys? You can thank me later).

I also started tracking my food/calorie intake using MyPyramid Tracker. This website has really been helpful. It keeps me on the straight and narrow. I can track how many calories and nutrients I'm getting throughout the day. Then when evening comes I know what I need nutrient wise, how many calories I can eat before I hit my magic number (approx. 1000 in my case) and most importantly if I can afford that glass of wine. It keeps me accountable. It helps me make good food choices. (have the 120 empty calories of wine and fresh veggie sticks or that 140 calorie for 9 tortilla chips with salsa, sour cream, guacamole? You DO know which one I'd pick, right?)

Using this system has helped a lot! My finger nails are growing (to the point that I now have to keep them trimmed so I can type), my curls are bouncy not just frizzy, and I've lost 8 pounds. That is just over 2 pounds a week.

I have no expectations that this system will work for long. (as my most eloquent friend Julie would say; I am dancing in the ballroom of lowered expectations.) I do think that if I up my exercise and stay with this system I will be back down to my pre-Texas weight. It's like the last of the baby weight.

My biggest downfall is the travel and the weekends. I fall off the wagon and my old knees just don't want to get me back up. We don't even want to talk about my travel next week. I'm taking bags of carrots and apples, soy yogurt and Kashi cereal so I won't be eating hashbrowns smothered in butter, waffles, burgers, and pasta (Mmmmmm.....pasta). Pasta is the fall back food of every restaurant menu for vegetarians in a meat eating town.

So wish me luck.

Love,
M