i ate my way through iowa

nine weeks ago

i joined Weight Watchers 

and i LOVE it.

suddenly

i was understanding a lot more about my life

a lot more about my habits

and i was TOTALLY losing weight

i lost six pounds in six weeks!!

 AND THEN

three weeks ago

everything changed.

i went on four "vacations"

and by "vacation"

i basically mean

i'm suddenly driving 10 + hours OR flying across the country with multiple stops

i changed jobs

AND work hours

my sister moved in with us

AND

i lost my daily WW buddy

AND

i changed my eating schedule and food prep

AND

my income level shifts dramatically.

EVERYTHING changed.

and then i went to iowa.

and apparently there's nothing in iowa

except corn

and weddings

and aaron's family and friends

and really, really good food.

and i just went for it.

can i just say, "YUM!"

before i dive into my food fiesta,

let me just say

that

regardless of the fact that i blew through my WW daily allowances every day

WHICH I DON'T APPROVE OF

AND AM, OF COURSE, HOPPING BACK ON THE WAGON

FOR MY HEALTH, SANITY, AND ABILITY TO MAKE GOOD CHOICES

i really, really, really notice a difference in terms of my expectations.

before weight watchers

i DREADED the scale

and i dreaded my body.

i never understood what was going on!!

i'd eat a lot

and feel like shit

and not know why

and now

i still ate a lot

and i still felt like shit

BUT

let me just say

that it was NOT NEARLY as bad as it's been in the past

i chose my food differently.

i ate better food, more nutritious food

i WALKED or JOGGED or SWAM every single day

and, honestly, i was really HONEST with myself about what i was doing and what to expect.

and next week

when i get on the scale

and see my number has gone back to the starting point

(which i know, calculating my PP (points plus) totals, and watching my face,)

i won't be SHOCKED or HELPLESS or A VICTIM.

I'll still be in charge.

I'll still work hard,

work smart,

and be proud of my ability to begin again.

I'll set my goals

plan it out

see the end result

and GO.

Weight-gain is not my affliction.

Healthy eating, and learning to eat what I want (intelligently) is my goal.

AND NOW!

the delicious run-down....

(AND LET ME TELL YOU

aaron's family KNOWS how to bake

AMAZING cooks and chefs,

AMAZING)

I had the most amazing

coffee

champagne

cabernet sauvignon

and margaritas.

i had prosecco

some sips of tasty beers

bacon

ham

carnitas

rice

bean sprouts

strawberries strawberries and so many strawberries!

bananas

french toast

DAIRY QUEEN

a root beer float

vanilla bean gelato

some Lake Okoboji fresh fried cinnamon donuts

a hot dog

some french fries

smoked salmon

lemon tart

tomatoes

carrots

celery

a few lovely mixed salads

spaghetti

parmesan creme brûlée

pizza, pizza, and pizza!

a cajun burger

wedding cake

wedding cookies

and whoopee pies.

granted

this is over eight days, various meals, a wedding, lots of wedding-related parties, a birthday party, and a reunion.

i ate fruit every morning for breakfast

and exercised every day.

seriously, you'd think i was in a new country, but hey,

turns out iowa isn't so bad.

:)