WINNING OUTCOMES

There is an old Chinese Proverb that says "It is better to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward."  If someone had told me this 5 1/2 months ago, I wouldn't have given it much credence but looking back at my accomplishments, I would believe this proverb to be true. For me, seeing progress has been all about getting my head in the game.  When I manage my thoughts, swapping positive for negative, I get on track to success.

So first, I looked back at my accomplishments over the past year; the amount or percentage of weight I have lost, of course, but other victories too.  I have definitely swapped fruit for other snacks in a lot of cases.  That is something I wouldn't have done before.  I am still learning to gently but firmly say "no" to a food-pusher but I am better than I was at it.  I jotted down my three accomplishments in Gina's Weighty Matters over the last 5 and a half months.
1.  I went down 2 sizes
2.  I walked 30 blocks one day in New York and started Gyrotonics to boost my exercise program
3.  I bought red high-heel winter boots that are so comfortable but I could never wear them before.

Then, thinking about what I want for my next weight-loss goal doesn't seem to be so far away.  I look better now than I did at this time last year.  Since I started losing weight, I haven't always eaten right but I stuck to it in the long run.  I messed up at bit but I never gave up.  "Storyboarding" or "blogging" has helped me greatly.

Tonight we will be celebrating New Year's Eve.  So about that glass of bubbly...  yes, it is going to happen and probably more than one.  I could alternate water with the champagne but that is such a waste of a good buzz!  It will more than likely affect my good food decisions and I am very aware of that.  But tonight is special.  My party begins at 11 p.m. I don't know how late we will go but in normal circumstances eating late is a no-no but I also believe that you shouldn't drink on an empty stomach so there will be some worthy nibbles like Parmigiana-Regiano Crisps with Avocado-Tomato Salsa and Crispy Shallots, Vegetarian Spring Rolls, Seared Ahi Tuna with Pineapple Mint Salsa on Taro Root, and Tarragon-butter Poached Lobster Grilled cheese.  I will serve some of my favourite desserts like Zabiglione, S'mores baby Tartlets, Crispy Banana Fritters and Chocolate Covered Strawberries.  Of course, I am going to take part in this party and enjoy every little delicacy.  But that is tonight and I am planning for it.  Tomorrow is a new day when I will be back on track.


As we head into the New Year, I am committed, charged up, and on track!  I have looked at how far I have come and now I am already on my way to a great 2012.  I think about the non-scale-related goals I hope to accomplish in 2012.  These goals can be anything that helps me increase or maintain my well being, physical and mental. So these are my top three non-scale goals:
1.  to wear a Jay Godfrey dress
2.  to be able to shop in any store
3.  to lower my cholesterol

Cheers to me! I took stock of my victories and am using them to plan for 2012.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good year.