Holy crap...what a difference a few weeks make!

My humblest apologies to any readers of this blog (all 2 of you) for my very evident lack of updating anything for a bit. It's been insane in my neck of the woods for a bit. I'm rolling out a new training program at work (going well so far) and I've been consumed with that professionally. Personally, I've been laying low and taking a much-needed interest in my personal health. I bought myself some personal training sessions for Xmas and so far, it's really going well. I'm just taking everything one day at a time and not setting myself up for failure but trying to achieve unrealistic expectations. I can't be one of those people who eat nothing but bread and water - but I also can't maintain my current menu of various fast food restaurants because I don't feel like cooking. So I've been compromising - I've given up all fast food and soda, but I'm allowing myself the simple pleasures of food, like butter and not forcing myself to eat only light or fat free foods. I know myself when it comes to food, and limiting myself too much backfires horribly and I end up eating twice as much and wondering why I've gained so much weight. So far, the newer approach is working. I get frustrated sometimes that I don't lose more than 1.5 to 2 pounds a week, but I hear that it's normal and the best part is....it's staying off. So, at my last weight in, I was 375.4 and I have 4.6 pounds to go before losing my first ten pounds. I've also put together a rewards poster for things I will do for myself when I hit certain milestones. At five pounds, it was new shoes; at ten pounds, it's a haircut. So, I'm very excited to weigh in tomorrow and see if I'm any closer to getting this mug cut and styled. So far, I've set my reward list at 200 pounds. I know I need to lose more than that, but I figure that 200 pounds is a huge accomplishment, so I'm just setting my sites there for right now. Here is the full list:
15 pounds - new blouse ($25 limit)
20 pounds - new bathing suit for summer (they make these really nifty slimming suits that I want really bad!)
30 pounds - new pants ($75 limit)
40 pounds - massage
50 pounds - $300 shopping spree
60 pounds - Salon day (mani pedi)
65 pounds - new shoes ($100 limit)
70 pounds - salon day (facial)
80 pounds - new outfit ($150 limit)
90 pounds - $200 accessory shopping (heehee...purses)
100 pounds - full spa pamper (the works) plus another shopping spree (5 full outfits)
110 pounds - complete hair makeover including color
120 pounds - massage
130 pounds - luxurious bedsheets (egyptain cotton baby!!)
140 pounds - shopping spree ($200 limit)
150 pounds - 1st article of LAMB clothing
200 pounds - put down payment on trip to Paris!

I've also decided that if when I reach my goal weight of 150 pounds (because seriously...a real woman needs some meat on her bones), I'm going to get a tattoo of 231 on my wrist to signify how much weight I lost from my heaviest point and to look at my wrist whenever I want to be really bad and remind myself of how far I've come. I'm so excited for this journey to keep going! I hope you all will wish me luck and send me encouragement because we all know how much I love Olive Garden's alfredo and that is no bueno for this girl! Also, if you have any better suggestions for rewards from 150 - 200 or 200 - 231 - let me know. :-)