5 Weeks Later: 17 lbs Lighter at 173 lbs.

I have been scrambling to coordinate sitters for my 3 kids for next week. Luckily they have an awesome grandma Lila and Auntie Kat to care for them for 4 days while I fly up to Montana for my grandpa Butch's funeral. Sorry no pic...no time. And now my husband is dragging me outside to see Jupiter throught he telescope. Okay that was a white speck. Anyways, another 2 pounds shed.

4th Week 15 lbs Lighter at 175 lbs.

First off, I'm sorry to anyone that was looking forward to last weeks weigh-in. I was camping with my daughter and 800 other Girl Scouts. But I was responsible for only 10 of them.

I managed to squeeze in a quick photo op today in the middle of my son's 5th birthday party. My son requested cupcakes with no frosting and a cake without frosting either. So I got a couple different ideas from the back of cake boxes and came up with this...confetti cake mix baked inside of ice cream cones with gummie Life Savers on top and the candle in the middle. My husband liked it he says, "Because there was cake all the way to the bottom." I liked it because it was sooo much easier to clean up after.

I gave myself permission to cheat yesterday at the end of 4 weeks. So I went to In-N-Out and ordered my usual. I have to say, "Huh, not so impressed." Kind of bummed

'cause I really wanted to lose myself in ecstasy. But also relieved that I can stop craving it. Now I crave seeing the scale move in the right direction.

Here's a funny story...I know where 12 of my 15 lbs I lost went to. My husband found them. In one month he managed to gain 12 lbs. He is so sweet and empathetic. I think he feels my hunger and starts craving food. He made 4 or 5 roast in the crock pot this month. Then devours it 'til it's gone(thank goodness for me). Next time he makes one I'll be sure to divide it up into separate lunch portions for him to take to work.

2 Weeks Later 11lbs. Lighter

I'm surprised I lost only 1 pound this week. Okay, maybe not that surprised. I did figure out were my weakness lies..."Friday family pizza night." My other nemesis is that first (cheating) bite. Boy that's a killer. I feel confident taking that first bite as if I'll have more control once I satisfy myself with just one bite. But with me all self control gets thrown out the window after one bite. There is no stopping. Another problem area was fixing my kids' after school snack around 3pm. I told Bliss (my 7 1/2 yr old daughter) that she will need to prepare her own snack to help out mommy. She was cool with that.

• Successes: My clothes fit better. I must of lost more with inches this week than weight. I went to water aerobics 4 times and Zumba once. That's probably why my hunger took me by surprise. I went to my first party since dieting and triumphed with no cheating. I must say my weakness does not lie in junk food like cake and chips and cool-aid. So I probably wouldn't have had any anyhow. This week I will be more prepared for being more hungry with my added workouts. This week I get to add jogging to my mornings, thanks to my awesome friend Becca. She gave me her recently retired treadmill.

I started talking with a councilor this week to help me better understand these addictive habits I seem to cycle through my life. We came to a conclusion together that it is my response to triggers that I fall captive to. My homework is to address the trigger 20 minutes after I have it. Basically, I am not to allow myself to indulge that instant rather in 20 minutes which will allow my brain to catch up with my stomach.

• Changes this week: I'll add a little more protein to my diet. I will not have that first (cheating) bite. I will wait 20 minutes before addressing a trigger to eat the wrong foods. And my kids will be responsible for preparing their own snacks.
• Tip: Get to know yourself. And tell yourself, "Self," I'm the boss of me not you. And quit letting yourself boss you.

"Unless you're willing to have a go, fail miserably, and have another go, success won't happen."
Phillip Adams