Week 11 - 156.5 Down 1 (7.5 total)

First of all - to all my faithful, wonderful blog commenters/supporters.....

Just wanted to make sure you knew how much you all help me. If it wasn't for all of you, I honestly don't know how long I might have lasted. Your comments motivate me and keep my chin up. I love you all - thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Well thank Goodness for that #6 on the scale this week! If I would have seen the same numbers for the 4th week in a row, I think I would have gone crazy! I had a pretty good week, although I was nervous since I over did it on THREE different occasions!

Occasion #1 - my good friend, Lisa had some friends over the night before her wedding - when yummy food is in front of me, it's almost impossible for me to shun it! Thank goodness it was just fruit and yogurt dip I couldn't stop munching on, but still, I over did it. THEN, at her wedding reception the next day, (occasion #2) I enjoyed the buffet a little more than I should have too. It was wonderful by the way, Lisa was beautiful. I am thrilled for her. Oh, and then Chip and the girls made a wonderful, delicious Mother's Day barbecue meal, (occasion #3) and although the food I ate was healthy for the most part - again - it was too good to stop sometimes. (and home-made Buttermilk ranch is to die for!!)

I do have some great news - a big announcement! Believe me, it's a biggy! On Friday, I had my last diet soda!! Some might roll their eyes, but for me, who once thought I could never stop drinking the stuff and justified every gulp, this is huge!! The truth is what I have always known but didn't want to admit - it really was just pure junk going into my body. Nothin good about it. My justifications were that there are no calories, and since weight loss is all about calories, I could still have my diet soda fix. The truth is, being addicted to anything feels terrible. I hate being dependant on a stupid drink. I hate thinking I can't function without it. I hate that my thoughts were consumed with when I was going to get my daily fountain drink, and if I could make it that long. I have always wanted to be done, but just didn't think I could do it. Different people have challenged me to try, which has strengthened my desire, but it wasn't until I had a conversation with a good friend, Lisa (I have lots of Lisa friends!) this weekend that finally turned on the light bulb in my head. She had her last diet soda in March (she'd been drinking it daily for over 20 years!) She swears she will never drink soda again because of how great she feels, and she also once thought she could never do it. She shared her tips with me and flat out told me to be done with it. Before, I might have said, "I know, I really should.... I really want to be done... but I just don't know..." This time, I looked at her and I said, "Okay, I'm done too." And I really meant it. Even my friend Nikki is saying no to sweets this week so we can do this together. Huge sacrifice for her. You are awesome Nikki - We can!!!

That same day I said I was done, I had to go to Fred Meyer. I have always praised that place because it has a fountain drink machine in the store. I have never gone inside without first going straight for the 44 ouncer. To me, there's not a whole lot of things more enjoyable than walking around the store talking with Anela, and sipping a big ol' fountain drink. It was actually kinda hard to walk in and turn the other way. I had Hannah with me and she said, "Where are you going? You need your soda first!" I told her I wasn't going to do that anymore and she looked at me as if I had polka dots all over my face or something.

So.... goodbye diet Pepsi. You have always been there for me, and although I might miss you now and again, you are no longer welcome in my life, as well as my other favorites, diet Sunkist, and diet Dr. Pepper. You are just no good for me. Thanks for the good times, but it is time for me to move on to bigger and better things like water, and Crystal Light.

I CAN!!!!