20! Twenty! Vingt! Zwanzig! XX!

Yes, it's true, I've lost 20 pounds!  Oh, I am so excited by this.  Srsly.

I'm not normally able to feel proud of myself for very long, but I was able to make it last almost a whole day!  LOL!  If I hadn't been sidelined by something, I likely would've run with this feeling of pride for a bit longer.

Yep, there I am.  Evil over one shoulder, and a sweet 1950's housewife over the other.  Totally not planned, but oh so appropriate.

I've been walking with a sprinkling of jogging in my beloved forest, and I can feel the difference in my capabilities.  No longer do I have to stop mid-way on the steep grades, I can just keep on truckin'.  Of course I'm panting along the way, but my motivation is that I can rest when I get to the top.  The air is crisp right now and it's just perfect for exercising.  I do dread the crappy weather.  With it comes months of treadmill.  That sucks balls (and not in the good way).

Now I focus on the next 5 pound block of weight loss.  Wait, wait.  I forgot to mention that I had set a mini-goal for myself during that first 20 pounds.  I am now giving myself permission to get ma hairs did!  I had totally put the freeze on that luxury until I hit the magic mark.  Can't wait!

There have been some serious bumps along the way, but not the type I was expecting.  As it turns out, I have to be much stronger in self than I thought.  Yes, the physical aspects of this are a challenge, but the mental challenges are by far so much more difficult.  Not only am I having to struggle with myself, but there have been some people who almost seem like they are trying to sabotage my success.  I'm sure when faced with a direct question about their actions would say I was nuts (and I am), but I know I'm right on this one.  For the first time in my life I have to make something entirely about me.  It's a lot tougher than you'd think!

Also, a friend of mine gave me some good, motivational advice:  Eyes on the prize!  Simple, sweet, and has totally worked.  Thank you so much!  Yesterday G-ram was eating a trough's load of Hallowe'en treats and I just said 'no'.  Tonight I baked chocolate chip cookies (and dang, I'm a good baker), and I only ate one... the smallest one.  Eyes on the prize, yo.

Must.  Learn.  Patience.  I want to be down another 20 already.  Patience, grasshopper.

Thanks for sticking around, my dear readers.

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