down 20 +

Hello, I am still here. I am posting cause I have lost another 10 lbs. That means another pic. All together I have lost 21.8. I am surprised that I have been this successful. But not really either. I think I just have my mind set that I want to be healthy. I don't know that is so much about looking good as much as it is about feeling good. However, I am sure that I will feel good when I look good in a pair of jeans.
My eating has been good for the most part. I have probably been eating out more than I should, but I always count the points (most always.)It is hard being single and all to cook a meal for one. I know it can be done. I would like to be able to add some variety besides chicken. Chicken is good and easy, but there is only so many ways to fix it. Send me some ideas.
I know that I am going to have some down times and I am trying to prepare for those and what I will do. One plan is to go see Carl. He is always an encourager. We are starting the 2nd part of WW program at work. My goal this time is to add exercise by going to the fitness center. I like to exercise it is convincing myself I have the time.
I got another motivator this week for losing weight. I had my back X-rayed last week. I had back surgery when I was 11 for a slipped disc. I have never really had any problems with it. I think I just learned that being younger I wanted to go and do and I couldn't if my back was hurting. I was playing softball the next summer and marched in band with a sousaphone and played a tuba in concert band. These were things I wanted to do so I did them. I believe that my parents never discouraged me from being active. My mom was a bit worried some, but I think it was a normal mom worry. I probably very easily could have been on disability years ago, but never thought about it. Sometimes when my patients complain about their backs I want to show them my big scar. It is about 12 inches long. This was back in the day when u had surgery and knew it. It probably helps too that I had one of the best neuro surgeons in the country right here in Springfield, MO. Just think if it hadn't been for cashew chicken where would I be. ANYWAY I am certainly taking the long way to this last motivator. Had my back x-rayed cause it had never been since I was 11. I found out I have degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis. This is probably nothing more than I what I have had for years, but just knowing it makes it seem serious. However, the DDD is a normal process caused from aging, being obese, and probably the back surgery. The osteoarthritis makes me a bit nervous cause of family history with arthritis, but it isn't rheumatoid. That is good. Both things can be helped with strengthening my back and getting the weight off. I am also taking Cymbalta, which is an anti-depressant that helps with back pain, and metanx which is a combo of vit B6/B12 that has been shown to regenerate nerve cells. I also started taking 400 mg of ibuprofen 2x a day. This news in itself should be enough to keep me motivated. I will keep my fingers crossed.
Enough rambling for now.