147 Justin

Ok---strange and unexpected diet detour COMPLETE. We celebrated our new found empty nest freedom with dinner at the union grill where I ate pretty much an entire wedge of Brie cheese. Happily, my fajitas were really mediocre--not that that stopped me from eating plenty, but it does help with the idea of future cravings. Today is really the first in a lot of ways. I finally got some sleep, and I have the whole day to do things that I want and need to do--practice the harp, study for my stats class, do some dancing on the wii (Just dance is a HECK of a workout), work on Catherine's mural ,and reorganize at least one thing in the house.  This house is so tiny that it's a constant battle to keep things from overflowing. Plus there are a lot of shelves and things that have stuff on them, but it isn't really the best stuff that could be there.

Food-wise. Sheesh. I had hoped today could be a fresh start with an easily planned day. Nope. Me and Dave have to go to the educators picnic tonight. It's a good thing--we need to make some friends, and it will be ok food-wise too because I will plan lots of points for it and be careful. But still....  Sometimes (ok, all the time) I wish the whole business would be easier!

Yesterday was the famous flash mob. It was fun. My performance was a mediocre as it could be, but fun just the same. Also at the block party was Justin--the latest winner from The Biggest Loser!  My RS meetings are smack in the middle of the show so I haven't caught the last few seasons.  Still, it was interesting to talk to him! They work out 4 to 8 hours a day. And there is NO counseling or psychological support AT ALL!!  I thought there was at least a little!!  What a disservice!! If there's one thing I'm convinced of it is that food and exercise are only a very SMALL part of the problem. Losing weight isn't about watching what you eat as much as it is about things like courage, patience, grief, fear, guilt, anger and every other emotion. Justin told me how much harder it is to be at home with pressure from family and friends to be the person he used to be.  He doesn't want to go back, but it sounds like the show gave him zero help in moving forward. I'll have to look up the episode recaps. This kind of thing makes me so mad. He seemed like a nice guy. I hope he can maintain his success, but his odds aren't very good.  The thing I need to do is to stop being so angry on other people's behalf and DO something about it. In this case lose weight myself AND get my book out there! Even if the only copy I ever sell is to my mother, I can at least try.