"21 times"

This morning when I was driving to work, I debated on whether or not I was going to reschedule my weigh-in appointment for the third time in a month. I left the house in plenty of time to either call and reschedule, or to show up right at 8:45. I knew what the right decision was, but I weighed the pro's and con's anyway. I was scared to step on that scale. In the past month, I continued the 90/10 that I wrote about in the last blog (which I said I wasn't going to do). I had been on vacation with the family and eaten blueberry pancakes, and cookies, and all the bread I wanted. Of course, I was on vacation, but still I could have made better choices. The point is, I didn't. And, I hadn't been for a while.

There are so many excuses and reasons why I could put on here as to why I have been doing this. Stress, family get-to-gathers, summer time foods...the list could go on. But, the truth is, I have gotten out of my habit. I have resorted back to old habits. It's really easy to do. We are creatures of habit, and the hardest one's to break are the one's you have been doing the longest. Don't get it twisted, losing weight takes work!!!! And, the only work I have been doing has been with my mouth, not my willpower.

As I was finishing up some credit counseling this morning, I heard the lady say psychologist B.F. Skinner confirmed "it only takes 21 times to make something a habit", and that really made me think. Of course, she was referring to writing down what you spend each day for a month to determine where to find money leaks. But, really, this can be applied to anything. When I first started this program, I went 39 days without cheating!! Well over that 21 days, and I know I am capable of doing it again.

As I was sitting in the waiting room to be called back for my weigh-in, I saw Dr. Shaffer. Now, if you remember him from my last blog post, when I had come in and gained those 3 lbs., he was the one that took my weight. I prayed that he wasn't the one taking my weight today, so I could make some excuses with a nurse, and she wouldn't fuss at me too much. But, wouldn't you know it, "Michelle, come on back" came out of his mouth.

Walking down the hall, he said, "How you been doing pretty lady?" I said, well worse now because I got you again. We both laughed. He said, "The Holy Ghost always knows, doesn't he?" We talked about how to push myself beyond this STUCK point, and how not to give up, and how every morning when I wake up, I have to say YOU CAN DO IT!!

I told him the truth, and I got on that scale....205.4. I had stayed the same!!!! How this was possible, I do not know. I guess the Holy Ghost was looking out for me today. I still had only gained the 3 lbs. from before. And, if I really push myself this week, eating my protein, I KNOW I CAN LOSE THAT STUBBORN 5 LBS. AND PUSH MYSELF UNDER 200!!!

On a side note, I did have one positive motivator while I was on vacation. I wore a bathing suit (a real one, not shorts or a skirt...a real one piece) for the first time since 6th grade, and I looked darn good in it!!!

Life is still good, and I am still proud of my accomplishments to this point. So, tomorrow when I wake up, I am going to begin day 1 of 21 and go from there. One day at a time, forming a new habit of working towards my final goal. Dr. Shaffer told me once I reached my lean body mass he would take me out for blueberry pancakes! His last words as I was checking out was, "God bless little lady", and he truly meant it.