This morning I did something that I have been avoiding in recent weeks. I stepped on the scale on a non-weigh-in day. for a long time now, when I have weighed myself on a Monday, I’ve been disappointed with the outcome (my weigh-in day is Friday). Today I was curious to see what my pre-Eldora weight would be, and I Was pleasantly surprised to see that I was BELOW 220. That is the first time I have been below 220 on a non-weigh-in day!!! I was up about 0.6 pounds, but I attribute that to not working out this morning which usually sweats off a good pound or so.

This week I’d really like to make my next goal weight of 218.0. It is going to be difficult with the trip to Ohio for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Eldora, but I think I may be able to do it. I have planned a healthy menu for the week, and I intend to stay away from drinking a lot of beer. I’ll probably allow myself 1 or 2 at the track each night, but that will be it. The rest of the time I will be focusing on water and maybe a cocktail.

I also plan to complete my tracker each day. Here is what it looks like after the weekend:

I have a good plan going into this trip, which starts after work today. I also know that this trip is very important to me in that I get to spend good time with my son and a good friend. While I will be vigilant, I will not be obsessive. I will still have fun, and if I come back up a pound or two, I will smile, look at the pictures, recount the memories, and know that I was living my life.

Some might say it is making excuses. I believe that if this journey I am on is about a lifestyle change, then it has to incorporate living my life in a healthy way while still enjoying the people around me. Not everyone is on the same food plan I follow. Sometimes I will eat a bit more while enjoying my time with family and friends…and that is OK!

I’m not sure whether I’ll be able to post updates while I’m away. If I do, they will be brief and will likely not include the tracker, at least not looking like above.

Have a great week! I will be back and better than ever no later than my weigh-in day on Friday!