I think most of the Hatters are safely tucked into their beds by now..altho since we've come together from across the globe, some may be just rising to greet their day!

Left the house at 5am; just got home and it's almost midnight, so I'll save a real post for tomorrow.. but couldnt hit the sheets til I caught up on all we've been up to today; sounds like many of us have had a tough go lately; I think we all understand how down we can get; the sometimes overwhelming frustration of not seeing those scales move after putting so much effort in to our goals .. (or getting new scales and having an ouch moment); it seems so unfair sometimes when it seems like we try and try and don't see any results... at least, not the results we are determined to judge our success by.. those numbers going down. We tend to see it as a failure - and repeat the cycle of looking to "comfort food" because we're discouraged... and it's understandable.. but we seem to place an awful lot of value about how we're doing.. just on that little machine. Because after all, that's the goal right? To get rid of the fat and work those extra pounds away.. so it SUCKS when they refuse to budge an inch.. or an ounce...

But... ( you knew there was gonna be a but in here...) while it may not seem like a lot of "consolation".. remember that every good choice we make IS taking us one step closer to our goal; no matter what the scales may or may not say... every healthy food filled with vitamins and minerals and yummmyness too.. is helping us get to that REAL place we want to be.. healthy. The outside may be moving with maddening slowness to the point where we want to scream... but numbers arent the whole picture.. our goal is improving our overall health too, not just a weight loss this time around. Cause we've all been there, done that.. with a "diet". This time around though.. it's about more than that.. it's about learning to make better choices bit by bit; understanding how eating well and getting fitter will help us stay strong and mobile down the road, and afford us the opportunity to enjoy waking up every morning and embracing the day, rather than wondering how we're gonna get through it. I'm just starting to learn and have a long way to go yet; but the more I understand what effect what I put in my body has on my ability to enjoy life.. the more I realize there's nothing to "miss"; I'm not being deprived of anything but chemicals and preservatives and man made concoctions that will keep something fresh for 12 years on a shelf.. seriously.. do we want to put that in our bodies?? Of course we do.. on occasion. Do I still crave a bag of chips .. yuppers.. even knowing they're crap I get cravings for different things.. and will I give in sometimes? yep... for sure. Hell I've been doing bad things to my body thru poor nutriotion and no exercise for decades!! But the more I learn.. the more I want this body to be able to hold me up and carry me through the rest of my life.. without being exhausted at every turn or unable to do the things I want to do.

So although the frustration level at not seeing the numbers move when we've worked realky hard can be enough to send us off the deep end, let's remember that every good choice, better choice or best choice we can make.. is absolutely improving our overall health; and IS getting us to our goal.... so maybe every so often we could give the scales the cold shoulder for a couple of weeks.. and just try everyday to make small improvements in our real goal; eating well and moving a few body parts every day.. and not let a little 2" line at our feet, determine if we have "succeeded" or "failed".. because if we're trying to learn to change our eating habits and choose good food, and choose to start moving a little every day?? There is never failure... there may be habits to break, and knowledge to gain, and understanding that there simply wlil be times when we will choose something for no other reason than we just want it.. and we want it now, then maybe we can eventually be comfortable with it, knowing a choice to have pizza one night is NOT failure.. if we know our goal is to eat good and nourish our bodies 95% of the time, there's nothing wrong with choosing something less perfect the other 5% of the time. But we've been doing it wrong for a very long time... so it isn't going to happen overnight all of a sudden. So we need to be understanding of ourselves while we change.. it WILL COME.. we will do it, but it's a learning curve for most of us this time around; refocusing on health rather than a "diet".. so lets not put ourselves down or chastise ourselves while we're getting there.. we've already taken the biggest step.. STARTING to change!

So lets give ourselves a little pat on the back and reminld ourselves.. how far we've come already.. I bet each of us could look back to a year ago, or 6 months ago.. or 4 days ago and think wow.. look how much better I eat now; even when I go offside its an exception, not the rule.. could many of us have said that a year ago?? So celebrate your individual improvements, take a minute to say well done me..

Hmmm.. one day I'm gonna do a really short post.. just to prove I can!! I just don't have the energy tonite to fill in my diary; but we went on a boat cruise after work; I chose to stay away from the alcohol calories, but had a roll and butter with dinner and enjoyed it as a nice treat. When we docked I walked back to the car instead of taking a cab since it was a gorgeous night; I didn't run like the wind but strolled along, enjoying the people on the street and the beautiful breeze. So I made some good, some better and some best choices (no alcohol was my best one!) and got some walking in as well.. Perfect day? Nope.. but a good day where I thought about what choices I wanted to make? yup... and that tells me I'm learning.. and reassures me that I CAN change.. sometimes I wonder if deep down inside I really believe it or not....that I really can change at this stage.. .. but I'm going to start REALLY believing it . because I'm seeing it happen.. and that's progress

Sleep well Hatters... be good to yourselves and see you tomorrow!