-13 (or -12) pounds
Thought #1:
I can’t really “diet” when the in-laws are in town. Even when they are encouraging of the whole dieting enterprise, we still end up going out to eat, having desert, etc.
Thought #2 (and this is a real thought):
Exercise is key.
I haven’t had a very good schedule this summer in terms of getting to the gym, certainly not as good as I had in the Spring before we went to Hawaii. When school was on for the winter term, I was able to go to the gym at least three times a week. In May, I went to the gym every day. And that was the time when I lost the most weight and I felt (physically, emotionally, etc.) the best I’ve felt all year.
Don’t get me wrong– I feel good right now too, but I haven’t been able to get to the gym that much and I haven’t been as loyal to the diet, either. And now with the in-laws in town, it’s hard– we just got back from being out to a lovely dinner, for example.
The good news is that starting soon (the end of the summer term is almost upon us, and the beginning of Fall term is just around the corner) I’ll be able to get myself on a more regular schedule both in terms of the diet and the key. In fact, I have a schedule for Fall where (except for meetings and such) I don’t have to be at school until 2:30 in the afternoon. This has certain disadvantages (I’m teaching two night classes), but one of the main advantages is I’ll be able to go to the gym every day. And did I mention this?
Exercise is key.
Because when I’m on this diet and not exercising, I maintain weight. When I’m on this diet and working out, I lose. Simple as that.
BTW, I ended up going to the gym today. Boy, did I feel like a weak little girl. When you haven’t done much in the way of “excercise” for a week or two or so, you really feel it when you go back. So I can’t wait until the end of summer and the beginning of fall.