225 on July 26

Well, it's six months since my last blog post here. I'm still 225, no more and no less. Slow and steady, and sometimes plateauing is how I'm starting to view my body transformation. I have learned that "just" maintaining my current weight is done by working out 2-3 times a week and eating better (less and less meat, I'm tellin ya!) ... but in order to lose it like I lost the first 15 pounds, I'll have to work out at least 4-5 if not more times per week as well as not go out to eat. This going out to eat is really what is holding me back. It's become more of a social event (things I ask friends to do, being out and about, trying new restaurants, interacting with the people in the restaurant, etc) than really an eating thing. The extra calories are just a side affect of my choice to "socialize" by going out to eat instead of in. I also feel like I'm not as full (weird, and probably true) if I eat at home. However, I do have more of a sense of peace if I cook at home, eat at home, and that's it.

Our new idea is that every time we want to go out to eat (pretty much every other day) that instead of using that money for food, tip, etc, we would put that estimated amount toward our credit cards. That way we are still spending the money we would use, but be putting it toward our debt.

In other news, we have learned (and attempted) to start eating a meat-free, (light) wheat, (almost) dairy free diet. If you start restricting the ingredients but look for cool alternatives, it seems to work well. I'm still all about taste. Grilled portobello mushrooms drizzled with basting oil and feta cheese now replaces hot dogs on the grill. Rice replaces fries or potatoes. Order a side salad, bean salad, or coleslaw with a veggie burger instead of fries and a burger. These small changes are what make the difference. Not the big ones. I'm beginning to think there are no big decisions.