And This Goes, And This Goes, And This Goes ...

I grabbed a pair of jeans today, and while I can wear them, I looked like a hobo, they were that baggy. They will be bound for charity this weekend. So, I grab the next pair ... too big. It goes into the donation pile too. And then I realize, these are jeans I just bought in September. They've hardly been worn, and now they are not usable.  I went through a lot of clothes the last few days, and I'm getting rid of a lot of stuff.


My previous mentality would be to put them in the back of the closet, so when I gain weight again, I'll have something to wear.

Seriously, that is what I'd do.

Oh, and it worked in the lower direction too, which is why I had a like-new pair of size 24 jeans.

Well, my attitude has been adjusted. I'm not going back up the scale. I'm just not. So, these jeans are now going to be donated. I know someone will be grateful for them and will get a lot of use from them.

When I squeeze into the size 24s, finally, I will toss out the jeans I am now wearing. And I'm not buying more than two jeans in any particular size, as I lose weight. I'm not getting enough use out of them. NO COMPLAINTS, mind you, but my practical side is kicking in and saying "don't waste money." When I get into the size 24 jeans I own, I may buy one more, but that is it, until it is time to buy a few size 22s, and so forth.

I'm able to now wear an entire section of closet that was not available to me a few months ago. And I'm saying good-bye to some favorite articles of clothing, that are now waaaaaay too big. It is all good!

I am holding onto one pair of jeans though - my very favorite, well-worn, pair of black jeans, Old Blackie. They were not too big, or too small ... they were my go-to jeans 90% of the time.

And we all know how slimming black is - just check out my before photo. Ooooooo ... prrreeetttyyy ... just look how thin I look.

That is Old Blackie, there in my "before" photo. And I'm wearing them in my first update photo too, although I'm holding OB up (and out, to show the gap).

I am keeping Old Blackie. No - OB doesn't hold especially fond memories for me, but it IS a great gauge on how far I've come. And for THAT, they remain my favorite jeans, now of course, for an entirely different reason.

This is the first day of the SSDDDY Challenge. Good luck to all the participants! I think I read that Allan was keeping enrollment open through this afternoon after all, so he must have a lot of interested people. I seem to recall he'd have to limit the partipants to the first 100, so if you were thinking about trying it, better email Allan (blog: Here) and let him know right away. His email address can be located on his blog site. Remember, email him, don't post a request on his blog.   He'll email your plan, and even recipes.

On this last challenge of 2010, I have a choice, to eat at my goal weight calories, or 1,200 calories per day. I have been eating at or near goal, so I decided to try 1,200 daily calories this time, to try something different and perhaps learn something new along the way. It is only until month's end - roughly three weeks.

My hydration goal is to drink 124 oz. of water a day (minimally), up to 146 oz. per day. I don't see this as a problem at all for me. I've become accostomed to proper hydration during the last challenge. Therefore, the challenge for me, this month, will be the lower caloric intake. Hey, if it was easy, it wouldn't be a "challenge."

If Allan's math is correct, I may actually fit into those size-24 jeans before year's end. That would REALLY be something!  I know I'll follow the rules and not deviate, but let's see if my body will cooperate and lose the way the math predicts.

Well, it is all good.  I'm on plan with this new challenge, and am looking forward to seeing the results of this challenge.  Before we know it, New Year's Eve will be here!  And I'm working hard to make 2011 the last year I carry extra weight. 

Onward and downward ...