the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth... so help me god!

So I went to see my doctor today, and if you recall correctly I said I would be very honest with him about where I was at (maybe I just thought it and never confessed it to cyber space). Well, you will be pleased to hear that this was probably my most honest meeting with him to date. Don't panic, I don't go there to lie but at times I may not have told the whole truth.

Today I went in and just laid it all down. He asked me how things were, and I told him how they were:
I said that I was just this side of becoming a vegetarian. I can no longer eat read meat, or pork and now I don't think I can eat chicken (unless ground). He then clarified that this was not a decision based on my "feelings" about the animals. I said no, that I was in mourning for the lack of steak in my life. That I loved me a dead animal carcase on my plate (ok, I may be taking creative license on how that was phrased exactly). He was surprised and slightly concerned that I could no longer eat chicken - he has a protein thing; it's apparently all about protein. Apparently this is NOT a common "side effect". However I reassured him that I was consuming sufficient protein amounts. That I eat ground meats, but mostly consume fish (which made him happy) and veggies. He asked me about portion sizes and about my breakfast routines. When I told him the sizes for my lunch and dinner plates and what my am routine was, again he was happy with that.

At one point he said that it seemed like I was doing really well, that I was controlling my cravings well. I interrupted him (I know, you raised me better than that mom) to point out (and really come clean) that I have a chocolate problem, and do occasionally give in to said desires (see Kelly? nothing but the truth). He was still  pleased with me. He asked me whether or not I could "feel" a difference; in my body or clothing. Today was the first time I could emphatically say yes. There is a definite difference. He asked me "what is your plan?" or something along those lines, and I responded like this: at this point in time, I think I almost have this under control. I need to incorporate the exercise into this whole process and I plan on doing that by walking at lunch time and possibly taking a belly dancing class (that you Kelly... ahem!). He said that that was great, and that dancing was the best exercise possible. He also wants me to exercise with my family. We are going to try to walk after dinner. We shall see.

Things I am figuring out at this point:

a - I can't eat chicken.
b - I am surprised at how much time I spend thinking about food. Like I told the doctor, I thought I would stop obsessing about food after this operation, but now I find myself even more preoccupied by it.
c - Every time I think I have things under control, the game changes.
d - Despite item C, I feel good about where I am at in this process.

So what does this all mean? Well today was the first time I went to visit my doctor and NOT get an adjustment done. He is extremely pleased with my results and attitude. He is even impressed with me. So although I can't eat chicken anymore, at least I know that that is one of my limitations and I am no longer blocking every time I eat it ('cause I don't eat it anymore!!!). I feel like I am just about to hit my "groove" with this whole thing. I feel like I have figured out how this needs to work for me. I also think that I am about to become really successful.

Speaking of success, one of the reasons why my eating is going so smoothly is thanks to my Tante Lil. She recommended a cookbook to me a few months back, that she and her daughter's all have. I could have saved myself a lot of grief over the last few months if I would have just gone out and picked it up but alas, I didn't. I do however own it now. I have had it in my possession for less than a week. Have made 4 recipes from it and will point out that Tante, you were right - everything is delish so far. Yum!

Now on to the best part. PICTURES!

I was talking with my sister a couple of weeks back, and she was complaining that I had not post pictures in a while. I told her that I had taken them (in March), but that there wasn't much change from the February photo to the March photo - so I hadn't posted it. She said that she doesn't get to see me everyday, and that she was sure that she would see a difference. I don't think she would have for the feb/march pictures, but I will make an effort to post a photo every month regardless of how I feel about it. So without further ado, here is the March/April (taken today) photos:

BTW, I'm only posting the side view because I find it more... descriptive of the changes. Should I be posting a front facing shot as well? Let me know.

P.S. t-minus 2 lbs till I hit the big 50!