Weight Loss Update - 31 pounds down!

I know it's been a little while since I've mentioned the diet, but never fear - it's still going strong!  It's now been 3 months since I started tracking what I'm eating and moving more, and I'm happy to say progress is being made!  If you didn't read my last entry, check out my diet game plan here.  The short version is that I started the diet by:

Tracking my meals using loseit.com (EVERY day)
Giving up soda (no caffeine or aspratame)
Drinking lots of water every day
Walking a lot
Following the 80/20 rule

In the first 7 weeks I lost 20 pounds.  Now, three months in, I'm 31 pounds down!  Here's a little of what's been going on:

I've still been tracking all my meals, and I've only gone over my daily calories 5 times these whole 3 months! Basically, if I know i'll be eating a large meal one day, I trim down the others or skip a snack.  I also try to add an extra 30 minutes of exercise that day, to compensate for the extra calories!

I've started jogging.  I'm REALLY bad at it...but I'm still trying!  Right now I'm doing intervals - running 2 minutes, walking 2 minutes for 20-26 minutes three times a week (in addition to 60 minutes walking).  Hopefully next time I report I'll have extended the run portion.  :)

I hit a plateau.  Like...a 2.5 - 3 week plateau.  I did really well for 2 weeks of the darn thing, staying positive and continuing as a good girl should, but 2.5 weeks in I was about to give up.  It's frustrating not seeing any progress when you're doing everything "right".  Travis was in Vermont at the time, so I finally called him and lost my cool - "This is stupid," "Nothing's working," "I don't want to do this anymore," "This sucks."  Sweet husband turned on the cheerleader role and reminded me that I already have done it, so obviously I can, and that eventually the plateau would end.  Two days later I started making "scale progress" again!

I almost wore holes in the bottoms of my shoes from walking so much, so I got some new shoes last weekend.  I'm still getting used to them, but they are much better than the old ones!

I also got a watch that tracks your steps, distance, heart rate, and calories burned.  Most of these are pretty expensive, but I found one from New Balance at Target last week for $60, so I got it.  I had 3 gift cards I could use, so it only ended up costing $5!  *score*  I was excited to get home and crack it open to start using, until I saw the instructions.  They were folded up into a tiny booklet, but when you unfolded them they were the size of a MAP.  I took one look and knew it was just going to be a frustrating mess, so I decided to wait for Travis to get home for Oregon (another music conference) so he could help me.  When I called him to tell him about the instructions he said "yeah...you should just wait for me to get home."  He really knows me, huh?  :)  I'm excited to get it set up so I can start wearing it, though!

I did another Diet Bet...and won again!  My friend Ann started her own after reading my last weight loss blog, so of course I joined!  I was nervous I wouldn't make my goal with the monster plateau, but eeked out the required 4% in the last few days!  Whew...

That's what's been going on with me.  We'll be going on vacation in a few weeks, so normally I'd be nervous, but this vaca is going to be very active - we're going to the Tetons and Yellowstone, so there will be lots of hiking and exploring!

Do you have any tips for me?  What's worked for you?

Also, I'll be going on vacation later in July and am looking for a few guest bloggers.  If you're interested, send me an email at lalford0609 (at) gmail (dot) com!