(That’s me and my husband, Andy.)

 Amazingly, I have lost 5 pounds in the past week. That’s even with a 4 year old grandaughter in the house, and all the cookie baking and cake baking that’s been going on, and all of my taste tasting to boot! 

I have made some slight changes and evidentally they are working.  I have been paying more attention to portion control.  I have started using my own earlier suggestion about using a small dessert plate at meal times, instead of the larger standard dinner plate. 

 I have also started using an ice cream scoop to measure out one scoop of things that I really don’t need a lot of.  Things like: mashed potatoes, macaroni salad, etc.  I am also trying to keep meat portions no bigger than the palm of my hand. Basically, a good calorie-control rule is to keep your plate balanced with 1/4 protein, 1/4 carbohydrates, and 1/2 vegetables. 

Another change I have made has to do with the beverage that I drink.  I have developed a love for sugar free lemonaide over lots of crushed ice.  I also enjoy eating the flavored ice after all the lemonaide is gone.  I have always had a problem drinking enough fluids in a day to stay well hydrated, but not anymore.  I can been seen with a hug 32oz glass of lemonaide most anytime now. :)

(Incidentally, I will be on vacation next Monday, and will not be able to update you on any weight loss or gain until I get back.  I am going to try to enjoy tasting bits and pieces of this and that, rather than just going into a full blown pig out while I am gone.  I will be sure to let you know how it goes. )

How is everyone else doing on their weight loss ventures?  What tips and tricks are you using to make the scales go down?