The Stragety

The keys to success in this endeavor will be:

1 - exercising instead of eating in response to emotional issues. I noticed that all this week I had virtually NO appetite. Coincidentally, I am starting an exciting new job tomorrow. It shows me that my "appetite" has been spiking due to my general unhappiness in life. "Cravings" are not physical for me. My cravings are based on emotional issues. When I start focusing on food, it's like an addict thinking about a hit. If possible, I need to exercise in response.

2 - building an hour of feel-good cardio into my schedule 5 days a week and adding some weight-bearing exercise as well. Body weight exercises are good, as they hit the small groups as well as the larger muscles. It's easier to isolate groups on a weight machine, which can lead to injuries (isolation, and over-development of large muscles in comparison to small muscles, that is).

3 - stop ignoring things that make me unhappy. Make myself happy. Focus on what I want and try to give it to myself. Right now, I miss my furbaby and want to rescue another westie. It feels disrespectful to do it so soon, but I see it as my furbaby carved a place for himself in my heart for 13 years, 7 months, three weeks and one day, and because he did, another life can be saved. I am a very nurturing person and I really need to perform that function.

The idea that I would have to trust another vet fucking enrages me.

4 - no diet restrictions. They're not necessary and they are counter-productive. The pendulum always swings back. Just need to pay attention when I'm unhappy and address it.

5 - a clear goal. I have been in conflict about what I wanted. I am not capable of having an hourglass figure without too much fat. When I have a flat tummy, I am kind of a stick. I feel very boyish. I would *like* to be curvy like my beautiful cousin, who looks like Beyonce, and could have curvy hips and a flat tummy. But I want the flat tummy more than I want to keep curves. I just made that decision based on my friend's bikini shot.

6 - a strategy for dealing with unwanted attention. there is a benefit to carrying around extra lbs. I feel safe walking the streets. I don't feel like a target. I really don't like attention. I'll have to think more about personal safety, if I'm of a size that's easy to pick up!!