I have learned a lot, but still have a ways to go...

Weight Watchers has taught me so much - I always say if my weight loss hadn't taken me 2 1/2 years I would not have learned many of the lessons I needed to keep my weight off. There is one important lesson that I have yet to learn though - eating out.

For many years I didn't allow myself to eat out and when I did it was a special occasion or a treat so I didn't order low point food, I splurged and never really taught myself to eat out and still stay in control. That method is fine when I only ate out occasionally - but lately our family has been eating out more often and that has led me to my current situation. I'm above goal - by a lot.

I need to learn that just because we got out doesn't mean it is a special occasion - sometimes it is by necessity. That means I need to stay on track and not act like it is a special occasion. Just because we are in a restaurant it doesn't mean I can eat whatever I want and it doesn't count. My body knows what I ate and it will act accordingly.

Yes I could go back to not eating out - but will I learn anything by that? Obviously not - I need to make better choices when I eat out, check the menu before I go there - figure out what to order and stick to that choice. If I choose to splurge on something I need to make sure I have the activity or the points in the bank to justify it. Work it off first - then splurge.

So that is my major goal for this month - plan better when it comes to eating out and earn activity first so I can justify my treats. The weight I have gained will come back off if I stick to this plan.

I have to keep my eyes on the most important rule - this is a lifestyle - not a diet - this is for life and I need to start treating it that way.