Down one more pound this week! This despite the fact that I ate rich food for a birthday last night. Furthermore, I forgot to weigh myself until I’d gotten up and eaten breakfast, so I may be even lighter than this. I’m really happy. I feel like I’m on track, even if things are moving slowly. Individual days don’t always feel all that great, but I’m beginning to gain confidence that my overall patterns are doing well. Furthermore, I feel really healthy and happy about the food that I’m putting into my body.

This weekend has been (and will continue to be) full of rich, enticing foods. Yesterday was a family member’s birthday, so some splurge food was in order. I did the cooking myself, which helped. Mind you, I would never foist diet food on a non-dieting birthday person. But I prepared all of the birthday person’s favorite fresh foods (salmon and asparagus) and actually got a request for whole wheat pasta (the brand was his favorite), so the meal was basically a healthy one with a little extra butter and cheese. I served a rich, cream based soup for an appetizer which I just avoided. I knew that we were going to be having ice cream for dessert, so I just bought myself a miniature container so that I wouldn’t be tempted to overindulge. Overall, I’m proud of myself. I ate moderately and I allowed myself to enjoy celebrating with my loved ones.

My husband and I are using today as our Valentine’s Day because Thursday was so completely crazy and busy. We’re going to visit some friends in the town we used to live in and then go to eat at the restaurant where we first celebrated our engagement. Very romantic. There are lots of reasonably healthy foods on the menu, but I plan to eat whatever I want in moderation. My goals are eating lots of vegetables, drinking lots of water, avoiding things that aren’t worth it, and stopping when I am satisfied. I also plan to visit my favorite bakery in the entire world to find something for dessert. This place makes the best cookies I have ever tasted, and I think it is completely worth it for a splurge.

I think this weekend is going to be a really good way of testing out how to use moderation and good sense in times of celebration as well as in the everyday grind of life. So far, I think I’m doing well. Wish me luck!