Well, it's Monday morning and boy, it was a busy weekend. Before I start jabbering I'll post my menu for the last two days.
12/27/03:
Breakfast-Eggs with chorizo, coffee.
Lunch-No time
Dinner-Oh boy, here we go. My MIL called and said she had made us a pernil. For those of you who read this and don't speak spanish, it's roast pork loin, highly seasoned with garlic, cumin, oregano, etc. It's a typical Puerto Rican or Cuban main dish that is always accompanied by morros or congri which is a mixture of white rice and black beans, also very flavorful, and fried sweet plaintains. Oh, I almost forgot the yucca (cassava) which is a root vegetable similar to potato. It's boiled until very soft and topped with tons of garlic and onion which has been sauteed with bacon. To not have the roast with all of the aforementioned side dishes is considered sacrilege in our culture. You guessed it, I caved. But before you get out the whip, I didn't go all out. I served myself a large portion of meat, a teeny bit of rice, a teeny bit of cassava and 2 slices of plantains. I loaded up on the roast so I would get full and wouldn't be tempted to have more of the no nos. I must say, it was a delicious meal.
12/28/03
Breakfast-No time, I was out and about shopping.
Lunch-Ok, ok, I know, I should have stopped and eaten but I was having so much fun at the mall!
Snack-I usually don't post snacks because I don't have them. But I took the kiddos to go see Peter Pan at around 7:00. Had some popcorn and a diet coke.
Dinner-Ate very late, around 9:45. Had a protein burger from In N Out, very yummy. I discovered a new product at Costco, a fruit drink with only 2 carbs that's supposed to help supress appetite and contains vitamins. I didn't get it for the appetite supression, but because It's hard to find fruity drinks that are low carb. Tastes pretty good.
Don't know if I should post because I don't really ever see anyone else bring up the subject but I'll go out on a limb anyway. I'll go so far as to say that I know some of you have to be experiencing the same thing. How do I put this gently? Let's just say that hubby and I had a lovely evening yesterday. I just had to mention it because it's a part of this journey that's an important one. It's amazing how weight affects the way we feel about ourselves, you know, self esteem. As I was walking out the door this morning, he gave me a big hug and said, " You have curves!" I took this as a huge compliment because for over 2 years I've been feeling so crappy about my appearance and my health. Because of those feelings I put up a wall around myself. I felt like a big lump of shapeless clay. Anyway, that was a high point for me.
Now for the results of official weigh in. I'm down to 185! One more pound to go for my 40 lb. clippie. I know that I'll see and feel the next 40 lbs. more than the first and I'm looking forward to the process. While shopping yesterday I noticed that the stores have started bringing out new arrivals for spring. Saw lots of cute dresses that I'm hoping to fit into by then. I'm trying not to buy too many things right now in anticipation of dropping some dress sizes.
I'm wearing size 14-16. I bought a couple of tops and a pair of jeans at Lerner yesterday. The tops were a size large. When I started Atkins in August I was a size XX-large and size 20, bordering size 22. It feels good to be able to buy from one of my favorite stores. I look thinner today because my new top isn't swimming on me. I still wear my big clothes and they're so large, they make me look heavier than I really am. I'm a cheapskate and feel there's no sense in spending more money than I need to.
I made an appointment with my doctor for tomorrow, so we'll see what happens. Thank you all for your comforting words, I feel much more at ease.
Littleducksmom, we CAN do this! Let's be sure to stay completely on plan and I know we'll be successful!
Lisa, I'm going to pop on over to your journal by the end of today, actually to all of your journals. You guys keep me going!
Doreen, you always have such nice things to say. Thanks for your prayers! I hope everything is going well with you and that you have a positive and focused day today! Stay away from that 'ol evil vending machine, ok?
Laurie, thanks so much for reminding me that our new machine may need to be tweeked a little. I feel so much more at ease. All these thoughts were racing through my head the other day, and of course I just had to get on the internet and by the time I was through I was sure I'd be needing a pacemaker!
Talk about paranoid.
Beth, thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings in this journal. It's nice to know people are watching, it keeps me on the straight and narrow (well, most of the time).
Have a great week everyone!
Forty pounds--what an accomplishment that will be! 
One of the many benefits of weight loss!
I'm glad your DH appreciates the happy, healthy YOU!
I wanted to tell you about the Walk Away the Pounds video. There are a whole bunch of low impact walking/aerobic tapes put out by Leslie Sansone. I got the 3 Mile tape to see if it would give me something to spice up my routine, and I think it was lots of fun! Leslie is upbeat and positive, and the routine incorporates some upper body strength training that I need. See if you can rent one or get one for cheap on half.com to see if you like them. 
I WANT ONE! You've come so far is such a short time. WOW!
