Day 8 - Having a Daily Schedule is a Good Thing!

So, I started this challenge just over a week ago, and did pretty well the first couple of days...and then after a flurry of meals out (with teacher friends I hadn't seen in months!), I came to a few conclusions. Lessons learned, if you will...

• Starches are NOT my friends!
• Eating out can sabotage a diet in NO TIME! Always plan ahead and check out the nutrition facts online and choose your meal BEFORE you get there and see what everyone else is choosing!
• 30 minutes of Gazelling will NOT make up for fried onion strings and jalapenos at Chili's!
• Italian (my all-time favorite!) like Carino's and Joe's should be avoided at all costs-reserved for special occasions only! (Perhaps it's a blessing in disguise that my family does not like Italian very much...I just thought they were crazy!)
• Fitting in the required fruits, veggies, dairy and fiber doesn't leave room for much else!
• Having a routine (and being back in school) makes forming a habit much, MUCH easier!

It's definitely time for some refocusing! I very much want to reach my 20 pound goal by October 5th! I do understand so much more about eating out, but it's still one of my favorite ways to relax with friends...this will require some forethought and self-discipline! I must say that keeping a food journal through these days has taught me much more than I ever imagined! I will continue this practice as I continue on the journey...