Day 8 planning is key!

Well my friends, if I survived this weekend and am continuing to lose weight, I feel like I can do anything.  Between Saturday and today we've had 3 meals out with one more to still have in a little while. And you know what? I am proud to say, I stayed on plan and feel stronger than ever.  Today we took the kids to the Bronx Zoo as it was my DH's b-day and it would be a fun outing as a family.  What's my first thought??  WTH am I going to eat at a place full of fast food, Icee's and ice cream at every turn...not that I noticed or anything ;)  So, I came prepared again with my big cooler bag.  In addition to packing food for the kids that wouldn't make them melt down and turn into monsters I packed for me as well.  I packed lots of water & seltzer so I stayed hydrated and didn't mistake thirst for hunger especially on such a hot day.  I also packed oven roasted turkey, several fruit choices for both me & the family.  I knew I had to have my 2 servings by 2 pm and there was no way I was missing that opportunity.  I also packed some edamame, cheese sticks and even a FF Greek yogurt.  I ended up packing more than I needed but you know what?  I'd rather too many healthy choices in my bag, than none to choose from.  So I was armed and ready to take on the zoo, and that we did.  I did end up finding a greek salad that was surprisingly good (minus the grape leaves) and I doctored it up with my turkey & edamame and Walla a healthy & filling lunch at a zoo.  Who'd have thought possible?  We came home a few hours later we're headed out as a couple for the final birthday celebration.  My DH suggested TK's in Danbury because on your birthday you can have free wings for however many years old you are.  I went online looked at the menu and determined the only thing I would probably be able to eat was the paper napkins so we compromised and found another place where he can enjoy his wings and I can stay on plan and enjoy something other than a napkin for dinner & stay on track.  I have pretty much planned out my dinner ahead and am planning to order 1 of 2 possible salads on the menu.  Unless they had a fish special then I might possibly veer but this spot has good salads that I know I'll enjoy so I think I am decided.  It feels good to plan it out ahead of time.  In my mind, planning it half the battle.  I planned today at the zoo and had good, healthy & tasty snacks that would keep me on plan and satisfied.  I can't control these special meals out, they're going to happen.  Sometimes more frequently than others, I just need to be accountable for my behavior.  It's a slippery slope for me, the first meal out on Saturday could have spiraled into ice cream after then a really unhealthy lunch yesterday and while I was at it snacked on crap the rest of the night because I drank too much and why get back on track today when I was going to the zoo, so I could have written today off as well.  I literally could have potentially gained back half the weight I worked so hard to lose.  And you know, it's just not worth it!  I still have a long way to go, but I am pretty sure at this point I have lost about 10 pounds according to my home scale with my Aunt Flo coming VERY soon.  So it might even be a good amount more by my 2nd weigh in.  So I continue to plug along and plan ahead one meal and one day at a time.
Love,
S