okay dad. you're right. I'm wrong.

My dad has always said the mind is a powerful thing and if we can just learn to control it, we will find solutions to most of our problems. I always believed that to be partially true but I never FULLY grasped the concept of controlling your mind until recently.

I have always said "I don't like this food or that food. I can't eat healthy because I don't like the food." And excuse after excuse after excuse. But this time around, I find that I do enjoy the food by not setting negative expectations in my mind. I enjoy asparagus, I love feta cheese, and I think mashed cauliflower is actually more tasty than mashed potatoes. By not mentally setting negative expectations, I've only had positive results.

I'm also notorious for "well I'll start my diet tomorrow, for real," and that's my "valid" excuse for having a temporary glutinous one night love affair with a plate full of carbs. However I haven't done that this time. I tell myself "that doesn't taste as good as skinny will feel." And it's worked, every time. I haven't cheated and tasted food as I make it for Josh or Levi, I didn't sample any of my cake pops, and I haven't had a full sugar soda, not even one sip! I've been drinking 8 glasses of water, cooking healthy meals every night, not going back for seconds, and remembering to take my vitamins. These are HUGE accomplishments for me.

Small victories, day by day, week by week. This surgery isn't about a quick fix but about a permanent lifestyle change. For the first time in my life I feel committed enough to make the changes and stick to them. I've told myself I CAN do this, I WILL do this, I DESERVE this. And it has made all the difference.