About two weeks ago I started the CICO approach and started losing weight fairly rapidly. My brothers wedding is coming up and I made a promise to myself to lose enough weight that I would feel comfortable in my dress. I was never properly tracking calories before so I wasn't surprised when I started losing weight. What I was surprised about is how much I enjoyed cooking fresh meals, how I felt 100x better, and the fact that my skin was clearing up.

I was so proud of myself and it made me realize that I could do this long-term to make the lifestyle change. I even did the hardest thing possible - not have cake on my birthday. It was a tough day but I made it through. Two days later I had a surprise party, once again managed to control the intake and maintain the diet. Second surprise party (different group of friends) threw it all off track. Had a large birthday dinner, gave into cravings and everything.

That one day I ended up having a large poutine, McDonalds brownie, mini pack of Oreos, and a Coke (total intake of almost 2000 calories). I was disappointed and knew I took two steps back so I was expecting some weight gain the following morning. What I was so shocked about was how shitty I felt that night. I'm not talking mentally, I'm talking "my body felt like it was rejecting the food" kind of shitty feeling.

I used to eat like this all the time but I had made such a drastic change and going back to the old ways really affected me in a way I wasn't expecting. But I think it's such a good lesson, that any time I try to go off the wagon again like that I'll know how sick I can feel and I'll be able to stop myself.

Still no cake, but I'll be sure to have a slice at the wedding!