About 6 weeks ago, I earnestly began my weight loss journey. I stepped on the scale shortly after my birthday and was floored and shocked by the number. Almost immediately I started CICO. Today I was thrilled when I found out that I'd lost 13 lbs!

Now here's the thing- I've actually been very very imperfect at CICO. I've struggled to maintain a ~1200 calorie/day budget. In fact, I've only managed a 6 day-streak of 1200 calories since I began. Most weeks, I have 4 1200 calorie days, and 3 days that range from 1400-2000 calories a day. But even on those 'bad' days, I've learned to exercise restraint and not binge, and I've learned to keep trying for 1200 calories.

I really, REALLY admire people who can stick to their ideal calorie budget almost every day. I am still trying to get there. But I'm posting this to show that you don't have to be a PERFECT dieter in order to lose weight. It's worth it to keep going even when you mess up and KEEP MESSING UP. The weight might come off slower, but it will still come off if you keep trying!