Ok, it’s been awhile since I wrote anything, I know. I’m sorry. But, I’m back. AND, better yet, I’m back on track.

When I wrote my first post and said I was on a journey, I had no idea where the journey was going to take me. Now, nearly 10 months later, I am FINALLY taking steps forward again. I pushed pause for nearly five months while I learned to sleep through the night again. I worked with my doctors to stop taking anxiety medication. I learned from my friends about essential oils and how they could help me with sleeping and managing anxiety.

I can say that this was well worth the pause. I feel so much better. I can do more than collapse when I get home from work. I’m still struggling to find the time for exercise, but the really tough stuff is behind me. Now that the kids are back in school, it’s time to right the weight loss train. The good news is that while I gained back quite a bit of the weight I lost, I didn’t gain it ALL back. The numbers vary … and at this point, I’m starting over and counting from my all time highest weight, which I am NOT going to write down. But using that number (which is higher than my previous start number), I’m down 22.8 — 7 of which I’ve lost since the middle of August.

I’m focused on getting organized, planning meals, and ensuring I didn’t forget how to use the oven. I rejoined Weight Watchers and am tracking my food. It works. Weight Watchers isn’t right for everyone, but I believe in it. It works for me. I’m doing it online (the thought of going to another meeting outside of work makes me shudder). But, I’m being accountable to myself. I owe myself that much. This is not just for me, it’s for my family. I want to have fun with them without feeling embarrassed about my size, or worrying that I won’t be able to keep up with them.

I started following Tammy Kresge’s awesome website and blog, Organize Yourself Skinny. I’m reading her ebook. She teaches that being accountable is one of the most important strategies for weight loss success. I couldn’t agree more. So, my advice? Find someone you trust to share your progress with. You don’t have to tell them how much you weigh! Share what you’re doing. How you’re doing it. The frustrations. The successes. Tell them when to push you forward, hold you up, and when to back off. Knowing you have that person on your side will help keep you going. And, you have to write down what you eat and how many calories it is. It’s a pain, I know. But once you do it for a few days, it starts to get easier. I also highly recommend buying (and reading) Tammy’s Organize Yourself Skinny ebook. She has so many great ideas and recipes too!

Today I tried one of her recipes and actually planned some other meals for the week using her tools and tricks. I’m so excited to see how the week goes. Here’s the really cool thing — my girls are excited too. They came home this afternoon to a refrigerator full of healthy foods to choose from. We all packed our lunches at the same time. We shared ideas and all worked together to make sure we had good, filling lunches and snacks ready for tomorrow.

I can rest easily tonight knowing that my week is off to a good start from a food perspective. I’m looking forward to my daily successes. I can’t wait to celebrate them.

What are you doing this week to get organized? Who are you going to be accountable to?