I finally feel like I can do this.

Starting weight: 167
Current weight: 156.1 (Last week’s check-in weight was 157.1.)
Goal weight: 130

Exercise: This week I relied on my weekend walks, because during the week I did a lot of sitting — at the hairdresser and on the couch. I’m participating in a writing contest called Writing Battle, and not only did I write a story, but now I get to judge stories as well. So … lots of sitting.

The Food: I have two new favorite Nutrisystem snacks: 1) chocolate-covered pretzels. I think they’re actually called chocolate flavored pretzels, but whatever — they’re really tasty. 2) Dark Chocolaty Sea Salt Nut Square. Absolutely delicious. These two snacks feel like cheating, and they really satisfy my chocolate cravings in the evenings.

Confession: So my incredibly supportive husband promised he wouldn’t get me chocolate for Valentine’s Day. True to his word, he presented me with a large heart-shaped box of … assorted nuts.

I feel good about eating the nuts. But here’s my confession: I took some little cupcakes to school for my students, and there ended up being four extra. I could have brought those home to my husband and boys. I didn’t. I ate them. I ate them all. Plus two tiny KitKats that a student gave me. So I’m thrilled that I didn’t gain weight this week, what with that slip-up. In fact, on Thursday this week was the first time since starting Nutrisystem that I actually noticed a difference. The pants I put on were loose. Really loose. That alone has given me confidence and the feeling that I can reach my goal. Hence, the opening photo: Punch today in the face. I like that.

Weight loss: To be honest, after eight weeks, I expected to be down more than ten pounds. That does discourage me a little, but then I look at it this way: I’m losing roughly a pound a week, and the only significant change I’ve made is my diet. And even that is not drastic — on Nutrisystem, I’m eating foods that don’t taste like diet foods (at least the chocolaty snacks, anyway), I’m allowing myself some treats now and then, and I haven’t started a regular exercise program. Now that one pound a week sounds pretty amazing.

Parting Words: We used to go out to eat every Friday. But for the past few weeks, we have not (this week we ate out on Saturday, but whatever — we have really cut down on going out), and I think that is making a huge difference in my diet. Restaurant meals have so many calories, it’s ridiculous. Even the salads be like, “Heyyy, eat me, I’m so healthy,” and the menu says 1,100 calories. If you’re used to going out, try staying home and eating your Nutrisystem food, and see how that affects the scale. Oh, and punch today in the face!