Two Accomplishments!

I am happy and proud today, one in an obvious way, and one in a more personal, less obvious way.

First, the obvious. In two weeks, I've lost close to 11 pounds! Woot! Now, I know that weight sheds very quickly at first and this is the most I'll probably ever lose in such a short amount of time, but it's a testament to the fact that I've adhered well to my diet and that what I'm doing is working. My "fat pants" (which were, sadly, tight on me) are loosening up, I'm able to slide my wedding ring off my finger without prying if off, and I just feel better overall.

The second accomplishment? Though it's not necessary my own conscious doing, but my body's, I'm happy to announce that as of a week now, I've been off the prednisone completely. I'm sorer than I was before I stopped, for certain, but I'll trade a little soreness for the dramatic decrease in appetite and cravings I've experienced. I feel like I used to before I started the steroids, when healthy eating came so much more naturally to me, when a diet didn't feel like a diet, but more the way a lifestyle should feel like. That's not to say I don't want carbs and grease and sugar. Absolutely. But my willpower seems to have increased tenfold, and my stomach rumbling decreased tenfold. I knew ending the prednisone would make a difference, but I didn't realize how much until I stopped. That also means the Humira (my biologic) is working! Again, I'm not 100%. My fingers are still stiff and swollen in the knuckles. My knees still click and protest in the morning. My wrists are still unstable and unable to pick my children up for more than a few seconds. But it's progress. Right now, it's good enough, and I feel better now, off the prednisone, than I did on the prednisone with less pain in my body.

Chances are good I'll have to go back on the steroids someday, but until then, I am taking advantage of this time to kick start my healthy eating. I will hopefully never, ever have a period of time in my life again where I'm on prednisone or cortisone for months - or even years - at a time, but rather just a few days to a couple weeks. No biggie if that's the case; I can handle that, and so can my body.

In the meantime, my nasty sinus infection is starting to clear up. It takes me longer to kick an infection thanks to my immunosuppressants, and I have to wait until I'm 100% better before taking my next dose of Humira, but right now, I'm so thankful to not be sick anymore. Please, let my household be illness free for more than a couple days at a time! I just want to enjoy this lovely weather with my lovely kids and my lovely husband, enjoying my (as of right now) lovely health. And maybe, if I'm lucky, I can break out the elliptical trainer - the one that has been sitting 100% new, 100% assembled, and 100% unused for over a year - within the next few weeks. One has to have goals, and that's a big one for me.

Tonight, I'm having dinner with a friend who's going through a rough patch. Ordinarily, she and I delight in going to decadent restaurants and sharing a gooey dessert, but tonight, I suggested a salad and sandwich place. I'll treat myself to a huge salad, which I know will be filling, and skip the dessert. Going out for meals can break any diet, but with enough preparation and planning, it doesn't have to.

Time to relax a bit while Lulu is at preschool and Thor naps. Ah, quiet bliss.