"What do you want for yourself (WDYWFY)?" I used to hear that acronym all the time. It was a favorite of one of our wholesalers, who'd use it constantly in an effort to motivate us to move his product. It bubbled to the surface again the other day as I was thinking about motivation and like so many other brain farts, I just had to let it out. So, I think it's a good thing for me to ask myself, "WDIWFY?" Today's answer, "I want to be 'just right'".

I picked a hell of a day to report my "progress". Not that there is any real significance associated with this particular day- other than being another day closer to my goal date. It's just that I was a pound lighter yesterday. Reporting yesterday would have been much cooler. That's the thing though, if this journey has taught me nothing else, it's taught me that-

#16 - My Weight Fluctuates Daily

While I maintain that weight gain or loss can be predicted based on a simple equation of calories consumed minus calories burned, the fact is, there is a heck of a lot more that can affect body weight when you measure it more often. Some people even think that it is counter-productive to weigh yourself more than once a week- though it probably doesn't matter. Speaking of things that body weight,

#17 - Cut Back On The Sodium

Although it is one of those elements necessary for survival, it is oh so easy to get too much in my diet. Store-bought, prepared foods and restaurant stuff is typically loaded with it. I don't need to be sprinkling any more of it on my food. Some of it is outrageously over-doped. There's this local restaurant that, I swear, just chips off chunks from a salt-lick and covers it in brine before paper-mache'ing it into whatever you thought you ordered. The next day, I feel like I'm a water balloon- or a Butterball turkey.

#18 - Pack A Snack

I make it a point to consume small meals on a very regular basis- a food schedule of sorts. There are times when I'm caught away from healthier choices of food and the temptation to drive-thru one of the convenient burger joints becomes- shall we say a "logical alternative to starvation". I started carrying snacks (primarily protein bars and almonds) in my laptop case and car to stave off hunger until I can get something better to eat.