I’m thrilled to report that my last meeting with the nutritionist yielded this wonderful news. I’m delighted that I’ve been able to lose ten pounds, and so far at least, it’s been relatively easy. The best part about it? I can once again easily reach around my back to unhook my bra at the end of the day. Sounds silly, I know, but those last ten pounds made that task extremely difficult.

A second small success is the relative ease with which I’ve been getting in and out of the car. I hadn’t noticed how much of a struggle that task had become. Again, ten pounds might not seem like much, especially when I have many multiples of ten to lose, but those small victories are victories all the same.

I’m looking forward to each of the ten pound milestones and the small successes that go with them. I’m actually pretty sure that when I get on a plane again in October I won’t need the seatbelt extender. If I do, so be it, but again, it’s just one of those situations where life is a little easier if I don’t.

I’m trying to celebrate each little success along the way in this long road that I have to travel. One small one yesterday was a noticeable shift in my brain. I was at a training for several hours with my colleagues and on the table was an assortment of candy. Normally I’m the girl who eats all of the chocolate and stashes the wrappers somewhere inconspicuous so nobody gives me that look (although I’m sure they all know anyway). Well, yesterday something wonderful happened. There was one small bag of Hot Tamales (six candies) and I took that. Nothing else. Ok, so I mooched two yellow Skittles from my friend too, but really, that’s it. Not bad, huh? The best part? I didn’t even want those other candies. I didn’t give them a second thought. Yay, brain! You’re evolving!

I’m rewiring my brain in terms of its perception of food, and my taste buds are going along for the ride. By cutting out a lot of junky foods and eating more real foods (you know, like fruits and vegetables) I’m relearning what tastes good. It’s a process, for sure, but I’m committed, so I might as well enjoy it.

On a final note, if you ever want every Facebook friend you’ve ever had to respond to a post of yours, tell the world you’ve lost ten pounds. The outpouring of encouragement was overwhelming. I’m glad I wear my heart on my sleeve, it allows me to share in life’s big (and small) moments with wonderful people around the world.