This morning, I weighed in at my lowest yet: 201.3 lbs. This is nice; I had a setback on Saturday when I had lots and lots of port wine. I knew going into the party that I would drink, and I knew that it would slow or even halt my weight loss progress, but I did it anyway. It was the birthday party for a dear friend, and I wasn’t going to miss out on the fun.

It took me a full five days to begin losing weight again, which seems to be the norm for me. Every time I drink alcohol, I can say goodbye to weight loss for at least five days. Then, as long as I’ve stuck to eating properly, the progress begins anew and I start losing weight. I’m happy to be back into weight loss mode; just 1.4 more lbs and I’m finally into “Onederland;” that mythical place where people weigh under 200 lbs. It’s been over twenty years since I’ve been in Onederland. I can’t wait to be there.

After eating right for eight months, I’m finally learning the effects of imbibing and eating certain drinks and foods. I’m also learning how much of certain foods I can eat and what it will do to my weight loss. Cauliflower? I can eat as much of that as I want; it has no effect. Liver and onions? Chow down! Steak and shrimp with sweet potato? As long as I eat half of the sweet potato, I’m good for losing some weight. Eat the whole thing? I’ll hold steady.

The key is to pay attention to your body: how much you weight, how your clothes fit, and use that data to guide your food decisions.