This Calls For a Celebration!

WARNING: Long rant ahead!!

Not too long ago, I was having a conversation with an old acquaintance from when I was growing up. She asked where I was working these days, and I told her that I worked as a Case Assistant for a law firm in Downtown SLC. She asked the usual questions - what was the firm called, where is it located, do you know so-and-so, and then she asked how long I'd worked there. I've been thinking about my reply ever since.

7 years. 7! SEVEN! S-E-V-E-N.

This is a big deal to me, because I've never worked ANYWHERE longer than 3 or 4 years. In high school I worked at a Chinese fast-food place in the mall for all of 3 months, and then at a dry cleaner for about 6-8 months. I worked at a Deseret Book retail store for 3 1/2 years, and at their corporate office for 6 months. I worked for Franklin Covey as a receptionist for 2 years, and then as a Certification Coordinator for two years. Then I came here, to my current job at a law firm, and... I'm still here! And I have no intention of leaving anytime soon. Partly because of the current job market, and partly because... well, the more I look elsewhere for jobs, the more I realize how good I have it where I am. I've had my ups and downs - anyone that knows me knows that I've looked for other jobs the past few years because I was feeling kinda "stuck" in my current job. So I went out looking for greener pastures. But the closest I came was a field with a few green weeds. Nothing could really compare to my current job's benefits and compensation programs. Not to mention the fact that I ADORE the people I work with (I don't know what I would do without my Emily friends at work), and my current supervisor is WONDERFUL.

So - I think I will stay here, until they decide to kick me out, or until a miracle happens and I get married and my spouse moves us out of state.

Another reason I'm celebrating is because, FINALLY, I am a few short days away from finishing my (extremely restrictive) diet program. I know the last post I mentioned my weight loss on, I told you I'd lost around 22 pounds. Well, the grand total (depending on the type of scale I'm on) is... *drum roll*

38-40 pounds. GONE. Adios. Buh-bye. And GOOD RIDDANCE.

I feel no awkwardness in telling you all (well, those of you who don't already know) now that my diet program is the HCG Injection diet. If you want to read about it, click here. I went through a clinic, and met with a physician and nutritionist. I went in for weekly weigh-ins and vitamin shots, and made sure I wasn't losing structural fat or muscle. Now, in a few short days, I will re-introduce cheese and a little bit of bread into my diet. (Pictures of me to come soon, I promise.)

I learned SO many things on this program. Firstly, I was not eating as well as I thought I was; I took a good look at the "nutritional" value in most things I ate, and - no wonder I was chunky, I love junk food. (Who doesn't?!?) Granola bars, diet soda, 100-calorie snacks, and oatmeal are not as healthy as the vendors want you to believe. Secondly, I learned that I drank WAAAAYY too much of soda. I've not had any in over two months, and guess what? I don't miss it. At all. I may let myself have it two or three times a year (special treat on my birthday, Christmas, and maybe once in the summer), but that's it. I witnessed what I let it do to my body, and it will never happen again. Third, I learned that I have self-control - a LOT of it - buried under my cravings for food. I just have to let it out. I also learned that the things I thought tasted so good don't actually taste that great. After months of eating only fresh and natural foods, I cheated a little on Halloween and had one fun-size Snickers bar. Oh, I enjoyed every little bite. Then, the aftertaste took me by surprise... it was GROSS. The candy tasted so processed and chemical-ish... I don't think candy will be that huge of a problem anymore. (I hope.) I think my taste buds have changed.

SO - after all that, my reward was a Cafe Rio salad. Of course, I've only eaten the lettuce, chicken and pico - and not even so much as a little nibble of the tortilla - but it is still delicious. Such a great way to celebrate.

MMMM. Cafe Rio.