it's friday, and i survived my first five days of project puff-to-buff. i feel good. i feel more in control. i feel like it's going to work this time. if i can just keep this up for three weeks, it will become habit.

i'm so proud of myself. i didn't think i would ever be able to get myself together. especially with so many temptations. hell, we've had vegan candy bars sitting on the kitchen counter for an entire week, and i haven't touched them. and we're going to albany tomorrow where there is pizza place that serves vegan pizza and amazing vegan chicken nuggets and baked goods, and instead, we're having pasta with mom and dad. heck, i'm not even going to indulge in my grandmother's coolwhip cake (as much as i want to). it's not like i can't ever eat those things again. the only successful way to do this is moderation, and denying yourself all treats won't work. it's just that while i'm in this transitional stage, i don't want to give myself the opportunity to fall back into my old habits. i'm gonna give it a month. then i should be able to indulge once in a while without it sabotaging my entire new eating plan.

i'm also thinking that this is the perfect opportunity for me to go vegan once and for all. i've avoided cheese this week because of the fat, and i should continue to do so. if i'm going to give it up for this, i might as well give it up for good. i will miss my cheese pizza, and those amazing subs from the deli near work, but jeez. when i think about what i've been eating this week -- fresh fruits and veggies, homemade granola bars -- and then i think back to last week, eating a whole footlong sub loaded with cheese and italian dressing...whoa. no wonder i'm so fat. i would like to think such a big change in my diet will really help shed the pounds. that plus the exercise should certainly do something. i'm just so anxious to see the results.

130 pounds. it's a bit daunting, but i'm ready for the challenge. just gotta take it one pound at a time.