Just a quick check-in to say " hi " and to keep my accountability going with a 1st month update on my 2020 austerity plan

I'm down almost 10 lbs this month - thanks to a strict keto (and low-calorie) eating plan, intermittent fasting , almost no alcohol (a couple of group dinners at a business event in Toronto got the better of me and I had a few glasses of wine over the week) , more exercise, sleep and water. I plan to go another month with this and see where it all falls out. If I'm satisfied with my weight at that point, I'll start adding in more food. I feel I've kicked my sugar and salt cravings and am enjoying eating very mindfully.

My clothes of course are fitting much differently , but I'm not worrying about that right now. The biggest problem is with my workout tights, as they are officially too big now. I'm persevering with yanking them up every few minutes instead of buying anything new just yet (super classy , I know ) As I made a commitment to not purchase new clothes this year , the challenge will be to see what I already own that will work . I've been actively working through my closet and pulling things out to wear that haven't had much wear. Some of it has been relegated to a potential donate pile, but instead of immediately getting rid of it (my usual m.o) , I'm keeping the pile in plain view to revisit throughout the rest of the winter. What's been relegated to the pile so far? A couple of print tops that don't do anything for me or the outfits I've styled them with, a "whimsical" sweater that never did fit well, a pair of cheap Zara pants that are not up to standard for fit or quality, and another "whimsical" sweatshirt that I don't feel good in. Note to self: whimsical and cute is not me. I did have to buy a pair of black work pants (skinny black jeans ) to get me through the next few months. I paid very little for them, and although I broke that commitment, I didn't feel like I had much choice.

I'm enjoying reading my usual blogs (including YLF) and instead of thinking that I want or need whatever is featured, I'm looking at it as pure information ....to be stored away for styling ideas or for a possible trip to a second-hand store this summer if need be. Do you know how many gallons of water it takes to produce a pair of jeans? Google it, and you'll never buy a new pair again . Well, fewer hopefully.

Ideas for second-hand shopping if I end up needing better-fitting clothing: jeans, a denim jacket, a denim shirt, a midi dress, and blazers. We'll see how the local thrift shopping is here in Wpg though.....

And lastly, apropos of today's blog post, even though black isn't my best colour, I'm still wearing a lot of it. In fact, my suitcase for a week away at a business trade show consisted of all black, with one black/white print top. I felt very put-together, and used makeup and statement jewellery to bring light to the look. You do what you can to make what you own work better for you .....and that's my motto of the year.

Thanks for reading, and I'm still poking around the forum a bit

Lisa