First off, the good news in the form of two pairs of jeans:

– When I was in college (think early 2000s), capri pants were in style. I couldn't find any I liked, so I bought two cheap pairs of jeans, cut them off and ka-boom, capris. I'd been at the Journal for only a little while before the smaller of the two pairs didn't fit anymore. I hung them up on the wall as motivation to lose the extra weight, but it didn't work. Probably about a year or so ago I took them down off the wall, feeling like I could never lose the weight. Well. I found them again a few weeks ago and tried them on, and they're wayy too big! I forgot what size they were, but they were a juniors' 15. Yeah. Too big. But it feels good to finally say I can fit back in them, and then some.

– Speaking of sizes, I've been in a weird limbo lately. I have two pairs of size 10 jeans, one being way too big and the other being almost too small. So I went to the store yesterday to see if I could find another size 10 that fit "just right"... and walked out with a size 8. Yes, I know, they're cut large for an 8, but they fit just right. Yay!

Alright, on to the point of this post.

If you've ever lost any weight, you've probably had folks ask you, "So, what are you doing?" or "How are you doing it?"

It seems like I've had a ton of folks ask me this lately, and when I give them the answer – "eating better and exercising," or something to that effect – with some folks, it's like I'm breaking their heart. I can see the disappointment in their eyes that I didn't say, geez, I sold my cow for three magic beans and ka-boom I've dropped 50 pounds. It's weird. I think people expect me to say I took a magic pill or sold my soul to the devil or something. Nope. I work out, I eat better, that sort of thing. That's also why it takes a while, if I even progress at all for a week (or more), but I think that's also why I feel better, healthier.

No sir. No magic beans here.

I'm happy with water just as it is, but sometimes it needs to be spruced up a bit.

Enter the Rove Infuser, a 20-ounce cold drink travel tumbler that is now my new bff.

Ya know those plastic, reusable travel cups you see everywhere now? This one has an infuser in the middle, so you can fill it with herbs or fruits which will give your cold water a fresh flavor. It keeps the water cold and doesn't sweat.

I picked mine up at Bed Bath and Beyond in Tupelo last night (it costs just under $10). I tried it this morning with strawberries and blueberries and it made the water so delicious. I'm gonna stop by the store at lunch to get more fruit and some herbs, like mint, to try new flavor combinations.

(If I'd thought about it, I would've taken a picture – sorry! And I can't seem to find a picture online, even on the company website. But I found mine toward the back of the store, in the kitchen section, and they had both pink and green ones. Mine's pink!)

I got the idea to look for something like this from this cool fitness blog, A Daily Dose of Fit. This blogger wrote about an infuser she got from the Papered Chef that allows you to put ingredients into bigger things like stews or large pitchers of beverages. I like that mine is a tumbler but I wouldn't mind having this big infuser too!

I'm off to buy some fruit!

This morning I came across this excellent column from Jezebel, called "Being Mean to Fat People is Pointless." (click the title to read it)

(apologies of curse words get your roos in a wad, because there are a few in it – but it is so worth your time, regardless)

If you're overweight, read it. If you know someone overweight, read it.

For years I took for granted what good friends I have. We laugh at our own mistakes or just us being goofy – never at the expense of others. But lately, outside my circle or with complete strangers, I've heard people laugh at, be mean toward and openly use derogatory words toward others. I guess I've been lucky enough to be friends with such good people – and I have enough sense to stay away from most websites' comments sections, where hatred and pure meanness grows like kudzu – and I guess I've been naive, but this behavior has really shocked me. I actually believed bigoted language was going the way of the dinosaur because I didn't know anyone who used it. I've gone months without hearing the "n" word or the "f" word – until lately, and this just plain breaks my heart.

Unfortunately, these folks have made me see otherwise. But just because it happens doesn't mean I have to listen to it, watch someone be subjected to it or put up with it.

This column deals with how overweight people are treated, and in my weight loss journey I've really seen how people treat me differently with 50 less pounds on my body. I won't lie: people are nicer. Guys hit on me more. I get more compliments. And I hate it. What, I wasn't worthy of your kindness before? I wasn't pretty before? I accessorized exactly the same way before, but it wasn't "cute" when I was more overweight? What sense does that make?

Let me say this, too: I know I'm sounding preachy here, but I feel I can write this post with confidence because I've been there. I've been the mean girl. But I also stopped myself, realized how absolutely ashamed of myself I was. I knew better, and I promised myself I'd never behave that way again. It didn't take much effort. I just swore I'd never try to make myself feel better by making someone else feel worse.

I'm sure I'm sounding super preachy this morning, but really, I've had enough.

I'm not even asking people to be kind to one another. I'm just saying, be civil. Think before you speak or act. Put your ego aside and consider about how what you're about to say or do will make someone else feel.

You've heard the saying before, right? It takes no time it all to put on weight, but it seems like it takes forever to take it off.

In late July it'll be a year since I started this weight loss plan. I've made a lot of progress but I still have a way to go. Thank goodness, some fresh motivation just came my way.

• A friend's wedding and a concert in July. I'd like to look great for both of these!
• My new Zumba DVD set. (click for more info!) It seems like most of the Zumba classes in town conflict with my work schedule, so these DVDs will hopefully keep me on track.
• Big change in diet: going as vegetarian as possible, while still eating some meat occassionally.

After basically a week of not being able to hit the gym (last week was one of the craziest work schedules I think I've ever had), I am SO READY to get back on track.

I'll let y'all know how those Zumba DVDs are after I've burned through a few of them. It's an 7-disc set, and last night I perfected my moves with the Step by Step DVD that breaks each of the steps down. I'm excited to get to use the Zumba Toning Sticks – basically two "weights" (they're really lightweight) that sound like maracas. Whee!

Here's to losing the rest of these 25 pounds!