Well, I didn’t fall off the wagon this past weekend. I jumped off and played in the mud a bunch then rolled in some garbage and refused to even look for the wagon until Monday morning. In other words, I ate VERY poorly all weekend and gained an extraordinary amount of weight in just 3 and a half days. This was definitely the worst on-going display of eating I’ve put on since I began this journey to better health a year and a half ago. I felt physically crappy some of the time because my body was begging for mercy, but I chose to ignore reason. It tasted SO good at the time, but then reality set in and as the weekend went on, I improved to only moderately unhealthy eating. I honestly don’t regret the weekend as a whole, just certain parts. A couple times I ate things that were okay, but not worth the cals. The rest of it was delicious and wonderful. As always, it was a tremendous learning experience. It certainly gave me more insight that I can use to handle situations better in the future. I absolutely went into this weekend with the idea of enjoying and indulging…Mission Accomplished! What I primarily came away with was an awareness of what I REALLY consider worth indulging in and what I don’t. I could’ve saved myself at least a couple thousand calories by not eating the stuff that wasn’t worth it to me.
I’m back on plan anyway and working off these lovely re-acquired pounds. I suspect I’ll be working on them for a week or so, then it’s on to goal. That’s the beauty of this thing. I’ve never considered quitting or giving up. That’s what sets this journey apart from every other weight loss attempt. I will reach my goal and live a healthy happy life there. It’s only a matter of time!
So, I took my own advise and got on fitday.com and I’ve logged the last several days’ food to track it more accurately. It’s great, but time consuming. I’ve been within 50 cals of 1500 each day with my desired balance of nutrients, so that’s good. I’m on day 3 at 1500 calories which has presented challenges in the form of not preferring some of the menus provided on my food plan and creating my own. I had to make sure I was balancing carbs, fat and protein well. So far, so good. I have my next several days planned out pretty well for all 3 meals and I’m feeling fantastic about the way I’ve handled this month…including the 2 little splurges I had that were planned and went no further than that particular day and I immediately went back on plan.
Here’s my present struggle: This coming weekend my family is going to a family reunion weekend out of town. Due to schedule problems, we are actually starting the “weekend” on Thursday afternoon in order to work with already scheduled activities. Thursday is normally Pizza Night at home. Since we’ll be going to my hometown Friday, I’m positive we’ll eat at my fave pizza place Friday for lunch instead. So, we’ll be eating out something else for Thursday. Then Friday we’ll grab the “continental breakfast” at the hotel we’re staying at on our way to my cousin’s which consists of donuts. Friday supper I’m pretty sure we’re grilling out at my cousin’s. Saturday and Sunday every meal is provided by a different family, but they’re pretty consistent from year to year, so I kinda know what I’ll be eating while we’re there. Then, of course, there’s the trip home. Long story short, I will NOT be OP for 3 full days. What a way to start May, huh?! Well, I have some control (portions, etc.) Another confession while I’m at it: I have been craving Oreos, so I can guarantee they will find their place into my menu the weekend unless by some freak incident, I completely lose interest in them.
Here’s the plan: Do NOT overeat at all during the weekend. Sure, I’ll be eating some off plan foods, but I don’t have to OVEREAT them. I will enjoy the special occasion of the family reunion and all the travel that includes. Then upon returning home Sunday afternoon, I will get right back on track and eat responsibly to return to my pre-weekend weight. It’ll probably take 3-4 days, but it’s a once a year trip, so I’m not gonna sweat it. Living life at (or near) goal is going to be like this, I think. Ya know….mostly eating on plan, but then having these events pop up from time to time that involve a few extra calories. Anyway, May is going to be my month to hit GOAL…and stay there!!!! This is precisely why people have goal weight ranges that they stay in. Then I could say, ”Well, I splurged this weekend, but I had a cushion of a few pounds, so I’m still in my goal range.” 4 more pounds to hit the top of my goal range. 4 little pounds! :)
Well, I’m happy to say the disappointing time of bad choices and no progress on the sclae is over for now. I finally got TOM and that seriously helped my mood and attitude toward eating right and all. I am sitting at 146.6 today. Still averaging about 5 pounds a month loss, which is just dandy. I guess I could’ve done it faster, but I knew I wanted to be slow and steady so switching to maintenance eventually wouldn’t be too dramatic.
I completed my second 5K this summer last Saturday with a time of 26:31. I was happy with my time and how I felt afterward, so I’m looking forward to beginning a program next month that is supposed to help me work on building some speed. I’d love to get my 5K time under 24 minutes eventually!!
I’ve decided to change up some of my exercise next month for the purpose of doing more ab work. I am thrilled with how some of my body is firming up, but my tummy is still quite soft and easily my least flattering area. I have not been doing much for it, though. So, maybe once it gets some attention, I’ll see it shrink a bit more noticeably. It’s literally the one area on my body that is changing least (according to both measurements and appearance). I don’t mind the loose skin on the below the belly-button area. I realize that’s to be expected after weight-loss. It’s the pooch above the belly-button that bugs me. Anyway, just sharing…
I’ve made some more progress…down to 156.6 and I’ve been resisting temptation, but I have a planned off-plan-ish weekend coming up. I won’t overeat, but I know, for example, I will be having pizza one night and gyros one night in my hometown as well as a family reunion potluck. I have become pretty good at watching portions and listening to my body that way, so no worries there. I do plan to keep my exercise going as normal which I’ve become good at on out-of-town trips as well. I guess I just like to remind myself how to handle things so it’s no big deal to go “back home” with family and do the right things without depriving myself. I only get back there maybe 4 times a year, so it’s defintely a special occassion and I’m very much looking forward to it!
I’m so excited! Tomorrow My DH and I are taking the kids to my parents’ and heading off to our overnight date that was my reward for reaching the “overweight” category on the BMI scale. We are getting a jacuzzi suite with champagne and chocolates (I’ll be good!) and going to a movie and shopping over the course of the 2 days. This is BY FAR the best “date” we’ve gone on in a VERY long time, and I think it will serve the purpose of keeping us connected also. I have THE BEST husband out there and we love each other very much, but it never hurts to have some quality time together to keep the fire burning! I can’t wait and I feel incredible being able to go out and get myself some new items that fit better. YAY!! I am so blessed to be able to share the experience with my incredible hubby too. WOW!
Like most days for me, there’s good news and bad news. The bad news is that I did find a couple pounds at my parent’s house (which really isn’t that bad of news since I know I ate a little off-plan a few times and can easily put that behind me). I did exercise everyday and mostly ate reasonably, so no major regrets. Each time I go, I get a little more insight into how to handle it better the next time.
The good news is my doctor says I’m actually 5′3″ (I don’t know why I thought I was 5′2″) which means I only need to drop to 169 to be overweight instead of obese!! The major short term goal of this journey is in sight, people! Can someone say WOO HOO!!??! I am so happy to know that in the next couple months I will be making progress in new territory. I haven’t been below 174 for several years (10 years actually, except for one freakishly low weigh-in while on South Beach 4 years ago).
Anyway, I’m pumped and so ready to get on with this. I got my new workout dvd’s in the mail today and tried one out tonight. It was great! Over an hour long, too, so I got plenty of calories burned! Yes!
I was a naughty girl this weekend! The girl scout cookies didn’t help either, but it was a much needed break from my 8-day stall at 177.0 on the scale. I was POP with food and activity, but was going nowhere. It was nice to have a little indulgence and then get right back at it. Now, I am ready to look ahead to future goals and continue to understand how this weight-loss can improve my life. I already feel better and look a little better, so I can enjoy things more. I don’t run out of energy so easily. I even kicked butt at “Tag” with my kids yesterday! Life is good and I’m glad I had a couple days to enjoy some forbidden foods, but it only served to remind me, they aren’t worth over-indulging in!
Last night I broke my streak of not exercising…wasn’t proud of the streak, but it was a decent length one. I got my exercise with housework, etc. but I actually did a video last night. It felt good, but I think I’ll switch to a lower (medium) intesity longer one for my next go-’round. I hit 182.6 today! Only 3.6 to go for V-day (and hitting 10%), so that’s very exciting. I gotta keep up the exercise or this is gonna be close!
So, among other things going on in my life we are STILL trying to sell our house. Tomorrow is ANOTHER open house in the morning, so I’ve cleaned and straightened all Saturday instead of enjoying the free time with my kids. We did have some down time, but not as much as I needed. So, I have declared tomorrow a relaxing day (after church) and I will relish every minute of my time in my la-z-boy with my kids in my lap!! I can’t wait. Things are pretty good on the weight front. Making slow steady progress is better than none at all. I have temporarily fallen off the exercise wagon, although I have certainly been exercising in the form of cleaning, shoveling and other fun activities of that sort. Well, on to clean just a little more before bed.
Yesterday, I reached a new low weight…186.6! Yeah! I have set my Valentine’s Day goal at 179, since this would be my 10% mark. I also went to a Weight Watchers meeting. I really liked it, but I’m also going to go to one TOPS meeting so I can compare the two and make a good choice. The TOPS meeting is Monday, so I can’t wait. I just want to start that local support group since I don’t currently have any friends openly trying to lose weight, and I don’t want to annoy people with my trials and tribulations on this path. Though my friends are wonderful, many are/have always been thin and would have no idea what I was talking about. Those who are overweight probably don’t want me implying that they should be doing what I am, so it’s a topic best left to others who are actually interested! Anyway, I’m feeling very upbeat and excited for a new adventure. I have not noticed a big difference in my clothes yet, which I hope to experience at some point. I guess I must be patient for everything to come together. I am exercising, but maybe not enough. I’m not getting that day-after sore feeling with anything anymore. I’m doing 30 Day Shred which is pretty intense and some additional cardio here and there. Oh well, I can’t complain. I’ll tweak things this next week and see what happens.
