Yes, I did it. I made it a whole day without falling off the wagon. It may not sound like much to you but it is a really big deal to me. Every successful day makes me feel a little more in control of myself and my life. I don't know about anyone else, but when I find myself "falling off the wagon" I get so disappointed in myself and I think the worst feeling is that some part of me is trying to sabotage all my efforts for good health. Picture those TV shows and cartoons where the devil and the angel are on a person's shoulders, each pushing the person to make their choice. For me it is an ongoing struggle between these two characters. Devil-girl is saying, "eat this, you deserve it, you've had a hard day, you're hungry, blah, blah, blah". I really hate that devil-girl, I wish she would just go away and leave me alone. When I know that I have succeeded and beat that devil-girl down I feel so much better about myself. It gives me strength.
I have found a new web site that you can use to track your food and exercise. It is called my fitness pal at http://www.myfitnesspal.com .
I am double booking my food this week on both this site and Weight Watchers to compare. After two days, it has been enlightening. I am definitely seeing some areas I can improve on. After the week, I'll have more analysis to share.
Today is a bit more of a challenge. I am going out to lunch, I have told my friend I can only go to a place where I know the nutritional information so I can count it correctly. It is still going to be hard, but I need to be able to do this and succeed.
Good luck to me.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Ok I Really Mean It This Time, No...Really
So dear readers, we last left this blogger in May fighting the dreaded plateau. Optimistic she was, I will beat this, she wrote, more exercise, she said. Where is she now, was she successful, is she out buying a new wardrode of hot, sexy, body skimming clothes? Will we all cheer for her asking her what the secret to her success was?
Well, no we won't. I return to this blog to sadly report that I have not lost weight since those days in May. If fact I have gained a few more pounds. Not a lot, but enough to realize that it is a slippery slope I was sliding down. It must be stopped, it must be stopped now. I mean it, I really mean it.
What is frustrating for me is that when I look over the last few months, it is not like I have been having a big party, eating all the foods I wanted when I wanted them. In fact, I thought I was dieting. Most days I was faithfully journalling what I ate, staying in my points on those days. I have been exercising more than I ever have in my life. I am walking, I am using weight machines, I even do Zumba on Fridays.
So what went wrong, why is the scale going in the wrong direction? The simple answer is too many "night's off" leading to "weekend's off". Tracking and journaling and following my points 4 days out of the week just isn't enough, even with the extra exercise.
Last year as I was losing the weight, I would allow myself a night off where I would eat something that I liked (mostly Mexican food) and not worry about tracking points. The rest of the week I would stay on track and I was successfully losing 1-2 pounds a week. I liked this, it kept me from feeling deprived. Unfortunately, somewhere over the past few months I have lost control over the situation and my night out became a day off and then sometimes the day off became the weekend off. Suddenly that little snitch, the little splurge was becoming a binge fest. I would eat like I hadn't eaten in a week. Too many special occasions and parties came up and the old "just this once" mentality was happening too often. The result is where I am at today ... no weight loss and now weight gain.
I hate to admit this, but in addition to this lack of vigilance, I haven't been going to WW meetings anymore. My favorite leader retired and I was trying to save some money. I use the online food diaries, and I know the plan, I thought I should have a handle on this. I don't need to pay 13 bucks a week to lose the weight. Well, I guess I do. I still can't figure this one out. Why doesn't it work? Those people who can do it on their own have my admiration and respect. Apparently I must pay money and have a public audience to be successful and keep me on track.
So as it's a new week, no "special occasions" in sight, I am resolving to get back on track, stay within my points and, gulp, go back to WW meetings. I want to lose 10 pounds before my birthday, and I mean it. I really, really, mean it. Wish me luck.
Well, no we won't. I return to this blog to sadly report that I have not lost weight since those days in May. If fact I have gained a few more pounds. Not a lot, but enough to realize that it is a slippery slope I was sliding down. It must be stopped, it must be stopped now. I mean it, I really mean it.
What is frustrating for me is that when I look over the last few months, it is not like I have been having a big party, eating all the foods I wanted when I wanted them. In fact, I thought I was dieting. Most days I was faithfully journalling what I ate, staying in my points on those days. I have been exercising more than I ever have in my life. I am walking, I am using weight machines, I even do Zumba on Fridays.
So what went wrong, why is the scale going in the wrong direction? The simple answer is too many "night's off" leading to "weekend's off". Tracking and journaling and following my points 4 days out of the week just isn't enough, even with the extra exercise.
Last year as I was losing the weight, I would allow myself a night off where I would eat something that I liked (mostly Mexican food) and not worry about tracking points. The rest of the week I would stay on track and I was successfully losing 1-2 pounds a week. I liked this, it kept me from feeling deprived. Unfortunately, somewhere over the past few months I have lost control over the situation and my night out became a day off and then sometimes the day off became the weekend off. Suddenly that little snitch, the little splurge was becoming a binge fest. I would eat like I hadn't eaten in a week. Too many special occasions and parties came up and the old "just this once" mentality was happening too often. The result is where I am at today ... no weight loss and now weight gain.
I hate to admit this, but in addition to this lack of vigilance, I haven't been going to WW meetings anymore. My favorite leader retired and I was trying to save some money. I use the online food diaries, and I know the plan, I thought I should have a handle on this. I don't need to pay 13 bucks a week to lose the weight. Well, I guess I do. I still can't figure this one out. Why doesn't it work? Those people who can do it on their own have my admiration and respect. Apparently I must pay money and have a public audience to be successful and keep me on track.
So as it's a new week, no "special occasions" in sight, I am resolving to get back on track, stay within my points and, gulp, go back to WW meetings. I want to lose 10 pounds before my birthday, and I mean it. I really, really, mean it. Wish me luck.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Long Time No Write
It has been a while since I have written so here is an update. I wish I could say I am 10 pounds lighter but in reality I am pretty much the same weight. I still have about 5 pounds to lose to get to my pre-Christmas weight. So what has happened? I keep gaining and losing the same 2 pounds. One week I'll do good and be down, the next week I spluge a bit too much and gain the weight back. Over the past two months there have been a lot of social activities and I just lose control. On the bright side I am back to walking three times a week and I have joined a gym and am in week 3 of doing strength training and cardio twice a week there. I am hoping that the increased activity level will help burn a few more calories.
This is the first time in all my weight loss attempts that I have hit the dreaded plateau. It is as if my body doesn't want to let go of any more fat. I am still following the plan, but the weight is not falling off like it once did and I was never perfect every day.
I need to find some kind of exercise on one of the weekend days. I really miss the long Sunday walks I used to take, but my friend that I did it with was having back trouble and can't walk that long anymore. So until I find a new Sunday walking buddy I am out of luck there.
I am hoping that the increased workouts will start showing results and I am trying to change up some of my food since I was in a bit of a rut. I am feeling optimistic, so I hope that I will have some actual results to report the next time.
Until next time...
This is the first time in all my weight loss attempts that I have hit the dreaded plateau. It is as if my body doesn't want to let go of any more fat. I am still following the plan, but the weight is not falling off like it once did and I was never perfect every day.
I need to find some kind of exercise on one of the weekend days. I really miss the long Sunday walks I used to take, but my friend that I did it with was having back trouble and can't walk that long anymore. So until I find a new Sunday walking buddy I am out of luck there.
I am hoping that the increased workouts will start showing results and I am trying to change up some of my food since I was in a bit of a rut. I am feeling optimistic, so I hope that I will have some actual results to report the next time.
Until next time...
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Shoes that Rock
I forgot to mention in my last post that I finally got new shoes and they rock! I put my old ones on and they were really weird feeling so I decided to break out the new ones that have been sitting in my closet for a month unworn. I am always a little nervous buying new shoes. I worry, what if they aren't right? I have no idea why I have this anxiety. There is no traumatic bad shoe fit experience in my past. Just a bit of weirdness on my part I guess. Maybe it is the tightwad in me knowing that I would just die if I spent the amount I did on shoes and they didn't fit right. So I always buy the shoes and then let them sit in my closet for weeks, occasionally wearing them in the house to make sure they feel okay. It is such a relief when I finally wear the shoes on a walk and they pass the test. Now that I have officially christened the shoes, maybe I will be more motivated to wear them ... on walks. Yeah, right ...I'll let you know how that goes. At least I'll be looking good in when I get out there cause those shoes are pretty sharp.
Happy Days
This morning my friend A and I finally went walking. A sprained her ankle over Thanksgiving and is finally cleared to begin walking. It was great and definitely progress. Sad self-discovery is that I have no motivation to walk on my own. I just bore myself to tears. I hate to admit I am dependent on others, but, there you have it. I am.
Meanwhile, I still haven't lost the Christmas weight. I am having a lot of ups and downs and can't seem to get my mojo back. I keep getting that sulky, I want it, why can't I have it feeling. A bad day and exposure to the wrong food and my willpower melts.
It is obvious that I need the daily exercise to lose weight and eat at the points I have been eating. Grrrr...it's not like I'm eating a lot either or even the fattening foods I want to eat. I think this is so unfair but I guess it is my burden.
That said, I am feeling positive (probably due to my "walker's high"). I think I might even do some housework and burn more calories.
Meanwhile, I still haven't lost the Christmas weight. I am having a lot of ups and downs and can't seem to get my mojo back. I keep getting that sulky, I want it, why can't I have it feeling. A bad day and exposure to the wrong food and my willpower melts.
It is obvious that I need the daily exercise to lose weight and eat at the points I have been eating. Grrrr...it's not like I'm eating a lot either or even the fattening foods I want to eat. I think this is so unfair but I guess it is my burden.
That said, I am feeling positive (probably due to my "walker's high"). I think I might even do some housework and burn more calories.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Monday, Monday
Today is a dreary, rainy day. Not a bad thing because I have lots to do around the house. The challenge is that staying around the house makes me think about eating. I use eating as a form of procrastination and as a reward system. If I fold this load of laundry, I can eat lunch. If I pick up family room, I can have the next snack. I spend way too much time thinking about food and not enough getting my daily chores done.
My happy news today is that I had both a successful, Saturday and Super Bowl Sunday. On Sunday, I did eat more than my daily points, but I ate foods that I could count and was only 4 points over. Much better than my usual pig outs. So I feel pretty good today, not bloaty from too much salt. Now on to that laundry ...
My happy news today is that I had both a successful, Saturday and Super Bowl Sunday. On Sunday, I did eat more than my daily points, but I ate foods that I could count and was only 4 points over. Much better than my usual pig outs. So I feel pretty good today, not bloaty from too much salt. Now on to that laundry ...
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Super Saturday
Yes, I had a successful Saturday. I made my own little sandwich, packed some mini carrots, popped some air popped popcorn in the micro and threw in a few emergency rations, just in case. You would think I was going far from civilization the way I prepared. Nope, just another volleyball tournament. For those that have never experienced watching your daughter play in a volleyball tournament it is a crowded, noisy, loud event where you have no control over your time. There isn't usually enough time to go somewhere to eat and surprise, surprise most of the facilities don't allow you to bring your own food. They have concessions that sell all the high calorie snacks, hotdogs, popcorn, nachos, pretzels, candy. Add that to all the stresses that go on with your kid and their performance, playing time, moodiness .... get the picture. If I don't prepare, I'm stuffing my face with some off the charts crap.
Today is Super Bowl Sunday. We don't have any party plans, due to vball tourney mentioned above (remember no control over time). I'm going to allow for some type of treat. I'm hoping I can keep it under control. I'm going to encourage my husband to get wings or something else that I don't like.
I don't even have a favorite team this year, I'll just have to pick one during the game using criteria like: cutest quarterback, best color uniform, background stories, team that is behind. Isn't that how everyone picks their favorites?
Today is Super Bowl Sunday. We don't have any party plans, due to vball tourney mentioned above (remember no control over time). I'm going to allow for some type of treat. I'm hoping I can keep it under control. I'm going to encourage my husband to get wings or something else that I don't like.
I don't even have a favorite team this year, I'll just have to pick one during the game using criteria like: cutest quarterback, best color uniform, background stories, team that is behind. Isn't that how everyone picks their favorites?
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)