Finally, A Good Day

Everything in moderation. That has always been a big part of my journey. Today I was actually able to put philosophy to use.

Today was a good day. Mind you, I did have a late breakfast. It was difficult to get through the afternoon without snacking, but had an earlier than usual supper.  It's was just me and my daughter for supper and she asked for Subway.  I decided to get a salad, which was surprisingly delicious. I have been off of salads lately, I guess I had grown tired of them (not that I really had that many).

Immediately after supper, despite being full, I still wanted to eat. I drank water, and had a small chocolate treat at an attempt to satisfy myself.  My calories were low for the day, so about an hour and a half after dinner I decided to have chips and Queso.  Moderation.  I only had half a serving of chips.  It was mainly the cheese Quseo that I wanted anyways.

I still have the rest of the evening to get through. My taste buds seem happy though. Hopefully that was the last of my cravings for the day. There is still room for a little more indulgence in my day though.

Ready or Not, Emphasis on the Not

Another day, another disaster. Where the hell is my willpower?  It's ridiculous, I don't say no to anything.  That's just not me, that's not what I do.  I refuse to say "I can't" say no, because it's not about "can't", it's about me just not saying no and being self-indulgent. I'm perfectly capable of saying no, but I don't.  I'm sure that the scale will show no progress, or worse, on Monday.

Yes, I am stress eating.  Work has been hectic and I have not been coping well.  Maybe I should be working on my stress management skills.  Ha ha!  Except I can't see myself doing that.  Stress releases cortisol (a hormone) and elevated cortisol contributes to an increased appetite and cravings for fattening food!  Sadly, exercise can help control cortisol levels but since I want to eat yummy, fattening foods, I don't want to exercise.  Vicious cycle entered.

I'm back to "you have to be ready".  You will know you are not ready when you continue to fall.  That doesn't mean you can't try to see if you're ready every day until the day comes when you realize you really are.

Blowing It

Wow, am I ever blowing it.  This shows you that it isn't always going to be easy but that doesn't mean you throw in the towel (or bagel!) and walk away.  You have to remember that tomorrow is another day for you to work on yourself again.  I'm not going to give up.  I have been on this journey for too long to give up.  I still think of where I was before I started this journey and I know that I never want to go back there. 

(A repeat, but I love this)

I still plan to run.  Not today and maybe not tomorrow, but I have a new 5K to train for and four months to do it.  Right now I am positive about training as I have a lot of time, but I have to remind myself not to cut it too short like I did last year.  The ground is starting to dry, but the pavement is covered in sand and rocks so it is dangerous.  I have been keeping my eyes open to see which way to go that is safest. . .maybe by next week I can go.

Next week. . .spring break for the kiddies.  My son is going away to see his Aunt and cousins on a plane, by himself, for the first time alone. . .just breathe!  My daughter will be here and I have booked a few days off.  I'm thinking a movie for sure and who knows what else.  I may have to challenge myself to NOT have nachos which are my movie theatre weakness.  I will see how things go next week and how bad next weeks weigh-in is first.  Other than that, I am looking forward to a few days off from work. . .and maybe that will motivate me to run!

Ups and Downs, Starting on a Down

Life is a series of ups and downs.  To me, so is this weight loss journey.  

I had brilliant plans of getting back to running and eating better starting yesterday, only to wind up the day in bed with a migraine; nausea and all.  Today I was better but I could still feel the effects of yesterday.  I felt the urge to eat, and I did.  It was bad.  Day two and I have already fallen.  I will get back up tomorrow and plan for a good day.

The other problem with my plan of running was it snowed again!  Just when everything was melting and drying up nicely!  So I may be back to the treadmill, but I need to do it!

A small update on Chris Powell's Choose to Lose.  I did read most of the book (by most, I mean I stopped at recipes).  At this time, I have chosen not to continue as I am just not willing to commit to the lifestyle the book promotes right now (or maybe never).  As with all "diet" and lifestyle books I have read, I have certainly learned new ideas that I will take away from the book and continue with during my journey.

Tomorrow is another day and the journey will continue as it does (and will) every day that I wake up.

Slipping, Sliding, Falling and Getting Back Up to Do It Again

The slope is slippery and it keeps getting steeper and steeper.  I'm sliding, I'm sliding, and I can't seem to grab anything to stop my fall.  Now the ice is melting and it reveals the dirt and gravel underneath.  As it dries, the dirt becomes loose, and though difficult to maintain good traction, the slope will be climbed again.  There may be some brief slips but I will regain my grip and climb back up to achieve my goals.

I have not kept to my 1700 calorie per day maintenance goal.  I have been eating everything I want and even let the portion control slide.  It's no easy task to return to behaving myself, but I will try.  Hell, I don't just want to try, I'm going to do it. That's the attitude I should embrace!

I have always said you need to be ready for this, and I don't feel like I am right now, but that doesn't me I can't try.  And if I fall again, I will get back up and do it again.

Success and a New Outlook

I spent the weekend eating as best I could, avoiding salt and carbs, and drinking a ton of water.  Saturday breakfast was eggs with Mrs. Dash seasoning, lunch was a protein shake with fresh strawberries, dinner was a juicy chicken breast and homemade air-fried french fries (potatoes probably not the best choice).  Sunday breakfast was eggs with a low sodium salsa for seasoning, lunch was a protein shake again with banana and strawberries, dinner a basa fish fillet dipped in an egg, garlic, and oregano mixture, then fried in a pan lightly sprayed with oil.

I also did the drenched workout on Saturday and Sunday (in addition to last Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday).  My legs were certainly tired of that 8% incline!  I still felt like jell-o legs walking up the stairs at work Monday morning.

And I made my DietBet!

I also learned something.

My body is happiest where it is right now, or at least I am happy with it.  I had to work so hard to get rid of those last couple pounds and I have to admit I am not willing to do that all the time.  Sure, I'll count my calories and hopefully keep up the running, especially once spring comes and I can get outside.  But I am now happy with maintenance because I'm not willing to bust my ass to lose any more weight.  

If my weight creeps up, I will ensure that I am stricter with myself.  For now, I will return to 1700 calories a day (maintenance calories) and allow myself that one "bad" day per week.  (I had the bad day today and it was great!!)

Miss and HIIT

It seems the weekend comes and I forget to do things like drink enough water and take my vitamins.  I guess it's because during the week my days are more structured while being at work.  For example, Saturday I was out all day and should have brought or stopped to get some water and wasn't home to take my vitamins nor did I have them with me.  During the week I am usually at my desk so I keep my vitamins in front I me to take with lunch and if I feel hungry I try to grab a drink of water first.

I plan to real keep my water intake up this week as I would like to flush my system of any remaining bloating.  I also plan to keep my sodium intake down this coming weekend so that I don't retain water and hopefully can pass my weigh-in next Monday.

Today I am going to try a HIIT treadmill workout.  It's only 15 minutes but it looks hard!  It involves an incline that gets up to 8% and I have never jogged on an incline, never mind run, AND it calls for runs and sprints!  I will make this a two part post tonight and continue once I get back with my results. . .

It's the first 15 minutes (part 1) of this workout from Women's Health magazine.

Okay, so I was seriously worried that I would only make it half way, but I did it! And do you know what? It wasn't that bad. I mean, it was bad, but not nearly as bad as I expected.  And do you know what else?  I might just do it again tomorrow!