Just Stopping By. . .

Dear Blogger,

I have been absent, I know.  I have been maintaining though.  Exercise is almost non-existent, food has been more naughty than usual but still usually controlled.  I must figure out the next path to take on this journey.  Christmas is coming so I may be detoured for a little longer, but I'll get back eventually.

I am lucky.  I have friends that inspire me.  I've seen some of their journeys (via social media) and they don't know it, but it reminds me of where I'm going and that I am not alone.  My lovely coworker (the one who gave me the flowers) is the most inspiring. Her achievements and her continued commitment to her own weight loss remind me to remain committed to keeping my own weight off.  There are also a few people that I grew up with, some more open with their achievements than others, but still it reminds me that I can do it too (maybe not quite to the same level as some, but that's my choice).

My New Years' resolution will be to get my ass back in gear.  I know it's a few weeks away, but I know that's what I want so I can say it now.  For now, I will wish you all a Merry Christmas (no political correctness here)! 

 

The Two Me's

I have discovered that there are two "Me's" happening.  The first "Me" is the semi-healthy Me who knows how great she feels after a run (or other exercise).  She knows the "high" that comes with it. Then there's the other "Me".  She's the lazy-Me.  The one who prefers to sit her tired ass on the couch.  Currently, that lazy-Me is winning.  Lazy-Me is beating the semi-healthy Me to death with a stick (metaphorically, of coarse).  Lazy-me is quite happy sitting on the couch, and semi-healthy me is letting her win.

I know I haven't been around here much, and I truly apologize.  I should be keeping this up to date but again, Lazy-Me is winning.  I would like to say that in terms of the food I have been eating there have been bad and good days.  I haven't gained weight but I'm pretty sure that as long as I'm not gaining the Lazy-Me will keep winning for a while at least.  I am hopeful that if I do notice a gain that the semi-healthy me will be back to kick Lazy-Me's ass!

Unsolicited Advice on How to Dine-Out

And now for some advice that you didn't ask for (but since you are reading this blog, maybe it interests you).

How to dine-out successfully (or semi-successfully)

If you know in advance that you are going out to a particular restaurant for a meal, go to their website and find the nutrition section.  Pick your meal from there so you know what you should order when you get to the restaurant.  Pay attention to the starters and sides too.

If you want to start with a salad, a simple garden salad is usually the best choice depending on the dressing, so check out what choices the restaurant offers and the nutritional info.  Check out the soups too, sometimes the choices have less calories than the salad with dressing.

 

Check out the side dishes in advance too.  Side dish choices sometimes vary at some restaurants depending on the day or season.  I suggest being aware of several so that if the one you want is unavailable you will still be able to make an educated alternate choice.

Beware of  buns, biscuits, and breadsticks!!!  For example, a Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit has 150 calories and 8 grams of fat.  I can't resist them so I do sometimes have a second one but I am very aware of the extra calories this adds to my meal.  A breadstick at the Olive Garden has 140 calories and 2 grams of fat.  If you can resist the bread choices, even better, but one of my goals in this journey is to not feel deprived so I factor the bread choice into my meal and because I am planning my meal in advance I can factor my choices into my overall day!

I hope this helps you, I know it helps me.  I won't lie though, sometimes if I'm going out, I let that day be my "bad" day for the week.  However, I have noticed that I can't even eat as much "bad" stuff as I used too.  I get too full!  (And if you didn't get the chance to preplan your meal because of last-minute plans, search the app-store on your smart phone for a restaurant nutrition guide to keep on your device just-in-case.)

One Step Back

I have been neglecting my posting duties.  I probably had stuff to say but between life and sometimes laziness, I haven't stopped by to write.

You know that saying that goes you take two steps forward and one step back? Well, I'm taking that step back right now and I'm here to say that it's okay if that happens.  As long as you remember to step forward again.  I have been unmotivated and I have been letting myself make bad choices.  I knew that I would be miserable if I didn't let myself take this step back and I knew it would pass.  I have already decided that I need to get my ass back in gear on Tuesday as that will mark two weeks from my last run.

I'm sure I have mentioned before that even when I'm bad, I'm not horribly bad. I am always conscious of what I'm eating, the portion, and the overall amount of bad choices I make in a day.  I will never sit down with a big bag of chips again, I will never take more than two cookies, although I might eat the whole chocolate bar instead of half (but I haven't).  Most importantly, I am aware of the consequences of my decisions.

So when you "slip" or "cheat" or "fall off the food wagon" or whatever you want to call it, remember that you can choose to get past those bad choices and go forward again.  I have used this illustration earlier in my blog but it's always good to remember. . .

Thanks for reading, and I will try to stop by a little sooner next time!

Say What?!?

One-sixty-nine.  Say what?!?  Oh, yeah.  One-sixty-nine!

I finally broke the barrier!  I got below 170 pounds.  This doesn't mean that 160 will happen, but I am one pound closer.  I have been good (-ish), I have started working out with the dumbells for 15 minutes on some of my non-running days.  I have been getting through my runs by visualizing that I am losing the weight.  I am excited!

You know what was extra special about seeing 169 on the scale?  PMS.  Yup, I am all bloaty and it still said that!  I can't wait for the "after" weigh-in!

 

 

Happy

I'm actually kind of happy with my body right now. I'm not skinny, but I'm skinnier then before.  I still have flab, rolls, whatever you want to call it.  I look in the mirror though and I see this good looking girl staring back at me.  I love my face.  My face is definitely thinner.
 
I love wearing clothes that fit!  I mean, I always wore clothes that fit me, but I can wear "skinny" jeans, you know, jeans that actually hug my body!  My capri's are form fitting, and the ones that aren't are already semi-too big on me.  I still try to make sure that my clothes are flattering and do not accentuate the bad curves. 
 
Being happy with my body does not mean that I'm done.  I'm still going to run.  I'm still going to try to eat my best (most of the time).  And I plan to start some short workouts at home with dumbells.  I am zapped from work this week, but I'm sure I will start soon enough.  My "wow" feelings are currently MIA, but that won't knock me down!

Face Palm!

Went to McDonalds. . .ordered a wrap. . .may as well have ordered a burger when you look at the calories and fat.  Face palm!

That's all for today. (Fail!)