You guys were so incredibly nice to me when I posted my big weight-loss success back in January, I thought it would be good to give you an update on my progress since then.
And, by progress, I mean total lack thereof.
Sigh.
Since early February, I have been going down and up the same two or three pounds. Thankfully, I have yet to climb back into the hated 200s. But I haven’t broken through 196, either. I have my exercise to thank and my eating to blame.
Exercise has been going reasonably well. After some significant leg pain the few weeks leading up to and during my race, I checked myself into Physical Therapy and am off the pavement for a few more weeks. But I started a swimming class and got a babysitter, so I’m swimming laps and have started taking Spinning classes for the first time in about six years. I’m working out with reasonable frequency and intensity.
And that’s the only reason I haven’t shot back up. My eating has been rotten for the last two months. I could say it started with the stress (and constant presence of M&Ms) of potty training, and that’s part of it. But I also was taking things for granted before that, not counting as carefully, “getting away with” one cheat after another. And so, it caught up with me.
The pounds aren’t piling back on, but I can tell I’m on a slippery slope. The new jeans are a little tighter than I’d like, the eating out is getting more careless. A little less exercise, and the balance will quickly tip in the wrong direction.
So, today I am trying to re-commit and get back on track with my weight loss. Bill wrote a post on the Shredheads blog yesterday that he may has well have plucked directly from my head. And today began the April Challenge – track your food.
It’s a little tricky, with my food already weirdly restricted by Passover, but I’m going to do my best. As of today, my biggest focus is re-upping my water intake and re-committing to my no-eating-after-8PM rule. I will track my food the best I can, though I’m giving myself a bit of leeway while Passover is going on. Either way, as we all know, the biggest difference is a real awareness of what you’re putting in your mouth, instead of mindless eating and snacking.
So far this morning, I’ve consumed 3 points (I get 25) and drank 24 ounces of water. How do I feel? Well, kinda crappy, as you do when you start restricting again. But it’s good.
Break time is over, let’s do this.
Thanks for sharing. Points … is that Weightwatchers? I’ve NEVER been a calorie-counter, but I started using Sparkpeople to keep a food journal and was horrified by how poor my nutrition was. I’ve made some radical changes, like adding calcium supplements, seeking out proteins, and cutting my chocolate to a piece or two a day. I’m back to my college weight and much more importantly, have energy and purpose again!
.-= Sadia´s last blog ..Giveaway: The Book of Questions =-.
You can do this–you’ve already done AMAZING things so I have complete faith in you. Your progress and commitment were what inspired me to start the C25K program in the first place!
I know exactly what you mean when you say you feel crappy about the food restrictions. As soon as I start thinking about restrictions/calories/etc. I get really over-protective of my food and almost obsessed about how much I can have each day and it’s all about squeeeeeeeezing the last calorie out of my allotment. It sucks to feel like you’re so controlled by something. I’ve been using caloriecount.about.com for a couple of weeks now and it’s a huge eye-opener. I try to log my day’s food BEFORE I eat it (even through dinner, if I know what’s on the menu) so there are no surprises at the end of the day, and hopefully I’ll have enough extra calories to allow myself a snack. The concept of a snack was all that kept me going the first few days! I’ve had a few days where things fell to pieces and I didn’t count every bite (or any at all), but I do think I have more of an awareness now than I did before. I may still eat the donut, but I’m choosing it with my eyes open. You know?
Good luck. You can do this—WE can do this!
I have my first WW weigh in tonight (baseline last week). Wish me luck! It is definitely hard but I am feeling good. Thanks for inspiring readers like me
.-= Stacey´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.
Good for you. Weight loss is incredibly difficult. You’ve plateau’d and are taking steps to fight it. Yes, it’s a battle. You can win because you have a goal.
.-= Jan´s last blog ..Monday Book Give Away, #31 =-.
I am right with you. I have a tendency to not log points on WW if I cheat a bit. So, I end up doing that day after day and then I am not logging at all. I get 20 points a day, and man, they can go quickly with just one small mistake. I need to learn to see the ugly truth when I screw up, dust myself off and start again. I have been really impressed with your commitment to exercise (which has always been my nemesis). You are taking the time to workout and that has been really inspiring to me. Keep up your effort as I am going to do the same!
Your picture was definitely an encouragement to me and made me finally post my own. (http://lindsayssupersecretblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/before.html)
I just started WW, too. I promise I’m not stalking you! Anyway, I am super-grumpy from giving up so much sugar that snuck into my day. I know it will get easier, but DUDE. I lost 5 lbs my first week though, so I know it will work in the long run.
Tracking food – it works.
(LauraC’s friend)
.-= Lindsay´s last blog ..Blogs I Like =-.
dude, I’m inspired. Ok. I’m in. Passover or not. Yes. Let’s do this.
.-= kami´s last blog ..Working Mother’s Syndrome At Large =-.
Good luck getting back on track. I had a fantastic January, an okay February, and a horrible March as far as healthy eating and exercising go. After 3 weeks of no gym workouts at all, I am finally back in the gym (hopefully 4-5 nights a week). I think I needed that break to get my mind back in the right place again. Those first couple of workouts after the break felt impossible, but it feels good to be back and I hope to keep this motivation going for at least the month of April.
.-= reanbean´s last blog ..Long Days =-.
I know what you mean. I lost around 8 lbs (5 from a stomach virus). I’ve been exercising more frequently and taking classes which is way better for me then just using the elliptical. I’m trying to push myself down to the next 10 lb range. I hate hovering at the lo end of one. I think if I get over that edge, I will be more motivated. Oh, I decided that I won’t get my hair cut until I get there. Since I haven’t had it cut in 6 months, I SO need it done. 2-3 more lbs to get over that edge. So frickin frustrating.
(
Good idea about the no eating after 8. I gotta do that.
I totally feel your pain. Feb and March have been weird months but with good weather finally here, it’s time to recommit!
.-= Jenn´s last blog ..First Race of the Year =-.