Weigh-In Wednesday

This week: -3.8

Total: -21.4

Life has been a little crazy lately.  Vacations and illnesses and crazy schedules and starting a new business! which led to poor food choices and a lack of exercise.  Which led to a 6 pound gain. 

Fortunately, I was able to get myself back on track and have lost some of that gain.  After returning home from vacation on Saturday I food shopped and prepped and got my mind ready for the week ahead.  And (of course) things haven't been perfect, but I have made some good choices, made time to work out, and have kept up with my water intake. 

As part of my lifestyle change I have also been focusing more on positivity.  And I'm back to blogging :)

Delayed Wednesday weigh in

This week: -1.4

Total: -22.2

I know this is delayed but I figure better late than never. I've neglected this blog and I think coming back to it will help keep me on track. This post will be short because I'm currently trying not to eat my way through New York. But I promise to be back with more real posts next week. 

Weigh In Wednesday

This week: -1.8
Total: -22.2

I finally got things moving in the right direction, which again is a direct result of food choices.  This time for the better.  I also started a new round of R.I.P.P.E.D. which helps me to keep my eating in check.  I know that what I eat will affect my performance during class, and I want to perform my best. 

Weigh In Wednesday

This week: + 1.2
Total: -20.4

This week's results are due to some really poor food choices.  Hence, the title of this blog.  I am still a work in progress.  The biggest change really needs to happen in my mind and how I think of food.  I am striving to remember that food is fuel (not feelings or comfort).  

Another mentality I am trying to overcome is the thought of "I'll just workout longer/harder/more."  I know that you can not out train a bad diet, but I need to actually remember that.  

Focus on Goals

It's Monday again, which means time to refocus again.  

We are all encouraged to set a goal when setting out to lose weight.  I have always related my goals to clothes, and set goals like fitting into a certain outfit for a special occasion or bathing suit for the summer.  When I would consider a "cheat" meal, or skipping a workout, I would consider the consequences of these actions.  In those circumstances, the consequence would be not fitting into the planned outfit.  Most times, that was not enough to keep me on track. 

This time around I am trying to really focus on my health and overall quality of life.  I want a healthier lifestyle, I want to just feel better.  More energy, less sluggish.  So when I consider throwing out my packed lunch in favor of fast food I think about the consequences.  I know that if I eat a huge processed meal I will spend the rest of my day feeling lazy, sluggish, and tired.  I will have a hard time focusing on my work, and may even skip my workout that day.  

I have been having trouble lately with eating things that will not help me reach my goal.  So I am trying to keep focused and remember what I am trying to achieve.  A happy, healthy life!

Weigh In Wednesday

Since January I have been weighing in on Wednesdays.  I have not lost any weight in the past few weeks, so I thought I would start posting about it here in an attempt to gain some accountability. 

My thoughts on the scale:  It really doesn't mean anything.  But I still weigh in weekly just to keep myself in check.  In fact, most weeks I can guess my weight before I even step on the scale.  It's not too difficult.  If I had a good week I know I'll have a loss, if I've had a bad week I know it will be a gain.  I mainly weigh just to remind myself that what I do all week makes a difference.  

As for my recent plateau, it is all food related.  I have kept up with workouts, but I have eaten way more than I should and I have eaten way too many things that I shouldn't have.  Hopefully next week I will have some better results.   

All or Nothing

For as long as I can remember, I have been trying to lose weight.  As a senior in high school I went to the gym before and after school, and I packed my lunch instead of buying school lunch. The pressure of prom dress shopping was my first source of motivation. This means for at least 12 years I have tried (unsuccessfully) to lose weight. 

 

For all 12 years I have had an "all or nothing" mentality.  I would plan out meals and exercise, and if I followed my plan to a T it would stick.  But the slightest deviation from my plan meant it was over, and the effect would snowball.  For example, if I woke up too late and was unable to prepare my planned breakfast I would head to the drive through.  I would have the mentality that the whole day was ruined, and so I would order whatever I wanted.  That would lead to blowing off my planned lunch for another blow out meal and whatever snacks I wanted throughout the day.  Then, I would figure since my diet was ruined I might as well not work out that day.  Often times this would lead to many similar days in a row with the though that "I'd start over Monday."

 

I realized that this was not in line with my goals and I've been trying to figure out how to overcome my all or nothing mentality.  And then I found Roni's #wycwyc. This concept was exactly when I needed.  Now when things don't go according to plan, I still manage to do what I can when I can.  If I find myself with no choice but to hit a drive through I look up nutrition info while I wait and make the best possible choice.  If I'm running behind to a scheduled workout I go anyway.  Missing the first 5 minutes is better than missing a whole class! 

 

The #wycwyc philosophy has kept me on track to a healthier lifestyle MUCH better than my all or nothing mentality. 

Pick Your Battles

Even though I just started on this journey fairly recently, I feel like I have learned a lot in a short amount of time.  I’ve learned that when I eat crap, I feel like crap.  And when I’m sluggish and immobile, my body wants to stay sluggish and immobile.  On the other end of the spectrum, I’ve learned that when I eat real, whole foods my body feels wonderful. When I move, and dance, and strength train my body feels amazing – physically and mentally.  And I’m so excited by all of these amazing things I’ve learned that I want to share them with the world.  I love when a friend asks to join me in a workout, or asks me to share some nutrition tips.  I love being around other people who are on this journey with me. Whether in my personal or professional life, I love being able to support others, encourage their progress, and celebrate their success. 

Although I was not at FitBloggin’, I learned a lot about tough love from the truly amazing Mrs. Fatass .   This concept is something that I wholeheartedly believe in.  Although we may believe we are being encouraging and uplifting, it turns out we may actually be enabling some bad decisions.  When somebody says “I’ll get back to the gym tomorrow, I just needed a rest day” it’s OK to gently remind them they’ve actually been on a rest week, and perhaps it’s best to start back today. When somebody makes a bad food choice we need to remind them that they don’t even have to wait until tomorrow to make better choices, they’re actually allowed to start right now!

But just like everything else in life, I’ve learned that tough love is best in moderation.   Because no matter how supportive I am, and no matter how much I want to share my wisdom and help others, the truth is some people just don’t want to be helped. Recently, I saw a post on Facebook from somebody claiming that they lost weight by taking some pills, and they made sure to specifically mention that they didn’t have to exercise or change their diet.  And it just struck me on so many levels.  So my first instinct was to change her mind.  To warn her of the dangers of the pills, and to encourage her to work out with me.  And it didn’t work.  And I was heartbroken.  Because I want to help everyone! And it was a big kick in the pants for me to realize that not everyone wants my help. 

 Some people are going to take pills.  Some people are going to eat nothing but 100 calorie packs of processed crap and frozen meals full of chemicals.  Some people are going to eat a full day’s worth of calories in fast food and consider it OK, as long as they are under their goal.  Some people will refuse to work out, or severely restrict calories.  But it turns out that’s not my battle. I can provide facts, and give advice, and provide support, but at some point I'm just going to have to accept that they are only going to believe what they want to believe.  I can't spend time and negative energy fighting a losing battle.  All I can do is continue to give my encouragement and support to those who want it.  

I'm Back!

This past weekend I found myself saying something I have said countless (thousands) of times in my life:  "I'm starting over...for real this time." 

I hate the fact that I still look at this journey as something to "start over".  I have to remind myself more than anyone: It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle change.  There is no such thing (for me) as "on a diet" or "off a diet".  Just a lifetime of good decisions.  And yet, I found myself in a very familiar situation.  No exercise, and eating everything in sight.  

Fortunately I was able to get myself back on track, and I'm really hoping it will stick this time.  Yesterday I got in a workout and ate within my calorie/macro goals.  I did not get 10K steps, and I did not drink enough water.  But it's a start, and I know what to work on improving.  

Does It Work?

I suffer from a condition I call "chronic lateness".  If you invite me somewhere I'll be late.  As a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure I'll be late to my own funeral. If you plan on attending, I apologize in advance.  My condition is more pronounced in the morning.  On most weekdays I am in a total whirlwind before 7AM.  Let me be clear though, this is a time management issue, not a late sleeper issue.  People always tell me to get up earlier, as if that would somehow  cure my condition.  If I wake up 5 minutes before I need to leave the house I can be dressed and ready to go in 10 minutes.  If I wake up 2 hours before I need to leave I can get all caught up on Facebook, play a little Candy Crush, read the local news, finally figure out which Kardashian is which, and 2 hours later I will find myself thinking "Oh crap, I should probably be getting ready." 

Due to this condition, I don't often find myself with time to spare in the mornings.  Specifically I don't have time for breakfast.  For a long time this meant my breakfast came from a fast food drive-through.  Until I decided to try Shakeology.  It is quick to whip up, and I can easily take it with me on the go. Many people have heard me talk about Shakeology, have seen me drinking it, or have seen me post about it on Facebook.  People often ask me questions about Shakeology, and I love talking about the benefits of drinking it.  Until somebody inevitably asks the dreaded question:

Does it work?

This is the point in the conversation where I need to bite my tongue from saying what I really want to say.  "Does it work?  Nope! That lazy powder does nothing but sit in a bag all day.  I, on the other hand, work my ass off."  

Now this just doesn't happen with Shakeology, I've also heard people ask the same thing about Weight Watchers, various diets, Zumba, and other popular workouts.  And its usually followed up by "Because I tried (insert random diet/workout here) but it didn't work."  I've come to learn (the hard way) that none of these things work.  In order to get results I am the one that needs to work.  I need to work at planning my meals.  I need to work at controlling my cravings and resisting the temptation to eat things that are going to make me feel like crap.  I need to work on getting my butt off the couch and exercise.  No magic powder, or meeting, or weight loss pill is going to do anything for me.  

So no.  It doesn't work.  

What's your secret?

I'm no expert when it comes to social media. But I dabble on Facebook. Whether it's a family member, an old friend from high school, or a fitness blogger, it seems like I constantly see posts mentioning how much weight someone has lost. I enjoy seeing these posts, and often join in on congratulating them, but I also cringe because I know that someone will post the inevitable question. How did you do it? What's your secret? I started this blog to hopefully get the message out that there's no secret. No easy, quick solution. The key to weight loss is hard work. It takes exercise, even when you're tired. It takes willpower, and resisting cravings. I find that I tend to enjoy exercising. My problem is that some foods just taste so damn good. Hence, my reminder to myself to put down the fork. 

For many years I tried every "secret" out there. Weight watchers, shakes, bars, "diet foods", calorie counting, low carb, low fat, etc. I did all of that in a pursuit of skinniness. My whole life I have always wanted to "be skinny". Now I have learned that my goal is actually to be healthy. Weight loss is a welcome side effect of adopting a healthier lifestyle. These are the changes I'm looking to make:

• Move -- at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, 10K steps a day
• Use food as fuel -- eat balanced meals consisting mainly of real food
• Sleep better -- leads to better food/exercise choices
• Stay hydrated -- 4 cups of green tea a day, at least 8 cups of water
• Practice positivity

I hope you will follow along with me on my journey. Help keep me accountable, and remind me to put down the fork!