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.