May Day Week 11

week: -1
total for challenge: -11

I'm on track, roughly one pound per week gone, but I still have this sense of spinning my wheels this week, which is totally ridiculous, since I'm down a pants size (woo).

My shopping and eating habits were kind of sporadic last week -- at one point we were out of everything, and when I went shopping, I still forgot key things, like bread!

Maybe it's just a restlessness and wanderlust that usually hit me about this time of summer. In fact, I'll be skipping another post next week since I'll be out of town again.

workout notes

worked out today with 30 second intervals -- that's 30 seconds of hard work (rowing, specifically) followed by 30 seconds of rest. 20 intervals total. Kicked my butt. My best interval was 107m, my worst was 102m.

noting this for progress and tracking.

not so short

The shorts currently in my shorts drawer are a mix of elastic band style and button and zipper khakis and denims. There's a lot of gap in my button shorts lately, and since I'm an anti-social cheapskate and didn't want to go to the store unless I absolutely needed to, I dug out an old pair of shorts from storage to see how they fit.

Just fine, thank you very much.

These are not exactly the same shorts that I wore around the time of my wedding (probably), but they're the same size. They're what's known as Mom jeans (shorts) and I was kind of surprised at just how high up my waist they go. I am typically a modest person, clothes-wise, and the low-rise hip-hug-her style has never really suited me -- I was wearing Mom jeans in high school -- but it's all I've been able to find recently. Yay for the old skool clothes in storage! But I digress.

After I got married, I took a summer job at Blockbuster Video, which kept me busy while my brand new husband was working. The next summer, we decided that the BBV job was unnecessary, and we could afford for me to have the summer off. That was a big mistake, because I did nothing that summer except play video games and get fat.

Why wasn't I spending my time outside? Except as a young child, I have not typically been one to enjoy running around in the sun and the heat. It actually affects me quite badly and I frequently become overheated and dehydrated -- I learned this early and have adopted this "avoid the sun" attitude, which has mostly served me well, especially since moving to the Deep South. It's also why I tend not to join outdoor sports leagues or jog.

I wouldn't say that I accepted the weight without question or complaint, but I never really had the tools to do anything about it. I tried working out last summer (06), but I didn't change my eating habits at all. I changed my eating habits this New Year, and that helped initially, but I hit a long plateau when I felt too busy and stressed to work out, and didn't make time for it. So I see now how the two go hand in hand, and I'll keep striving to eat less, move more.

weight loss inspiration from the ancient world

here

a sample:

LESSON 1

"Some men live to eat and drink. I eat and drink to live."

-- Socrates, Greek philosopher, 5th century B.C.

Modern lesson:

Be sure to try a new interest or two. Eating shouldn't be your only hobby.

weighing in: week 10

week: -1
total: -10

I just realized that we are past the halfway point in the challenge. I clearly won't be smashing any records, but as long as I continue this downward trend, I will be satisfied.

I'll admit that last week my motivation slipped, and instead of going to the gym on Wednesday, I just lazed around the house watching TV. I maintained a little discipline and didn't eat the whole pantry though, so we'll call that good news and bad news.

I have wholeheartedly embraced the eating plan in The Abs Diet Eat Right Every Time Guide by David Zinczenko. That's how I am, jump into something with great enthusiasm, which will hold for a while, and then (usually) fades away. I expect that by the time my enthusiasm fades, I will have done the plan for long enough that the habits stick anyway. The plan's strength lies in allowing one to eat anything on occasion and in moderation, but guiding one toward natural unprocessed foods, especially foods high in fiber. Nothing is completely forbidden. I was able to use the precepts of the plan while I was away on vacation earlier this month, and even while eating out a lot, like at Macaroni Grill -- twice -- I didn't overdo it.

Last week, in keeping with the plan, I stopped buying Honey Bunches of Oats, and picked up Fiber One w/ Honey Clusters at the grocery. Biggest surprise to me: it doesn't taste like cardboard at all! It's just as good as honey bunches. This week the Fiber One was out of stock, so I tried Bran Flakes with Yogurt Clusters (vel sim.), and that variety is okay too. Who'da thunk that I'd ever like bran cereal? Certainly not me! Also on this list of new things I've tried and liked:

• fiber/bran cereal (keeping my bullet list neat and complete)
  
• whole wheat toaster waffles (good plain or with fruit and REAL maple syrup)
• spinach (well, like might be a little strong for this, but it makes good filler on sandwiches)
• fruit smoothies (I guess that's not truly surprising, but the last one that I bought -- from Subway long ago -- was very watery and not flavorful).

Read other women's stories at the master list: Tales from the Scales.

back in the game (8 July check-in)

weight change since 19 June: +1
weight change since 8 May: -9

You might notice the last time I checked in was two weeks ago. Had a lovely holiday traveling around this great country, visiting friends and family. And I was able to put in practice all that I have learned about portion sizes and good choices at restaurants, hence essentially maintaining my previous weight. I was not able to squeeze in any real exercising, other than some sporadic walking to various destinations. We got back Thursday, and already we have hit the gym twice, which felt really good, so we're back in the groove and ready for more healthy living.

declaration of independence!

I declare myself free from the unhealthy lifestyle I have followed for too long.

I recognize that my old habits will always be lurking in the recesses of my mind, waiting to drag me into unhealthy living once again. I will stay vigilant and on guard, and if I slip once, I will not overreact, but I will renew my vow to persevere.

I will aspire to eat unprocessed and natural foods and to avoid both high fructose corn syrup and saturated fats.

I will exercise three times per week. I like the feeling of having muscles and power. I like knowing that my body will perform well when I call on it.

I recognize that this is not a battle easily won, or quickly, but I am determined to follow it through until I have regained a healthy weight, as long as it takes, and for the rest of my life.

I thus declare that I am free from mindless eating, and that I am absolved of all allegiance to the snack machine; that as a free, healthy, and young(ish) woman, I have the full power to earn pain-free knees, to be comfortable in my body (whatever its shape), and do all other Acts and Things which Independent Women may of right do..

(inspired by Tales from the Scales and The Declaration of Independence.)

the great summer road trip

June 25 we went out of town, on a vacation of sorts. I had planned to attend a professional conference, which happened to be located fairly close to where some friends live, and also not too distant from my in-laws. We got back from this great adventure Thursday night (5 July). This morning I checked my weight first thing, as per usual, and I have not gained any significant weight, despite lots of eating out and road food.

I am so proud of myself.

I was able to make good choices when we went out, and not overdo it when my mother-in-law offered us fresh apple cake a la mode. I wasn't able to do serious exercises while out of town, although there was a fair bit of walking at the conference, since many of the buildings were not situated close together.

And we've already been to thy gym today, getting back into our good habits. Again, I am so pleased!