Weigh In - 287

Lean Cuisine Indian-style Masala. I like it. As much as I don't like microwaving foods in plastic containers, I do it. It's a compromise.

One of my hangups with better eating is the time and brain power it takes to track my food and exercise, plan (so that I don't resort to what is the easiest, and often less healthy), plan meals, and basically just to feed myself appropriately. I do purchase pre-portioned, packaged meals to grab for times like these. It is very easy for me to fail simply because I don't want to think. Today is one of those days.

Weigh In: 287. No change. Stayed the same. I did well. I ate under my calories and exercised. But the weekend came and I was busy and from sundown on Saturday to Sunday evening I didn't pay much attention. I hate to think that in the span of 24 hours I completely undid all of the good work from earlier on in the week. I'm still a bit confused on that one.

It was frustrating to see the scale make no change. I feel OK. Maybe slightly better. I don't know. I feel like I've kept on track. That's about it.

I also feel like when I let myself go, it makes it harder to pull back in. Which is why the pre-packaged meal came in handy.

What I DO like, though, is that my habits are taking a better path. I have to look at that. And I'm not gaining. I'm not on my way up to 300, like I was so fearful I would be.

So, those are little non-scale victories, which is what I can cling to today. Twice in the past 7 days I've gotten up and exercised early in the morning. That's something I simply Do Not Do. That's cool.

Continue.

That's the operative word for today. Just simply continue. Don't get frustrated, don't give up. Just keep going this week and don't worry about it.

287 - Discipline And Balance

I made it through 1 week of tracking my calories. Tracking them and staying within my range. Yesterday I went over by 20 I think, but in the scheme of things, that was OK, because I was under a couple days ago, too.

I truly wish I knew what it was that allows me to accomplish a week of sensible eating. Take a life-long snapshot of anyone who struggles with weight loss and see them jumping on and off the wagon. It's a true battle.

Right now my motivation is really how I feel. I don't like how my clothes fit. A year ago this time I felt so much better in my own body, and in my clothes. I was happily buying a smaller shirt size, and close to needing a smaller pant size. It frustrates me to have to be back-tracking, but it also frustrates me to have let myself slip.

I freaking love food. This week has been a victory food-wise, but I haven't been enjoying what I eat so much. Strangely, though, I also haven't really cared. My focus hasn't been on what I eat. It's almost like I have to not care to succeed. Last night I was going to indulge and splurge on some ice-cream. But I didn't. I stayed the course, came home and had one of my low fat ice creams. Probably wasn't as good, but I also didn't have regrets.

I'm hoping to continue this streak of better eating. I do know that we are set to have a dinner and drinks out this weekend, and I will probably go over. My goal is to do well this week and kick up the exercise so that I can relax a bit (still making sensible choices when we dine out) but not get too frustrated either way (frustrated because I'm not enjoying my food, or frustrated that my emphasis is too much on the food).

Balance.

I think I only walked twice this week. Right now our finances won't allow for a gym membership, but I really need to have something that burns more calories than walking. Something I can hop on quick during the day (treadmill or indoor bike). But we also need a major appliance and money is tight.

If only weight-loss was my only issue. Again, it is balancing everything. My eating, my exercising, my finances, on and on. Discipline. Balance. That's what will help me make progress everywhere in life. That, apparently, is what I need to learn.