Amazing that I have lost 16 pounds in 24 days and that it has actually went quickly. But, I have spent some time reflecting on the past 24 days and pondering away.
I have always been my own worst enemy and my own worst critic. Don’t know where that stems from, but I’m thinking it is probably true for most of us. Though the 24 days have went by quickly some of those days were very agonizing.
Things I beat myself up over:
- Skipping the gym
- Going over my calorie count
- Making poor food choices
- Frustration over holding for days at same weight
- Gaining 10 pounds before I even began this process
- Not working out harder
- Not joining classes at the gym
- Not going back to weight lifting
- Not tracking food nutrition on some days
- Late night snacking
My resolution is to lighten up literally and figuratively. I made it this far and will make it to my goal with day by day purposeful movements and choices.
Skipping the gym – fine, make it there 3 or more times a week. I shouldn’t discount other activities I do around the house and yard. I mow the lawn, I trim shrubs, pick-up sticks. I do laundry, dishes, clean, clean and clean.
Going over my calorie count – having the fear that doing so is going to pack on way too many pounds. I think my body knows when it needs a day of more than the 1200-1500 range. A normal day of 2000 tells my body that I’m not trying to starve it or harm it.
Making poor food choices – what’s a treat like a donut occasionally going to do to me? I am making better food choices in the last 3 plus weeks than I have in years. I have made better food choices even when dining out. It’s not like I’ve fallen off the wagon and eaten pizza, buffalo wings, fried chicken, and chocolate bars all night in the closet. I should be patting myself on the back for my lack of chocolate bars in the last three weeks. And, not having a Mt. Dew or 3 or 6 a day has been an amazing feat.
Frustration over holding for days at same weight – my body will need to stall, adapt, and process the changes it is going through. I am losing quickly and should be in awe of that, and not the frustration of seeing the scale hold for a week. I have learned it is not the end of the trail, but a brief pause to reflect and enjoy the view.
Gaining 10 pounds before I even began this process – pounds I didn’t even know I was packing on. I decided last night that if I had not started this journey I would probably gain another 15 and be back to my heaviest weight. The weight I was at when I got pregnant and excluding the weight I hit while pregnant…ouch!
Not working out harder – but, I’m out of shape. I’ve learned that you have to start somewhere and that somewhere is usually at the bottom. Friday I completed 47 minutes on the Elliptical Trainer and the treadmill. I was not exhausted and felt quite a burst of energy. If I stay in my target range or not, I’m progressing and will take stock in that each time I make it to the gym.
Not joining classes at the gym – because I still have the stigma of being the fat, out of shape, ugly, old lady that needs to hide in the back of the room. I decided one step at a time. If I’m not ready to take a class, then don’t force it. I’ll get there.
Not going back to weight lifting – so I’ve added it to my August goal. Go lifting!
Not tracking food nutrition on some days – I’ve learned in the past week that my body is getting good at telling me when it needs fuel. That when I’m hungry choose the correct combination of good foods and I still lose weight. I think I do need to adjust to eat more in the mornings and for lunch or I am eating a lot for dinner to get that count in.
Late night snacking – a few nights I’ve eaten after 8 p.m. Something I had told myself not to do. I have read and heard that if your body is not processing food when you are sleeping that your metabolism is higher and you burn more sleeping. At least my late night snacking is not a binge or a binge on something terrible for me. One night I had a small bowl of cereal and one night I had a little bit of popcorn, maybe ½ cup.
