What A Month!

Alright, time to update.  The month started out real well......then life got in the way. 

Within the first few days I had lost my goal of 4lbs minimum for the month.  And I thought that it was going to be a great month - maybe realistically 8-10lbs total for the month.  Well, that never happened.  After the first few days of the month a relative broke their hip.  Which meant that we were going to be taking in their adult mentally impaired son and dealing with his very picky, mostly unhealthy, eating habits.  The relative is doing fine and living with us for a few days and I am slowly getting back on track, but my meal adjustments have been a challenge to find a good balance for all involved.

I will be going back to a food journal for the month to make sure I get my mind back in the groove.  And considering the first few days of the broken hip saga where I put on 5lbs, I still consider this month a success because I still squeeked out my goal.  I'm now down to 244.5 (goal was 245) and nearing 30lbs lost since Nov '09.  My goal for this month will change slightly:  Instead of my normal "4lbs" for a month I want to see 239.  And then hopefully say "goodbye" to the 240's forever.

This is an important week.  I want to make this week a rededication of the habits and lifestyle I'm been working at achieving.  I'm proud of myself for being able to at least maintain during the difficult part of this past month.  I was able to meet my goal and maintain.  And for that I am proud of myself.

No More Enthusiasm

Well, it's been over a week since I last posted. That was for a reason. You see, the initial enthusiasm of this journey has peaked and dwindled. I've gotten past the first few miles of go-go-go and had to get my mind fully wrapped around the fact that it is indeed a very long journey and that I need to pace myself. I knew it was coming so I was prepared for it. Although I tried to protect against it, the initial enthusiasm is a natural part of my DNA.

I just needed some time just to step back for a few days and re-evaluate what has worked, what has not, and where I need to make any adjustments so that I can reach the end of my journey with the minimum of bumps, bruises, and sprained ankles.

Things that I've had to think about before are now becoming second nature. This past week I continued my workouts, and my meals were mostly on the good side. However, I did gain a couple of pounds which I have since worked off again. Since I get on the scale a couple of times a day I was better able to keep the weight in check and get a better read on what might be causing the weight gain. Not all gains are due to the intake of the foods you eat. Some of it is just your body making adjustments. If I had not been on the scale each day, I could have easily gained more weight. The scale holds me accountable.

One thing that I think is working well for me is the 3 meals and 2 snacks each day. The emphasis on the 2 snacks makes it much easier for me to get more fruits and veggies each day. I also seem to do better if I don't eat at least 2 hours before bedtime. So now that it is becoming more of a permament change of behavior I am trying to look at ways to make it easier on those chaotic days where you don't know where you might be at any particular time.

One of the adjustments I need to make is to try to understand and incorporate the balance of proteins, good carbs, and fats. I want to make sure that I'm not only cutting down on the excessive calories and fat grams, but that I am eating foods that will give me the energy I need each day. It seems that I've had some days where I think I have been a little more sluggish than I want to be.

I'm adding a page tentatively titled "Goals". Feel free to take a look at it and make any suggestions. I have already added a page titled "My Backpack" which will contain a list of the tools and items that I have found that I need for my journey.

Impatient? Overwhelmed?

It is too easy to get to the point where we are feeling impatient and overwhelmed with the changes we want to make. We want to lose weight and we want to lose it now! That is the thinking of a lot of people who go on this journey, me included. Today I was feeling impatient and overwhelmed thinking about the changes I want to make and implementing them in my lifestyle. So I had to just pause for minute or two and check my map and compass before continuing the journey.

We need to keep reminding ourselves that this journey is often accomplished by inches traveled each day, not miles. It is important that we keep moving forward. In an earlier post I mentioned that it took me many years to put on this weight. I cannot expect to take it off within a few months. Could I? Most likely. But I'm sure I wouldn't develop the lifestyle tools to keep the weight off.

While doing this post and checking my navigation, I can confidently say that I am on the right trail. I just needed to remind myself that the knowledge I am gaining will lead to the lifestyle changes I want to make. Patience is being added to my backpack today!