Numbers on the scale

Let's all admit - to those who try to lose weight, it is an obsession.  You see the number on the scale and it does something to your mind.  For me, a good day means I will skip a few days before I weigh again and if I have a bad day (no loss or gain) it means I will start checking my weight obsessively.  Luckily, I've found that I haven't had a bad day and that the good days are more regular.  Since last Friday I have lost about 3 pounds.  I am really proud of that and I am even more happy that it is getting easier each day to stick to eating as healthy as possible.

It's amazing how once you can train yourself not to want a lot of food, that so little food can be filling. For example, today for lunch I had a tuna salad sandwich (with less mayo and more mustard) and 1/2 cup strawberry halves and some whipped topping.  This is a very filling lunch.  I don't do the diet bread either - I have good old wheat bread (with extra fiber) and I measured out two ounces of the tuna (which is less than the suggest 2.6 oz serving).  It was more than enough for my sandwich and my 1/2 cup of strawberries was also half a serving but I didn't feel the need to eat any extra.  In fact, I'm quite full.  Seeing the scale before I ate reflecting the difference these changes are making really encourage me to continue and work hard at being more conscious of what I eat and how much of it I allow myself.

It just goes to show you that hard work does pay off.  These things don't happen overnight.  You can't put limits on yourself you can't stick to and all that other stuff people tell you when you are trying to lose weight.  It's hard to believe I haven't had fast food in almost two weeks or that I haven't had a Dr. Pepper either.  But you know what, I really don't want it (right now).

Enjoy the weather!

Struggles and Small Victories

I have to say, this time is a bit harder than when I started last time.  Last time I was a lot more excited and was less frustrated by others eating.  Maybe it's I am having a bad week - I don't know.  However, yesterday was a rough day for me.  Courtney and I went to a pool with some family and had intended on eating there.  You know - no big deal.  Courtney knew to make my plate and give me the correct sized portions.  Which she did.  There was birthday cake - and I had some.  Not too much, but some.  However, Courtney ate a lot more than I did.  I know she is at a different place and doesn't have the issues that I do.  Yet that doesn't make it easier to see her doing what I want to be doing.  I consider it a small victory that I didn't over eat and that I stuck to my plan.  However, it was just a hard day.  I am really learning that I like foods that have more fiber because they keep me from feeling hungry.

This week I am going to start drinking more water.  I know I don't drink enough and I think if I really boost it then I will feel less hungry and will make my skin look more healthy.  Exactly what I want - an indirect effect from a positive behavior.  Also, I think I am going to start doing some more exercise.  I'd walk if it wasn't so HOT.  I just can't do it because I start to feel sick.  That means I have to find an alternative to going outside and walking.  No big deal - there are all these Tumblrs that have great workout suggestions, I just need to do them.

Hope everyone had a good weekend.

Someone Else Has Taken Over

Well, its been a rough road.  I had some solid weight loss, but after some health issues, I had a setback.  Then, in my typical style, I really veered off track and gained weight (but not too much).  So then I realized that I needed to get back on track.  I really thought about where I go wrong and what keeps veering me off track - and its two main things; when my diet is not organized and portions.  Sometimes if it is not strictly laid out to what I need to eat, I veer off course.  The whole concept of not knowing is very hard on me and causes me to really get on edge.  Also, I am not the best at measuring a portion out.  If I get 13 chips and they are not whole, then I have to "guess" to what pieces constitute one chip.  That can often cause me big problems.

So I enlisted my sister to step in.  She makes my meals and measures my portions so that I don't cheat.  I don't know how long its going to last - but it is going to last until I think I can handle it on my own.  It is really working.  I have only been at it since Monday (it's Friday) and I have gotten within a pound of where I was when I stopped earlier this year.  I am happy because I have been able to get back on the diet plan.  It isn't the easiest thing, but I really am having a better time of it this go round.

The hard part is getting back to the exercise.  It is really hot here again.  Like 100+ degrees with a heat index.  So I am trying to figure out what it is that I am going to do to get in some physical activity.  All this being said I am looking to find something that I can do to get a little burn in on those hot days.  I think I am going to try to walk for 15 mins a day at least - for me it burns a little over 100 calories.  Then I might try work out something that I can do inside (like a workout video or something) to get an indoor burn.

So at least I am back at it - for real this time!

Falling off the Wagon

So I did it ... I fell off the wagon.  I haven't been writing on here because I haven't been "getting healthy" as much lately.  I have been eating a lot more fast food and more food than I should in general lately.  At least I know why - I was really stressed about some unrelated health issues and a lot of the time I deal with stress by eating.  Everything is okay now - so I think that I am really ready to get back to it.

I started walking again yesterday - walked a mile and I think I'm going to walk two miles today.  I'm going to update my music and just start walking.  I have some things I want to think about, so it will be a good time to get some thinking done.

So, encouragement and prayers are welcome on my strugglish journey.