Hanging in there

I had a MAJOR cheat this morning - iced coffee and a glazed donut from Dunkin' Donuts. Rachel had an orthodontist appt. and requested a snack as I took her back to school. She had to have three attempts at making the impression for her palate expander, so I was feeling sympathetic. And hungry myself. Yes, I know it wasn't the best choice, but I feel like I am choosing better - less rationalization. I can rationalize anything, you know.

So still feeling very positive about this diet thing - but it helps that I am seeing big results. Nothing like instant gratification! And I actually think it is healthy (in a way) that I feel that I can "cheat" and still get back on track. I lost another 4 lbs last week, so that makes, like, 16 since the beginning of September? SO motivating!

I'm hoping I'm being inspirational rather than gloating. It is a HUGE help that I am at a point where all three kids are in school full time (and on the bus!) and I happen to have a number of local friends that also go to this Curves. It's that accountability thing, you know? I think there is an activation energy (the energy needed to start a process) and then a snowball effect (once you're started, it's easier to keep going). You have to be realistic about what you're capable of concentrating on at any given moment. I'm spending a lot of time thinking about and planning meals, which would have been really hard a few years ago. Not to mention the time at the gym.

But it is very exciting, and I want that to rub off on all of you too!

I'm hungry...

okay, so it is lunch time out here on the west coast. I just ate my leftover chicken enchiladas and I should wait at least 5 minutes before I decide that I'm starving enough to wander across the street to the nasty school cafeteria to pick up another lunch. :)

yeah, well, I'm posting here hoping that I'll think about all the willpower you all have shown recently and I'll pass on second lunch so that I can keep off some of the weight I've lost and continue to want to lose.

especially since I choose to sleep in this morning instead of going for a walk with the dog. I justified it because C is home from school with a cold (his eyes get goopy until his nose starts to run, so they want him out of school even though I'm positive it's just viral and not bacterial, but oh well), and I haven't been getting enough sleep since I got over strep.

I'm still hungry. maybe I'll eat the applesauce cup I have in the fridge, but I really want a burger and fries.

Woo Hoo!

Had my official weekly weigh-in at Curves on Monday - I've lost 9.5 lbs. since the beginning of September. And of course, 90% of that was probably last week.

So this week I'm doing 200-400 calories more than last week, depending on if I opt for a protein shake. Day 1, I was stuffed. Day 2, I forgot to eat my snack in the morning, got caught out of the house and at the mall in the afternoon - our mall food court is under construction, so I had a choice of Aunt Annie's Pretzels or Nathan's Hot Dogs. Hmmm...I opted for the hot dog, and was not far off on calories and protein, but WAY over on fat, of course. And because it was lousy quality food, I was hungery after dinner and opted for the shake. But, and this is where I'm actually proud of myself, I didn't eat anything else extra.

I thought about it.

I thought about it REALLY HARD.

But the thing that is working for me is the "eat exactly this" instructions (easier than I thought it would be) and writing everything down. I'm eating way more fruits and vegetables than I usually do, and having good quality protein sources, and when I do that, I'm not hungry.

The only thing I'm sad about is that I made homemade salsa for my burrito on Monday - and I really really want to eat more of it. But chips do not qualify as a quality protein or carbohydrate source. Guess I'll freeze it for later in the winter, when I'm done with the 6 week program and taking a break. Sighhhhhh...

Swimming with asthma

Since I was having such a sucky week, I decided I really needed to go swim on Wed. I decided that I wasn't being productive at work anyways, so swimming was a good idea.

To be honest, I decided I needed exercise earlier in the week and tried to go at lunch time unsuccessfully, so I went after work with a friend. The pool was way too crowded, and we didn't swim very far. But it was enough to make me feel better.

The worst part was I had a mini-asthma attack (couldn't get enough air) while swimming and came up short one lap. I think I freaked out my friend a bit, but a few minutes later I caught my breath and continued, albeit much slower.

I'd been avoiding my asthma medication since I didn't notice any wheezing, and I wasn't feeling like getting a refill. So much for being lazy. I guess I need to take care of myself more often. And now I'm using my inhaler every night. I'm not so good about remembering in the morning, but I've been doing it every night since Wed.

Makin Progress!

Ok, I started the Curves Weight Management thing on Monday. Their program is very metabolism focussed. You do a week at 1200-1400 calories, ~6 weeks at 1400-1600 calories, and when you stop loosing weight or need a break, they have a 2000-2500 calorie program. The whole idea is to keep from switching your body into starvation mode where you stop loosing weight. And you have a choice of high protein (60/40 protein/carbs) or high carb (40/60 protein/carbs).

I'm doing 1400 cal on the high carb plan, and I haven't killed anybody yet.

Actually, I'm doing ok. Monday was REALLY hard. Hungry all day, thinking, I can't do this. Tuesday was better, and it's been better every day since. In fact, I just realized I didn't eat the 60 calories of fruit allowed with lunch (that's like a cup of raspberries, so pretty filling!). But I'll eat it with my snack, or maybe dinner. Mostly this diet is portion control, and balancing protein and carbs. I'm not sure I completely believe their whole metabolism theory, but so far it appears nutritionally sound and safe. Although 1400 cal (let alone 1200!) is WAY less than I've been eating.

But I've lost 5 lbs. already. I'm telling myself I shouldn't weigh every day because that will be misleading/demotivating. But MAN, it is tempting! Monday I kick up a couple of hundred calories, so we'll see what happens.

Makin

Haven't posted in a while

Ok, ready for an update here as I haven't posted in a while. I think you all saw in the forward from Ann that I'm pregnant. I'm HOPING that I can find a way to motivate myself to continue my walking after baby comes in March/April. A friend had a good point that the timing for weather will really help in being able to get out with both baby and dog and make me get moving again.

We had a good ultrasound yesterday so that was a lot of fun and I'll be out of my first trimester the end of next week. I'm still walking every morning with the dog though we've slowed down a bit. I just know like Jill said, my default is lazy and the only reason I walk is because John goes to work earlier so I feel it's my job to get the dog out and she's a good motivator. So... I need to keep it up as much as I can.