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A Cautionary Tale
 Posted by Trish Milburn Feb 7 2012, 12:01 am in exercise, food diary, health tips, portion control, Trish Milburn, weight loss My husband and I were talking at dinner the other night about how long it takes investments to increase in value and how quickly a market downturn can take all that increase away in a blink of an eye. Well, weight loss and gain behaves in the exact opposite way, as I can attest to. On Feb. 1 of last year, I weighed my highest weight ever. I got serious about tracking my calories and exercising. I lost 7 pounds that first month, and over the next nine months I gradually lost 11 more. I was only 2 pounds away from hitting the halfway point to my goal. And then I fell off the danged wagon. It’s no one’s fault but my own, but as I sit here and write this there’s a part of me that feels like kicking myself in the butt. But that won’t do me any good. I need to use what has happened over the past couple of months as inspiration instead of a reason to feel bad about myself. See, I allowed the combination of the holidays, deadlines, and general laziness torpedo a large part of my hard work. It’s embarrassing to admit this, but I gained 10 pounds back during only the past two months. That’s nearly what it took me 9 months to lose. How did this happen? * I didn’t track my calories, and I know there were way more high-calorie days than low-calorie ones. * I ate way too many sweets. I was under a lot of stress and long hours with my deadlines, so I ate cookies, chips, ice cream. Sigh. * I didn’t exercise nearly enough on the days I did and many days not at all. That saying about missing a day leading to it being easier to miss two and so on is so right. So what am I doing about it? * As of yesterday, I cut out sweets that contain refined sugar. I’m going to stick to fruit for my sweet-tooth fix. * I’m back to exercising. I’m combining walking on the treadmill and riding the recumbent bike with reading entries for the RITA contest; using my step block or lifting weights while watching TV; and listening to educational podcasts while walking around the neighborhood. I’m going to be adding in some yard work soon since weeds are already popping up in my flowerbeds in early February. I plan to mix up my exercise every day to keep things from getting boring or my body getting used to any one routine. I’m shooting for 1 1/2 to 2 hours of exercise each day. Right now, I’m sitting at 82 minutes for today (Monday) so I need at least 8 more minutes. I’m thinking 8 minutes of dance aerobics sound about right. * I am writing down every single thing I eat and how many calories it has. I’m keeping the tally below 1,500 each day. * I’m getting caught up on lots of odds and ends so that when my next set of deadlines come around, I’m not stressed out of my mind. I’m hoping these changes will kick-start a big weight loss this month like it did last February. At least I’m not starting from that high point all over again. And my new motto is the one they’re using on The Biggest Loser this season — No Excuses! How is your February going health- and fitness-wise so far? What are your goals for the rest of the month? How can you make sure you achieve them?
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12 Responses to “A Cautionary Tale”Leave a Reply |
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It is indeed frustrating, Trish! Glad to hear you’re getting back on track with constructive, manageable steps.
My weekly yoga visits took a knock as my buddy can’t go now until May. So, I’ve bought a yoga DVD to use at home instead. I may go on my own when I get a chance, but it’s in an awkward place with almost no parking. Plus getting there and back takes up time I could use better at home.
I started with the DVD this morning and it wasn’t bad. I’ll try to do that at least twice a week and see how I get on.
I keep talking about starting back with the brisk walking and light running, but haven’t been able to make the time. I plan to, though, by the end of the month. Hopefully the regular yoga will inspire me.
My plan eating-wise is to focus back on the 5 a day and look for ways to add them back into my diet.
Glad to hear you’ve found a way to incorporate the yoga into your busy schedule, Anna. Regarding the walking — are you getting all that horrible winter weather I keep hearing about? Or is that more Eastern Europe?
Trish,
I know exactly how you feel. I was down to within 10 pounds of where I wanted to be at the beginning of the conference. Now I’m back to 20 up. And I want to kick myself. That said, I have been on the wagon for 2 days–I knew it would be better to wait until February thanks to all that was going down in January–and my biggest accomplishment thus far has been doing my 2 short runs and 1 long run for three weeks in a row. Well, that and leaving that lone Thin Mint on the table rather than actually eating it. I resisted a Thin Mint!!!!
I know you’re going to get there! Lord willing, I’m going to get there again, too.
Welcome back to the wagon, Sally.
Sounds like you’re doing the right things now. And you resisted a Thin Mint? Wow, you’re strong.
And today I resisted french fries…we can do this.
You’re like a superhero, Sally.
Hi Trish,
A great post to read considering ups and downs happen to us all. I’m sure you’ll get back to losing the pounds again… and hopefully you won’t let stress bite you. I’ve gone through a recent spate myself… cut down big time on the cholesterol BUT gained about 4-5lbs over the last few months.
I’m trying to evaluate where this is coming from… weight training? Slack on the diet front? Or stress from getting back to a work-in-progress?
You’re not alone, we’re all in this together. But it’s glad to share and know you really are not alone.
Thanks for the inspiration to get back on track!
Anju, it’s all such a crazy balancing act, isn’t it? You take care of one thing, and something else goes wonky. But that’s good you’ve cut the cholesterol.
Perfect phrase,
it is a balancing act. And just when you think you’ve got it, something happens and it’s topsy turvy again. I don’t think there’s a perfect method to weight loss… but slow and steady and balancing the rocky boat when it goes astray!
So true, so true.
Hi Trish,
I’m with you on cutting the sugar and writing down what I eat. I’ve been good about not gaining the weight back but I haven’t had much luck at losing any more. I know that’s because I’ve slacked off on the vegetables. Getting home late after a long day of tutoring and teaching, I’m totally uninspired to cook anything healthy. Must change that.
I know what you mean, Mary. When I had the really long days of writing in January, the last thing I had energy for was cooking, let alone healthful cooking. Takeout was oh-so-dangerously easy — and disastrous on the scales.