A Few Surprizes ...

Alright, so this morning began the Fight the Fluff recharge. I woke up, did my usual things and then stepped on the scale. And the result... I did not lose and I did gain but only half a pound. For me that is a shock. I honestly felt as though I had gained back most of what I had lost based on how I felt, so this is a positive step in the right direction. But like I said, the loss count will begin here, so I am now at 0 loss again. Its ok, I know in my mind where I was and where I am at now. Now its off to get the girls an early lunch and head out to do some grocery shopping!

Off the Band Wagon... and Back on Again.

So over the last month and especially over the Thanksgiving Holiday, I fell off of the band wagon. Hard. But I will not give excuses or try and explain it all away. Nor will I sulk and give up. Tomorrow morning I will face the music and step on that scale again. If I have gained or stayed at the weight of the last weigh in, I will start the count over. However, if I have lost (which is highly unlikely) I will continue the weigh in process and add the loss to what I have previously posted.

In this recharge of the Fight of the Fluff there will be a few changes...

1. Weigh In - I will do a weigh in once a week. While I felt that doing a weigh in once a week might hinder my ability to lose, I think I used that as an excuse and a crutch instead of something positive. So now I will answer to the scale once a week and I really cant slack off.
2. Prioritize - This week I spent a lot of time getting a number of things done around the house and prioritizing what needs to get finished. I feel like I always failed because I never had enough time for me. I was always trying to clean or cook or keep up with the girls and when I got overwhelmed I would skip out on my obligations to myself. Never good. This time I have caught up, set priorities and will allow myself to have some time for me as well as time to work on projects that aren't the usual daily things. Knowing this makes me a happier and more driven person, which I am sure will help in the long run.
3. Blog - Keeping up with the blog... plain and simple. I wont allow myself to fall behind or keep from posting because its something I have a hard time sharing. The whole point is to share my thoughts and feelings as well as my successes and setbacks along this journey with those people I know well and have been my constant cheerleaders as well as a few strangers who might find something I have to say inspirational or just helpful.

As I have said before, this is going to be one heck of ride but I cant wait get moving again. Thanks again to all of you out there who have been so helpful and supportive. It means the world to me... and more.

Struggle #1

In this effort so far to fight the fluff, I have discovered something I struggle with. Consistency. Finding a pattern and thought process and sticking with it has been hard. One issue is the fact that I forget to eat. Yes, I forget to eat and by the time I remember to do so I am starving so I eat too fast and too much. Its horrible for the metabolism and I know its not helping me at all with the battle. The other is consistency with working out. When I started this, I was great at it! Walked at least 3 times a week if not more and did Pilates/Yoga at home as well. That has changed and I cant figure out why. I am still very motivated to lose but I am struggling with the challenges that life throws in front of my best laid plans. This week was illness. I think I need to figure out the best way to deal with the challenges that seem to keep being thrown in front of me.

As for the actual weight loss, I think I will need a reboot. Being scared of what this lack of consistency may have done to my actual weight loss, I havent stepped on the scale in weeks. Monday morning I will step back on and reboot this entire effort. I think I know where my issues are in the process and I just need a bit of time to correct them. Hopefully that can be done over the next few days! I guess we will find out, wont we?

Onward and downward (in the weight that is)!

Catching Up and Refocusing

Wow... while I haven't completely failed on this road to a new me, life has kept me from being as diligent about it as I would like. I have forgotten to write about it as well as do a weigh in every two weeks like promised. I havent been able to walk as often with Jen and her little ones as I would like to and I sometimes cheat about what I eat. The one good thing I have kept up with is the no soda policy. Dont get me wrong, I have ordered a few over the last month but never get more then a quarter of it down. The taste is too much. Now I am friends with water, tea and iced tea.

My very dear friend Mackenzie commented on my last post and something she said helped me refocus on what I want to accomplish. "Slow and Steady Wins the Race". While I know losing weight too quickly can cause you to gain it back again in the long run, its hard not to get impatient. For me that impatuience causes me to lose focus and sometimes creates frustration. That frustration usually gets the best of me and that's where I end up in limbo and often times fail. But her words have helped to drag me out of the funk I was finding myself in. I have now refocused. I will be patient. I will take it slow. I will lost the fluff. I will fight it. I will NOT fail.

Second Weigh In...

Wow... two weeks can slip by really fast. I know I need to write more, so I apologize. I have been prepping for Abby's 3rd Birthday and the errands and tasks involved consume my days. Things have been good though over the last two weeks. I have cheated a few times on the soda front, but due to the sinus headaches they were practically needed. I have also felt very challenged and a tad discouraged over the last week.

During one of our walks, a car full of older teenage boys drove past mooing and oinking at us. While weight has been a battle a good portion of my life, I have never had this happen to me. It was hard not to feel upset and completely discouraged. Its this type of behavior that causes so many who struggle with their weight to lose faith in the cause and give up. The world has its trends and issues and obesity is the newest target. The several reality shows and series I see out there dont help. Instead of shedding light on the struggles many go through when it comes to weight and offering ways to help, they seem to just make a mockery of the issue and create and even less healthy environment for those who do struggle and want to change. Obesity is a disease of addiction and can be just as debilitating as anorexia or bulimia. Luckily, little pathetic teenage boys wont stop me. I mean hey... I was out on a three mile walk and they were driving in a car that mommy and daddy bought. Ugh, I weep for the future. I wont say it didn't sting and make me want to cry but I certainly didn't rush home and eat a box full of sugar either. Which was great because today was weigh in!

So, drum roll please..... I am now at XXX.X pounds which means a loss of...

2.8 Pounds

For a total loss to date of...

6.9 Pounds

I hope this continues. That was not the 2 pounds per week I was hoping for but I was doing more yoga and Pilates at home this week due to a pinched nerve in my hip, so the muscle building may have slowed the actual scale loss. Oh well, I will take it. Ten to fifteen pounds generally produces a loss in clothing size and I am starting to see it! On to the next week and hopefully more loss!

First Weigh In

After being offline for 3 days, which was more then I could handle especially since I had a ton of things to do, I am back. This week has gone great! I could be better with what I eat, but I have definitly cut down on needless snacking and eating based on my mood. Unless I know I am actually hungry and need to eat, every time I feel the need to eat something or grab something sugary, I go clean something up or do another load of laundry. It helps. Although it doesnt help with the Monica Geller reputation I seem to have these days. Anyway... back to the task at hand.

It was weigh in time this morning! I dont think I explained it clearly, but because I started to become obsessive about numbers and over using the scale in my bathroom I have decided to do a weigh in once every two weeks. Between that time I am not allowed to use the scale. I think stressing about the numbers on the scale takes away from the actual weight loss effort. So, drum-roll please, after weigh in I have lost...

4.1 Pounds

That averages to 2.05 pounds per week, which is an excellent start! If I can keep this average up I will be at my weight goal within 64 weeks. Not bad! I feel great about myself right now. Now its off to get a bite to eat and then walk with Jen. Thanks Jen for being my walking support!

Issues with Posting

Hi Everyone!

Sorry I have been MIA! I have had some issues with the blog and being able to post. Its been a bit of a bummer for me, but now it seems as though things are back on line and I am ready to go! To catch up this last week had its ups and downs. The heat has put a major damper on some of my exercise routines and even working out indoors has had its issues. The weather looks to be changing now and will be bringing more bearable temperatures. So now we can get back into a better schedule of working out and walking with Jen. My next goal... a new pair of shoes! Mine are getting old and worn down, to the point of not having arch support, causing some major pain in my right foot. It hasn't stopped me, just slowed me a little in the distance I walk and my pace. A little rest and some new shoes will fix that. Looking forward to another great weekend and a wonderful week. My first weigh in is coming next Thursday! Fingers are crossed!