Saturday, March 30, 2013

Surgeries.

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind and certainly not good for my continued attempts at losing weight and getting healthy.

I had my surgery on 3-19-13 and it went well, but was a bit more extensive than expected.  It should (hopefully) take care of my female issues, which (again, hopefully) will help lessen my need for comfort food for 15 days out of each month.  At any rate, I'm finally feeling human again and I'm ready to get back on track.

My 14 year old daughter also had knee surgery on the 26th, and it, too, was more extensive than expected.  She has a dead person's tendon in her knee, a fact which disturbs her greatly (I think she feared she might wake up a zombie).

So it's been very distracting to say the least.  How will I ever get back on track?  It seems one thing after another has just kept me from staying on course.  And the response to that is:  "No, it's been ME using the excuses around me to stay off course."  But then, I don't want to get into any negative self talk.  Instead, I need to look forward.

For now, the obstacles are overcome and I'm ready.  It might be that flush of springtime warmth and the thoughts of getting our garden ready, but I feel revived.

I use the Advocare products and I will be doing a cleanse starting on Monday.  Then I will get serious about taking my vitamins properly again.  I really think having the full flush of vitamins helps keep my body from craving things and taking me off my path.  So, that's part of my plan.

Not sure what else.  I'll be ready to start bike riding again on Monday as well, and if I'm doing okay with that, then by Wednesday, I'll add back in my bowflex workout.

Even though I can, and do, exercise, it's simply not enough.  I've got to control my eating.  Since I've fallen so far off the wagon, I think I will start by going back to basics.  Smaller portions.  That will be my goal for the week.  I also will plan out a healthy menu for the week, but if something comes up (late physical therapy, long court day, etc) I will eat smaller portions.

I'm excited about the thought of getting back into this.  I felt so good last year when I was losing the weight.  I want to feel that way again.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Strategy

So, clearly, I need some kind of strategy.

I'm doing better but still having a horrible time at night with the eating after dinner.  I'm also having  a hard time not going back for seconds ... or thirds ... at dinner.

I plan and execute very well during the day.  It's very easy to stay on target during the day because I'm so busy.  But once I'm done with work, I fall apart.  I have to keep it together so tightly at work, that when I get home, I just want to unwind and relax ... and for me, food IS relaxing.  It's the comfort thing, I guess.

Luckily, I've been so good during the day that my night time binges aren't hurting me too badly.  But just think of the weight loss I would be experiencing if I could control myself at night!  Rather than holding steady, I'd be dropping the weight.

Since I'm having such an issue with food, I've amped up my work outs.  My bike ride in the morning is still the same amount of time (about 60-70 minutes) but I've increased the tension and speed to try and work off some extra calories.  I'm also back into my weight lifting which will eventually build muscle which will eventually help burn calories.

But I have GOT to do something about my food issue.

It doesn't help that the hubby is wanting to help comfort me and buys me brownie mixes and chocolates.  And I admit, the last few weeks, I've needed those and don't really hate myself for indulging.  I'm about to go through a surgery to hopefully end my nasty, painful periods once and for all.  In the getting ready for the surgery, I've had to take hormones and have had periods induced, all of which make my body a total mess.  And chocolate really does make me feel better and give me the comfort to get through the pain.  So I understand, and indulge, in the treats he gets me.  The surgery is the 19th so hopefully after that I can get back on track and not have my hubby wanting to make me feel better with chocolates.

And, I also try to make "better" choices on the candy/sweet side, so even when I indulge, I try and do it as "right" as possible.  Okay, so there probably isn't such a thing, but I choose York Peppermint Patties over other types of candy.  It's dark chocolate and no fat, so when choosing "bad" things, it's not as "bad" as somethings I could choose.

Still, I need some kind of plan.  Something to focus on.  I'm really good when I can plan something out.  Part of the control freak in me, I suppose.  So, I'll do some google-ing and see if I can come up with some ideas for helping my problem area at the moment - the night time munchies.  And when I'm not so exhausted from work, maybe I'll even be able to implement them!  Any ideas you have would be appreciated.

I'll post what I find if anything happens to work for me!  I'll keep on trying!