Days 11-14 

Fail. Fail. Fail. Fail.

Let me qualify. On Thursday, I had a wicked stomach episode that left me nauseated and listless. Nothing sounded good. My stomach was a burbling mess. So, what did I do on Friday?

I ate a double Quarter Pounder with cheese, fries and a coke from McDonalds. Naturally.

That’s “Fail # 1”

Later that night, I had two beers with shrimp and grits at Nolen’s Place.  I figured the day was shot anyway, so I splurged.

That’s “Fail #2”

I had every intention of getting back on track on Saturday until…..I threw out my back trying to clean the potty with a Clorox wipe. Typical.

So newly sedentary Hallie rode out the pain wave with carbs. Lots and lots of carbs. Pretzels, crackers, Ramen noodles, pizza, another double cheeseburger, and a coconut cream pie milkshake.

We’ll call that the “Mother of all Fails.” 

And therefore on weigh day, I weigh 197 pounds. Still less than where I started, but a whopping 5 pounds heavier than last week. Sigh.

But I’m determined to learn from this. I’ve noticed another tendency about food. When an unexpected event occurs (illness, injury, etc) I will fall off the wagon so hard that I leave a dent in the road. Why is this? Does food become a coping mechanism? Do I become too complacent to keep up my healthy eating routine? Does the business of cooking and meal planning become to much when faced with pain and discomfort? Yes, yes and yes.

So now that I’ve identified another pitfall, how do I combat it?

1)      I need to keep an “emergency plan” along with the associated foods in the house in case grocery shopping or cooking falls by the wayside. Frozen Atkins meals? Low carb bars? Cheese? Nuts? A faithful recipe that I can make at any time?

2)      I need to remind myself that feeling run down is even more of a reason to eat healthfully.

3)      I need to identify those moments of weakness and fill them with other things. Rest, mostly.

 

Off to a fresh start this week!

Day 10

 

I didn’t exercise again this morning, but it was a late night.  (Excuses, excuses. But, I know I’m going to get there.) We went over to my parents for dinner. I managed to resist the Triscuits, I snacked on only cheese and almonds, I only had one sandwich for dinner, and less than a handful of chips. Compared to how I normally fare, it was a success.

My stomach is feeling a little upset today, so I don’t what that’s all about. Maybe it finally purging all of the built up garbage in my system.

I feel like I’m losing size. I feel like I’m doing well. Nothing else to report.

Day 9

I did really well yesterday….until. I accidentally set off the burglar alarm at 11pm and scared myself to death.

So, I needed a little help from Mr. Jack Daniels to calm myself down. I was a frayed nerve. But, I didn’t overindulge. I had a drink and a low carb cracker with butter. So I broke the 8:30 rule, but I stayed within my 50 carb limit. So I maintained control in a time of anxiety and didn’t go berserk with my eating. A success, overall.

And as a result of not going to bed until after midnight, no exercise this morning. At lease I’m trying to keep the “get enough rest” rule.

 I did do marathon housework last night, so I’ll try not to beat myself up (another rule). I will try again tomorrow!

Day 8-

Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy crap! I LOST 5.8 POUNDS!!!! SERIOUSLY???!!!

Yes! Seriously!

I almost took a picture of the scale this morning, but then I realized that since the scale is made of glass, it’s kind of like a mirror. So as to avoid inadvertently uploading a picture of my hootie-hoo, I decided to forgo the picture.

But it’s true!!!!! I can’t believe it!!!!

Okay, so sticking to the rules I’ve established (more or less) seems to work. Check. Point made.

 

And now onto exercise, the one rule that’s been lacking. Last night, I dutifully checked the weather and laid out my workout clothes. But………. I did not roll out of bed at 5:30 to walk.

Dang. I fulfilled only half of my promise to myself, but the most important part went unfulfilled.

Am I feeling down? Hell no, I lost almost 6 pounds in a week! BUT, I do know that this is probably only water weight and the real weight loss will slow. Exercise will be key.

 

So, what to do tonight? I am flying solo as a parent tonight because hubby is out of town. Formal exercise may not be a possibility. But, breakneck housecleaning will be!  Picking up, vacuuming, and dusting may be the modus operandi tonight. It’s still movement, right?

I will try again tomorrow to do a workout tape in the early a.m.

5.8 pounds !!! YEEHAW!!!!!

Day 7

 

Almost a week down. I weigh tomorrow.

So the exercise this morning did not happen. I must find a way to drag my lazy ass out of bed. But, in all fairness, it was raining. But that shouldn’t be an excuse. I solemnly resolve that tonight, I will check the weather report and plan accordingly. If it’s going to rain, I will prep to do a workout DVD. If it’s going to be nice, I’m going for a 30 minute walk. At 5:30. I must be insane.

I did really well with the 8:30PM rule last night. Come to think if it, I’ve actually done well with that all week. It’s been the meal leaving up to 8:30 that’s been my downfall. But, I’m not going to eviscerate myself (another rule) and I will keep my momentum. Every calorie saved is one tiny step towards my goal.

I didn’t go over my carbs yesterday and I used my willpower to only have wine after dinner. It seemed to work.

I’m counting the minutes until weigh in. Tick tick tick…..