Being mindful means becoming more aware within the moment of doing something. I’d like to work on that as part of my goals. I think being more aware of my internal and external experiences would help me on this weight loss journey. Becoming more present and mindful would deter overeating because overeating is an escape. Mindfulness is like the exact opposite trying to escape. This is just what I’m thinking about.
Even though I have a reasonable goal and good plan executing it can be difficult. The only thing I can say about how it’s going is that it could be worse. I have not rolled over any points yet, tomorrow is another day, a fresh start, and it’s time to start over again.
If you are struggling know you’re not alone. You can do it even if it’s not going well right now. It’s never too late for a do over.
March is one of those fickle months that fluctuates from wintry cold to warmer hints of spring. Today, is one of those rainy, grey, and icy cold March days. But I know that old man winter is shuffling around packing his bags and making his plans to move out to make way for the spring. Now is the time to think about what kind of spring and summer I want to experience.
As I am getting ready for a new week, I am thinking about what I can do to continue to grow. But before I can do that, I have to take stock of where I am right now. Although, I am still within my margins for Lifetime status I do want to lose about 3 pounds. My reasons for this is that my waist-to-hip ratio can still be improved. Click on the link if you want to read more about waist-to hip-ratio what it is, and why it’s important. For me, beginning the process for goal setting involves three steps…
So I need visuals and a way to engage and organize my thinking to help myself. Here is the work plan I created called, Got Goals? Planning Intentional Goals.
As I go forward this week, I’m going to try to remind myself that I am taking this bit of time to help myself achieve my goals. I am going to try to honor this process and value it because I am worth the effort. If you decide to take this on, I hope you will do the same.
Part of making weight loss and adopting a healthy lifestyle last is knowing how to change things up. I went to the movies tonight, instead of popcorn I ate grapes, instead of candy – 1/3 cup of pistachios. It’s not that I am not “allowed” popcorn or candy it’s more that I am electing not eat them. I really enjoy grapes and pistachios and I am happier because I can manage the points better.
I saw Captain Marvel tonight. It was not only a whole lot of fun but it was also offered up great messages about beliefs and what to do right after failure. I can’t stop thinking about Stan Lee and how he was able to create these characters that so many of us love. I do love science fiction but what is the appeal of these movies to all of us? In the end I think we are all rooting for the good to win out over the bad.
I had a great WW workshop today. We talked about goals. For me, setting goals is a big part of me showing up and being the best I can be. I do tend to set goals that are doable, goals that push me in the right direction, goals that help me to understand that I am changing over time. The other part of keeping up with my goals is learning to trust and believe that I can do this. Telling myself, “I can do this.” and “I am enough.” help.
So, if you are unsure if you can do this, start small and start from a position of strength. Ask yourself, “What do I really enjoy?” Then think about ways to leverage that into a doable small goal. One that will lead to positive changes. Then keep going with your end destination in mind. That was the thinking that got me to where I am now: maintaining my weight loss, feeling so much more energetic and confident, wearing clothes that I love. So keep at it and I will too – together we can do this.
In terms of my weight loss and maintenance goals it was a great week. I achieved my fitness goal: I went to spin class three times. In terms of food, I will rollover 35sp. today and I did not feel deprived or hungry. Plus, there are a few little moments that happened during the week that I can celebrate:
Well, it’s no wonder I’m so tired! Busy week, and a lot to deal with. I am just glad to be home on this cold March night and am looking forward to getting some good rest. I weigh in tomorrow and I think my efforts will be reflected on the scale, but even if they aren’t I had a great week.
I ate the lunch I brought to work today, rather than ordering out. Everyone got takeout and I decided to stick to the plan and I feel really good about my decision. On WW you really can eat whatever you want (in moderation of course) but today, I just wanted the food I brought with me and that really makes me happy.
Learning how to say no is a powerful thing. Here is a tip, the next time your on the fence about eating something, it’s not your favorite, or you really aren’t sure that you want it… try saying “No thank you.” Then don’t say anything more, you don’t have to explain why, or go into detail, and see how that feels.
For me it feels like confidence and empowerment! The truth is sometimes on my weight loss journey I really need to feel that way.
I’ve been on track with my fitness goal this week. and I notice that I’m feeling fit. I feel agile, I have lots of energy, and my posture seems better. I have good control over my breath and when I raise my heart rate during very challenging parts of my workouts, I can bring it back down. This is very neat, because lowering my heart rate is a work in progress.
It’s easy to take progress for granted. It’s easy to get down on my failures. I think for today, I just want to celebrate what is going well. I’m feeling healthy and fit today- it’s really nice to feel this way.
I made it by the skin of my teeth to spin class today. The lights were off, and the class had begun and I got one of the last bikes. Phew… By the end of class, heard this song it was fantastic…
Pressure is one of those songs for me, it’s so genuine. I’ve been thinking about it for a while now. Maybe it has stuck with me because of the physical exhaustion (it was a very challenging class). Maybe it still lingers because of the way Freddie Mercury and David Bowie’s voices compliment each other. So different but perfectly matched. I think the real reason it endures today is because by the end of the song they are singing about love.
Love is what it’s all about. Think about it, anything big in life begins with love. I challenge you to think about your weight loss journey as an expression of love. Daily life is full to brim of pressure, and weight loss requires care, time, and attention. For so many of us that’s daunting and the first feeling that pressure stirs up is that it’s selfish to take that care, time, and attention on something that is just for you. Think again. It’s an expression of love for the life we’ve been given. I would bet, that the people who love you most want you to love yourself.
Sometimes I go over my points allotment. It’s ok that’s just living my life. I think the important thing is to track it even when it’s outside of the healthy eating zone. If I don’t the only person I’m lying to is me. That’s just silly.
Full disclosure, I used 40 Smartpoints today. I went out to dinner with my husband, I had a cocktail and that’s all it took. WW is designed to accommodate real life. That’s why they give us these extra points, I used some today. How do I recover? Well, I put myself on the list for spin tomorrow and I plan on making great food choices tomorrow. I had a nice time. Yes, I had some fun 🙂 and I’m moving on.
One thing I’m proud of is that since I decided to have a cocktail, I didn’t have dessert. I know it doesn’t sound like a big deal, but this is progress for me. I am really learning how to maintain my weight loss.
I am like many of you, I value work, and I am very dedicated to my career. It’s winter break and I am staying home. and I plan on being productive and organizing my house and working on projects for school. That will be good, but there is something else – I’m feeling pretty disappointed. I am not stealing off to some remote destination and kicking back away from my regular routine.
I guess I’m longing for some carefree fun. I am wishing for some time that I am not dealing with all the pressures of my life. I’m sure if you are reading this post, you may understand. Then today, I found myself looking and wanting to some of these…
Thankfully, my resolve held fast, and I didn’t buy any of them. It’s only now that I’ve had some time to reflect that I realize that it’s not this that I really want – it’s fun.
I wanted that feeling of freedom and good times. Why would I confuse food for fun? I don’t know. Maybe it’s some primitive response that enjoying something sweet triggers in the brain, but in the end, it doesn’t really matter. It just is. I think the more important thing is that I recognize the behavior. I think that is the thing that is really essential. I also think that I am not alone, I think there are many of us who unknowingly turn to food as a substitute for some kind of longing.
If I didn’t have this insight and the behavior was to stay unconscious, I might eat something high in points and then say something like, “You’re an idiot! Why’d you do that?” (That quote actually comes to you right out of my WW Workshop today). But in reality, the truth is, I’m not going away this winter break and that is disappointing. I’m not doing some of the same things my friends and colleagues are doing and I wish I were.
I used to turn to food. I don’t do that anymore, or at least not today – yay! I think it would be hubris to say that I will never repeat that behavior again. I know that it’s dug down deep. Now at least, I can say, that I’m aware of it and I think that’s a big deal. I am going to trust myself and rely on that awareness to keep me from repeating past mistakes. That’s good enough for today.
I realize that I may sound insensitive to some of you. For that, I am sorry. Deep down, I know that I am truly blessed. I have a home, a family, I get to teach children to read and write and to believe in themselves. That is truly a blessing. I do know that to some people reading this post, my disappointment may sound self-centered and spoiled. However, this blog is a space that I’ve created, for me to be totally honest.
So, even though I know I am blessed, I am still disappointed. I’d rather put my disappointment here on the screen than make some foolish choices that take me away from my goal. Maintaining weight loss is hard to do for a reason. Thank you for reading.
Getting to Goal 