Well, folks, it’s time for some drastic measures. This just isn’t cutting it. I am STILL at the same weight I was just before Thanksgiving. In the 3 months prior to that, I did lose fifteen pounds. In the past couple weeks I’ve just kept getting more and more off track, and a little more discouraged, a little less optimistic and confident. This has to stop. NOW. I will not, I WILL NOT gain back one stinkin’ pound that I worked SOOO hard to lose. And I will lose more weight, and I will eventually reach my goal. This is getting ridiculous. I know I can do this. Instead of me looking back over the past weeks and pointing at all the mistakes I’ve made and all the places I’ve gone wrong (which I believe I have done on this blog recently), I’m going to do something else. I’m going to focus on what DOES work. I’m thinking back on the times that I have been successful and I’m going to implement what has worked for me. So here are the things that have truly worked for me:
- POSITIVE MOMENTUM. I truly believe that this has been about the greatest contributor to my weight loss success. Success just keeps building on itself. I do much better on any given day if I did well the day before. This is why a good decision now has far more impact that just the results of that one decision – it creates more and more good decisions. This is not to say that I won’t ever make a mistake, but the quicker I recover, the better.
- CONSISTENT BLOGGING. I do so much better when I am consistently posting on my blog and reading other blogs. Reading the weight loss journey’s of others is so helpful and my daily blogging is something that really keeps me accountable and helps me reflect on the things I’m doing well and the things I need to change. Lately I’ve gotten lax about reading (tonight there were 190 posts in my google reader, because I hadn’t read blogs for nearly a week) and I’ve gotten lazy about posting. I’ve skipped a couple days this week, and most of my posts have been very short and not as thoughtful.
- MEASURABLE RESULTS. Nothing is more motivational that positive results. I’m not quite as sure how to control this. I really can’t directly control the numbers on the scale. Sometimes my body is slow about dropping the weight. I think I need to measure something else. There really is a part of me that wants to throw the scale out the window (figuratively, not literaly – although that might be fun, too). I think I need to measure something I can control.
- EXERCISE, EXERCISE, EXERCISE. This is critical for me, and in the 10-12 weeks that I lost 15 pounds, I worked out an average of 4 days/week. I can’t say enough about the psychological benefits of exercise for me. It helped me stay on track with my eating. I slacked off this week and only worked out twice. I need to get out there and work!
- AVOIDANCE OF SWEETS AND BAKING. Unfortunately, I just can’t be around sweets and I can’t bake. This week I’ve baked three or four sweets – always with some excuse, but every time I ended up snacking on what I made. I need to stop.
Journey to Goal 
#1 by Joanne on March 8, 2009 - 11:40 am
It might be good to make non-weight-related goals that are still health related. Perhaps you could set workout goals or food-related goals. You could try to run for some number of minutes, or elliptical, or do x number of sit-ups/push-ups, etc. For food-related goals, it could be to get in your anti-oxidant rich 5-a-day every day or try to eat a differently colored fruit or vegetable with every meal, or even just cook a good, wholesome, balanced dinner every night. These things will contribute to your overall health but will be much more in your control than a number on a scale. I know there are some people out there right now who are trying to do yoga every day, also a very attainable goal. In the end, you want to change your lifestyle and so that includes so much more than a number on a scale!
I love your idea of focusing on what DOES work. Positivism is the best way to go! Now go get some more endorphins flowing with some exercise!
#2 by Lucrecia on March 8, 2009 - 2:06 pm
That darn scale, its our best friend and our worst enemy all rolled up in one! Do you have any clothes that are just shy of fitting? I try to use that as a measure of how I’m changing my body. Or are you able to do more exercise than you were last week or the week before? Although that one is just as intangeable as the number on the scale. I think reading blogs and writing on mine (even if 1/2 my posts are still in my head!) has really helped me along.
#3 by Hotch Potchery on March 8, 2009 - 2:16 pm
Finding weightloss blogs has been huge for me this round of healthy, healthy, healthy stuff. Getting good tips, discovering new foods, and the encouragement.
#4 by TheHealthyFamily on March 8, 2009 - 9:03 pm
Great plan! Now stick to it and make your dreams a reality!
#5 by Lola on March 8, 2009 - 10:48 pm
Good! I am so proud of you. You are getting angry and taking a stand and will NOT let this weight come back on. You’ve got a lot of support….You can’t control many things in life, but we can definitely, definitely control how many chocolate chip cookies we shove in our mouth. :o)
#6 by Christy on March 9, 2009 - 7:40 am
I am proud of you for jumping back on the weight loss bandwagon.
So…how many calories a day will you eat? 1500-1600? That would be around a good number.
Also…how many calories are you hoping to burn a day? My doctor told me 200-300 is good for a 45 minute workout…but I always end up burning about 500 calories for a good work out (40 mins elliptical, 15-20 mins weights).
Make sure you are eating enough or your body will hold on to weight instead of letting you lose. I have my menu plans posted daily on my blog. they might provide a reference for you. I think 6 small meals a day would be great for you. It speeds up your metabolism.
#7 by HappySkinnyGirl on March 9, 2009 - 9:38 am
I totally agree with Joanne. Those goals are more important than the numbers on the scale. It will help us lose weight in long term.
#8 by Amy on March 9, 2009 - 2:36 pm
Maybe you can measure inches?
#9 by Mom on March 14, 2009 - 1:31 pm
Glad to see you back on track and motivated!
#10 by Fitness Surfer on March 18, 2009 - 3:27 pm
It must be that time of year, because I’m suddenly feeling the pressure to get it together and reach my goal too. I love your simple, totally doable plan. I need some new gym pants and i would normally buy them anyways, but I’m going to set a goal and motivate myself to reach my next goal.
#11 by Tara on March 21, 2009 - 12:52 pm
I’m back to blogging– I didn’t fall totally off, but I’ve had some ups and downs with Derek being back. I’ll give you a call. I saw you called me, but I’ve been in FL on spring break.
Okay…one suggestion. it’s something i’ve been toying with myself for some extra motivation. I’m thinking about starting a sticker system with my calendar. For example, I get a sticker if i work out, and I get a sticker if I eat on plan that day, etc. It might be something visual/fun. Lists and charts really help me, so that’s why I think I might start that up. Anyway, it might work for you too, or at least be a little something extra to try- not very expensive anyway. Plus, it is something you can control (unlike pounds or inches lost), and it gives you “measurable” results.
#12 by Christy on March 24, 2009 - 4:54 am
Hey…where did you go? You are not allowed to give up 🙂
#13 by Lola Fierce on March 25, 2009 - 7:33 am
I’m with Christy. Where are you? I keep looking to see if you’ve refreshed. You can do it. Don’t get discouraged. You have made soooo much progress….everybody falls off every now and then. You just have to keep starting over. Its ok.