Losing the Last 14 (One More Time)

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Sometimes the truth hurts...

I weighed in at 134.2 today.  Must do better next week. 

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Coping with Stress, Changing my Goal

I took a break from blogging for a while.  I got down to about 131 pounds then crept back up to 134 and am somewhere in between.  (We'll see what I weigh in at tomorrow.) Last Sunday, I weighed in at 134. 

I had a really difficult few weeks where I let stress get the better of me, and I was not eating well.  I got worked up about our homeschool year starting and kept staying up late, looking for ideas on the Internet, ordering books, etc.  I would stay up until 2 AM but still have to get up at 7 or 8, which isn't enough for me.  When I don't get enough sleep, I get really hungry, have less self-control, and start mindlessly snacking.

I kept thinking to myself, I canNOT let myself go just because I get stressed out.  And then I realized that that is just never going to happen.  I have to deal with the stress in a better way, so that it doesn't mess up my sleeping and eating.  I'm working on it.

I also realized that losing these 5 pounds has been such a struggle that I decided to set my goal weight at 129.  If I get up to 130, I will work on losing weight.  If, over the course of praticing portion control and exercising, I get below 129, I certainly will not try to gain back the weight, but I think 129 is a better goal for me that 125.  I don't care that much if the size 4 jeans never fit me again, and I'm tired of stressing myself out about it. 

Here is the plan I've made up for myself:

1)  Use healthy ways to deal with stress (making to-do lists, walking, running, yoga, gardening), so that I minimize sleep loss and mindless eating. 
2)  Get enough sleep.  Go to bed, not to computer, when sleepy.
3)  Practice portion control.  Stop eating when full.  Eat five times a day (3 meals, 2 snacks) and no more.
4)  Exercise every day.  Get cardio (even if it's just walking) 5 times a week for at least 30 minutes and strength training 2 times a week. 
5)  When I realize I've fallen off the eating-exercise wagon, get right back on. 

I think those are do-able rules that will keep me healthy and lean.