We Attack At Dawn (Redux)

Two years ago today I wrote my second ever blog entry here.  I was laying the groundwork for what would be the largest undertaking I so far faced in my life.  I started with a thank you.  The support was overwhelming and immediate, and has continued, so let me reiterate that thank you to all of those who have followed, encouraged, and cajoled me through this journey.  It is not over, and that is why I want to recapture the enthusiasm of those first few months.

Several of my major goals were ones I embraced wholeheartedly and have not faltered on.  I have had 1 soda in two years, and that was a ginger ale to help settle my stomach when I did not have medicinal options.  I have taken joy in cooking more and more.

I weighed myself today for the first time in a good while.  I did not like what I saw.  I knew what to expect because my clothes are noticeably tighter, and I know I look bigger.

324.2

This is over 40 pounds higher than my lightest. I can accept stalling.  When I changed jobs I immediately stopped losing weight.  At first the adjustment was hard, but lately I have been using it as an excuse.  A new Subway just opened across from my office, so I always had a good food option.

My two biggest issues at the moment are snacking and pacing.  I eat too fast and I do not keep a good enough watch on the intervals between meals.  I end up too hungry and eat too much of the wrong things.  Tracking calories better will solve some of that.  The other issue is snacking.  The one thing I have not been able to kick is my sweet tooth, and the discipline needed to keep it out of the house has been hard, particularly in moments of frustration or when I get a bit depressed.  There is nothing for it but to do better.

I've got more to do than I did, but I know I can if I make the commitment.  Year three starts soon, and I plan to make this the year when my goals become about maintenance.

Sunday Calories

Whoh!

Sunday: 3175

I guess there is nothing to do but improve from that.  Breakfast did me in.  I made one bad choice (that I did not realize was as bad as it was until I looked up the numbers) and that was my entire over budget amount.

Saturday's Calories

2624 - Much closer to where I should be.

Friday's Calories

Not a great numbers day, but I logged it all, and that is a step in the right direction:

Calories: 2904

 about 300 over where I'd like to be, but again, I logged them. Today is a new day.

2nd Week Back

Well, clearly I did not do what I said I was going to this past week.  That means the goals stay the same until I get it right.  I know I did better this week than over the holidays, but better is not good enough right now.  I don't want to beat myself up, but not achieving simple goals like this is unacceptable if I want to make progress.  I will do better this week.

Goals

Alrighty! time for the first week's goals.  This week I will:

Log all meals all week.
Workout at least 3 times
Only have 1 sweet/desert, and limit to 2 alcoholic beverages at a maximum
Take at least 10 minutes every day to reflect on my successes.

The last one I think will be particularly important.  I will update calories daily to help me stay honest on that one.

Welcome Back

Well, its been over a month since my last post.  I think the frustration, burnout (both from work and this process), and restlessness caught up with me.  I needed to behave badly and selfishly for a month or so.  And I certainly did.  Clothes are  bit more snug and the fridge has a conspicuous vacancy in the crisper drawer.  I am back, though.  And I have decided to take a different tack in the coming weeks.  Instead of focusing primarily on weight I will instead set weekly goals.  Should I achieve the goals on a week to week basis the weight should follow.  I will resume weigh ins on the anniversary post in a couple weeks, but I need to get back into some good habits first.  Chicken shit, I know, but whatever gets me back on the horse.  I am lucky to have someone who as agreed to help keep me accountable on a personal basis, so that should help too.  Happy New Year!