So the lovely Tiger Girl is reading Shrink Yourself and has reminded me about putting the work in, to get the desired results.
Aha!
So, to kickstart things off again, I thought I would have a reality check with my LighterLife Record Book:
Today I weighed in at 12 stone 5lbs; according to the book, the closest weight registered was 12 stone 3lbs at the end of April 2007. And for an even more shameful note to self, that was at the end of Week 10 of LighterLife Foundation. That means that all my hard work AFTER April 2007 was for nothing! The months of torment...for nothing!
Second, this time last year, I weighed...10 stone 4lbs. I had gained a pound, which was due to water retention, apparently!
Ironically, of course, I would not have been satisfied at 10 stone 4lbs because I didn't stop there, did I?!
Which brings me neatly to a very important observation...this regained weight did not appear by magic. It really didn't. I let it happen. And I have to take responsibility for that. Sigh.
When I was deliberating over the job situation, one of my major concerns (that formed part of my internal dialogue/panic) was how on earth could I possibly fit in going to the gym (or other keep fit activities!) if I am working such ridiculously long hours? Yes, that is what I thought.
But this is where I have to get real and honest with myself. I COULD HAVE been going to the gym all of this year - even if I had had a break after the miscarriage - the opportunity was there. When the lodger lived with us, she used to drive us to the gym. And even then, sometimes, I did not go!
Even when I worked at the call centre - a mere 10 minutes' walk away from the gym - I did not go. I thought about it. A lot. But I didn't actually translate those thoughts into action.
Another fact to face is that this time last year I was extremely physically active - walking everywhere or cycling up and down the hill to the B&B or...even running! I think my bike would collapse in shock now if I sat on it to go anywhere.
My LighterLife Counsellor keeps reminding us that losing weight and keeping it off is a five-year plan - minimum. If you can keep it off for five years, you have a much better chance of keeping the weight at bay for life. Well, so far, NOT so good.
BUT if this is phase two of a five phase project, I need a new plan. But it's going to have to be a plan that's about working smarter not harder.
The job and the commute will impose their own restrictions and it will be up to me to manage myself and my weight in the midst of the chaos!
Aha!
Dear Mrs L
So glad you didn't close down your blog - you have been a real inspiration to me and you are so NOT a failure! You have done fantastically, esp given trials and tribulations.I have accepted that my weight IS going to fluctutate, I will never be the girl who virtuously maintains forever - I'll always be a work in progress and will never be skinny (sometimes I'll be ok with my weight and sometimes not) but I'm determined to stop beating myself up for it - because nothing makes me gain weight faster than that.
Very good luck with the job and sending positive thoughts to your faraway friend x
Posted by: Jan | July 18, 2008 at 12:07 AM