Sticking To It

While I've been actively trying to lose weight for 16 months now, the only thing consistent about my plan is that it is consistently changing!  I've used this as a tool to stay motivated, but now I'm wondering if it's actually preventing me from reaching my goals. 

I haven't done any one thing long enough to give it a chance to work. For instance, I made a decision to not lift heavy and concentrate on cardio, diet, and yoga. Then today while I was in the treadmill, I found myself talking myself into heavy lifting!  I really enjoy lifting, I enjoy the sore muscles because they're a (relatively) immediate sign of doing something. When weight loss is so slow (or non existent at this point), I like feeling like I'm actually doing something. Depriving myself with no results suck. With lifting, the sore muscles let me know that I did something. 

I almost gave in and lifted.  Then I talked myself out of it. I need to give myself a month on this new plan to give it a chance. So instead, I decided to blog. ;)  I want to become more consistent...more consistent at blogging and more consistent at sticking to a plan. 

Reevaluation

I've been very good about sticking to my plan of running three times a week, and I made it to the gym four days!  (My youngest has had a low grade fever so we didn't go Friday.)  Even with all these fantastic workouts, I've GAINED 3 lbs in a week!

I've pushed myself hard this week. On Monday I ran and then did an intense lower body and ab workout. Tuesday I walked for an hour and lifted heavy weights for back and core. Wednesday I could barely move, literally, so I started out the day with 30 minutes of yoga (before the kids got up!). Then I went to the gym and did arms and swam laps. Thursday I did yoga, ran and did legs again.  Friday was a rest day and today I ran. Each day I also made it a point to walk 40 - 60 minutes with my kids (even Friday). With all that, I STILL gained. I'm so discouraged. 

My eating hasn't been the best. I made the mistake of buying nuts and animal crackers and have binged on both (mostly the animal crackers). I now know I won't be able to keep them in the house. :(

I mentally know that part of that 3 lbs is probably water weight, but I can't handle the gain. My weight just seems to keep creeping up instead of going down. I can't handle the gain mentally, even if it's just retained water, and fear that it will send me into poorer eating habits. So for now, I will be giving up on weight training. 

I read a blog regularly that is pro heavy lifting and boy does the writer look fantastic. They often say...sure you can lose weight just through cardio, but you will just be a smaller version of your flabby self (not a direct quote). At this point, I'll take the smaller version of my flabby self. It beats a larger version of myself any day. :(  So for now, I'll put the weights down and will continue with cardio. I'll also be adding yoga as I've fallen in love with it. Once I'm a smaller version, I'll then concentrate on lifting. 

So that's the game plan for now. Oh yeah, I'm adding a challenge this week too. No alcohol!  I've taken to having a glass of wine (and the obligatory snack that goes with it) every night once the kids are in bed. I need to cut this 280 calories out, so I'm challenging myself not to drink this week. I'll keep you up to date with how that goes!

Extended Stay

For the past 3 weeks we've had my in-laws from England staying with us. No, this isn't a bash my in-laws post, I actually love spending time with them. They're two of the kindest, insightful, funniest people I know. When I spend time with them I get to see where all of my husband's wonderful qualities come from!

There is a downside though, I didn't eat my best when they were here. Not their fault. I'm the one unable to say no to great food. This is the reason I don't normally keep it in the house. However, they're in their 70's, still very active for their age, but LOVE good food. My father-in-law has a sweet spot for good cheeses and my mother-in-law bakes fantastic desserts. ...and they're English, so there's always biscuits (cookies) in the house to go with tea. All things I have a hard time resisting. 

Now that I'm not working out of the house, I thought I'd be well on my way to shedding pounds and getting off this plateau. Instead, my eating has been horrible. Luckily, they like to walk, so we got in at least an hour of walking each day, which kept my weight relatively stable. 

Yesterday I got back on track with going to the gym and eating better. I did well with last month's baby step of getting 10,000 steps at least 4 days a week. This month I'm going to keep that baby step and add running at least 3 times a week. Let's hope this moves some lbs!